History of Deccan J. D. B. Gribble (1896)

THE LIBRARY
OF
THE UNIVERSITY
OF CALIFORNIA
LOS ANGELES
A
HISTORY OF THE DECCAN.

H. H. The Kizam of Hyderabad.
G. (\ S. I.
A
History of the Deccan.
BY
J. D. B. GEIBBLE.
IN TWO VOLUMES.
With Portraits, Maps, Plates cK: Illustrations.
YOL T.
LONDON
LUZAC & Co.
Publishers to the India Office.
1890.
3^S
V.l
TO
H. H. THE NIZAM
OF
HYDERABAD.
G. a s. I.
KESPECTFULLY DEDICATED
BY THE AUTHOK.
1793j44
KOELOFFZEN & HuBNEE.
Printers,
Amsterdam (Holland).
PREFACE.
The Deccan may be roughly described as that portion of Southern

India which is bounded l)y the Vindh3â Mountains and the liiver
Godavery to the North, and by the Tungabadhra and Kistna
Rivers to the South: the Ghats or mountain ranges which skirt
the seacoast on either side being the Eastern and Western limits.
It embraces an area about equal in extent to that of Great Britain
and Ireland, and is a high-lying plateau with an elevation of from

1000' to 2000' above the sea. Previous to the Mahomedan invasion
there exists no authentic record of the history of the Deccan
beyond inscriptions and architectural remains. It is known that
it contained rich and flourishing Kingdoms, but we know little
of the conditions of the country, beyond what can be gathered
from a name, a o-rant, a date or a coin. The Mahomedans did
not venture South of the Vindhyas until the end of the 13th
century. Their armies, commanded by generals of the Delhi
Sultans, met with but little effectual resistance. But though they
marched through the Deccan to the Southernmost limits of the
Indian Peninsula, their invasions were for the purpose of plunder
and not of occupation. They bent but they did not break; and
as soon as the foreign army retired, the native Hindoo States at
once sprang back to independence. Although there was a Mahom-
edan Governor at Deogiri (DoAvlatabad), there was but a slender
connecting; link between him and Delhi. Towards the end of the
first half of the 14th century this link was broken by the tyranny
and oppression of Sultan Mahomed Toghlak the Mahomedan ;
o-enerals and governors in the Deccan revolted: distance and

ii I'UEI'.WE.
intcniiil dissensions prevented all interference on tlie purt of the

Delhi Sultans, and the result was that an inde|)endent Mahoniedan
Kinojdom was established in tlic Decciin wliidi lasted i'oi- more
than 300 years. Of this Kingdom, suljse(|uently divided into five,
there exists no connected or continuous history. To Ferishta we

owe almost all that we know of this period, and the information
he gives us is to be found scattered, and in a greatly condensed
form, in the various histories of India. A historian, however
voluminous his work may be, when treating of a country as large
as India is, with its huge population and its numerous races and
peoples, has neither time nor space to give more than a broad
outline. The interest centers round certain prominent figures,
but outside this circle everything is confused. There is a luxuriant

Eastern jungle of change names and events which must be recorded,
but which like meteors, simply flash across the eye, and then
disappear leaving no trace Ijehind. Occasionally these broad
outlines have been filled in. Historians such as Tod^ Ifllks and
Grant Diif\ have cleared pieces of this huge jungle, and have
enclosed each with a ring fence. This has been done for Rajput-
ana, for Mysore and for the Mahrattas, but has not yet been
attempted for the Deccan.
I was first struck with the necessit}^ of a work of this kind
by a conversation with the son of a Hyderabad Nobleman who
had just finished his studies in the Nizam's College. I asked him
who was the first of the Bahmanee Sultans of Gulburga, and he
said that he did not know there had been any. He was equally
ignorant of the fate of the last King of Golconda, although the
remains of the old royal fortress are Avithin an hour's drive of
the city where he lived! In our Indian schools and colleges we
teach the broad outlines of Indian history, but we pay very little
attention to the details of the history of the different provinces.

Now it seems to me that it is as essential for a Deccan boy to
know something of the early history of that part of the country in
which he lives, as it is for him to know about Akbar, Aurung-
zebe, Clive or Warren Hastings. In the sameway a Poonah boy
should be thoroughly grounded in the history of the Mahrattas,
and a Bangalore boy in that of Mysore. In the schools of Europe
PREFACE. iii
a l)oy goes through ;i detailed course of the Jiistory of liis own

country and is only given a general outline of the history of
other nations. In India, the reverse seems to be the case. A
general system is hiid down
which does
for the Avhole of India,
not embrace local and provincial history. The present volume
therefore is an attempt to make Deccan readers more familiar
with tlie history of their own country. Bearing this object in
view, have endeavoured to collect the fragments to be found in
I
the various histories, and to piece them together, so as to form

a connected history of the Deccan from the commencement of the
14th century up to the establishment of the present dynasty. This
period of nearly 400 years is full of the most interesting and
romantic episodes. Sir Henry Elliot's and Professor Dowson's
most admirable history is a storehouse of raw material of which
as yet but little use has been made, and the Bombay Gazetteers
of the difierent Deccan Districts are replete with researches,
archaeological, historical and local, which com])aratively unknown
beyond an official circle, furnish admirable materials for a detailed
history of the Deccan. These materials, old and new, I have
made use of without scruple. I can claim nothing of originality
— in a history the absence of this quality is perhaps desirable —
and what I have attempted is merely a collation of historical
events relating to the Deccan from the time of the Mahomedan
invasion.
It only remains for me to acknowledge the sources from Avhich
my information has been drawn. To Ferishta, as translated l)y
Scott, a book which is now becoming scarce, my first thanks are

due. The different by Elliot and Dowson,
historians collected
throw from time to time considerable upon Deccan affairs, light
and I have transcribed from them verbatim whenever occasion
required. My thanks are also due to the Bombay Government for
permission to make use of the material provided in their most
excellent Gazetteers of Kanara, Bijapur and Ahmednagar, a per-
mission of which I have gladly availed myself. Colonel Meadows

Taylor's historical romance of "A Noble cûeen" has enabled me
to go at some length into a most interesting episode of Bijapur
history, and the "Historical and Descriptive Sketch of the Nizam's
iv PREFACE.
Dominions"' l>y Messrs. Wilniott an<l Sc'y<l Jioossein Belgrami,

has enabled me to give a (leserij)tioii of those |il;iees wliieli I
have not been able to visit in person. To .Mr. llerrman Linde

my most cordial thanks are dne for the beautiful original sketches
with wliicli he has so kindly provided me, and the excellent
jdiotographs of the Deccaii cities have been furnished by the
well-known photographer Mr. Lala Deen Dayal of Secunderabad
and Sudore, whilst those of the Vijayanagar ruins are from Mi-.
Nicholas of Madras. Some of the portraits have been reproduced

from a collection of old paintings found in the royal city of
Bieder, and the genealogy of H.H. the Nizam (who has graciously
accepted the dedication of the work) was kindly furnished to me
from the ])alace by NaAvab Sarvar Jung the Peshi Secretary to
His Highness.
J. D. B. Geibble.
IT^deraha)! [Deccan)
October, 1895.
CONTENTS.
CllAl'TEK I'AMi
I. Introductory 1
II. The Origin of the Bahmanee Kings of Gulburga . . 1-i
III. The Rise of the Hindoo Kingdom of Vijayanagar.
and the End of the first Gulburga Sultan. ... 23
IV. The Gulburga Sultans. — Muhammad Shah 34
V. The Gulburga Sultans from 1374—1397, A.D 47
VI. Sultans Ghazi-ud-Din and Shums-ud-Din 56
VII. The City and Kingdom of Vijayanagar .
, 60
VIII. Sultans Feroze Shah and Ahmed Shah 74
IX. Sultan Allah-ud-Din II 97
X. HUMAYUN THE CrUEL 109
XI. Sultans Nizam Shah and Muhammed Shah 113
XII. The End of the House of Bahmanee 128
PART II.
History of Bijapur and of the Deccan down to its Subjugation by

Aurunrjzebe {A. D. 1500—1680).
XIII. YusuF Adil Shah of Bijapur 137

XIV. The Nizajis of Ahmednagar 150
XV. Bijapur from 1509—1534.Ismael Adil Shah .... 156
XVI. The Kingdoms of Berar and Golconda and Continu-
ation OF Bijapur 179
XVII. The Fall of Vijayanagar 186
XVIII. Ahmednagar and Bijapur from the Fall of Vijayanagar
TILL the Death of Ali Adil Shah (1580) 199
XIX. The STORYOF Queen Chand AND THE Fall of Ahmednagar 211
XX. Retrospective Sketch of the Deccan 242
XXI. The Story of JÊalick Amber 251
XXII. The Beginning of the End 263
XXIII. The End of Bijapur . . . . , 286
XXIV. The Fall of Golconda.— A.D. 1686 ... ,
297
PART III.
The Empire in Ruins.
XXV. The King-Makers 312

XXVI. The End of the King-Makers and the Birth of a
NEW Kingdom 365
Appendix 383
A detailed list o£ all the Illustrations. Maps, Plaus, Genealogical Tables,

etc.,contained in the two volumes, along with an Index to the complete
work, will be inserted at the end of the second volume.
CHAPTER I.
INTEODUCTORY.
Up to the end of tlie thirteenth century the Mahomedans

had not invaded the Deccan. It was to them an unknown
country peopled by pagan idolaters, as they called them.
Scarcely anything is known of the inner condition of the vast
country in which are included the Deccan and Carnatic of
modern times. There seems to be some doubt regarding the
origin of the name itself, and it is supposed by some to
be derived from the Bandaka or forest to which Eama
went into voluntary banishment, but the most probable
derivation is that Deccan is a corruption of Bahkhiu the
Prakrit form of the Sanscrit Dakshin, the left or south. The
country was occupied by many ancient Hindoo kingdoms,
the history and origin of which are lost. The two northernmost
of these kingdoms had their capitals at Deogiri and Warangal.
The former extended to the western coast, and far away south
to Mysore, and the latter included Orissa and probably all the
Telugu-speaking districts of Hyderabad and Madras. That
these kingdoms wêre very great and powerful there can be
no doubt, but there remain now nothing but ruins, which,
however, are sufficient to show how advanced they were in
civilisation. Deogiri, the modern Dowlatabad, was not only a
1
2 HISTORY OF THE DECCAN.
large city but an important fortress, supposed to be impreg-

nable. The wonderful caves of J'Ûora and Ajunta show how
advanced Avas the art of architecture; and in Warangal the
remains of immense irrigation tanks and channels show that
the rulers of the country devoted great attention to the im-
provement of agriculture. In both these cities there were
enormous accumulations of wealth, consisting of gold, precious
stones, and elephants, all of which were found within their
own boundaries. The people appear to have been brave, happy,
and prosperous, and from west to east there were scattered
about numerous holy shrines which l)rought together thousands
of pilgrims. It was this wealth that attracted the cupidity
of the Mahomedans.
In year 1294 Ala-ud-Din was the governor of the
the
Bengal provinces. He was the nephew and son-in-law of the
Sidtan of Delhi— Jelal-ud-Din —
and was an ambitious, cruel
man. He had heard stories of the wealth which was stored
up in the cities of the idolatrous Hindoos, and, taking religion
as his excuse, he determined to plunder them. In what
reality,
he wanted the riches for was to use them as a means of

gaining his father-in-law's throne. Without mentioning his
project to the emperor, Ala-ud-Din marched southwards with

a large army, and was absent for more than a year. During
this time no one knew what had become of him, but there
were vague rumours that he was lighting with the Hindoos
in Deogiri. This, indeed, was the case, and for a great part
of this time he was besieging the fortress of Deogiri, afterwards
Dowlatabad. This fortress is situated on an isolated hill, 640
feet in height. The hill is cone-shaped, and in addition to
the steepness of the rock was very strongly fortified with

it
walls, bastions, and moats. There were in reality three distinct

forts, one within another, and at the foot was the city which
was the centre of a considerable trade. At the time of Ala-

ud-Din's invasion. Ram Deo was king of Deogiri. Zia-ud-Din
INTRODUCTORY.
Barni, the Maliom-

L'daii historiai],
says: "The people
of that coinitrv had
never heard of the Miis-
sidmans ; the Mahratta
and liad never been
punished by their armies
no JMiissidman king or
prince had penetrated so
far. Deogiri was exceed-
ingly rich in gold and
silver, jewels and pearls,
and other valuables."
Ram Deo sent an army
to meet the Mahomedan
invader, but it was
totally defeated, and
Ala-ud-Din then invested
the fortress of Deogiri.
The fort was not taken,
and the Rajah saved it
only by agreeing to give
up an immense amount
of treasure, consisting
of gold, jewels and
elephants, with which
Ala-ud-Din returned to
Karra, his seat of govern-
ment. So great was this
treasure that it is said

nothing had ever been
seen like it before, and
Ala-ud-Din used it to win
4 HISTORY OF TEE DECCAN.
over as many to liis side as ])ossil)le. When the Ein])eror Jelal-

lul-Din heard that his soii-iii-law had returned after so successful
a campaign, he sent to congratuhite him and to ask why he did
not come to Delhi to report the circumstances in ])crson.
Ala-ud-Din replied, that, having gone away Avithout permission,
he was afraid the Emperor would be angry with him, and
therefore he had not ventured to come to Delhi, but if the
Emperor would come and see him, it would satisfy the minds
of his officers that no harm was intended to them, and he would
then introduce them to the Emperor, and at the same time hand
over to him the treasure which he had brought. The poor
old Emperor, suspecting nothing, and anxious, perha])s, to
receive the wonderful treasure of which he had heard so
much, fell into the trap thus laid for him. He sent word
that he would start at once, and, so as to show that he had
no evil intentions, would come with only a slight retinue.
Karra is situated on the Ganges, and Avas some five or six
days' journey form Kilu-gadhi, where the Emperor was then
encamped. Without listening to the advice of his counsellors,
the Emperor set off on this journey in a boat, accompanied
only by a few personal attendants and a body-guard of a
thousand horse. The historian Barni thus relates the tragedy
that followed: "Ala-ud-Din and his followers had determined
on the course to be adopted before the Sultan arrived. He
had crossed the river with the elephants and treasure, and had
taken post with his forces between Manikpur and Karra, the
Ganges being very high. When the royal ensign came in
sight he was all prepared, the men were armed, and the
elephants and horses were harnessed. Ala-ud-Din sent his
brother Almas Beg in a small boat to the sultan, with directions
to use every device to induce him to leave behind the thousand
men he had brought with him, and to come with only a few
personal attendants. The traitor Almas Beg hastened to the
Sultan and perceived several boats full of horsemen around

INTRODUCTORY. 5
him. He told the Sultan that his brother had left the city,
and God only knew where he would have gone to, if he

(Almas Reg) had not been sent to him. If the Sultan did
not make more haste to meet him, he would kill himself, and
his treasure would be ])lundercd. If his brother were to see
thesearmed boats with would destroy himself.
the Sultan he
The Sultan accordingly horsemen and boats
directed that the
should remain by the side of the river, whilst he, with two
boats and a few personal attendants and friends, passed over
to the other side. When the two boats had started and the
Angel of Destiny had come still nearer, the traitor Almas
Beg desired the Sultan to direct his attendants to lay aside
their arms, lest his brother should see them as he approached
nearer, and be frightened. The Sultan, about to become a
martyr, did not detect the drift of this insidious ])roposition,
but directed his followers As the boats reached
to disarm.
mid-stream, the army of Ala-iid-Din was perceived, all under
arms, the elephants and horses harnessed, and in several places
troops of horsemen ready for action. When the nobles who
accompanied the Sultan saw this, they knew that Almas Beg
had by his plausibility brought his patron into a snare, and
they gave up as lost. j\Ialik Khuram asked
themselves
"What is meaning of all this?" and Almas Beg, seeing
the
that his treachery was detected, said his brother was anxious
that his army should pay homage to his master.
The Sultan was so blinded by his destiny, that although his
own eyes saw the treachery, he would not return, but he said
to Almas Beg " I have come so far in a little boat to meet
:
your brother, cannot he, and does not his heart induce him
to advance to meet me with due respect?" The traitor replied:
" j\Iy brother's intention is to await your majesty at the
landing-place with the elephants and treasure and jewels, and
there to present his officers." The Sultan, trusting implicitly
in them, who were his nephews, sons-in-law, and foster-children,
did not awake and detect the obvious intention. Jletooktlic

Koran and read it, and proceeded fearless and confiding as a
father to his sons. All the people who were in the boat with
him saw death plainly before them, and began to re])eat the
chapter appropriate to men in sight of death. The Sultan
reached the shore before afternoon prayer, and disembarked
with a few followers. Ala-ud-Din advanced to receive him,
he and all his officers showing due respect. When he reached
the Sultan he fell at his feet, and the Sultan, treating him as
a son, kissed his eyes and cheeks, stroked his beard, gave him
two loving taps upon the cheek, and said: "I have brought
thee up from infancy, why art thou afraid of me?" The Sultan
took Ala-ud-Din's hand, and at that moment the stony-hearted
traitor gave the fatal signal. Muhammad Salim of Samana, a
bad fellow of a bad family, struck at the Sultan with a sword,
but the blow fell short and cut his own hand. He again
struck and wounded the Sultan, who ran towards the river,
crying " Ah
: thou villain, Ala-ud-Uin, what hast thou
!
done ? " Iktiyar-ud-Din Hud ran after the betrayed monarch,

threw him down, and cut off his head and bore it dripping
with blood to Ala-ud-Din, Some of those persons who accom-
panied the Sultan had landed, and others remained in the
boats, but all were slain. Villainy and treachery and murderous
feelings, covetousness and desire of riches, thus did their work."
This happened on the 17th Ramazan 695. H. equal to A. D.
1296, and Ala-ud-Din at once ascended the throne and marched
upon Delhi. Thewas largely used to make men
fatal treasure
forget the terrible tragedy that had been enacted on the banks
of the Ganges. Every day five maunds of golden stars were
discharged by a kind of engine amongst the people in front
of the royal tent, and from far and near people flocked to his
camp in order to share in the wealth that was being scattered
about. Delhi was entered in the midst of a magnificent display,
and there still remained enough of the gold to fill the treasury
INTRODUCTORY. 7
as it had never been filled before. Purses and bags lilled with
gold coins were distributed, and men gave themselves
{tanJiCis)
np and enjoyment. "Ala-ud-Din, in the pride

to dissipation
of youth, prosperity, and boundless wealth, proud also of his
army and his followers, his elephants, and liis liorses, plunged
into dissipation and pleasure."
As was only natural, Ala-ud-Din was not likely to forget the
place which had furnished him with the means of winning a
throne. There must be more left in the country from which
so much had already come. Deogiri had not been sacked and
the Rajah had only bought off the invaders with a portion of
his wealth. Besides, Warangal had not been touched, and,
if rumours were true, this city was even wealthier than
Deogiri. People said that in Telingana, of which Warangal
was the capital, there were gold and diamond mines. It was
a religious duty to take these treasures from the hands of
infidels, and accordingly, in the year 1 308 A. D. an army
was sent to Deogiri, the Rajah of which had rebelled and

had sent no tribute for several years. This time Deogiri was
taken, and wdth it an immense amount of treasure. The
Rajah with his family were sent as prisoners to Delhi, where
they did homage to the Sultan, and were then pardoned.
Next year (1309) another expedition was sent to Warangal,
the Rajah of which was called Rai Laddar Deo by the
Mahomedan historians, but w4iose real name was Pratapa
Rudra Deva. Malik Naib Kafur wâs appointed in command
of this army, and his instructions were not to press the
Rajah too hard, but to content himself with getting as much
treasure as he could, wdth a promise of tribute in the future.
The march lasted for more than three months and was through
a wild and hitherto unknown country. Every day, we are
told, it passed a new river until at length it reached the
Nerbuddah, " which was such that you might say it was a
remnant of the deluge," The Deogiri territories were respected
8 HISTOKY OF THE DEC CAN.
as l)eiiig those of a de])en{leiit, ))iit when the fort of Sarbar

was readied, which belonged to the Telingana country, it was
taken by storm and the whole of the inhabitants were killed.
"Every one threw himself, with his wife and children, upon
the flames, and departed to hell," and those who escaped the
firewere put to the sword. Soon after, the army arrived near
Warangal, and an advance force was sent to occupy " the hill
of An Makinda, for from that all the edifices and gardens of
Warangal can be seen" {Jmir Khusrn, Tarikh-i-'Alai). This
clearly refers to the hill of Hanumkunda, which is situated
about four miles from the ruins of the ancient fort of Warangal.
The city was surrounded by a double wall of fortifications, tlie
outer one of mud and the inner one of stone. The circum-
ference of the outer wall was seven miles and one-eighth. The
whole of this wall was surrounded by the invaders with a
wooden breastwork, to construct which all the trees of the
sacred groves wêre cut down. "The trees were cut with axes
and felled, notwithstanding their groans; and the Hindoos,
who wôrship trees, could not at that time come to the rescue
of their idols, so that every cursed tree which wâs in that
capital of idolatry was cut down to the roots and clever ;
carpenters applied the sharp iron to shape the blocks, so that

a wooden fortress was drawn round the army, of such stability
that if fire had rained from heaven, their camp would have
been ui] scathed." The siege was carried on with great fury
in spite of an obstinate defence. Several sorties were repulsed,
and in one the whole party was slain and " the heads of the
Rawats rolled on the plain like crocodiles' eggs." At length
the outer wall was taken and then the Rajah sued for peace.
He was ordered to give up the whole of his treasure, and a
general massacre was threatened if he should be found to
have kept anything for himself. He also agreed to send tribute
yearly. On the 16th Shawal (March 1310 A. D.) Malik Kafur
left Warangal with his army, and with a thousand camels
INTRODUCTORY.
groaning under the weight of the treasure, lie reached Delhi

on the 11th iMohurram, and on the 24th the treasure was
presented to the Sultan. Thus ended the first siege of Warangal,
which had, howêver, to undergo several others before, thirteen

years afterwards, itsacked and destroyed.
was finally
The plunder thus obtained from the two excursions to the

Deccan only excited the Sultan's desire for more, and the
same general, Malik Kafur, was at once despatched to Deogiri
with orders to organise another expedition to the regions
further south. It is probable that Deogiri or Dowlatabad, as
it will be called henceforth, was already governed by a lieutenant
of the Delhi emperor, although the Rajah may have been left
there with a certain amount of nominal power.
Not only was every assistance given towards the equipment
of this new expedition, but the Rajah himself gave a Hindoo
general to act as a guide to this unknown country. The King
of Warangal twenty elephants to Dowlatabad, with
also sent
an intimation that he would be punctual in sending his tribute
in future. Early in the following year (1311) Malik Kafur
marched southwards. The territories of the Dowdatabad and
Warangal kingdoms must have extended as far south as the
boundaries of Mysore, for we do not read of the Mahomedan
army having encountered any enemy until the "Belial Deo of
Dharwar Samoonder." This name evidently refers to one of
the Vellala dynasty, which then ruled in IMysore, and the

place is identified with a spot near Seringapatam, the word
Samoonder being a Mahomedan corruption of Samudram, the
word used in the Tamil, Telugu, and Canarese languages for
a large tank or reservoir, the literal meaning being "sea."
The Rajaî was conquered and had to yield a large amount
of treasure and elephants, which were despatched as a first
instalment to Delhi. From Mysore the Mahomedan army
marched to Madura where a quarrel had arisen between the
twô sons of the Hindoo king, who is called by the historian
10 HISTOnV OF THE DECCAN.
IVassaf, Kales Dewar. Tliis kiiii;- is said to have been im-

mensely rich, and the same autlior says that in his city of
Mardi (Madura) there were " 1200 crores of gold deposited,
every crore being ccjiial to a thousand lakhs, and every lakh
to one hundred thousand dinars. Beside this, there was an
accumulation of precious stones, such as pearls, rubies, tur-
quoises, and emeralds, more than is the power of language

to express." The whole of the country over which this king
ruled, is called by the IMahomedan historians Ma'bar, and
included not only that part which is now known as Malabar,
but also the whole of the ]\Iadura country, Trichinopoly and
Tanjore. The capital of this great kingdom was at Madura,
and the dynasty is known as the Pandion race of kings.
When the King Kales Dewar died, about 1309, he left two
sons, called by the Mahomedan historians Eai Sundar Pandiya
and Rai Bir Pandiya. The latter name is clearly a corruption
of Veera, an old Hindoo name. These two brothers quarrelled,
and Veera Pandiya, the younger and illegitimate brother,
drove the older one from the country, and it appears to have
been on behalf of Sundar Pandiya that Malik Kafur invaded
Madura. At the approach of the Mahomedan army, Veera
Pandiya took refuge in the jungles, and was pursued from
place to place. All the towns and temples on the line of
march were sacked and destroyed, and on the 17th Zilkada
the army arrived at Madura which shared the same fate. An
immense amount of booty was obtained here, and Amir Khusru
says that " when the Malik came to take a muster of the
elephants, they extended over a length of three parasm^gs,
*
and amounted hundred and twelve, besides five thousand

to five
horses, Arabian and Syrian, and five hundred mans of jewels
of every description —
diamonds, pearls, emeralds, and rubies."
On the 4th Jumada Sani 711 H. (1311) Malik Kafur
* Parasa]i//s. a Persian measure of distance = 3 miles.
INTRODUCTORY. 11
arrived in Delhi with and presented it to the

all this treasure
Sultan Ala-ud-Din. lUit a curse seemed to attach to all the
gold and jewels taken from the Hindoo idolaters, and in the
same way as the Warangal treasure tempted Ala-ud-I)in to
murder his uncle Jelal-ud-Din, so now the same temptation
brought upon him the same fate from the hands of jMalik
Kafur. In 1317 Ala-ud-Din died, his death having been
hastened, it is said, by ]\lalik Kafur, who at once seized the
throne. He
put out the eyes of two of Ala-ud-Din's sons,
"by them from their sockets with a razor, like slices
cutting
of melon," and confined another (Mubarak Khan), intending
him for the same fate. Before, however, he could do this,
retribution overtook jNIalik Kafur himself. A conspiracy was
formed amongst some of the nobles, who entered the palace
at night and killed him when he was asleep. This being
done, Mubarak Khan was placed upon the throne and assumed
the title of Kutb-ud-Din (1317). In the following
Sultan
year another expedition was undertaken by the Sultan against
Deogiri, which had revolted. The head of the revolt was
Harpal Deo, but he was defeated without difficulty, taken
prisoner, and then flayed alive, his skin being hung over the
gates of the fort. A Mahomedan governor was then ap-
pointed, and from that time Deogiri, or, as it is now called,
Dowlatabad, ceased to be the residence of a Hindoo king.

In the following year the newly-appointed governor of Dow-
latabad revolted, but was taken prisoner and sent to Delhi,
where and nose were cut off, and he was publicly
his ears
disgraced. Khusru Khan, a favourite of the Sultan, appears
to have replaced him, and to have made another invasion of
Malabar; but the Hindoo gold seems to have laid upon him
its curse also, for on his return to Delhi he abused the
confidence placed in him by entering the palace with a band
of assassins and murdering the Sultan. In this way died the
last descendant of Ala-ud-Din, and the former murder of the
poor old Sultan Jelal-iid-Diii was avenged upon the murderer's

descendents. Khusru Khan occupied the throne for a few
months only, under the title of Sultan Nasir-ud-Din, when
he in turn was slain by Ghazi Malik, a noble of Deobalpur,
who then mounted the throne as the founder of a new dynasty,
under the title of Sultan Ghiyas-ud-Uin Tughlik Shah (1320).
One of the first acts of the new Sultan was to send an army
under his eldest son to Warangal. Laddar Deo was still King
of Warangal, and at first tried to purchase peace by delivering
up his treasure. Ulugh Khan, the Sultan's son, refused any
terms, and commenced laying siege to the fort. The Hindoos
were reduced to extremity, and were on the eve of capitu-
lating, w^hen a revolt broke out in the camp in consequence
of a false report of the Sultan's death. The Hindoos seized
the opportunity, sallied forth, and plundered the baggage of
the army, whereupon Ulugh Khan retired to Dowdatabad, and
Warangal had another respite. The respite, however, was a
brief one, for no sooner had the Sultan punished the instigators
of the revolt, than he sent Ulugh Khan with another army
to besiege the ill-fated city. This time resistance was of no
avail, and after a short siege the fort was taken, the Rajah
with all his family and treasures wêre captured and sent to
Delhi, and the very name of Warangal was altered to that of
Sultanpur. This occurred in 1323. But the curse attending
the Hindoo gold was still at work, and again we find that the
desire of possessing this fatal gold led to crime. This time
it was and Ulugh Khan wâs led away to kill his
parricide,
own father. is the way the murder was effected.
This The
Sultan was returning from an expedition to Delhi, and Ulugh
Khan built a pavilion in which to receive him. This pavilion
w^qs so contrived that by treading on a certain stone the roof
would fall in. Whilst the Sultan was being entertained at

dinner, Ulugh Khan and the conspirators went out, touched
the secret spring, and the roof fell in and killed the Sultan
INTRODUCTORY. 13
and his companions. Ulugli Khan then monnted the throne

under the title of Mahomed Tughlak Shah (1325).
We have now come to the timewhen we can find some
authentic accounts of the Deccan country. The two great
Hindoo kingdoms of Warangal and Deogiri have been destroyed,
and in their place Mahomedan rule has been substituted.
The representative of the Sultan of Delhi is an almost inde-
pendent governor in the midst of on alien population. Except
in the immediate vicinity of his capital, Dowlatabad, it is
probable that he does not exercise more than a nominal sway.

Though Mahomedan armies have marched far away to tlie
south — it is Kafur actually built a mosque at
said that Malik
—
Rameswaram they have left no permanent impression. All
that they have done is to carry away plunder, and leave behind
them ruins and heaps of corpses. There exists a bitter hatred
against them on account of their cruelty and rapine, and
already the Hindoos, driven away from Warangal and the
Telingana, have founded a new kingdom at Vijayanagar,
which is destined to be for two hundred and fifty years a
bulwark against further invasion. In Delhi there is a constant
struggle for the throne. Tempted by the enormous amount
of treasure which has been carried away from the Hindoos,
there are adventurers always eager to obtain a share. Already
on the north-western frontiers has appeared the shadow of the
Mogul conqueror, who before long will drive the Afghan
Sultans away. Amid such scenes of disturbance it is not likely
that the Sultans of Delhi can exercise a very effectual control
over so distant a place as Dowlatabad. If this part of the
country is to be preserved under Mahomedan rule, there must
be a local leader to concentrate the scattered Hindoo provinces
which have lost their ancient rulers. The time for the birth
of a new kingdom has arrived, and when the hour has come
the man is always ready. And so it was in this case.
CHAPTER II.
THE OKI(;i-\ OF TJIE 15AI1MA>KE KlXCiS OF GULBURGA.
N the last cha])ter 1

have endeavoured to
describe the state of
affairs in the Deccan
at the commence-
ment of the
Mahomed
reign of
y Tughlak Shah.
The character of
King was not
this
one calculated to
improve matters.
During his long
reign of twenty-seven years (from 1325 to 1352, A.D.) he
brought his kingdom to the verge of ruin by his mad acts of
tyranny and insane adventure. He was wise enough to see
that if thenew conquests in the Deccan were to be preserved
to the Mahomedans, and the growing power of the young
Hindoo kingdom at Vijayanagar kept in check, it would be
necessary to have the central power nearer to the newly
conquered province than Delhi. The distance from the capital,
and the immense wealth hoarded up by the Hindoo princes
THE ORIGIN OF THE BAHMANEE KINGS OF GULBUBGA. 15
offered too great a temptation to the loyalty of his lieutenants.

The Governors at Dowlatabad were constantly being accused
of disloyalty, and were frequently removed. In order to
obviate this he conceived the mad idea of transferring his capital
from Delhi to Dowlatabad. This was not done gradually, but,
as it were at a moment's notice, the Avholc of the inhabitants
of the great city, which for 180 years had been the capital of
the Mahomedan Empire in India, were ordered to leave their
homes and emigrate to Dowlatabad. The historian Barni
thus describes the effect of this tyrannical order: "The city
with its sdrciis and its suburbs and villages spread over four
or five Kos (about 10 miles). All was destroyed. So complete
was the ruin, that not a cat or dog was left among the buildings
of the city, in its palaces or in its suburbs. Troops of the
natives, with their families and dependents, wives and children,
men-servants, and maid-servants were forced to remove. The
people who for many years and for generations had been
natives and inhabitants of the land were broken-hearted. Many
from the toils of the long journey, perished on the road, and
those who arrived at Deogiri could not endure the pain of exile.
In despondency they pined to death. All around Deogiri, which
is an infidel land, there sprung up graveyards of Mussulmans.
The Sultan was bounteous in his liberality and favours to the
emigrants, both on their journey and on their arrival: but
they were tender and they could not endure the exile and
the suffering. They laid down their heads in that heathen
land, and of all the multitudes of emigrants few only survived
to return to their Thus the city, the envy of the cities
home.
of the inhabited world, was reduced to ruin. One of these
emigrants was a man who afterwards became very famous
in the Deccan as the founder of a new kingdom. This man
was called Hassan. He was born in the year 1290 (A. D.)
and was in very humble circumstances. Tor the first thirty
years of his life he was nothing more than a field labourer,
16 HISTORY OF THE DEC CAN.
and was emjDloyed by a Brahmin of Delhi named Ga//////.
This Brahmin gave him a piece of land near the city walls,
together with a pair of oxen and two labourers. Hassan was
a hard working honest man, and one day when he was at
work with his plough, it struck in some hard body "and
Hassan upon examination, found it was entangled in a chain
round the neck of an earthen vessel, which proved to be full
of anti(pie gold coins. He immediately carried them to the
Brahmin, who commended his honesty and informed the
Prince of the discovered treasure" (Scott's Ferishta). This
prince was the Sultan Ghaziuddin, who reigned from 1320 to
1325. The Sultan was so much pleased with Hassan's honesty,

that he ordered him to be brought to his presence and
bestowed upon him the command of one hundred horse. This
sudden elevation from the position of a field labourer to
that of a military officer of considerable rank would appear

absurd now-a-days, but five hundred years ago it was no
uncommon thing. The Brahmin Gangu, who employed Hassan,
was one of the royal astrologers, and attracted by this promotion
of his hitherto obscure servant he cast his horoscope. In this
horoscope he found it foretold that Hassan would one day
become a king. In repeating this prophecy to Hassan, the
Brahmin made one request, viz., that Hassan should adopt
his name in future, and w^hen he should some day become
king that he would appoint him as his minister of finance.
This Hassan promised, and from that time was known as
Hassan Gangu *. It is said that his good fortune was also
predicted by a Mahomedan saint named Shekh Nizam-ud-Din
Oulea, whose memory is still venerated at Delhi, and whose
tomb is resorted to annually by numerous pilgrims. These
prophecies and his recent promotion, no doubt, fired Hassan's
* This name as translated from the Persian historians is generally

spelt Kangoh. but it evidently refers to Gangu a not uncommon Hindoo
name.
THE ORIGIN OF THE BAHMANEE KINGS OF GULBURGA. 17
ambition, and he looked forward to some opjDortunity of

adventure. The Deccan was then the El Dorado of the
Mahomedan and no douht Hassan hoped some
imagination,
day to employ his body of horsemen in slaying and plundering
the infidel Hindoos. The opportunity was not long in coming.
When Mahomed Tughlak Sliah resolved to change his capital
from Delhi to Dowlatabad, he appointed Kuttulugh Khan as
Governor of the latter place, and allowed him to select his
own officers. One of these was Hassan Gangu and he followed
his new master to Dowlatabad, where he was assigned as
jaghir the "town of Konechee with lands dependent on the
district of Roy baugh" (Scott.) This town is situated in what
is now H. H. the Nizam's Dominions. Here Hassan remained

forsome years increasing in influence and wealth. No doubt
he made various raids for himself against his neighbours the
heathen Hindoos, until at last he became a landholder and a
military chief of considerable importance.
In the meantime matters throughout the kingdom of Mahomed
Tughlak had grown from bad to worse. The unpopularity which
the king had earned by the enforced emigration of the inhabitants
from Delhi to DoAvlatabad was increased by the arbitrary manner
in which the jaghirdars were treated in the outlying ])rovinces.
All kinds of exactions were made, and whenever a landowner
refused to pay he was treated as a rebel. Altogether Mahomed
Tughlak seems to have behaved like a madman. Bar?ii *
enumerates six projects which led to the ruin of the country.
The first was an attempt to extort from five to ten per cent
more tribute from all the landowners in the Doab. These
cesses, we are told, were collected so rigorously that the
raiyats were impoverished and reduced to beggary. Those Avho
were rich and had property became rebels; the lands were
ruined and cultivation was entirely arrested. Tiiis, added to
a failure of the rains, brought about a terrible famine, Avhich
* Elliot and Dowson, Vol. III.
is spoken of as one of the worst tliat ever occurred in India.

It continued, we are told, for some years, and thousands upon
thousands of people perished of want. The second project was
the change of the capital to Avliich allusion has already been
made. The third was even madder than the first two, and was
nothing less than a conquest of the whole world. The King
Avished to become a second Alexander, and resolved upon
raising an enormous army with w^hich to carry out his designs.
In order to provide the necessary funds to pay this countless
host of soldiers, he introduced copper money, and gave orders
that it should be used in buying and selling and should pass
current, just as the gold and silver coins had passed. The
promulgation of this order we are told by the same historian,
turned the house of every Hindoo into a mint, and the Hindoos
of the various provinces coined an enormous amount of copper
coins. Of course, the natural result was a general depreciation
of the currency, and so low did the value of the new coins
fall, that they were not esteemed higher than "pebbles or
potsherds." When trade was interrupted on every side, and
w^hen the copper iankas "had become more worthless than
clods," the Sultan repealed his edict, and in great wrath he
proclaimed that whoever possessed copper coins should bring
them to the treasury and receive the old gold coins in exchange.
"Thousands of men from various quarters, who possessed
thousands of these copper coins, and caring nothing about
them, had flung them into corners along with their copper
pots, now brought them to the treasury and received in exchange
gold iankas and silver tankas, shashgdnis and dii-garms which
they carried to their homes. So many of these copper coins
were brought to the treasury that heaps of them rose up in
Tuglikabad (the new name of Dowlatabad) like mountains.
Great sums went out of the treasury in exchange for the
copper, and a great deficiency was caused. When the Sultan
saw that his project had failed, and that great loss had been
THE ORIGIN OF THE BAHMANEE KINGS OF GULBUBGA. 19
entailed ii})on tlie treasury througli his copper coins, he more

than ever turned against his subjects." The remaining three
projects were military expeditions, all of which were attended
by failure. The first two were against Khurasan and Persia,
and the third against China. The latter was especially dis-
astrous. A large army was shut in by the Hindoos in the
defiles of what is now called the Black Mountain and was
entirely cut to pieces. Out of the whole army only ten

horsemen returned to Delhi to tell the news of their defeat.
The consequence of these rash enterprises was that every-
where the country broke into open revolt. In Multan, Bengal,
and distant Ma'bar the Governors rebelled. It is difficult now
to ascertain the exact boundaries of this province of Ma'bar.
As has been said before, the whole of the southern portion of
the Peninsula was called Malabar. * It is probable that the
capital of the Mahomedan Governor was somewhere on the
western coast, but if so, in a very short time all trace of this
Mahomedan occupation vanished, for during the next two
hundred years, until the time of Aurungzebe, the whole ef
thiscountry was undoubtedly held by Hindoos. The Sultan
marched with an army to put down this rebellion, but he did
not get further than Warangal, when cholera broke out and
he was compelled to return. When he reached Dowlatabad
on his way home, he gave permission to those who wished
to do so to return to Delhi. A large number availed themselves
of this permission, but those who had become acclimatised
resolved to remain. No sooner had the Sultan returned to
Delhi than a revolt broke out at Warangal. A Hindoo named
Kanya Naick raised an army of his co-religionists, and succeeded
in driving out the Mahomedan Governor j\Ialik jMakbul, who
fled to Delhi. The province of Warangal was then completely
* The west coast was known to the Arabs as Ma'bar long before
this conquest, because it was the coast to which traders crossed over
from Arabia (from Ahara =r he crossed).
lost to the ^Mahomedans and for some time tlie Hindoos

established their rule. No attempt seems to have been made
to recover this country, probably because the Sultan's attention
Avas so fully occupied by other matters. In fact before long
the oidy outlying provinces that remained faithful were
Dowlatabad and Guzerat. But it was not long that the
Sultan's folly caused him to lose these two provinces also. In
1344, a man named Aziz Khummar was appointed as Governor
of Malwa and Guzerat with strict orders to collect as much
tribute as possible. One of the first acts of this wretch was
to collect eighty of the principal Amirs at his palace, and cause
them all to be beheaded. This brutal act, which was rewarded
by the Sultan with a robe of honour and a complimentary
letter, caused a general insurrection. This broke out first in
Gujarat where the nobles rose and defeated the deputy Governor
Mukbil. This occurred in 1345. The Sultan at once marched
in person to suppress this revolt, which, after committing great
cruelties, he succeeded in doing. Those nobles who were not
captured fled with their families Deccan and many of
to the
them took refuge at Dowlatabad. The Sultan despatched an
order that all these fugitives should be sent to him with an
escort of fifteen hundred horse. On the way these prisoners
rose against their guards, killed them and then returned to
Dowlatabad where they proclaimed an open rebellion. The

treasury was looted and distributed amongst the conspirators.
They then declared the independence of the Deccan and elected
as their first Sultan an Afghan chief named Ismael who assumed
the title of Nusrud-din. Prominent amongst these conspirators
was Hassan Kangoh, upon whom the title of Zaflir Khan was
bestowed, together with several large districts in jaghir. So
great was the general feeling of discontent against the Sultan
of Delhi, that the rebels at Dowlatabad were assisted in their
revolt by the Hindoos of Warangal, who thus made common
cause with Mahomedans against their oppressor. Mahomed
THE ORIGIN OF THE BAHMANEE KINGS OF GULBURGA. 21
Togliluk at once marched against the rebels and defeated tlieni.
He did not, however, succeed in capturing the ringleaders, and

most of them escaped to their own districts, where the Sultan
was unable to follow^ them, as his presence was again required
to suppress a revolt at Delhi. He left behind him howxver
a deputy named Imad-ul-Mulk, with orders to march to
Gulburga, hunt up all the fugitives and bring the country
into order. Gulburga w-as the part of the country in which
Hassan Kangoh's jaghirs were situated, and this was the
opportunity for which he had prepared himself. He collected
his troops as quickly as possible, and went to meet Imad-ul-
Mulk, who had remained at Bieder. The Sultan's General
had about 30,000 men of all and Hassan only about
arms,
15,000. The latter, therefore, avoided coming to a general
action, but kept Imad-ul-Mulk in check, until reinforcements
could arrive. At length he received 15,000 men from Warangal,
and a body of 5,000 horse despatched by the confederate Sultan
Ismael from Dowlatabad. With forces thus increased, Hassan
did not hesitate to meet his opponent. A pitched battle ensued
which was fought near Bieder. It commenced at daybreak and
lasted till sunset. The result was that Imad-ul-Mulk was killed
and his army utterly defeated with great slaughter. The
fugitives made their escape to ]\Ialwa, but a large number
appear subsequently to have taken service "with the victorious
general. Hassan, flushed with victory, now marched to Dow-
latabad to join his forces wdth those of Sultan Ismael Nasr-
ud-Din. Ismael came some distance to meet his general, and
there was a scene of the utmost enthusiasm. JNasr-ud-Din
saw that the wdiole of the army looked up to Hassan as its
natural leader, and he therefore very Avisely resolved to give
place to his younger rival. He called an assembly of the
nobles and told them that his great age rendered him inca-
pable of conducting the government of so young a kingdom,
surrounded by such powerful enemies. He therefore voluntarily
resigned the throne, and advised them to elect Hassan Kangoh

in his This proj)osal was received with tlie utmost
pLace.
enthusiasm and the former peasant was raised to tlie tlu'one
under the title of Sultan AUa-iid-Bin Hassan Kanyoli Bahmanee.
(A. ]). 1347). In the hour of his prosperity the new Sultan
did not forget his old patron and, faithfid to his former promise,
he sent for Kangoh and committed to his care his treasury
and finances. It is said that Kangoh was the first Brahmin who
ever took service under a Mahomedan Prince, but, however
this may be, he was most certainly not the last, for during
the next two hundred years it became the universal custom
throughout the Deccan for the different Mahomedan kings to
appoint Brahmins to high posts of authority. This was a wise
stroke of policy; for it had the effect of bringing the Govern-
ment more w^hom
in touch with the people, the vast majority of
were Hindoos. In fact the Mahomedans throughout the Deccan
were only employed in military posts, and the cultivation of
the country was everywhere left in the hands of the Hindoos.
Malik Seyf-ud-Din Ghoree was appointed Prime Minister, and
the ex-Sultan resumed his name of Ismael, and was nominated
Amir-td-Amra or chief of the nobles.
Such was the commencement of the dynasty of the Bahmanee
Sultans of Gul])urga, for this was the capital of the new
kingdom. In the succeeding chapters we shall see to what
an extraordinary height of prosperity this kingdom quickly rose,
under the wise and just rule of Sultan Alla-ud-Din the former
servant of the Brahmin astrologer. Amongst the Mahomedans
more than any other nation, there are to be found instances
of a romantic and adventurous life, but even amongst ]\Iahom-
edans there are but few examples of such a wonderful
change of fortune, and still rarer are the instances where
the success was unstained by cruelty. Sultan Alla-ud-Din
was now 57 years of age, and he had still eleven years before him
in which to finish the work he had thus gloriously commenced.
CHAPTER III.
THE RISE OF THE HINDOO KINGDOM OF YIJAyANA(iAR, AND

THE END OF THE FIRST GULBURGA SULTAN.
AVe have already seen that Avith the fall of Warangal in 1323
the Hindoo kingdom of Telingana came to an end, The city

was plundered and destroyed and the King was carried off
prisoner to Delhi. After some years he was permitted to
return to find his capital in ruins and its inhabitants scattered.
He exercised a certain control over a few districts, but he

never recovered his former power and position, and instead
of being the head of a mighty kingdom, he became nothing
more than a petty chieftain. There had been two brothers in
the army of the King of Warangal, named Bi/Jiha Rajja and
Hari-hara. When the city fell, these two brothers made their
escape with a small body of horse, and were according to
one account accompanied in their flight by a Madhava Brahmin
named Vidya Aranya, or the Forest of learning. This Brahmin
had formed a strong attachment towards tbe two brothers,
and had prophesied that they would some day become Kings *).
During their flight they were joined by other remnants of
the army of the King of Warangal until at last the following
became quite a large one. This small army marched towards
the south, and crossed the Kristna about the spot where it
is joined by the Tungabadhra, near where the present town
of Kurnool is situated. Following the course of the Tunga-
badhra the brothers marched on for more than 150 miles up
the stream, until they reached a spot where they thought
themselves from a Mahomedan invasion. Here they
safe
remained for some years, moving probably from one place to
another until at last they selected a site for a town, which in
honour of their Brahmin Counsellor they called Vidhyanagaram,
or city of learning. The date of the building of this city is
generally ascribed to the year 1336 A.D. The only records to

be found of this new kingdom are in the grants which are to
be found in the inscriptions on stone and copper in the temples.
The earliest of these is several years subsequent to the year
1336. This, however, is would only be after
only natural as it
increasing in power that such grants would be made. The

time was especially favourable for the gi'owth of a new power.
It willbe remembered that the armies of the Delhi Sultans
under Malik Kafur and others had between 1310 and 1324
* For anotlier and more reliable account see Chap. VII.
THE RISE OF THE HINDOO KINGDOM OF VIJAYANAGAR. 25
swept away the Hindoo kingdoms of the Deccan. After this

period, and especially during the reign of Mahomed Toghluk,
there were so many distm'bances in the Mahomedan kingdom
that the Sultan had but little time to spare to look after the
conquests in the South. The Mahomedan Governors of the
provinces, amongst whom was Hassan Kangoh, were each
too busy in schemes of personal aggrandizement to interfere
with what was going on at a distance, so that whilst cir-
cumstances were bringing about the founding of a new

Mahomedan Kingdom at Gulburga, JJukha Ray a and Hari-
hara wêre left undisturbed. So rapidly did their conquests
extend, especially towârds the East and South, that in a short
time the name was changed to Vijayanagaram, or
of their city
the city of victory, and it is under that name, or that of
Bisnugger that we find it mentioned in history. The city of
Vijayanagar rapidly grew in size, and extended itself on both
banks of the river Tungabadhra. The site is a favourable
one, being protected by a ridge of hills, through which a narrow
pass that can be easily defended protects the city. The rapid
growth of this new kingdom is as striking as wâs that of the
new kingdom of Golconda. For two hundred years they were
rivals of each other.At first they were probably allies against
the Delhi Sultans and so had time to extend their dominions
without mutual interference. The Vijayanagar dynasty having
been expelled from the Telingana or Warangal country, seems
to have relinquished all thoughts of reconquering it, and devoted
itself to recovering from the Mahomcdans the outlying and
detached provinces situated in the Ma' bar or Southern countries.
The dissensionsand civil wârs, which lasted for the next
twênty years in the North of India, enabled it to succeed in
this endeavour, for by the end of that time we find that all
trace of Mahomedan government in southern India had

disappeared. It is probably soon after the establishment of
this new Hindoo Kingdom that a geographical line was drawn
26 HISTOIiY OF THE DEC CAN.
between the Dcccaii and the Carnatic. The former represented

that portion of central India which Ues between the Godavery
as a northern boundary and the Tungabadhra, and extended
before long from one coast to the other. The latter compriiicd
the rich valleys of the tributaries of the Pennair with their

mountainous passes, and from thence extended to Conjeveram,
Arcot, and subsequently Madura. There is throughout the
history of the struggles between the Mahomedans and the
Hindoos one remarkable feature. No sooner is a Hindoo
kingdom established than it at once acquires enormous wealth
in gold and jewels. These treasures, no doubt, attracted the
cupidity of the Mahomedans, but a few years after a Hindoo
Prince has been conquered and despoiled, we almost always
find him in possession of fresh hoards of treasure which he
again has to yield up. It is only when the Hindoo kingdom
is annexed and the dynasty exterminated that we find the
country ceases to produce gold and precious stones, and the
Mahomedan conquerors have then to go against other Hindoo
kingdoms in order to gain fresh treasure. Under Mahomedan
rule it would seem that there was little or no natural production,
and no development of the country's resources. Under Hindoo
Princes, on the contrary, as long as they were left undisturbed,
attention was paid to agricultural and irrigation works, and
mining industries. The consequence was that the
especially to
Hindoo kingdoms became rich and prosperous, but as soon as
they were conquered and annexed by the Mahomedans the
indigenous industries were allowed to languish. No more
striking instance of this is to be found than in the Deccan.
It has already been told how often Deogiri and Warangal
were attacked, and how on each occasion an enormous amount
of treasure carried away. To this day the ruins of old
irrigation works show how prosperous must have been the
agricultural condition of the Telingana country. After the
Mahomedan Governor of Warangal had been compelled to
THE RISE OF THE HINDOO KINGDOM OF VIJAYANAGAIi. 27
flee, Hindoos again ruled the

as told in the last chapter, the
country, and we shall again find them coming into collision
with the Mahomedan Sultans of Gulburga, and being again
in possession of treasures of gold and precious stones. When,
however, eventually the Hindoo princes were finally overthrown,
and their country subjugated to the Golconda Kings we hear
but little more of the stores of treasure. It is, however, a
fact that the whole of the Deccan, from INIysore u}) to the
northern limits of the Nizam's dominions are covered with
remains of old mining works. In Mysore it has been found
that these old mines extend to a considerable depth, and
traces of what, in mining language, is called "the old men"
are found at three oi- even four hundred feet beneath the
surface. In many of these mines the work had, no doubt, to
be relinquished, because with the mechanical appliances of

those days there was always a point beyond which the miners
could not go, owing to the want of proper pumps, the cost
of raising the ore by manual labour, &c. Other mines again
were probably relinquished before this point had been reached,
because the new conquerors paid no attention to the industry,
and prized the spoil of the sword, higher than that of the
spade and the pickaxe. They were, therefore, allowed to fall
into ruin, and all tradition of the ancient industry passed

away. Attention, however, is now being attracted to these
old mines, and in some of theMysore mines in which the

work has been carried to a point beyond which the "old men"
could not go, the yield of gold is so great, that they rank
amongst the richest gold mines in the world. In course of
time it is highly probable, that similar results will be obtained
from the other old mines, hundreds of which are scattered
all over the country. There is little doubt, that it was from
these mines that the Hindoos obtained their vast wealth, and
it is equally certain that the old miners must have left behind
them a vast store of gold, which, with their appliances and

primitive iiiat'hiiicn, they were unable to touch. It would

not be unsafe to prophecy, that a lunidred years hence the
Deccan will be one of the richest gold-producing countries in
the world, and during the next century we may see the
prosjjerity of six hundred years ago renewed to an even greater
degree. The gold thus accpiired, w'ill be spent in restoring
the old irrigation works, and the districts, which nnist at one
time have borne a teeming population, but which now often
carry less than one hundred meagrely-nourished persons to the
square mile, Avill again be peopled by a prosperous and thriving
peasantry. Having thus traced the origin of the Vijayanagar
kingdom, we must now return to Gulburga and follow the
events of the reign of the first of the Bahmani Sultans.
Sultan Alla-ud-Din was not slow to take advantage of the
disturbances in Delhi to extend the boundaries of his new
kingdom. He won over the Afghan, Mogul and Rajput Chiefs,
stationed by the Emperor and Candahar. This
at Bieder
Candahar is not to be mistaken for the town in Afghanistan,
but is a fort situated on the north-west of Dowlatabad. He
also took Kailas from the Rajah of Warangal, with whom
he then formed a defensive alliance. In a short time his
dominions comprised almost the whole of the western and
southern portions of what now forms the ^Nizam's Dominions.
In 1352 (A.D.) Mahomed Toghluk died, and was succeeded
by his nephew Tiroz Shah. This Prince was a wise and
humane ruler, and ranks amongst the best and greatest of the
Delhi Emperors. He wâs wise enough to see that the only
way to maintain the tottering empire was to consolidate it.
Accordingly, he recognized the accomplished fact of the new

kingdom of Gulburga, and devoted his attention to redressing
the grievances of the provinces nearer his capital. Thus left
undisturbed, Alla-ud-Din was at liberty to carry out his own

designs. One of his first acts marry his son to the
wâs to
daughter of his Prime Minister, Malik Sejf-ud-Din Ghoree.
This ceremony was conducted with the utmost magnificence.

