English
8 The author of Tarikh Firnz Shahi remarks that on both sides of tho principal bazaar of Lakhnauti that was more than oue karoh long, scaffolds were set np, and men, women and children wore hanged. Such crnolty, sorrowfully rcniiLrks Ziau-d-din Barni, had never before been perpetrated by Uusalmuu sovereigns of Delhi. {Sco pp. 91-92 Tarikh Firuz Shahi). Lakhnauti on his own son, Bophhra Khan. 1 giving him at the same time the treasures, etc., and other valuables of Tughral that I Bughra Khan, younger son of Emporor Balban, assumed the royal title of Sultan Nasiru-d-din at his elevation to tho throne of Bengal. He was the first of a snecession of Bnlbani Kings who rnlcd over Bengal, from 1232 A.C. to 1331 A.C. (or 631 A.H. to 731 A.H.) and had mostly their court at Sunargaon near Dacca. Nasiru-d-din Bughra Khan, son of Emperor Balban, reigned o7er Bengal from 6SL II. to 691 (1282 A.C. to 1292 A.C.) and was succeeded by his son Buknu-d-din who assumed the title of Sultan Kai-Kans. From inscriptions found at Gangarampnr and Khagol, near Lakhisarai, he appears to have been alivo in 697 H. (A.C- 1297). Mr. Thomas has published coins of this King bearing the dateB 691,693,691, 693 A.II. lie appears to have been succeeded by his brother who reigned under the name of SJhamsu-d-din Firuz Shah. Firuz Shall had several sons, namely, Bughra Khiin, Nasiru-d-din, Ghiasn-d-din or Bahadur Khan, Qntlu Khi", and Ilatim Khan. Tho third son, Ghiasu-d-din, made conquests ii. Eastern Bengal, established himself at Sunargaon near Dacca, and struck coins from 1311 A.C. under the name of Bahadnr Shah. The fifth son Ilatim Khan was in 1309 and 1315 A.C. Governor of Oudh. Fimz Shall died in 713 El. (1318 A.C.) Quarrels then broke out between the several sons of Firuz Shah, who was succeeded by his eldest son who took the title of Rhalmbn-d-din Bughra Shah who ruled at Lakhnanti in 1318-19. Soon after his accession, Bughra Shah was defeated by his brother Bahadur Shiih who reigned at Sunargaon. Bughra Shah and his brother Na?iru-d-din took refuge with Emperor Tughlak Shah who in 1320 bad mounted the throno of Delhi. Qutlu Khan, another brother, was killed by Bahadnr Shah who was now supremo King over Bengal and Behar, and held a magnificent Court at Snnargaon. At the instigation of Bughra Shah and N5?irn-d-din, the fugitives (says Ibn Batutah), Emperor Tughlak Shall invaded Bengal. When the Imperial army left Delhi, Bahadnr Shah retired to Sunargaon, whilst Na?iru-d-din joining the Emperor at Tirhut came with tho latter to Lakhnanti, when the Emperor confirmed NSsirn-d-din as Governor of Lakhnauti. The Emperor scut lus adopted sou Tatar Khan, Governor of Zafarabad (near Jaunpur) with an army to operateagainst Sultan Bubadnr Shin, who was captured and sent tl) Delhi with a chain round his neck. At this time, also, two additional distinct Provinces in Bengal were constituted, vis., Sunargaon and Satgaon, each being placed under a Military Governor ; whilst Behar was separated from Bengal. Snnargaon was placed under Tatar Khan. With the accidental death of Emperor Tughlak Shah and tho acces¬ sion of his successor Emperor Mnhamoiad Shah Tughlak, other changes took place in the administration of Bengal. The new Emporor released Bahadur Sfciih, allowed him to return to Snnargaon, on condition that tuo Bengal coinage was to bear the joint names of Bahadur Shah and the Emporor Muhammad Tughlak, and also that iu the l&utbah the names of both wore to 85 had been captured, except the elephants ; and conferring on him the title of Sultan NYisini-d-din, he placed on the son’s head the royal umbrella, and allowed also the Khuthah to be recited and the coin to be minted in his name. And at the time of departure, tho Emperor siring his son some parting advice.* said: “ It is not discreet for the king of Lakluiauti. he he a relation or a stranger, to quarrel with or rebel against the Emperor of Delhi. And if the Emperor of Delhi marches to Lakhnauti, the ruler of Lakhnauti should retreating tike refuge in some distant corner, and when the Emperor of Delhi withdraws, he should return to Lakhnauti, and resume his work. And in the levy of revenue from sub¬ jects, he should observe the middle course, that is, he should not levy such a low amount, that they should become refractory and disloyal, nor such an excessive amount, that they should he ground down and oppressed. And lie should pay such an amount of salary to his officers, that it may suffice for them from year to year, and that they may not be pinched in regard to their necessary expenses. In matters of administration, he should tako counsel with wise people who are sincere and loyal ; and in the enforcement of orders, he should abstain from self-indulgence, and be recited, latar Khan who was