126 ULUGH KHAN, AFTERWARDS EMPEROR BALBAN agreement to all. On the next day, Ulugh Khan came to court with the other nobles and had the honour of kissing hands. The Sultan then turned homewards, accompanied by Ulugh Khan, and reached the capital on Wednesday, the ninth of Zu-1-hijja. The kind- ness of the Almighty now became manifest. For a long time there had been no rain, but upon the approach of Ulugh Khan the Almighty displayed His mercy, and the rain, which is the life of herbs and plants, and of men and animals, descended upon the earth. No wonder, then, that men regarded the return of Ulugh Khan as a happy omen, that his compeers rejoiced over it, and that all were grateful to the Almighty for His bounty. The year 653 A. H. (1255 A. D.) opened. Something happened in the royal harem of which no one had accu- rate knowledge, but Katlagh Khan, the stepfather of the Sultan, was directed to take charge of the govern- ment of Oudh, and thither he proceeded. At the same time the government of Bahraich was given to Imad- ad-din Rihan. The success of Ulugh Khan shone forth with brilliant radiance, the garden of the world began to put forth leaf, and the key of divine mercy opened the doors of the hearts of men who had been driven into seclusion. After Katlagh Khan had been in Oudh some time, the course of events rendered him disaffected. Repeated and imperative orders were sent to him from court, but he paid no heed to them. Imad-ad-din Rihan busied himself in stirring up strife, and endeavoured by in-
