The Seven Cities of Delhi
escape. To this counsel Kai Khusru was foolish enough to listen; he was passed out of the city by the treacherous noble, who forthwith
went to Kai Kubad, acquainted him of the stratagem, and proclaimed him emperor.
This prince had many good parts, had a considerable taste for literature, and had been very strictly brought up, but now he gave himself up to the full enjoyment of pleasure, would not attend to the affairs of the kingdom, and retired to the palace at Kilokri (near Humayun's tomb)to enjoy himself thoroughly in the company of those who could best minister to his pleasures. He did not desire to be bothered with state matters; any one who would relieve him of his power was welcome to it. The Moghals thought this a favourable hour for a fresh invasion, but they were defeated, and then the foolish king was persuaded to order a general massacre of the Moghal mercenaries in his employ. The employment of Moghals in Indian armies was quite a usual practice.
Kai Kubad's father had all this while been Viceroy of Bengal,content to be the vassal of his own son. He now endeavoured to awake him to a sense of his duty, and succeeded, but Kai Kubad's repentance was short-lived, and fresh pleasures alone filled his mind. Such a state of182
