In the year 695 H. (1296 A.D.), the Sultán proceeded with an army to the neighbourhood of Gwalior, and stayed there some time. Rumours (arájíf) here reached him that 'Aláu-d dín had plundered Deogír and obtained elephants and an immense booty, with which he was returning to Karra. The Sultán was greatly pleased, for in the simplicity of his heart he thought that what­soever his son and nephew had captured, he would joyfully bring to him. To celebrate this success, the Sultán gave entertain­ments, and drank wine. The news of 'Aláu-d dín's victory was confirmed by successive arrivals, and it was said that never had so rich a spoil reached the treasury of Dehlí. Afterwards the Sultán held a private council, to which he called some of his most trusty advisers * * * and consulted whether it would be advisable to go to meet 'Aláu-d dín or to return to Dehlí. Ahmad Chap, Naíb-bárbak, one of the wisest men of the day, spoke before any one else, and said, “Elephants and wealth when held in great abundance are the cause of much strife. Whoever acquires them becomes so intoxicated that he does not know his hands from his feet. 'Aláu-d dín is surrounded by many of the rebels and insurgents who supported Malik Chhajú. He has gone into a foreign land without leave, has fought battles and won treasure. The wise have said ‘Money and strife; strife and money’—that is the two things are allied to each other. * * * My opinion is that we should march with all haste towards Chanderí to meet 'Aláu-d dín and intercept his return. When he finds the Sultán's army in the way, he must necessarily present all his spoils to the throne whether he likes it or not. The Sultán may then take the silver and gold, the jewels and pearls, the elephants and horses, and leave the other booty to him and his soldiers. His territories also should be increased, and he should be carried in honour to Dehlí.” * * * The Sultán was in the grasp of his evil angel, so he heeded not the advice of Ahmad Chap * * * but said “what have I done to 'Aláu-d dín that he should turn away from me, and not present his spoils?” The Sultán also consulted Malik Fakhru-d dín Kúchí (and other nobles). The Malik was a bad man; he knew that what Ahmad Chap had said was right, but he saw that his advice was displeasing to the Sultán, so he advised * * * that the Sultán should return to Dehlí to keep the Ramazán. * * *

The guileless heart of the Sultán relied upon the fidelity of 'Aláu-d dín, so he followed the advice of Fakhru-d dín Kúchí, and returned to Kílú-gharí. A few days after intelligence arrived that 'Aláu-d dín had returned with his booty to Karra. 'Aláu-d dín addressed a letter to the Sultán announcing his return with so much treasure and jewels and pearls, and thirty-one elephants, and horses, to be presented to his majesty, but that he had been absent on campaign without leave more than a twelve­month, during which no communications had passed between him and the Sultán, and he did not know, though he feared the machinations of his enemies during his absence. If the Sultán would write to reassure him, he would present himself with his brave officers and spoils before the throne. Having despatched this deceitful letter, he immediately prepared for an attack upon Lakhnautí. He sent Zafar Khán into Oudh to collect boats for the passage of the Sarú, and, in consultation with his adherents, he declared that as soon as he should hear that the Sultán had marched towards Karra, he would leave it with his elephants and treasure, with his soldiers and all their families, and would cross the Sarú and march to Lakhnautí, which he would sieze upon, being sure that no army from Dehlí would follow him there. * * * No one could speak plainly to the Sultán, for if any one of his confidants mentioned the subject he grew angry, and said they wanted to set him against his son. He wrote a most gracious and affectionate letter with his own hand, and sent it by the hands of some of his most trusted officers. When these messengers arrived at Karra, they saw that all was in vain, for that 'Aláu-d dín and all his army were alienated from the Sultán. They endeavoured to send letters informing the Sultán, but they were unable to do so in any way. Meanwhile the rains came on, and the roads were all stopped by the waters. Almás Beg, brother of 'Aláu-d dín, and like him a son-in-law of the Sultán, held the office of Akhur-bak (Master of the horse). He often said to the Sultán “People frighten my brother, and I am afraid that in his shame and fear of your majesty he will poison or drown himself.” A few days afterwards 'Aláu-d dín wrote to Almás Beg, saying that he had committed an act of disobedience, and always carried poison in his handkerchief. If the Sultán would travel jarída (i.e. speedily, with only a small retinue), to meet him, and would take his hand, he should feel re-assured; if not, he would either take poison or would march forth with his elephants and treasures to seek his fortune in the world. His expectation was that the Sultán would desire to obtain the treasure, and would come with a scanty following to Karra, when it would be easy to get rid of him. * * * Almás Beg showed to the Sultán the letter which he had received from his brother, and the Sultán was so infatuated that he believed this deceitful and treacherous letter. Without further consideration he ordered Almás Khán to hasten to Karra, and not to let his brother depart, promising to follow with all speed. Almás Beg took a boat and reached Karra in seven or eight days. When he arrived, 'Aláu-d dín ordered drums of joy to be beaten, saying that now all his apprehensions and fears were removed.

The crafty counsellors of 'Aláu-d dín, whom he had promoted to honours, advised the abandonment of his designs upon Lakh-nautí, saying that the Sultán, coveting the treasure and elephants, had become blind and deaf, and had set forth to see him in the midst of the rainy season—adding, “after he comes, you know what you ought to do.” The destroying angel was close behind the Sultán, he had no apprehension, and would listen to no advice. He treated his advisers with haughty disdain, and set forth with a few personal attendants, and a thousand horse from Kílú-gharí. He embarked in a boat at Dhamaí, and proceeded towards Karra. Ahmad Chap, who commanded the army, was ordered to proceed by land. It was the rainy season, and the waters were out. On the 15th Ramazán, the Sultán, arrived at Karra, on the hither side of the Ganges.

'Aláu-d dín and his followers had determined on the course to be adopted before the Sultán arrived. He had crossed the river with the elephants and treasure, and had taken post with his forces between Mánikpur and Karra, the Ganges being very high. When the royal ensign came in sight he was all prepared, the men were armed, and the elephants and horses were harnessed. 'Aláu-d dín sent Almás Beg in a small boat to the Sultán, with directions to use every device to induce him to leave behind the thousand men he had brought with him, and to come with only a few personal attendants. The traitor Almás Beg, hastened to the Sultán, and perceived several boats full of horsemen around him. He told the Sultán that his brother had left the city, and God only knew where he would have gone to if he, Almás Beg, had not been sent to him. If the Sultán did not make more haste to meet him he would kill himself, and his treasure would be plundered. If his brother were to see these armed men with the Sultán he would destroy himself. The Sultán accordingly directed that the horsemen and boats should remain by the side of the river, whilst he, with two boats and a few personal attendants and friends, passed over to the other side. When the two boats had started, and the angel of destiny had come still nearer, the traitor, Almás Beg, desired the Sultán to direct his attendants to lay aside their arms, lest his brother should see them as they approached nearer, and be frightened. The Sultán, about to become a martyr, did not detect the drift of this insidious proposition, but directed his followers to disarm. As the boats reached mid-stream, the army of 'Aláu-d dín was perceived all under arms, the elephants and horses harnessed, and in several places troops of horsemen ready for action. When the nobles who accompanied the Sultán saw this, they knew that Almás Beg had by his plausibility brought his patron into a snare, and they gave themselves up for lost. * * * Malik Khúram wakíldar asked * * * what is the meaning of all this? and Almás Beg, perceiving that his treachery was detected, said his brother was anxious that his army should pay homage to his master.