Page:The Seven Cities of Delhi.djvu/230

The Seven Cities of Delhi by the Ranjit Gate, the name of which was altered to the Ghaznl Gate. Kutb-ud-din was appointed Indian Viceroy, but Mahomed of Ghor was sovereign, until he was murdered, in A.D. 1206, by a band of the Ghakkar tribe on the banks of the Indus. On the death of Mahomed his kingdom was split up, and Kutb-ud-din became independent sovereign of India; he had been a slave,but had raised himself to be general, viceroy,and then first King of India. The dynasty which commenced with him is known as the "Slave Dynasty," for many of his successors, like himself,raised themselves from a condition of servitude to the throne. During his viceroyalty he had commenced the erection of the Kutb Minar, and had started, in 1200, the mosque which is close by ; the former had not been completed when he met his death by a fall from his horse in A.D.1210, while playing polo at Lahore, to which place he had removed his court. Possibly he was buried there, for his grave is not traceable at Delhi, unless it be one of some nameless ones in the courtyard of his mosque. He is said to have built himself a "White Palace" within the citadel,but no trace of this remains, although it is mentioned more than once in subsequent history. Kutb-ud-din was succeeded by his son, ARAM 174