hitherto Military Governor of Sunargaon, received the title of Bahram Khan, and was stationed at Snnargaon at the Court of Bahadnr Shah, as a sort of Imperial Residcut. Nnsiru-d-din was continued as Subordinate Governor of Lakhnauti, In 726 A.H. (1326 A.C.), N5siru-d-din died, and Muhammad ghali appointed Malik Bidar Khilji ns Governor of Lakhnauti with the title of Qadr Khin. Bahadnr Shah, the king, at Sunargaon. attempted soon after to throw off all outward signs of allegiance to tlie Emperor, who sent an army to Bahrein's assistance. Bahadur Shnh, the last Bengal Balban i sovereign, and tho last royal representative of tho house of Emperor Ghiasu- d-din Balban, was defeated and put to death about 731 A.H. or 1331 A.C. Bengal remained Imperialist till tho death of Baliram Khan in 1338 A.C., when Fakljra-d-dm successfully revolted, killed Qadr Khin and established tho independence of Bengal. (See Blochmann’s contribution to History of Bengal, Thomas’ Initial coinage, Ibn-i-Bntutah, Tarikh Firuz Shihi, pp. 92, 181, 254, 450, 451, 461, 480). ~~ 1 The pieces of solemn advieo given by Emperor Balban to his Bon Bughra Khin, nt the time of former's departure from Bengal, are set forth in detail in tho Tarikh-i-Firuz Shahi (pp. 95 to 106), and will repay perusal. They contain golden rules for the conduct of sovereigns, and indicate that this Mwalraan Emperor cherished a noble and exalted ideal of kingly duties and retponsibilities. 86 should not act unjustly from selfishness. In the care for the condi¬ tion of the army, he should not be negligent, and he should consider it incumbent upon himself to show them considerateness and to win their hearts, and he should not allow negligence and indoleuce to intervene. And whoever tempts you away from this coarse, you should look upon him as your enemy, and you should not listen to his talk. You should seek protection with persons who relinquish¬ ing this world, have dedicated themselves to God’s service. Help from the old hem6 of saints, Is stronger than the strength of a handled walls of Alexander.” After this, bidding adieu to his son, the Emperor returned to Delhi, by forced marches, after three months. 1 The period of the rule of Tughral in Bengal was twenty-five years and some months. -o- RULE OF BUGHRA KHAN, STYLED SULTAN NASIRU- D-DlN, SON OF EMPEROR GHIASU-D-DlN BALBAN. When Sultan Nasiru-d-din became ruler of the kingdom of Lakhnauti, after some time, his elder brother who was named Saltan Muhammad and was known as Khau-i-Sfcahid 8 was killed at Multan, fighting against the Mughals. And Sultan Ghiasu-d- din Balban who was much attached to him, became dejected by his death, and summoned Sultan Nasiru-d-din from Lakhnauti. When the latter reached Delhi, after observing the necessary mourning ceremonies for his elder brother, he attempted to console the heart of his father. The Emperor said : “ The death of your brother has made me sick and feeble, and soon the time of 1 In Tarikh Firm Shihi (p. 107), '* after three years.” 3 Saltan Muhammad, eldest sou of Emperor Ghiaan-d-din Balban, was Imperial Viceroy of Multin Province or Vilayet at this time. This Prmco was brave, gallant and accomplished, and he fell gallantly fighting between Lahore and Dibalpur against the Moghul hordes under Tamar from Central A fl ia who were harrying’ at this time the North-Western frontier of India- Hel th 0 Pnn M T.^.ed - Khin-i.ghabid Martyred Chief." Uis death n. a great ehoekr to the aged Bmpet-or. (Sec M-' Firm Shihi, pp- 109-10). The Prince was a patron of learn,ng, and to h court at Multan wer.att.ched the celebrated jiooto, Amir Amir Hasan, for whoso biographical sketob, see Badaont, Vol. 1, pp. 200-201 % 87 my departure from the world shall approach. At this time, your separation from me is not proper, because besides yourself, I have no other heir. Your son, Kaiqubad, and your nephew, Kai ghusrau, are young, and have no experience of life. Should the Empire fall into their hands, they would be incapable of defending it, and you would have to pay homage to either who might ascend the throne of Delhi. Therefore, it is meet that you should remain with me.” Nasiru-d-din, according to his father’s request, re¬ mained with his father. But on seeing his father regain some health, he quickly under pretext of hunting went out of the city, and without taking leave of the Emperor returned to Lakhnautl. The Emperor, being affected at this, again fell ill, and in the year 685 A.H., passed from this transitory world. And when Sultan Muizu-d-din Kaiqubad, after the death of his grand-father, at the age of eighteen years, mounted the throne of Delhi, in consequence of youth, indulging in frivolities and dissipations, he became un- mindful of the affairs of the Empire, excepting women and win^.