Of all the Regulations of the late Sultán, that prohibiting wine was the one maintained by the new sovereign. But such was the disregard of orders and contempt of restrictions that wineshops were publicly opened, and vessels of wine by hundreds came into the city from the country. The necessaries of life and grain rose in price, the old regulations and tariffs were unheeded, and piece goods were sold at prices fixed by the vendors. The Multánís engaged in their own business, and in every house drums and tabors were beaten, for the bázár people rejoiced over the death of 'Aláu-d dín. They now sold their goods at their own price, and cheated and fleeced people as they listed. They reviled the late Sultán, and lauded the new one. The wages of labourers rose twenty-five per cent., and servants who had received ten or twelve tankas now got seventy, eighty, and a hundred tankas. The doors of bribery, extortion, and malversation were thrown open, and a good time for the revenue officers came round. Through the diminution of their tribute, the Hindus again found pleasure and happiness, and were beside themselves with joy. They who had plucked the green ears of corn because they could not get bread, who had not a decent garment, and who had been so harassed by corporal punishments that they had not even time to scratch their heads, now put on fine apparel, rode on horseback, and shot their arrows. Through all the reign of Kutbu-d dín, not one of the old Rules and Regulations remained in force, no order was maintained, new practices sprung up, the doors were kept closed and spies were useless, and no regularity or authority was maintained in the revenue department. The people were delivered from their distress, and every man engaged in pleasure according to the extent of his means. * * *
Through the indolence and liberality of Kutbu-d dín, and through the abeyance of the old Regulations, licentiousness spread among the Musulmáns, and disaffection and rebellion appeared among the Hindus. He plunged deeply into pleasure and debauchery; the world likewise sported in the same. * * * During (his reign of) four years and four months, the Sultán attended to nothing but drinking, listening to music, debauchery and pleasure, scattering gifts, and gratifying his lusts. If the Mughals had come up during his reign; if a rival had made pretensions to the throne; if any serious rebellion or sedition had broken out in any quarter, no one can tell what might have happened to Dehlí through the Sultán's negligence, heedlessness, and dissipation. But in his reign there was no deficiency in the crops, no alarm from the Mughals, no irreparable calamity from above visited the earth, no revolt or great disturbance arose in any quarter, not a hair of any one was injured, and the name of grief or sorrow never entered the breast, or passed from the tongue of any one. His whole life was passed in extreme dissipation and utter negligence: debauchery, drunkenness, and shamelessness proved his ruin. * * *
In the first year of the reign a numerous army was sent to
put down the revolt of Alp Khán, who had slain Kamálu-d dín
Garg, and had stirred up such a disturbance that Gujarát had
shaken off its allegiance. 'Ainu-l Mulk Multání was sent with
an army to Gujarát. This officer was a very intelligent, experienced,
and practical man. He marched with the army of
Dehlí and several distinguished amírs to Gujarát, and defeated
the forces of the revolters. They were entirely subdued, and
the management of 'Aínu-l Mulk, and the valour of the army of
Dehlí, once more reduced Nahrwála and all the country of Gu-
Sultán Kutbu-d dín married the daughter of Malik Dínár, to whom he had given the title of Zafar Khán. The Khán was one of the old servants (bandagán) of 'Aláu-d dín, an intelligent and prudent man, who had seen changes of fortune, and had drawn experience from them. He was now made governor (wálí) of Gujarát, and proceeded thither with amírs, officers, and a veteran army. In four months he brought the country into such subjection, that the people forgot Alp Khán and his ascendency. All the ráís and mukaddims of the country waited upon him, much money was acquired, and a select army was maintained always ready for service.
Although the Sultán did not maintain the Rules and Regulations of the late reign, the old servants of the State continued in their various posts, and retained their great fiefs. Hence all the territories of the State were made secure in the first year of the reign, no sedition or rebellion occurred in any quarter, nor did any distress or anarchy make its appearance. The accession of the new king was universally accepted.
In the year 718 H. (1318 A.D.) the Sultán marched with his maliks and amírs at the head of an army against Deogír, which, upon the death of Malik Náíb Káfúr, had thrown off its subjection, and had been taken possession of by Harpál Deo and Rám Deo. In the heedlessness of youth he did not nominate a wise and experienced man to act as his vicegerent during his absence; but he selected a youthful slave, named Sháhín, who had been called Baríldá during the reign of 'Aláu-d dín, and whom he now entitled Wafá-e Mulk. In his extreme rashness and utter disregard of appearances, he placed Dehlí and the treasures of Dehlí under this lad, without giving a moment's thought to disturbances or other things that might happen in his absence. On arriving at Deogír, Harpál Deo and the other Hindus who had joined him were unable to withstand the army of Islám, and they and all the mukaddims dispersed, so that the Sultán recovered the fort without fighting and spilling of blood. The Sultán then sent some officers in pursuit of Harpál Deo, who was the leader of the rebels, and had excited the revolt. He was captured, and the Sultán ordered him to be flayed, and his skin to be hung over the gate of Deogír. The rains came on and the Sultán remained with the army for a time at Deogír. All the Mahrattas were once more brought into subjection. The Sultán selected as governor of Deogír, Malik Yak Lakhí, an old servant (banda) of 'Aláu-d dín, who for many years was náíb of the baríds (spies); and he appointed feudatories, rulers, and revenue-collectors over the territories of the Mahrattas.
When Canopus appeared the Sultán resolved upon returning to Dehlí. He then granted a canopy to Khusrú Khán, and raised him to a dignity and distinction higher than had ever been attained by Malik Náíb Káfúr. In fact, his infatuation for this infamous and traitorous Parwárí exceeded that of 'Aláu-d dín for Malik Náíb Káfúr. He sent him at the head of an army with maliks and amírs into Ma'bar; and as 'Aláu-d dín gave full powers to Náíb Káfúr, sent him with an army into a distance, and placed in his hands the means of conquest, so, in like manner, Kutbu-d dín sent the vile Malik Khusrú into Ma'bar. Malik Khusrú was a base, designing, treacherous, low-born fellow. * * He rose from one dignity to another, and received the title of Khusrú Khán. He was also made commander-in-chief, and all the affairs of the army were in his hands. * * * But the vile wretch had often thought of cutting down the Sultán with his sword when they were alone together. * * * When he marched from Deogír to Ma'bar, he used to hold secret councils at night with some of his fellow Hindus, and with several disaffected adherents of Malik Náíb Káfúr, whom he had taken as friends, about making a revolt; and thus intriguing, he arrived in Ma'bar. The Sultán himself returned towards Dehlí, drinking and indulging in dissipation.