embrace any opportunity which occurred for expelling the Mohammedans, whose government and religion with the means they used to propagate it, were exceedingly odious. It was in the reign of Altumsh that Ghengis Khan with his Tartar hordes overran and laid waste Persia and other countries west of the Indus. Great anxiety was felt for several years in view of their probable invasion of India, and all eyes were turned to the west. But this scourge of so many nations did not extend his ravages east of the Indus. One of his chiefs crossed the river and laid siege to Multan, but failing in his attempts to take it, he proceeded into Scinde and then went into the countries west of the Indus. In this invasion the Tartars, or Moguls, as they were usually called, conducted with their accustomed cruelty and barbarity, ravaging the country, plundering the cities and seizing the inhabitants for slaves, if they could make any use of them, or obtain any price for them. At one time they massacred 10,000 prisoners to save the expense of keeping them rather than set them at liberty, when they would have gone into different parts of the country and found provisions for themselves.

Altumsh, as soon as he was relieved from apprehension of an invasion by the Moguls, resolved to extend his dominions in India, and he was thus engaged during the remaining years of his reign. At the time of his decease all the countries to the north of a line running from Surat to the mouth of the Ganges acknowledged the government of Delhi. The measure of obedience, however, differed much in different places, and at different times. In some provinces the old Hindu dynasties of sovereigns were soon annihilated, and in other places they were allowed to retain and exercise much of their former power in their own territory, upon condition of paying an annual tribute to the emperor. This tribute was always paid reluctantly, and was withheld when it was believed payment could not be enforced. The army of the emperor and his deputies or governors consisted chiefly of Mohammedans, who became the military class, but the great body of the inhabitants still continued to profess the Hindu religion, and to practice its rites and ceremonies openly so far as they could do it, without incurring persecution. The Hindus were so much attached to their superstitions, especially

to their distinctions of caste, that they often chose to suffer death rather than embrace the Mohammedan faith. This passive resistance to Mohammedanism on the part of the inhabitants of India, concurred, with some other causes, to abate the zeal of the conquerors for its propagation. Some of them became apparently satisfied with the possession of the country and the professed obedience of the people, leaving conversion to be effected gradually by persuasion, and the aid and influence of the government in giving rewards and employment to proselytes. Still the course of the government varied according to the religious character of the respective conquerors and their subordinates, and the Hindus had the greatest dread of zealously religious rulers.

Near the close of his reign Altumsh received investiture from the Caliph of Bagdad. This was a great honor, and it came in the view of all Mohammedans from the highest authority. His zeal for Mohammedanism and hatred of idolatry, may have procured this honor for him; or it may have inspired him with zeal in propagating the faith of the Prophet. The historian says that in the ancient city of Oujein "Altumsh destroyed the magnificent and rich temple of Makal, which was formed upon the same plan with that of Somnat, had been building 300 years, and was surrounded by a wall 100 cubits high." In this city, also, he found an image of Vicramditya, formerly a celebrated Raja, from whom the people of that country still reckon their era. This image, with many others, some of stone and others of brass, "he ordered to be carried to Delhi, and broken to pieces at the door of the great mosque."

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The celebrated column called Cuttub Minar, near Delhi, was commenced in the reign of Cuttub ud Deen, but was finished in the reign of Altumsh.* Near it is a mosque in an unfinished

*This pillar, or tower, is 242 feet high and 106 feet in circumference at the base. It has 4 balconies, each supported on large stone brackets, and surrounded with battlements of richly cut stone, to enable people to walk round the pillar with safety. The 1st balcony is at the height of 90 feet; the 2d at 140; the 3d at 180, and the 4th at 203 feet. Up to the 3d balcony the pillar is built of fine red sandstone. From the 3d balcony it is built chiefly of white marble, but “the summit is crowned with a majestic cupola of the fine red sandstone." From the base to the 1st balcony the exterior part is fluted into 27 divisions, alternately semicircular and angular. From the 1st to the 2d bal

state, which for grandeur of design, and elegance of execution is said not to be exceeded by any in India. Several men, distinguished for learning, lived upon his bounty at his court, and by their presence and influence increased his fame. His reign continued for 26 years, and he is reckoned by the Mohammedan historians as a prince of great valor, prudence, and piety.

Some years previous to his death Altumsh appointed his son and intended successor, Feroze Shah, to high situations, that he might acquire experience and reputation, and so be prepared to succeed him. He was at Delhi when his father died. He immediately ascended the throne. The nobles swore allegiance and brought their presents to him. The poets celebrated his praises, and he gave presents to them. These congratulations and rejoicings were scarcely passed when he began to show how unworthy he was of the imperial dignity, by indulging in debauchery and profligacy, and by squandering the treasures his father had accumulated, on "courtezans, comedians, and musicians." The affairs of government were chiefly managed by his mother, who to gratify her envy or ambition caused many innocent persons to be put to death. The profligacy of the emperor and the abuse of power by his mother gave so great dissatisfaction that several attempts were made to dethrone him. One of these, in which the nobles put his sister, Sultana Rezia, upon the throne, was successful. The emperor was taken prisoner and kept in confinement until his death.

