To accomplish this purpose, he told the King, that as his fidelity had been so generously rewarded, and as the King might still have occasion for his services in the conduct of his military affairs, he begged that he might be permitted to send for some of his relations from Guzerat, on whom he could more certainly depend than officers now in the King's service, who were jealous of his elevation. The King acceded to his request; and Mullik Khoosrow remitted a large sum of money, by some of his agents, to Guzerat, who collected about 20,000 of his own cast, the dregs of the people, and brought them to Dehly. Every office of profit and trust was conferred upon those vermin, which bound them fast to Mullik Khoosrow's interest.
On one occasion, as the King was going to hunt towards Sursawa, a plot was formed to assassinate
A. H. 721.
A. D. 1321.
him. But this was laid aside on account
of a difference of opinion among the
conspirators. They therefore resolved
to perform their tragedy in the palace. Moobarik
returned to Dehly, and, according to custom, gave
himself up to his debauched habits. Mullik Khoos-
On the following night, the Kazy, still suspicious
of treason, could not go to rest, but walked out
about midnight, to see whether the guards were
watchful. In his rounds, he met Mundul, Khoos-
The King, alarmed at the noise, asked Mullik Khoosrow, who lay in his apartment, the cause. The villain arose as if to enquire, and going out on the terrace, stood for some time, and returning, told the King, that some of the horses belonging to the guard had broken loose and were fighting, while the people were endeavouring to secure them. This satisfied Moobarik for the present, but soon after, the conspirators ascended the stairs and got upon the terraces which led to the royal sleeping apartment. Here they were stopped by Ibrahim and Isaac, two servants, as well as by the sentries over the private chambers, all of whom were immediately put to the sword. The King hearing the clash of arms, and the groans of dying men so
A. H. 721.
A. D. 1321.
near, arose up in great alarm, and ran towards
the haram, by a private passage.
At this moment Mullik Khoosrow, fearing
he might escape, rushed after him, and seizing
him by the hair in the gallery, struggled with
him for some time. Moobarik, being the stronger
man, threw Khoosrow on the ground: but as Khoos-
The conspirators below began to be hard
pressed by the guards and the servants, who now
crowded from all quarters; but on hearing of the
King's fate, the latter hastened out of the palace.
The conspirators then shut the gates, and massacred
such as had not the good fortune to escape.
The ruffians now entered the female apartments,
and put to death the mother of the Prince Fureed
Khan, as well as the younger children of the late
Alla-ood-Deen, and the Princes Fureed Ally and
Omur. Besides which, they gave a loose to their
inclinations in every possible manner among the
ladies of the seraglio. Thus the vengeance of God
overtook and exterminated the race of Alla-ood-
Rubbee-ool-
Awul 25.
A. H. 721.
March 24.
A. D. 1321.
This event occurred on the 25th of
Rubbee-ool-Awul, in the year 721.
In the morning Khoosrow, surrounded
by his creatures, ascended the throne,
and assumed the title of Nasir-ood-
The son of Kimar, the chief of a gang of thieves,
received the title of Shaista Khan, and was made
chief secretary; while Ein-ool-Moolk Mooltany
was appointed captain-general of the forces. Mul-
A. H. 721.
A. D. 1321.
standing his promotion, Joona Khan was touched to the soul to see the condition of affairs. His father, also, who was reckoned a man of great courage and honour, indignant at the infamous proceedings at court, was roused to revenge. He acquainted his son with his purpose; and Joona Khan, taking the first opportunity to fly from Dehly, joined his father. The usurper was in great perplexity after the flight of Joona Khan, and began already to despair of maintaining himself. Ghazy Beg Toghluk immediately prepared for hostilities, and, by circular letters, invited all the nobles to join his standard. A great many of the governors of the provinces put their troops in motion; but Mogultugeen, the governor of Mooltan, unwilling to act a secondary part, refused to join, and he was accordingly cut off by Beiram Abia, a Mogul chief of some note in that quarter. Mullik Beg Luky, governor of Samana, though the usurper had been the occasion of his losing his ears, transmitted the circular letter of Ghazy Beg Toghluk to Khoosrow, informing him of the rebellion. Mullik Beg took the field against the confederates, sustained a signal defeat, and in his flight to Dehly was attacked by the zemindars, who put him to death. The usurper now sent his brother, Khan Khanan, and Yoosoof Suffy, with all on whom he could depend, against the confederates.
Ghazy Beg Toghluk, being joined by Beiram Abia with the army from Mooltan, and other governors of provinces, advanced to oppose the usurper's army on the banks of the Soorsutty. The troops of Ghazy Beg were experienced in frequent wars with the Moguls, and those of Khoosrow were enervated by indolence and debaucheries, besides being lost to all sense of military honour. The latter were broken at the first onset, and the public treasure, elephants, and baggage were taken. The booty was divided on the field among the conquerors, who then continued their march in triumph towards Dehly. The usurper, in great embarrassment, marched out of the city, and took possession of a strong post near the Houz Alla-ood-Deeny, with the citadel in his rear, and many gardens with high walls in his front. He then opened the treasury, and gave three years' pay to his troops, leaving for himself nothing but the jewels, of some of which he also disposed. The confederates advancing, an action was expected next morning, but, on that night, Ein-ool-Moolk Mooltany withdrew his forces from the usurper, and took the route of Mando. Although this event affected Khoosrow's army, yet his troops drew up in order of battle, and Mullik Tubligha and Shaista Khan opposed the confederates with great bravery, as they advanced through the lanes. These chiefs were at length overpowered and slain. Their position gave such advantages to the usurper's army, that they maintained it till the evening, when at length Khoos-