We are told by Ferishta that " ten thousand robes of cloth of
gold, velvet, and satin were distributed among the nobility
and others. One thousand Arab and Persian horses, and two
hundred sabres set with jewels were also divided. The
populace were entertained with various amusements, and
engines were erected in the streets of Gulburga, which cast
forth showers of confectionery among the crowd. The rejoic-
ings lasted a whole year, on the last day of which, the n'obility
and officers presented offerings of jewels, money and the
rarest productions of all countries to the Sultan." This truly
was a right royal wedding, and shows that the new King had
already acquired a considerable quantity of wêalth. It is
probable, however, that festivities on so large a scale were

organized from feelings of policy. In the same wây as the
Roman people wâs always attracted and conciliated by Paries
et circen&es, so, by a lavish expenditure of money, the founder
of the new dynasty endeavoured to win over an alien people.
In this he seems to have been eminently successful, and we
read of no rebellions or revolts, amongst his Hindoo subjects.
One conspiracy we do read of, but that was organized by the
ex-Sultan Ismael, who had been made Amir-ul-Amra, or chief
of the nobles. Although he had been wise enough to resign
the throne in favour of Alla-ud-I)in, it is probable, that he
felt some jealousy towârds the new King; would in fact, it
be contrary to human nature if he did not. This jealousy was

increased by the preference and precedence shown towards
Seyf-ud-Din Ghoree, the Pjime Minister. As chief of the
nobles, he considered himself entitled to the first rank under
the Sultan, and complained accordingly to his master. He
received as an answer, that in every Government the pen
ranked above the sword. With this reply, he pretended to
be satisfied, but secretly he formed a conspiracy, the object
of which was to assassinate the Sidtan, and to place himself
30 HIS TOBY OF THE DEC CAN.
oil the throne he had previously resigned. The plot, however,

was revealed to the Sultan by some of the conspirators who
repented. The Sultan at once called an asseml)lage of all his
l)rin(ipal and officers, and in their presence accused
nobles
the Amir-ul-Amra of treachery. This accusation being denied
on solemn oath, the Sultan called forth the informer and
offered a pardon to all others who had joined the plot if they
would reveal the truth. This they did, and his guilt being
conclusively proved, the ex-Sultan was at once put to death.
But though the Sultan showed that he could be severe, his
conduct was a proof that he was neither cruel nor vindictive
None of the traitor's property was confiscated, and his son
Bahadur Khan was at once appointed to his father's post as
Aniir-ul-Omara, and the royal favour continued as before, to be
extended to the family. Alla-ud-Din may have been brought
up as a peasant, but he showed that he knew how to behave
like a king.
"From this," to quote again from Ferishta, "and other

instances of justice tempered with mercy, loyalty to the Sultan
became fixed in every breast, and his power daily increased.
The Rajah of Telingana, who had become disobedient, but
''"
was treated with generous forbearance on account of his former

assistance to the Sultan, was overcome by the sense of his
virtues, submitted to his authority, and agreed to pay the
tribute which he had heretofore remitted to the Sovereign of
Delhi." An army sent into the Carnatic returned after several
successful engagements, laden with booty, amongst which
were two hundred elephants, and one thousand female singers.
An was sent from the representative of the old Rajah
invitation
of Guzerat to invade that country, which was then left a prey
to a number of turbulent and rebellious jagirdars, who were
too distant from Delhi to be kept in control. Alla-ud-Din

assembled a large army for this purpose, and sent off his
* The name generally used for Waragal.
eldest son Mohanied in command of the vanguard, he himself

following with the main army. On the way, however, he w-as
attacked by a severe illness, which compelled him to return
to Gulburga. The Sultan seeing that his days were numbered,
set about arranging the affairs of his kingdom. He divided his
territories into four provinces at the head of each of which,
he placed a governor. The capital and its dependencies,
consisting of Dabul, a small port near Bombay, Bejoir and
Mudkul were entrusted to Sey-fud-Din Ghoree; Choul, Kiber,
Dowlatabad and Mheeropatan, to his nephew Mahomed; the
Berars, Mahoor and Ramgur, to Kusder Khan Systain; and
Bieder, Indore and the Têlingana districts to Azim Humayun,
son of Seyf-ud-I)in Ghoree. It will thus be seen that Alla-

ud-Din's dominions including not only a large portion of
the present kingdom of Hyderabad, but also extended as far
as theWestern coast, though it is probable that his possessions
there were detached and limited in extent. The Beejoir here
mentioned is probably what was afterwards known as Beejapore,
and of which we shall hear more hereafter. At this time the
Mahrattas did not exist as a nation and the country afterwards
;
known as the Mahratta country was divided amongst a number

of petty hill chieftains some of whom submitted to the Sultan,
;
whilst others remained independent in their inaccessible forts

and fortresses.
For six months the Sultan continued to decline in health,
and his end was fast approaching. During the whole of this
time, in spite of his illness he gave public audience twice
a day, and transacted business. He ordered all prisoners to
be released except those accused of capital offences. These

were sent to Gulburga, where they were examined by the Sultan
himself. With the exception of seven, all these were set at
liberty, and these seven the Sultan handed over to his son
Muhammed to be dealt with as he thought proper after his
father's death. "At length" says Ferishta "finding no benefit
32 HISTOIiY OF THE DECCAN.
from medicine and feeling nature exhausted, lie discharged

his pliysicians, and waited ])atiently for the final cure of human
ills. In this state, encjuii-ing for his youngest son Mahmoud
who had been reading with his tutor, what book he had tliat
day perused, the Prince replied: "The lioseton of Saadi, and

the following passage: 'I have heard that Jamshid of angelic
memory had these verses engraved upon a fountain : Many
like me have viewed the fountain, but they are gone, and their
eyes closed for ever. I conquered the M'ôrld by policy and
valour, but could not overcome the grave.' " The Sultan sighed
at this recital, and calling his sons Daood and Mahomed
before him, said :
" This is my last breath, and with it I
conjure you, as you value the permanence of the kingdom

to agree with each other. Muhammed is my successor; esteem
submission and loyalty to him as your duty in this world,
and your surety for ha])piness in the next." Having said this,
he sent for the treasurer, and gave to each of his sons a sum
of money to distribute to the poor. When they had obeyed
!
him and returned, he exclaimed :

'
Praise be to God ' and
instantly resigned his life to the Creator. 'Constantly a]jpears
some one who boasts, I am Lord, shows himself to his fellows,
and vaunts, I am Lord. AVhen the affairs of mortals have
become dependent on him, suddenly advances death, and
exclaims: /am Lord!'" The death of Sultan Alla-ud-I)in
happened eleven years, two months, and seven days after
his accession to royalty, and on the first of Rabec'-ul-Awal,
759, (A. D. 1359), in the sixty-seventh year of his age.

"It is related that Sultan Alla-ud-I)in being asked, how,
without great treasures or armies, he had acquired royalty in
so short a space, he replied :
" By affability to friends and
enemies, and by showing liberality to all to the utmost of
my power!"
There are unfortunately but very slight materials for a
history of Sultan Alla-ud-Din, but those that exist are sufficient
to show that be deserves a high pkce amongst the great men

of the world's history. Born in the lowest ranks, he rose, by
his own honesty of character, to be the founder of a great
kingdom, and at no time was his career stained by cruelty or
injustice. There are few characters in history that can compare
with this, the first King of the Deccan, and there is probably
no other nation in the world than the Mahomedan, which
can furnish the example of a peasant raising himself to the
throne of a monarch, who retains throughout his career, not
only dignity of character, but honesty of purpose, and who
relinquishes his life with such humble piety and simplicity.
Mahomedans of the Deccan may well be proud of the first
founder of their rule, and the history of the country shows
that he was a rare exception to those who followed him.
'vA,
CHAPTER IV.
THE GULBURGA SULTANS. — MUHAMMED SHAH.
ULTAN Alla-ud-Din was suc-

ceeded by his eldest son Muham-
med (1st Rabee-ul-Awul 759
H— A.D. 1357). EverythiHg in
India depends upon personal
influence,and no sooner did
the news spread that Alla-ud-
Din was dead, than the Hindoo
Kings of Vijayanagar and
Telingana, hoping to take ad-
vantage of a young king on a
lately-established throne, not
only refused to send tribute,
but demanded the restoration
from them by the late Sultan. Muhammed
of the districts taken
Shah was not at first in a position to punish this rebellion.
His treasury was very low, owing to the enormous expenditure
which he had incurred during the festivities which followed
his accession, and to his having also sent his mother on a
THE GULBUBGA SULTANS. — MUHAMMED SHAH. 35
pilgrimage to Mecca accompanied by a large train of his

nobles and chiefs. Accordingly, he prolonged negociations
with the ambassadors sent to him, and sent others to the
Courts of the Rajahs with instructions to gain as much time as
possible. As soon, however, as he had completed his arrange-
ments, and his mother had returned, he broke oft' all negocia-
tions and made a demand on the Rajahs of their arrears of
tribute, together with a number of elephants laden with
treasure. Upon this the two Rajahs at once declared war,
and the Rajah of Telingana, assisted by an army from Vijayan-
agar, sent his son Nagdeo to recapture the fort of Kailas.
The Hindoos, however, were met by a Mahomedan army under
Bahadur Khan and were totally defeated. The Telingana
Rajah was made to pay a large subsidy in gold and jewels,
and for some years there was peace. This period, which
seems to have lasted for thirteen years, the Sultan employed
in strengthening his kingdom. He was fond of show and
magnificence, and spent a considerable amount of money in
beautifying his capital. It was probably during this period
that the splendid mosque was built which still stands in the
Gulburga fort, though all the other palaces have fallen into
ruin. This mosque is said to be unique of its kind in India
and is modelled after the great mosque of Cordova. * He also
devoted a great deal of attention to his army, and established
* According to Mr. Fergusson's account ("Eastern Arcliitecture," page

544) it measures 216 feet east and west, and 176 feet north and south,
and consequently covers an area of 38,016 square feet. Its great pecul-
iarity is that alone of all the great mosques in India the whole area is
covei-ed in. The roof is supported on square stone pillars which form
a number of aisles all converging towards the pulpit platform, which is
separated from the body of the masjid by a carved stone railing. Some
portions of the sadly in need of repair.
building are It would be a
great pity if the which Mr. Fergusson styles " one of the
building,
finest of the old Patlian mosques in India," were allowed to lapse into
the same decay and desolation as those which surround it.

his household forces on a system of great magnificence. In

addition to a select corps of two hundred sons of noblemen,
he formed a bodyguard of four thousand men commanded
by an officer of high rank, styled the j\Ieer Nobut, or Lord
of the Watch. Fifty mounted horsemen and one thousand of
the bodyguard were on duty every day at the palace. The
Sultan himself gave public audience on every day of the week
except Triday, and transacted business from the early morn-
ing until noon. The Nobut,
band of the Watch, was
or
sounded five times during the day, a custom which is said
to have been adopted by none of the other Mahomedan
Princes of the Deccan except the Kings of Golconda. Gold
coinage was also introduced, and we find that the system of
hoarding gold was as prevalent five hundred years ago as it
is now. The Hindoo bankers are said to have collected as
much of the gold coinage as they could gather, and to have
melted it down. Ferishta attributes this to the instigation of
the Rajahs of Telingana and Vijayanagar who wished that their
coins only should be current in the Deccan, but it is more
probable that it was due to the inboi'n habit of hoarding
which prevails amongst all Hindoos. The Sultan, however, put
a most effectual stop to this custom by punishing such offences
with death, and by confining the banking business to Mahom-
edans related to Delhi bankers.
Sultan Muhammed Shah wâs very jealous about his own
dignity, and two greatest wars arose from what he con-
his
sidered a personal slight. In 1371 some horse dealers arrived
in Gulburga with some horses which were shown to the
Sultan; they were a very poor lot, and the Sultan said that
they were not fit to be whereupon the
given to a king,
dealers replied that the best of the horses had been forcibly
taken from them by the Hindoo prince Nagdeo at Yelun-
puttun. It is difficult to ascertain what port is meant by
Velunputtun. Scott guesses it to be either Goa or Rajapoor,

but Nagdeo was the son of the Rajah of Tehngana, whose

possessions most certainly did not extend to the Western
coast. The name itself sounds more like a Telugu or Tamil
name, and it therefore seems probable that it was some port
on the Coromandel coast (perhaps Masulipatam). On the
other hand, it seems difficult to understand why Arab horse
Western
dealers should have gone to the Eastern instead of the
coast,and Ferishta expressly speaks of the Sultan halting on
his march at a place called Kallean. This town was not the
Kallean on the G, I. P. Railway below the Western Ghats
but another Kallean situated in the Nizam's dominions consid-
erably to the East of Gulburga. In order to revenge this
insult, the Sultan marched into Telingana and took Velun-
puttun by storm, the young Rajah being taken prisoner. When
the Rajah was brought before the Sultan, he was asked why
he had dared to seize horses which were on their way to
Gulburga. The Hindoo Prince is said to have given an
insolent reply,which so enraged the Sultan that he ordered
Nagdeo to be shot from an engine into a burning pile of
wood, which barbarous sentence was duly carried out. On
the return march, however, the Hindoos had their revenge.
The country through which his journey lay was a very difficult
one, and the enemy harrassed the Mahomedan army to such
an extent that out of four thousand men only fifteen hundred
reached Gulburga, after having lost all their tents, baggage
and plunder, with the exception of the gold and jewels. The
Sultan himself was wounded in the hand, and was forced to
halt at Kailas. This fact is a proof that the expedition was
to the Coromandel coast; for Kailas was a fort which had
been taken from the Rajah of Warangal, in whose territory it
was situated.
The Telingana Rajah in order to avenge the death of his
son, now applied to Delhi for assistance, in return for which
he promised to become a vassal of the Emperor. Eeroze
Shah, however, was too iiiuch oL'cii|)iecl witli internal matters

to comi)ly with this a])i)cal, and the Telingana king was left
to his own resources.

In order to rc])air the disaster of this hast expedition, the
Sultan made large preparations and despatched two armies
with which he intended to effect the com])lete conquest of
Telingana. He Minister,
left his Ghoree in
Seyf-ud-Din
charge of his and himself marched with the army
capital,
which had been sent to AVarangal. A second army was sent
to besiege Golconda, and the Rajah of Warangal was threatened
with total ruin. The conquest, however, does not aj^pear to
have been an easy one, for the Sultan wâs detained for nearly
two years in the Telingana country. At the end of this time
the Rajah made overtures of peace, but the conditions imposed
by the Sultan were very severe. They were the cession of the
fort of Golconda, three hundred elephants, two hundred
horses, and thirty-three lakhs of rupees. To these conditions
the Rajah had to accede, and accordingly the main body of
the ]\Iahomedan army w'as sent back to Gulburga, the Sultan
remaining w-ith Bahadur Khan at Kailas in order to receive
the treasure. AA hen this had been handed over and the
Rajah's ambassadors had been rewarded wdth presents, they
asked the Sultan if he would sign a treaty of perpetual alliance
with the Telingana Rajah, to be binding on the successors of
both, in which case the Rajah would become his vassal, and
present him with "a curiosity wôrthy to be laid at the feet
of a great King only." This offer was no doubt agreeable
to the Sultan, and a treaty was drawn up fixing Golconda as
the boundary between the Sultan's and the Rajah's dominions,
and the Sultan signed a pa[)er conjuring his descendants not
to molest the Telingana Rajahs as long as they kept faith.
The ambassadors then produced the " curiosity," which consisted

of a splendid throne covered with valuable jewels which had
been prepared some time before as a present to the Emperor
Mahomed Toghluk Shall. With this present the SuUan was

highly pleased, and the ambassadors were dismissed with every
mark of honour. The treaty itself seems to have been faith-
fully kept, and for many generations we find no more men-
tion of wars between the Gulburga and the Telingana Princes.
It was in this way that Golconda came into the power of the
Mahomedans, and from thenceforth it formed the capital of
one of the Gulburga Governors, one of whom in course of
time, when the power of the Eahmanee dynasty had declined,
declared his independence and converted Golconda into the
capital of a kingdom.
As regards the throne, Eerishta says that he had heard from
an eyewitness that it was nine feet long and three feet broad.
It wâs made of ebony covered with plates of pure gold, and

set with precious stones of immense value. The jewels were
so contrived as to be taken off and on. Every prince of the
house of Bahmanee made a point of adding to it some rich
stone; so that when in the reign of Sultan Mahmood it wâs
taken to pieces to remove some of the jewels in order to be
set in vases and cups, the jewellers valued it at one crore of
pagodas or three and-a-half crores of rupees (about 3^ millions
sterling). This splendid throne was called Tirozeh, owing, as
Ferishta says, to its being partly enamelled of a sky-blue
colour which in time was entirely concealed by the number
of jewels.
This throne was carried to Gulburga, and set up in the
Durbar-hall with great pomp and festivity, the old silver thj-one
of Alla-ud-Din being relegated to the treasury. Public rejoicings

were instituted, and there was high feasting and merriment.
It was on occasion of one of these banquets that an incident
occurred which led to another great war.
One evening, during the festivities with which the inauguration
of thenew throne Avas celebrated, three hundred singers, Avho
had come all the way from Delhi, were introduced to the
Sultan. The iViiice Avas lliislicd witli wine, in wliicli, at times

lie indulged to excess, and excited In the recolKclioii of his
i-ecent victories he ado])ted method of rewarding

the strange
the singers by orderiiig the ^Minister to give them a draft on
the treasury of the King of Vijayanagar. The ]\Iinister wrote
the draft accordingly, but, remembering the saying that an
appeal lay from Alexander drunk to Alexander sober, did not
despatch it. On the following day, however, the Sultan asked
him if the order had been sent to the Rajah, and, on being
answêred in the negative, he exclaimed "Think you that a
word without meaning could escape my lips? I did not give
the order in intoxication, but in serious design." Accordingly
the royal seal was attached to the draft and it was sent by
a messenger to Vijayanagar. Naturally the Rajah wâs greatly
exasperated at this apparently uncalled for insult ; caused the
messenger to be paraded through his city on an ass and sent
him back with every mark of contempt and derision. As this
treatment of an ambassador was certain to be answered by a
declaration of war, the Rajah resolved to take the first step
and to carry the attack into the Sultan's territory. Accordingly,

he at once marched wdth 30,000 horse, 100,000 foot and
three hundred elephants, and making the Adoni his fort of
base he ravaged that portion of the country situated between

the Tungabadhra and the Kistna, which is now^ known as the
Doab. Before Muhammed Shah could collect his army, the
Rajah was able to surprise and capture the fort of Mudkul,
in which was a garrison of 600 men. Of these, every one
was put to the sword with the exception of one man, who
was allowed to escape to carry the news to the Sultan who

wâs still at Gulburga. When the new^s of this terrible disaster
reached him, the Sultan was furious. He first ordered the
unfortunate messenger to be put to death as being a coward
to have survived the death of so many brave companions, and

then swore a solemn oath that he would not sheath his sword
THE GULBUBGA SULTANS. — MUHAMMEB SHAH. 41
until he had revenged this act by the slaughter of one hundred

thousand infidels. He at once commenced his march, and in
a few days reached the Kistna upon the opposite bank of
which the Rajah was encamped. The river was then in high
flood, and deeming it impossible to carry the whole of his
army across in the face of the enemy, he sent the whole
back, with the exception of a picked force of nine thousand
horse and twenty elephants. With this small army he resolved
to attack the Ixajah, but as the enterprise seemed to be a
desperate one, he appointed his son Mujahid Shah to succeed
him with Malek Syef-ud-Din as regent. He then swore that
he would neither eat nor sleep until he had crossed the river
and put the enemy to flight. That same night the Sultan
succeeded in crossing the river, which, as soon as he received
the news, so alarmed the Rajah that he sent off all his elephants,
baggage and treasure to the capital, meaning to fight the Sultan
next morning. was however the middle of the monsoon
It
and heavy rain was falling. The roads were all impracticable
and the elephants and baggage trains could not get on through
the mud and slush, so that they were surprised by the Sultan
just before dawn. There then followed an utter rout and
indiscriminate slaughter. The Rajah himself managed to
escape, but he left behind him the whole of his camp and
treasure, and no less than seventy thousand Hindoos were put
to the sword without regard to age or sex. The plunder was
enormous, for without calculating what fell into the hands of
the soldiery, the royal share alone is said to have amounted
to two thousand elephants, three hundred pieces of cannon,
seven hundred Arab horses, and a litter set with jewels. It
seems difficult to understand how so large an army could
have been so thoroughly defeated by so small a body of men,
but apart from the confusion consequent on a night attack
in blinding rain, it must be remembered that the Hindoos had
little or none of the military discipline enforced by the Ma-
liomedans. Under such circumstances their huge numbers

only served to add to the confusion, and those who could not
escape were simply slaughtered like sheep. Tlie Rajah now
retired to the other banks of the Tungabadhra and, leaving
his nephew in command of Adoni, encamped in the vast plain
outside the fort at some distance, and assembled as large an
army as possible. This army is said to have consisted of
forty thousand horse and five hundred thousand foot, with a
number of elephants, but it is probable that these numbers
have been greatly exaggerated. The Sultan's army consisted
of only fifteen thousand horse and fifty thousand foot, but
there was also a train of artillery in which were employed n
number of Europeans and Turks. With this army the Sultan
crossed the Tungabadhra, this being the first occasion that a
Mahomedan Prince had invaded the Vijayanagar dominions in
person. The Rajah, Roy Kishen Roy, appointed a relative,
named Hoji Mul, to be Commander-in-Chief of his army, and
at once despatched him to meet the Sultan. Every endeavour
Avas made by the Hindoos to excite the religious zeal of the
soldiers,and Brahmins went about amongst them describing the
butchery of cows, the desecration of temples, and the other
enormities practised by the Mahomedan invaders. The two
armies met somewhere near the Tungabadhra and a furious
battle raged from early morning until about four in the
afternoon. At first, fortune favoured the Hindoos, both wings
of the advance army of the Mahomedans were broken and a
defeat had almost ensued when the Sultan himself came up
with a reserve of three thousand men. Thus strengthened,
the Mahomedan centre advanced, and after a furious artillery
fire a general charge was made. The confusion into which
the Hindoos were thrown was increased by one of their elephants
becoming unmanageable and breaking back through their ranks.
Hoji Mul, the Hindoo general, was mortally wounded, and
then the Hindoos broke and fled. A general massacre followed,
inwhich not even pregnant women nor children at the 1)reast

were spared, and the vast Hindoo army was utterly broken up.
After halting for a week on the field of battle the Sultan
advanced to meet Kishen Roy, who thereupon fled to the
jungles. The Sultan followed him without success for three
months, until at last the Rajah was driven to take refuge in
his capital, whereupon the Sultan sat down before Vijayanagar
with the whole of his army. This city, however, was too
strong to be taken and after a month's siege the Sultan
draw the Hindoos out of their
resolved to retire in order to
works. and the ]\Iahomedans recrossed
This ruse succeeded,
the Tungabadhra followed on all sides by swarms of Hindoos.
So completely had the Sultan disguised his intention that the
greater part of his army believed that the retreat Avas a real
one, and that the Sultan himself was either dying or dangerously
ill. When, however, the army had reached a convenient plain,
the Sultan ordered a halt, and assembling his principal officers
directed them to hold their troops in readiness for an'other
night attack. Kishen Roy's army was encamped at no great
distance, and thinking a victory over the retreating Mahomedans
certain, the Rajah and his officers passed the night in drinking
and in the company of nautch girls. In the midst of their
amusement, however, they were surprised by the Sultan, with
such success that they were not even able to offer any opposition,
but fled pell-mell. The Rajah managed to escape, but ten
thousand of his soldiers were slaughtered and the massacre
was extended to the innocent inhabitants of all the villages
in the neighbourhood. Immense booty was gained from the
plunder obtained from the camp, and the Hindoo power
seemed to be entirely crushed, Kishen Roy now sent to treat
for peace, and his ambassadors represented to the Sultan that
the war might now well cease since he had only vowed to
slaughter one hundred thousand Hindoos, and not to exterminate
the whole race. The Sultan, however, replied that he would
U HISTORY OF THE DECCAN.
listen to no ncgociations until the musicians were satisfied,
and the draft he had drawn u|)on the Vijayanagar treasury

had been duly honoured. To this the ambassadors at once
agreed, and the money was paid on the spot. The Sultan
then exclaimed " Praise be to God that what I ordered has
:
been performed. I would not let a light word be recorded

of me in the pages of time!"
Before returning to Gulburga the Sultan seems to have
repented of the fearful slaughter he had wrought, and on the
representation of the Hindoos, that, as in the future other
wars might occur, it would be advisable to make a treaty to
spare the innocent women and children, he swore an oath
that in future he would not put to death a single enemy
after victory, and would bind his successors to do the same.
From that time, says Ferishta, it has been the general custom
in the Deccan to spare the lives of prisoners in war, and not
to shed the blood of an enemy's unarmed subjects.
No sooner had the Sultan returned to Gulburga than he was
again away to Dowlatabad, where a rebellion had
called
broken out. The Governor hearing of the supposed retreat
of the Sultan from Vijayanagar, had asserted his independence,
and aided by a j\Jahratta chief named Geodeo, and one of
the Rajahs of the Berars, had succeeded in diverting to his
own use the revenuesMeerut and Berar. This is the first
of
occasion on which we read of the term Mahratta as referring
to a separate and distinct race. Ferishta speaks frequently
of the Mahrattas as dwelling in the province of "Mheerut" or
"Mharat" but it is probable that the Hindoo derivation of
Maharashta, which is generally supposed to refer to the strip
of country between and Poonah on
Guzerat on the north,
the south, is more correct.bounded by the
This region is
Konkan on the west and the Deccan on the east, and consists
of a narrow hilly tract full of inaccessible valleys and thickly
wooded hills, the inhabitants of which were from the nature
of their country but little known. As soon as the Sultan

heard of this rebellion he ordered his army to march to
Dowlatabad, but he himself, followed by a small train of only

three hundred horsemen, went on in advance, resolved if
possible to put down the rebellion with this small force.
Such was the terror of his name that his presence was sufficient
to scatter the rebels' army without a blow being struck. The

rebel chiefs fled to Dowlatabad, but finding themselves unable
to hold the fort, escaped to Guzerat, which at this time
seems to have been a kind of sanctuary for every one who
was in difficulties. Before going they left their families in the
protection of Sheikh Ein-ud-Din, a Mahomedan saint, who lived
in Dowlatabad. As soon as the Sultan had taken possession
of the fort he sent for the Sheikh, wdio alone of all other
M^homedRn fa keers had paid no allegiance to him because of
his habit of drinking wine. The Sheikh, however, was not to
be intimidated, and sent back as answer the following story
" A scholar, a Syed, and a prostitute wêre once taken prisoners
by the infidels, who promised to give them quarter if they
would prostrate themselves before their idols. The scholar to
save his life consented and so did the Syed. But the prostitute
said :I have been all my life committing crimes, and am
'
neither a scholar nor a Syed to atone for this sin by my other

virtues. She refused to prostrate herself and was therefore
put to death.' " This answer enraged the Sultan, who ordered
the Sheikh to leave the city at once. This the holy man did,
went to the tomb of Boorahan-ud-Din upon which he seated
himself exclaiming "Where is the man who will drive me
hence ? " The Sultan, admiring this courage then sent him
the following verse :
"I am submissive to thee, be thou
submissive to me." The Sheikh then sent a letter to the
Sultan, whom he addressed as Muhammed Ghazi (victorious)
and promised to pay him allegiance if, like his father, he would
abstain from drinking wine, at all events in public, and would
order liis judges to enforce tlie laws ngainst robbers. This

delicate compliment appeased the Sultan, who ordered the title
Ghaz'i to be added to his other titles, and then received the
courageous Sheikh into his favour. True to his promise, on
his return to Gulburga, the Sultan ordered all the distilleries
to be destroyed, and so strictly enforced the laws against the
Deccaai banditti, who were even then famed for their lawlessness,
that before long eight thousand heads of robbers were sent to
the city, and placed on poles outside the gates as a warning to
others.
Sultan Muhammed Shah's days of war wêre now over.
The Hindoo Rajahs wêre reduced to obedience, and his country
AAâs quiet and at peace. The last few months of his life were
spent in. travelling about his kingdom, and in 1374 (19 Zilkad 776)
he died full of honours, after a glorious reign of seventeen years.
JNluhamed Shah seems to have been a passionate and impulsive
Prince, easily offended and given to w^rath, and ready to avenge
the slightest offence to his dignity. He must, however, have
had considerable military talent, and wâs personally as brave
as a lion. His greatest expeditions were undertaken with a
comparative handful of men, and by clever stratagems and
surprises he wâs able to defeat an enemy immensely superior
in force. The treasure he accumulated at Gulburga is said
to have been enormous. "Three thousand elephants and
half as much as treasure as any other Prince," was one of
the results of his campaigns, but on the other hand another
result was that nearly " five hundred thousand unbelievers fell
by the swords of his warriors in defence of the faith of Islam,
by w^hich the districts of Camatic were so laid wâste that
they did not recover their natural population for several
decades." — (Ferishta).
CHAPTER V.
THE GULBURC4A SULTANS FROM 1374 — 1397, A. D.
RING the twenty-four years which

followed on the death of Mu-
hammed Shah there wêre five
sultans who reigned at Gulburga,

four of whom were assassinated,
the aggregate duration of
whose reigns being only
4^ years. The first of
these Princes was Mujahid
Shah, the only son left by
\*/tjr^<t.'
the late Sultan. He is said to have been a tall, handsome

1374 man of great bodily strength, and of considerable in-
to telligence and education. He chose as his favourite
1^^' companions Persians and Turks, and thus sowed the
first seeds of the jealousy for the last five hundred
which,
years, has existed between the Deccannee and foreign Mahom-
edans. It is mainly due to these jealousies that throughout
the rest of the Deccan history wê come across the constantly
recurring intrigues, plots and assassinations, and which, a
hundred and fifty years later, led to the dismemberment of
the Gulburga kingdom, and eventually, three hundred years
later, to the absorption of ;ill tlic Mahomcdan States of tlie
Deccan into Aiirungzebe's unwieldy empire. Sultan Mujaliid

was brave but revengeful, and during his father's lifetime
committed an act which was destined to bring about his own
premature death. AVhen he was fourteen years old, he managed
to break open his father's treasury and abstracted some bags
of gold, which he divided amongst his playfellows. The treasurer,
Mubarik, discovering this, reported the theft to the Sultan,
who administered personal chastisement to the young culprit
in so severe a mannerdraw blood. The Prince disguised
as to
his resentment towards the informer, and pretended an affec-
tion for him, until a month later he challenged him to a bout
of wrestling, during which he threw him with such violence
to the ground that the unfortunate treasurer broke his neck
and died on the spot. No sooner had Mujahid ascended the
throne than war again broke out between Gulburga and the
neighbouring State of Vijayanagar. The cause seems to have
been the possession of that debatable territory, the Doab.
Mujahid called upon the Rajah to evacuate the whole of the
districts between the Tungabadhra and the Kistna, and the
Rajah replied by calling upon the Sultan to restore the forts
of Raichore and Mudkul which had been conquered by his
father, and which had been given as
to restore the elephants
part of the war indemnity. Mujahid at once marched with a
large army and crossed the two rivers, leaving the veteran
Seyf-ud-Din Ghoree as regent in his absence. On this occa-
sion the Sultan is said to have killed an enormous tiger on
foot by shooting it with an arrow through the heart, an act

which struck such terror into the Hindoo Prince that he at
once took to the jungles. Mujahid then advanced to Vija-
yanagar, but finding the city too strong went in pursuit of the
Rajah. This pursuit is said to have lasted as far as Rames-
waram in the extreme south, where the Sultan is reported
to have repaired the mosque liuilt fifty years before by the
THE GULBUBGA SULTANS FROM 1374-1397, A. D. 49
Delhi general. There can be no doubt that at this time the

rule of the Vijayanagar Prince extended over the whole of
Southern India, and that his supremacy was recognized by the
Rajahs of Madura and Tanjore. A little bit later we shall
come across an instance of this, and it seems clear that at
this time the Vijayanagar house was looked upon by all the
Princes of Southern India as the head of the Hindoo nation,
and as forming the last bulwark against the Mahomedan stream
of invasion.
The Rajah seems to have hojjed that by leading the Sultan
through the jungle, the Mahomedans, who were accustomed
to good would fall sick, and that he would then be
living,
able to harass them on their retreat. The only record of this

campaign is to be found in Ferishta, and he says that the
Rajah himself was attacked by jungle fever and, therefore, fell
back upon his capital. Ferishta merely alludes to the Sultan
having destroyed several towns; but as he makes no mention
of any plunder, upon which the Mahomedan historians always
lay great weight, it is probable that the Sultan was not strong
enough to attack any of the great strongholds of the South.
He pursued the Rajah back to Vijayanagar, and being joined
by fresh forces attempted to besiege the city. It would seem
that the Hindoos were dispirited, and the Sultan might have
been successful in his attempt if he had not allowed himself
to give way to a spirit of fanaticism. Outside the city there
was a sacred temple, the shrine of numerous pilgrims. This

temple Sultan Mujahid, fired by a zeal, either for religion or
for plunder, attacked and destroyed*. Religious feelings,

* The story goes that a number of Brahmins took refuge in the shrine
of Hanunum (the favourite monkey-God). They were all put to the
sword and Mujahid Shah himself struck the image of the God in the
face with his battle-axe, mutilating the features; a dying Brahmin then
raised himself with a last effort and exclaimed: 'Tor this act you will
never see your kingdom again, and will not return to your capital
alive!" A prophecy which proved to be only too true.
4
50 HISTOIiY OF THE DEC CAN.
outraged in this iiiaiuicr, brought about wliat a sense of })a-
triotismhad not been able to effect. The Hindoos rose to a

man, and so threatening was their attitude that the SuUan
had to retreat. He was not, however, able to go very far
before he was compelled to give the enemy battle. A furious
conflict ensued, in which, although it is claimed for the Ma-
homedans that they killed forty thousand men, still their losses
were so considerable that they had to retire. This was effected

in good order, the Sultan holding the passes until his army
had got through. There seems to be little doubt that on this

occasion the Mahomedans had it not
suffered a defeat, Avhich,
been for the Sultan's personal bravery, would have become a
serious disaster. It is stated that it was mainly owing to the
disobedience of Daoud Shah, the Sultan's uncle, that the battle

Avas lost. This Prince had neglected to occupy an important
post, which, being taken up by the Hindoos, the Mahomedans
were compelled to retire. After the battle, the Sultan gave
his uncle a sharp reprimand, so severe, indeed, that it rankled
in the Prince's bosom, and led eventually to the catastrophe
which ended Mujahid's reign. After his retreat from Vija-
yanagar, the Sultan laid siege to Adoni, but not only was his
army greatly reduced in numbers, but it was hampered with an
enormous number of prisoners, said to have amounted to
between sixty and seventy thousand persons, mostly Avomen.
Malek Seyf-ud-din Ghoree who had been left at Gulburga in
charge of the Kingdom, now advanced with reinforcements
to his master's assistance. This veteran general soon saw
that the capture of Adoni was likely to prove a serious matter.
It is described as having had fifteen forts, all communicating
with one another, and to have been of immense strength.
The Vizier advised the Sultan to first of all reduce the forts
on the north side of the river, and, in consequence of this
advice, the Sultan resolved to raise the siege and retreat to
his capital, which, however, he was not destined to reach.

THE GULBURGA SULTANS FROM ]324— 1397, A.D. 51
After crossing the Tmigabadlira, the Sultan, taking advantage

of the peace which his Vizier had succeeded in forming with
the Vijayanagar Rajah, left his army with a small bodyguard
to enjoy the pleasures of the chase. His uncle, Daoud Khan,
who was still sore over the public reprimand that had been
administered, resolved to take this opportunity to carry out a
conspiracy which he had hatched with the son of jMubarik
Khan, the betel-bearer, who was burning to avenge the death
of his father caused by the wrestling match, narrated in the
beginning of the chapter. Before long, an occasion happened.
One day the Sultan was amusing himself with fishing, but,
being seized with a sudden pain in the eyes, retired to sleep

in his tent alone. That night Daoud Khan and his fellow con-
spirators entered the tent with their daggers drawn. The

Sultan's only attendant was an Abyssinian slave, who was
rubbing his feet. He at once raised an alarm, but it was too
late. Daoud Khan plunged his dagger into the Sultan's stomach,
and Musaoud Khan, the son of the betel-bearer, then cut down
the slave and gave the finishing stroke to the Sultan. As
Mujahid left no children, his uncle, Daoud Shah, became the
heir to the throne, and after having made the army swear
allegiance to him, he marched upon Gulburga and ascended
the throne amidst great pomp and magnificence. This deed of
blood soon brought about its own revenge. Sultan Mujahid, w^ho
had just been murdered, was the grandson of the aged Vizier
Sayf-ud-din Ghoree, whose daughter had been married to Sultan
Muhammed. The old man asked to be allowed to resign his
office, and he was permitted to retire. The rest of the Royal
family appear to have acquiesced in the change of affairs, with
one exception, the sister of the murdered Sultan, Ruh Parwar
Ageh. This princess was looked upon by the rest of the ladies
as the head of the harem, and she did not find it difficult to
induce a young man, a favourite of the late Sultan, to avenge

his patron's murder. The assassin's name is not mentioned,
but the deed uas committed in the moscjnc whilst the Sultan
was prostrated in prayer. With one blow of the sabre he was
killed, the murderer falling immediately afterwards by the
sword of Khan Mahomed. In this way died Daoud Shah,

the fourth Sultan of Gulburga after a short reign of one month
and five days (A.D. 137S). There wêre four heirs to the
throne after Daoud Shah's death, his son Mahomed Sunjer, nine
years of age, together with two younger sons, Firoze and
Ahmed, who afterwards succeeded to the throne, and the last
surviving son of the first Sultan, Mahmood Shah, brother of

Daoud Shah. Both these princes were in the harem, in the
powder of that strong-minded Princess Ruh Parwar Ageh. Khan
Mahomed wished to place the former on the throne, but the
Princess shut the gates and swore that the son of an assassin
should never be Sultan with her consent. In order to prevent
all further intrigue, she caused the poor little boy to be
blinded and at once caused Mahmood Shah to be proclaimed.
In this way the sins of the father were visited upon his
innocent offspring.
Sultan Mahmood is said to have been a wise and humane
prince. His first act was to punish the murderers of his
1378. nephew Mujahid. Khan Mahomed was imprisoned
1396. in theSaugur, where he shortly afterwards
fort of
died, and Musaoud Khan, the son of the betel-bearer, was
impaled alive. It cannot be said that their punishments were
not deserved, and, this act of retributive justice over, the new
Sultan's reign, was devoted to peace, and the cultivation of
literature and science. Seyf-ud-Din Ghoree was again appointed
Vizier, though he was then nearly ninety years old. During
a reign of more than nineteen years, the country was troubled
by no wars, and it wâs only towards the end of this period
that one rebellion occurred wdiich, howêver, was promptly
suppressed. So wide did the name of this Sultan spread, that
poets and learned men from all parts of the Mahomedan

THE GULBUBGA SVLTANS FROM 1324—1397, A. D. 53
world flocked to the Court of Gulburga to share in his

bounty. In return, they bestowed upon him the title of the
Mahomedan Aristotle. The great Persian poet Hafiz even
started to come to Gulburga, and got so far on his journey
as to put to sea in the Persian Gulf. A heavy storm, however,
came on, and the ship had to put back. Haflz had had
enough of sea voyages, and seems to have thought that the
game of court favour was not worth the candle of seasickness
and possible shipwreck, so he had himself reconducted to land,
and, instead of his own person, sent the Sultan an ode. Put
into rough English, the ode would run as follows :
For the wealth of the world I Avill not exchange

The wind of my garden which softly blows
My friends may rebuke me, but I will not range :
I will stop here at home with the bulbul and rose
Enticing, no doubt, is your beautiful crown.

With costliest gems in a fair golden bed;
But through perils and ominous frown.
risks that
I might win it, perhaps, but then have no head.
When I thought of your pearls, it seemed then to me

To risk a short voyage would not be too bold;
But now I am sure, one wave of the sea
Can )/ot be repaid by treasures of gold.
What care I for pearls or for gems rich and rare

When friendship and love at homo both are mine?
All the gilding of art can never compare
With the pleasure derived from generous wine !
Let Hafiz retire from the cares of the world.

Contented with only few pieces of gold
let him lie curled.
In the lap of repose here
Far removed from the sea and its dangers untold
When this ode was read to the Sultan, he was so pleased

that he observed that as Hafiz had actually started with the
intention of coming to Gnlburga, lie was entitled to some

recognition, even althongli lie was not able to complete his
journey. Accordingly, lie liad a thousand pieces of gold
brought from the treasury, with which lie ordered one of his
courtiers to purchase specimens of Indian art and send them
to the poet. This wâs accordingly done, and Hafiz received
a splendid payment for his little ode. Sultan Mahmood Avas
a very temperate mau, both in his habit of living and of dress.
Though fond in his youth of rich and costly attire, after his
accession to the throne he wore nothing but plain white. He
was in the habit of saying that kings were only trustees of
the divine riches, and that to expend more than was actually
uecessary was to commit a breach of trust. This is a maxim
which it were well
all kings would bear in miud, but it is
one unfortunately that is more honoured in the breach than
in the observance. Great care and attention appears to have
been bestowed during this reign on education, and schools
were established at all the principal towns, and, amongst others,
Gulburga, Bieder, Candahar, Elichpore, Doulatabad, Choule
and Dabul. On occasion of a famine, the Sultan employed
ten thousand bullocks in bringing grain from Malwa find
Guzerat, which was then retailed to the poor at a low price.

