6_Glorious_Epochs_of_Indian_History

5TH GLORIOUS EPOCH 293
740. AUauddin surpassed every other Sultan before
him in cruelty in the persecution of the Hindus*^, He would
have reached greater heights in cruelty in respect of his
treatment of the Hindus had he not been forced to fight
on the other front with the Mongols who unceasingly hurled
their armed might against the western borders of India and
caused a great turmoil throughout Mongolia and Central
Asia. A few of them took to Islam and formed a new Muslim
colony in Delhi itself. At last the enraged AUauddin cut off
the whole of this new Muslim colony to a man** !
DEATH OF ALLAUDDIN
741. AUauddin was the first and the last Muslim Sultan
to rule over practically the whole of India with the exception
of some Hindu stabes like those of Chitod and others.
Neither Akbar nor even Aurangzeb can take that place, as
their territories never equalled those of AUauddin.
742. But in his old age AUauddin was sorely afllicted
by his bodily diseases which were the outcome of his physical
vices*'. Naturally he became a tool in the hands of Maliq
Kafur, and in that miserable state this valorous but Hindu-
hater Sultan died of dropsy in A.D.1316 or as it is said,
Maliq Kafur killed him or had him killed**. His 'Allah'
could not bless him with a happy death because of his virtue
of Hindu-hatred ! In a few days Maliq Kafur, a one-time
slave of AUauddin, usurped the whole power of AUauddin,
but in the political chaos that ensued after AUauddin he
was soon killed**. In the turbulent days that followed a
certain Khushrukhan of exceptional abilities, who had
been shining in the diplomatic circles at Delhi, rose to the
highest seat of power. From the point of view of the
Hindu nation his story deserves a separate chapter in the
history of India.