Came to the throne in the year 634 H. (1236 A.D.), and followed the path of equity and the principles of justice; set in order the affairs which had remained in confusion, and set before her the pur- 84. suit of beneficence, (which is as great a fault in women as stinginess is in men) as the object of her ambition, and made Niāmu-l-Mulk Jundī (Junaidī) Chief Wazīr.* Antagonism and strife shewed itself among the Amīrs, and Sulān Raẓẓīyah formed an excellent plan, and threw these disloyal Amīrs into confusion so that they fled in all directions, and she having selected certain of them for punishment put them to death,* and Niāmu-l-Mulk retired to Sir Mūr* and took up his abode in the secret place of death, and Khwāja Muhaẕẕab the Deputy succeeded him in office. The kingdom of Raẓẓīyah gained considerable power, she despatched an army to relieve Rantanbhūr,* which, after the death of Sulān Shamsu-d-Dīn, the Hindūs had invested continuously, and liberated the Muslims from their captivity, and Jamālu-d-Dīn Yāqūt, the Abyssinian, who was Master of the Horse, became her confidant and trusted adviser, to such a point that Sulān Raẓẓīyah whenever she rode horse or elephant used to rest upon his arm or shoulder.* He became an object of envy to the Amīrs, and the Sulān Raẓẓīyah came out from the curtain of chastity* and wearing the garments of men, regardless of propriety, used to wear a tunic and kullāh* when seated on the throne to rule the kingdom. And in the year 637 H. (1239 A.D.) Malik ‘Izzu-d-Dīn Iyāz, Governor of Lahore, displayed hostility. Sulān Raẓẓīyah proceeded against him and having reduced him to obedience added Multān also to his jāegīr,* and in the same year she brought up an army against Tabarhindah, and on the way the Turkī Amīrs witnessing her immodest behaviour, rebelled, and seized both Sulān Raẓẓīyah and Jamālu-d-Dīn Yāqūt the Abyssinian, who had risen to be the Chief Amīr,* and confined them in the fortress of Tabarhindah.*
Seek not fidelity to its promise from the indolent world. 85.
For this old woman is the bride of a thousand lovers.
* There is no sign of faithfulness to promise in the smile of
the rose.
Lament, Oh heart-reft nightingale, for here is cause for complaint.