While the Sultán was prosecuting the siege of Rantambhor, a revolt of some importance broke out at Dehlí. * * * There was a person named Hájí, a maula or slave of the late Kotwál, Amíru-l umará Fakhru-d dín. He was a man of violent, fearless, and malignant character * * * and he was charged with the guard of the exchequer.* A man called Turmuzí was kotwál of the city and greatly oppressed the people. * * * 'Aláu-d dín Ayáz, father of Ahmad Ayáz, was kotwál of the New Fort. Hájí Maula, seeing the city empty, and the in­habitants distressed by the violence and tyranny of Turmuzí the kotwál * * * knowing also that not a man could be spared from the army * * * he thought the people would support him. He secured the support of the old kotwálí officers, and excited a somewhat formidable revolt. It was the month of Ramazán, and the sun was in Gemini. The weather was very hot, and at mid­day people kept indoors taking their siesta, so there were few in the streets. At this time Hájí Maula, with several armed followers, went to the house of kotwál, carrying with them as a blind a letter which he pretended to have received from the Sultán. The kotwál was taking his nap, and had none of his men with him. When he was called he roused himself, put on his slippers, and came to the door. Hájí Maula instantly gave the signal, and his followers cut off the unsuspecting victim's head. He then brought out the pretended royal farmán, and, showing it to the crowd, he said that he had killed the kotwál in obedience to orders received from the Sultán. The people were silent. The keepers of the gates were creatures of Hájí Maula, so they closed them. After killing kotwál Turmuzí, he sent to summon 'Aláu-d dín Ayáz, intending to kill him also. * * * But Ayáz had been informed of the outbreak, so, instead of coming out, he gathered his followers round him, placed guards, and refused to open the gates of the New Fort. Hájí Maula then proceeded with his riotous followers to the Red Palace, seated himself upon a balcony, and set free all the prisoners, some of whom joined his followers. Bags of gold tankas were brought out of the treasury and scattered among the people. Arms also were brought from the armoury, and horses from the royal stables, and distributed among the rioters. Every one that joined them had gold tankas thrown into his lap. There was an 'Alawí (descendant of 'Alí) in Dehlí who was called the grandson of Shah Najaf,* who, by his mother's side, was grandson of Sultán Shamsu-d dín. The Maula set off from the Red Palace with a party of horse, and went to the house of the poor 'Alawí. They carried him off by force and seated him on the throne in the Red Palace. The principal men of the city were brought by force and made to kiss his hand. * * * These riotous proceed­ings went on for seven or eight days, and intelligence was several times conveyed to the Sultán, but he kept it secret, and it did not become known to the army.

On the third or fourth day of the riot, Malik Hamídu-d dín, Amir of Koh, with his sons and relations, all valiant men, opened the Ghazní gate and went into the city. They proceeded towards the gate of Bhandar-kál, and arrows began to fly between them and the rioters, who became desperate and obtained gold from Hájí Maula. After Hamídu-d dín, the Amir of Koh, had been in the city two days, he and his loyal followers prevailed over the rebels. A party of the friends of Zafar Khán, who had come from Amroha, joined him. He then entered the gate of Bhan­dar kál, and a struggle ensued between him and the shoemakers, and between him and Hájí Maula. The Amir of Koh alighted from his horse, dashed Hájí Maula to the ground, and sat upon his breast. Swords and clubs were aimed at him all round and he was wounded, but he never quitted his fallen foe till he had despatched him. After this the victors proceeded to the Red Palace. They decapitated the miserable 'Alawí and carried his head about the city on a spear.

A despatch announcing the death of Hájí Maula was sent to the Sultán at Rantambhor. Intelligence of the revolt and of the anarchy prevailing at Dehlí had in several ways reached the Sultán, but he had resolved upon the reduction of the fort, and so he would not be shaken from his purpose and leave it to go to Dehlí. All his forces were engaged in pressing the siege, and were severely tried and distressed. But such was the fear felt for the Sultán that no one dared to set off for Dehlí or any other place. In the course of five or six days every one in the city who had supported Hájí Maula, or had taken money from him, was cast into prison. The gold which had been distributed among the people was brought back again to the treasury. A few days after, Ulugh Khán arrived from Rantambhor and took up his residence in the Múizzí palace. The rioters were brought before him and he decreed their punishments, so that blood ran in streams. The sons and grandsons of the old kotwál Maliku-l umará had no guilty knowledge of the revolt, but they and every one belonging to that family were put to death. No name or trace of them was left—a sad warning to politicians.

From the revolt of the “new Musulmáns” in Gujarát to that of Hájí Maula, four insurrections had successively troubled Sultán 'Aláu-d dín. These roused him from his dreams of security and pride, and he exerted all his powers for the re­duction of Rantambhor. He held privy consultations with * * * arguing with them and inquiring into the causes of the insur­rections, declaring that if the real reasons could be ascertained he would remove them, so that no revolt should afterwards occur. After considering for some nights and days, these great men agreed that the causes were four. 1. The Sultán's disregard of the affairs (both) of good and bad people. 2. Wine. Parties are formed for wine-drinking, and those who attend them talk openly of what passes in these meetings. They strike up friend­ships and excite disturbances. 3. The intimacy, affection, alli­ances, and intercourse of maliks and amírs with each other. So that if anything happens to one of them, a hundred others get mixed up in it. 4. Money, which engenders evil and strife, and brings forth pride and disloyalty. If men had no money, they would attend to their own business, and would never think of riots and revolts. And if rioters and rebels had no money, they could never count upon the assistance of low and turbulent people.*

Some time after this revolt, the Sultán succeeded in reducing Rantambhor, but with much bloodshed and difficulty. He slew Hamír deo, the Ráí, and all the “new Musulmáns” who had fled from the rebellion in Gujarát, and had taken refuge with him. The fort and all its territories and appurtenances were placed under the charge of Ulugh Khán, and the Sultán returned to Dehlí. He was angry with the citizens and had exiled many of their chiefs; so he did not enter the city, but stopped in the suburbs ('umránát).

Four or five months after the Sultán left Rantambhor, Ulugh Khán collected a large force with the intention of attacking Tilang and Ma'bar, but his time was come, and the angel of destiny took him to the blessed city. His corpse was conveyed to Dehlí and buried in his own house. The Sultán grieved for him and made many offerings for his soul.