al-Shāsaʿa; he marched against it and there met Khusrau Shah ibn Bahrām Shah, the last Sabuktiginid ruler of India. He seized the city in 579 AH, granted Khusrau Shah safe-conduct, then sent him off with his son and handed the pair over to his own brother, who imprisoned them. Nothing was ever heard of them again, though their dynasty had lasted for more than two hundred years.

Others say that Khusrau had already died, as noted above, sometime around 550 AH, and that his son Malikshah became sultan after him; this point calls for closer investigation.

The Ghūrid now held sway over India and the surrounding regions and assumed the title “Partner of the Commander of the Faithful.” The two brothers then marched out and captured Herat, Būshanj, and other places. The Hindu kings massed their armies and drew up their lines; the Muslims were defeated, and Shihāb al-Dīn was wounded and fell. He later regrouped, engaged the Indians, wiped them out, and brought their kingdoms under his control.

Indeed (1), Ghiyāth al-Dīn ruled vast territories, was victorious in his wars, and combined cleverness, guile, courage, and daring.

He suffered from gout.

It is said that he abolished the customs duties in his lands and was noted for virtue and refinement.

He used to say, “Fanaticism in matters of doctrine is reprehensible.”

His reign was long; he succeeded his uncle and carried out many raids and conquests.

He died in Jumādā al-Ūlā, 599 AH. His brother, Sultan Shihāb al-Dīn, ruled for a time after him but was assassinated. He was succeeded by his nephew, Sultan Ghiyāth al-Dīn Maḥmūd ibn Muḥammad, after whom their mamlūk, Sultan Tāj, took the throne.