Page:History of India Vol 5.djvu/129

 ALTAMISH KISES TO COMMAND 95 chased him. Altamish was made chief of the guards, and Kutb-ad-din called him his son and kept him near his person. His rank and honour increased every day, and such marks of intelligence were evident in all his acts that he was elevated to the rank of chief hunts- man. When Gwalior was taken, he became amir of that place, and after that he obtained the district and town of Baran and its dependencies. Some time after this, when proofs of his energy, bravery, and heroism had been fully displayed and had been witnessed by Kutb-ad-din, the country of Badaun was entrusted to him. When Sultan Mu'izz-ad-din Mohammad Sam re- turned from Khwarizm, after being defeated in the battle of Andkhod by the armies of Khita, the Gakkar tribes broke out in rebellion, and the Sultan marched against them from Ghazni. Kutb-ad-din, according to his orders, brought up an army from Hindustan, and Shams-ad-din Altamish accompanied him with the forces of Badaun. In the midst of the battle the Sultan observed his feats of daring and courage, and inquired who he was. When his Majesty was enlightened upon this point, he called him into his presence and honoured him with especial notice. Kutb-ad-din was commanded to treat Altamish well, as he was destined for great works. His Majesty then ordered the deed of his freedom to be written out, and graciously granted him his liberty. When Sultan Kutb-ad-din expired at Lahore in 607 A. H. (1210 A. D.), the commander-in-chief, Ali Is- ma'il, who had charge of Delhi, joined with some other