Shortly before the Sultan's death occurred the sole rebellion
of his reign, to which we have already alluded. It was
organized by Bahaud-din, the Governor of Dowlatabad, together
with his two sons, but was quickly suppressed and the leaders
of the revolt were 1396 (21st Rajab 799)
killed. In A.D.,
the Sultan died of a putrid fever, and the day after the
patriarch Seyf-ud-din Ghoree, who had accompanied the first
Sultan from Dowlatabad to Gulburga, and who had ruled
the country as Prime Minister for more than half a century,
also passed away at the age of one hundred and seven years.
Sultan Mahmood reigned nineteen years nine months and
twenty-four days.
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CHAPTER VI.
SULTANS GHAZI-UD-DIN AND SHUMS-UD-DIN.
ULSL two Sultans commenced and ended their reigns

in the short period of six months. They were both sons of
A.D. Mahmood Shah. The eldest was Ghazi-ud-Din, who
1396 ascended the throne at the age of seventeen. He seems
to have heen an amiable young Prince, hut he was unfortunate in
at once exciting the jealousy of a powerful Turkish slave of the

late Sultan, named Lallcheen. This person desired the post of
Meer Nobut, or Lord of the Watch, for his son Hussan Khan,
SULTANS GHAZI-UD-DIN AND SHUMS-UD-DIN 57
and Avhen he expostulated with the Sultan for bestowing it

upon another, he was told that it was not right that the sons
of slaves should be promoted above the heads of the old
nobility. Stung by this retort, Lallcheen resolved upon revenge,
and he carried out his plan in the following manner: The —
young Sultan was desirous of obtaining Lallcheen's daughter,
and, accordingly, the slave invited his master to a feast.
When the Sultan was half intoxicated with wine, Lallcheen
drew him on one side as if to take him to the female
apartments. When he had taken him into another room, he
fell npon him, threw him down, and gouged out his eyes
with a dagger. He then called in each of the attendants, one
by one, and put them to death singly to the number of twenty-
one persons so that no one remained alive powerful enough to
obstruct his designs. The Sultan was then sent to the fort
of Saugur, and his younger brother, Shums-ud-Din, was
placed upon the throne. The reign of the unfortunate
Ghazi-ud-Din lasted only one month and twenty davs
(17 Ramzan 799) (1396 A.D.).
Sultan Shums-ud-Din was only fifteen years old when he
ascended the throne. Intimidated by the fate of his brother,
he left all the power in the The latter,
hands of Lallcheen.
the more to strengthen hiscommenced an intrigue
position,
with the Sultan's mother, and in this way was able to do
what he liked with the young Prince. As was to be expected,
this power soon excited the jealousy of the other
absolute
members of the Royal Family. Sultan Daood Khan (the
murderer of Sultan Mujahid Shah) had left three sons. The
eldest of these, Mahomed Sunjer had, it will be remembered,
been blinded, but there were two younger brothers, Feroze
Khan and Ahmed Khan, who married two daughters of the
late Sultan Mahmood Shah. They were therefore brothers-in-
law and cousins of the unfortunate Ghazi-ud-Din, who had
enjoyed so brief a period of power. Their wives incited these
princes to avenge their brother which they resolved to do.
Lallcheen, getting wind of this cons])iracy sent orders to
have the Princes killed, but they managed to esca])e in time

and took refuge in the fort of Saugur which was commanded
by one Suddoo, a slave of the royal family, who received
them with kindness and respect. Here they found the ])oor
young blinded Sultan Ghazi-iid-Din, and the three resolved
to strike a blow to recover the throne. They gathered
together an army, and marched upon Gulburga, but were
defeated with considerable loss and had to fly again to Saugur.
Flushed with this success, the insolence of Lallcheen overstepped
all bounds. The Sultan Shums-ud-I)in was treated as a mere

puppet, and his mother no longer made any disguise of her
intrigue with Lallcheen. This conduct so disgusted the chief
noblemen that they entered into correspondence with the two
who now i-esolved to attempt by stratagem what they
Princes,
had not been able to accomplish by force. Accordingly, they
sent letters to Lallcheen and the Queen -mother praying for
forgiveness and asking to be allowed to return to Gulburga.
Lallcheen, delighted at the chance of getting the Princes into his
power, at once consented, and they accordingly returned. Por
the firstfew days they remained quiet on their guard, and
then carried out their plot by a surprise. Feroze Khan
appeared in the Durbar with twelve followers, leaving three
hundred adherents outside. The porters at the gate attempted
to stop him, but they were at once cut down, and the Prince
followed by his twelve friends rushed into the hall, leaving
the gates guarded by the three hundred. The Sultan fled to
an under-ground chamber, and Lallcheen's sons, who attempted

to defend themselves, Avere cut down. Lallcheen was then
taken and bound, and Peroze ascended the throne which bore
his own name. Vengeance upon Lallcheen was reserved for
the hand of his unfortunate victim Ghazi-ud-Din, who was
sent for from Saugur. Lallcheen was placed, bound, before the
SULTANS GHAZI-UD-DIN AND SHUMS-UD-DIN. 59
blind prince, who called for a sword and killed him with
one stroke. Ghazi-ud-Din, incapacitated by his blindness for
Government, then asked to be allowed to go to Mecca. This
request was granted, and we arc told that the ex-Sultan
lived for many years in that city provided with a liberal
allowance from his cousin I'eroze Shah. Shums-ud-Din, the
boy king of fifteen, was then blinded and sent iu captivity
to Bieder, and so the country was once more restored to peace.
Shums-ud-Din reigned only five months and seven days.
CHAPTER VII.
THE CITY AND KINGDOM OF VIJAYANAGAR.
T is necessary at
this part of the
history of the Dec-
can to glance at
the manner in
which Vijayanagar
had risen to be so
formidable a rival
of th e j\'l homedan
a
power. There can be
little donbt that pre-
vious to the 14th
Century, Vijayanagar
Avas a place of such insignificance that
it was entirely unknown. It may have
been the residence of a petty Chieftain,
and it is possible that the founders of the new
city, Bnkha Raya and Hari Ilara, may have
belonged to his family, and have returned thither after the fall
of V^ârangal in 1328. The foundation of Vijayanagar is

THE CITY AND KINGDOM OF VIJAYANAGAB. 61
generally ascribed to the year 1336 A.I)., and its completion

to the year 1343, or a few years previous to the foundation
of the Gulburga kingdom (1348), and there seems to he no
doubt that the rapid groAvth of the young Hindoo Kingdom
Avas in a great measure due to Sri j\Iaha Vidyjxranya, the
eleyenth successor of Sankarachariar ;
(according to Dr. Burnell,
than Avhom there can be no safer guide), the same as Sayana,
the famous commentator on the Vedas. This sage's monastery
was situated at Shringeri, in the Kadoor Taluq of West
Mysore. Tradition says that after the fall of Warangal, the
two brothers came to the sage and asked for help. The
Hindoo High Priest was not slow to recognize the critical
position. The fall of Deogiri and Warangal had left Southern

India entirely unprotected from the invasions of the jNlahom-
edans, and it was therefore absolutely necessary that a new
bulwark of protection should be raised against this dangerous
foe. It is said that the deity appeared to the sage in a
vision, and revealed to him the existence of a hidden treasure,

which he, recognizing their fitness for the new task, bestowed
upon the two brothers, and with this money they founded
the new city, which, in honour of their patron, they called
Yidhyanagar. It is a strange thing that throughout the whole
of Indian history we frequently find the foundation of a new
city or dynasty connected with the finding of a hidden treasure.
No doubt the custom of hoarding money goes back to the
most ancient times, but it is also exceedingly possible that
these hidden treasures were in reality mines, either of gold
or precious stones, the existence of which was kept a profound
secret. Within a few years after the founding of the new
kingdom, its authority extended to the Western Coast. The
great ^lahomedan traveller, Ibn Batuta, who visited the
Kanara Coast in 1842, says that at Honavar (the modern
Honor) he found a Mahomedan Prince named Jamal-ud-Din,
who was subject to an infidel King named Ilariab (evidently
Ilaii llara, or, as he is styled, Ilariyappa) of Vijayanagar. It
is |)r()l)al>le tliat, o\viii(>; to tlie influence of the sage Vidyaraiiya,
all Hindoo Kings of Southern India recognized the mission

the
of tlie Vijayanagar Kings to protect them against the Mahom-
edans, and paid tribute in treasure and men for this purpose.
On more than one occasion we find the Madura Kings recog-
nizing the King of Vijayanagar as their overlord, and appealing
to him for assistance. The resources thus placed at the disposal
of the new kingdom were therefore enormous, and in a very
short time its power and influence overshadowed that of all
the other Hindoo kingdoms of South India. For more than
two hundred years Vijayanagar performed its duty as Warden
of the Hindoo marches, and during the constant wars that
took place with the Mahomedan Princes she was as often
victorious as she was conquered. Even when defeated, the
Hindoos were able to at once replace the beaten armies liy
fresh levies, so that the Mahomed ans were never al)le to get
a firm footing in the Hmdoo country until the final downfall
of the kingdom. It was only seldom, indeed, that they were
able to advance beyond the Tungabadhra, and the Raichore

Doab or country between the Tungabadhra and the Kistna
appears to have been the scene of most of the battles.
Vijayanagar lies on the right or south bank of the River
Tungabadhra, which here rushes through some rocky hills and
forms a wide bend. About ten miles further south there is
a range of hills about 3,000 feet above the sea which form,
as it were, a natural barrier. These hills shut in an extensive
plain and the city itself was built in the north corner of this
plain. The site of the city is full of rocky hills, some of
which must be nearly 1,000 feet high, but most of which
are only a few hundred feet. These hills are formed of huge
boulders of stones piled upon each other in such a way as to
form an almost insurmountable barrier. In order to fortify
the city all that was recjuired was to connect these hills by
walls, wliicli has been done in almost every instance. In this

way was defended by a series of walls, the outermost
the city
one of which is said to have enclosed a space eight miles
across {Xicolo Conti, early in the 15th Century, says that the
city was sixty miles round). These walls seem all to have
terminated in a rocky range of hills which intervened between
the city and the river, thus rendering any approach from the
river side impossible. Floating down the river now in boats
from Humpi, the South-Westmost part of the city, there is
nothing to show that on the other side of the rocks there are
the ruins of what must have been a vast city. The stone piles
of the old bridge communicating with the northern shore are
still standing, but the approach to this bridge on the
Vijayanagar side was by a natural tunnel through the hill,
which could easily be defended by a small body of men
against a large army. The only way in which the city could
be approached was, therefore, from the south and southeast.
At this latter point, advantage was taken of the lie of the
country to build a large tank. The bund of this tank forms
a natural rampart about a mile long. The water is about
twenty feet in depth at the bund, and spreads over an area
of at least three to four square miles. This large sheet of
water Avould, therefore, form an insuperable obstacle to the
attack of an and there remains, therefore, only the
army,
south-west from which the city could be attacked. Near the
Calingula, or weir, at the western end of the tank bund, a
massive wall runs off whicb probably formed the outer defence
of the inhabited portion of the city. The moat of this wall
was easily filled from the Calingula, and at different points
the wall was defended by forts aud redoubts, until at last it
joined the rocky range of hills before alluded to. Immedi-

ately within this wall there were rice fields aud gardens fed
with water from the tank, and then came the different
portions of the city each defended by its wall and rocky hills.
64 HIS WHY OF THE DEC CAN.
In the centre of the city, or innermost ring, was the King's

palace, the mint and the palace of the Commander-in-Chief.
The King's palace is said to have been on a hill, and formed
the highest portion of the city. If so, all tiaces of it have
now disappeared. At the foot of the hill there is still to be
seen the ruins of what must have been a harem, or zenana,
with a range of elephant stal)les and a concert hall. On the
hill behind there are some old ruins. Possibly the palace was
built here, but, if so, it is noAv impossible to identify it.
The first King was Hari Hara, and the date of his reign is
ascribed to 1336 — 1350. He was followed by his brother,
Bukka Bukka Raya, who reigned till 1379, when he was

or
succeeded by Hari Hara II., who reigned till 1401. This
Prince, together with his son, Deva Raya (1401 1451), greatly —
extended the pow^r of the kingdom, and added to the splendour
of the city. A difference will be noticed in the names of
these Kings and those with whom we find the Gulburga
Sultans in conflict. The King of Vijayanagar, who so fre-
quently fought with Muhammed Shah and Mujahid Shah of
Gulburga (1357—1377) is called by Ferishta Krishen Roy or
Raya. According to the dates, this King must, in reality,
have been Bukka Raya, and it is impossible to explain how
Ferishta gets the name of Krishen Roy. Muhammed Shah,
as already related, no doubt committed a terrible slaughter
amongst the Hindoos, under Mujahid the Hindoo King
l)ut
certainly inflicted one severe defeat, which would have turned

into a disaster, if had not been able to hold the
the Sultan
passes of the hills, which protect Vijayanagar on the south
East, whilst the main army passed through. It was during
the reign of Deva Raya that we have the first authentic

account by a traveller of the city of Vijayanagar. Abd-er-
Razzak, the Persian Ambassador, visited the city at the end
of April, 1443, and found it "an exceedingly large and
populous city, the seat of a King of great poAver, whose
THE CITY AND KINGDOM OF VIJAYANAGAR. 67
kingdojii stretched from Ceylon to Gulljurga and from Bengal

to Malabar." (This latter must be an exaggeration, for it is
certain that the Vijayanagar dominions never extended north
of the Kistna River.)
"Most of the land was tilled and fertile, and there were
about 300 seaports equal to Kalikat. There were 1,000
elephants, and over a million men. There was no actual
"Rai" in India, except the King of Vijayanagar. The city
had seven fortified walls, one within the other. The first or
outmost circle enclosed a space of eight miles (two parasanr/s)
across. Between the first, second, and third circles of wall
were fields and gardens, and from the third to the seventh
or inmost circle, the space was crowded with markets and
shops. The seventh centre was on a hill, and in it was the
palace of the King and four markets with a lofty arcade,
and a magnificent gallery at the head of each. The markets
were broad and long. There wêre always sweet and fresh
fiowers, and the different crafts had separate quarters. Many
streams flowed along polished and level stone channels. On
the right of tlie palace, which was the loftiest building in the
city, "was a pillared hall in which the Minister did justice.
On the left was the mint, with hollow chambers full of

masses of molten gold. Opposite mint was the police
the
office with 12,000 soldiers. Behind the mint was a market
300 yards long by twenty broad, where the daucing girls
rich and accomplished.
lived, very beautiful, The King was
exceedingly young, of a spare body, rather tall and of an
olive complexion. During Abd-er-Razzak's stay at Vijayanagar,
the brother of the King killed many of the leading nobles,
and all but succeeded in assassinating the King. The King
sat on a throne of gold, inlaid with jewels, and the walls of
the throne room were lined with plates of gold. During part
of the time Abd-er-Razzak was there, a Christian was Minister
there was a Avonderful festival at "Dassara" time, m Mahan-
acauti, the September full moon. 'J'lic great plain near the
city was tilled Avitli enchanting pavilions covered with most
delicate and tasteful pictures and there was one
of animals,
pillared mansion, nine stories high, for the King. Por three
days, with a most gorgeous dis])lay, dancing girls danced and
sang, fireworks blazed, and showmen and jugglers performed
wonderful feats. Abd-er-Razzak left Vijayanagar on the 5th
of November, 1443, and reached Mangalore- on the 23rd of
the same month. It Avas impossible within reasonable space
to give an idea of how well the country was peopled. All

the people, high and low, even the workers in market places,
wôre jcAvels and gilt ornaments in their ears, round their necks,
arms, and wrists, and fingers. Prom Mangalore he went to
the port of Honavar or Honor, and there arranged for a
vessel to take him back to Persia. He started on the 28th
of January, and reached Ormuz on the 22nd* of April,
after a voyage of sixty -five days."
Of the seven walls of which Abd-er-Razzak speaks, it is
probable that the two outer ones were merely rows of forts.
The village of Hospett, seven miles from the ruins, is still
called the eighth gate of the ancient city; but a wall at this
part enclosing a space eight miles across would have been a
work too gigantic even for those days of forced labour. Nor
is it likely that all traces of so large a wôrk should have dis-
appeared, and at present there is no sign of any wall until

the Calingula of the tank is reached. The space enclosed by
this latter wall might possibly be eight square miles or more,
but cannot be more than about three miles across. Within
these walls there are remains of many other walls, but, as
said above, they do form separate enceintes, but are for
not
the most part between different rocky hills.
connecting-links
Abd-er-Razzak probably entered the city by means of seven
different gates, and the distance between the outer and the
* Bombay Gazetteer —Kanara. Vol. XV. Part II.
inner gates was very possibly eight miles. This view is
confirmed by the account of the Italian traveller, Vartherna,

who visited Vijayanagar in 1503. He says that the city "stood
on the side of a mountain with three circles of walls, the
outermost circle seven miles round." This would exactly
correspond with the wall leading from the tank-bund, and
the other two inner circles can also be traced. Vartherna says
that theKing was the richest he had ever heard of. "His
Brahmans said that he had £ 4,000 a day. He was always
at war. He had 40,000 horsemen, whose horses were worth
;^ 100 to ;{^ 226 each, for horses were scarce; 400 elephants;
and some dromedaries. He was a great friend of the
Christians, and the Portuguese did him much honour. He
wore a cap of gold brocade, and when he went to war, a
quilted dress of cotton with an over- garment full of golden
piastres, and hung with jewels. The ornaments on his horse
were worth more than an Italian city. He rode out with three
or four kings, many lords, and five or six thousand horses."
In 1514 another traveller, Duarte Barbosa, a Portuguese,
says:
— "Vijayanagar was on a level ground surrounded by a
very good wall on one side, a river on a second side, and a
mountain on a third. Itwas very large and very populous.
There were many large and handsome palaces, and wide
streets and squares. The King, a Gentile (= Gentoo) called
Raheni, that is, Rayalu, always lived in the city. He lived
very luxuriously and seldom left the palace. He was nearly
white, well-made, and had smooth black hair. The attendance
on the King was by women, who all lived in the palaces.
They sang and played and amused the King in a thousand
ways. They went to bathe daily, and the King went to see
them bathe, and sent to his chamber the one that pleased
him most, and the first son he had from any of them inherited
the Kingdom. Many litters and many horsemen stood at the
door of the palace. The King kept 900 elephants, each worth
1,500 to 2,000 ducats and 20,000 horses worth 300 to (;00
ducats, and sonic of the choicest worth 1,000 (Uicats. The

King more than 100,000 men, horse and foot, and 5,000
liad
women in his pay. The Avomcn went with the army, but did
not tight, but their lovers fought for them very vigorously.
When the King, which occasionally happened, went in person
to war, he cam])ed at some distance from the city, and
ordered all people to join him within a certain number of
days. At the end of the days he gave orders to burn the
whole city, except his palaces, and some of the nobles' palaces,
that all might go to the war and die with him.
" Among his knights many had come from different parts
to take service, and did not cease to live in their own creeds.
In times of peace the city was filled with an innumerable crowd
of all nations. There were very rich local Gentiles, many
Moorish merchants and traders, and an infinite number of
others from all parts. They dwelt freely and safely in what
creed they chose, whether Moor, Christian, or Gentile. The
governors observed strict justice, and there was an infinite
trade. Great quantities of precious stones poured into
Vijayanagar, jewels from Pegu, diamonds from the Deccan,
and also from a Vijayanagar mine, and pearls from Ormuz
"^
and from Gael in South India."
One passage in this extract is especially important, as it sup-
plies a reason why the only ruins of this large city are
temples and a few public buildings. If the homes of the
common people were liable to be burnt whenever the King
went to war, they must, of course, have been built of the
most unsubstantial materials. When Vijayanagar finally fell
after the battle of Tellicotta (1565) the Mahomedans probably

found the city in such a half -ruined state. The King had
strained every nerve to meet the allied Mahomedan kings, and
had possibly burnt the greater part of the city. All that the
* (l/jld).
Mahomedaris found, therefore, were temples and pu])licl)uildings,

which they ruthlessly destroyed. In many of the temples it
is still clearly visible how the pavement was torn up in order
to search for hidden treasure. Of the public buildings, the
most interesting ruins are: The elephant stables, very sub-
stantially built, and in a very good state of preservation and a
grand stand where the King used to sit and watch the sports
in the arena below. This stand is covered on all sides with
excellent carvings in bas-relief of animals, sports, &c. On the
north side the walls are hidden by debris; but a portion has
been excavated, exposing some very delicate carving in an
excellent state of preservation. Near the arena are the remains
of an aqueduct, each section of which is built out of solid
stone. The channel is a foot and a half wide by a foot deep.
In communication with this aqueduct are the remains of a
covered l)ath, evidently of Mahomedan architecture. This
possibly is the l)atli which the King used to visit, as there are
screened and latticed apartments like private fromboxes
which he could watch the bathers. Abd-er-Razzak speaks of
the water flowing through the streets, and of the different
handicrafts being located together. A very interesting ex-
ample of this lies not from the bath. There are the
far
remains of a street, by the side of which is a stone channel,
and on either side of the channel are a large number of square
slabs of black stone with a round excavation like a plate in
the middle, by the side of which are two, three, and sometimes
five smaller excavations. These slabs were used for eating.
The middle excavation was meant for rice, and the neigh-
bouring ones for condiments. Here, probably, were the public
eating houses. A traveller who wanted to dine came and sat
down at a slab, and was served with his food, and he probably
paid according to the kind of slab he selected. A five- condiment
dinner cost more than one with only two. After eating he
washed his hands in the channel, and then went away. These
eating-slabs are probably in exactly thesame position now as

they were when they were last no value
used, for they are of
to the thief and are too heavy to be moved. Placed as they
are, they form an interesting relic of Hindoo life of five
hundred years ago.

The principal ruins are those of temples, of which there
is an enormous number. They are scattered about everywhere,
on the tops of hills and on the level ground. The most
important of these are that of Hazara Ramaswamy, in the
inner circle near the King's palace, with some beautifully

carved pillars in black granite; the large temple at Humpi,
which is in good repair and is even now largely frequented,
and the temple of Vittelaswamy near the river. The latter
has some beautifully carved pillars of a very rare and elegant

pattern, and in front of the temple is what is probably a
unique piece of carving in the shape of a large stone car,
modelled on the pattern of an ordinary wooden car. This

car unfortunately shows a number of cracks, and was in
danger of falling to pieces; but the present Collector of

Bellary Mr. R. Sewell, since retired, who takes not only an
archcTological, but also a keen personal interest in the ruins
had the heavy superstructure of brickwork,

of this old city, has
with which the car was loaded, removed, and, relieved from
this superincumbent weight, it is to be hoped that the car
will stand for many more years to come, though it might be

advisable to have it protected from the ravages caused by the
weather.
At present the only two portions of the city which are
inhabited are Kamalapoor, at the southwest end of the tank,
which is called after its name, and Humpi, in the southwest
corner of the city near the river. Kamalapur is a small

village, the houses of which have a substantial appearance,
being built from the stones of one of the walls. Here
there is a small bungalow constructed out of an old temple.
THE CITY AND KINGDOM OF VIJAYANAGAR. 7S
A winding road leads from here tlirongli the ruins of the old
city, past old temples and through crumbling gateways until
Humpi is reached. Here there are the remains of a broad

street fringed by what were shops and possibly noblemen's
houses; some of these arc pretentious, having columns in
front, and a few of them are still inhabited. At the north
end of this street is the temple, one of the towers or Goparams
of which, was rebuilt by a former Collector of Bellary, Mr.
Robertson, whose name is held in high reverence in consequence.
None of the temples in or near the old city are of later date
than the 14th Century, with the exception of one or two very
small buildings, which Mr. Sewell is of opinion may be of
an older period. This shows that, previous to the 14th Century,
the place was one of insignificance, and that the whole of the
vast mass of temples, which must at one time have existed,
are due to the liberality of the Kings of the new dynasty.
At present the very name of Vijayanagar seems in danger
of being forgotten. The ruins are generally called the ruins
of Humpi, and many who are familiar with that name are
iinaware that they form the only remains of what was once
the largest and richest Hindoo city of Southern India. On
the north bank of the river there was once a large suburb
which was also defended by walls a portion of this suburb
;
now forms the small village of Anagoondy, wdiere lives, in

sadly reduced circumstances, the sole representative of the
Vijayanagar Kings. But, poor though he is, he is still looked
upon by all the inhabitants of the district with great respect,
and whenever there is a family festival in his house, the Baiders
turn out in large numbers to do him honour, and prostrate
themselves before him when he appears in public. He is,
however, but the shadow of a once great name.
CHAPTER VIII.
SULTANS FEROZE SHAH AND
AHMED SHAH.
ULTAN Feroze Shall reigned

for twenty-five years, and
under his rule the king-
dom of Gulburga may

1397 be said to have
to reached its highest
U22 point of prosperity,
He made twenty-four
glorious campaigns;
conquered the greater
part of Telingana, and
compelled the King
of Vijayanagar to give
him one of his daugh-
ters in marriage It is said of him that he was strict in his
religious observances, with the exception of drinking wine and

listening to music, but he consoled himself for committing these
two offences against Islam by saying that "music lifted his
mind to contemplate the divinity, and that wine did not make
SULTANS FEROZE SHAH AND AHMED SHAH. 75
liim passionate, and, tlierefore, he hoped that hereafter he would

not be questioned about them, but find mercy from a forgiving
Creator."
Feroze Shah paid very great attention to the development of
trade,and every year despatched vessels from the ports of Goa
and Choule. These ships not only brought back merchandize
of different countries, but, the captains were also charged to
invite persons celebrated for their talents to visit the Sultan's
Court. Another kind of visitors in whom the Sultan delighted
were Avomen, and in his harem were females of all nations
Arabians, Circassians, Georgians, Turks, Russians, Europeans,
Chinese, Afghans, Rajputs, Bengalis, Guzeratees, Tclinganees,
and others. We are told that he could speak with each in
her own language, but this is doubtless an exaggeration.
In the second year of the war broke out
Sultan's reign,
with the King of Vijayanagar whom Ferishta names Dewul Roy.
According to the Hindoo inscriptions, the King of Vijayanagar
in 1398 was Hari Hara II. The Avords "Deva" are more
honorific titles than actual names. Almost all Hindoo Kings
termed themselves Deva, and Roy or Raya is simply another
form of Rajah. T'he names therefore of the Hindoo Kings as
given by Mahomedan historians are not to be relied upon.
The real names as noAv ascertained are derived from inscriptions

which are far more to be depended upon, although not always
absolutely so. The Vijayanagar King invaded the Doali with
a large army in order to possess himself of jNIudkul. At the
same time the Rajah of the Telingana, (Nursinga) country,
invaded the Berars, and the Sultan had to detach a lai'ge
portion of his troops to defend this portion of his dominions.

When the Sultan reached the river Kistna, he found the
Vijayanagar forces camped on the other side, and the river
being in flood, he was unable to cross. A Kazi in the Sultan's
army, named Siraj, offered to cross the river and secure a
passage. This he did by a most daring adventure. The Kazi

with seven of his friends disguised themselves as reHgious

mendicants, and crossing the river went to that part of the
Rajah's Camp, which was frequented by dancing girls. The

Kazi pretended to fall in love with the chief of these, and
when night came on, and he found, that the girl was going to an
entertainment at the tent of the Rajah's son, he persuaded her to
take him with her as one of the musicians, he being well-skilled in
performing on the mandel, or Hindoo lute. This the girl consented
to, and in the midst of the entertainment, whilst performing a dag-
ger dance, the Kazi and one of his friends rushed in on the Rajah's
son, and plunged their daggers into his body. In the confu-
sion that ensued, the lights were extinguished and a number
of Hindoos killed; a report was spread that the Sultan had
crossed the river, and the whole camp was in a state of
alarm. In the meantime the Sultan did actually cross with
about four thousand picked men, and effected a landing
without opposition. Surprised in this manner the whole army
took to flight, and the King fled to Vijayanagar, where he shut
himself up, an immense Hindoos being slain. A
number of
peace very shortly ensued, and the Rajah paid as a ransom
for the Brahmins who had been captured eleven lakhs of
pagodas, or Hoons or Huns; and upon this the Sultan returned
to Gulburga. In the following year, he marched to punish
Nursinga, who was driven out of Berar without much difficulty,
and compelled to shut himself up in Kurleh, one of his own
forts. Here after a siege of two months, he surrendered and
went in person to the Sultan's camp at Ellichpore to make his
submission. He was pardoned and reinstated, and is said to
have been submissive thereafter. In 1401 Feroze Shah sent
ambassadors to Timur the great conqueror, and proffered his
allegiance. This was graciously accepted, and in return the
Sultan was named sovereign of Malwa and Guzerat in addition
to the Deccan. Considering, however, that both Malwa and
Guzerat were already in the possession of two Mahomedan
Princes, this was something like dividing the lion's skin before
the animal had been killed, and the sole resnlt was to raise
up two new enemies in the Kings, who feared that their
dominions would be attacked. These princes at once formed a
secret alliance with the King of Vijnyanagar, who, being
f</(.
assured of their assistance, discontinued paying any tribute.

At first Feroze Shah did not feel himself in a position to
resent this disobedience, but before long the smouldering
quarrel broke intoflame, and the ostensible cause
an open
was, as so often happens —a
woman. In the fort of jMudkul
there was a Hindoo farmer who had a beautiful daughter,
who, contrary to the usual custom among Hindoos, had
reached maturity without being married. A Brahmin returning
from Benares saw this village beauty, and was so much
struck with her that he remained a year and a half in her
father's house, and instructed her in music and dancing. When
her education was completed the Brahmin went to Vijayanagar,
and reported to the King the existence of this peerless maiden.
The King at once sent him back to Mudkul with orders to
bring the maiden and her parents to Vijayanagar as he
proposed to make the young lady his wife. This, no doubt,
was a great honour, but still it was one that had its drawbacks.
Nicolo Couti, to whom allusion has already l)een made, writing
between 1420 and 1440, says that the King of Vijayanagar
had 12,000, wives of whom went on foot and served
4,000
in his kitchen, 4,000 went on horseback, and 4,000 wêre
carried in litters. Of the litter ladies 2,000 were chosen as
wives on condition that they would burn when the King died.
Now it is possible that the educated beauty of Mudkul knew
of this custom, and did not relish having some day to perform
the rite of Suttee. At all events the young lady declined the
offer, and refused to accept the jewels which had been sent her.
The reason she assigned was her love for her parents, because
when once she should be made the wîfe of the King, she
would be separated from them, and never see them again.
Accordingly, the Brahmin was sent back with all his presents
a disappointed man. After he had gone, the girl told her
parents that she had long had an inward persuasion that she
should become the wife of a great prince of Islam, and that,
therefore, they must not be angry with her for refusing the
Hindoo King. When the Brahmin reported the failure of
his mission, the King's love became more inflamed than ever,
and he resolved to carry off the fair Pertal for this was her —
name — by force, even though in order to do so he had to
invade the Sultan's country, for Mudkul was in the posses-
sion of Teroze Shah, Accordingly, he assembled an army,
crossed the Tungabadhra, and marched upon Mudkul.
Unfortunately, however, he stopped before he reached the
fort, and the consequence was that the inhabitants, hearing of
the approach of this large army, became alarmed and left the
town. Amongst these were Pertaland her parents. The
Vijayanagar had accordingly to retire
troops without their
expected prize, but on their way back they burnt and destroyed
several villages and towns. When Peroze Shah heard of this
unprovoked and insolent invasion, he assembled an army, and
SULTANS FEBOZE SHAH AND AHMED SHAH. 79
Deva Raya
crossing the two rivers laid siege to Vijayaiiagar.
was the Hindoo King, and lie seems to have suceessfully
defended his city. The Mahomedans were repulsed, and the
Sultan himself wounded. In fact so hard pressed were the
Sultan's forces that they had to withdraw into the ])lain, and
entrench themselves in order to keep off the Hindoos. Deva
Raya does not seem to have been able to force them from
this position, and accordingly sent for assistance from his
allies of Malwa and Guzerat. In the meantime, another army
of the Sultan, commanded by his brother Ahmed, laid the
Vijayanagar country waste, and rejoined Feroze in his camp
with a large amount of booty and sixty thousand prisoners.
The Sultan then left his brother Ahmed in the entrenched
camp, and went with the rest of the army to besiege Adoni.
In the meantime, the Rajah's application for assistance from
Malwa and Guzerat had proved unsuccessful. His allies either
could not or would not give him help, and he, therefore,
found himself obliged to sue for peace. At first the Sultan
refused, but at last agreed, under the condition, however, that
in addition to an enormous indemnity he would give him his
daughter in marriage. The indemnity consisted of ten laks
of pagodas, five maunds of pearls (the maund of S. India is
equal to 28 pounds), fifty choice elephants, and two thousand

men and women slaves, in addition to the fort of Beekapore
as a marriage portion. The first of these conditions was
probably the most irksome one, but the Hindoo King was
obliged to comply. The Sultan's brother went into the city
of and brought out the bride, whereupon the
Vijayanagar,
marriage was celebrated with great pomp and magnificence.
After the marriage had been celebrated, Feroze Shah paid
Deva Raya a visit with his bride. The incident is thus
related by Ferishta:
" A day having been fixed, he with the bride proceeded to
Vijayanagar, leaving the camp in charge of Khan Khanan
(his brother Ahmed). On the vvjiy he was met by Deva Raya

with great pomp. From the gate of the city to the ])alace,
being a distance of nearly six miles, the road was sj)read
with cloth of gold, velvet, and other rich stnffs. The

satin,
two princes rode on horseback together, between ranks of

beautiful boys and girls, who waved plates of gold and silver
flowers over their heads as they advanced, and then threw
them to be gathered by the populace. After this, the
inhabitants of the city made offerings, both men and women,
according to their rank. After passing through a square directly in
the centre of the city, the relations of Deva Raya who had lined
the streets in crowds, made their obeisance and offerings, and
joined the cavalcade on marching before the princes.
foot,
Upon their arrival at the palace gate, the Sultan and the
Raya dismounted from and ascended a splendid
their horses,
palanquin, set with valuable jewels, in which they were carried
together to the apartments prepared for the reception of the
bride and bridegroom, when Deva Raya took his leave and
went to his palace. The Sultan after having been treated
with royal magnificence for three days took his leave of the
Raya, who pressed upon him richer presents than before given,
and attended him four miles on his Avay back and then returned
to the city. Sultan Feroze Shah was enraged at his not going
with him to his camp, and said to Meer Fazl Oollali that
he would one day have revenge for such an affront. This decla-
ration being told to Deva Raya, he made some insolent remarks,
so that, notwithstanding the connection of family, their hatred
was not calmed. Sultan Feroze Shah proceeded to the capital
of his dominions, and despatched persons to bring the beautiful
Pertal and her family to court ; which being done, her beauty
was found to surpass all that had been reported of it. The
Sultan observing that he was too old to espouse her himself
gave her to his son, Hussan Khan, in marriage, and gratified
her parents with rich gifts and grants of land in their country.
Pertal was ronimittcd to tlic care of tha Sultan's aunt until

the nuptial preparations were ready, when the knot was tied
amid great rejoicings and princely magniticence."
The story of the beautiful Pertal and the war of which
she was the innocent cause contain all the elements of a
historical romance. Would that there were a Meadows Taylor
still alive to give it to us, together with a graphic description
of the countryand the people amongst whom she lived
Sultan Shah laid out a new city not far from
Feroze
Gulburga, which he named after himself Firozeabad. It was
situated on the banks of the Bheemrah, or Bhima, one of the
affluents of the Kistna. The site of this town was about 15
miles from the present railway station of J/âdi, the junction
of the G. T. P. and Nizam's State Railways, and is said to
have been laid out with great regularity. Gulburga, however,
continued to be the seat of Government, and the new town
was more a pleasure resort About 1412 a
than a residence.
celebrated saint, named Mahummud Geesoo-Diraz, came from
Delhi to Gidburga, but though the Sultan at first showed
him considerable favour, he appears to have afterwards neg-
lected him. The Sultan's brother, Ahmed, who held the post
of Khan Khanan made it, however, his duty to show this saint
considerable respect, and was constant in his attendance upon
him. The result was that Ahmed stood high in the saint's
favour, and when in 1415 the Sultan asked the latter to bestow
his blessing upon his son Hassan, whom he had selected as his
successor, and who is said to have been a weak and dissipated
prince, the saint declined, giving, as his reason, that Providence
had decreed that the crown should be bestowed on his brothei',
Ahmed. Upon this the Sultan ordered the saint to leave the
city,which he did, and retired to a place outside, where his
tomb now stands. This tomb is still highly venerated by the
Mahomedans of the Deccan, and is visited every year by
thousands of pilgrims. The walls are decorated with texts
6
82 TTTSTOnr or TITE DEC CAN.
from (1k' Koran in i!;ilt letters, and none hul true Ix'licvcrs
arc aclniitted inside.Near it are some buildings consisting; of
a srrai, a mosque, and a college, said to liave been built by
Aurungzebe in the seventeenth century.
In 1417 Feroze Shah made an unprovoked attack uj)on the
fort of Bilkonda, belonging to the King of Vijayanagar, who
was still Deva Raya. After a siege of two years, a pestilence
broke out in the Sultan's army, and he had to retire. The
Hindoos then advanced with a large force, and the Sultan,
disregarding the advice of his chief officei's, gave them battle,
Avith the result that he suffered a serious defeat. His Com-
mander in Chief, Meer Fuzl Oollah, was killed, and he himself
had to fly in the greatest confusion. A general slaughter of
the Mahomedans followed, and the Hindoos are said to have
erected a platform of their heads. The Sultan was followed
into his OAvn country which was everywhere laid waste,
mosques and holy places were broken down, and people were
slaughtered indiscriminately.The Sultan appealed for help to
Guzerat, but in vain, and it Avas only after some time and
immense exertions that his brother, Ahmed, succeeded in
driving the Hindoos back into their OAvn dominions.
This reverse seems to have prayed so much upon the Sultan's
mind that he fell ill. During his illness he left the affairs of
his Government to two of his slaves, named Hoshiar Ein-ul-
Mulk and Nizam Bedar-ul-Mulk. These two persons, alarmed
at the growing popularity of Ahmed, advised the King to
have him blinded. The Sultan, remembering the Saint's pro-

phecy, resolved to do this, but his brother received timely notice
and prepared with his son for flight. First of all, however,
he went with his son to ask for the blessing of the holy Seyd.
"The Seyd took the turban from his OAvn son's head, and
dividing it into two parts, tied one round the head of the
father and son, and extending his hands over them, hailed
them both with future royalty" (Ferishta.) After this Ahmed
SULTANS FEUOZl'J SHAH AND AHMKI) SHAH. 83
left the city, followed by four Iiuiulrcd trusty adhercuts. As

soon as Hoshiar and Bedar heard that their intended victim
had escaped, they set out in pursuit with four thousand horses.
Ahmed had only a few followers, but is said to have gained
the victory by means of a clever stratagem carried out by his
chief supporter, one Khulif Ilussan. A company of grain
merchants with about two thousand oxen happened to pass,
and Hussan purchased them all, and mounted a man with a
red and white flag on each ox. Some cavalry were posted
in front of this strange force with orders to appear at a
distance when
engagement should commence. Next morn-
the
ing the attack was commenced, and whilst it was going on,
llussan's force was seen marching behind some trees. At
the same time Ahmed made a vigorous charge, and the
Sultan's army, thinking he was supported by a large force of
cavalry, broke and Ahmed
gained a considerable amount
fled.
of booty, and at once marched upon Gulburga, where he

was soon joined by a large number of disaffected persons,
who were encouraged l)y his success. The Sultan, in spite of
his illness, had himself carried out in a ])alanquin and attacked
his brother. His forces, however, were again defeated, and he
had to take refuge in the citadel. Hoshiar and Bedar com-
menced defending the fort, but the Sultan, weakened by age
and disease, resolved to abdicate. He first of all called his
son, Hussan-Khan, and told him that as all the nobility had
sided Avith Ahmed it Avould be better to su])mit. He then
summoned his ])rother, and formally made over to him his
kingdom, and his son. Ahmed Shah, then ascended the throne
and ordered coins to be struck and the Khutl)a to be read
in his name. A few days afterwards Feroze Shah died, and
Ferishta adds that " it is said in some books that he was put
to death through policy, by his brother but no good founda- ;
tion appears for the report." Ferishta is probably correct in

this latter surmise, for by his subsequent behaviour to the late
Snltnii's SOD, it is clear that Ahmed Sliah ^\as more generous

than was the custom of tlie kings of that time towards their
unsuccessful rivals. Feroze Shali's reign lasted twenty-five
years, seven montlis, and tifteen days.
Sultan Ahmed Shah Wullee Hahmanee appears to have
followed liis brother's example of encouraging learning. As
1422 might be expected, he showed great gratitude to the
to holy Syed (leesoo Diraz; not only did he build for
1434. hiin a splendid college, but he also endowed him
richly Avith villages and jaghirs. Ahmed Shah's accession was
signalized by more than ordinary generosity. Rejecting the
advice of his Minister to put the late Sultan's son to death,
he gave him Ferozeabad as a residence with an ample revenue,
and here the Prince continued in future to reside, without
giving any trouble, for, being indolent and dissipated by
nature, he preferred the pleasures of hunting and the enjoy-
ments of the harem to the dangers and cares of sovereignty.
As long as his uncle lived, he was unmolested, but in the
next reign he was blinded and confined to his palace. The
two Ministers of the late Sultan were also taken into favour,
and lioshiar Ein-ul-Mulk was appointed Ameer-ul-Umra, or
chief of the Nobles, whilst Bedar-ul-Mulk was posted to the
Government of Dowlatabad. llussan the Merchant, owing to
whose clever stratagem Ahmed had gained the throne, was
appointed Minister (Vakeel-ul-Sultanat: Envoy of the Kingdom)
with the title Malick-ul-Tijar, (Prince of Merchants) a rank
which in Eerishta's time was still bestowed in the Deccan,
and was held in high esteem.
One of Ahmed Shah's first acts Avas to declare Avar against
Vijayanagar in revenge for the invasions during the late reign.
Deva Raya Avas assisted by the King of Warangal, but the

latter before long deserted his ally. The tAvo armies met on
the banks of the Tungabadhra, and after some delay the
Sultan crossed the river, and attacked the Rajah early in the
SULTANS FEUOZE SHAH AND AHMED SHAH. 85
inoriiiiig. A strange incident occurred in this surprise. The

Rnjah was sleeping in n garden near a sugar-cane plantation
when the Mahomcdans made their attack. He fled ahnost
naked into the ])lantation, and there he was found hiding by
some soldiers, who wanted to cut some of the canes. Thinking
him to be an ordinary person, they made him carry a bundle
of canes, and follow them. The Rajah, glad to escape re-
cognition, said nothing, but followed his captors. When they
reached the Rajah's camp, the Sultan'sarmy was engaged in
plundering, and so the soldiers, hoping to get more valuable
plunder than sugar-cane, left their captive to his own devices,
and joined their comrades. Deva Raya was not slow to make
his escape, and soon after, coming up with some of his nobles,
was brought into safety. The Rajah then retired to Vijayanagar,
and Ahmed Shah devastated the country. lie is said to have
neglected the old com])act made between the Sultan of Gulburga
and the King of Vijayanagar, and to have slaughtered twenty
thousand Hindoos, and to have destroyed a number of temples.
So exasperated were the Brahmins that they formed a plot to
assassinate the Sultan, and very nearly succeeded in their
attempt. They surprised him whilst he was out hunting and
separated from his companions, and pursued him so hotly
that he was only just able to take refuge within a mud
enclosure. Here he was joined by a few friends, but the
Hindoos had succeeded in making a breach in the mud wall,
and were on the point of entering, when they were attacked
in the rear, and put to flight after a desperate struggle in
which Ave hundred Mahomcdans and one thousand Hindoos
were killed. Abd-ul-Kadir, the officer who had luckily come to his
master's rescue, was at once raised to the rank of two thousand,
and the Government of Berar Avas bestowed upon him with
the titles of Khan Jehan and the "Life bestowing Brother."
In the meantime, the city of Vijayanagar had been blockaded,
and the inhabitants reduced to considerable distress, so that
8(> HISTORY OF THE DECCAN.
Dcvn Kav.'i felt liiinsclt" compelled to sue for j)eace; this was
ii;rante(l on coiiclition that he would send all arrears of tribute
hiden on his best elephants, and conducted ])y his son with
drums, trumpets, and all the State pageantry to the Sultan's
cam]). This was done and the embassy was met outside the
Sultan's camp and conducted into his presence. The Sultan,
after embracing the Rajah's son, made him sit at the foot of
the throne, and then invested him with a robe of honour, a jew^-
elled sword, twenty horses, and elephants, and other gifts. After
this the Sultan drew off his army, and returned to (jiul])urga.
In 1424 the Sultan marched against the Warangal King,
who had withheld his tribute. Arrived at Golconda the Sultan
halted, and sent on Khan Azim Avith a portion of the main
army against Warangal, about 90 miles distant. This ex-
])edition was entirely successful. Not only Avere the Hindoos
defeated with great loss, but Warangal itself Avas taken, and
the Rajah killed. The Sultan then moved his camp to the
captured city "and took possession of the buried treasures of
ages Avhich had till noAv been preserved from plunder, and
accumulated yearly by the economy of the Rajahs" (Ferishta).
These treasures, hoAAever, Avere only the accumulations of less
than one hundred years, for after the former sack of Warangal
in 1323 the city Avas for some time the seat of a Mahomedan
Governor appointed from Delhi. Khan Azim, after being
duly reAvarded, Avas despatched to reduce other forts belonging
to the Telingana country. This duty he accomplished in about
four months' time, and Ahmed Shah returned to Gulburga.
From this time Warangal and a large portion of the
Telingana country appears to have been incorporated Avith the
The ruins Mahomedan kingdom of the Deccan. There Avere

of Warangal. frequent risings of the Hindoos, subsequently, but
Ave do not find that Wârangal Avas ever afterAvards a royal
city. At the present day very fcAv remains of its former
grandeur are to be seen. The outer Avail is built entirely of
SULTANS FEROZE SHAH AND AHMED SHAH. H7
mud. and encloses an area of about 2^ s(|uare

It is very high,
miles. The inner wall is of stone, and encloses an area of

about one square mile or a little less. Almost the only ruins
are four beautifully carved porches in the centre of the inner
enclosure. They are placed at the four cardinal points, and
probably formed the entrances to the palace. Close by is a
large hall, possibly used as a treasure house. It is massively

built in the shape of an ark. There is also a small temple
with some fine carvings, and this is nearly all that remains
of this ancient city. The walls themselves show signs of
having been frequently rebuilt because old carvings and bas-

reliefs are built in detached pieces into some of the upper
portions, thus showing that after the fort had been destroyed,
the old dedris was used to reconstruct the walls. There is a
great deal of resemblance in some of the stone carvings with

those of the temple at Ilanamkonda about 3^ miles distant.
This temple, which is now fast falling into almost total ruin,
is one of the most perfect specimens of Chalukyan architecture

in Southern India. Massive pillars of black granite, polished
like marble, are carved into all manner of shapes with masterly
skill. The shrines are protected by screens of the most delicate
stone tracery, and the whole temple, or what remains of it, is
a perfect gem of its kind. The following description is taken

from the "Historical and Descriptive Sketch of H.H. the
Nizam's Dominions" (Syed Hoossain Belgrami and C. Willmott
1884) :
—
" Hanamkonda contains some very interesting remains,
and, according to local accounts, was the capital of the
surrounding country before Warangal was founded. The
'
thousand-pillared temple was constructed by the last Hindoo
'
dynasty, and an inscription on a pillar at the gateway

mentions that Rudra Deva was the reigning sovereign in
Saka 1084, or A.D. 1162. The temple was built in the

Chalukyan style, but was never finished. It consists of three
detached cells of very considerable dimensions, with a portico

S^< JllsroL'Y OF THE DECCAN.
supported l»\ l)i.'t\vcen 240 and -iOO pillars arranged in a
varied and complicated pattern. Opposite the ])ortic(), hut at
some distance from it, is a star-sliaped structure, containing

a hall and four entrances, without any recess for idols, and
supported on about 200 pillars. This forms a sort of

mandapam, and was connected with the main temple by a
massive pillared pavilion covering a huge bull of j)olished
black hasalt. The pavilion has fallen down, but the l)ull is
*
tolerably intact, and is a splendid specimen of a monolith.
The arrangement of the ])illars and the variety of spacing
are in pleasing subordination to the general plan. The
])illars of the mandapam are plain, while those of the temple
are richly carved, but Avithout being overdone, and it is only
in pairs that they are of the same design. Some of the other
details are of great beauty, especially the doorways to the
recesses, the pierced slabs used for windows, and the very
elegant open work by which the bracket shafts are attached
to the pillars. The arrangement of three temples joined
together is capable of giving a greater variety of effect, and
of light and shade than the plainer forms, and the appearance
of the whole is further improved by the terrace about 8 feet
high and from ten to fifteen feet wide on which the temple
stands. There is a short inscription in Sanskrit on one of
the pillars, and another in old Telugu on one of the walls.
A ])lack polished stone pillar about live feet high covered
with inscriptions in old Telugu stands near the gate to the east
of the temple, and a very fine well is close by. A similar
pillar full of inscriptions stands in front of the temple to
Padmakshi, the titular goddess of the Kakatya dynasty."
The country round Warangal is at present very thinly
populated, the scale being about SO to the square mile. It
* Since this was Avritten, however, this beautiful bull has been greatly
injured by the fall of massive stones. It is cracked in many places iuul
unless steps are sliortly taken will probably be totally destroyed.
H
must, however, at one time have been not only thickly

|)0})ulate(l hut also highly cultivated. It is covered with the
remains of old irrigation works which are everywhere to he
found in the old Hindoo kingdoms, hut which under Mahomedan
rule were allowed to fall into ruin. i\.hout 25 miles from
Warangal is one of the largest artificial lakes in India which
is thus described same work:
in the Pakhal a lake "" —
same name in latitude 17*^ 57' 80''
situated close to a village of the
N. and 79" 59' 80" E. longitude. The lake or tank is some
twelve miles square. It is enclosed on all sides, except the
west, by ranges of low and densely-Avooded hills. The western

side is closed l)y a strongly constructed '
bund.' Tradition
alleges the bund to have been constructed 1,600 years ago
by Raja Khaldya, and a stone pillar, Avhich stands on the
bund, contains an illegible inscription, which is said to
commemorate the name of the person who built it. The

bund is about a mile in length. The average depth of the
water in the lake is between thirty and forty feet. It is
described as 'clear with a slightly bitterish taste, and considered

by the inhabitants to be extremely nnwholesome. It abounds
Avith fish, some of a very large description and excellent
flavour. It also contains otters and alligators.' The hills
which surromid the lake abound in game of every description,
including a few wild elephants said to be the progeny of a
pair of tame ones that escaped after the battle of Assaye.
The Paklial Lake has been made by throAving a bund across
a river which has cut its way over a western outcrop of the
Vindhyas, between two low headlands. Mr. King, of the
Geological Survey of India, writing of the lake a few years
since, said:
—
'It is a splendid sheet of Avater lying back in
two arms on either side of a good big hill east south-east of
the bund, while from these are long bays reaching up behind
low ridges of outcro])ping Vindhyas. On every side there is
far-stretching jungle. Even below the bund for miles there

Ul HISTORY OF THE DECCAN.
is the thickest .-md densest jungle, only broken here nnd

there by ;i few ]):ttelies of rice cultivation. There is not
tlie population even in the country below the tank to make
use of its waters. In the old Telinga times, when Waraiigal
was one of the great centres of the Telugu people, there nuist
have been something more stirring in the way of human life
than there is now in this desolate region of widespread jungle.
For six or seven months in the year the neighbourhood of
the lake is very unhealthy ; owing to this circumstance very
little cultivation is carried on in the neighbourhood. There
are, however, several small channels which convey water from
the lake to some distance for irrigational purposes. In the

centre of the bund are the ruins of a small pavilion styled
the Chabutra of Sitab Khan. The ])est time to visit the lake
for sport is during the first three or four months of the
year. The nature of the country may be imagined from a
native saying to the effect that a red squirrel can reach
Badrachellum on the Godavari from the neigli])ourhood of
Pakhal by leaping from tree to tree."
This vast jungle (which is now reserved by H. II. the Nizam

for sporting purposes) has all grown up since the destruction of
the Hindoo kingdom. What is now a marshy unwholesome
forest Avas probably at one time a large expanse of rice fields.
But to return to Sultan Ahmed Shah. In the following
year, 1425, Ahmed Shah made an expedition into the country
of the Ghonds or what is now known as the Central Provinces.
Here he is said to come into possession of a diamond mine,
and to have destroyed several temples, erecting mos(pies in
their places. After this he marched to Elliehpore, where he
remained for nearly a year, and then returned to Gulburga.
From this we see that the dominions of the Bahmanee house
had at this time extended far up into the Central Provinces
to the East, and to what are now called the Berars in the
North. At this portion the kingdom was bounded by Malwa
on the iiortli, .'uul Guzcrnt on the north-west. The hill country

on the Western Ghauts, was prohably still held ])y Mahratta
tribes in a state of independence, hut towards the south
the limits of the kingdom must have extended nearly to Goa,
whilst on the east they have reached to j\Iasnlij)atam and the
Coromandel Coast. It is also quite clear that the Delhi Sultans
exercised no authority or control over any portion of this
extensive kingdom. ]\Iul)iirak Shah was then Sultan of Delhi,
and his time was fully occupied in subduing rebellious Rajahs

and petty Mahomedan princes. A number of these small States,
such as Guzerat and Malwa, had arisen between the Deccan
and the North of India, and further toAvards the east there
were several independent Hindoo Chiefs who occupied that
part of India now known as the Central Provinces. It Avas
the vicinity of Malwa that gave rise to Ahmed Shah's next

war. Hoshung Shah was then Sultan of Malwa, and was as
independent in his own territory as Ahmed Shah was in the
Deccan. Iloshung Shah ])egan to be alarmed at the manner

in which Ahmed Shah Avas increasing in power, and, perhaps,
bore in mind the grant which had already been made by
Timur of J\Ialwa to the Sultan of the Deccan. Accordingly,
he made overtures to the neighbouring Hindoo Rajah of Kurleh,
named Nursinga to unite with him to check his dangerous
rival. Nursinga had already come into contract with the })revious
Sultan of Gulburga, Feroze Shah, had been beaten, and agreed
to pay tribute. Faithful to this compact, Nursinga refused
the proferred alliance, and in consequence Hoshung Shah
invaded his dominions. T^vice he was re])ulsed, but on the
third occasion he managed to take the Hindoo Rajah by
surprise. Nursinga then applied to x4hmed Shah for assistance
on the ground that this invasion had been made solely on
account of his loyalty to the treaty which had been made
with Feroze. Accordingly, Ahmed Shah marched to the relief
of Nursinga, but before he was actually able to meet Hoshung

