After the suppression of this revolt, the Sultán resolved on
going to Hindustán, and proceeded to Bahráích, where he paid a
visit, and devoutly made offerings to the shrine of the martyr
Sipáh-sálár Mas'úd,*
one of the heroes of Sultán Mahmúd Subuk-
When the Sultán returned to Dehlí, it occurred to his mind that no king or prince could exercise regal power without confirmation by the Khalífa of the race of 'Abbás, and that every king who had, or should hereafter reign, without such confirmation, had been or would be overpowered. The Sultán made diligent inquiries from many travellers about the Khalífas of the line of 'Abbás, and he learned that the representatives of the line of 'Abbás were the Khalífas of Egypt. So he and his ministers and advisers came to an understanding with the Khalífa that was in Egypt, and while the Sultán was at Sarg-dwárí he sent despatches to Egypt about many things. When he returned to the city he stopped* the prayers of the Sabbath and the 'Íds. He had his own name and style removed from his coins, and that of the Khalífa substituted; and his flatteries of the Khalífa were so fulsome that they cannot be reduced to writing. In the year 744 H. (1343 A.D.) Hájí Sa'íd Sarsarí came to Dehlí, from Egypt, bringing to the Sultán honours and a robe from the Khalífa. The Sultán, with all his nobles and saiyids and * * *, went forth to meet the Hájí with great ceremony, * * * and he walked before him barefoot for the distance of some long bow-shots. * * * From that date permission was given, that out of respect the Khalífa's name should be repeated in the prayers for Sabbaths and holydays, * * * and it was also ordered that in mentioning the names of the kings in the khutba, they should be declared to have reigned under the authority and confirmation of the 'Abbásí Khalífas. The names of those kings who had not received such confirmation were to be removed from the khutba, and the kings were to be declared to be superseded (mutaghallab). * * * The name of the Khalífa was ordered to be inscribed on lofty buildings, and no other name besides. * * * The Sultán directed that a letter acknowledging his subordination to the Khalífa should be sent by the hands of Hájí Rajab Barka'i, * * * and after two years of correspondence the Hájí returned from Egypt, bringing a diploma in the name of the Sultán, as deputy of the Khalífa.* * *
After the Sultán returned from Sarg-dwárí, he remained for
three or four years at Dehlí, where he devoted himself to sundry
matters which he considered to be for the good of the State.
Firstly. He did his best for the promotion of agriculture, and for
the encouragement of building. * * * The officers entrusted with
the distribution of the loans from the public treasury took care of
themselves, and appropriated the money to their own wants and
necessities. Much of the pasture land being unfit for cultivation
remained uncultivated, and the superintendents were in dread
of punishment. In the course of two years about seventy lacs
of tankas had been issued from the treasury to the superintendents
of the cultivation of waste lands, and not one hundredth
or a thousandth part of what was disbursed was reproduced in
agriculture. If the Sultán had returned from his campaign
against Thatta, not one of these superintendents and managers
would have remained alive. Secondly. The Sultán supported
and patronized the Mughals. Every year at the approach
of winter, the amírs of tumans (of men) and of thousands
etc., etc., received krors and lacs, and robes, and horses, and
pearls. During the whole period of two or three years, the
Sultán was intent upon patronizing and favouring the Mughals.
Thirdly. * * * He was diligently engaged in drawing out plans
and schemes for increasing his revenue and army, and for promoting
agriculture. Fourthly. He applied himself excessively to
the business of punishment, and this was the cause of many of
the acquired territories slipping from his grasp, and of troubles
and disturbances in those which remained in his power. * * *
The more severe the punishments that were inflicted in the city,
the more disgusted were the people in the neighbourhood, insurrections
spread, and the loss and injury to the State increased.
Every one that was punished spoke evil of him. * * * Fifthly.
The exertions which he made in the latter part of these years to
promote the settlement and prosperity of Deogír and the country
of the Mahrattas. The Sultán and the evil counsellors who found
favour in his sight came to the conclusion that vast sums of the
revenues of Deogír were lost through the peculations of Katlagh
Khán's officials. * * * He divided the Mahratta country into four
provinces (shikk). * * * The officers who were sent thither received
orders to exterminate all those who had revolted or were inimical
to the Sultán's rule. * * * Towards the end of the year Katlagh
Khán, with his family and suite, were recalled to Dehlí, and 'Azíz
Himár, a low fellow, depraved and foolish, was sent to Dhár, and
made governor of all Málwa. The recall of Katlagh Khán quite
disheartened the people of Deogír, and they saw themselves upon
the very brink of ruin. They had enjoyed tranquility under the
just and benevolent rule of that nobleman, and they had looked
to him as their defence against the cruel punishments of the
Sultán. The accounts which they heard of his severity had
disgusted all the people of Deogír, both Hindus and Musulmáns,
and many of them broke out into rebellion. * * * Mauláná
Nizámu-d dín, a simple inexperienced man, and brother of Kat-
The Sultán having thus appointed the base-born 'Azíz Himár to Dhár and Málwa, gave him several lacs of tankas on his departure, in order that he might proceed thither with befitting state and dignity. * * * He said to him, “Thou seest how that revolts and disturbances are breaking out on every side, and I am told that whoever creates a disturbance does so with the aid of the foreign amírs.* * * * Revolts are possible, because these amírs are ready to join any one for the sake of disturbance and plunder. If you find at Dhár any of these amírs, who are disaffected and ready to rebel, you must get rid of them in the best way you can.” 'Azíz arrived at Dhár, and in all his native ignorance applied himself to business. The vile whoreson one day got together about eighty of the foreign amírs and chiefs of the soldiery, and, upbraiding them with having been the cause of every misfortune and disturbance, he had them all beheaded in front of the palace. * * * This slaughter of the foreign amírs of Dhár, on the mere ground of their being foreigners, caused those of Deogír, and Gujarát, and every other place to unite and to break out into insurrection. * * * When the Sultán was informed of this punishment, he sent 'Azíz a robe of honour and a complimentary letter. * * *
I, the author of this work, have been for seventeen years and three months at the court of Sultán Muhammad, and have received many favours and gifts from him, * * * and I have often heard him speak with contempt of low-born, mean men. * * * Now when I see him promoting and honouring low and unworthy persons, I am lost in amazement. * * *