Sultán Sikandar, on the very day his father Muzaffir died, seated himself on the throne at

7th April,
A.D. 1526.

Ahmadábád; and on the 25th of Jumádá-s-sání of A. Hij. 932, undertook a journey to Mahmúdábád, where, having distributed presents in the manner of his ancestors, he com­menced his reign. After conferring titles on all those who had served him while he was a prince, he gave away, as presents among his people, seventeen hundred horses.

The nobles belonging to the court of the late Muzaffir were much vexed at this proceeding; and Imádu-l-Mulk, otherwise named Khúsh-Kadam, the foster-brother of the king, and who was in hope of his being made his prime-minister, was greatly annoyed. The discontented nobles, being apprized of this circumstance, persuaded him that the king wished to cut him off. Imádu-l-Mulk, who was very powerful, now engaged in a conspiracy; and joined the discontented nobles with part of the troops that had been gained over by his promises. At this time, Latíf Khán, brother to the king, who set up his pretensions to the throne, held possession of the mountainous country about Sultánpúr and Nadarbár. He was assisted by Bhím Rájá, and kept up a correspondence with several of the nobles; wherefore Shirza Khán was appointed to expel him from these parts; but, he being killed in action, Nasír Khán was sent with a large army to succeed him.

When the conspiracy was completed, Imádu-l-Mulk, who, feigning sickness for some time, had confined himself to his house, wrapped up his head one day in the manner of a sick person, and waited on the king. He was accompanied by fifty horsemen; and finding a fit opportu­nity, while most of the king's attendants were absent, he entered the royal apartments. Hav­ing carried along with him Malik Páhár, and finding the Sultán asleep, that person murdered him, on a signal given by Imádu-l-Mulk. This

26th May,
A.D. 1526.

event happened on the 14th of Shabán of A. Hij. 932; and the Sultán was buried at Halol, which is two koss from Mahmúdábád Chámpánír.

Imádu-l-Mulk, having thus accomplished the important undertaking of Sikandar's mur­der, took from the harem a son of the late Muzaffir, then five or six years of age, and, after giving him the name of Sultán Mahmúd, seated him on his knee; but, distributing at the same time horses and honorary dresses among the soldiers and nobles, he conferred titles on them.* All the nobles, who thirsted after the blood of Imádu-l-Mulk, on account of this murder, retired to their own jágírs; and, anxious to find the means of revenge, despatched messengers in haste to acquaint Bahádur Khán of these events, and urged his return.

The length of Sultán Sikandar's reign was two months and sixteen days.