94 nTSTOTiV OF THE DECCAN.
Sliali, liis religious advisci-s maiiMged to ])crsiia(lc liiui that
it was an unholy and wicked thing for aMahomcdan I'rincc

to ally himself with an unbeliever m order to make war upon
another true believer. Ahmed Shah yielded to the persuasions
of his religious friends and wrote to Tlushung Shah, asking
him to retire, without coming to a fratricidal war. Ahmed
Shall did in fact retire, but Tloshung Shah thinking that
this was due to weakness, ])ursue(l him with a considerable

force, and commenced to harass his rear. This affront was
more than Ahmed Shah could starid, so, tlinging his conscien-
tious scruples to the winds, he told his Mollahs and Kazis
that he had done enough for religion by retiring, and he must
now ])rotect his own honour by fighting. Accordingly, he
ordered a halt and drew up his army in order of battle. He
left the main army in command of his son, Alla-ud-Din,
and his General, and himself took command of a select force,
which lie placed in ambush with the view of taking the enemy
in the rear. Hoshung Shah, expecting to find an enemy in
full retreat, was surprised to suddenly come across an army in
full order of battle. His own army had been carelessly
arranged, not expecting to meet with any opposition. Never-
theless he charged with much gallantry, but in the midst of
his attack, Ahmed Shah emerged from ambush, and taking
his
the confused and serried masses in the rear put them entirely
to flight. Hoshung Shah and his whole army fled in the

utmost confusion, followed by Ahmed Shah, who took all his
baggage, two hundred elephants, and the harem, besides putting

some two thousand men to the sword. Nursinga, as soon as
he heard of this defeat, made
from his fort, and
a sally
intercepting the fugitive killed a large number, and thus

made the victory complete. The Hindoo Rajah then visited
the Sultan in his camp, and persuaded him to pay him a
visit at Kurleh. After being splendidly entertained the Sultan
returned towards Gulburga, the Hindoo Rajah accompanying
liim a consi(lcrii1)lc distance, and then being dismissed with

marks of great honour. It was on this return march that
Ahmed Shah halted at the ancient town of Bieder. Struck
by its healthy situation and by the abundance of water, the
Sultan resolved to build a new city here, and to make it his
capital. This was accordingly done, and the new city, Avhich
was finished in 1431, was called Ahmedabad Bieder. The

old Hindoo city is said to be the scene of the adventures of
King Nal and his wife Damayanti, and was in times of
antiquity the metropolis of a great Hindoo kingdom. A
description of themodern Bieder will be given later on. Although
the new was not completed till 1431, the Sultan appears
city
to have transferred his seat of Government to Bieder very soon

after the building was commenced, because, already in 1429,
we find him celebrating there the marriage of his son with
the daughter of the Sultan of Khandeish— a marriage which
seems to have originated from political motives, so as to form
a bond of union between the Sultan of Khandeish and the
bridegroom, AUa-ud-Din, the successor of Ahmed Shah. About
this time the Sultan divided the Government of his dominions
amongst his four sons. AUa-ud-Din, as the next heir, was
kept at Bieder, Avith the youngest son Mahummad as his
colleague;Muhamed Khan received Berar Avitli Ramgeer,
Mahow, and Koollum, and Daoud Khan was sent to Telingana;
Malick-ul-Tijar Avas appointed Governor of Dowlatabad. In
1429 Sultan Ahmed sent an expedition into the Konkan under
the leadership of Malick-ul-Tijar, which Avas at first very
successful, several elephants and camels laden Avith jewels being
sent to Court. The end of the expedition, however, Avas a
terrible disaster. The Deccan General took the island of Mahim,
which belonged to the Sultan of Guzerat, Avho thereupon sent
an army to revenge this insult. Ahmed sent his son, AlJa-ud-
Din, Avith reinforcement, but in the engagement Avhich ensued,
the Deccan armv suttered a total defeat, losing the Avliole of
their l)ag"g;igc, tents, niul clcpluuits. Alinicd Shah now came

down to the Ivonkan to lead tlie war in [)erson, and the
Sultan of Guzerat did the same. Tlie two armies lay for
some time oj)})osite each otiier and a decisive battle seemed
imminent, but the religious men interfered, and a peace was
concluded, under which both parties were left in possession
of their territories. The chief result of this war was that
Hoshung Shah, the Sultan of Malwa, took advantage of the
Deccan Sultan being employed elsewhere to invade the territory
of Nursinga, the brave Hindoo Rajah of Kurleh. This Prince,
left unassisted l)y his Mahomedan ally, was defeated and
killed, and his country passed into the possession of the Malwa
Sultan (1433). Ahmed Shah at first marched to revenge his
death, but before a battle could be fought, peace was concluded
between the tAvo Sultans. Kurleh was left in possession of
Malwa and the whole province of Berar was made over to
Ahmed Shah. Soon after this, Ahmed Shah marched to
Telingana to put down a rebellion, and this was his last
public act, for he was takeu ill and died, in 1434, after a
reign of twelve years and two months.
CHAPTER IX.
SULTAN ALLAH-UD-DIN II.
remembered that Sultan Ahmed Shah appointed

It will be
Muhammed Khan, his youngest son, to be the colleague of
1434 Alla-ud-Din, his eldest son and successor. Alla-ud-Din
to appears to have regarded his father's wishes, so far as
^^^^- treat his younger brother with great and almost
to
royal respect. He bestowed upon him costly presents, and
despatched him to conduct the war against the King of
Vijayanagar, who had again neglected to send his promised
tribute. There is, however, an old saying, that there is no
more room for two Kings in one country than there is for
two swords in one scabbard. Muhammed's position was an
anomalous one, and it is not, therefore, surprising that there
should have been persons ready to inflame his imagination,
and to suggest to him that, as partner to a King, he ought
to have an equal share in the royal honours and privileges.
Muhammed lent a willing ear to these representations, and
being flushed with his success over the Hindoos, whose country
he laid waste, and who were compelled to sue for peace by
payment of a large sum, he resolved to raise the standard of
rebellion. Alla-ud-Din had sent with Muhammed two of his
99. HISTORY OF THE DECCAN.
j)i'iii('ipiil iioblciiicii, Kluijcli Jchaii, tlic Vizier, and Iniad-ul

Mulk Ghorce the son of the okl Scyd-ud-Din, who liad for
more than fifty years been tlie Minister of tlie first Hahmanec
Sultans. The hitter was an old man who had retired from
office, and was only induced to ticcompany the young J^rince
by the strong persuasions of the Sultan. The idea of rebellion
having entered into Muhammed's mind, he endeavoured to
induce these two noblemen to join him, but they, loyal to
their rightful Sultan, not only refused, but pointed out to the
young Prince the criminality of his intentions. This so in-
censed Muhammed that he caused both of them to be put to

death, and then, not content with rebellion, committed the
additional treason of calling upon the King of Vijayanagar to
assist him with an army. Aided in this manner by the hered-
itary foes of his country, he succeeded in capturing the forts
of Mudknl, Raichore, Sholapore, Beejapore, and Nuldroog.
Alla-ud-Din was greatly incensed at this rebellion, and
especially at the murder of Imad-ul-Mulk, and he at once
advanced with a large army to bring matters with his Ijrother
to an issue. A furious battle ensued, but after an obstinate

struggle the army was totally defeated, the principal
rebel
leaders were killed,and Muhammed, followed by a few attend-
ants only, had to take to the hills for shelter. The Sultan
then returned to his capital, and not long afterwards, Muham-
med submitted himself to his elder brother, was pardoned,
and was sent as Governor to Telingana, which post had
become vacant by the death of Daoud Shah. Here he lived
undisturbed, and is said to have spent his life in a round of
pleasures. This incident is interesting as accounting in some
way for the unnatural custom which we find so prevalent
throughout Mahomedan history, of kings blinding and confin-
ing their brothers and near relatives, who might be supposed
to have pretensions to the throne. The splendour of an Oriental
throne possessed fatal attractions to those whom the accident
SULTAN ALLAH-UD-DIN II. 99
of birth liad ])lncc(l near to it, but wliom ('ircuiustaiiccs liad
removed to a distance, 'l^lie nearer the Prince was phiced,

the greater the danger to be expected, and experience seemed
to sliow that the only way of preserving a kingdom from
civilwar was to remove all possible pretenders. 'Vhe incident,
however, forms a notable exception to the tragedies Avhich
were usually the result of such rebellions, and of which we
shall tind a terrible example in the next reign. Alla-ud-Din,
in this instance, treated his brother with extraordinary and
unusual generosity, and he does not, as is so often the case,
appear to have received ingratitude in return.
In 1436 Alla-ud-Din despatched an expedition to the
Konkan under Dilawar Khan. This General was successful,
and returned after subduing the Rajahs of Amede and
Sungeer with a considerable amount of booty. He also brought
with him the daughter of the Rajah of Sungeer, a maiden of
great accomplishments, whom the Sultan took into his zenana
under the name of Peri-chera, or the ''
Angel-faced^ This
lady soon became the Sultan's favourite wife, and for her sake
he neglected his first wife, who, it will be remembered, was
a Princess of Kandeish —a neglect which was to bear serious
consequences. Dilawar Khan was on his return made Vizier,
but he soon afterwards lost his master's favour and retired,
his place by a eunuch named Dustoor-ul-Mulk.
being taken
This person soon excited universal disgust by his insolence,
and amongst other enemies, he was foolish enough to cause
the anger of the Sultan's son, Humayun, Avho already showed
signs of that violent temper which was afterwards to earn for
him the title of the "Cruel." This Prince, disgusted at the
refusal of Dustoor to comply w4th some request, caused the
Minister to be assassinated by one of his own retainers.
Upon this a Deccanee nobleman, named Meamun Oollah, was
appointed Minister, and matters resumed their former train.
In the following year (1437) war broke out with the
1(10 HISTORY OF THE DEC CAN.
Sultnn of Knndcisli, to whom Malleckn Jchaii, the neglected

wife of Alla-u(l-L)iii, litul appealed for vengeance. This Prince
claimed to be a lineal descendant of the Caliph Omar, and
accordingly felt it as a personal insult that his daughter
should have been set aside for an intidel Princess. He at
once invaded Berar with a large army, assisted by a force
sent by the Rajah of Ghondwarah. The Governor, Khan Jehan,
was compelled to shut himself up in the fortress of Pernalleh,
and the Kliutba was read in the name of Nusseer Khan, the
Sultan of Kandeish.
AUa-ud-Din, on receipt of this intelligence, at once ordered
Malick-ul-Tijar to conduct an expedition to recover Berar.
This General, it will be remembered, suffered a disaster in
the late reign after taking the island of Mahim. He now
represented to the Sultan that this defeat was mainly caused
by the jealousy of the Deccanee and Abyssinian nobles, and
he, therefore asked that on this occasion his army should be
officered mainly by foreigners. Under this term were included
the Turks, Persians, and Arabs settled in the Deccan. The
Abyssinians and the Deccanees seem always to have been
classed together and to have made common cause, and between
them and the so-called foreigners there was always the greatest
hatred. This request was granted, but in the sequelonly added
flames to the existing jealousy which has continued between
the Deccanees and the foreigners down to the present day.
Malick-ul-Tijar's expedition met with eminent success. Not
only was the Sultan of Kandeish defeated, but his kingdom
was invaded, his capital, Burhanpoor, was taken, and his palace
razed to the ground. Berar was recovered, and the Cleneral
returned to Bieder laden with considerable plunder. He was
received by Alla-ud-Din with every mark of distinction, was
rewarded with presents ; the Sultan's daughter was bestowed
upon one of his principal officers, Shah Koolli Sultan, and
finally it was ordered that in future the Moghuls should take
S UL TAN ALL A H- UD-DIN II. 101
the place in the army of the Deccances and Abyssinians.

It now becomes necessary to glance at affairs at Vijayanagar.
Deva Raya was still King of this great country, and he
appears to have come to the conclusion that if he was to make
a successful stand against the Mahomedan Sultans he must
reform his army. xYlthough, during the last hundred years
the Hindoos had been sometimes successful, the final issue of
every conflict had been in favour of the Mahomedans. It is,
indeed, surprising that after so many successful wars, the
boundaries of the two States should have remained unaltered.
In spite of their victories, the Mahomedans were never able
to gain a footing in Hindoo territory, and after a lapse of
nearly one hundred years the country between the rivers
Kistna and Tungabadhra still remained a debatable land, in
which the forts were continually passing from the possession
of one King to that of the others. It wâs probably owing
to their numbers that the Hindoos were thus able to make
so successful a stand, but this in Deva Raya's opinion was
not sufficient, and he wished to be able to carry the war
into the enemy's country. Accordingly, he summoned a council
of his principal officers and Brahmins, and asked why it was
that with such infinitely greater resources in men and treasure
than the Mahomedans, his armies should so constantly be
defeated. " Some said that the Almighty has decreed a super-
iority of the Mussulmans over the Hindoos for thirty thousand
years, or more yet to come, which was plainly foretold by
their Scriptures; that, therefore, the Hindoos were generally
subdued by them. Others said that the superiority of the
Mussulmans arose from two causes one, all their horses being ;
strong, and able to bear more fatigue than the weak, lean
animals of the Carnatic the other, owing to a great body of
;
excellent archers being always kept up by the Bahaianee

;
Sultans, of whom the Rajah had but few in his army."

(Ferishta.) Ueva Raya was sensible enough to see the justice
1((2 HISTORY OF THE DEC CAN.
of the latter opinion, and accordingly resolved to employ a

large body of Mahoniedan mercenaries. In order to attract
such persons, he had a mos(pie built in the city of Vijayauagar,
and allowed them the free use of their religion. Another
remarkable step for a Hindoo Prince to take was, that he
ordered Koran to l)e placed on a desk in front of his throne,
a
so that when Mahomedans appeared before him, they might go

through the ceremony of obeisance without sinning against
their own religion. By these means he succeeded before
long in getting a Mahomedan force of two thousand men.
These were employed in instructing and drilling the native
levies, so that he managed to raise an army of sixty thousand
Hindoos well-skilled in archery, besides eighty thousand horse,

and two hundred thousand foot, armed in the usual manner
with pikes and lances. We are not told that he had any
artillery, although there can be no doubt that this arm was
at this time regularly used by the Mahomedans.

It Deva Raya to get this large army
took some years for
ready, but at length when all his preparations wêre made,
he commenced the war in 1443, by crossing the Tiingabadhra
and laying siege to Raichore, whilst the rest of his forces
were employed in devastating the Doab.
In order to meet this invasion AUa-ud-Din summoned all his
forces from Telingana, Dowlatabad, and Berar. He was not,
however, able to collect more than fifty thousand horse, sixty
thousand and a large train of artillery. Compared Avith
foot,
the Hindoo army this was but a small force, but it had the
advantage of consisting for the most part of veterans, who had
served through many campaigns. The Sultan himself marched
against Deva Raya, who was encamped in front of Mudkul,
and despatched Malik-ul-Tijar to raise the siege of Raichore.
In this the latter was successful, and defeated the son of Deva
Raya, who was wounded in the action and compelled to retire.
In the meantime the Sultan was busy with the main Hindoo
SULTAN ALLAH- UD-DIN IL 103
army. During the space of two moutlis three general actions

were fought. In the first of these tlic Hindoos were successful,
but they were defeated in the two last. In the third, the
eldest son of Deva Kaya was killed, which created a panic,
and caused the Hindoos to take refuge within the walls of
Mudkul. In the heat of the pursuit two of Alla-ud-Din's
chief officers pushed on too far, and were taken prisoners.
Upon this Alla-ud-Din sent a message to Deva Raya that he
regarded the lives of his two officers as each, equal to one hundred
thousand Hindoos, and that if they were injured, he would
exact a full payment Deva Kaya was not unaware
in return.
of how a former Sultan, Mahmood Shah, had made and

carried out a similar promise, and so he thought it advisable
to come to terms. A treaty was accordingly drawn up, in
which the Hindoo King promised to respect the Sultan's territories
in future, to restore the prisoners, and to pay his tribute
regularly. Peace was then made ; the Sultan bestowed presents
upon the Rajah, and then returned to his own capital.
During the remainder of the Sultan's reign, this peace was
^'
strictly observed by Deva Raya.
On his return from this campaign the Sultan gave himself

up to idleness, and the pleasures of the harem he only appeared ;
We have other evidence of war than that of Ferishta, for at

this
the time it broke out, Abdar Razzak was staying at the Vijayanagar
Court. He ascribes the initiative as having been taken by the Gulburga
Sultan, who took advantage of the reported assassination of the Hindoo
King to demand a heavy contribution. This traveller speaks of this
departure of the Hindoo general or Datiaick with a large army, and his
return with a number of captives. He does not speak of any reverses
or of the death of the King's son. It seems probable that the success
of this campaign was principally on the side of the Hindoos. Ferishta
admits that they were successful at and the fact of so advantageous
first,
a treaty being so easily granted would seem to show that the Hindoos
had further successes. Ferishta's description of the reorganization of the
Hindoo army is probably intended to excuse or account for the Mahomedan
reverses.
Ill puhlic once in four or live months, and spent tlie whole of
his time " in drinking ruby coloured wines, pressing the lips
of silver-Lodied damsels, or listening to the melody of sweet-

voiced musicians."
Whilst the Sultan had thus withdrawn himself from business,
his Minister, Meamun Oolla had formed a plan for reducing
the fortresses along the sea-coast, and despatched Malik-ul-
Tijar with a force of seven thousand Deccanee and three
thousand Arab horse, besides about seven thousand of his
own troops. Malik-ul-Tijar made Jagnch, a jiort on the
Malabar Coast, his headquarters, and from here sent forth
expeditions against the most of whom he
various Rajahs,
managed to reduce to obedience. Amongst these was a Rajah
named Sirkeh, of whom he wished to make a convert to
Islam. This religion the Rajah promised to embrace, but
said that first of all Malik shoukl conquer his rival, the
Rajah of Sungeer, because otherwise when the Mahomedans
should leave the country, Sungeer would cover him with
ridicule for having become a renegade to his religion. The
road to Sungeer was said to lead to thick forests, and as MaJik
was unacquainted with it, the wily Sirkeh promised to lead
him there in person. Accordingly, trusting in these promises,
Malik-ul-Tijar set out on his perilous expedition, but
at the veay outset was deserted by most of the Deccanee
and Abyssinian troops, who refused to enter the woods.
Nothing daunted, Malik continued his march, followed by some
seven thousand of his own troops. For two days the road
was a fairly good one, but on the third Sirkeh led them
through so horrible a jungle that, as Ferishta quaintly says,
"a male tiger through dread of the terrors of it, would have
become a female; fuller of windings than the curly locks of
the fair, and narrower than the path of love." Malik himself
wâs ill of dysentery, and could not look after his army.
When night came Sirkeh managed to make his escape, and

S UL TAN ALLAH- UD-DIN II. 106
left the Mahomcdans, exhausted by their day's exertions, to

camp as best they coukl in this desert region. In the mean-
time, Sirkeh sent word to the Rajah of Simgeer that he had
decoyed the enemy into the trap, and that the rest of the
work was left for him. "At midnight," says Ferishta, "the
Rajah with a great force, with which was also the treacherous
Sirkeh, rushed from dens, passes, and caverns, on the Mus-
sulmans unsuspicious of surprise, and buried in the sleep of
weariness aiul fatigue. Nearly seven thousand of the faithful
were put to death like sheep with knives and daggers; for
the wind being high, the clashing of the trees, which separated
them from one another, prevented them from hearing the
groans of their fellow-sufferers. Malik-ul-Tijar fell with five
hundred noble Syeds of Medina, Kerballa, and Nujeef as also :
some few Deccanee and A])yssinian nobles with about two

thousand soldiers of those countries. When the Rajah thought
his bloody revenge had been glutted sufficiently, he retired
with his people from the forest."
The few survivors of this disaster, amounting to about three
thousand in number, managed to retire by the way they had
come, and rejoined the Deccanees and Abyssinians, who had
refused to accompany Malick-ul-Tijar. A quarrel at once
broke out between the Moguls (the foreigners) and the Dec-
canees, the former reproaching the latter that the disaster had
been caused by their defection. The Moguls ex])ressed their
determination of taking refuge in the fort of Jagneh and of
reporting the whole circumstances to the Court.
The Deccanees when they heard this resolved to be first
with their complaints, and at once sent a distorted report to

the Sultan, representing that Malick-ul-Tijar had undertaken
the rash expedition in spite of the advice of his Generals;
and that the Mogul survivors without waiting for the appoint-
ment of a new General had retired to the fort of Jagneh,
where they had raised the standard of rebellion, intending to
1U(J HISTORY OF THE DECCAN.
join tlie Koiikaii Rajahs. This false re])ort was sent to two Dec-
cance noblemen —Sheer-iil-Mulk and Nizam-ul-Mulk (jihour
who, taking an opportunity when the Sultan had been drinking,

told him the story embellished by their own exaggerations.
The Sidtan, carried away by passion, at once ordered the two
nobles to march against the rebels and put them to the sword.
The two noblemen were not slow to execute this commission,
and marched with a large army to besiege the remnant of the
Mogul force which had shut itself up in the fort of Jagneh.
After a siege of two months, during which the Deccanees
had not been able to gain any advantage, a false message
was sent to the fort that a pardon had arrived from the
Deccanee Chiefs swore a solemn oath that the
Sultan, and the
Moguls might come out unmolested. Deceived by these as-
surances the whole garrison, numbering some 2,500, with
women and children, came and camped outside the fort.
On the third day the Deccanee Generals invited three hundred
of the chief Mogul officers to an entertainment, during which
they were massacred to a man. At the same time a body of
four thousand Deccanees fell upon the Mogul camjj and put
every male, even to the children at the breast, to the sword,
and dishonoured the women. What made this outrage more

infamous in the eyes of the Mahomedan world was that
amongst the Moguls were a large number of Seyds or de-
scendants of the Prophet. In this way the whole of the ill-fated
garrison were destroyed, with the exception of about three
hundred Moguls under Kassim Beg, who had encamped at
some little distance. This small body, on hearing the alarm,

at once made a march, with the object, if possible, of reaching
the capital. In this they were successful, for, although a force
of one thousand horse was sent in pursuit, they received
timely aid from a friendly Jaghirdar, named Hassan Khan.
The pursuing force was beaten off and its leader killed, and then
after a long and weary march this small remnant of the Mogul
S UL TA N AL LAU- VD-DIN II. I(j7
Mriiiy readied Bicder. Wlieu the Sultan lieai-d the tnitli of the
matter liis rage passed The oiTiccr who had sup-
all bounds.
pressed the reports sent by the Moguls was at once beheaded.
The two Deccauee nobles were recalled and disgraced, and others
who liad taken part in the plot wêre put to death. As a retri-
bution of Providence, Ferishta says that Nizam-ul-Mulk and
Sheer-ul-Mulk were seized with leprosy the same year, and their
sons walked the markets for shameful ])urposes among the
outcasts of the City. Kassim Beg, who had successfully
brought home his small force, was promoted the Governorship
of Dowlatabad, and all who had helped him were duly hon-
oured. In 1453 a dangerous eruption broke. out on the
Sultan's foot which eventually four years afterwards proved
fatal. In the meantime he was confined to his palace, and
rumours went abroad that he was dead. These rumours
induced his grandson (by his daughter) Secunder Khan, wdio
was Governor of Bilconclah, to break into rebellion, and to
call in the Sultan of Malwa to help him. Sultan Mahomed,
who was then King of Malwa, at once complied and invaded
the Deccan with a large army, where he was joined by
Secunder Khan. Sultan Alla-ud-Din, in spite of his illness,
at once marched to meet Mahomed Shah, and at the same
time despatched Khajeh Gawan, a name we shall frequently
hear of hereafter, to put down a rebellion whicli had also
broken out in the Telingana country. As soon as Mahomed
found that Sultan Alla-ud-Din was still alive, he retired and
left Secunder Khan to himself, who then made his escape into
Telingana, where he was soon reduced to submission by
Khajeh Gawan. The Sultan, with great generosity, forgave
Secunder Khan, and even restored him to his Government.
In the fohowing year Sultan Alla-ud-Din died from morti-
fication after a reign of nearly twenty-four years.
Sultan Alla-ud-Din was a man of wit and learnino-, and is
said to have been possessed of considerable eloquence. lie

sometimes preaeJied in tlic mostiue on Fridays

and liolydays, and read out tlie Kliulba in liis own
name, styling himself "tlie just, merciful, patient, and liberal
to the servants of God." On the last occasion when he so

ap})carcd, there was a horse-dealer present whose account had
been left unpaid by the officers of the Court. This man was
a zealous Mahomedan, and like many others had been greatly
moved l)y the slaughter of the Moguls by the Deccanees.
On hearing the Sultan read the Khutba, he rose and
said:
— "Thou art neither the just, the merciful, the patient,
nor the liberal King, but the cruel and the false, who hast
massacred the Prophet's descendants; yet darest to assume
such vaunting titles in the pulpit of the true believers." The
Sultan, we are told, was struck with remorse, and commanded
the merchant to be paid on the spot; saying that those would
not escape the wrath of God who had thus injured his repu-
tation. He then retired to his palace, which he never left
again till he was brought out to be buried.

CHAPTER X.
HUMAYUN THE CRUEL.
iimayun's reputation for cruelty was

so well-known and feared that no
sooner was the late Sultan dead, than
1457 two of the cliief nmras — Syef
^ to Khan and jMuUoo Khan
UGO. contrived a plot to seat his
younger brother, Hassan Khan, on
the throne. Whilst, however, they were so engaged, Humayun
hearing the news of his father's death came to the palace
and surprised them. Being aided by the palace servants,
who had not been informed of the plot, he was soon able to
overpowêr the conspirators. The poor young Prince Avas
dragged from the throne he had only occupied a few minutes,

blinded, and tlie conspirators wêre then summarily dealt with.
A more terrible fate
still was, however, reserved for the
unfortunate young Hassan, as will be told further on.
Humayun was wise in his choice of a Chief Minister,
since he selected Khajeh Gawan, who had already done
such good service. Malick Shah, said to be a descendent
of Khan, was a])pointed Governor of Telingann,
Chengiz
now one of the most important provinces, but Secunder Khan,
one of the Sultan's companions, wlicn Heir A])|)arcnt was left,
unprovided for. Secunder was the son of a daughter

klian
of Ahmed Shah, who liad married Jelhd Khan, and had
for many years been the Governor of the Bilkcmdah
District ; he considered liimself as entitled to a ])rovincc,
being, equally with Humayun, a grandson of Ahmed Shah.
Disgusted at being superseded, Secunder Khan broke into
rbeellion and induced his father to join him. Humayun had
at once to march against this new rebel, and in consideration
of his former friendship offered pardon, and the province of
Dowlatabad. Secunder Khan, however, claimed equal rights
as a grandson, and demanded the Telingana. This shows that
althougli Warangal had fallen, there were still a number of
unsid)dued Hindoo princes on the East Coast. Telingana was
therefore a favourite province because there was booty to be
gained. The Sultan's overtures being refused, a battle followed,
in which Secunder Khan, who seems to have been a man of
great personal courage, was defeated and slain. He actually

charged the Sultan, but Humayun's elephant lifted the rebel
from his horse, threw him on the ground, and trampled liim
to death. This ended the battle. As is usual when the
leader is killed, the army took flight. Jellal Khan still held
out a little longer, but finally submitted, purchasing a few
more years of life by resigning all the hoarded wealth of forty
years' higli employment. But although in this instance, the
rebellion was easily quelled, its example w\as followed else-
where. Taking advantage of the Sultan's absence, a conspir-
acy was formed to release the young prince Hassan Khan
and to set liim on the throne. Yusnf Turk, a slave of the
late Sultan, lent himself to this plot, and effected the release
of the blinded young prince, together with his friend and

tutor, the Saint Hubeeb Oolla. This lie managed by a strat-
agem, and having obtained possession of the harem, where
the political prisoners were confined, he set at liberty, not
HUMAYUN THE CRUEL. Ill
only tlie above two, bnt also two otlier sons of the late King,
besides about seven thousand other ra])tives. These ai-e the
figures given by Eerishta, but it seems incredible that so large
a number could have been confined together. The captives,
once released, armed themselves with sticks and stones, and
managed to beat off the Kotwal, who, on hearing of the out-
break, hurried up to suppress it. During the night, the escaped
prisoners dispersed to different places. Some of them, and
amongst those Jellal Khan, an old man of eighty, and Yiali
Khan, a son of the late Sultan, fell into the hands of the
Kotwal, and were at once killed. Hassan Khan and Hubeeb
OoUa shaved their beards and managed to get out of the city
disguised as beggars. Once Hassan Khan made
outside
himself known, and was soon joined by a large number of
the disaffected, amongst them Yusuf Turk. The rebels then
possessed themselves of the town of Pur and the adjacent
country. It was to suppress this revolt that Humaynn returned
burning with rage. He first of all ])unished the garrison,

consisting of two thousand men, all of whom he put to death
by the most cruel tortures that could be devised. The Kotwal
was confined in an iron cage, and every day some member of
his body was cut off, which he was made to eat, until at
last he was released by death. The first force despatched
against the rebels was defeated, which only increased the
Sultan's rage. Thereupon, he reinforced his army, but kept
the wives and children of the officers in confinement, swearing
that he would kill them army was defeated, or
all, if the
made common cause with Hassan Khau. This threat had the
desired effect, and the rebels were defeated and compelled to
fly. Hassan Khan and his friends then fled towards Vijaya-
nagar, hoping to find a refuge with the Hindoos, but passing
Bijapur, then only a mud fort, on the way they were invited
inside by the Governor, Seraj Khan, with a promise of pro-
tection. This promise, however, Avas treacherously broken.
The fugitives were all seized at night, and sent witli their
followers in cliains to the Sultan at Bieder. Tlie vengeance
wreaked by the Sultan was terrible, lie oidered stakes
to be driven into the ground in the large square opposite the
])alace; elephants, and wild beasts were then ])rought in,
and large cauldrons of boiling oil were placed in different

parts. Upon this the Sultan seated himself in the balcony so
as to preside over the execution. The fii'st victim was his
unfortunate brother, Hassan Khan, who was thrown l)efore a
tiger, wlio soon tore the wretched Prince to pieces. Yusuf
Turk and his seven friends were then beheaded, and their
wives and daughters publicly violated. Hubeeli Oolla had
fortunately already been killed in Bijapur. The whole of the
Prince's followers, even down to the cooks and scullions,
numbering in all some seven thousand men, women, and
children, were then put to deatli by the most fearful tortures
—by sword, axe, boiling oil and water, and every means that
cruelty could think of.
In order to avoid the possibility of another revolt, almost
all of the other members were put to
of the royal family
death,and the Sultan spent the rest of his reign in practising
the most abominable cruelties on the innocent as well as the
guilty. " He would frequently stop nuptial processions in the
street, and seizing the bride, would, after deflowering her,
send her back to the husband's house. He put his women
to death for trivial faults and when any of his nobility were
obliged to attend him, so great was their dread, that they
took leave of their families as if preparing for death."
It was impossible that such a state of things could long
continue, and in 1460, after a short reign of three years and
six months, this monster of cruelty died, " some say by natural
disease, but others that he was assassinated by his own attend-
"
ants.
CHAPTER Xr.
SULTANS NTZAAr SHAH AND MUHAMMKD SHAH.
izam Shall was only a boy when

he ascended the throne, and
the Regency was conducted by
1460 his niotlier, a woman
to of great ability, who
1462. consulted in all things
Gawan and
the Vizier Khajeli
Khajeh Jehan, two men of
great experience and integrity.
It did not take long to restore
peace and confidence, but the
neighbouring States, thinking
to profit by the youth of the
new Sultan, resolved to attack his kingdom, which tliey
hoped
to find in a state of confusion, l^he first combination was
made by the Rajahs of Orissa, Oriya, and the Zemindars of
Telingana, who invaded the country by Rajahmundry, and
plundered it as far as Kailas. This army advanced within
ten miles of Bieder, but was there met by the young Sultan,
with a force of forty thousand men. Tn a preliminary skirmish
Hi. HISTORY OF TU K D FCC AN.
tliu lliiidoos suffered so niucli loss tliat tliu wliolc ariiiy
retreated, followed by the Malioiiiedaiis, who inflected great

loss, 'i'lic allied Jiajalis were compelled to take I'efiige in a
small fort, and there sue for peace, wiiicli, after payment of
a large sum, Avas gi-antcd. The General commanding the
victorious army was Khajeh Jehan.
The next invasion was from the side of Malwa, aided by
the Rajahs of Oriya and Telingana. This also was met by
Sultan Nizam Shah in person. A battle ensued, in which the
two wings of Nizam Shah's army were completely victorious;
the centre, however, where the Sultan himself was, was broken
and compelled to retire to Bieder, so that the victory remained
with the Sultan of Malwa, who then advanced to the capital,
where he succeeded in taking the city, but had to lay siege
to the citadel. Matters were now in a critical state, and many
thought that the fall of the house of Bahmanee was inevitable,
when suddenly help appeared in the shape of the Sultan of
Guzerat with twenty thousand horse. He was joined by Khajeh
Gawan with the remnants of Nizam Shah's army, and the two
then advanced to raise the siege of Bieder, the citadel of which
had been gallantly defended by the Queen mother and the
young Sultan. The Malwa army was then compelled to
relinquish the siege, and to retire towards Gondwara, followed
by the allies. In the Hindoo country, the Malwa Sultan was
purposely misled by a guide into a desert where he lost a
large portion of his army, and had finally to retire to his country
with great loss. In the following year he again invaded the
Deccan, but was met near Dowlatabad by the combined forces
of Guzerat and the Deccan, and compelled to retire. This
invasion over, was resolved to celebrate the young Sultan's
it
marriage. This was done amid great pomp and rejoicing,

which, however, was suddenly turned into mourning, for, on
the night of the comsummation, the young King, who had
begun life with so much promise, suddenly died.
SUiyrANS NIZAM SHAH AND MUHAMMED SHAH. 115
Muliamined Sliah was only nine years old, when he succeeded

his brother, and the affairs of Giovcriiiuent continued to be
1462 conducted by the two Ministers, and the Queen mother
to as in the last reign.
U82. Khajeh Jehan, however, was no longer the faithful
servant he had hitherto proved himself. He seems to have
entertained personal hopes of ambition, aiul appointed his own
friends and creatures to the chief posts at Court. Khajeh Gawan
was sent and had but little voice
to the frontier, in the adminis
tration. The Queen mother, becoming alarmed
at the growing
power of the Minister, resolved to remove him, and this was

done by assassinating him in open durbar in the presence of
the Sultan. Khajeh Gawan was now the principal Minister
of the State, and under his able guidance, matters, went on
pros])erously.
When he was fourteen years old the Sultan was married to
a Princess of his own family, and thereupon the Queen mother
handed over to liim the reins of Government and
1 AP 1
retired into privacy. Sultan Muhammed is said to have
been a man of great learning and taste, Khajeh Gawan having
paid great attention to his education. On the whole, he seems
to have been actuated by noble impulses, but he was quick
in temper and hasty, and it was owing to this defect in his
character that he was destined to be tlie cause of the ruin of
his house. It is necessary at this stage to go back somewhat
in order to trace the history of young man, who was now
a
twenty-four years of age. This man was Yusuf Add Khan
Sewai, who was attached to the household of Khajeh Gawan
(as I shall still continue to call him, though he had now
received the additional titles of Malick-ul-Tijar and Khajeh

Jehan). The story of Yusuf Adil Khan's birth and adventures
is a most romantic one. He was born in 1443, and his father
Avas no less a person than Murad, the Sultan of Turkey.
Murad died in 1450, and was succeeded by his eldest son
nr, msTORY of the deccan.
Maliouicd. Viisuf wns tlien only seven years ot" ii<i;e, l)ut in
conforniity witli the l)ar])ar()vis custom that lias so long pi-evailcd

in Maliomedan courts, it was resolved to |)ut the young Prince
to death, in order to prevent the possibility arising of his being
a Hainiant to the throne. 'V]\g executionci's were sent to the
liareni and told the Sultana that they had eonie with oiders
to bow-string the boy and show his body to the 8ultan. The
mother, distracted with gi'ief, begged for a day's delay, which,
on being granted, she employed in devising a plan to save her
son. She sent for a slave-dealer and purchased from him a
young Circassian boy who bore a strong resemblance to the
Prince. She then gave her son to the merchant with a large
sum of money and begged him to take the boy away and
place him in safety. This the merchant promised to do, and
started on his journey with the young Prince on the same
night. Next morning the executioners came again. One was
admitted, who unfortunate Circassian, and then
strangled the
carried out the body which was buried without further exam-
ination. In the meantime the merchant, whose name was
Khajeh Imad-ud-Din, had carried off the real Prince to Persia,
first of all to Ardebeel, where he was placed under the
venerable Sheikh Suffee (founder of the Suffee royal family),
and then to the town of Saweh, where the boy was educated
with the merchant's own children. Whilst here the Sultana
fj'om time to time sent messages to her son and received reports
of liis She also sent his old nurse together with a
progress.
large sum of money for the Prince's support. Yusuf remained
at Saweh till he was sixteen years old, and from this residence
derived his name of " Sewai." He then resolved to go and

try his fortune in Hindustan and having embarked at Jeroon,
in the Persian Gulf, arrived safely at Dal)ul a port on the

Malabar Coast to the south of Goa in 1458. Prom Dabul he
Avent to Ahmedabad Bieder, where he was taken into the service
of Khajeh Imad-ud-Din. who introduced him into the royal
SULTANH NIZAM HHAH AND MURAMMED SHAH. 117
household as one of his 'I'lii-kish skives. Yiisiit" soon gained

favour at Court, and was phiced under tlie master of tlie liouse,
who, dying soon after, lie was appointed his successor in office.
Yusuf then attached himself to the fortunes of Nizam-ul-Mulk
Turk, Avho was the nobleman wlio had killed Kliajeh Jehan
in open Durbar, by command of the Sultan Muhammed, soon
after he came to the throne. Nizam-ul-Mulk formed a great
attachment to the young Prince in disguise, and called him
his brother. This attachment wâs returned and, as will
be seen further on, Yusuf, who was now honoured with the
title of iVdil Khan, was Nizam-ul-Mulk's faithful friend and
follower until his death. It was this adventurous young
Prince Yusuf who was destined before long to be the founder
of another dynasty, which was to supplant the liouse of
Bahmanee, and rule with splendour in the Deccan for nearly
two hundred years, until at last conquered by the all-powerful
Aurungzebe. This new dynasty was the Adil Shahi house of
Bijapur.
No sooner had Sultan Muhammed Shah arrived at maturity,
than he resolved upon conquest. In 1467 he sent Nizam-ul-
Mulk to Berar as Governor, with instructions to take the fort
of Kurleh, which had come into the possession of the Sultan
of Malwa. Nizam-ul-Mulk was accompanied by his young
friend and companion, Yusuf Adil Khan, who was in constant
attendance on his person. Siege was laid to Kurleh, and,
after defeating several armies sent to relieve it, Nizam-ul-Mulk
managed by a The vic-
bold assault to take the fort
itself.
torious soldieryseem to have indulged in abuse of the con-

quered Hindoos, which so enraged two Rajputs, that they
resolved to murder the ]\Iahomedan General. Asking to be
admitted unarmed to salute so brave a man, they were allowed
into his presence, when snatching a sword from a bystander,
one of them plunged it into his body. Nizam-ul-Mulk fell
mortally wounded, and the two Rajputs were cut to j)ieces.

lis HISTORY OF THE DECCAN.
Yiisut" Adil Kliaii and another Turkisii otlicur, named Direa

Khan, then took command of tlie army, and after leaving a
strong garrison in tlie fort returned to Bieder, carrying with
them the body of the General, and a large amount of plunder.
The Sultan was so pleased at the bravery of these two young
otHcers, that he })romoted them to the rank of one tliousand
with the fortress of Kurleh and its dependencies in jaghir.
After this war, which was really in retaliation for the unpro-
voked invasion by the Sultan of Malwa during the ])revious
reign, peacewas made between the two Sultans, and a treaty
drawn, based upon the former one, executed in the time of
Sultan Ahmed. Under this treaty, Berar was confirmed to
the Deccan, and Kurleh, as before, given to Malwa. Both
princes bound themselves to respect each other's countries in
future, and to live and harmony together. The
in peace
provision of the treaty were once carried out, Kurleh was
at
restored to Malwa, and we are told that no disagreements
ever after happened between the two royal families.
Yusuf Adil Khan now attached himself to the person of
Khajeh Gawan who held him in so high an estimation that
he styled him his adopted son. In 1469, Khajeh Gawan was
despatched with a large army to put down the pirates of the
Western Coast. From time immemorial the pirates of the
Western Coast of India had been the terror of the peaceful
traders from the Persian Gulf. Pliny speaks of them " as
having committed depredations on the Roman trade to East
India." At the time in question the Rajahs of Songeer and
Khaluch are said to have maintained a fleet of three hundred
vessels. Khajeh Gawan's expedition lasted for three seasons,
and was eminently successful. He captured most of the ])irates
strongholds, and also the capital of tlie Rajah of Songeer, when
he took ample vengeance for the treacherous slaughter of Malick-
ul-Tijar, on a former occasion. He also captured the impor-
tant port of Goa, which, at that time, belonged to Vijayanagar.
HULTANS NIZAM SHAH AND MUHAMMED SHAH. ii:>
After tliis, he returned laden with treasure to Bieder, wlicre

he was received by the Sultan witli great honour and public
rejoicings. The Sultan himself and the Queen mother honoured
the successful General witli a visit, and s])ent a whole week
in his house, on which occasion the Queen mother called him

brother. As soon as the Sidtan left, the following incident
occurred, as told by Ferislita. Khajeh Gawan retired to his
chamber, disrobed himself, and weep with a loud

began to
voice. After this, he came out in the garb of a dervish, and

calling together all the learned men, divines, and Seyds,
distributed amongst them the whole of his jewels, money, and
property, reserving only his elepliants, horses, and library.
He then thanked God that he had escaped from the tempta-

tions of his evil passions, and was freed from danger. On
being asked for the reason of tliis strange conduct, he replied
that Avhen the Sultan visit, and the
had lionoured him with a
Queen mother had called him brother, his evil passions began
to prevail over his reason and the struggle of vice and virtue
;
was so great in his mind, that he became distressed, even in

the presence of his Majesty, who kindly eiKpiired the cause
of his concern, on which he was obliged t(j feign illness in
excuse, when the Sultan advised him to take repose, and then
returned to his palace. He had, therefore, he continued,
parted with his Avealth, the cause of his temptations, that his
library he intended for the use of students, and his elephants
and horses he regarded as the Sultan's lent to him for a season
(Mily. From this time forward this great and g(jod man always
wore plain dress, lived simply, and on Fridays went about
the city disguised, distributing money amongst the poor, and
telling them tliat it was sent by the Sultan.
In 1471 the Rajali of Oristela, in which kingdom were in-
cluded Rajahmundry and the present Godavery. Ganjam, and

Vizagapatam Districts, applied to the Sultan for assistance
against a slave who had usurped the throne. The Sultan was
i-iu iiisToh'Y OF 'rill': i>i<:ccan.
only loo ghid to have an oppoilunity of interfering' in the

affairs of this part of India, and at once desputclied an ai-my
under Malick Hassan to the assistance of the Rajali, whose name
is given as I limber. The rebel was defeated witliout difficulty,
and I limber Avas reinstated. The Rajah thereu])on pi'oclaimed
himself to be a vassal of tlie Sultan, and Malick Hassan i-eturned
to iieadcjuarters, with a large amount of plunder. In recognition
was apponited Governor of Telingana. Yusuf
of his success, he
Adil Khan, who had now been actually adopted ])y Khajeh
Gawan, was appointed to Uowlatabad. lie took with him
his old comrade Deria Khan, and in a short time recovered
several forts, which had become alienated since the Malwa
invasion. One of these was the fort of Weragur, which was the
ancestral residence of a Mahratta Rajah, named Jey Singh. He
appears to have been formerly tril)utary to the Bahmanee Sultans,
l)ut assumed independence after the Mahva invasion. After
sustaining a siege of six months, Jey Singh offered to give up
his fort and treasure, if allowed to depart with his family
unmolested. This was granted, and Yusuf Adil Khan was
fortunate enough to acquire an immense booty and a new
country without any bloodshed. A similar success was gained
over the Chief of Ranjee, and Yusuf then returned to Bieder,
laden with spoil Avhich he laid before the Sultan. Muhammed
Shah was highly pleased, and bestowed further honours upon
Yusuf, at the same time remarking that whoever had Khajeh
Gawan as a father could not fail to render important services.
Yusuf Avas then by command of the Sultan entertained for a
week by his adopted father, at the end of which the Sultan
himself honoured the Khajeh with a visit, during which the
Minister bestoAved upon his master a vast number of valuable
gifts, amongst Avhich Avere " fifty dishes of gold Avith covers
set Avitli jcAvels, each large enough to hold a roasted laml);
one hundred slaves of Circassia, Georgia, and Abyssinia, most

of Avliom Avere accomplished singers and musicians ; one hun-
SULTANS NIZAM SHAH AND MUHAMMHD SJIAJL 121
(lii'd Iioi'ses of Aral)ia, Syria, and Turkey, Jiiid one liimdrcd

pieces of superb China, not to be seen exce])t in the palaces
of great princes." After this, we are told "tlie favour of
Khajeh Gawan and Adil Khan became so great that they
were courted and envied by all the nobility; and the Deccanees,
like wounded vipers tormenting themselves, bound up the
waist band of enmity against them." In 1472 the King of
Vijayanagar made an attempt to recover possession of Goa,
and sent tlie Ivajahs of Belgaum and Bankipur witli a large
army for that purpose. jNIuhammed Shah Avitli Khajeh Gawan
at once marched to its relief, and sat down before Belgaum,
which is described as having been a fort of great strength,

encircled by a deep moat over which there was but one
passage covered by redoubts. The Rajah, who is called by
Ferishta, Pirkna, at first made overtures of peace to the Sultan,
which, however, were refused, and the siege was prosecuted
w4th vigour. The Rajah had placed the greatest confidence in
his moat, but this the Sultan had filled in, and then breached
the walls in three places by mines, which, Ave are told, had
never been previously used for siege purposes. An assault
was then made, in which, though he lost two thousand men,
the Sultan was ultimately successful. Only the citadel remained,
in which the Rajah shut himself up. Seeing, however, that
defeat was inevitable, he went in disguise to the Sultan's camp,
and being there admitted to an audience, he tendered his
submission. This w\is accepted, and the Sultan then took
possession of Belgaum, which, with its dependencies, he gave
to Khajeh Gawan in jaghir. It was during this expedition
that the Queen mother, who had accompanied the Sultan died.
Her body was sent with great pomp to Bieder to be buried.
A great deal of the prosperity of this reign was due to the
able counsels of this lady, and there can be no doubt, that
had she still been by the Sultan's side, he Avould not have
committed a few years afterwards the great injustice which
12-2 HISTORY OF THE DMCCAN.
was to lead to tlie ruin of Kingdom.

the Iâlunaiiee
On his return to Bicder, the Sultan halted for some time

at Bijapur, the climate and position of which pleased him
greatly. Here he intended to stoj) foi' the wet weather, but

was prevented, by the scarcity which prevailed over the whole
of this part of the Deccan. This famine lasted for two years.
No grain is said to have been sown during the whole of that
time througliout the Bahmanee dominions, and thousands uj)on
thousands of people died of hunger. Exaggerated repcjrts of
this famine and of the manner in which the Sultan's armies

had been reduced, spread to the Telingana and Orissa country,
and the Rajahs of Oriya and Orissa resolved to make a last
attempt to shake off the Mahomedan yoke. Accordingly, they
advanced with a large army, and compelled the Mahomedan
Governor of Rajahmundry np in the fort, and
to shnt himself
laid the rest of Telingana between the Godavery and Kistna
waste. Muhammed Shah at once marched in person to oppose
this invasion, and the Jlindoos retired. The Oriya Rajah
shut himself up in the fort of Kundapally, and the Orissa
Rajah retreated across the Godavery into his own dominions.
Here he was followed by the Sultan, who plundered all his
towns, and drove the Rajah into the extreme limits of his
kingdom. The Sultan had at hrst resolved to send for Kliajeh
Gawan and establish him in this province, but the Rajah
hearing of his intentions began to sue for forgiveness. This
was granted on payment of a large indemnity, of which twenty-
five celebrated elephants formed a not unimportant portion,
since the Rajah is said to have valued them next to his life.
The Sultan then laid siege to Kundapally, which he also

took, and with his own hands destroyed a temple and killed
some Brahmin devotees. This act was looked upon by everybody
as one of sacrilege, and popular opinion traced the misfortunes
that subsecpiently occurred to the divine anger at so wanton
an outrage.
SULTANS NIZAM SHAJl AND MUHAMMED SHAH. 12;j
Muliamnied Shall remained nearly three years at Rajahmundry,

and during this time settled the whole of the Telingana
country. He appointed Nizam-ul-Mulk as Governor of
Rajahmundry and Kundapally, with his son as deputy, and
Azim Khan to Warangal and its dependencies, and then set
out on an expedition to subdue Narsinga, a Governor of a
portion of the Vijayanagar Kingdom. There seems to be some
doubt as to the site of Narsinga's capital, but it is generally
supposed to have been somewhere near the pi-esent Kurnool.
Kurnool is situated just below the junction of the rivers
Kistna and Tungabadhra, and according to Cunningham
("Ancient Geography of India") stands on the site of the Choliya
(Chu-li-ye) mentioned by the Chinese pilgrim, Hwen Tseng,
in the seventh century. This spot is also held by the same
authority to be the old town of Zora— the Sora spoken of by
Ptolemy —and he considers a branch of the ancient family
of Sora founded the city of Shorapore, about one hundred
miles to the west-north-west of Kurnool ; the Rajah of which,
he says, "still holds his patrimonial appanage, surrounded by
his faithful tribe (Bedars), claiming a descent of more than
thirty centuries." The last Rajah of Shorapore died in 1858,
after a vain attempt at mutiny, and the tragic story of his
end is told by Meadows Taylor in the " Story of Aly life."
There are still some direct descendants alive, but the Raj is
now incorporated with the Nizam's Dominions, and the surviving

members subsist upon small pensions. This Narsimlia or
Narsinga was a man of considerable importance. Ferishta says
that he held the whole of the country between the Carnatic
and Telingana, extending on the sea coast to Masulipatam.
There seems to be some doubt, whether he was an independent
Prince or a Governor of a Vijayanagar province. The latter
seems to be probable, for a few years hence we shall find
him ruling at A ijayanagar, as the first of a new dynasty which

had replaced that of llari Ilara.
1-Ji HISTORY OF Till'! DNCCAN.
Tlioiigli MiiliMiiiiiicd yiiali was successful in his invasion of

