Malik Kafur
Alauddin fell seriously ill during his last years, and the administration was controlled by his slave-general Malik Kafur. After Alauddin's original heir apparent Khizr Khan was imprisoned at Gwalior for allegedly conspiring to kill him, Malik Kafur convened a meeting of important officers at Alauddin's bedside. It was decided at this meeting that Shihabuddin would succeed Alauddin, with Malik Kafur as the regent. According to Isami, Alauddin was too weak to say anything during the meeting, but all the attendees agreed that his silence should be interpreted as his consent. At this time, Shihabuddin was a little over six years of age.