In the second year of the reign, Malik Chhajú, nephew of Balban, raised the white canopy in Karra, and had the khutba read in his name. Malik 'Alí, sar-jándár, son of a slave (maulá-záda) of Sultán Balban, who held the grant of Oudh, joined him. Several other old adherents of Balban, who held territories towards Hindustán, also supported him. He assumed the title of Sultán Mughísu-d dín, and the khutba was read in his name throughout Hindustán. Assembling an army, he marched towards Dehlí to claim the throne of his uncle, with the expectation that the people of the city would join him. Many of the inhabitants of Dehlí and the environs, mindful of the benefits they had received from his ancestors, heard of his approach with satisfaction and joy, and recognized him as the rightful heir to the throne; for they said that no Khiljí had ever been a king, and that the race had no right or title to Dehlí.

The Sultán marched from Kílú-gharí, attended by his adherents and the Khiljí nobles, who rallied thick around him. Taking with him an army in whose fidelity he had confidence, he advanced towards Chhajú. When he approached Badáún, he deputed his eldest son, Khán-i Jahán, to be his deputy in Dehlí during his absence; and he placed his second son, Arkalí Khán, one of the most renowned warriors of the time, at the head of a force, and sent him on in advance against the insurgents. Arkalí Khán marched ten or twelve kos before the Sultán and crossed the river of Kulaibnagar(?)* The Sultán remained at Badáún. Malik Chhajú continued to advance. The ráwats and páíks of Hindustan flocked around him like ants or locusts, and the most noted of them received betel from him, and promised to fight against the standards of the Sultán. When the two armies came in sight, the royal forces discharged their arrows. The spiritless rice-eating Hindustánís made a great noise, but lost all their powers; and the valiant soldiers of the royal army drew their swords and rushed upon them. Malik Chhajú, his nobles and all the Hindustánís, took to flight and dispersed. There was a mawás* in the neighbourhood into which Chhajú crept, and a few days after the chief of that mawás sent him to Sultán Jalálu-d dín. The chiefs, adherents, and officers of Chhajú, and the páíks who had been the leaven of his army, were all taken prisoners. Arkalí Khán put yokes upon their necks and sent them bound to the Sultán. I, the author of this Táríkh-i Fíroz-Sháhí, heard from Amír Khusrú, who was an attendant of the Court, that when the rebellious maliks and amírs were brought before the Sultán, he held a public darbár. Malik Amír 'Alí, sar-jándár, Malik Ulughchí, and other nobles were conducted into his presence, riding upon camels, with yokes upon their shoulders, their hands tied behind their necks, covered with dust and dirt, and their garments all soiled. It was expected that the Sultán would have them paraded in this state all through the army as examples, but as soon as he saw them he put his handkerchief before his eyes and cried with a loud voice, “What is this!” He ordered them to be dismounted and un­fastened immediately. Those among them who had held offices in former reigns were separated from the rest, and were con­ducted into an empty tent, where they were washed, perfumed, and dressed in clean garments by the Sultán's attendants. The Sultán went into his private apartments and ordered wine to be set out. He then called these captive nobles in as his guests, and they were so overwhelmed with shame that they kept their eyes fixed on the ground and did not speak a word. The Sultán spoke kindly to them and endeavoured to console them, telling them that, in drawing their swords to support the heir of their old benefactor, they had taken an honest rather than a dishonest course.

This leniency of the Sultán towards the captive nobles did not please the Khiljí nobles, and they whispered to each other that the Sultán did not know how to rule, for instead of slaying the rebels he had made them his companions. Malik Ahmad Chap, deputy lord chamberlain, a personal attendant and coun­sellor of the Sultán, told him that a King should reign and observe the rules of government, or else be content to relinquish the throne. He had shown great attention to those prisoners who deserved death, and had made them his guests. He had removed the fetters of rebels who all deserved punishment, and had set them free. Malik Chhajú, who for several months had caused the khutba to be read in his name in Hindustan, and who had struck coins, he had sent in a litter to Multán, with orders to keep him secluded, but to supply him with wine, fruit, food, and garments, and whatever he required. When such an offence, the worst of all political offences, had been passed over without punishment, how could it be expected but that other rebellions would break out and disturbances arise. The punish­ments awarded by kings are warnings to men. Sultán Balban, who never forgot his dignity and power, visited rebellious and political offences with the greatest severity, and how much blood did he shed? If the Sultán and his followers were to fall into their hands, no name or trace of the Khiljís would be left in Hindustan.

The Sultán replied, “Oh Ahmad, I am aware of what you say. I have seen the punishment of rebellion before you saw it, but what can I do? I have grown old among Musulmáns, and am not accustomed to spill their blood. My age exceeds seventy, and I have never caused one to be killed; shall I now, in my old days, for the short life that remains, which has never continued to others and will not be prolonged for me, act against the principles of the law and bring Muhammadans to the block? * * * As regards these nobles who have been made prisoners, I have reflected, and have come to the conclusion that if I look over their rebellion and spare their lives, they are men, and will be ashamed before God and man for the course they have pursued. I am sure they will feel their obligation to me, and will never again form designs against my throne or excite rebellion. * * * If I go to Multán, I will, like Sher Khán, fight against and give a good account of the Mughals, because they have invaded Musulmán territory; but if I cannot reign without shedding the blood of Musulmáns, I renounce the throne, for I could not endure the wrath of God.”

When the Sultán returned from Badáún after the suppression of the rebellion of Malik Chhajú, he bestowed Karra on 'Alau-d dín his nephew (brother's son) and son in law, whom he had brought up. 'Alau-d dín proceeded to his territory, and in the same year he found there many of the officers and friends of Malik Chhaju who had taken part in his rebellion. Them he set free and took into his service. These disaffected persons began at once to suggest to 'Aláu-d dín, that it was quite possible to raise and equip a large force in Karra, and through Karra to obtain Dehlí. Money only was needed: but for want of that Malik Chhaju would have succeeded. Get only plenty of money, and the acquisition of Dehlí would be easy. 'Aláu-d dín was at variance with his mother in law, Malika-i Jahán, wife of Sultán Jalálu-d dín, and also with his wife, so he was anxious to get away from them. The crafty suggestions of the Karra rebels made a lodgment in his brain, and, from the very first year of his occupation of that territory, he began to follow up his design of proceeding to some distant quarter and amassing money. To this end he was constantly making inquiries about other countries from travellers and men of experience.

On the Sultán's returning to Kílú-gharí, public rejoicings were held * * * after which he devoted himself assiduously to the business of his kingdom. * * * But the nobles and great men spoke of him with disparagement, saying that he knew not how to rule, and had none of the awe and majesty of kings. * * * His business was to fight against the Mughals, and such work would suit him, for he was not wanting in courage and warlike accomplishments. But he knew nothing about government. * * * Two things were required in kings. 1. Princely expenditure and boundless liberality. * * 2. Dignity, awe, and severity, by which enemies are repulsed and rebels put down. * * * These two qualities were wanting in him. * * * Thieves were often brought before him, from whom he took an oath that they would never steal again, and he then set them free, observing to those around him that he could not slay a bound man, and although he could do it in battle, it was against his feelings. * * * In his reign some thags were taken in the city, and a man belonging to that fraternity was the means of about a thousand being captured. But not one of these did the Sultán have killed. He gave orders for them to be put into boats and to be conveyed into the Lower country to the neighbourhood of Lakhnautí, where they were to be set free. The thags would thus have to dwell about Lakhnautí, and would not trouble the neighbourhood (of Dehlí) any more. * * *