Nursinga's country, we do not read of any engagcnient
between tlie Sultan and Hindoo General, from which it
tlie
seems probable that Nursinga was absent, possibly in Vijaya-

nagar, following out liis own schemes of ambition. The Mahom-
edan army met with but little opposition, and is said to have
taken Masulipatam, and then to have marched against the
sacred town of Conjeveram. This is the first time that a
Mahomedan force had reached this centre of Jlindooism, and
fabulous accounts are given of the riches and splendour of
the temple, the and roofs of which are described as
walls
having been plated Avith gold and ornamented with precious
stones. Conjeveram was taken by assault, after the Sultan
had killed a gigantic Hindoo in personal encounter. An
immense plunder fell into the hands of the conquering army.
Gold and jewels were in such profusion that the Mahomedans
left everything of less value behind. Muhammed Shah stayed
here for one week, and then marched back to his own country.
In this expedition the Sultan had been accompanied by Khajeh
Gawan, to whose counsel and assistance much of his success
was due. The Khajeh's power and influence, however, was
so great, that it had the effect of causing the long smoulder-
ing jealousy of the Deccanee nobles to break into open flame.
Nizam-ul-Mulk, Nireef-ul-Mulk, and others formed a plot to
ruin him,and the way it was carried out was as follows
Khajeh Gawan's right hand was Yusuf Adil Khan, and as
long as these two were together, they were able to carry out
all their plans of reform. These plans appear to have been
conceived solely with the view of promoting the Sultan's
interest, and of abolishing many of the abuses that had crept
into the Government of the provinces. One reform was
especially distasteful, as it consisted in a check upon the
numbers of men maintained by the military Governors. Every
Governor was required to keep up a definite number of men,
SULTANS NIZAM SHAH ANT) MUHAMMEB SHAH. 12r>
for eacli of whom an allowance was fixed ; thus a noble of five

hundred i-eceived a lakh and a quarter of pagodas, and one of
one thousand, two and a half lakhs; if the revenue of the
jaghirs fell short of this amount, the deficiency was made up
from the royal treasury; hut on the other hand, strict rules
regai'ding " men in buckram" were passed, and for every man
found deficient, the full j)ay and allowance were deducted.
Touched in their pockets, the nobles all joined in hating
Khajeh Gawan, and an opportunity occurring of Yusuf Adil
Khan being sent against Masulipatam, tliey resolved to carry
out their scheme. They managed to intoxicate an Abyssinian
slave who had charge of the Khajeh's seals, and showing him
a paper, said tliat it was necessary to get the Minister's seal
in addition to certain others. The slave without looking into
the paper atfixed his master's seal, and then took the paper
away. This paper was blank, and above the seal a letter was
subsecpiently written purporting to be addressed by Khajeh
Gawan to the Rajali of Orissa. In this letter the Khajeh was
made to say :
" I am weary
of the drunkenness and cruelty
of Muhammed Deccan may be conquered with little
Shah.
trouble, as at Rajahmundry and at that frontier there is no
General of any note. You may invade that quarter without
opposition, and as most of the nobles and the troops are
devoted to me, I will join you with a powerful army. When
we have in conjunction reduced the Sultan, we will divide his
territories equally between us." This letter was given to tlie
Sultan by Nireef-ul-Mulk and Mastah Hubshee when Nizam-
ul-Mulk was present. The Sultan at once fell into the trap,
his rage being artfully increased by Nizam-ul-Mulk, and at
once sent for the supposed traitor. Some of the Khajeh's
friends hearing what had happened, strongly advised liiiii not
to obey the order, but to take flight, promising to help him
with ten thousand horse. Gawan, however, refused
Khajeh
all their offers, and simply remarked: "This beard has grown
wliitc ill tlic niispicious service of tlie father, and it will be

lioiiouiablc should it be dyed with my blood by the fortunes
of the son ; there is no evading the decrees of fate, and to
di-aw the neck from its sentence, is impossible." He then at
once went to the Sultan's presence, and Ferishta thus relates
what followed: " Muharamed Shah sternly exclaimed: "When

anyone is disloyal to his sovereign, and liis crime is proved,
Tlie Khajeh replied ?
what should be his punishment "
" The abandoned wretch who practises treacliery against his
lord, should meet with nothing but the sword." The Sultan
then showed him the letter, upon seeing which he, after
repeating the verse of the Koran (' O God, this is a great
!
forgery ') said :

" The seal is mine, but not the letter, of
which I have no knowledge." He concluded by repeating the
following verses :
" By the God whose command the just have
obeyed with their blood, false as the story of Yusuf (Joseph)
and the wolf, is what my enemies have forged of me." As
the Sultan was intoxicated with wine, and had resigned his
soul to anger, and the decline of the house of Bahmanee was
near, he attended not to the examination of facts, but rising
from the assembly, ordered Joliir, an Abyssinian, to put the
Minister to death upon the spot. Khajeh Gawan addi'essed
the Sultan and said " The death of an old man like me is
:
of little moment to myself, but to you it will prove the ruin

of an Empire, and of your own glory." The Sultan attended
not to his words, but abruptly retired into his harem. The
slave then drawing his sabre, advanced towards the Khajeh,
who kneeling down, and facing the Kibleh, said: "There is
no God but God, and Mahomed is the prophet of God."
When the sabre reached his neck, he cried: "Praise be to
God for the blessing of martyrdom," and resigned his soul
to the divine mercy. At the time of his death, Khajeh Gawan

was seventy-eight years old,"
This cruel murder of an old and faithful servant sent a
SULTANS NIZAM SHAH AND MUHAMMED SHAH. 127
tlifill (»f indignation tlirouglioiit tlic whole of the Sultan's

Dominions. Two ot" the ])iincipal nobles, Imad-ul-Miilk and
Khodawiind KIkui, the (lovernois of tlie two provinces of
Berar, at once removed with their troops to a distance, and
refused to come to the Sultan's presence, until Yusuf Adil
Khan should he sent for. This was done, and Adil Khan at
once came, overwhelmed with grief at the death of his bene-
factor and adopted father. Overtures were now made to the
disgusted noblemen, but although all their demands were
granted, they refused to join the Sultan's cam]), and pitched
their own at a distance, ])aying their respects each day from
afar off surrounded by their own guards. Before long Imad-
ul-Mulk and Khodawund Khan retired, without taking leave,
to their Government in Berar, and Yusuf Adil Khan having
been confirmed Belgaum and Bijapur, marched
in the jaghirs of
with his army against Sivarajah, the King of Vijayanagar,
who had broken into revolt. The Sultan, thus deserted by
his principal Generals, was obliged to submit, and retired to
Firozeabad, " seemingly spending liis hours in pleasure, but
inwardly a prey to grief and sorrow, whicli wasted his strength
daily." From Firozeabad the Sultan returned to his capital,
Bieder, and continuing to indulge in wine and debauchery, he
at last succumbed to their effects. After a more than usual
indulgence, he fell into fits, during which he frequently cried
out that Khajeh Gawan was tearing him into pieces, till at
length he died on the 1st Suffer, 887 H., after a reign of
twenty years, and in the twenty-ninth year of his age. The
date of his death, says Ferishta, is comprised in the following
verses :
—
"The King of Kings, Sultan Muhammed, when suddenly
he plunged into the ocean of death, as Deccan became waste
by his departure, '
the ruin of Deccan ' was the date of his
death."
CHAPTER XII.
THE END OF THE HOUSE OF BAHMANEE.
BIEDER.
itli the death of Sultan Muham-

fcyj med, the liistoiy of tlie house of Bahmanee as a
f^ separate and iHde])eiident dynasty may be said
to cease. It is true that his son Mahmood Shah
was placed on the throne, as a boy of eight years of age;
reigned for thirty-seven years, and was succeeded by three other
Sultans; but these princes were nothing more than puppets,
and their dominions were confined to the capital of Bieder, and
itsimmediate vicinity. Taking advantage of the youth of the
young Sultan, the powerful nobles of the different provinces
THE END OF THE HOUSE OF BAHMANEE. 129
asserted each his own independence. Tlie tirst few years of

the new reign were signalized l)y a series of struggles and
intrigues. The capital itself was for many days the scene of
a bloody straggle between the Deccanees and the Abyssinians
on the one hand, and the Turks and Moguls on the other.
Yiisuf Adil Shah was the first to take advantage of this con-
fusion. Supported by his old comrade and faithful follower,
Deria Khan, he retired to Bijapur and there had the Kutba
read in his own name. Malick Ahmed, the Governor of
Dowlatabad, soon followed his example, and founded the
Ahmednagar, and the dynasty of the Nizam Shahee
capital of
Sultans. In Berar Imad-nl-Mulk proclaimed his indej)endence,
and read the Kutba in his capital Burhanpore, and finally
Kootb-ul-Mulk, the Governor of Golconda, who for some years
had been practically independent, in 1510 proclaimed liiniself
Sultan of Golconda and the Telingana country, and was the
first of a dynasty called after his own name. In Bieder itself
the Sultan was a mere to(jl in the hands of his Minister, a

man named Cassim Bereed, who had been a Turkish slave,
but who by intrigues had gradually risen to power. In 1490
an attempt was made by the Sultan to shake off the yoke of
this too powerful Minister, in which attempt he was helped
by one Delawar Khan. At first, Cassim Bereed was defeated,
and had to fly towards Golconda. In a second encounter,
however, Dilawar Khan was killed, and the royal army being
defeated, Cassim Bereed returned to Bieder in triumph. A
seeming reconciliation ensued between the Minister and the
Sultan, and the former "seated securely on the niusmid of
administration left nothing but a nominal royalty to Mahmood
Shah. The historians of the Bereed dynasty reckon the
establishment of it from this period."
At the close of the fifteenth century, we find, therefore, five
Mahomedan kingdoms in the Deccan, which had divided
amongst themselves the territories of the Bahmanee Sultans.
\r^^> HISTORY OF TIIH hFAJCAN.
By far the most importjmt of tliesc was the Jîja])ui' kingdom

of Yiisuf Adil Sliah. It extended from Sholapore and (lulbni-ga
in tlic iioi'th, down to Goa in the south. On the East
its neighboui- wâs the kingdom and its boundary
of Vijayanagar,
the River Kistna. of Raichore and Mukdul were
The forts
Mahomedan, but the country between the two rivers Kistna
and Tuiigabadhra was still a debatable land. We have, therefore,
arrived at the close of the tirst period of the Mahomedan
occupation of the Deccan, and we shall be better able to
trace the further sequence of events by following the fortunes

of the Bijapur kings, noting from time to time the occurrences
in the neighbouring States. But, before taking leave of the
Bahmanee Sultans — for in future, their names will only occur
incidentally — this would seem to be the place for a description
of their capital, Ahmedabad Bieder. We f[uote again from
the historical and descriptive account of Hyderabad :
The city of Bieder in the days of its prosperity must have

been of vast extent. A modern writer, referring to the
rapidity of its erection, says: — "Soon, as if by magic,
rose, some miles to the north of Gulburga, one of the most
splendid cities of India or of the world. The great mosque
ofAhmedabad Bieder was for centuries unequalled for simple
gnmdeur and solemnity, and the more delicate beauties of the
Ivory Mosque, inlaid with gems and mother-o'-pearl, was long
one of the favourite themes with which travellers delighted to
illustrate the wealth and prodigality of the realms of tlie Far

East." Unfortunately, few authentic details as to the extent
of the come down to us, Athanasius Nitikin, a

city have
Russian Armenian, who in 1470 visited Bieder as a merchant,
" gives in his diary an interesting description of the country
and its capital. There were villages at every coss. The land
was laid out in fields, and the ground well tilled The roads
were well guarded, and travelling secure. Bieder is described
as a noble city with great salubrity of climate, and the king,
THE END OF THE HOUSE OF BAHMANEE. 131
Malimood Shah,* as a little man 20 years old, with an anny

of 300,000 men well ccjiiippcd. Artillery is not mentioned,
but there were many elephants, to the trunks of which scythes
were attached in action, and they were clad in bright steel
armour." When Aurangzebe invested the place in 1656 Bieder
was described as 4,500 yards in circumference, having three
deep ditches 25 yards wide, and 15 yards deep, cut in the stone.
Monsieur Thevenot, wlio visited Bieder in 1667, says:

" It is a great town ; it is encompassed with Brick- Walls
which have battlements, and at certain distances Towers
they are mounted with great Cannon, some whereof have the
mouth three Foot wide. There is commonly in this place a
Garrison of Three thousand Men, half Horse and half Foot,
with Seven hundred Gunners ; the Garrison is kept in good
order, because of the importance of the place against Deccan,
and that they are always afraid of a surprise. The Governor
lodges in a Castle without the Town; it is a rich Government,
and he who commanded in it when I was there was Brother-
in-law to King Changeant (Shah Jehan) Auran-Zeb's Father
but having since desired the Government of Brampour (which
is worth more,) he had it, because in the last War, that Governor
had made an Army of the King of Viziapour raise the siege
from before Bieder. Some time after, I met the new Governor
upon the road to Bieder, who was a Persian of a good
aspect, and pretty well striken in years he was carried, ;
before whom marched several Men on foot, carrying blew

Banners charged Avith flames of Gold, and after them came
seven Elephants. The Governor's Palanquin was followed
with several others full of Women, and covered with red
* This statement is entirely opposed to Ferishta's chronology. Accord-

ing to the latter, Mahmood Shah did not ascend the throne until 1482,
and was then only eight years of age. This is no doubt a mistake for
Muhiimmed Shnh. who, in 1-iTO, had nlrendy been reigning for eight
years, aiul wns th(>n 17 years of age.
U2 HISTORY OF THE DECCAN.
Seargc, and there were two little ('hiklrcn in one that was
open. The Baniboons of all these Pahnujiiins, were covered
with Plates of Silver chamfered ; after them came many
Chariots full of Women ; two of which were drawn by white
Oxen, almost six Foot high; and hist of all, come the Wag-
ons with the Baggage, and several Camels guarded by Troo})ers."
The majority of the pahices and mnsjids, public buildings,
gardens, baths, &c., with which the Bahmanee kings adorned
their capital are now in ruins, but there is sufficient remaining
to o;ive an admirable idea of the vast extent and magniiicence
of the city. Perhaps the most remarkable of all the l)uildings
was the College or Madrissah, built by Mahmud Gawan, the
Minister of jMahmood Shah,
After the capture of Bieder by Aurangzebe, this splendid
I'ange of buildings Avas appropriated to the double purpose of

a powder magazine, and barrack for a body of cavalry, when,
by accident, the powder exploding destroyed the greater part
of the edifice, causing dreadful havoc around. The explosion
happened in the year 1695. Sufficient of the work remains,
however, even at the present day, to afford some notion of
its magnificence and beauty. The outline of the square, and
some of the apartments, are yet entire, and one of the minarets
is still standing. It is more than one hundred feet in height,
ornamented with tablets, on which sentences of the Koran, in

white letters, three feet in length, standing forth on a ground
of green and gold, still exhibit to the spectator a good sample

of Avhat this superb edifice was. The College is one of the
very many beautiful remains of the grandeur of the Bahmanee
and Bereed dynasties, which flourished at Bieder; and they
render a visit to that city an object of lively interest to all
travellers.
Sir Richard Temple, who visited Bieder in 1861, says:

"The bastions of the fortress had a rich colouring subdued
bv age, beino; built of the red laterite of which the hills are
TUE END OF THE HOUSE OF BAHMANEE. 133
there foriued. The style of the mos(|ue was grand and severe,
(|iiite different from the polished and graceful manner of the
Mogul architects in later times. The chief object of beauty
in the place was the College. The exterior of the building
had once been covered with exquisitely coloured glazing in
floral devices, of which there was still much remaining to
delight the spectator. This building is perhaps the finest of
its kind surviving in India."

Bieder contains eight gateways four of which, however, are
closed. The Fateh gate bears a Persian inscription to the
effect that it was constructed by the Subedar of Bieder in
1082 Hijri (A. D. 1G71). The Shah Ganj gate was constructed
in the year previous. The Thalghat gate was built in the
same year as the Fateh. The Sharzah or Lion gate, which is
decorated with effigies of lions cut in the stone buttresses of

the gateway, was erected in 1094 Hijri (A. 1). 1682).
The fortifications of which are very strong, arc
the place,
still well preserved, the battlemented walls of the city and the
citadel having a most striking appearance, as they are ap-

proached. On the bastions, of which there are a large number
many pieces of ordnance, made chiefly of bluish-coloured metal
and highly polished, are found; some of them have the maker's
name engraved upon them, together with the charge of powder
to be used.The ruined buildings in the fort have all been
constructed of trap. The Rang j\Iahal, so calledfrom having
its fronts adorned wîth coloured tiles, contains some apartments
which are said to have formed portions of an old Hindoo
temple. The citadel also contains the ruins of a mint, a
Turkish bath, an arsenal and several powder magazines. There
is also a well 150 feet deep. Another building of note in
the citadel is the mnsjid close to one of the old palaces, which
is probably the one alluded to, as having been long unequalled
for grandeur aiul solemnity. It has evidently been a building
of considerable beauty, but it is now much damaged, the roof
l;{l HISTORY OF THE DECCAN.
lias fallen ill some places, and the building lias suffered con-
siderably by decay and neglect.
Between five and six miles north-east of the city are the
tombs of the Bahmanee kings who died at Bieder. Close to
the western gateis the tomb of Amir Bareed Shah, wliich is
|)robal)ly the best. It is of an imposing height, and has a

richly ornamented interior. The tombs of the Bahmanee kings,
of which there are ten altogether, are all built on large ol)long
platforms, and consist of huge square buildings surmounted

by domes similar to those at Golconda. The largest of them
is that of Ahmed Shah, who removed the capital from Gul-
burga to Bieder in 1482, and build this mausoleum, upon
which is inscribed in Persian the following couplet: —
''
Should my heart ache, my remedy is this.
A cup of wine and then I sup of bliss."
The tomb of the Minister Mahmood Gawan (Khajeh Gawan)

contains a Pei'sian inscription signifying "the unjust execution,"
and that "without fault he became a martyr."
Bieder is celebrated for the manufacture of a kind of metal-
ware which is styled Bidri-work. The metal is composed of
an alloy of copper, lead, tin, and zinc. It is worked into articles
of most elegant designs, and inlaid with silver and occasionally

gold. The articles manufactured consist chiefly of vases,
hookahs, basins, &c. There is unfortunately not much demand

now for these elegant manufactures, and proportionately but a
small quantity is turned out. Many specimens of it have
been sent to England, and a large number of articles were
made in 1875 for presentation to the Prince of Wales.
End of part I.
^r()J)KKN TdMI! AT SKCCNDKK Al'.A I).
PART 11.
HlSTOliY OF BIJAPUR AND OF THE DECCAN DOWN TO IT.S
SUBJUGATION BY AURUNGZEBE (A. D. 1500—1680).
CHAPTER XIII.
YUSUF ADIL SHAH OF BIJAPUK.
HE period of two hundred years

wliicli this portion of the history
of Deccan comprises was one
tlie
of great restlessness, and is full

of important events. We have
shown in the last chapter, that
out of the ruins of the Bahmanee
empire, there arose five Mahomedan kingdoms. Almost the
whole of was taken up by internecine wars amongst
this period
these Mahomedan Kings. During the first portion of the

sixteenth century the Hindoo Kingdom of Vijayanagar profited
by the weakness of the various jMahomedan States, and rapidly
rose in power. The original Hari Hara dynasty had come to an
end towards the close of the fifteenth century. It was probably
at its zenith about the time of Abdur Razzak's visit in 1444.
Allusion has already been made to this traveller and to his
r.iH HISTORY OF THE DECCAN.
gloNA'iiifi; accounts of the splendour of tlic Vijiivaiiii<4'nr Court,

. Under the successors of J)eva Raya, the King wlio entertained
Abdur Razzak, and who successfully fought against Sultan
Hindoo power began to decline.
Alla-ud-I)in of Gulburgah, the
Under Malikarjuna (1451—1465) and Yirupaksha (1405—
1 479) several reverses were sustained, and the Russian traveller
Athanasius Nikitin, who was in the Deccan in 1474, says
that tlie King of Bieder attacked and took Vijayanagar, killing
some 20,000 Hindoos. The Sultan of Bieder at this time
was Mahomed Shah the King, who, by the murder of Khajeli
Gawan, brought about the ruin of the kingdom. Ferishta's
account of this Prince is a very full one, but, strange to say,
he makes no mention of any capture of Vijayanagar. We
read of two wars waged by Mahomed Shah against outlying
provinces of Vijayanagar such as Belgaum (1472) and Kurnool
and Conjeveram later on (1474 — 75), but nothing is said of
a siege of the capital. It is, therefore, probable that Nikitin's
account is a mistake, and the defeat alluded to was of the
Vijayanagar army only. The last King of the Hari Hara
dynasty was Virupaksha, and he was succeeded or supplanted
about 1480 by Narasimha or Narsinga, the founder of a new
dynasty. This Narasimha is the same man against whom
Sultan Mahomed Shah sent an army. He was the Governor
of Kurnool, and of all the East Coast. This expedition has
been described in Narasimha is said by some
Chapter XI.
to have been a slave of the last King Virupaksha, and by
others to have been a Telugu Chieftain, and it is possible that
he was a descendant of the old Choliyan family, which was
ruling in the Kurnool Deccan in the seventh
portion of the
century. At all events about 1780 Narasimha was the rk
facto sovereign of Vijayanagar, and in a very short time he
had established his rule over the whole of Southern India, for
the Portuguese called the country south of the Kistna as far
as Cape Comorin the Narsinga country. How long Narasimha
YUSUF ADIL SHAH OF BIJAPUR. Vii)
reigned seems to be doubtful. By some autliorities it is

stated that he was succeeded hy his son of the same name
in 1487, l)ut Dr. Burnell is of opinion tliat Virupaksha
reigned until 1490. It is, however, certain that a Narasimha
reigned until 1500, when he was succeeded by Krishna Deva
Raya, the greatest and most powerful of all the Vijayanagai-
Kings. About Krishna-Deva Raya there can be no doubt. Not
only does he live in tradition, but his name is found in
numerous inscriptions, and authentic (Hindoo) histories exist
regarding his reign. But, strange to say, the Mahomedan

autliorities, to whom we owe so much, are absolutely silent
regarding this King. His name is not even mentioned by
them, and his reign is passed over in silence. The various
Ministers are frequently spoken of, and the Mahomedan writers
say that the Ministers possessed the actual authority and kept
the real Rajas in subjection. This is especially noticeable
towards the end of the Hindoo period just before its downfall.
Mr, Sewell, however, in his "Antiquities of Southern India"
(Vol. 2) points out that, however this may have been, in the
inscriptions the names of the ruling sovereigns are ahsâys
mentioned. It is certain that from 1509 until 1530 Krishna

Deva Raya ruled over the whole of the south of India, from
coast to coast. He does not seem to have meddled much
Mahomedan Kingdoms,
with the unless first attacked, but his
own Kino-dom was tliorouo;hlv consolidated. Krishna Deva
Raya's conquest extended as far Cut tack, and we
north as
shall see later on how he defeated the Bijapur Sultan and

retook Raichore with an enormous army. Some writers think
that it was through jealousy that the Mahomedan writers
omit all mention of this victorious Hindoo King.
At the same time as the Hindoo Kingdom of Aîjayanagar
w\as threatening the Mahomedan supremacy in the south, the
foundations of another Plindoo powder were being laid in the

West. During this period of two hundred years, the Mahrattas
liU UtSTOltY OF TRE DEC CAN.
grew from scattered freebooters into a great nation, and

early in the sixteenth century tlie first of the European nations
settled at Cioa. The division therefore of the great Bahnianee
Kingdom into tive smaller ones was singularly unfortunate,
andj weakened by their own jealousies and (juarrels, and by
the constant struggles with their Hindoo and European
neighbours, it was not a difficult task for Aurangzebe to
eventually conquer them, one by one. After this slight glance
at the state of affairs, we will now revert to Bijapur the first,
the greatest, and the last but one of the new Mahomedan
Kingdoms to survive.
It has been narrated how after the murder of Khajeli
Gawan, Yusuf Adil Shah, in 14S9, declared his independance.
The romantic early history of this King has also been nar-
rated, and his subsequent reign of twenty-one years fully
justified the promises of his youth. Bijapur, the capital of
the new Kingdom, stands on the site of an old Hindoo town,
called Bichkhanhalli, and five other villages. There are still
to be found some inscriptions from the eleventh and twelfth

centuries, and some Hindoo columns of victory, from which
the name of the city is derived — Vijaya-pur, or City of Victory.
Yusuf Adil Shah at once set himself to work to complete
the defences of his new capital, which for many years had
been the seat of a Governor of the Bahmanee King. He
built the citadel, or Ark-killah, which was subsequently im-
proved and beautified successors, until it became "a
by his
perfect treasury of artistic buildings " (Silcock in Boinhay Gaz-

etteer), and commenced the city walls, which were not com
pleted untd fifteen years later. As was to be expected, the
new King was not allowed to maintain his independence
without having to fight for it. He was at once attacked by
Kassim Bereed, the all powerful Minister of the Bieder
Sultan. Narasimha, the Regent or Ruler of Vijayanagar,
joined Bereed in this enterprize, but the combination was
YU8UF ADIL SHAH OF BIJAFUU. U\
bcntcn off witliout mucli difficulty, hikI for two or three years
Adil Shall was left in peace. In 1792, Adil Shah felt him-
self strong enough to attack Vijayanagar, and taking advan-
tage of certain dissentions, endeavoured to suiprise Raichore.
Ferishta calls the Ruler of Vijayanagar Ileem Rajah, and
speaks of him as the Regent or guai'dian of the young Rajah.
The woi'd Heem is clearly a corruption of the word ]Vara-s!iiin,
and the fact of a "young Roy" or Rajah being spoken of,
would seem to show that nominally the old dynasty had not
yet been set aside, and that Narasimha conducted the Gov-
ernment in the name and under the authority of the titular
King. Narasimha advanced to relieve Raichore, and crossed
the Tungabudhra, accompanied by the young Rajah. An
engagement followed, in which the Sultan's attack was at first
repulsed, but on the Hindoos scattering in search of plunder,
the Sultan charged them with his reserve, with such despara-
tion that they broke and fled in all directions. The plunder
that was left behind was enormous, no less than two hun-
dred elephants, one thousand horse, and sixty lakhs of oons
(equal to one million eight hundred thousand pounds).
Ferishta says that in this engagement, the young Rajah was
wounded, and died on the road to his capital, after v.diich
"Heem Rajah" seized the Government of the country. Al-
though there seems to ])e no doubt that Narasimha, the former
ruler or Governor of Kurnool, Avas the de facto Ruler of
Vijayanagar from about 1480, it will be ])robably safest to
fix the date of the extinction of the Hari Hara or first
Vijayanagar, dynasty, as 1492. Whether the "Heem Rajah"

wdio then succeeded was the original Narasimha, or his son
of the same name, cannot now be decided, and does not seem
to be very material.*
•''
Tho insoriptions eolloctod by Mr. Robert Sewoll ('• Lists of Anti-
quities of Madras. " Vol. show conchisively that Narasimha I. had
11.)
two sons, the elder of Wxc ssmie name, and tlie younger named Krislina
^J^lic plunder obtained by A(iil Sliali in war was of

this
immense use to him, in estabHshing liis new Kingdom. A

large portion was spent in strengthening iuid beautifying his
capital, and by liberal presents he attached several able offi-
cers to his fortunes. Nor did he foi-get the old master, from
whom he had rebelled, but sent Mahmood Bahmance at Bieder
two splendid robes embroidered with precious stones, two
horses shod with gold, and saddles and bridles set with jewels.
Indeed, for some time to come, the Adil Sliahi Kings, although
independent, continued to acknowledge the Bahmanee Sultans,
and afforded them assistance whenever called upon. Shortly
afterwards, Sultan Mahmood Bahmanee paid Adil Shah a visit
at Bijapur, where he was royally entertained. When the
Sultan was about to leave a number of costly presents were
sent to him, but with the exception of one elephant he refused
them all, on the ground that he would not be able to keep
them, as Kassim Bereed would be certain to seize them, and
that, therefore, Adil Shah had better keep them in trust, until,
"like a faithful servant, he could deliver him from the usur-
pation of his Minister."
In 1495 Dustoor Deenar, the Governor of Gulburga, revolted
Deva. The author of the Bombay Gazetteer, Vol. XV,, Part. II., distinctly
states that in 1487, Narasimha I. was succeeded by his son Narasimha
II. who reigned until 1508. Dr. Burnell, however (Dravidian Paleo-
graphy), carries on Virupaksha, the last of the Hari Hara dynasty until
1490. Now, Dr. Burnell is a singularly careful and reliable authority,
and it, therefore, seems that the explanation as given in the text is a
correct one, and that from 1480 until the date of the battle betwcsen
Adil Shah and "Heem Rajah" the Narasimhas were Regents on behnlf
of Virupaksha, and on his death, the son Vira Narasimha II. mounted
the throne and founded a new dynasty. We find exactly the same
confusion in the succession of the Mohamedan Sultans of Bieder. After
the death of Mahomed Shah, the dynasty continued until late in the
firsthiilf of the sixteenth century, but the Bereeds were the real Rulers
and actually date their dynasty, from 1489, and are called by the Mahom-
edan historians, the Bereed Shahs of Bieder.
YUSUF ADIL SHAH OF BIJAPUlt. 143
from the Bahnuinee and assumed the royal title. Sultan

rule
Mahmood, or rather Kassim Bereed, the real Ruler, called
upon Adil Shah for assistance, which was at once given, and
the combined forces defeated and took the rebel prisoner.
Kassim Bereed wished to put Dustoor Dcenar to death, but
from motives of policy Adil Shah interceded, and not only
obtained his pardon, but contrived to get his Government of
Gulburga restored. Two years afterwards a marriage was
arranged between Adil Sbah's daughter (an infant in the
cradle) and Mahmood Shah's son, Ahmed, and a secret arrange-
ment was made under which Adil Shah was to take pos-
session of Gulburga and of Dustoor Deenar's provinces. In
this way, the powerful Minister, Kassim Bereed, woidd be
cut off from his estates. Bereed, alarmed at this, at once
retired from Bieder and collected an army, but was defeated
by Adil Shah near the town of Kinjooty (1497), and
Mahmood Shah was taken back in triumph to his capital
(Bieder). In the following year the different Deccan sovereigns
came to a definite arrangement, under which they divided the
Deccan between themselves. Adil Shah received the provinces
of Dustoor Deenar, including Gulburga; Imad-ul-Mulk, the
Sultan of Berar, received Mahore, Ramgeer, and the surround-
ing country; and Ahmed Nizam Shah, of Ahmednagar, got
as his share Dowlatabad, Antore, Kalneh, and all the country
up to the borders of Guzerat. Kassim Bereed was allowed
to come back to his post at Bieder, but all the territory that
was left to him was a small strip of land round the capital,
with, however, the country then in the possession of Kutb-
ul-Mulk. This, however, was not much of a gift, because in
order to obtain it he would first of all have to dispossess
Kutb-ul-Mulk, who resided in Golconda. This was a feat
which Kassim Bereed never effected, for a few years later
(1510) Kutb declared his independence, and became the

founder of the Kutb Shahi dynasty of Golconda. The unfor-
in HISTORY OF THE DECCAN.
tuiiatc naliiiianec Sultan, therefore, was the ])riiici])al loser by

this wai-, in wliich Adil Shall had rendered him assistance.
This help was dearly bought, and his great vassal Kings
enriched themselves at their over lord's expense, leaving him
the barren honour of ruling in a capital to which scarcely any
territory was attached with a Minister who was virtually his master.
Dustoor Deenar made one more attempt to regain his prov-

inces, and, assisted by three thousand horse sent to him by
Ameer Bereed, the son of Ivassim (who had now
Bereed
succeeded to his father's post), met Adil Shah on the banks
of the Bhimrah. A tierce engagement ensued, which was
won chiefly by the valour of the Sultan's brother, Guzzunfir
Beg, by whose charge the enemy was put to rout and Dustoor
Deenar killed. Ferishta thus describes the end of the battle
— "Ghuzzunfir Beg, who had received a severe wound, kneeling
down with the rest of the Amras, performed the ceremonies
of congratulation, andwaved money and jewels over the
Sultan's head in offering for the victory. Adil Shah kissing
his eyes and forehead, clasped his noble brother in embrace,
and superintended the dressing of his wounds, but all was
vain; and the hero, according to the declarations of holy writ
(iiihen their death comes theij shall 7iot delay an instant nor
alnde), after three days and nights, having drunk the Sherbet
of martyrdom, speeded to the world eternal."*
This victory was the flood of Adil Shah's fortunes, and left
him firmly established in his kingdom, which now extended from

Gulburga and Sholapore to Goa, being bounded on the east by
the Kistna, and on the west by the mountains of the Konkan.
* Ferishta calls Guzzunfir Beg the Sultan's brother, but it is difficult
to understand how this could be, because Adil Shah, it Avill be remem-
bered, was sent away from Constantinople to escape being killed as an
infant, and only arrived in India, alone, after a series of adventures.
Perhaps, however, he was the Sultan's adopted brother, as we are told
by Ferishta that Adil Shah was adopted by Khajeh Gawan.
10
YUSUF ADIL SHAH OF BIJAPUB. 147
Til 1502, Adil Shah resolved upon a very important step,

which was to change the religion of the State from the Sunnee
to the Shcah creed. During his stay in Persia, Adil Shah
had imbibed the Sheali doctrine, and was a disciple of the
House of Suffeewee, which had now succeeded to the Govern-
ment. This change of religion at first excited great animosity
amongst his brother Sultans in the Deccan, who at once
declared against him what is known as the "holy war of the
foiu' brothers." In introducing this change Adil Shah behaved
with singular moderation. Converts or Perverts are generally
very bigotted, but Adil Shah publicly let his subjects know
that, whatever he might believe, he was not going to interfere
with their beliefs. "My faith for myself and your faith for
yourselves," was his tolerant
maxim, and the result was that,
although a few of his withdrew from his service, the
officers
majority remained loyal. At fii'st the combination of tlie

other Maliomeden Sultans seemed likely to crush Adil Shah,
who throughout seems to have preferred maintaining a well-
disciplined but numerically small standing army to the large
and disorganized hordes that were then the fashion. Adil
Shah's army was rarely more than 25,000 in strength, and he
therefore, had to tight a cautious game. He never gave his
enemies the chance of meeting him in a pitched battle, but
carrying the war into their own territories, constantly avoided
an engagement, hovering round the allied army and cutting off
its supplies. Retreating before them as they advanced, he
led the allied kings, not into his own territory, but into that
of Imad-ul-mulk, the Sultan of Berar, who was favourably in-
clined towards him. Negociations were then commenced, and
the allies were told that the war had been made against Adil
Shall, not so much on religious grounds, as because Ameer
Bereed wished to possess himself of Bijapur, in which case
he would become too dangerous a rival. By way of conces-
sion, Adil Shah sent orders to restore the Sunnee rites, and
then all cause of (|iiaiTcl hoing removed, the allies broke up

their confederation and retired each to his own dominions.
Ameer Bereed was thus left alone, and Adil Shah promptly
seized the opportunity to surprise his camp, in which he was
so successful, that Ameer Bereed just managed to esca])c with
the Sultan of Bieder and a few followers. The whole war

only lasted three months, and Adil Shah returned in triumph
to Bijapur and ((uictly continued the practice of the new faith
without further opposition.
Although the rest of Adil Shah's reign was quiet as far
as his own countrymen was concerned, he was brought into
contact with another power which was but the pioneer of the
present rulers of India. In 149S on the 26th August, Vasco
de Gama sighted Mount Dely, in South Kanara, and effected
a landing on the island of Anjidiv. Subsequently, they
landed on the mainland, near the mouth of the Kalinadi.
Adil Shah — or Sabayo — as he is called by the Portuguese
writers, sent an expedition against the foreign invaders, which,
howêver, was destroyed. The leader of this expedition, a
Mahomedan Jew, was taken captive and brought by Vasco
de Gama to Euro])e, where he was converted and received
the name of Gasper de Gama. In 1503 Vasco de Gama
returned, and effected a treaty with the Honavar Chief, then
a subject of Vijayanagar. From this time each year saw a
fresh arrival of the Portuguese ships. Ferishta says that in
1509 they surprised and took Goa, but were afterwards driven
out by an army sent by Adil Shah. The Portuguese writers
are silent regarding this, though they speak of a victory
gained over sixtysail despatched against them in 1506 by Adil
Shah and commanded by a Portuguese renegade named Abdullah.

In the midst of this continued fighting on the Western
Coast, Yusuf Adil Shah died at Bijapur of a dropsical
complaint (1510), and was succeeded by his son, Ismael Adil
Shah, a boy of about 14 years of age.
YUSUF ADIL SHAH OF BIJAPUB. 149
YusLif Adil Sliali ranks high iu the Deccan, not only as a

soldier but also as a statesman. Hassan Gangu, the Like
founder of the Bahmanee dynasty, he was just,
humane and tolerant, but enjoyed the additional
advantage to be gained from being highly educated. He
wrote elegantly, and was not only a good judge of verses,
but liimself a poet and improvisatore, singing his own verses
to his own music. We read of none of the acts of bigotry
and cruelty which disgrace the memories of so many of the
Deccan Kings. Even his change of faith, so calculated to
excite fanatacism and bloodshed, was carried out with such
tolerance and moderation, as to excite no opposition among
his subjects. He was a patron art and literature, and
of
especially that of Persia, and numbers of learned and scientific
men found their way to his Court. He spent his money
liberally on buildings and public works, an example which
was followed by his successors, so that his dynasty, with the
exception of that of the Kutb Shahs of Golconda, has left
nobler memorials of the budding art than any other in the

Deccan. Lastly, his private character was eminently temperate
and virtuous. He was the husband of one wife, a Hindoo,
the daughter of a Mahratta chieftain, by whom he had one
son and three daughters. The lady is said to have been not
only of great beauty, ability, and we shall
but of singular
have a proof of her strength mind when we come to the
of
history of the next reign. The title bestowed upon her after
having embraced Islam was Booboojee Khanum. The three
daughters were sul)sequently married to the three Sultans of
Berar, Ahmednugger, and Bieder (Bahmanee), so that family
ties joined the Mahomedan kingdoms closely together. Adil
Shah was seventy-five years of age when he died, and Ferishta
says of him that he was "handsome in person, eloquent of
speech, and eminent for his learning, liberality, and valour."
CHAPTER XIV.
THE NIZAM SHAHS OV AHMKDNAGAR.
HE father of tlio first
Nizam Shah was a

Brahmin, wlio was
taken prisoner in one
of the wars of Ahmed
Shah Bahmanee, made a Mus-
sulman, and educated as a
royal slave under the name
of Malick Hoossein. He was
a lad of considerable ability,
^
and being educated together
with the Sultan's eldest son, Mahomed, acquired a considerable
knowledge of Persian and Arabic. When Mahomed ascended
the throne (1462) Malick Hoossein was promoted to the rank of
one thousand, and placed in charge of the royal falconry,
from which he derived the name of Beheree {Beher meaning
a falcon). He was subsequently made Governor of the
Telingana provinces, and after Khajeh Gawan's death, succeeded
him in office with the title of Malick Naib. Under Sultan
Maliomed he was the Prime Minister, and received the
THE NIZAM SHAHS OF AHMEDNAGAlt. 151
additional title of Nizam-ul-Mulk. Whilst the fatiicr was

thus employed in the capital, lie sent his son, Malick Ahmed,
to the Konkan, where he carried on a very successful war
against the hill Chieftains, reducing a number of forts, gaining
a considerable amount of treasure (especially at Seer), and
eventually reducing the whole country as far as the coast.
In 1486, Nizam-ul-Mulk rebelled, and after having seized the
city of Ahmedabad liicder, was eventually assassinated, as
related in the account of the reign of Mahomed Shah. The
son, who was on the way to join his fath(;r, at once retired
to Kliiber, where he assumed the titles of the deceased, and
was generally known as Ahmed Nizam-ul-Mulk Beheree, to
which, although he did not as yet assume it, the people
added the title of Shah. Khiber was situated in the hills
not far from the town of Junar, w^liich, for some time, was
the seat of Government of the new Sultan. Ahmed Nizam
Shah, as we shall call him, although he actually claimed the
title a few years subsequently, was an able and gallant soldier,
and some of his sudden raids resemble those of that prince
of robbers, the Kassim Bereed was now
Mahratta Sivajee.
the moving power at Bieder, and he sent an army under
Nadir-ul-Human to reduce this new rebel. After some fight-
ing, this army was completely defeated, and its General slain,
whereupon a larger force under eighteen of the principal
noblemen was sent to reduce Ahmed to subjection. Ahmed
Shah, however, by a clever stratagem, managed to elude this
army, and getting into its rear with a picked force of three
thousand cavalry, made a sudden attack upon the capital
(Bieder). Here he was admitted by the guards, and for a
day remained in possession of the city. He appears to have
behaved with considerable moderation, releasing only the
members of his father's family, but at the same carrying off
the wives and families of the noblemen who had been sent
against him, whom as hostages he treated with all honour.
Stuiig by this daring escapade, the lîeder Sultan removed

the (jlencral in command of his army, and appointed in iiis
place Jehangir Khan, the Governor of Telingana, who had a

considerable reputation for bravery and ability. Ahmed Shah,
vastly outnumbered, now retired into the hills of the Konkan,
whither he was followed by Jehangir Khan, who for a space
of a month blockaded him. On the rains setting in, Jehangir
Khan, thinking himself safe, relaxed a good deal of his
discipline, with the result that one night Ahmed Shah surprised
his camp and finding the army in a state of intoxication, put
the whole, including the General, to the sword. On the site

where was won, Ahmed Shah laid out a garden
this victory
and built a magnificent palace, which he called Bagh Nizam.

This was in 1489, and from this date, acting under the
advice of Adil Shah, of Bijapur, whose policy it was to
weaken the power of Bieder as much as possible, he com-
menced reading the Khitha in his own name, and assumed
the White Umbrella as a sign of royalty. This assertion of
independence, liowever, offended some of his nobles, whereu])on
the Sultan replied that he had assumed the umbrella, not as
a sign of royalty, but in order to shelter himself from the
sun. The nobles then withdrew their objection on condition
that he would allow his subjects to do the same. "As he
could not well refuse," says Ferishta, " permission was given
and from that time to this, in his country the King and the
beggar carry it over their heads; but to distinguish the Sultan
from his subjects, the royal umbrella has a piece of red upon
it, while the others are all white. This custom spread
throughout all Deccan, contrary to that in the Moghul Empire,
where no one but the sovereign dare use an umbrella." *
In 1493 Ahmed Shah upon the reduction of
resolved
Dowlatabad, which for some time had been in possession of
* Scott translating Ferishta in 171)4 adds a note to this offoct : "This
i>s the case at present, except in the English dominions,"
THE NIZAM SHAHS OF AHMEDNAGAR. 153
two brothers, to one of whom, Malick Wojali, his sister, was

married. On a child being born, the other brother Malick
Asliruff, afraid tliat he wôuld be removed, assassinated l)oth
brotlier and nephew, in consequence of whicli the wife souglit

the protection of lier brother Ahmed Shah. Tlie Sultan
thereupon advanced to besiege Dowlatabad, but on his way
gave assistance to Cassim Bereed at Bieder, who was then
besieged by Adil Shah. The policy of the Deccan Kings was
to maintain the balance of power, and so we continually find
them taking first one side and then {\\q other, so as to prevent
any of their rivals from becoming too powei-ful. After
raising the siege of Bieder, Ahmed Shah advanced upon
Dowlatabad, but found it too strong to be taken by assault.
Accordingly he resolved to build himself a city nearer the
fort, and by continuing a constant state of siege, and by
devastating the country around, to compel the garrison to
capitulate. This led to the building of a city about half way

between Juna and Dowlatabad, situated on the banks of the
River Seer. This city is said to have been completed in two
years' time, when, according to Eerishta, it "rivalled in splen-
dour Bagdad and Cairo." Calling it after his own name, the
new City was called Ahmednagar. From this time the siege
of Dowlatabad continued for more than seven years, interrupted
occasionally by other small undertakings, and the fort was
not finally taken until 1449 or 1500, when, upon the death
of Malick Ashruff, the keys were surrendered to Ahmed Shah.
From this time Dowlatabad continued in the possession of
the Ahmednagar Kings. The remainder of Ahmed Shah's
reign was a comparatively peaceful one, and he employed it
in improving the condition of the country. In 1508 he died,
leaving a son seven years of age, to whom he made his
nobles take an oath of allegiance.
Ahmed Shah has left a reputation not only for singular
ability, but also for great virtue and self-control. It is related
15i HISTORY OF THE UECCAN.
of liini that when he rode tlirough tlic city "lie
never looked to the right or the left, lest his eyes
might upon another man's wife." Upon one occasion

fall
when a young man, he had captured the fort of Kaweel, and

among the captives was a young lady of extraordinary beauty
with whom he fell desperately in love. Upon being told,
however, that she had a husband who was also a prisoner, he
not only restored her to him unmolested, but dismissed them

both with valuable presents. Towards his officers he was
generous and forgiving. Instead of dismissing a man after
failure, he stimvdated him to further efforts, giving him
another chance to retrieve his character, and in this way
enjoyed the strong attachment of all his nobles. Ferishta says
that the custom of duelling was introduced by this Sultan,
who, when young men came before him wdtli mutual com-
plaints, ordered them to fight the quarrel out in his presence,
deciding in favour of the one who first wounded his adver-
sary. In consequence of this encouragement, a crowd of
young men attended the hall of audience each day, hoping to
win fame and distinction in the Sultan's presence, until at
last matters came to such a pass that every day two or three
combatants wêre killed. At length the Sultan, disgusted at

so much slaughter, ordered that all such combats should take
place, not in his presence, but on a plain outside the city.
Regulations for such duels were laid down, bystanders and

relations were not allowed to interfere, and all blood feuds
in consequence of the death of one of the combatants was
strictly prohibited. This custom of duelling found great
favour in the Deccan, and spread throughout the country
where all noblemen were especially skilled in the use of the
sword. Ferishta speaks of having been an eyewitness to such
a duel in which six grey-bearded men were killed in the streets
of Bijapur. He speaks of the custom as an "abominable"
one, and trusts that under "the auspices of wise and just
THJ^ NIZAM SHAHS OF AHMEDNAGAli. 155
])rin('cs, it may l)c altogctlicr done away witli, so that this
country resembling paradise may be purified from such abom-

ination."
It is now time to revert to Bijapur, where about the same
time tlie first King, Yusuf Adil Sliali had died, also leaving
a minor son, whose fortunes we will for the present follow.
THE CiliANI) STAND VIJAVANAGAK IfUINS.

CHAPTER XV.
BIJAPUR FROM 150D — 1534. ISMAEL ADIL SIlAll.
11 K exact age of Israael

Adil Shall, when his
father died is not given,

l)nt he appears to liave
been about 13 or 14 years old. The late King on his death-
bed had appointed one of his most trusted nobles as Ismael's
Guardian and Regent, and had made the other Amras swear to
—
obey him. For some time Kamil Khan for this was the Regent's
name — governed well and wisely. He lived on terms of
friendship with the other Mahomedan Kings, and appears to
have gained considerable popularity amongst the nobles as well
as the people. The Portuguese were confirmed in the posses-
sion of Goa, and a treaty was drawn up with them, Avhich was
faithfully observed on both sides. As times went on, however,
BIJAPUR FROM 1506—1534. ISMAEL ADIL SHAH. 157
.111(1 tlic period approached when the young King would attain
liis inajonty, Kainil Khan, attracted by the sweets of ])ower,
began to entertain tlie ambition of usur})ing the tliroiie. With
this object in view, he from time to time distributed amongst
hisown relations and adherents the estates of those noblemen
who died, or who were convicted of crimes. With the
examples of Narasimha, in Vijayanagar, and Cassim Eerecd,
in Bieder, before him, he resolved upon founding a new dynasty.
Accordingly, he formed an alliance w4th Ameer Bereed, and
after having confined the young Sultan and his mother,
Boobajee Khanum, in the citadel, he marched with an army
against Sholapore, which he reduced after a siege of three
months, and then returned to Bijai)ur to finish his work of
usurpation. He first of all banished all persons who were
adherents of the late King, and then raised a large force with
which he held the command of the city. All preparations
being made, Kamil Khan, consulted the astrologers as to which
would be the best day to depose the young King. The astrol-
ogers gave as their opinion that for the next few days the
combinations of the stars were against Kamil Khan, and that,
therefore, would be advisable to wait. Accordingly, the
it
first of the next month was fixed for the revolution, and in
the meantime Kamil Khan shut himself up in the citadel so

as to escape the danger threatened by the adverse conjunction
of the planets. The Queen-mother, however, had been informed
of what was contemplated, and resolved to seize the oppor-
tunity of this temporary seclusion to strike the first blow.
Accordingly, she applied Yusuf Turk, the foster-father of
to
her son, and asked him to help her. Yusuf replied that he
was an old man, and that his life was at her service. The
Queen thereupon told a female attendant to go and make
en([uiries regarding Kamil Khan's health, and just as she was
leaving for the purpose, added, as an after-thought, that she
should take Yusuf Turk with her, as he was anxious to obtain
pci'inissiol) to go to Meccn. Tlic woman nccordiiigly went,

and after having delivered the Queen's message and present,
intro(hi('cd Yusuf to Kamil Khan. The Regent at once gave
Vnsuf tlie required permission, and as he held out to him
the betel leaf as a sign that he might go, Yusuf pulled out
a dagger which he had concealed under his cloth and ])lunged
it Kamil Khan's body. Yusuf and the female attendant
into
were at once cut down, but it was too late, and the would-be
usurper had met his deserved fate. As soon as the news of
this murder was spread abroad, an immense commotion arose.
The Queen closed the gates of the royal palace, and though
Sufder Khan, the son of the late Regent, at once attacked
the palace with the object of getting possession of the young
Sultan, he found it obstinately defended. The citadel and
the royal palace were situated in the same enclosure, and
Sufder Khan, keeping the citadel gates shut against the city,
endeavoured to take the palace by storm, so that there was
a bloody struggle taking place inside the citadel walls, whilst
outside the citizens were assembled in a state of excitement.
The Queen had only a few adherents, but the guards made
common cause with her, and defended the palace most ob-
stinately. Whilst the fight was going on, a party of Deccanee
matchlock men managed to clind) the wall and afford relief
to the Queen and her ])arty. The Queen and the Sultan's
foster-aunt, Dilshad Aga, the latter Avitli a veil over her head,
animated and encouraged the defenders by their presence and
promises. Sufder Khan now brought up cannon, witli which
he managed to break down the gate, but as he was on the point
of entering, the gallant Dilshad fired a volley of arrows and gun
shot into his party. One of these arrows wounded Sufder
Khan in the eye, and in order to recover himself he took
refuge under a wall. It so happened, however, that the young
King was seated on the wall just above the place, and, seeing
his enemy beneath him, he succeeded in rolling over a large
BIJAPUR FROM 1509-15.^54. I8MAEL ADIL SHAH. UU
stone, whicli, liittinp; Sufder Klinn on the liead, killed him on

the spot. As soon as tlieir leader had fallen, his troops took
to their heels. The city was then cleared of the rebels, and
the mutiny was at an end, thanks to the bravery of the Queen
and Dilshad Aga, and to the ready wittedness of the young
Sultan. When everything was (juiet, the young Sultan went
to the mosque to return thanks for his escape, and then con-
ducted the funeral procession of his foster-father Yusuf to the
tomb of a saint outside the city, by whose side he was buried,
and eventually a dome was raised over the graves of both.
During the rest of his reign, the Sultan went once a month
to visit the tomb of the faithful Yiisnf (1511-12).
Ismael Shah was now about seventeen years of age, and
no opposition was made to him on the score of age. Ameer
Bereed, on hearing of the failure of the plot, at once raised
the siege of Gulburga, which he had attacked, and retired to
Bieder. The Vijayanagar King who had made an attack upon
Raichore pressed the siege and succeeded in taking the fort,
which during previous hundred years must have changed

masters fifteen or twenty times. Ferishta still calls the
Vijayanagar King Heem Raja, but this is clearly a mistake,
as Heem Raja, or rather Narasimha, had been succeeded in
1508 by his brother Krishna Deva Raja. This capture of

Raichore was one of Krishna Deva's first exploits, and only
a prelude to a long career of victory.
Ameer Bereed, repulsed from Gulburga, called upon the
Kings of Ahmednagar, Berar, and Golconda to come to his
assistance, and after some delay succeeded in collecting a
large army, with which he advanced to besiege Bijapur.
Ismael Shah met this army a short distance from his capital,
and though only at the head of twelve thousand horse, he
attacked with such vigour that he put the whole force to
and took the Sultan of Bieder, together with his son
flio;ht,
Ahmed prisoners. The whole of the camp and baggage fell

11
into the liaiids of the coi)(|iier()rs, and Isniuel returned to his
capital in triumph The two royal prisoners were treated

with the greatest courtesy. Splendid presents were made to
them, and Sultan Mahomed asked for Ismael's sister as the
Avife of son (Ahmed).

his The espousals having been cele-
brated, the two Sultans went together to Gulburga for the
marriage ceremony, which was carried out with much magnif-
icence. As a guard of honour, Ismael sent a troop of five
thousand horse to conduct the newly-married pair, and Sultan
Mahomed to Bieder, and Ameer Bereed was so alarmed at the
approach of this force that he made haste to evacuate the city.

