[jyotirmoy]

While visiting the Qutab Minar think about Ala-ud-Din Khilji who was the nephew and son-in-law of Jalal-ud-Din Khilji. It was Jalal-ud-Din Khilji, who brought up him, because Ala-ud-Din was fatherless.
When Jalal-ud-Din Khilji became the King, he appointed Ala-ud-Din as the governor of Kara. Later, he became the Governor of Avadh too, in addition to that of Kara. But it was not enough for him. He was an ambitious man. He invited his uncle for talks on the bank of the river. The old sultan was slain as soon as he set his foot on the shore.
Even the murder of Jalal-ud-Din was not enough to put Ala-ud-Din on the throne of Delhi. Malika Jahan, the wife of Jalal-ud-Din, heard that his husband was killed; he put her younger son Qadir Khan Rukum-ud-Din on the throne. She also called for her elder son Arkali Khan, who was in Multan.
Ala-ud-Din Khilji did not waste his time. He marched towards Delhi from Kara. While going to Delhi, he distributed small gold and silver coins among the people in order to get confidence of the people. Large gifts were given to all and sundry to make them forget that Ala-ud-Din killed his own father-in-law and the King.
Qadir Khan Rukum-ud-Din was not able to resist, so he ran away to Multan. Ala-ud-Din entered in Delhi and on October 3, 1296, he proclaimed himself the King of Delhi.
Then, he sent a large army to capture Rukum-ud-Din etc. In Multan, Ala-ud-Din's men blinded Rukum-ud-Din and Arkali Khan. Malika Jahan, widow of Jalal-ud-Din and mother-in-law of Ala-ud-Din was imprisoned. That is how he became the undisputed king. After this the famous episode of Padmini happened, a battle he actually lost even after wining. That’s another story.

[priya]

Delhi's history certainly is enthralling, albeit very bloodthirsty.  And still more to come........can't wait.

[jyotirmoy]

Yes Priya, since Mohmmad Ghori's invasion of India history had been like this. Son killing or imprisoning fathers, brothers killing each other.... palace intrigues... blood shed. While Indian rullers built temples, universities, charitable institutions etc. the foreign invaders built grand structures for their graves.....