The Seven Cities of Delhi
rule, however, he hesitated to punish. The death of the mulla was followed by a fearful famine in Delhi.
When the king was in Delhi he occupied the Red Palace of Balban, but he did not care to reside within the walls, apparently distrusting the inhabitants, who, however, soon became reconciled to his rule. He usually resided at Kilokri,building there a Green Palace, in addition to enlarging and beautifying the existing palace of his predecessor. His nobles also built houses in the vicinity, but all have crumbled into dust.
The lenity of Jalal-ud-din was little appreciated, for robbers Increased in number, and the Moghals again invaded in great strength; the king was uniformly successful against them, but did not follow up his successes or adequately punish the evil-doers. His nephew, Ala-ud-din, was ruthless enough, and added large territories to the kingdom, on which he now set his heart. The king was old, but the slow approach of a natural death was not what Ala-ud-din desired, so Intrigues were set on foot, the king was induced to visit the camp at Karra, and, as he grasped the hand of his nephew, he was murdered,in a boat on the Ganges, in the year 1296. His tomb at Delhi is mentioned by Firoze Shah, but no trace remains.184