For a short time Sultan Ahmed was therefore freed from the
tyranny of his Minister, but as soon as the Bijapur troops
had taken their departure, Ameer Bereed returned, and the
Sultan reverted to his former state of subjection. A few
years of peace followed, one of themost important events of
which was the reception by Ismael Shah of an embassy from
the Persian monarch, despatched on purpose to thank him for
an act of courtesy shown to an ambassador, who a few years
before had been detained at Bieder. This embassy arrived
in 1519, and was met by Ismael Shah twelve miles outside
the capital. The King of Persia in his letter addressed the
Sultan as a Sovereign Prince, and Ismael was so pleased with
this recognition that he ordered in future on Fridays and
holidays prayers should be recited in all the mosques for the
royal family of Persia.
In the following year (1520), Ismael attempted to carry out
his long-intended project of recovering the forts of Raichore
and Mudkul. For this purpose he assembled an army of
more than fifty thousand horse and foot, and encamped on
the banks of the Kistna. The river, however, was in flood,
and the enemy was in command of all the ferries. Instead
of waiting for a favourable opportunity, Ismael one evening
when fired by wine gave orders to force a passage by means
BIJAPUB FBOM 1509-1531.. I8MAEL ADJL HHAII. 163
of rafts. Heedless of the remonstrances of liis officers, Isuiael
plunged his own elephant into the river and succeeded in

crossing with about two thousand men. Here he was attacked
by the whole of the Hindoo army, and though the Sultau and
his army fought Avith the utmost bravery, tlie whole were
either cut to pieces or drowned, with the exception of the

Sultan and seven soldiers. After this repulse Ismacl had to
give up all further thought of vengeance for the present, and
retired to Bijapur after having sworn an oath never to indulge
in wine until this defeat should be revenged.
,
In 1523 an alliance was made between Boorahan Nizam

Shah and Ismael, and the sister of the latter was given to
the former in marriage. This marriage instead of cementing
the alliance between the two Kings, unfortunately led to
another war, for Ismael had promised to give the fort of
Sholapore as dowry with his sister. This promise he neglected
to keep, Nizam Shnh, calling in the assistance of the
and so
Berar Sultan and of Ameer Bereed, who was always ready
to join any one of the Deccan Kings against another, advanced
with an army to take it by force. This time, Ismael Shah
was more successful, and after having put the allied camp
into disorder by a night surprise, he attacked early on the
following morning, and defeated the enemy with great slaughter,
taking all his elephants and baggage. This concluded the
war, and the Sultan returned in triumph to Bijapur.
In 1528, Nizam Shah and Ameer Bereed attempted another
invasion of Bijapur, but were again defeated with great loss,
and Ismael then formed an alliance Avith the Berar Sultan,

to whom he gave his remaining sister in marriage.
In the following year, we find that Ismael Shah sent a
large supply of money, together with six thousand horse, to

assist Nizam Shah against an invasion of the Sultan of
Guzerat. The invasion was repelled, but Ameer Bereed, who
had also joined Nizam Shah, endeavouring to corrupt Ismael's
ir.j HIS Ton Y OF Tin-: df.ccan.
troops bt'foi'c tlu'ii' return, Siilf;m Isiiuicl I'csolvcd fo put ;iu
iMid lo this restless old intriguers plots. J)iiidin<>; ovei' iSizniu
Shall to neutrality, lie aeeordingly assembled an nriuy of ten

thousand cavalry, and laid siege to Jiieder. Ameer Bereed
at once Hed with the object of bringing assistance IVom
(lolconda. After some delay a i-einforcement of four thousand
Teliniianas arrived, and attacked Ismael's force at the same
time as tlic garrison made a sally, lioth attacks were, however,
beaten off with great loss, and the city was still moi-e closely
invested. Imad Shah, the Sultan of Berar now attem])ted to

conciliate Ismael, and visiting him in his camp, asked him to
forgive Ameer Bereed. The Sultan, however, replied that

Bereed had done him and his family more injuries than could
be enmnerated — which was (piite true — and refused to make
any terms. Upon this Imad Shah retired to Oodgir, where
he was joined by Bereed. Ismael Shah hearing that his
enemy had joined Imad Shah resolved upon surprising him,

and despatched Assud Khan, who throughout all these wars
had taken a most distinguished part, with a body of two
thousand picked horse. Assud Khan reached Bereed's camp
at the conclusion of a big banquet. All the guards and sen-
tinels were asleep amidst their broken wine pots, and Bereed
himself Avas so hopelessly intoxicated, that he Avas carried in
a state of insensibility, tied to his bed, and did not recover
consciousness, imtil he Avas a long way on the road to Bieder.
Bereed at first thought that he had been carried aAvay by
evil spirits, but on being told of the real state of things, Avas
overcome Avitli shame.
On the morning after the arrival of the surprise party in
Ismael Shah's camp. Ameer Bereed, noAv a man of a very
advanced age, was placed before Ismael Shah Avith his hands
tied behind his back. After he had stood in this Avay for
tAvo hours in the sun, the Sultan ordered him to be put to
death, and an executioner advanced for this ])urpose. Bereed
BlJAl'UR FROM Vm I.V';i. ISMAKI. AlHL SIIAII \^\:^
then l)('^\iie(l thai his lit'o iiiiglit be spared, and offered if this
were done to persuade liis sons to hand over the fort and
citadel of Bieder. 'I'lie sons, on being called upon, replied
tliat their father's life was of but little more worth, since in
the ordinary course of nature he must die soon. Ismael,
thinking that this was merely a ruse in order to gain time,
ordered Bereed to be put to death, but consented to have
him placed in such a position that the sons could see the
extremity to which he Avas reduced. This had the desired
effect, and the sons now offered to give up the fort on
condition only that they and their women should be allowed
to depart with the clothes on their persons without search.
In this mani'.er, they managed to carry off a considerable
portion of the royal robes and jewels, and with them retired
unmolested to Oodgir.
Ismael Shah, who had been joined by Imad Shah of
Berar, now entered the city pomp, and seated
with great
himself on the royal musuud of the Bahmanees. Of the real
representative of this we hear nothing, he had
ancient house,
probably been taken away with the Bereeds. An immense
amount of treasure and jewels were found in the fort, of
which Ismael Shah would not take any portion, but distributed
it amongst his followers and the Berar Sultan. It is narrated
that he told the poet Molana Seyd Kumi that he might take
as nuicli from the treasury as he could lift with both hands.
The poet replied that as he had groAMi old and weak in the
Shah's service he should be allowed two attempts. This was
granted, and the poet then said that he should like to Avait
until he had quite recovered his strength. The Sultan then

quoted a verse to the effect: --"There is danger in delay, and
it hurts the petitioner," thereupon tlie poet made shift to
carry as nnich as he could. Nor was he entirely unsuccessful,
for we are told that at each attempt he carried away bags
containing 25,000 gold oom, equal to about £ 10,000.
ini; 1 [IS TORY OF THE DECCAN.
At Iiuad Shah's intercession, Isinacl now |)ni(l()ne(l Ameer

Berccd, and gave liini the Govennnent of Kalean and Oodgir,
hut made him swear fealty to him and also to accomi)any
iiim with three thousand horse on an expedition to recover
Kaiclmr. This expedition proved successful, and Uaicliui- was
re-taken after a siege of three months, it having been for
seventeen years in the possession of the Hindoos. It will be
remembered that, on a previous occasion, when he had been
defeated, Ismael Shah had sworn to refrain from Avine until
he should have revenged the defeat. This having been
accomplished, he held a grand l)anquet, at Avhicli Imad Shah,
Ameer Bereed, and his Assud Khan,
Commander-in-Chief,
were present. Fifteen hundred captives were taken, and Ameer
Bereed was again granted the Government of Ahmedabad and
Bieder, on condition, however, that he would surrender Kalean
and Candahar. After this, Imad Shah and Ameer Bereed
were allowed to return to their respective countries.
Once at liberty, the wily old intriguer Bereed forgot to
fulfil the promise he had made of surrendering the two forts,
and entered into an alliancewith Boorahan Shah of Ahmed-
nagar (1531). The result was another campaign in which
Boorahan Shah Avas defeated. An alliance Avas then formed
between the two Sultans, one of two conditions of Avhicli was
that Ismael Shah Avas to be at liberty to conquer Avhat he
could of the Kutb Shadi dominions, and Boorahan Shah Avas
to add (if he could) Berar to his kingdom. In consequence

of this agreement, Ismael Shah, avIio Avas noAv joined by
Ameer Bereed, laid siege to Koilconda, one of the Kutb
Shahi's forts (1538). Before, hoAvever this fort could be taken,
Ismael Shah fell ill and died on the way to Gulburga (1534).
Assud Khan at once raised the siege, and returned with the
body of the deceased king and his two sons to Bijapur,
Avhere, after burying his master near his father, Yusuf Adil
Shah, he installed the eldest of the young princes on the throne.
BIJAPUB FBOM 1509 -153k TSMAEL ADIL SHAH. 1(>7
Ismael Adil Shah was prudent, patient, and generous. He

was more inclined to forgive than to punish, and
(JiicirtictGr
his clemency was sometimes taken advantage of.
He had artistic tastes, and was skilled in poetry and music.
He was also very fond of painting and of making arrows and
saddle cloths. He was quick at repartee, and had a large
stock of quotations, which he made in an apt and appropriate
manner. In manners, he was more polished than the Decannees,
and had been early trained in the Turkish and Persian habits
and customs. Although he did not make much head against
the Hindoos, he was acknowledged as the principal of the
Mahomedan kings of the Deccan, and though jealous of his
power and often combining to oppose him, they seem to have
admitted his superiority. His reign lasted for twenty-five years.
OENEAI.OCiY OF 'rill': HKKKKl) DYNASTY.
\Usiir2>ers of the Baliinatti Kin<jduiii\.
(Bieder).
1. Kasim Bereed 1492—1504
2. Amir Bereed (bod) 1504—1549
3. Ali Bereed Shah (son) 1549—1562
4. Ibrahim Bereed (son) 1562 — 1569

5. Kasim Bereed (In-other) 1569 — 1572
6. MiRZA Ali Bereed (son) 1572—1609
7. Ali Bereed 1609
After No. 7. Bieder was incorporated with Bijapur.
(Note. Kasim Bereed was oriu-inally a Georgian Slave but rose to be minister
of Mahmud Bahmani, during whose reign the other Deccan Kingdoms
revolted. Kasim kept the king Mahmfd II a prisoner and virtually ruled
till his death in 1504. His son Amir continued to reign under three
other puppet kings until 1527 when the last king Katam Ullah fled
to Ahmednagar when Amir assumed royalty. Ismail Adil shah
conquered Bieder and restored it to Amir Bereed as his vassal. Amir
died in 1549 liaving lost almost all his territory and his son assumed
the title of Shah).
CHAPTER XVI.
THE KINGDOMS Or HERAR AND GOLCONDA AND CONTINUATION
OF BIJAPUR.
It is necessary now to backwards in order to trace

glance
the foundations of the two kingdoms of Berar and Golconda
which liave ah'eady been frequently mentioned in the ])revious
chapter.
Berar was the smallest and least important of the Mahom-
edan kingdoms of the Deccan, and its independence was the
most short-lived. Like his rival king in Ahmednagar, the
founder ol" tlic I mad Slialii dynasty of J3erai' was a Hindoo

by descent. lie is said te have been a Canarese Ibalmiiii
taken in war by the Jâlnnanee Governor of Berar. He
adopted Ishnn, and ra])id]y rose to liig]i office, receiving tlie
title of Iniad-ul-Mulk. He asserted liis indejjendence about
the same time as Yusuf Adil Shah (1484), and in the partition
of 1498 he was recognised by the other kings, and received
as his share Mahar and Ramgarh, or the territory between
the Godavery and the Pain Gunga rivers. The first Iniad
Shall died early in the 16tli century, and was succeeded by
his son, Alla-ud-din, who was on the throne throughout the
whole of the reign of Ismael Adil Shah, as related in the
last cha])ter. This prince was constantly at war with Ahmed-

nagar, and generally got the worst of it. He lost his outlying
districts of Mahar and Pathri, and had to call in the Sultan
of Guzerat, whom he afterwards found it very difficult to

get rid of. His dominions comprised the province of Berar
as nearly as possible as it exists at the present day, lying
between the Rivers Taptee on the north and Godavery on
the south. The present southern boundary of the province is
the river PainGunga. The capital was at Ellichpore, and
with the exception of this city there were few other towns of
importance. The people were quiet and devoted to agriculture,
and as the province lies out of the line of march of the great
kingdoms, it had enjoyed a long period of peace. It formed
a sort of irregular square comprising an area of about 20,000
square miles. Sultan Alla-ud-din was succeeded by his son,
Daria Imad Shah (1550), and he in turn was succeeded (1568)
by Burhan Imad Shah. The infant king was
his infant son,
confined by his Minister, Tufal Khan, who usurped the

Government. He wâs, however, attacked by the Kings of
Bijapur and Ahmednagar, defeated, and after some time spent
in flight, was put to death together with the young ])rince
whom he had dethroned (1572). From this time Berar was
THE KINGDOMS OF BEIIAII AND GOLCONDA. 171
annexed Ahmednagar, to which kingdom it belonged, until

to
it in turn was conquered by an army from Delhi in 1607.
Tliis brief summary of the history of Berar must suffice for
the present, and further notice of any events of importance

will be made as they have reference to the general thread of
the story.
A kingdom that was destined to play a much more important
and lasting part in Indian history was that of Golconda,
^ , ^
which, under a different dynasty and another name
Golconda. . ,
i ix •
i
•
c
exists unto the present day. During the time of
the Bahmanee Sultans, Golconda was the capital of the
Governor of the Telingana provinces, and his rule extended
to the eastern coast with ports at Musalipatam and Coconada.
The Hindoo Kings of Warangal had disappeared, but a number
of petty chiefs survived. These Chiefs were continually break-
ing out into rebellion, and gave the Mahomedan Governor
a good deal of trouble. The Telingana province was therefore
one of considerable importance, and the Governor was an
officer of high dignity.
The founder of this new kingdom was Barra Malick Kull
Kutb-ul-Mulk, a Persian by descent, who entered the service
of Sultan Mahmoud Bahmanee towards the close of the 15th
century. When in 1490 an attempt was made to assassinate
Sultan Mahmoud, Barra, Malick was one of those who saved
the King, and eventually quelled the rebellion. For this he
was created Gliazi jMalick Kutb-ul-Mulk, and sent as Gov-
ernor to Telingana. When in 1489 the other Deccan Sultan
threw off all semblance of submission to the Bahmanee house,
Kiili Kutb-ul-Mulk still remained loyal, and it was not until
1510 that he finally declared his independence.
His first thought was to strengthen the fortifications of his
capital Golconda, and to improve its buildings. The fort as
it now exists shows signs of great strength, and 170 years
later it baffled the whole of Aurungzebe's army, and was
I7:i iiisronY or riii: diu'CAN.
()iil\ won l)\ tr(';i('lui-\ . In llic iiiidcllc oi" the lorl is ;i hill,
From the t(»|) ot" which the countrv is visible for miles Mroiiiid.
The Kiiii>;'s palaec niid most of the houses in the interior of
the fort arc now in ruins, but tlic walls are still intact, and
seen from the outside, the whole has a very gloomy appear-
ance, as the high walls frown doAvn on the waters of the lake
which washes the noil hern ])()rti()n of the fort.
The first campaign of the new Sultan was an unprovoked

Deva Raya, of Vijayanngar. After a great
one, against Krishna
battle near Pangal, which the Hindoos wei'c worsted, the
in
Sultan succeeded in capturing the two forts of Kovilconda

and Ganpoora, and then returned with a considerable amount
of plunder. In the following year, the Jiajah of Khammamett
broke into rebellion, and on being defeated managed to make
his escape and organized a ccmfederation of all the Hindoo
Rajahs. A nundier of actions ensued, in which the Mahom-
edans Avere successful, and at last a treaty was signed, in
which the River Godavery was made the northern boundary.

No sooner had peace been restored in the north, than wai-
broke out again in the south. Sultan Ismael, of Bijapur,
by the King of Vijayanagar, laid siege to Kovilconda.
instigated
Kutb Shah advanced to its relief, tuid during an engagement
that followed, received a sword cut in the face which dis-
tigured hiin for life, part of the nose and cheek being cut
off. It was whilst this siege was in progress that Sultan
Ismael Shah was taken ill and died, and Assnd Khan, (his
minister and general in chief) deeming that a settlement of
the succession more importance than the capture of
Avas of
the fort, raised and retired to Gulburga, after
the siege,
making peace with Kutb Shah. This Sultan continued to
reign for eleven years longer, and during almost the whole
of that time he Avas occupied in quelling the rebellions of the
Hindoo Chiefs. Under Krishna Deva R lya, the Vijayanagar
kingdom was gradually spreading in extent, and Kutb Shah
THE KINGDOMS OF BEBAB ANT) GOLCONDA. 173
fouiid Iiiiiiself being cut off from coiiiiiniiiicatioii with tlie
seasliore. lie does not seem to liave held iniicli land south
of the Kistna, and tiie Vijayanagar influence rapidly extended
along the coast, until it predominated as far north as the
Godavery. In 1543 Kuli Kutb Shah was assassinated whilst
saying his prayers in the mosque at Golconda, in ('()nse(|uence
of a plot oiganized by his son, Jamshid Kuli who succeeded

him. This first Golconda Sultan had ruled in the Telingana
Province for sixty years, during sixteen of which lie had been
a Governor, and forty-four an independent ])rince. He was
ninety years of age when he died.
As we have now brought the string of events down to the
death of Ismael Adil Shah, it will be as well to revert to the
Bijapur Province, rouiul which for the next forty years the
principal interest centres.
We have already told how Assud Khan considered it ad-
visable to raise the siege of Kovilconda, and return with the
dead body of the late Sultan and the two young princes to
Gulbui'ga. The names of those two princes were Mulloo and

Ibrahim. The former was the eldest, and had l)een designated as
his successor by the dying Sultan. He was, however, a pas-
sionate, licentious young man, and there was a general feeling
against making him Sultan, but Assud Khan thought himself
to be bound in duty to carry out his master's last connnands.
Assud Khan was now the most prominent man in the king-
dom. On frequent occasions he had during the reign of
Ismael Adil Shah given instances of his military talents and
devoted bravery. He now, and during the rest of his life,
showed himself to be a statesman, not only of ability, but
also of integrity. During the march to Gulburga, he kept
both the young princes in a kind of honourable confinement,
and prevented them from having access to one another, or to
the rest of the army, for he was afraid that intrigues Avould
be set on foot Arrived at Gulburga, a consultation was held
with tlic ladies of the harem and the Cliiet" ii()])ility, and it
was decided to follow the wishes of tlie late Sultan and j)larc
the eldest son, Midloo, on the throne. This was done, but
it became apparent
soon that the apprehensions of Assud
Khan were amply justified. The young King showed himself
to be thoroughly vicious, and gave himself up to reckless
dcbaucheiT. Disgusted at his conduct, Assud Khan retired
with his family to his Jaghir of Belgaum, and left Sultan

MuUoo to his own months were passed,
devices. Before six
the young tyrant had made himself thoroughly hated, and had
alienated from him all the adherents of his house. The crisis
was brought by his sending to Yusuf Turk, a nobleman of
high rank, to demand his son for the satisfaction of his
unnatural lust. On this demand ])eing treated with contempt,
the King sent a body of followers with orders to bring the
father's liead. These men were beaten off, and Yusuf Turk
retired with his family to his estates in a state of righteous
indignation. The Sultan's grandmother, Booboojee Khanum,
Avho, in the former reign had shown herself to be so capable
of action, now made up her mind that the young Sultan must
be deposed. Accordingly, she wrote to Yusuf Turk to give
his assistance, Avliicli, after consulting Assud Khan, and
obtaining his co-operation, he promised to do. On an ap-
pointed day, Yusuf Khan suddenly entered the capital with a
large force. He met Avitli little or no opposition, and Mulloo
was at once seized, together with his youngest brother. They
were both blinded, and the second brother, Ibrahim, was then
proclaimed amidst universal rejoicing. This short reign, so
full of infamy and disgrace, lasted only six months.
The new Sultan's first act was to change the State religion
from the S/ieea/i to the ûnnee creed, and his next was to
dismiss the foreigners such as Turks,
Sultan Ibrahim
Abdil Shah (1535).
t-,.
^êrsians,
all
^t -
Moguls, &c.,
o-i- in his
•
service, witJi
•
^
the exception of 400 men, whom he retained

THE KINGDOMS OF BERAB AND GOLCONDA. 175
as u special guard. In their place lie enlisted Deccanees and

Abyssinians. The latter race never seem to have l)een reckoned
as foreigners, and throughout Deccan liistory we always find
tliem making common cause with the Deccanees. Under the
latter name it must not be supposed that the Hindoos of the
Deccan were included. The appellation is used exclusively

with reference to the descendants of the first Mahomedan or
Afghan families that had accompanied Sultan Alla-ud-Din to
the Ueccan. This summary dismissalwas by no means a
wise step, for the men thus sent aAvay formed some of the
best fighting material of the Bijapur army. Rama Rajah of
Vijayanagar at once enrolled them in his service, and not
only gave them great indulgences, but allowed them to build
a mosque in his city. He also had a copy of the Koran
placed before his throne, so that Avhen his Mahomedan servants
came to pay their respects, they could do so Avithout a breach
of the rules of their own religion. In this way he succeeded
in collecting a well-disciplined force of three thousand Mahom-
edans, which proved of considerable use to him.
Soon after Ibrahim Shah's accession, a revolution broke out
in Vijayanagar which led to the Sultan's interference in tlic
affairs of that kingdom. Rama Rajah the son of Krishna
Deva Raya, had succeeded to the throne in 1530, and being
a descendant of the usurping dynasty, strengthened his posi-
tion by marrying a daughter of the old Hari ITara family.
Ferishta speaks of the throne being then held by an infant of
the original dynasty, and goes on to say that on Rama Rajah
endeavouring to put this family entirely aside, a revolution
broke out amongst the nobility, whereupon Rama Rajah put
an infant descended from the female line on the throne, and,
leaving him in charge of his own uncle, Hoje Permal Row,
went on an expedition against some refractory Rajahs in the
Malabar and Madura countries. During his absence a rebellion
took place in the capital. Hoje Permal Row was induced to
17() HISTOnr OF TIIK DI'JCCAN.
lil)(.'i;ik' till' youiii;" Ixaj.-ili ;ni(l place liiiii on tliu tliionc Scvcrnl
otliiT Ivajalis (lu'ii joiiRHl tlic revolution, aiul for a time Rama
Rajah was (le|)iive(l of power, liet'oi'e long, lioje l\'iinal Row
liad the young King strangled and usurj)e(l the throne himself,
{•'inding, however, that he was too weak to hold his own

against Rama Rajah, who still kept the field, he invited Ibrahim
Shah to come to his assistance, offering him a subsidy of
three lakhs of oous, {£ 40,000) for each day his. army should
march. This was an offer which Ibrahim Shah was by no
means loth to accept. He marched with a considerable army
to Vijayanagar, was there received by Permal Row and
entertained for seven days. This alliance with a Mahomedan
sovereign, however, excited such dissatisfaction amongst the
Hindoo Rajahs that a strong protest was made, and Permal
Row, trusting to their promises that if he Avould dismiss the
Sultan they would recognize him as Rajah, paid his new ally
fifty lakhs of oo.is {£ 1,700,000) and alloAved him to return.
No sooner, however, had Ibrahim Shah crossed the Kistna

than Rama Rajah and his confederates returned and laid siege
to the capital. Permal Row shut himself up in the citadel,
and becoming "mad from despair, blinded all the royal
elephants and horses, also cutting off their tails that they
might be of no use to the enemy. All the diamonds, rubies,
emeralds, other precious stones and pearls, which had been
collected in the course of many ages, he crushed to poAvder
between heavy mill stones and scattered them on the ground.
He then fixed a sword-blade into a pillar of his apart-
ment, and ran his breast upon it with such force, that it
pierced through, and came out of his back; thus putting an

end to his existence just as the gates of the palace were
opened to his enemies" {FerhJita). Rama Rajah then became
undisputed King of Vijaganagar, and Ave hear of no other
revolts or rival claimants until the final doAvnfall of the
kingdom nineteen years later.
THE KINGDOMS OF BERAR AND GOLCONDA. 177
Ihraliiiii Sliali took ;i{lvnnt;igc of the confusion in Vijnyan.'ig.'U'
to send ;ui army under Assud Khan to surprise the important

fortress of Adoni. This, however, lie was not able to do, as
Raina Rajah despatched his brother Venkatadri (or, as Ferishta
calls him, Negtaderee) with a force far exceeding his in
number. Assud Khan then commenced a retreat, but being

harassed closely by the Hindoos, was able to surprise their
camp one night, and take the General's family captive.
Thereupon negociations were opened, to be followed shortly
by a peace, and Assud Khan returned to Bijapur.
Assud Khan was now the principal man in Bijapur, and
as always occurs, his power and influence excited considerable
envy and jealousy. For some time the Sultan refused to
allow his mind to be poisoned with stories against his jMinister,
After a time, however, they prevailed, and Ibrahim Shah sent

forAssud Khan, intending on his arrival to put him to death.
The plot, however, had been overheard, and Assud Khan,
forewarned, retired to Belgaum, where he was too strong for
even the Sultan to attack him. Various intrigues were then
set on foot in order to gain possession of the too-powerful
Minister, and one Yusuf was granted a jaghir near Belgaum
for the express purpose of enabling him to carry out a sur-
prise. This, indeed, he attempted, but was beaten off with
disgrace.
A disagreement of this kind was an opportunity which the
ever-watchful and jealous neighbouring States were not likely
to let pass. Accordingly, giving out that Assud Khan was
})re})ared to join them, Nizam Shah and Ameer Bereed invaded
the Bijapur territories, and after investing the Sholapur dis-
tricts, Assud Khan was now placed
marched upon Belgaum.
in a very awkward position. The invading princes appear to
have used his name without authority, but if he refused to
act with them, they were in a position to compel him or to
annex his jaghirs. Accordingly, he temporized, and although
12
17S HISTORY OF THE DECCAN.
lie joined the enemy's caiin), lie wrote to Iiii;i(l Shall of Ik'iar
begging him to come to the assistance of lîjapiir. This I mad

Shah at onec did. when Assud Klian joined him, and i-epi-e-
sentcd to him the whole of tlic circumstances that had brought

about this crisis. Imad Shah tlien took Assud Khan before
Ibraliim, wlio, on being convinced of his loyalty, at once
received him with favour. 'I'liis at once changed the aspect
of affairs, and the invaders had to retreat. Ibrahim followed
them well into their own territories, and Ameer J3ereed, dying
on the road, Nizam Shah had to sue for peace. This was
granted on condition of I'estoring the five districts of Shola-
pore, and promising not to again invade the Bijapur dominions
(1542). This peace, however, did not last long, for in the
following year Nizam Shah made an alliance with Ali Bereed,
Avho had succeeded his father Ameer, Kutb Shah of Golconda,
and Rama Rajah of Vijayanagar. These princes all entered
JMjapnr territory by three —Nizam Shah by
different routes
Sholapore, Kutb Shah by Gulburga, and Rama Rajah by the
usual bone of contention, Raichore. Ibrahim Shah, at a loss
how to meet these three invasions, sent for Assud Khan,
Avhose advice was that Nizam Shah being at the bottom of
the confederacy he should be pacified lirst. Rama Rajah
could be bought off by concessions and promises, and then
Kutb Shah could be dealt with alone. As Ibrahim was
unable to meet the combination in the field, this appears to
have been the best advice possible. Nizam Shah professed
himself by
satisfiedthe restoration of the Sholapore
district, and Rama Rajah was bought off by some small
concessions. Assud Khan then marched against Jumsheed
Kutb Shah, recovered from him Gulburga and its districts,
and then followed him up to the walls of Golconda, within
which he compelled him to take shelter after defeating
his army and wounding the King in an engagement. Assud
Khan then returned to Bijapur, where he was received wnth
THE KINGDOMS OF BEBAll AND GOLCONDA. 179
great distinction. In a short time, liowcver, tlie war l)roke
out afrcsli, Nizam Shah being aoain tlie agressor. This time
the attempt was upon Uull)urga, but the invading force was
met by Ibrahim Shall on the banks of tlie Bhimrah, and
defeated with great loss. Ibrahim Shah fought ])ersonally in
this Imttle with great gallantly, but the credit for the
victory Avas due, and w\as given, to Assud Khan. This victory
appears to have turned Ibrahim's head, and he behaved with
such arrogance to the ambassadors of Nizam Shah, that they
retired in disgust, and the war broke out afresh. This time,
fortune was against Ibrahim, and his armies were twice
defeated in the space of six months. Ibrahim attributing
these defeats to the disaffection of his Hindoo officials, caused
a number of them to be put to death, and others to be
tortured in the public square. This cruelty excited general
disgust. Assud Khan retired to Belgauin, and a conspiracy
was formed to depose Ibrahim and place his brother, Abdulla,
on the throne. The conspiracy w\as discovered, and Abdulla
went to Goa, wdiere he was sheltered by the Portuguese, and
there commenced a correspondence with Nizam Shah and
Kutb Shall. An attempt was made to gain Assud Khan over
to this conspiracy, but though he was again in disfavour
with the suspicious Sultan, this loyal old veteran refused the
])roposal with indignation. But Assud Khan's name was one
to conjure with, so high Avas the general feeling of affection
and confidence. He himself was sick, but the Portuguese,
after having proclaimed Abdulla, marched with him towards
Bijapur, and giving out that Assud Khan was on their side,
induced a number of the disaffected nobles to join their
army. Nizam Shah hearing of Assud Khan's illness at once
marched upon Belgaum hoping in case of his death to secure
this important fortress. On his arrival Assud Khan was
somewhat better, and Nizam Shah then attempted to win the
garrison by biibery. For this ])urpose he sent a Brahmin as
180 HISTORY OF TJfE DEC CAN.
Iiis t'liiissarv, who had ncai'ly succeeded, when ihe |)l()t was
discovered l)V Assiid Khan, who al once put the l^rahiniii
and seventy of the soldiers he iiad c<)rrii[)ted to death. This

act showed clearly that Assud Khan was still loyal, and on
hearing of it, the Bija})ur nobles at once forsook Abdnlla.
The Goanese, disappointed of a junction with Nizam Shah,
had now to I'ctire, and Nizam Shah deserted by his allies,
had also to return to his country. In the mean time, Assud
Khan was really dying. The man who had so often saved
the State when alive had rendered it a final service on Ids
death-bed, for if, as had been originally intended, Nizam
Shah had effected a junction with the Portuguese, Bijapur
must have fallen, and Abdulla been placed upon the throne.
The whole incident is especially worthy of record, because it
is the first occasion in wdiich we find a European nation
taking an active share in the intrigues of a Native State, a
policy which has had such successful results in subsequent

years. When Assud Khan felt that his end was approaching,
he sent a message to his master, Ibrahim, whom he had
served so well, but who had so often requited his services
with ingratitude. The Sultan at once set off for Belgaum,.
but arrived too late. All that he could do was to comfort
the mourning family with />7/i7afs and assurances of royal
favour, but this comfort must have been of a nature not
altogether gi'atifying, for we are told that the Sultan took the
opportunity of annexing ail his deceased servant's treasures
and estates for his own use.
Assud Khan had for nearly forty years been one of the
most prominent characters in the Deccan. He was universally
respected not only for his military talents, but also for his
judgment and wisdom. He lived with a magnificence that
was almost royal, and his household servants alone numbered
more than two hundred and fifty persons. In his stables
were sixty elephants of the largest, and one hundred and fifty
THE KINGDOMS OF BERAlt AND GOLCONDA. 181
of a smaller size, besides four liiindred Aral) and Persian

horses, in addition number of countrj-breds. Tu his
to a
kitchen there was consumed each day one hundred mauuds
(8,0001bs.) of rice, fifty sheep, and one hundred fowls and
other })rovisions in pro})ortion. The treasures and jewels
which he left are said to have been of immense value, and
in this respect he formed a striking contrast to that other
great Khajeh Gawan, who, under the Bahmanee
nobleman,
Sultans, may well be compared with him.
No sooner was this war terminated than another broke out.
In accordance with Assud Khan's last wish, Sultan Ibrahim
made an alliance with, and gave his daughter in marriage to,
Ali Bereed, of Ahmedabad Bieder. This at once excited the

jealousy of Nizam Shah, who thereupon made an alliance with
Rama Rajah of Vijayanagar, who recommended him to attack
Kallean, a fortress belonging to Bereed. Ibrahim marched
to assist his son-in-law, but suffered a severe defeat, and the
fortwas taken by Nizam Shah. Ibrahim, compelled to retire,
made a diversion into the enemy's country towards the west.
He devastated a considerable amount of country, and succeeded
in surprising Porundeh, a fort which subsequently became
very famous as Sivajee's favourite stronghold. Here he left a
garrison, which surrendered without a struggle as soon as

Nizam Shah advanced to retake this important post. Next
year (1551) the war recommenced. As usual, the Vijayanagar
army commenced operations by besieging Raichore and Mud-
kul. The Hindoo Prince then marched to join Nizam Shah,
and the two armies took Sholapore without much trouble.
In 1553 Boorahan Nizam Shah died, and his successor,
Hoosein Nizam Shah, made peace with Bijapur, which, however,
did not last long. Hoosein Shah having degraded his father's
Commander-in-Chief, Khajeh Jehan, the latter escaped to
Bijapur, together with a younger brother of the Sultan. It
did not require much persuasion on the part of these refugees
182 HISTORY OF THE VECCAN.
to induce Ihraliiiii 81iali to support tlic claims of this pretender,

was held out to him as a
especially as the fort of Sliolapore
bait. He at once Shah Ali (for this was his
proclaimed
name) Sultan of Ahmcdnagar, and marched with an army to
take possession of Shola])ore. Here he was met by Hoosein
Nizam Shah, and an engagement ensued, in which Ibrahim
Shah was worsted. The defeat appears to have occurred
through a mistake. His General, Seyf Eyn-ul-Mulk, liad in
reality broken the enemy's centre, but was left unsupported.

Ibrahim Shah being told that he had gone over to the enemy,
made a precipitate retreat, leaving his General in the lurch.
The latter managed to cut his way through the enemy's ranks,
and followed his master, who, however, received him at Bijapur
with such disfavour that the General retired to his own estates.
Ibrahim sent an army after him but it was defeated, and

another and stronger force met with the same fate. Eyn-ul-
Mulk now asserted his independence, and so dangerous did
matters look, that Ibrahim Shah had to march against him in
person with the whole force that he could raise. The Sultan,
however, fared no better than his generals, and wâs severely
defeated with the loss of his baggage and royal paraphernalia.
Ibrahim himself escaped and fled in haste to Bijapur, which
was at once invested by the rebel. In this last extremity,
Ibrahim applied to Rama Rajah of Vijayanagar for assistance.
The Hindoo King at once complied, and sent his brother
Venkatadri with a large army. The Hindoo General, by a
clever night attack, succeeded in surprising Eyn-ul-Mnlk's
camp, and put the whole of the army to the sword, the rebel
himself just managing to escape with two hundred followers.
Eyn-ul-Mulk fled to Ahmednagar, where, however, he was
assassinated by order of the Sultan (1551).

Ibrahim Shah, thus saved by the Hindoos, gave iiimself up
to debauchery, and very soon fell ill. He called in a nundier
of doctors, but as they were not able to cure him, he ])ut
THE KINGDOMS OF BEEAR AND GOLCONDA. 183
tlieiii to dentil, beheading some and liaving others trodden to

death by ele])liants.
As might be expected, this treatment was not calculated to

encourage the rest, who left his court in a body. The Sultan,
left without medical aid, was equally unable to cuie himself,
and died in 1557 after a reign of twenty-four years.
Ibrahim Adil Shah was a passionate and headstrong man.
As long as Assud Khan was his chief adviser, his reign was
a prosperous one, but after he had (luarrelled with
(Jlicirtictcr. •
him, and especially after Assud Khan's death, he

degenerated into a licentious tyrant. Although constantly at
war, he seems to have had little or no military talents, and
all his successes were due to his Generals. When left to him-
self, he seems generally to have been defeated. The frequent
manner in Avhich both he and his rival Sultans appealed to
Rama Rajali for assistance the Hindoo
shows how rapidly
kingdom had been growing in importance. Whilst the Ma-
homedan States, like Kilkenny cats, were destroying each other,
the Hindoos were rapidly becoming the arbiters oftheDeccan.
During Ibrahim Shah's reign several impoitant changes were
made, which were destined to prove of importance in Deccan
history. These were the employment of Brahmins and Hin-
doos in the Revenue and Accounts Departments, the use of
the Vernacular in the preparation of accounts, and the enlist-
ment of Bergecs or Mahratta soldiers in the army. In AJimed-
nagar, the Nizam Shahs adopted the same policy, and the
Sultan even appointed a Brahmin Minister with the title of
PesJuca, the origin of the title which Avas subsequently to
become so famous. The Bert/ees were enlisted from among
the Mahratta villagers, almost all of which Avere situated in
either Bijapur or Ahmednagar territories. They were mer-
cenaries, and replaced the old Silladarees, who ])rovided their
own horses, and ranked more as gentlemen soldiers than as
ordinary rank and tile. These Mahratta tr()o])s, which in
184 ILISTOUY OF rni'J DECCAN.
Jiijnpiir iiuiiil)crc(l as iiiimy as 80,000, introduced an entirely

new system of warfare, wliicli was subsequently brought to
perfection by the great Sivajee. This system consisted in
eluding the enemy as much as ])()ssible, and in harrassing

him in every way, whilst on the line of march; cutting off
supplies; night surprises and a general harrying of the country
in front of the enemy. This led to a desultory predatory kind
of warfare, in which the country and the cultivators suffered
more than the armies. The change of the State religion, to
Avhicli allusion has been made, did not have any political
results. As a matter of fact, the Bijapur Sultans seem to

have belonged alternately to the Sheeali and the Sunnee sects,
Ibrahim Shah's son and successor at once reverted to the

Sheeah, and his successors belonged sometimes to the one,
and sometimes to the other sect. The only effect of this was
to bring about a spirit of tolerance, not only towards each
other, but also towards the Hindoos.
(iKNKAI.OGY OF TIIK IMAD «HAH1 DYNASTY.
{Btifar —dqiital Ellkhpore and BuHunqwre).
1. Fathullah Imad Shah Baii.mani

(a Hindoo boy capturcfl liy the Balimaiii
King- in a war with Vijayanajâr and
turned Mahomedan. Revolted.
1483—1504.
2. Alla ud din Imad Shah

1504—1528
3. Dariya Imad Shah

1528—1560
Burhan Imad Shah Bibi Doulat

1560—1568 married Hussain
Kinir of Ahmednasar,
(N.B. In Burhan's reign Tufal Khan seized the throne but wan killed by
MuRTAZA Nizam Shah of Ahmednagar and Kingdom annexed.
CHAPTER XVII.
THE FALL 01' VIJAYANAGAR.
In the year 1560, the Vijayanagar Kingdom was at the

lieight of its splendour. Rama Rajah had subdued all liis
rebellious chief's, and ruled without dispute from the Kistna

to Cape Comorin. He had gradually extended his sway up
to the moutlis of the Godavery, was in alliance with the
Hindoo Rajahs, who still maintained their independence north
of that river, and Avas married to the daughter of the King
of Orissa. In Madura, the rulev of the whole of the south
THE FALL OF VIJAYANAGAB. 187
was a Deputy of Vijayanagar. In Taylor's "Oriental Manu-

scripts" there is an interesting account of the manner in which
Visvanatha Naick, a General of the Hindoo King, reduced his
own father who had assumed inde])endence in IMadura to
obedience. The date of this transaction is fixed at A.D. 1432,
or about one hundred years after the founding of Vijayanagar,
Even at this time the Vijayanagar Rajah's rule is said to have
extended over "fifty-six kingdoms, and he entertained in his
service forty thousand cavalry, four thousand elephants, and
ten thousand camels," and foot
soldiers innumerable. The
kingdom was bounded on the east and west by the sea,
though the ports on the Western Coast were limited to those
between Goa to the north and Calicut to the south. The
only portion of the Southern Peninsula which did not acknow-
ledge the sovereignty of Vijayanagar appears to have been
that portion of the Western Coast in which the kingdoms of
Cochin and Travancore are now situated. The whole of this
enormous territory was sub-divided amongst minor Rajahs
and petty Chiefs, all of whom paid tribute, and rendered
feudal service to their over-lord. From time to time they
occasionally asserted their independence or turned refractory,
but they Avere generally reduced without much ditficulty. The
country was Avatered by several magnificent rivers, the Kistna,
the Pennair, the Poniar, and the Cauvery. The mountains in

Mysore and Travancore formed vast forests, which were full
of wild elephants; the valleys were rich and fertile, and
there runs throughout the whole extent from north to south
a belt of gold-bearing quartz which must have been exten-
sively worked. From a country so rich in natural resources
the Kings derived an enormous revenue. We have already
given extracts from the accounts of some of the travellers
who visited Vijayanagar in the early part of the 15th century,
all of whom speak in enthusiastic terms of the splendour and
riches of the ca])ital. An immense amount of the gold and
188 TOBY OF THE DECCAN.
silver was melted into solid masses, and buried in cellars
under the King's palace. Hut though fond of accuinulating

gold and jewels, the Hindoo Kings were always liberal in their
expenditure on agricultural and irrigation works. The rivers
were all dammed at different parts, and irrigation channels dug
to the rice fields, and where no rivers existed, the whole
face of the country was covered with a network of irrigation
tanks and reservoirs, some of enormoas size, covering many
square miles in extent. At the beginning of this century, Avlien
Sir Thomas (then Captain) Munro was appointed to settle the
Districts which had just been ceded after the Mysore War,
he thus describesthe country which is situated around the
capital, Vijayanagar (the present districts of Bellary, Ananta-
poor, Cuddapah, and Kurnool) "To attempt the construction
:
—
of new tanks is perhaps a more hopeless experiment than the
repair of those which have been filled up, for there is scarcely
any 'place where a tank can he made to advantage that has
not already been applied to this piuyose by the inhahitants"
[Cuddapah Manual, page 10). In the sub-division of the
Cuddapah District, where the author wâs for some years the
Principal Revenue Officer, there were in an area of 3,574
square miles no less than 4,194 tanks of various sizes. All
these public works Avere built and maintained by an ingenious
revenue system, under which none of the cost of maintenance
w'as borne by the Government, and only in the case of the
larger works, the cost of construction. Under this system called
Basbandham a portion of the land irrigated was allotted rent-
free on condition of the grantee keeping the tank in repair,
and in many cases of constructing it. The remainder of the
land paid the usual rent to Government, and in this manner
the Government Avhilst improving the country, added to its
own revenues with but little additional expenditure.
Politically speaking, the importance of Vijayanagar had
inpreased in the sanie way as its prosperity had done. During
THE FALL OF VLTAYANAaAR. 189
the time of the Jîilinianec Kinf];s, although there were uumei--

ous wars, tlie boundary of the 'ruiiga])M(lliru or the Kistna
was rarely over-ste])ped by either side. The fighting was
almost entirely confined to the country lying between these
two rivers, known as the Doab. With the ruin of the Jâli-
luanee dynasty and the constant quarrels of the Mahomedan

Kings, who established themselves in its place, the importance
of Vijayanagar rapidly increased. The Doab became virtually
Vijayanagar territory, and though the forts of Raichore and
Mudkul were frequently retaken by the Bijapur Kings, they
wêre not held for long. In course of time Rama Kajah assumed
the aggressive, and we
him being called in, first on one
find
side, and then on the and occasionally being subsidized
other,
by both. The reason why the Hindoo Kings had been able
for so long to more than hold their own against the Mahom-
edans, in spite of the greater bravery and discipline of the
latter, seems to have been their enormous recuperative
power. Having so vast a population under their rule, they
were, after each defeat, able to bring new hordes into the
field, so by mere force of numbers they were able to
that
compel the Mahomedans to retire. The time, however, had
now come for the final blow which w\as to crush Vijayanagar for
ever, and we will now narrate the incidents that led up to it.
When Ibrahim Adil Shah died in 1557, Hussein Nizam
Shah was ruling in Ahmednagar. He at once took advantage
of the confusion attendant upon a new accession to invade
the Bijapur territory, which he did in conjunction Avith Kutb
Shah, who, however, soon deserted him, and he had to retire
within his own dominions. Ali Adil Shah, who had succeeded
his father Ibrahim, at once resolved to revenge the unpro-
voked attack, same time endeavoured to regain
and at the
Sholapore and Kallean. For this purpose he formed an alli-
ance with Rama Rajah and Kutb Shah, whilst Hussein Shah
made overtures to Imad Shah of Berar, and strengthened the
.•illiniK'C l)y giving tlic hittci' his dniiglitcr in iiiarringc. A

proof of tlic v.mIuc Avliich vvns attached (o t\\v, fiioiidship of
Rama Rajah is to he found in Ihe unusual sfe|) which A)i
A(hl Shall took in order to gain his aUiancc. A son of

Rama Rajah happening at this time to die, tlie SuUan,
accompanied hy f)nly one hundred followers, went all the way
to Vijayanagar to ])ay the Rajah a visit of condolence. He
was hospitably received, and Fcrishta says that the wife of
Rama Rajah adopted Ali Adil Shah as her son, in order to
cement the friendship between the twô Kings.
But this visit instead of strengthening tlie friendship was,
in reality, the cause of its dissolution. Rama Rajah, who was
now an old man of over ninety years of age, dis])layed a
consideral)le amount and made Adil Shah feel
of arrogance,
that he Avas a suppliant. The author, from whom Ave have so
often quoted, says that, when leaving the city, Rama Rajah did
not accompany the Sultan, and that this affront rankled in his
mind, though he did not consider it prudent to show any
signs of dissatisfaction at the time. It will 1)e remembered
that a similar want of respect excited the anger of Feroze

Shah Bahmanee, Avhen he paid a visit to Deva Rajah, one
hundred and fifty years previously. The local tradition adds
another reason Avliy Adil Shah bore a grudge against Rama
Rajah. It is said that they were riding together through the
city, and the Sultan seeing a number of pigs, observed to

the Rajah that he could not understand hoAv Hindoos could
eat the flesh of such uncleanly animals. The Rajah is said to
have replied: "You Mahomedans eat fowls, do you not?"
Of course the answer was in the affirmative. "Well," said
the Rajah, "fowls pick their food from out of the dung of
the swîne, so that they must be even more uncleanly than
the pigs which you despise." This the Sultan treasured up
as an insult to his religion, and resolved to avenge it when
the opportunity should come.
THE FALLlOF VTJAYANAGAR. 191
III 1558, the wnv which htul hecii delayed l)y iiegociations
broke oiif, since Nizam iShali indignantly refused to restore
Slioh'i])()re. Rama Rajah, true to his ])romise, assisted Adil
Sliali with a large army, and Kutl) Shall, who liad at first
promised to join Nizam Shah, speedily forsook him for the

other side. This combination was too strong for Nizam Shah
to Avithstand. Tiic whole of his territory was laid waste and
ravaged, and he himself was shut up in his capital, Ahmed-
nagar. Here the Hindoo allies committed all kinds of excesses,
mosques were desecrated, and Syeds and holy men slaughtered,
whilst their wives and daughters were detlowered. All this
excited the indignation of the Mahomedan princes, but what
probably intlamed them still more was the pride and arrogance
of Rama Rajah himself. He would not allow them to be
seated in his presence, and made them to Avalk in his train,
until he gave them permission to mount. At the close of the
war, he compelled both Kutb Shah and Adil Shah to give up
certain districts as the price of his assistance. In this way
Kutb Shah up gave Kovilkondah, and Kunbore,
Bankul,
whilst Adil Shah had to resign Outingpur and Bakrukobc.
This termination of the war filled Adil Shah with disgust.
He had gained nothing for himself, for Sholapore had not
l)een taken, and Ahmednagar had managed to hold out, but,
on the other hand, he had been made to resign two districts,
and had been disgraced and dishonoured in the eyes of his

co-religionists.
He is said to have been a man of considerable intelligence,

and, if so, his eyes cannot but have been opened to the
inevitable consequences of the growing power of Vijayanagar
in the face of the suicidal quarrels of the ^lahomedan Kings.
Accordingly, he conceived the idea of a league of the Mahom-
edan Kings with which to crush the rival, who was now
overshadowing them The first princeall. to whom the idea
was revealed was Ibrahim Kutb Shah, of (lolconda. He at
l!12 HTSTOnr OF THE DECCAN.
oiu'c siixiiiticd liis coDsciit, ;iii(l offered liis services ;is ;i
me(li;it(>r to ()l)taiii not only tlic alliance of Nizam SJimIi, of

