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HISTORY OF TXDIA.

[BfjOK J

A.D. 1299.

Ala-ii din's in-ojects.

Attempts on his life.

liite to retreat, he, drew up liis forces, in nuiuher not half those of the enemy, in two squadrons, and continued the unequal conflict. The leg of his horse having been cut through by a sabre, he fell to the ground, but rose instantly, seized a bow and quiver, and, being a dexterous archer, dealt death around liim Most of his soldiers were now slain or di.spersed, and Kootloogh Khan — who, fioni admiration of liis valour, would have saved him — called upon him to surrender, })ut he persisted in discharging his arrows, and refused quarter. On thi.s, the Mogul attempted to take him alive, but it could not be done, and he was at last cut in pieces.

Notwithstanding this advantage, the Moguls did not venture to continue the contest; and, abandoning all hopes of succes.s, evacuated India as fast as they could. Their departure was celebrated at Delhi with great rejoicino-.

Ala-u-din, in consequence of the success which had attended his arms, became so elated, that he began to entertain some extraordinary projects. One of them was to imitate Mahomet, and become, like him, the founder of a new religion; another, to leave a viceroy in India, and set out, in the manner of Alexander the Great, to conquer the world. While meditating such schemes, he was so illiterate, that he could neither read nor write. The only part which

he executed, was to assume the title, and issue coinage impressed with the name of Alexander II. A more prac- ticable coui-se of action was adopted in 1299, when he resolved to attempt new conquests in India. With this view, he sent his brother, Aluf Klian, and the vizier, Noosroot Khan, on an expedition against the Rajah of Runtunbhore, or Rintimbore, a strong fortress in the Rajpoot state of Jeypoor. Noosroot Khan, going too near to the Avail, was killed by a stone thrown from an engine. The rajah, Humber Dew, immediately marched out from the fort, and, placing himself at the head of a large army, hastily collected, drove Aluf Khan back with great loss.

Ala-u-din, informed of the defeat, resolved to take the field in person. On the way, he one day engaged in hunting, and having wandered far from the camp, spent the night in a forest, with only a few attendants. Rukn Khan, his nephew and brother-in-law, tempted l)y the opportunity, thought he could not do better than gain the throne in the same way as Ala-u-din had done, b}- assassinating his predecessor. Accordingly, having communicated his design to some Moguls, on whose co-operation and fidelity he could rely, he rode up at suni'ise to the place whei*e the king was, and dischai'ged a flight of arrows.

Silver Coin- of Ala-u-din.' — From Thomas's Coins of the Patan Sultans.

' Weight, 170 grs. On obverse — The most mighty der the second, right hand of the khalifat, Biipporter sovereign, Ala-ud-diinia-wa-iid-din, Ahul Muzafar of the commander of the faithful. On margin — This Mahomed Shah, the Sultan. On reverse, area — Sekun- silver (was) struck at the capital, Delhi, in the year 712,