Sultana Rezia is remarkable among the rulers of India. Ferishta, the most reliable historian of that period, in describing her reign, says, "This princess was adorned with every quali fication required in the ablest kings, and the strictest scrutineers

cony, the flutings are all semicircular; from the 2d to the 3d they are all angular; and from the 3d to the summit the surface is smooth. Around the 1st story are 5 horizontal belts containing sentences from the Koran, engraved in bold relief. In the 2d story are 4 such belts, and in the 3d there are 3. The ascent is by a spiral staircase within, containing 380 steps. From this staircase are passages into the balconies with windows at intervals for the admission of air and light. This pillar, generally reputed to be the finest in the world, has stood more than 600 years. The same emperor began to erect another pillar near this, but died before it was raised to the first balcony. Tradition says that he designed these pillars to be the minarets of a mosque of corresponding size and grandeur.

of her actions could find in her no fault but that she was a woman." Her education was such that she could read the Koran, and so ascertain for herself the principles of her faith. She evinced such a knowledge of business and talent for government, that her father Altumsh, when leaving Delhi to conduct the war in Malwa, appointed her to be regent in his absence. And when asked by his nobles why he appointed his daughter to such an office, instead of some one of his sons, he replied that she was more capable and trustworthy than any of them. The reputation she then acquired in her father's reign, procured her elevation to power when her brother was dethroned for his incapacity, and profligacy. On being invested with the supreme power she changed her apparel, and assuming the imperial robes appeared daily on the throne, and transacted all the public business in the manner usual with the emperors.

Of the parties who united in dethroning Feroze Shah, one was opposed to investing Rezia with the supreme power, and collecting a large force, they proceeded to Delhi and defeated the first army that marched against them. The empress, however, proved herself quite equal to the exigency by sowing dissensions among the leaders, so that the confederacy was soon dissolved, and peace restored. The commander-inchief of the army having died, several changes were soon made among the great officers of State. One of them, who was originally an Abyssinian slave, gave great offence to the other nobles, who formed a combination to depose her, as soon as they could find an opportunity to do it. The empress having ascertained their plan opposed them with great spirit. She marched against the governor of Lahore, who was one of the parties. He was disappointed in respect to aid from some of the confederates, and was compelled to throw himself upon her mercy. When on the way with her army to chastise another refractory noble, a mutiny occurred among her own forces, in which the Abyssinian favorite was killed, and she was herself seized and sent to the fort of Tiberhind. The nobles then assembled at Delhi, and declared Byram Shah, her brother, to be emperor. Alturia, to whose fort she was sent for custody, who was one of the first that rebelled against her, on becoming acquainted with her, was so much captivated with her beauty,

her accomplishments, and her talents, that he offered to marry her, at the same time pledging himself to support her right to the throne against all his former friends and confederates. The marriage was soon celebrated, and by their united influence collecting a large force they proceeded to Delhi to assert and sustain her rights. A severe battle was fought near the city, in which the empress was defeated and fled to Tiberhind. In a short time she was able again to appear in the field, but she suffered another defeat. She and her husband were taken prisoners, and both were put to death. Thus died Sultana Rezia or Rezia Begum, who, considering the class of people to whom she belonged and the age in which she lived, appears to have been one of the most remarkable personages in the Mohammedan history of India. Her reign continued for three and a half years.

The nobles united in putting Byram Shah on the throne, but he soon showed that he was unfit for the dignity to which he had been promoted, and it became equally obvious that some of the nobles had united in raising him to this dignity merely to attain their private ends. Dissensions and intrigues, conspiracies and assassinations followed each other in quick succession. In the mean time news reached Delhi that the Moguls had invaded the Punjab and plundered Lahore. A general council of the State was called, and it was determined to send a large army to Lahore under the vizier. This man appears to have been talented, ambitious, and treacherous. While absent from Delhi with the army, by misrepresentations to the nobles concerning the emperor, he excited their disaffection towards him, and then by informing the emperor of their disaffection he excited his jealousy of them, and obtained from him an avowed intention of punishing them. The consequence was that the army returned to Delhi and besieged the emperor three months in his capital, when the city was taken, and he was first thrown into prison, and then put to death.

Alla ud Deen was the next emperor. He was raised to this dignity by those who had deposed his predecessor. If he excelled his predecessor in capacity, he was also more profligate, more addicted to low vice, more cruel and more oppressive. In his reign the Moguls made an invasion into Bengal