Aliniednagar, but also the restoration to Adil Sjiali of the fort
of 8holaj)ore. In order to effect this design, he despatehcd
Mustafa Khan, one of the most intelligent of his iiohles, to
Hijapur. Adil Shah, proving himself to be thoroughly in
earnest, the ambassador, went on to Ahmednagar, and after a

negociation lasting for some days, an arrangement was made.
Hussein Nizam 81iali agreed to give to Ali Adil Shah, Chund
Bibi, his daughter, as wife, and with her the fort of Sholaporc
as a dowry. In return, Adil Shah was to give liis daughter

to Nizam Shah's eldest son. Sultan iMurtiza. This double-
marriage was carried out with great ])om|), and the mutual
treaties having been solemnly ratified, the two princesses started
on the same day from their respective homes, in order to join
their husbands. In Chund Bibi Adil Shah gained a ])rize
infinitely more valuable than the fort of Sholapore. The

history of the world has preserved the memory of many
Queens, who have also been heroines, and Chund Bibi deserves
to take a place in the foremost of their ranks. Tradition in
the Deccan still honours her, and more recently the story of
her life has been told in enthusiatic terms by Colonel Meadows
Taylor. The holy league being thus formed, was also joined
by Bereed Shah of Bieder. The Sultan of Berar does not
seem to have been invited, and took no part in it. In the
year 1564 the four princes met in the plains of Bijapur and
then marched to Tellicotta, on the Bijapur bank of the Kistna.
Though the preparations for this undertaking nuist have
lasted some time, Rama Rajah seems to have at first treated
it But when convinced of the fact of the
with contempt.
alliance, he despatched his younger brother, Tinmia Rajah,
with a large army, said to have consisted of one hundred
thousand foot, twenty thousand horse, and five hundred
elephant, to guard the passages of the Kistna. His second
THE FALL OF VIJAYANAGAli. l!»:{
brotlier, Venk;itM(li'i, lie sent with another large arniy as
reserve, and himself followed with the whole of tlie rest of

his forces The allied armies by a series of clever feints
managed to draw the Hindoos away from the only ])ractical)le
ford, after which, returning by a forced march they succeeded
in crossing the river without opposition, and then drew up
their forces in order of battle. Hussein Nizam Shah, as was

due to his age, and commanded the centre;
took the lead,
Ali Adil Shah commanded the right, and Kutb Shah with
Bereed Shah the left wing. The artillery was fastened
together by chains, and drawn up in front of the line, flanked
on each side by the war elephants. I'erishta, who doubtless
heard an account of the battle from eye-witnesses, gives a
very graphic account of it, which we cannot do better than
reproduce:
— "Rama Rajah entrusted his left to his brother
Eeltum (Timma?) Rajah, and his right to his other brother,
Venkatadri, asjainst Ali Adil Shah, while he himself commanded
in the centre. Tavo thousand war elephants and one tliousand
pieces of cannon were placed at different intervals of his line.
About twelve o'clock in the day, Rama Rajah mounted a litter
in spite of the remonstrances of his officers, who wished him

to be on horseback, as much safer; but he said there was
no occasion for taking precautions against children who would
certainly fly at the first charge. Both armies ])eing in motion,
soon came to battle, and begun the attack by
the infidels
vast flights of rockets and rapid discharges of artillery which
did not discourage the allies. A general action took place,
and many were slain on both sides. Rama Rajah, finding a
different behaviour in the enemy from what he had expected,
descended from his litter, and seating himself upon a rich
throne set with jewels, under a canopy of crimson velvet,
embroidered Avitli gold and adorned with fringes of pearls,
ordered his treasurer to place heaps of money all round him,
that he might confer rewards on such of his followers, as
13
I!tl lllS'l'Oh'Y or TIIH IH'JCCAN.
deserved his .•ittciitioii. There were also ricli oniniuciits of

tôld and jewels tor the s.-ime ])iir|)ose. The iiilideis, inspired
by the generosity of their prinee, eharged tiie I'iglit and left
of the allies with such vigour, that they were thrown into
disorder; and Ali Adil Shah and KutI) Sliah hegaii to despair
of victory, and ])repare for retreat, ihissein Xizani Sjiaii
remained tirni in the centre, and pushed so vigorously, that

of Kama Rajah, that it began to be confused; upon which
the Rajah again mounted his litter, which was soon after let
fall upon tlic approach of a furious elephant
by the bearers
belonging to Nizam Shah, and before he had time to recover
himself and mount a horse, a body of the allies took him
prisoner, and conducted him to Chela Roomi, who commanded
the artillery. He carried him to Nizam Shah, who ordered
instantly his head to be struck off and placed upon the point
of a long spear, so that his death might be proclaimed to
the enemy. The Hindoos, according to custom, when they

saw their chief destroyed, fled in the utmost confusion and
disorder from the field of battle, and were pursued by the
allies Avith such successful slaughter that the river which ran
near the field of battle was dyed red with their blood. It is
computed by the best authorities that one hundred thousand

infidels were slain in the fight, or during the pursuit. The
plunder was so great that every private man in the allied
army became rich in gold, jewels, effects, tents, arms, horses,
and slaves, as the Sultans left every person in possession of
what he had acquired, only taking a few elephants for their
own use. Firmans, with accounts of this very important
victory, were despatched to their several dominions, and the
Sultans after the battle marched onwards into the country of
Rama Rajah as far as Anagoondy, and the advanced troops
penetrated to Vijayanagar, which they plundered, razed the
chief buildings, and committed all kinds of excess." {Scoff's
IVaths/afiotK) The Portuguese historian Faria-y-Suza (Kerr

THE FALL OF VLTAYANAGAR. 195
VI., 422) writes:

— "The trade of India in 1566 was reduced
to a very low ebb l)y war between Vijayanagar
the desohiting
and the Mahomechui Kings of the Deccan. The Vijayanagar
King, who was tlien ninety-six years of age, was at first
successful, but in the end was defeated and slain. 'I'hc
Mahomedans spent five montlis in plundering Vijayanagar,

although the natives had previously carried away 1,550
elephant loads of money and jewels Avith above a luindred
millions of gold, besides the royal chair, whicli was of
inestimable value. In his share of the plunder Add Shah,
got a diamond, as large as an ordinary egg and another of
extraordinary size, thougli smaller, together with other jewels
of inestimable value." The temples whicli still remain almost
all show traces of this search for plunder, and every hole and
corner seems to have been ransacked. Two years afterwards,
the city was visited by the Venetian traveller, Caesar Predericke.
He speaks of the houses as still standing, but in parts of the
city there were nothing but tigers and wild animals. Timma
Rajah, brother of Rama Rajah, had then come back, and
was endeavouring to re-people the city. In this, however, he
never succeeded, and he also had to retire further south.
The battle of Tellicotta was a crushing blow to the Hindoo
rule of South India. The representatives of the old reigning
family withdrew first to Penna Konda, and then to Chandragiri
in the North Arcot District, which remained the capital for
more than two hundred years. But the country attached to
this portion of the Hindoo family was very small in extent.
After the defeat of Rama Rajah, all the vassal Rajahs asserted
their own independence. ^lysore, Madura, and Tanjore formed
themselves into independent States, and the country round
Vijayanagar was parcelled amongst petty chieftains and zemin-
dars. If anything, the was a loss rather
fall of Vijayanagar
than a gain to the Mahomedan States. For some time to
come the mutual jealousy whicli existed amongst the Sultans
1!)(; jrn^Tony or tiik nECCAN.
])iVM-nU'(l llu'iii IVom ;ill()\viii^ (lie one or tlic other (o extend

Ills (lomiiiioiis. It is true that sul)se(|iieiitlv l)otli (joleoiula
and BiJajHir did annex considerable tracts of the Vijayanagar

territory, bnt they did not ])enetit to anytliing like the extent
we should have imagined after such an utter collapse. Again,

the near presence of a ])owerful Hindoo Kingdom com])elled
the Sultans to be always in a state of preparedness for war.
This check removed, they seem to have reduced their armies,
and to have spent their strength in perpetual struggles between
each otlier, thus making it easier for them, subsequently,
to fall victims to the Emperor of Delhi. Uama Kajah, the
last of the Vijayanagar Kings, seems to have been a man of
very considerable ability and force of character. A passage
from the writer above mentioned, Caesar l^redericke throws
some light upon the disputed question, as to Avhether he was
a usurper or a descendant of the Second or Nursimha dynasty,
He says that Rama Rajah and his two brothers, Timma and
Venkatadri, had been captains of Krishna Deva Rajah (1509—30),
and that on his death they assumed the power, and kept his
son, an infant, named Sadashiva Rajah, in prison, showing him
to the people once a year. This explains the reason of the
rebellion of Hoje Perumal Rajah alluded to before (1535).
He took advantage of Rama Rajah's absence to kill the young
King, and to seat himself on the throne. The manner of his
death has been narrated. When this occurred, Rama Rajah,
who had married Krishna Deva's daughter (see Sewell's Tables,
"Antiquities of South India," Vol. H., 248), would be the

next representative of the family. There seems to be little
doubt that if the battle of Tellicotta had ended differently,
Rama Rajah would have crushed the Mahomedan States. The

struggle to them was one for very existence. Rama Rajah's
arrogance in his later years shows to what an extent he had
asserted his supremacy over the Mahomedan Kings, and his
final disaster seems to have been ])artly due to the contempt
THE FALL OF VIJAYANAG All. 197
ill wliicli he lield tlieni. It is must have been

clear tli;it lie
a man of extraordinary energy and bodily power to have

taken a leading part in the battle, at so advanced an age.
As already stated, a descendant of the last Vijayanagar dynasty
still lives at Anagoondy, close by the ruins of the old city.
UENEAlAXiV OK TllK VI.) A YA.NACiAK KINGS.
I''ir>it ihiiKd^fji
15n<KA
Sangamma
]. ILVIUIIARA I 2. BUKKA
A-D. 1336—50 1350—70
3. Hakihaba il
1379—1401
!
4. Deva Kajau I
1401 — 1412
5. VijAYA Bhupati
1418
6. Deva Rajah II
—1447
7. ViRU'PAKSHA
Second dynasty.
1. Narasimha
1487(?)— 1509
Krishna deva Rajah

1509—1530 Third dynasty
daughter Tiruma lamba = Rama Rajah

1530—1564
Killed at I Tellikotta
{Taken from SewelVs tables).
CHAPTER XVIII.
AHMEDNAGAK AND BIJAPUR FROM THE FALL OF VIJAYANAGAR

TILL THE DEATH OF ALI ADIL SHAH (1580).
It was not long after the fall of Vijayaiiagar that dissensions

again broke out between the Malioiiiedan Kings of the Deccan.
Shortly after his return to Ahmednagar Hussein Nizam Shah
died, and was succeeded by his son, Murtaza (1565 — 1588),
who is known by
the name of the Madman. For the first
few years of his reign, Murtaza was a minor, and the regency
was conducted by his mother, Khunza Sultana. Ibrahim Adil
Shah, taking advantage of Murtaza's infancy, led an army
::()i) in STORY Oh' THE DECCAN.
Mgniiist \'c'iils:it;i(lri, IvaiiiM R;ij;iirs l)r()tlicr, in tlic Ii()|H' of
amiexing more of the Vijayanagar territory. Venkatadii :i|)-
pcaled to Alinicdnagar for licl}), and, true to the old Deccan

policy of ])reveiitiiig any one of the roial Kings from becoming
too ])owerful, the Queen Regent sent an army to assist \'en-
katadri, and the Bijapur troops were compelled to retire.
Peace was then concluded, and a stipulation made that neither
of the Mahomedan Kings should conquer any of the Hindoo

The two ]\Iahome(hin armies
territory without inutual consent.
then coalesced and marched against Berar, where Tufal Khan,
the Prime Minister, had usurped the authority. The combined
armies, after having ravaged the country, marched back to
Ahmednagar, where Ali Adil Shah, the Bijapur King, attempted
to surprise the young Sultan Murtaza. Khunza Sultana,
however, was warned in time, and managed to escape at
night with her son and the Bija])ur King returned to his
capital re infectd. For the next three years continual fighting
took place between Ahmednagar and Bijapur with varying
success, until at last, in 1569, Kishwar Khan, the Bijapur
General, invaded the Ahmednagar territory with a large army.
The Queen Regent, with the young Sultan, marched to oppose
this invasion, but whilst in camp, Murtaza, having gained
over some of his nobles, suddenly asserted his oAvn independence,
took his mother prisoner, and having sent her away, placed
himself at the head of the army. Pie then laid siege to the
fort of Dharur, which he carried by assault, the Bijapur
General being killed by an arroAv in the heart. In this Avar
^lurtaza was assisted by Kutb Shah of Golconda, and the
two Sultans then prepared to attack Bijapur. Dissensions
however, soon arose between them, and on Murtaza attempting to
seize the person of Kutb Shah, the latter made his escape, but had
to leave his camp behind, which was plundered by the Nizam
Shahis. Murtaza then concluded peace with Ali Adil Shah, and
returned to Ahmednagar. In the following year an attack
AUMEDNAGAR AND BIJAPUIL 201
was made by the Aliinednagar troops upon tlie Portuguese

fort of Revdauda, Avliicli, however, proved a failure, the
General, according to Ferishta, having been bought off by
large presents, especially of Spanish wine. After this repulse
Murtaza appointed Chengiz Khan to be his Minister and he
succeeded in effecting several reforms. Chengiz Khan seems
to have been a man of considerable ability, and he soon saAv
that the jealous policy pursued by the Deccan Kings was
likely to bring about their own ruin. Accordingly, he formed
a treaty with Ali Adil Shah of Bijapur, under the terms of
which the latter was to be allowed to conquer as much of
the Vijayanagar country as he could, whilst Ahmednagar was
to be at liberty to annex Berar (1572). Sultan Kutb Shah
of Golconda Avas not a party to this treaty, but he, on his
part, was employed in extending his dominions towards the
Eastern Coast, and subduing the Hindoo Rajahs towards
in
the mouth of the Godavery. Ali Adil Shah being thus free,
at once attacked the strong fort of Adoni, which up to that
time had been considered impregnable. Adoni was defended
by eleven strong walls, and the citadel is situated on the top
of a hill. It had long been used by the Hindoo kings as a
place of safe refuge. As it seemed impossible to carry the

fort by storm, it Avas closely invested, and at length yielded
to hunger. Flushed with this success, Ali Adil Shah pene-
trated further into the Carnatic, and took several forts, and
amongst them Darwer, was held to
which be one of the
strongest forts in the Carnatic. Binkapore also fell to his
arms, together with on the right bank of the

Gandikota,
Pennair river, in the present district of Cuddapah. This fort
is also one of considerable importance, and later on Avhen it
belonged to Golconda, it was still more strongly fortified by

the celebrated Mir Jumla. It is situated on the top of a hill
just at the entrance of the gorge, through which the Pennair
rushes. This gorge is very narrow, and the sides of the hills
1>02 lllS'l'OliV OF 'I'lll': ni'A'VAN.
.'ire ;iliii()St pcrpciulicular. Tlic ii;iiiic itself siji-iiilies the tori
of (lie gorge (Gandi-gorge; Kota-forl), ;iii(l it was for maiiv

years held to be of considerable impoitance. It was here, a
hundred years later, that tlie European traveller, Tavernier,

had an interview with Mir Jumla.
Whilst the Bijapur King was thus successfully extending
his conquest into the Carnatic, Murtaza Shah had turned his
arms against Berar, where Tufal Khan was still at the head of
the Government, and kept the person of the young King, Imad
Shall, in confinement. lie was soon driven from Ellichpur,
and for some months wandered about together with the
yonng Sultan, from place to place, lie applied to Khandeish

for assistance and shelter, but the King refused both, for
fear of the vengeance of jMurtaza Nizam Siiali. At last
Tufal Khan applied to the Emperor Abkar for help, and
a letter was written to Murtaza Shah ordering him to desist.
It is, hoAvever, a far cry from Berar to Delhi, and Murtaza
took no notice of the command, the authority of which he did

not recognize. Soon afterwards Tufal Khan and the young
Sultan fell into Murtaza's hands, and wdiilst in confinement
both died, it is said, by poison. But though Murtaza had
thus met with a temporary success, his neglect of the Imperial
command brought him into contact with another power which
was destined ere long to overshadow, not only Ahmednagar,
but the whole of the Deccan. Akbar, stung at the slight
offered to his letter, as soon as he heard of the death of

Tufal Khan and of the last of the Imad Shah Sultans, resolved
to take an active part in Deccan affairs, and for that purpose
began to march towards Berar with an army of observation
(1576). The ostensible reason assigned was hunting, but the
real reason wâs to gain a footing to the south of the Vindhyas.
Murtaza Shah had, moreover, allowêd himself to become
jealous of the power of Chengiz Khan, his Minister. It was
whispered to him that Chengiz Khan contemplated assuming

AHMEDNAGAR AND BLJAPUU. 203
royal honours in Bernr, and, wlien later on, the Minister

suggested to the Sultan that he slionkl be left there with an
army to defend the recent conquest from attacks, either on
the part of Khandeish or Delhi, the Sultan deemed this to
be a confirmation of the accusation. He accordingly ordered
the Minister's physician to give him a dose of poison in his
medicine. Chengiz Khan when told of the order, at once
submitted. He protested his innocence of any rebellious
intentions, and swallowed the fatal draught, after leaving a
message to the body should be sent to Kerbela. *
King that his
After his death, the King found out his mistake, but it
was too late, and Murtaza retired in disgust to his capital,
where, for some time, he shut himself up in his palace.
During this time his favourite, named Sahib Khan, with a
*rerislita (Scott's Translation) gives the latter in full. It ran as

follows: — "The faithful servant, Meeruk, the sun of whose age has
passed through sixty mansions, and was hastening to the seventieth, having
head of submission on the threshold of your Majesty, represents
laid the
that the draughtmixed with the water of life, he has knowingly drunk,
and with eager desire. Having placed the treasures of duty and
loyalty to the Sultan by whose bounty I was cherished in the casket
of my bosom, I shut my eyes from the observance of strangers. As
lasting as the grave may well be to me, so be the life of your Majesty.
I this much from the Sultan, that, esteeming me, both in life and
hope
death, among the number of loyal servants, he will act according to
the maxims I send by my own hand that he will send my body to
;
Kerbela that he will esteem certain Amrahs named in the petition, as

;
worthy of distinction, and entertain my foreign servants among his own

guards." The murder of Chengiz Khan is another example of the
inveterate feud between the Deccanees and the foreigners. As soon
as a foreign Mahomedan by his ability and honesty raised himself above
the heads of the Deccanee nobles, he was the object of their relentless
hatred. The most faithful services were not able to overcome the
suspicion which they were able to instill in the minds of the Sultan.
and we constantly find the King himself ordering the death of his most
devoted servants, to discover when, too late, that they had been unjustly
accused.
iiui. insTonv OF tiik nj-JccAN.
hand of dcpnivud associates, coiiiiiiitU'd all kinds of excesses

ill the city, not scrupling to seize the daiigliters and even
the sons of noblemen for the vilest purposes. One no1)leiiiaii
of ancient family was even killed, whilst protecting the honour
of his daughter, and another was ordered to change his name,
because liapi)ened to be tlie same as that of the insolent
it
favourite.The Sultan himself seems to have been half-insane.

On one occasion he left his palace alone, and made his way
towards the tomb of the Saint Imam Reza. He was, hoAv-
ever, recognized by a country-man, and persuaded to return.
The indignation in the city at the insolent behaviour of the

favourite, Sahib Khan, Avas so great, that he found it necessary
to escape, but the Sultan followed and overtook him, and
induced him to return. Salabat Khan, destined to be one of
the best of the Ahmednagar Ministers, Avas the representative
of the nobleman as against Sahib Khan, but for the time he
had to retire from Court. TJie Sultan, in order to please his
favourite, noAv made an unprovoked attack upon Bieder, Avliere
Ali Bereed AA'as ruling. The malcontents in Ahmednagar took
advantage of this absence to proclaim the Sultan's brother,
Boorahan Shah, and Murtaza had to return in haste to his
capital to suppress the rebellion. In this extremity, the Sul-
tan had to send again for Salabat Khan, Avho insisted upon
the favourite being dismissed. This was done, and a body
of troops him
Avere sent Avith as an escort, but instead of
defending him, they murdered him on the Avay. Salabat
Khan succeeded in quelling the revolt Avithout difficulty, and
Boorahan Shah fled to Bijapur, Avhere he was kindly received
by Ali Adil Shah. Salabat Khan noAv became Minister of
Ahmednagar, and ruled the country for several years. Avell
Ferishta says:
—
"The country of Mheerut Avas never so Avell
governed as by him, since the reign of Sultan Mahmoud
Bahmanee."
For the time the threatened interference of Akbar was
AHMEDNAGAR AND BlTAPUR. 206
averted. Either he thought tJie time had not yet come, or

that hisarmy was not strong enough. At all events he did
not cross the Vindhya mountains, and shortly afterwards
marched back to Delhi.
It is now time to revert to the affairs of Bijaptir. We left
Ali Adil Shah in the midst of his conquests in the Carnatic.

It must ahvays he remembered that the Mahomedan conquests,
not only in the Deccan, but also throughout India, were the
conquests by a foreign army of the forts and strongholds.
The country itself was left untouched, and the fort once
taken, it was either razed like Vijayanagar, or a garrison
being left there, the army marched on. The Hindoo ryots
Avere left to till their fields as before, and the only difference
to them Avas, that they jDaid their land-tax to a Mahomedan,
instead of a Hindoo landlord. The artizansand merchants
still plied their crafts as formerly, it was only the members
of the royal families who retreated before the conquerors. A
large number of the landed proprietors were also allowed to
remain, Avith authority to collect the land revenue on condition,
however, that they paid a fixed rent to the Grovernment.
Over each small district was placed a Mahomedan Govcrnoi',
who was supported by a small body of troops, with which
he kept order. It Avas the presence of these outposts, Avith
the army at headquarters ready to back them up, that kept
the country in order. There
no occupation of the countryAvas
by the Mahomedans, and no settlement of the conquerors in

the rural parts. The Hindoo population remained a nation as
separate and as apart as it had been Avlien they were ruled
by their own countrymen. Their customs and their religious
rites remained the same. When the Avave of Avar swept over
their villages, then temples and shrines were desecrated, but
in those places Avhicli had not been by the foreign
visited
army, the old structures still remained, and during times of
peace, they Avere not molested. Some of these Hindoo
i20r> HlSTOnV OF THE DECCAN.
Zoiiiiiidnrs proved faitliful scrv.-nits, .-iiid hi'oii^lil witli iliciii
llicir own R't.-iiiuM's to serve in the Miilioniedaii aiiiiics. In

thisway tlie constitution of the Maliornedan armies of the
Deccan underwent a gradual change. Wlietlier it was owing
to constant feud between tlie foreign and tlie Deccanee
Maliomedans, or whether foreigners found greater attractions
in the armies of the great Delhi Emperors, cannot now be
said, but it seems certain that there was no longer the same
(juantity of volunteer adventurers from foreign parts, from
whom to recruit the Deccan armies.
It therefore became the
custom to recruit the from among the Hindoo

ranks largely
warlike tribes —
the Beydars, Mahrattas and Rajputs. The chief
commands were still bestowed upon Maliomedans, and there were
also special regiments composed exclusively of Maliomedans
amongst whom were also Arabs and Abyssinians. The armies, how-
ever, were very largely made up of Hindoos, and not only did this
cause a change in their system of Avarfare, but it led eventu-
ally to a weakening of the army itself. The Mahratttas, or
lêrgees, as they are termed by the Mahomedan historians,
especially distinguished themselves as irregular cavalry, and
Avere greatly employed in the hilly country which ends in the
Western Ghauts. Mahomedans at no period seem to have
had any partiality for hills and jungles. When they received
a jaghir, (or estate) they preferred that it should be in the
plains, if possible, not far from the capital. Even then, they
seldom resided in their country seats, except occasionally for
hunting or purposes of sport. They preferred the vicinity of
the Courts Avitli all and their luxury. They
their intrigues
therefore left the wilder portions of the Deccan in the hands
of these Hindoo chieftains, stipulating only that each Zemin-
dar should bring a certain number of retainers into the field.
In this way there gradually grew up a hardy race of moun-
taineers, ahvays the best stuff for soldiers, wdio, brought up
in their own faith and traditions, Avere yet taught the art
AHMEDNAGJR AND BIJAPUB. 207
of war by their conquerors, and only awaited a time of danger

and of weakness to raise the standard of revolt, and assert
their own independence. This was, in fact, the origin of the
Mahratta nation, and the Sultans of Bijapur and Ahmednagar
may he said to have educated and brought into existence the
nation which, before long, was to take, not only their places,
but very nearly to acquire the sovereignty of India.
It was about this time (1578) that the first signs of the
coming danger showed themselves. A number of the Bergee

chiefs broke into excesses, and an army was sent into their
hilly country by Ali Adil Shah. The disciplined forces of
Bijapur could make no head against these hill robbers, and
after skirmishing for nearly a year, they had to retire with
considerable loss. Mustafa Khan, the Sultan's Minister,
perceiving the impossibility of using regular troops in so
inaccessible a country, then devised the perfidious scheme of
enticing the chiefs to Bijapur, and of there slaughtering them.
To this plan Adil Shah agreed, and an instrument having
been found in the person of a Brahmin, named Vasoojee
Punt, he was despatched to entice tliem by promises A few
refused to fall and amongst them the principal
into the snare,
chief, Handeattum (Hanumanta?) Naick, Avho retired with his
followers to Bilkonda. The rest came to Bijapur, and there

they were all assassinated. No details of this foul act of treachery
are given by the Mahomedan historians, and it is merely alluded

to in passing. There can, however, be little doubt that this act
of cruelty must have long lived in the memory of the jVlahrattas,
and was possibly a principal factor in exciting a race-hatred
which was to serve eventually to bind them together as a
nation. Up to this time there seems to have been a certain
amount of cordiality between the Mahomedans and the Hindoos,
but soon after this period, we find this spirit to be entirely
changed, and it may not therefore be unreasonable to assign
this treacherous act as one of the causes of this estrangement.
t>nK HISTORY OP THE DECCAN.
In 1580, Ali Adil Sh.-ili died, ;iss;issin;itc(l by one of liis
servants in a hiawl, and was succeeded hy his ne])lie\v,
Ibrahim, tlien in his ninth year. Ali was a ninnificent jjatron
of arcliitecturc, and many of his l)nil(lings at Bija])ur still
remain. The Jnmma moscjne, the large masonry pond near

the Shahapur Gate, and the water-courses which caiiied water
through all the streets of the city are attributed by Ferishta
to this King. During liis reign, the first and)assadors were
sent from Delhi to Bijapnr, and many learned men visited
his court from Persia, Arabia, and Turkey.

GENEALOGY OF THE Nl'/AM SHAHl DYNASTY.
(Ahmednagar),
1. Amad Behari (revolted from the liulmiaiii

1490-1508 Kino-dom)
2. Burhan I
By his wife Amina 1508—1553 By his wife Mariyam
3. Husain Abdul Khader Shah Ali

1553—1565
11. Murtaza II
1599—1607
4. MURTAZA I 7. BlTRHAN II
1565—1587 1590—1594
5. Miran
1587^1589
6. Ismail 8. Ibrahim
1589—1590 1594
9. Ahmed Ibn Shah Tahir

1594—1595
10. Bahadur
1595—1599
(N.B. After Bahadur Ahmednagar was annexed to Delhi, hut Malik Amher
maintained his independence at first as deputy of Murtaza II and
afterwards as sole ruler at Dowlatabad and Aurangabad until his death
in 1626 when his son was conquered and the whole of the kingdom
annexed to Delhi).
14
(iKNFALOdV OK TIIK ADII. SIIAIII DYNASTY, i
I'.i.i aimh).
1. Aiii'i, MrzAi'j'AK Yi'sfi' Ann,

1489—1511
ISMAEL AdIL ShATI daiio-liter married Mariyam married

1511 — 1534 Ahmed Shah Bahmani BrRHAN Shah of
Ahmednagar
3, Malu Adil Shah
1534—1535
4. Ibrahim Adil a daiii;bter
1535 — 1557 Married Ala-ud-din
Imad Shah of Berar
Ali Adil Tahmasp

1557—1579
G. Ibrahim Adil Ismail

1579—1626
7. Muhammed Adil
1626—1656
8. Ali Adil
1656—1659
9. SiKANDER
1659—1686.
MAIN STREET. HYDERABAD.
CHAPTER XIX.
THE STORY OF QUEEN CHAND AND THE FALL OF AHMEDNAGAR.
Ill 1580, the year after the death of Ali Adil Shah, there
died also Ibrahim Kiitb Shah of Golconda. He Avas the foiiitli
in succession from his fatlicr, the first King, Sultan Kuli. It
has been narrated liow Sultan Kuli was assassinated whilst in

the mosque in1543, and was succeeded by his son, Jainshid
Kuli. This King reigned for seven years only, until 1550.
212 Iff STORY OF 'ffff;' f>ECCAN.
Dmluy:^ this tinu' he was l"re(|uciitly ciigaji,^'^ in the various

quarrels hetwceii Hijapiir, niedcr, and Ahmo(hia«i;ar, cither on
one side or the otlier. He was a man ot" considerahle j)olitieal
sagacity, and always contrived to he on the wiiniing side, so

that out of each (|uari'el he managed to dvnw some advantage
for himself. For almost the wliole period of Jamshid's reign,
his brother, Ibrahim, was living at Vijayanagar, protected by
the Hindoo King Rama Rajah. When -lamsliid died, his son,
Sultan Kuli, was ])roclaime(l King, l)ut reigned only for six
months. J lis Minister, Saif Khan, made himself very unpop-

ular; tlie nobles revolted, called in Ibrahim and placed him
on the throne. At tirst in gratitude to Rama Rajah for the

protection wdiicli he had received, the relations between Vijaya-
nagar and Golconda wêre of a very friendly character. Soon
after his accession Ibrahim Shah was invited by Nizam Shah
to join in an alliance against Bijapur, and was only dissuaded
from so doing by a letter from Rama Rajah. The following
is the text of the letter:
"Be it known to your Majesty that now many yearsit is
since the two courts of Bijapur and Ahmednagar have been

in a constant state of warfare, and that the balance of power
between them Avas so equal, tliat, although every year each
of these sovereigns had been in the habit of making a cam-
paign on the others frontiers, yet no advantage accrued to
either. It now appears that youi' Majesty (whose ancestors
never interfered in those disputes) has marched an army to
turn the scale in Nizam Shah, without
favour of Hussein
having any cause of enmity against Ibrahim Adil Shah of
Bijapur, who has accordingly sought our alliance. As a friend-
ship has long subsisted between our court and your Majesty,
we have thought tit to lay these arguments before you to
induce your Majesty to relinquish the offensive alliance which

your Majesty has formed, and by returning peaceably to your
capital, show a friendly disposition towards both parties, who
THE STORY OF QUEEN CHAND. 213
will at'terwards coiiclndc a pence and put an end to tliis
protracted war." Qlktorkal Sketch, Vol. II., p. 476.)

Ibrahim Kutb Shah yielded to this request, and not only
withdrew his army, hut in the following year sent a body of
troops to assist Rama Kajah in the revolt of his uncle, to
which we have already alluded. weFor the next few years
tind Kutb Shah engaged witli his own affairs, but in the
meantime Rama Rajah's power had gone on steadily increasing.
The letter cpioted above sliows what the Hindoo Rajah's policy
was, and we have seen how he played off Rijapur against
Ahmednagar, first siding with the one, and tlien with the other,
until he had made himself the arbiter of the affairs of the
Deccan. And now we tind another instance of liow in politics

there can be no sentiment and no feelings of gratitude. Rama
Rajah's arrogance increased with his power, until, as we have
seen, he would not allow the Mahomedan Sultans to sit in
his presence, or to mount their horses until he gave the order.
Then it was that Ali Adil Shah, the adopted son of the
Hindoo Rajah's mother, proposed the alliance of Mahomedans
against the infidel, and Ibrahim Kutb Shah, who owed his
very existence to Rama Rajah, concluded the negociations.
The result of this alliance was the battle of Tellicotta, and
the downfall of the Hindoo Kingdom. Golconda does not
seem to have benefited nuich in an extension of its boundaries
towards the south. Kutb Shah had his hands full with the
Hindoo Rajahs on the Eastern Coast, all of whom had been
allied with Vijayanagar. AVhilst he was subduing these, Ali
Adil Shah spread his coiupiest into the Carnatic, and the
Golconda boundary towards the South still remained the
Kistna. It is probable that Kutb Shah began to realise how
rich this country was in gold and precious stones, and
throughout the rest of the Golconda history, we find the
Sultans more engaged with their own affairs and abstaining —
comparatively speaking— from interfering in the constant
21-1. HISTORY OF THE DECCAN.
disputes hctwocii liijapur and Aliiiicdiiagnr. \\\] liave spoken

of the wealtli of the Golcoiidu coiiutiy in jewels and gold.
The mines of Goleoiida are a proverh, hut it is as avcII to
state at onee that thei'e never was a diamond mine at
Golconda, or anywliere witliin eiglity miles of the fort. Tlie

celebrated diamond mines were all situated in the country that
now forms the British districts of Kurmd, Cuddapali, and
Nellore, and the diamonds were brought to, and stored in,
the royal fort of Golconda, but as the merchants mostly re-
sorted there, they gave tlie name of Golconda diamonds to
stones that were really found elsewhere.

From the battle of Tellicotta u}) to the end of his reign,
Ibrahim Kutb 81iah was engaged in very few of the Deccan
wârs. The policy of the Golconda Kings seems always to
have been to mix themselves as little as possible in Deccan
affairs. The consequence was that he was able to devote
himself to the improvement of his country. The fort at Gol-
conda was entirely rebuilt and strengthened, many fine palaces
w^cre erected there, and several large irrigation tanks, among

them being the beautiful sheet of wâter now^ known as the
Hussein Sangur Tank, situated between Hyderabad and Secun-

derabad; the dam at Budwal, e\.c., &c. Ferishta says that
during his prosperous reign "Telingana, like Egypt, became
the mart of the whole world. Merchants from Turkistan,
Arabia, and Persia resorted to it; and they met with such
encouragement that they found in it inducements to return
frequently. The greatest luxuries from foreign parts daily
abounded at this King's hospitable board." Ibrahim Kutb
Shah died in the thirty-iirst year of his reign, and out of
thirty children, six sonsand thirteen daughters survived him.
We
must now return to Bijapur. When Ali Adil Shah died
(1579), the most popular personage in Bijapur w\as his wife,
Chand Bibi, who, it will be remembered, was the sister of
the Ahmednagar Sultan, She was a woman of great inte]-
THJ!] STORY OF (JUEEN CHAND. 215
ligeuco and activity. She acconipaiiicd licr liusl)aii(l in his cam-

paigns and rode by his side to battle. During times of peace
a large portion of the public affairs were entrusted to her,
and she gave audiences and transacted business in o])en durbar.

She was beloved by all, not only for her daring, but also for
her justice and firmness. When her husband died, Chand
Bibi assumed the direction of affairs, associating with herself
Kamil Khan Deccanee. Every day, except Wednesdays and
Fridays, public halls of justice were held, at which the young
Sultan, who was only nine years old, appeared seated on the
throne. For some time matters went on well, but then the
co-regent appears to have been guilty of some insult to the
Queen. She called in Kishawar Khan, and on his appearance

Kamil Khan fled, but was overtaken four miles from the city
and killed, his head being cut off and carried back. Kishawar
Khan was now made co-regent, but he very soon began to
indulge in ambitious designs. He excited the hostility of the
nobles, who advised the Queen to send for Mustafa Khan,
the Governor of Binkapur. Kishawar Khan hearing of this,
despatched an order to a Jaghirdar living near Binkapur to
assassinate Mustafa Khan — and had this order sealed with the
royal seal. The order was carried out, and Mustafa Khan
was bow-strung whilst at prayers. Matters now came to an
open outbreak between the Queen and Kishawar Khan, and

for a time the latter was successful. Acting in the young
King's name, he procured an order confining Chand Bibi in
the fort of Satara on the accusation that she had invited her
brother to invade Bijapur from Ahmednagar. Kishawar Khan
had now possession of the King's person, and for some time
exercised despotic })ower. As soon as the troops heard of the
Queen's imprisonment, they at once marched upon Bijapur,
determined to depose movement they were
tlie tyrant. In this
supported by the people whose love for Queen Chand was
unbounded, Indeed, when Kishawar Khan rode through the
city ill coniijaiiy witli tliu youiip; King, lie was greeted by the
populace with hoots and hisses, and even the women threw
dirt and ashes at him, reviling him as the oppressor of the
Queen, and the murderer of a holy Seyd (j\Iustafa Khan).
Kishawar Khan, seeing that the whole peo})le and the army
were against him, escaped from the city, and leaving the young
King in one of the royal gardens, fled first to Ahmednagar,
but being refused shelter there, went on to Golconda, where
he was soon afterwards assassinated by a relative of IMustafa
Khan. At this point I cannot do better than quote the words
of one far better qualified to write the history of the Deccan
and who, in his historical romance of "A Noble Queen,'' has
done full justice to the memory of Chaiid Bibi. * I give the
extract verbatim :
"Delivered from Kishawar Khan, the young King at once

sent for his aunt, and her office of Regent was resumed.
The new Minister, Ekhlas Khan, was an Abyssinian, and, like
all his tribe, violent and uncontrollable, and the factious
dissensions which ensued between Deccanees and Abyssinians,
which led to bloody contests in the streets, encouraged the
invasion of the kingdom by the Kings of Berar, Bieder, and
Golconda, and the close investment of the city followed at a
time when there were not two thousand ti'oops for its defence.
Ekhlas Khan, though turbulent as a Minister, was, however,
a brave and faithful soldier, and the city was well defended.
The Queen, accompanied by her nephew the King, went from
post to post at night, though the weather was the severest of
the rainy season, cheei-ing, encouraging, and directing all.
Two divisions of cavalry without the walls did good service

in cutting off su])plies and forage from the enemy, and
harassing their flanks, but at last twenty yards of the city
wall fell down after a night of heavy rain, and an assault

wâs imminent, but, owing to dissensions in the enemy's camp,
The late Colonel Meadow Taylor.
THE STORY OF QUEEN CHAND. 21!
(lid not take |)lacc'. iMoaiiwliiU^ (lie (^)n('cii, takiii«>; advantage

of tlic respite, not only gnarded the hieacli in j)erson, hut
collected tlie masons of tlu; city, and setting tlie (example
herself, and freely distributing rewards, had the breach coni-
])lete(l in time to ])revent any chance of attack by storm.
She had never left the spot by day or night, and all entreaties
for her to s[)are hersi^lf from the inclement weather and take
rest were unavailing.
"The sore straits to which the hingdom had been reduced
by the violence and obstinacy of the Al)yssinian ])arty now
struck them so forcibly, that their leaders went in a l)()(ly to
the Queen and laid doAvn their authority, beseeching her to

do what she pleased Avith them so long as she and the King
Avere safe. The Queen received this evidently earnest sub-
mission in a generous spirit. A new Minister, who ])ossessed
the contidence of all, was appointed, and in less than a month
an army of twenty thousand of the old troops had collected
at the capital. The Queen's devotion and spirited personal
valour had inspired confidence in all, which now amounted
to positive enthusiasm. The city had been invested for more
than a year, its weak garrison was often mutinous and
despairing, a large breach had occurred in the works, and
anarchy ])revailed throughout the whole kingdom. Yet this
noble woman had redeemed all by her personal example, and

the siege was raised, the several allies retiring to their own
dominions. And now the Queen hoped for peace.
"Alas! it was not to be yet. Dilawar Khan, one of the
military commanders, attacked the Minister, and blinded him,
usurping the executive power. Many other atrocities were
committed, and again the Queen's authority was reduced to
the mere control of the palace and education of the King.
Hut, in spite of many cruelties, Dilawar Khan was an able
administrator; the resources of the kingdom were again devel-
oped, its Goveriunent begaii to be respected, and no more
2i»0 If I STORY OF THE DhVCAN.
attacks were made upon its jjossessions. 'I'lie events I liiive
detailed were crowded into the space of four years, and as tlie
King was approacliini;' the age at wiiich his majority couhl

be dechired, the Qneen ho|)ed, that with it the rest and peace
she so intensely longed for would come to her. liut there
was still more to he done.
"Not at nija})ur, hut in her native city Alnnednagar. The
King Murtuza asked for the hand of Khodeija Sultana, the
sister of his ward the King, for his son the Prince Hussein,
and considering that all trouble at Bijapur was at an end, the

Queen Chand accompanied the bride-elect, the Royal party
being escorted by the choicest of the Alnnednagar cavalry.
She had hoped to hnd peace in her old home; but she found
that home more convulsed with faction, and more distracted
within and without, than when she had left it. Her brother,
JNIurtuza, always violent, had become in reality mad, and had
attempted the life of his son Meeran, who, in revenge, attacked
his father in the palace at Ahmednagar, and caused him to

be suffocated in a hot bath. An account of this revolution
is given minutely by the historian Ferishta, who was in com-
mand of the palace guards, and which is very dramatic in its
details, but too long for extract. He does not, however,

mention the Queen Chand, who nuist have been in the fort
at the time of the tragedy. The new King did not long
survive this act of parricide, and, after a few months, was
seized by his Minister and publicly beheaded amidst the
execrations of the people. After his death a frightful tumult
arose; the fort was carried by the mob, and hundreds of
persons of distinction, chiefly foreigners, perished. A period
of anarchy then ensued, when Ismail, a son of Boorhan, who
was brother of Murtuza Nizam Shah, and, therefore, nephew^
of Queen Chand, was declared King; and Jumal Khan, head
of the Deccanee party, constituted himself Regent and Min-
ister, This revolution wâs opposed by Bijapur and Berar;
THE STORY OF QUEEN CHANT). 221
and the troops of the hitter were defeated by Juiiial Kliaii;

but peace was coiichided witli Bijapur, and Queen Chand,
wearied by constant strife and atrocities which slie liad no
power to control, was allowed to join the liijapur army then
in the field, and returned Avitli it, though with no authority,
to the capital, there, as she trusted, to end her days in peace.
She was received by the people with their former enthusiasm,

and by the young King with no diminution of his old affection;
but she took no part in public affairs, which, under the young
King, were very prosperous. At Ahmednagar other revolutions

followed with Avliich this tale has no concern. Ismail, who
had succeeded, was, after some time, attacked by his father,
Boorhan, who had obtained the aid and sympathy of Akbar,
Emperor of Delhi, and was deposed, and Boorhan himself
reigned till his death in 1594 in comparative peace. He was
succeeded by his son Ibrahim, a weak, violent prince, and the
fortunes of the kingdom will be understood from the course
of the present story At Bijaj)ur Queen Chand
to its close.
lived in peace, and only assumed local authority at the

request of her nephew, whenever his temporary absence -was
necessary on tours of his dominions or in the field.
"Such were the real antecedents of our 'Noble Queen.'

I trust they may not be considered out of place in a work
professedly of fiction, but tend to make more intelligible that
which would be strange and confused.
otherwise, jjerhaps,
Pew England know that the contemporary of our Queen
in
Elizaiêth in the Deccan kingdoms was a woman of equal

ability, of ecpial political talent, of e(|ual, though in a different
sense, education and acconqjlishments, who ruled over a realm
as large, a population as large, and as intelligent, and as rich
as England; a woman who, surrounded by jealous enemies,
preserved by her own personal valour and endurance her
kingdom from destruction and partition; who through all
temptations and exercise of absolute power, was at once simple.

222 IIIS'I'OIIY OF 'I'llh' PHCrAN.
•roiicroiis, t'i'Miik, ;iii(l iiicrcil'iil as she was cliasU-, virhious,
I'clitrious, and cliaritablu — one who, aiiioiiu; all the women of
India, stands out as a jewel without Haw and beyond })i'i('e."
Tn tlie extract g-iven above reference is made to the ti'a<i;edy
which occurred at Ahmednagar, of which a more detailed

account seems to be called for here. Wc have already alluded
to tlic favourite of Murtaza Shall, Salicb Khan. After this
minion's death, he was succeeded by another, a dancer, named
Futteh Shah. This person took advantage of his influence
over his royal master to obtain large grants of lands and
gifts of jewels. At length, he asked for two necklaces which
had formed a part of the plunder of Rama Rajah, and which
were composed of the most valuable rubies, emer.dds, and
pearls. The Sultan ordered them to be given to him; but
Salabat Khan, the Minister, unwilling that such treasures
should be alienated, substituted two strings of mock jewels in
their place. Futteli Shah soon discovered this imposition, and
complained to the King, who, thereupon ordered all the
jewêls to be laid out for his inspection. Salabat Khan,
however, concealed the most precious, and the King on
discovering this, became so angry that he threw^ all the rest
into the tire. His Minister endeavoured to save them, but
the pearls were all destroyed. It now became apparent
that the Sultan was a mad man, and, indeed, from this time
forward he threw off all control. First of all he refused to
allow his son Meeran's marriage with the Bijapur Princess,
or to send her back again unless Ibrahim Adil Shah would
hand over the fortress of Sholapore, wdiich, it will be
first
remembered, had been given as the dowry of Chand Bibi.

This led to a declaration of war from Bijapur. Salabat
Khan, recognizing the impossibility of serving a madman, now
resigned office, and wns sent in honourable confinement to the
fort of Rajapur. The new Minister, Kassim Beg, at once
concluded peace with Bijapur, and then proceeded to celebrate
the lonf>- deferred innrringe. The iSultairs iiiiuhiess now took

another form, and lie conceived an unnatural jealousy of his
son, Meeran Hussein, who had just been married. He made
theyoung prince sleep in a room near his own, and then,
when he was asleep, set tire to it. The young j)rince awoke
in time, and calling for help was rescued by the favourite
Futteli Shah, and made his escape to Dowlatabad. On ascer-
taining that the victim had escaped, the Sultan was highly
enraged, and ordered his Ministers to send orders to have
him killed, and when they refused, deposed them from otRce.
The new Minister, Mirza Khan, wrote to Bijapur, and rc])re-
sented how everything was in confusion, owing to the Sultan's

insanity,and asked for a despatch of a force to the borders.
This request was complied with, and then, under the pretence
of meeting this hostile force, Mirza Khan left the city with
the available troops. He did not, however, march far, and
the historian I'erishta, who was then employed in the Ahmed-
nagar Court, was sent to enquire the reason of the delay.
Ferishta soon suspected the treachery, and managing to escape

from the Minister's camp, returned to the capital and re[)orted
matters to the The
Sultan. latter, now thoroughly alarmed,
sent for Salabat Khan from his place of confinement. It was,
however, too late. Mirza Khan, instead of attacking the
Bijapur forces, advanced by forced marches to Dowlatabad,
and at once returned with the young j)rince, Meeran Hussein.
Ferishta was appointed to guard the palace, but he says that
being deserted by all, he could not do so. The young prince
then entered with forty followers, putting all to death who
came in his way. Ferishta's life was spared, as he had been
a schoolfellow of But the same mercy was not
the prince.
shown to the Sultan, though bound to him by a closer and
holier tie. Ferishta thus relates the last scene: "Having —
reached the presence of his father, the prince behaved to him,
both in word and action, with every possible insult and abuse.
224 irrsrorn' of 'riiK iêccan.
Nizam Shall was silent, and only looked at liini with contempt,
till tlie prince pntting- his naked sa])re across his l)reast, said:
'I will put you to death.' Ni/ani Shah, then hreathinp; a
deep sigh, exclaimed :—' Oh, thou accursed of God, it would

be better for thee to let thy father be for his few remaining
days thy guest, and to treat him with respect.' The j)rince
relenting for a moment at tliis expression, stop})ed his liand,

and witlidrew from his father's apartment. Not having patience,
however, to wait for his death, though he was then in a
mortal illness, he commanded him to be ])ut into a warm

batliing-room, and, shutting fast the doors and winch^ws to
exchide all air, lighted a great fire under the bath, so that
the Sultan was speedily suffocated by the steam and heat.
The parricide was perpetrated in the year 996 (1587). The
deceased Sultan was buried with great pomp in the garden
Roseli; but his bones wêre afterwards taken up and carried

to Kerbella, where they were deposited near those of his
father and grandfather.

