Nizámu-d dín profited nothing by these counsels; his ambition to acquire the regal power made him blind and deaf. Every day he made some new move in the game, and sought to remove the Khiljís, who were obstacles in his road to sovereignty. Fate, however, derided these crude designs, and smiled upon the Khiljís. The Sultán himself became aware that Nizámu-d dín desired to remove him, and in fact his designs were patent to every one in Dehlí.
While Kai-Kubád was sitting on the throne in Dehlí, his father, Bughrá Khan, at Lakhnautí, had assumed the title of Násiru-d dín, and had struck coins and caused the khutba to be read in his own name. A correspondence was kept up between the father and son, and messengers were constantly passing, carrying presents from one to the other. The father was informed of his son's devotion to pleasure, and of Nizámu-d dín's designs, * * * so he wrote letters of advice and caution to his son, * * * but the Sultán, absorbed in his pleasures, * * * paid no heed to his father's remonstrances, and took no notice of his minister's designs. Neither did he give the least attention to the business of the kingdom.
When Bughrá Khán* heard that his son * * * paid no heed to his letters, he resolved to go and see him, and he wrote him a letter announcing his intention. * * * This letter awakened the Sultán's affection * * * and several letters passed. * * * It was at length arranged that the Sultán would go to Oudh, and that his father should come from Lakhnautí and meet him on the banks of the Sarú. The Sultán's intention was to proceed privately (jarídah) to the Sarú, but his minister opposed this, * * * observing that “the journey was long, and that he ought to travel in state with an army. * * * Old writers had said that in pursuit of dominion fathers will slay their sons, and sons their fathers. Ambition for rule stifles both paternal and filial affection. * * * The Sultán's father had struck coins and caused the khutba to be read in his name—besides, he was the rightful heir to the kingdom, and who could foresee what would happen at the interview. The Sultán ought to proceed with his army in all state and grandeur. * * * The Ráís and Ránas would then come to pay their respects; but if he travelled with haste, all reverence for the kingly office would be lost.” * * * His advice was taken by the Sultán, and he directed his army and travelling equipage to be prepared.
In due time the Sultán set out in all regal state, with a suitable army, and marching into Oudh he pitched his camp on the banks of the Sarú. When Bughrá Khán heard that the Sultán had brought a large army, he understood that Nizámu-d dín had instilled fear into the heart of his son; but he set forth from Lakhnautí with an army and elephants, and arrived at the Sarú, where the two armies encamped on opposite sides of the river, within sight of each other. For two or three days officers passed from both sides, carrying messages between father and son. The order of the interview was at length settled. Bughrá Khán was to pay honour and homage to the king of Dehlí. He was to cross the river to see his son seated on his throne, and to kiss his hands (in token of inferiority). The Khán said, “I have no inclination to pay homage to my own son; but he sits upon the throne of Dehlí in my father's seat, and that exceeds in grandeur all the thrones of the earth. * * * If I do not show it due honour, its glory will be shattered, and evil will come both upon me and my son. * * * I will therefore fulfil all the requirements of etiquette.” He directed the astrologers to fix upon an auspicious hour for the interview. On the appointed day the Sultán's court was arranged, and he sat upon his throne to hold a levée. Bughrá Khán alighted, and came within the privileged circle. He bowed his head to the earth, and three times kissed the ground, as required by the ceremonial of the court. But when he approached the throne, the Sultán could no longer bear the degradation of his father; he threw aside all kingly grandeur, and, descending from the throne, cast himself at his father's feet. * * * Father and son burst into tears and embraced each other, * * * and the Sultán rubbed his eyes upon his father's feet. This sight drew tears also from the eyes of the beholders. The father took his son's hand and led him to the throne, intending himself to stand before it for awhile; but the Sultán came down, and conducting his father to the throne, seated him there on his own right hand. Then, coming down, he bent his knees, and sat respectfully before him. * * * Afterwards they had some conversation together in private, and then Bughrá Khán retired across the river to his own camp. * * *
One day, Bughrá Khán, after telling his son a story about Jamshíd, said, “Oh, my dear son, how far wilt thou carry thy addiction to pleasure and dissipation, and how long wilt thou disregard the sayings of great and powerful kings?” * * * When the Khán had finished his counsels he wept, and pressing his son to his bosom bade him farewell; and as he did so, he secretly whispered to him his advice that he should remove Nizámu-d dín as soon as possible, otherwise that man would one day seize an opportunity to remove him from the throne. So saying, and shedding many tears, he parted from his son. * * * When he reached his own camp he said to his friends, “I have said farewell to my son and to the kingdom of Dehlí; for I know full well that neither my son nor the throne of Dehlí will long exist.”
Kai-Kubád returned through Oudh, towards Dehlí, and for some days he was mindful of his father's advice, and abstained from sensual amusements. * * * The tenor of that advice was known to all men in the army. * * * He kept aloof from women, till one day a lovely girl met him on the road [decked in the most alluring style], and addressed some lines of poetry to him. * * * The Sultán was overpowered by her charms, he could not resist * * * but called for wine; and, drinking it in her presence, recited some verses, to which she replied also in verse. * * * His father's counsels were forgotten, and he gave himself up to pleasure in the society of that “vow-breaker” [and plunged deeper into his old habits]. From Oudh to Dehlí all his journey was one round of dissipation and pleasure. When he arrived at Kílú-garhí public rejoicings were held. * * *
I, Ziáú-d dín Barní, author of this work, heard from Kází Sharfu-d dín that Sultán Kai-Kubád was so engrossed by his dissolute pursuits, that his government would not have endured for a single week, but for Malik Nizámu-d dín and Malik Kiwámu-d dín, both of whom were old Shamsí and Balbaní nobles. They were wise, experienced men, who possessed ability, and encouraged ability. * * * Nizámu-d dín was also very generous, * * * and it was a thousand pities that so many excellent qualities should all have been spoilt by his ambition to attain the throne. * * * Soon after the Sultán returned from Oudh, his constitution began to give way, and his excessive indulgence in sensual pleasures made him very feeble and pale. He thought upon the advice of his father, and resolved upon removing Nizámu-d dín, without reflecting that there was no one to take his place, and that troubles and difficulties would arise. So he ordered Nizámu-d dín to proceed to Multán to arrange the affairs of that dependency. The minister perceived that the Sultán was acting upon advice received from his father, or some other person, and fearing the intrigues of his rivals he delayed his departure. The Sultán's associates and attendants were aware that he was resolved upon removing Nizámu-d dín, so after obtaining the Sultán's consent, they put poison into his wine, and he died. The fact of his having been poisoned was well known in Dehlí. What little order had been maintained in the government was now entirely lost. People were without employ, and flocked to the gates of the palace; and as no order was maintained there, no security was anywhere to be found.
At this time Jalálu-d dín was Náíb of Sámána and Sar-