Page:History of India Vol 3.djvu/153

 THE END OF ALA -AD -DIN'S KEIGN 121 turist and safety of the roads such as had never been known before. The control of the markets not only ensured cheap food at the capital, but also honest deal- ing, according to Barani, although the eulogy is probably relative. Temperance had been forced upon the people, and, with the example of the sober court, men of great learning and piety abounded. Such results testify to the greatness of a remarkable king. The inevitable and swift reaction came from the Sul- tan's own faults, exagger- ated by an increasing dis- ease. His violent temper led him to displace expe- rienced governors; his in- fatuation for Kafur bred envy and disunion, and caused the death or impris- onment of trusted counsel- lors. His sons, prematurely emancipated from the schoolroom, took to drink and debauchery. The dis- putes of the nobles and the riotous behaviour of the heir encouraged revolts on all sides. In the midst of the confusion Ala-ad-din died (January, 1316) of dropsy. Though he was a bloody and unscrupulous tyrant and went to extremes of cruelty in carrying out A DECCAN TYPE.