Page:The Seven Cities of Delhi.djvu/248

The Seven Cities of Delhi had been trained by constant war against the Moghals. The force sent against him by Khusru was easily dispersed, and Tughlak appeared before the walls, the usurper drawing out his army, and entrenching it near the Hauz Khas. In spite of liberal largess, his troops began to desert him,and an action, though partly successful, made it clear that his was a lost cause. Khusru therefore fled towards Tilpat, his adherents dropping away as he went, and he was found on the follow- ing day concealed in a tomb, whence he was dragged to his death, which none regretted. The keys of the capital were delivered to the victor, and, when he inquired if there was any prince of the previous dynasty alive, he was hailed as king. Thus commenced another dynasty, in A.D. 1320. GHIAS-UD-DIN TUGHLAK SHAH had commenced life as a slave, and had been brought from Khorassan to Delhi in the time of Ala-ud-din. As we have seen, he was appointed "Warden of the Marches," and had showed excellent generalship; he was also Governor of Dipalpur and Lahore. He soon afterwards commenced the new city of Tughlukabad. While engaged in building it an army sent by him to the Deccan was dispersed by a rumour that he had died, some declaring that they had seen him buried; the men 192