The reign of the new Sultan lasted only two months
and three days. Not only did he at once give Avay to
cruelty and debauchery, but the whole country Avas horrified
at the crime by which he had gained the throne, lêrishta
appears to have made his escape, together with Queen Chand,

and went to Bijapur, where they were gladly received. In the
meantime at Ahmednagar there was a revolt against Meeran
Shah. The Minister, Mirza Khan, seized his person, and, as
mentioned above, cut off his head in public, and sent for the
two surviving sons Boorahan Shah, the brother of the late
of
Sultan Murtaza, one of wdiom Sultan Ismael, a boy of twelve

years of age, Avas proclaimed. A counter revolt Avas made
by a Deccanee named Jamal Khan and there ensued a terrible
riot and massacre. The Deccanees got the best of it, and
they at once commenced to slaughter all the foreigners they
could find. The Minister, Mirza Khan, managed to escape.
THE STORY OF QUEEN CHANB. 225
but was caiiglit, hroiiglit l)ack, and cut to pieces. Sonic of

his friends were rammed into cannons and blown into the air.
Altogether in the space of seven days, nearly a thousand
foreigners were nuirdered. At length, matters quieted down,
and Jamal Khan then recognized Isniael as Sultan, and appointed
himself as The usurpation, however, did not last
^linister.
long, Boorahan Shah, the father of Ismael, was then with

the Emperor Akbar, who offered to give him an army to
retake the throne of his ancestors. Boorahan declined the
army as likely to excite the people's jealousy, but went alone
in order to see what he could do by his own personal in-
fluence. He was at once joined by a large number of nobles,
and though at first repulsed, he soon afterwards defeated and
killed Jamal Khan. He then entered Ahmednagar, deposed
his son Ismael, who was sent into confinement, and ascended
the throne in his place (1519).
But we must now revert to Bija})ur and the fortunes of
Queen Cliand.
When Queen Chand returned to Bijapur, after having
escaped the massacre at Ahmednagar, she found the position
of affairs to be somewhat altered. Sultan Ibrahim was now
old enough to take over the conduct of public business him-
self, and though he still maintained cordial and even affectionate
relations with his aunt, the latter very Avisely withdrew from
any public interference in affairs of State, although in private
she gave her advice whenever called upon to do so. Ibrahim
was a young man of considerable ability and ]jromise. He
had advanced with an army to assist in placing his brother-
in-law, Meeran Hussein, on the throne of Ahmednagar, but
when he heard of the latter's act of parricide, as related
above, he declined all further alliance with him, and leaving
him, as he said, to the vengeance of the Almighty, retired to
Bijapur (1587). When after a short time, Meeran Hussein
himself was assassinated, Ibrahim, taking advantage of the
15
Jiid HISTOJIY OF TIIF. I) FCC AN.
(lissi'iisioiis Jit Aliiiu'(lii;ip;;ir ;i<j;aiii ndvanccd witli an ai'iiiy.
Very little seems to have been done in this canipaiuii, prohahlv

to the jealousy between the two leading Jiijapur Generals,
owiii*;-
Delawar Khan, the jMinister, and BuUeel Khan, who had been
recalled from the Malabar district, where he had been engaged
with some refractory Rajahs, to {issist the main army. Ihdleel
Khan was favoured by the Sultan, whose object it was to
weaken the power of Dilawar Khan. The Minister, on the
other hand, endeavoured to cast odium on his rival by re})re-
senting tliat if he had shown more energy in the campaign
in ]\Ialabar, he would have been able to bring more tribute,
and a larger contingent to assist in tlie invasion of Ahmed-
nagar. BuUcel Khan retorted that this was due to tlie sud-
denness of his recall, and, throAving himself on the Sultan's
mercy, was rewarded by a rich KMlai . Dilawar Khan for a
moment stifled his resentment, and Avhen the audience was
broken up, carried off Bulleel Khan to his own tents in order
to celebrate their reconciliation by a sjjlendid feast. Bulleel
Khan was thus thrown off his guard, and returned with the
army to lîjapur. Arrived there, however, Dilawar Khan
threw away the mask of friendship, and suddenly seized his
rival without the King's knowledge, and caused him to be
blinded. This outrage greatly incensed the Sultan, and though
for the time he Avas unable to resent it, he resolved to get
rid of his insolent Minister at the earliest opportunity. This
opportunity soon came. In 1589, as already related, Boorahan
Nizam Shah, who had taken refuge with the Emperor Akbar,
advanced to recover the throne of Ahmednagar, from his son,
Ismael, who, as related above, had been proclaimed by Jamal
Khan. Jamal Khan advanced to meet the Bijajmr troops,
and contrary to Ibrahim's Ddawar Khan gave him
orders,
battle. At first he was but when his followers
successful,
dispersed to plunder the camp, some of the enemy rallied,
and attacking Dilawar Khan wdio was left Avith only a few
THE STORY OF QUEEN CHANI). 229
followui's, him to take fiiglit. In tlie iiieuntime,

foiupelled
the Sultan with the main body of the army had retired, and
Dilawar Khan was only able to join him after much diffi-
culty. The Sultan now determined to shake himself free of
Dilawar Khan, and for this purpose arranged with Amir-ul-
Oomara, Eyn-ul-]\Iulk, to come over to his camp. This he
did one night by stealth, whilst Dilawar Khan (who though
more than eighty years of age was not past the pleasures of
love) was engaged in amorous dalliance with a "beautiful
virgin of Deccan, whom he had long sought after and just
obtained." Next morning when too late, Dilawar Khan found
that his royal captive had escaped, and at once proceeded to
bring him back. He found the Sultan with Eyn-ul-Mulk's
forces drawn up behind, and he at once told him that "marching
by night was improper," and that he should therefore return
The Sultan incensed at his insolence exclaimed: "Who will
deliver me from this traitor?" Whereupon one Asout Khan
spurred up to the Regent, and struck him with his sabre. The
horse reared and threw Dilawar Khan, who, in the confusion
that followed managed to escape, leaving his son. Khan, be-
hind, who was taken and put to death. Ibrahim Shah was
now for the first time really independent, and news arriving
that Boorahan Shah had defeated Jamal Khan, and taken
possession of Ahmednagar, he sent him letters of congratu-
lation, and retired to Bijapur.
In meantime Dilawar Khan had taken refuge with
the
Boorahan Nizam Shah, who, forgetful of the assistance given
l)y the Sultan of Bijapur, employed him to reduce the fort
of Sholapur, which for so long had been the subject of

contention between the two kingdoms. This led to another
war, and the Ahmednagar troops took the initiative, and headed
by the traitor Dilawar Khan, marched upon Bijapur. Ibrahim
Adil Shah pretended to take no notice of this invasion, and
allowed the enemy to advance as far as the river Bhimah,
•j;j(i HISTORY OF THE DEC CAN.
preteiKliii<^- meantime to give liimself np to ])|{;iisure.

in tlic
In tills way Dilawar Khan was misled into tliinking that Ibra-
him was too weak to oppose him, and when messengers eame
from his late master offering to take liini back into liis service,
he at once consented, hoping in this way to be restored to

his former absoUite ])ower. Ibrahim received his former
Minister in his ca])ital, bnt soon disillusioned him l)y ordering
him to be blinded. Dilawar Khan in vain represented that
he had come to court solely on his Majesty's assurance of
pardon and safety. The Sultan told him that he had only
promised him life and property, and that depriving him of
sight could effect neither. Accordingly, he was blinded and
sent to the fortress of Satara, where he remained a prisoner
until he died. Ferishta was an eyewitness of these proceedings,
of which he gives a graphic account, the side he was on being
that of the Sultan of Bijapur.
Ibrahim Shah having thus rid himself of his rebellious
subject, at once marched against the invaders. Boorahan Shah
was compelled to retreat, and dissensions breaking out in his
camp, was only too glad to sue for peace. This Avas granted
after some delay, on condition that he razed the fortress he
had built on the banks of the Bhimah. To this the Sultan
had to consent, and, after with his own hands pulling down
the first stone, he marched back to Ahmednagar in disgust,
"heartily repenting of his unprovoked invasion of the territo-
ries of Ibrahim Adil Shah."
Peace being restored at home, Ibrahim Shah turned again

to the reduction of the Malabar Rajahs, whom Bulleel Khan
had left only partially subdued. The duty was entrusted to
Munjuni Khan (1593), who succeeded so well that in a short
time he had taken the fort of Mysore, which was then in
possession of Vencatadri Naick, the brother's son of the late
Rama Rajah of Vijayanagar, when he was recalled by news
of a fresh rebellion.
THK STORY OF QUEEN CHAND. 231
It will 1)0 roiiicinl)crc(l that the late Sultan Ali Adil Slinli,
the liushaiid of Queen Cliand, had left no sons but two

nephews, the eldest of whom, Ibrahim, succeeded him. The
younger of these two, Ismael, was appointed to the Govern-
ment of IJelgauni, where, however, he was kept in a kind of
honourable confinement. This restraint becoming irksome, the
young prince, having associated several noblemen with him,
suddenly seized the fort and jjroclaimed his independence
(Ramzan 9th, 1593). A general revolt now occurred, and for
a time it seemed as if Ibrahim would be crushed by his
enemies. The old nobleman, Eyn-ul-j\lulk, disgusted, probably
that he was allowed so little share in the Government, secretly
favoured Ismael, under whom he hoped to enjoy more power.
Boorahan Nizam Shah, anxious to revenge his former Inunilia-
tion, also marched an army to assist the pretender, and the
noblemen generally espoused his cause. The Hindoo Rajahs
also broke into revolt, and the Portuguese, anxious for some
excuse to interfere, promised to send a reinforcement to Ismael.
But the young Sultan Ibrahim managed to extricate himself
from his awkward dilemma with considerable skill. He had
an able and courageous adviser in his aiuit. Queen Cliand,
and he resolved to strike the rebels singly before they could
effect a junction. Ilummeed Khan was despatched with a
force to meet Eyn-ul-j\Iulk, who had now openly joined the
young prince at Belgaum. Ilununeed Khan pretended to
favour the rebellion, and, thus misled, Eyn-ul-Mulk left the
protection which the walls of Belgaum afforded, and advanced
towards Ilummeed Khan without Avaiting for Boorahan Shah,
who was only a few marches distant. He ])robably thought
it more advisable to bring the rebellion to a successful issue
by the help of Hummeed Khan, than to be under obligations
to the rival King of Ahmednagar. But he was deceived.
Preparations were made to receive the sup})osed rebel Hum-
meed Khan in a splendid pavilion which was pitched for the
232 HISTORY OF TILE DECCAN.
purpose in a largo })laiii some (listaiice t'loiii Hclniiuiii. As

soon as Ilmniiiecd Kliaii had advanced near enough, he threw
off all disguise, and suddenly charging the unsuspecting Eyn-
ul-Mulk, threw him from his horse, and cut off' his head.
The young prince Ismael was also taken prisoner, and then
the rebels tied in dismay. Ilmnmeed Khan at once returned
to Bijapur, whei'o he was received with great honour, and the
head of Eyn-ul-Mulk was blown from the great gun iMa/ik-i-
jSIaidan (the Lord of the Plain), IJoorahan Nizam Shah
hearing that the rebellion had been ((uelled, tliereupon returned
to Ahmednagar, wliere, wasted by illness and the dissensions
in his country, lie soon afterwards died (1594). Boorahan
Shah was succeeded by his son Ibrahim, who signalized his
accession to the throne by treating the Bijapur ambassadors
with such rudeness that they returned to their own country.
This affront led to another war, and Ibrahim Adil Shah at
once marched Avith an army to avenge the insult. The two

armies met on the frontiers, and a very hotly contested battle
ensued, in which the Ahmednagar forces were at first success-
ful, the left wing of the Bijapureans being broken and put
to flight. The right wing, however, commanded by Hummeed
Khan, stood their ground with such obstinacy that the tide
of battle turned, and the young Ahmednagar King rashly

advancing with only a small retinue was surprised by a troop
of the Bijapur horse, and killed by an arrow, upon which
the Admcdnngar army took to flight.
The death of Ibrahim Nizam Shah created the utnuist con-
fusion in Ahmednagar. Two factions arose, each proclaiming
a rival king. One was Bahadur Shah, the infant son
of these
of Ibrahiiu, and the other was Ahmed Shah, a boy twelve
years of age, who, it was pretended, was the grandson of
Hussein Nizam Shah's brother. Mian JManju was then at the
head of affairs, and Avas the protector of the young pretender
Ahmed Shah. On it being proved that Ahmed had no claim
THE STORY OF QUEEN CHANI). 233
to royal descent, u third faction put forward another infant

as the riglitful heir of Ihraliini, and Mian Manju, thereupon
despairing of bringing about a restoration of order, sent a
message to Prince Murad, Akbar's son, who was tlien in
Guzerat, waiting for an opportunity to interfere in Deccan

affairs, to come to his assistance. Aiurad was only too
glad to accept the invitation, and marched with an army
of thirty thousand men, with the ostensible object of placing
Ahmed on the throne, but with the real intention of annexing
Ahmednagar to the Delhi Empire. But before he could reach
the capital, IVEian jManju repented of his venture, and after
consulting with the chief noblemen, it was resolved to ask
Queen Chand to undertake the Regency and to defend the
State from J\Iurad and the Mogul army. Chand Bibi must
have been at that time nearly tifty years of age, and was happy
in Bijapur, where she was beloved by all. But she wâs a
Princess of Ahmednager by birth, and she immediately re-
sponded to the call that was made upon her, though it involved
the taking up of a post surrounded by danger. She at once
set off for Ahmednagar, and when she had taken charge of
the State, Mian j\lanju started for Golconda and Bijapur to
endeavour to obtain help. In the meantime, the toils closed
round the city of Ahmednagar, but it had a noble defender
in Queen Chand. This courageous woman at once placed the
city in a proper state of defence, and at the same time pro-
claimed the infant Bahadur as King. Murad invested the
city and actively commenced to push the siege, but in spite
of his large train of artillery, he wâs able to accomplish very
little. The kings of Golconda and Bijapur had now^ become
thoroughly alarmed, and despatched armies to raise the siege,
and Murad hearing that these reinforcements Avere on the
way, resolved to attempt a storm before their arrival. "In a
few^ days fire mines were carried under the bastions on one
face of the fort, all Avere charged with powder, and built
234 msToh'Y or riiK dkccan.
with mortar aiul stones, except iii^t;- where the train was to l)e
hiid, and it was resolved to lire tliem on the foUowiiin; morn-
ing (20th February 1596). During tlie night Kwaja Mahomed

Klian Sliirazi, admiring the rcsohition of the lêsieged, and
unwilling that they shoukl he sacriticed, made his way to the
walls, and informed them of their danger. At the instance

of Cliand Bil)i, who herself set the example, the garrison
inunediately began to countermine. \ly daylight they had
destroyed two of the mines, and were searching for the others,
when the prince, Avithout communication with Khan Khanam,
ordered out the line, and resolved to storm without him. The
besieged wêre in the act of removing the powder from the
third and largest mine, when the prince ordered them to be
sprung. Many of the counterminers Avere killed and several

yards of the wall fell. When the breach was made, several
of the leading otficers of the garrison prepared for flight.
But Chand Bibi, clad in armour, and with a veil thrown

over her face, and with a drawn sword in her hand, dashed
forward to defend the breach. The fugitives to a man returned
and joined her, and as the storming party held back for the
other mines, the besieged had time to throw rockets, powder,
and other combustibles into the ditch, and to bring guns to
bear upon the breach." * From the early morning until sun-
down, the heroic Queen remained in the breach, encouraging
her soldiers and endeavouring to repair the damage. For
some reason or other, the general assault was delayed until
the afternoon, by which time the defenders were better pre-

pared to resist it, but from about twô o'clock until sunset
force after force of Moo-uls was hurled against the breach to
be each time repulsed, until the moat was filled with the
bodies of the slain. Throughout the whole of this desperate
attack, Queen Chand was foremost amongst the defenders.
* Bomhaij Gazetteer Vol. XVII., by Jainos Cainpboll.

THE STORY OF QUEEN CHANT) 237
Her grcoii-vcil was seen evcrywliorc, iind lier voice was heard,
calling out in its shrill treble her late husband's battle cry.
At length, as darkness set in, the Moguls, repulsed in each
attack, had to retire discomfited, and by next morning the
breach had been repaired and rendered impracticable. Prince
Murad, finding that his assault had failed, and that the rein-
forcements were within a day's march, now resolved to raise
the siege. He first sent ambassadors to the Queen, who Avere
ordered to compliment her on her heroic defence, and to
inform her that in future the Imperial Forces would style her
a Sultana or Queen, instead ofBegum as before, and at the
same time to recpiest a truce for burying the dead. This
was granted, and after it had expired, a regular treaty was
drawn up, under which Prince Murad agreed to retire on
receiving the cession of the Sovereignty of Berar. At first
Queen Chand refused these terms, but eventually she consented,

and Prince Murad, whose army was weakened, not only liy
want of provisions, but also by internal dissensions, withdrew
to take possession of his new acquisition, which gave to the
Delhi Emperors their first firm footing in the Deccan. Soon
afterwards Prince Murad died from the effects of hard drink-
ing, and for three years Ahmednagar remained unmolested
by the Moguls.
No sooner had the invaders retired, than dissensions broke
out amongst the Ahmednagar people. Main jManju was in
favour young Ahmed being recognized Sultan, but the
of
Queen would have no one but Bahadur, the infant son of the
late Sultan. In order to settle this dis])ute, the Queen sent
for her nephew, Ibrahim Adil Shah, of Bijapur, who soon
arrived with a sufficient force to keep the peace betAveen the
two factions, A lengthened eiKpiiry was then held, and on it
being proved that Ahmed Shaw was not a lineal descendent

of the Nizam Shah's family, an estate was settled upon him,
and Bahadur was placed upon the throne. Eor a short time
there was now peace in Ahnietlnagar and (^neen Cliaiul turned

her attention to tlic restoration of the affairs of tlie kingdom.
But she was not fated to complete the reforms slie commenced,
for in 1597, war again broke out witli tlie Moguls in conse-
quence of encroaclnnents made by them. Prince Daniyal had
succeeded his brother Murad as Governor of the Deccan, and
his policy was to take advantage of every opportunity to
reduce, and if possible to annex, Ahmednagar. But before
the final struggle with the Moguls took place. Queen Cliand
had again to call in the assistance of her nephew, Ibrahim,
of Bijapur, against her turbulent subjects in Ahmednagar.
He at ouce complied, and sent Solieil Khan with a considerable
force, and with orders to place himself entirely at the Queen's
disposal. Mahomed Khan, the Queen's Minister, against
whom chiefly this force was intended, refused to admit it
into the citadel, Mogul Com-

and despatched a letter to the
mander-in-Chief in Berar, offering if he Avould come to his
help to hold the country as a vassal of the Emperor of Delhi.
This piece of treachery, however, became known to the garrison,
who then seized Mahomed Khan, and handed him over to the
Queen. In this way the Queen's authority was restored, but
unfortunately the invitation to the Moguls was only too readily
accepted. A Mogul force was sent to seize the town of
Paithri, which had not been included in the Berar Concession,
and thereupon Solieil Khan was ordered by his master to
recapture it. In this expedition he was assisted by an army
from Golconda, the Sultan of which had begun to be alarmed
by the close neighbourhood of the Delhi army. The allied
force consisted of no less than 60,000 cavalry, besides infantry,
and the engagement that ensued was a decisive one for the
fate of the Deccan. The battle was fought on the .banks of
the Godavery, not far from the town of Sonpat. The Delhi
forces wêre commanded by the Khan Khanan, assisted by
the redoubtable old Avarrior, Raja Ali Khan, of Khandeish,
by Riijti Jag'iuiatli, and otlicr Hindoo subsidiaries. Al)ii-1-I''a/I *
thus describes the battle :
"The army of Nizani-uI-Mulk (Alimcdnaii-ar) was in the

centre; the Adil Klian's (Hijapur) was on the riglit; and the
army of Kutb-ul-Mulk on tlie left. On the 21th lâhaman (2Gtli
January, 1597), after tlie first watch of the day tlie River
Godavery was passed, and tlie battle began by an attack on
the right wing of the enemy. Hut they held their ground
firmly in a strong ])osition, and ke})t up a heavy fire. Great
bravery Avas exhibited on both sides, and a long and desperate
struggle was maintained. The enemy was numerous, and the
superiority of his fire checked the Imperial ranks, and made
them waver. Jaganath and several other Rajputs drew rein,

and did not move, while the Adil Khan troo})s made an
onslaught upon Raja Ali Khan of Khandeish. He made a
stubborn resistance and fell fighting bravely, with thirty-five
distinguished officers and five hundred devoted followers.
"Mirza Shah Rukh and Khan Khanan had been successful
in their })art of the field, so also had Saijid Kasim and other
leaders. The enemy was under the impression that the Rider
of Khandeish Avas in the centre and thought that Mirza Shah
Rukh and Khan Khanan were involved in his defeat. During
the darkness of the night, the opposing forces remained separate
from each other, each supposing that it had gained a victory.
In the course of the night many of the scattered troops
rejoined their standard. Under the impression that Raja Ali
Khan had gone over to the enemy, the imperial troops
plundered his baggage. Dwarka Das, of the advance and Said
Jalal, of the left, retired to Nilawi. Ram Chandar, who
fought bravely and had received wounds with the
twenty
forces under Raja Ali Khan, remained among the wounded
during the night, and died a few^ days after.
* Elliot and Dowson.. Vol. YI.. page 95.

240 . HISTORY OF TlfE DECCAN.
"When moi'iiiiiu; (;iiiu' the linpcrml l'\)i"r'(\s 7000 in iimiilxT,

found tliumselvcs in face of 25,00(1 of the (Mieniy. Tliey luid
all ni<>'lit suffered from thirst, and they now eai'i'ied the river
Sup;ani. 'I'he enemy was oidy half-hearted, and heiiip; dismayed
by this demonstration, took to f1if>;lit and made hut little
resistance^ * * * Worn out hy the proti'aeted conflict, the

imperial Forces were unable to pursue. At the beginning* of
the camjiaign the imperial Foi-ces numbered only 15,000,
while the enemy were 60,000 in number. Still they had
gained victory and had captni'cd forty elephants and much
artillery."
This quotation has been given at some length as a good

specimen of the manner in which Deccanee warfare was
conducted. The troops were, no doubt, brave, but very
undisciplined. Though outnumbering their opponents, they
were unable to take advantage of their first successes, OAving
to their want of cohesion and discipline. The extract is also
important, as showing the support which Akl)ar's wise rule
received from the Rajputs, who formed the flower of his army.
It was only Aurungzebe's subsequent bigotry and intolerance
that alienated this hardy race of soldiers.
After this the allied army dispersed, and Nehang
defeat,
Khan and Ahmednagar Minister and General retired to
the
the capital, where he formed a plan to seize Queen Chand
and the young King. The Queen, however, shut the gates of
the citadel against him, and refused to allow him to enter.
Whilst Ahmednagar was thus torn by civil Avar, the Imperial
Troops were steadily advancing. They were now commanded
by Prince Daniyal and the Khan Khanan (1599). Nehang
Khan fled to Junar, and the Imperialists tlien invested
Ahmednagar, and the unfortunate Queen had to sustain another
siege. And now unfortunately the garrison was divided in
itself. A portion wished to fight the matter out to the bitter
end, l)ut the Queen seeing the hopelessness of resistance was
inclined to make terms by again contirming the treaty made

with Prince Murad at the previous siege. Her idea was to
give up the fort, and retire with the young King to Junar.
Hamid Khan, one of the principal officers in the fort, and
the head of the opposite faction, came to know and
of this,
at once ran into the streets exclaiming that the Queen wished
to betray the people. The excitable and turbulent soldiers of
Ahmednagar, forgetting all the noble devotion which Queen
Cliand had always shown, at once assembled in front of the
palace. Headed by Hamid Khan they rushed inside, sword
in hand, and not tinding the Queen in the audience hall,
they broke open the private apartment. There they were

confronted by this courageous woman who was undismayed,
though she saw that the end had come. Too excited to listen
to her, the crowds rushed on, and Hamid Khan cut her
down, and so died Chand Bibi, one of the noblest characters

in 'the History of India.
Deprived of its courageous defender, the fort of Ahmed-
nagar did not hold out much longer. In a few days the
mines were sprung, and the making but a feeble
garrison
resistance, the fort was easily carried. A' scene of indis-
criminate slaughter then took place, the treasury was pillaged,
and the young King Bahadur was taken and sent to the
Emperor Akbar, who was then at Burhanpore. Bahadur was
subsequently sent to the fortress of Gwalior, where he re-
mained in honourable confinement until his death. From this
time (1599), we hear nothing more of the independence of

the Kingdom of Ahmednagar. The Moguls had now taken
firm footing in the Deccan, and the beginning of the end had
commenced.
16
CITADEL AND MOAT, BIJAPUR,
CHAPTER XX.
RETROSPECTIVE SKETCH OF THE DECCAN.
Before leaviiip; Aliinediiagar, wliicli how disappears from all
independent share in the history of Deccan affairs, a sliglit

sketch of the civil administration of the kino-dom under the
Nizam Shahi Kings will not be out of place, and I cannot
do better than (juote from Mr. Campbell :
"The Ahmednagar dominions extended over the greater part

of Berar, and the whole of what was afterwards included in
RETROSPECTIVE SKETCH OF THE DECCAN. 243
the S//6//f/ of Auriingal);t(l, .l;ilii;i, and sonic oflicr distrifts in
Nassik and Kliandeisli, and tlio district of Kalyan in tlie
Konkan from Hankot to Iâsscin. Under the Ahmednagar

Kings, thougli perhaps less i-eguk'U'ly than afterwards under
the Moguls, tlie country was (hvided into districts or sirkars.
The was distributed among sub-divisions, which were
district
generally known by Persian names, par(/ana, kari/dt, mmniat,

viaJial, faluka, and sometimes by the Hindu names of prant
and des/i. The hilly west, which was generally managed by

Hindoo officers, continued to be arranged by valleys with their
Hindoo names, Khora, Mara, and Marval. The collection of
revenue was generally entrusted to fariners, the farms some-
times including one village. Where the revenue was not
farmed, its collection was generally entrusted to Hindoo officers.
Over the revenue farmers was a Government agent or JwiJ,
who, besides collecting the revenue, managed the police and
settled the civil suits. Civil suits relating to land were gener-
ally settled by juries or pcuichajjefs. Though the chief power
in the country was Mahomedan, large numbers of Hindoos
were employed in the service of the State. The garrison of
hdl forts seem generally to have been commanded by Hindoos,

Marathas, Kolis, and Dhangars, a few places of special strength
being reserved for Mahomedan commandants, or JdJledars.
Besides the hill some parts of the o])en country were

forts,
left under loyal Maratha and Brahmin officers with the title
of estate holder oy jaf/Mrdar, and of district head ox DesJnuMkJi.
Estates wêre generally granted on military tenure, the value
of the grant being in proportion to the number of troops
which the grant-holder maintained. Family feuds or personal
hate, and, in the case of those whose lands lay near the
borders of two kingdoms, an intelligent regard for the chances
of war often divided Maratha families, and led members of
one family to take service under rival Musulman States.
Hindoos of distinguished service were rewarded with the

244 inSTOUY or TIIK DECCAN.
Iliiuloo lilies of /Y//V/, ii(iirL\ ;iii(l /v/r or rao. Niiiiil)crs of
Hindoos were eiuploved in llie Aliniediiiiâi' armies." [Jiomhaj/

Gazcffcer, vol. xvii.)
In tlie same year as Alnnednai'ar fell, an ineideiit oecuired

M'liieli was destined to luive a most important effect upon
Indian liistory. Dnring tlie Iloli festival of that year (JMarcli-
April), a Maratlia, named Majoli Blionsla, who oonnnandcd a

small body of Silledar horse, took his son, Shahji, a hoy of
five, to pay his respects to his connnanding officer, Ijukhji
Jadhavrao. Liikji's little danghter, Jiji, a child of three, was

present, and whilst the elders wêre talking, the two children
hegan to play together. Lnkhji asked his daughter in joke:
"How would you like that boy for your luisband?" and on
the girl saying "Yes," Majoli at once rose and called the
guests to witness that Lnkhji had offered his daughter in
marriage to his son Shahji, which offer he, as Shahji's father,
accepted. Taken thus at his word, Lnkhji and his Avife wêre
exceedingly angry, but Maloji remained unshaken, and even-

tually (1604) the marriage really took place. The issue of this
marriage was the great Sivaji, the founder of the Maratha

nation. Mr. Campbell, whom I have fpioted above says (ibid)
that Lukhji's objections were overcome by purchasing from

"a falling court like that of Ahmednagar," a command of
5,000 and the title of Rajah for Maloji, and that then, Lukhji
having no longer any excuse "for not performing what he
was urged to by his sovereign," consented to the marriage.
The passage is (juoted word for word from Grant Duff's
"History of the Marathas" (vol L, p. 78), but it is clearly
an error, for, as we have seen, there was no longer a sover-

eign at Ahmednagar in 1604, to give or to withhold promotion.
What seems most probable is that Maloji, in the interval be-
tween 1599 and 1604, did good service for the Moguls, and
received his promotion from them for assisting them in the
settlement of their new conquest. The story of Sivaji has.

however, been so cxliaustivcly told by tlic great historian

(iJrant Duff, that it is out of our province to go into it here,
and the incident is only alluded to as marking an important
epoch in the history of the Deccan. We shall, of course,
frequently come across Sivaji, in the future course of our
history, but except as far as he is brought into contact with
l}i3a})ur, it is not proposed to recapitulate what has already
been so well told.
To return to Ibrahim Add Shah at Bijapur. After the

catastrophe at Ahmednagar, the Sultan took but little active
share in the affairs of the Deccan. Alarmed at the growing
power of the Moguls, he made overtures to the Emperor
Akbar, and an alliance was agreed upon, one of the conditions
of wdiich was that he should give his daughter in marriage
to the Emperor's son, Daniyal. An ambassador was sent by
Akbar to bring the Princess, but he remained so long at
Jîjapur that another, Asad Beg, was sent to bring him and
the Princess back, with orders to stay at Bijapur only one
night. The Princess seems to have been very reluctant to
enter upon this marriage, and when at length she was de-
spatched with the ambassador, accompanied also by the historian
Perishta, together with rich presents, she managed one night
to escape from her guardians in order to return to her father.
In the morning, howêver, she was caught and Avas eventually
safely handed over to her husband. At this time Bijapur
must have been at the height of its splendour and magnifi-
cence. Asad Beg, coming from Delhi, where Akbar's court
was at the sunmiit of its grandeur, speaks most enthusiastic-
ally of the Southern city. His description is worthy of being
quoted, as it is not likely to be tinged with any partiality. —
"That palace, Avhicli they called Hajjah, was so arranged
that each house in it had a double court. Where there are
* Elliot iind Dowson, vol. vi., p. l()3, et seq.

246 HIS Ton y OF THE DECCAN.
two courts tlicy cull it in those parts llajjali. All round the
gate of my residence were lofty buildings with houses and
porticos; the situation was very airy and healthy. It lies in
an open space in the city. Its northern portico is to the east

of a bazaar of great extent, as mucli as thirty yards wide and
two ko8 (four miles) long. Ik^forc each shop was a beautiful
green tree, and the wliole bazaar was extremely clean and
pure. It was hlled with rare goods, such as are not seen or
heard of in any other town. There were sho])s of cloth sellers,
jewellers, armourers, vintners, bakers, fishmongers and cooks.

To give some idea of the whole bazaar I will describe a small
section in detail. In the jewellers' shops were jewels of all
sorts, wrought into a variety of articles, such as daggers,

knives, mirrors, necklaces and alse into the form of birds,
such as parrots, doves, and peacocks, &c., all studded with
valuable jewels, and arranged upon shelves, rising one above
the other. Ey the side of this shop will be a baker's with
rare viands placed in the same manner upon tiers of
shelves. Further on a linen draper's with all kinds of cloths
shelved in like manner. Then a clothier's. Then a spirit-
merchant's with various sort of China vessels, valuable crystal

bottles, and costly cups, filled with choice and rare essences
arranged on shelves, while in front of the shop were jars of
double-distilled spirits. Beside that shop will be a fruiterer's
filled with all kinds of fruit and sAveetmeats, such as pistachio
nuts and relishes, and sugarcandy and almonds. On another
side may be a wine merchant's shop, and an establishment of
singers and dancers, beautiful women adorned Avith vai'ious
kinds of jewels, and fair faced choristers, all ready to perform

whatever may be desired of them. In short, the whole bazaar
was filled Avith wine and beauty, dancers, perfumes, jewels of
all sorts, palaces, and viands. In one street were a thousand
bands of people drinking, and dancers, lovers, and pleasure-
seekers assembled; none quarrelled or disputed Avith another,-
and this state of things was perpetual. l\'rliaps no place in

the wide world eould j)resent a more wonderful spectacle to
the eye of the traveller."
At Bijapur Asad lêg for the first time came across tobacco.
"Never having seen the like in India, I l)rought some with
me, and ])repared a handsome pipe of jewel work. The stem,
the finest to be procured at Achin, was three cubits in length,
beautifully dried and coloured, both ends l)eing adoined with
jewels and enamel. 1 happened to come across a very handsome
mouth-piece of Yaman cornelian, oval shaped, which I set to
the stem ; the whole was very handsome. There was also a
golden burner for lighting it as a proper accom])animent. Adil
Khan had given me a betel bag of very superior workmanship
this I filled with fine tobacco, such that if one leaf be lit, the
whole will continue burning. I arranged all elegantly on a silver
tray. I had a silver tube made to keep the stem in, and that
too was covered Avith purple velvet." Then follows a very amusing-
description of the Emperor's reception of this novel present.
Akbar ordered Asad Beg to prepare and give him a pipeful,
but no sooner had he begun to smoke, than the physician
approached and forbad him to do so. Then followed a discussion
between the druggist, the physician and at last the priest.
The general verdict of these learned men was against the use
of tobacco as being an unknown thing, and, therefore, unfit-
ting for his Majesty to try. Asad Beg said: "The Europeans
are not so foolish as not to know all about it; there are wise
men among them who seldom err or commit mistakes. How
can you, before you have tried a thing, and found out all its
qualities, pass a judgment on it that can be depended on by

the physicians, kings, great men and nobles? Things must
be judged of by their good or bad ([ualities, and the decision
must be according to the facts of the case." The physician
replied: "We do not want to follow the Europeans, and
adopt a custom which is not sanctioned by our own wise
men without a trial." I said: "It is a strange thing, for
every custom in the world has been new at one time or the
other; from the days of Adam until now, they have gradually
been invented. When a new thing is introduced among
peoples and becomes well-known in the world, everyone adopts
it; wise men and physicians should determine according to the
good or bad ([ualities of a thing; the good qualities may not
appear at once. Thus the China root, not known anciently,
has been newdy discovered, and is useful in many diseases."
This answer so pleased Akbar that he gave Asad Beg his
blessing, and said: "Did you hear how wisely Asad spoke?
Truly, we must not reject a thing that has been adopted by
the wise men of other nations merely because we cannot find
it in our books; or how shall we progress?" The result was
that the noblemen of Delhi took kindly to the new practice
of smoking, but his Majesty, we are told, 'did not adopt it.'
After Asad Beg's vivid description of the charms of Bijapur
one can understand why it was that the first ambassador from
Delhi was so reluctant to come away, and why Asad had been
ordered not to stop longer than one night. It is said that
his predecessor, Jamal-ud-Din, wâs paid by the Sultans of
Bijapur and Golconda at the rate of £ 105,000 to £ 140,000
a year, and this probably accounts for the reason why he
spent three years in the Deccan, and wdiy Asad's orders were
so peremptory. The message which he tells us he was directed
to give to Jamal-ud-Din was very significant: "If thou dost
not return to Court with Asad, thou shalt see what will hap-
pen to thee and thy children." This had the desired effect,
and the twô ambassadors returned together. Asad Beg had

been so successful in his mission that he was sent to the
Deccan a second time, on which occasion Akbar is reported
to have said: "You went before, in great discomfort to fetch
Mir Jamal-ud-Din and the daughter of Adil Khan and the
was necessary. But this time you must go in
presents, because it
BETROi^PECTiVE SKETCH OF THE DECCAN. 24!)
state to the four provinces of the Deccan, and remain in each

pLice so long as may he necessary, to collect whatever they
may have of tine elephants and rare jewels throughout their
dominions, to bring back witli you. Their money you may
keep, I want nothing but their choice and rare elephants
and jewels. You must secure things of this kind for the
Government, the rest I give to you. You must not relax
your effort as long as there is one fine elephant or rare jewel
out of your grasp in the Deccan," How Asad fared in this
embassy we are not told, for soon afterwards the great Em-
peror died, but the instructions give a very clear idea of the
tributary state to which the Sultans of the Deccan had by
this time been reduced. Mr. Stanley Lane Poole estimates
that at the accession of Aurungzebe the tribute from the Deccan
amounted to about ten crores of rupees (say £ 10,000,000
(Aurungzebe, p. 128), This sum divided between Golconda
and Bijapur, which were the only two independent kingdoms
left, would amount to a considerable impost, but it is probable
that is was very irregularly paid, especially towards the latter
end of the seventeenth Century.
Ibrahim Adil Shah lived until 1626, and during his time
Bijapur was at the height of its glory. Ibrahim was a great
patron of architecture, and some of the finest buildings in
Bijapur arose during his reign. His tomb, the Ibrahim Roza,
is a of buildings, Avhich, according to Mr.
splendid group
Fergusson, more elaborately adorned than any in India.
is
It was commenced soon after Ibrahim's accession to the throne

and took thirty-six years to complete, and according to an
inscription, the cost was 1,50,900 k/ms, or about ^52,815;
this, however, represents only the cash expenditure, since the
workmen, as pointed out in the Gazetteer (vol, xxiii, p, 611),
were probably paid in grain. Ibrahim is said to have been
a man of learning and taste, and though the first years
of his reign were stormy, the latter were spent in almost
liod HISTOUy OF THE DECCAN.
])r<)tV)uiHl ])Ciicc. Wlioii lie died lie left <i full treasury, n
tioui'isliing country, and an army wliose strength is stated at

80,000 horse and upwards of 200,000 foot. His memory is
cherislied as one of the best of tlie lîjapur kings {ibid). The

noble example of Queen Chand, who was the guardian of the
King's youth, no doubt left a deep impression upon him, and
he himself has left a jioem in which he praises her virtues,
which is full of love and gratitude to her memory. AVe re-
produce it here as translated by Mr. II. 1\ Silcock, C.S. :
111 tli(^ gardens of the blest, where the happy Jiom'is dwell,
In the pakces of men, where earth's fairest ones are seen.
There is none who can compare in beauty or in grace
With the noble Chand Sultana, Bijapur's beloved Queen.
Though in battle's dreadful turmoil her courage never failed.
In the softer arts of peace she was gentle and serene.
To the feeble tender-hearted, to the needy ever kind.
Was the noble Chand Sultana, Bijapur's beloved Queen.
As the rliaiiipuk flower in fragrance is the sweetest flower that blows.
As the cypress trees in form all other trees excel.
So in disposition tender, in beauty without peer.
Was that gracious Queen whose praise no human tongue can tell.
In memory of that mother who with watchful tender care

Ever guarded her poor orphan in a weary troubled land,
I, Ibrahim the Second, these feeble lines indite
To the honour of that Princess, the noble Lady Chand.

CHAPTER XXL
THE STORY 0¥ MALICK AMBER.
At tlie time of the fall of Alimednagar, one Malick Amber

was the Governor of Dowlatabad. Malick, or Sidi Amber,
as he is often called, had been originally an Abyssinian slave.
He was a man of considerable talents, especially in adminis-
trative matters. During the time of Queen Chand he was
her faithful deputy, and when the Queen was murdered, and
the capital fell, he remained faithful to the old dynasty, and
proclaimed Murtaza II, grandson of the second Nizam Shah,
to be the King, The new King tixed his capital at Kirki, a
city which had been founded by ^lalick Amber, and which
is now known as Aurangabad. Malick Amber was the Regent
and virtual ruler of what portion of thekingdom was left.
It is probable that at first this little kingdom consisted of
but one or two districts with which the JNIoguls in Ahmed-
nagar did not think it worth their while to interfere, as they
had sufficient to do in settling the western portion of the

kingdom. In 1607, Malick Amber placed the King Murtaza
into confinement, where he remained for the next nineteen
years; and then declared his independence, ruling the country
that was left in his own name. His rule appears to have
been a wise and able one, and especially so as regards revenue
252 llltiTOliY OF THE DECCAN.
matters. lie made a tlioroiigli survey and settlement of the

country under his cliargc, Avliich remained in force until the
middle of this century, and his name is still highly-spoken of
as the founder of the country's prosperity. The country itself
is very rich and fertile, and consists for the most part of the
valley of the Upper Godavery. Circumstances favoured Malick
Amber, for soon after his accession to power dissensions broke
out amongst the Moguls. Soon after Jehangir's accession, his
son, Sultan Khusroo, revolted. This took away the attention
of the Emperor for some time from the affairs of the Deccan,
and by the time he had quelled the revolt, Amber had
managed to make himself so strong that he was never really
conquered. Gradually he extended his possessions until they
reached within eight miles of the fort of Ahmednagar to the
west; and to Bieder on the east, whilst in the south they
bordered on the Bijapur country. Malick Amber was the
Emperor Jehangir's especial object of detestation. He fre-
quently mentions him in his memoirs, but scarcely ever without

some adjective of abuse, such as "black-faced," "wretch," or
"cursed fellow." Numerous expeditions were sent against
him, but though he was sometimes defeated, he was never
conquered, and he was as often successful as not. In 1609,
Jehangir recalled the Khan Khanan on account of the mis-
management of affairs in the Deccan. Jehangir in his diary
thus summarises the state of affairs at that time: — "From
the time of the conquest of Ahmednagar by my late brother
Daniyal to the present time, the place had been under the
command of Khwaja Beg Mirza Safawi, a relation of Shah
Tahmasp, of Persia; but since their late successes, the Dec-
canees had invested the town. Every effort was made to
defend the place, and Khan Khanan and the other Amirs
who were Avith Prince Parwez at Burhanpur marched forth
to relieve it. Through the jealousies and dissensions of the
leaders, and from want of supplies, the army was conducted
THE STORY OF MALIC K AMBER. 253
hy ii)|)roj)cr roads, through iiiountains and difficult passes, and

ill a sliort time it was disorganized, and so niucli in want of
food that it was compelled to retreat. The hopes of the
garrison Avere fixed on this force, and its retreat filled thcni
with feai-. They desired to evacuate the place. Kliwaja Beg
Mirza did his best to console and encourage them; but in
vain, so he capitulated on terms and retired with his men to
Burhanpur. When the despatches arrived, and I found that
theKhwaja had fought bravely and done his best, I promoted
him to a mansah of 5,000 and gave him a suitable Jagir." *
A letter Avritten to Jehangir at this time by Khan Jehan, the
Second-in-Command, shows the state of affairs:
— "All the
disasters have happened through the bad management of the
Khan Khanan. Either confirm him in his command or recall
him to court, and appoint me to perform the service. If
30,000 horse are sent as a reinforcement, I will undertake in
the course of two years to recover the Imperial territory
from the enemy, to take Kandahar, and other fortresses on
the frontier, and to make Bijapur a part of the Imperial
dominions. If I do not complish this in the period named,
I will never show my face at court again." This suggestion
Avas adopted, and the Khan Khanan was recalled. Khan Jehan
being appointed in his place. It does not a})pear that Khan
Jehan was able to fulfill all his promises; he did so, no doubt,
in part, but as for reducing the whole of the Ahmednagar
country, let alone Bijapur, Ave find the latter left untouched,
and in the former Amber Avas as strong as ever. In 1612,
Jehangir speaks of the defeat of another Imperial expedition
in a battle fought near DoAvlatabad. Jehangir thus notices
it:"Amber the black-faced, Avho had placed himself in com-
mand of the enemy, continually brought up re-inforcements
till he had assembled a large force, and he constantly annoyed
* Elliot ami Dowson. Vol. YI.. p. 323.

AI)(Iu11mIi witli rockets and various kinds of ticry missiles, till
lie reduced liiui to a sad condition. So, as the Iniperiid force

had received no reinforcement, and tlie enemy was in great
force, it was deemed expedient to retreat, and prepai'e foi- a new

campaign." This was done, and soon afterwai'ds ])roposals of
peace were made by the Deccanees, which ap])ear to have been
accepted. Two years afterwards an attempt was made to
Malick Amber, which, liowever, failed, and the
assassinate
Emperor in recording it adds: —"A very little more would
have made an end of this cursed fellow." In the same year
(tenth of the reign = we find a victory recorded over
1616),
the army of the —
"wretched" Amber: "Some good officers
and a body of Bargis (Mahrattas), a very liardy race of people,
who are great movers of opposition and strife, being offended
with Amber desired to become subjects of my throne. * * *
Having thus brought them in to the interests of the throne.
Shah Sarvar Khan marched with them from Ealapur against
And)er. On their wây they were opposed by an army of the
Deccanees: but they soon defeated it, and drove the men in
panic to the camp of Amber. In his vanity and pride, he

resolved to hazard a battle with my victorious army. To his
own forces he united the armies of Adil Khan and Kutb-ul-

Mulk, and with a train of artillery, he marched to meet the
royal army, until he came within five or six koss of it" {ibid,
p. 344). A hotly contested engagement ensued, which resulted
in the total defeat of the Deccanees, and the flight of the
'
black-faced ' Amber, who left his capital Kirki to be occupied
by the Imperialists. After this defeat, Malick Amber sued
for peace, which was granted, and the Imperial troops with-
drew, but they had no sooner withdrawn than another out-
break occurred. Jehangir had gone to Cashmere, and Malick
Amber thinking this a favourable opportunity, made an inroad
into the Eerars, and shut the Imperial garrison up in Burhanjnir.
The rebels remained for six months in this part of the country,
THE STORY OF MALICK AMBER. 255
and uiiiiexcd several dislricts of Rerar and Kliaiidcisli. Matters

were in so critical u state, that l^'ince Shall Jchan was sent
to reconcincf the Deccan. At first (1()21) he was sncccssful.
Kirki was invested and taken, and so destroyed "tliat the
town wliicli had taken twenty years to build will hardly re-
cover its splendour for another twenty years." And)er now

again had to submit, and was compelled to cede fourteen ^ôss
(28 miles) of Imperial territory and pay an indemnity of fifty
lakhs of rupees. In 1622, Shah Jehan broke into rebellion,

and Amber seems to have given him very consi(k'rable assist-
ance. For the next three years this rebellion continued, and
operations were at first conducted in the Deccan. Amber
profited by the confusion to annex fresh territory, and pushed
on his boiuidarics to within a short distance of Ahmednagar.
In 1623, Shah Jehan was beaten and compelled to raise the siege
of Burhanpur, upon which he left the Deccan, and the Imperialists
were able to pay attention to Malick Amber. The following
quotation from jMutamad Khan (Elliot and Dowson, Vol. VI.,
pp. 414-15) shows how important a person Malick Amber had
—
become: "Malick Amber proceeded to the frontiers of Kutb-ul-
Midk, to receive the annual payment of his army, which was now
two years in arrears. After receiving it, and making himself
secure on that side by a treaty and oath, he proceeded towards
Bieder. There he found the forces of Adil Khan, who were
in charge of that country, unprepared, so he attacked them
unawares and plundered the city. From thence he marched
against Bijapur. Adil Khan had sent his best troops and
officers along with Mulla ]\Iahonied Lari to Burhanpur (to
assist the Imperial Forces), and not deeming himself strong

enough to resist the assailant, he shut himself up in the fortress
of Bijapur, and doing all he could to secure the place, he sent
a messenger to recall Mahomed Lari and his forces." Sarbuland
Rai Avas the Imperial Governor at Burhanpur, and he at once
allowed Mahomed Lari to return, sending with him a large
portion of his ariuy. Ami)cr now I'aised the siege of Bijapnr,

and retreated to his own country, but was followed by the
combined Adil Khani and liis Imperial troops. Amber, hardly
pressed, was at length compelled to give battle about ten
miles from Ahmednagar. iMahomed Lari, who commanded
the Bijapur troops, was killed, and his fall throwing his fol-
lowers into confusion, Malick Amber obtained a complete
victory. "IMalick Amber, successful beyond his hopes, sent
his prisoners to the fortress of Dowlatabad, and marclied to
lay siege to But although he brought up his
Ahmednagar.
guns and pressed the siege, he met with no success. He,
therefore, left a part of his army to complete the investment,
whilst he marched against Bijapur. Adil Khan again took
refuge in the fortress, and Malick Amber occupied all his
territories as far as the frontiers of the Imperial dominions
in the Balaghat (Berar). He collected an excellent army and
laid siege to Sholapur, which had long been a subject of
contention between Nizam-ul-Mulk and Adil Khan. He sent
a force against Burhanpur, and having brought up guns from
Dowlatabad, he took ShoLapur by storm" (ihid). Orders were
now sent to the Imperial Forces to stay all further proceedings
until the arrival of reinforcements, and until his death, Malick
Amber seems to have been supreme in the Deccan. This
occurred in 1626, and the same historian whom we have
quoted above, thus records it:
— "Intelligence now arrived of
the death of Amber, the Abyssinian, in the eightieth year of
his age, on the 31st Ardebthist. This Amber was a slave,

but an able man. In warfare, in command, in sound judgment,
and in administration, he had no rival or equal. He well
understood that predatory warfare, which in the language of the
Deccan is called hargi-giri. He kept down the turbulent spirit
of that country, and maintained his exalted position to the end
of his life, and closed his career in honour. History records no
other instance of an Abyssinian slave arriving at such eminence."
THE STORY OF MALIC K AMBER. 257
During tlic whole of this time (1007-20) tlie King Mui-taza

11, had been kept in conhnenicnt, cliietly in the fort of Dow-
hitabad, where he spent his time in drink and sensual excess,
Maliek Amber left two sons —
Futteh Khan and Chenglu'z
Khan — of whom the former, the elder, succeeded to his father's
authority. The King, liowever, managed to make his escape,
in which he was aided by a favourite slave, named Ilamid
Khan. Futteh Khan was then seized and sent in confinement
to the fort of Khiber. Here, however, he did not remain

long, but making his escape, he raised the standard of rebellion.
Ilamid Khan appears to have been an able man, and suc-
ceeded in raising an army and again capturing Futteh Khan,
who was now confined in the fort of Dowlatabad. Shah
Jehan was then on the Delhi throne, having succeeded on
6th February, 1628. Soon after his accession, one of his
principal Generals, Khan Jehan, who for some time had been
Governor of the Deccan, revolted, and took refuge with
Murtaza Shah in Kirki and Dowlatabad. This led to con-
siderable fighting with the Imperial troops, who were sent to
capture the rebel, and Khan Jehan at length had to escape
to the Punjab. This was in 1630, and in the same year a

terrible famine ravaged the Deccan and Guzerat. We are
told by Abdul Hamid Lahori {idid. Vol. VII., p. 24), "that the
inhabitants of these two countries Avere reduced to the direst ex-
tremity. Life was offered for a loaf, but none would buy rank was ;
to be sold for a cake, but none cared for it; the ever bounteous hand
was now stretched out to beg for food, and the feet which had
always trodden the way of contentment, Avalked about only in
search of sustenance. For a long time dog's flesh was sold
for goat's flesh, and the pounded bones of the dead were
mixed with flour and sold. When this was discovered, the
sellers Avere lirought to justice. Destitution at length arrived
at such a pitch that men began to devour each other, and the
flesh of a son was preiered to his love. The numbers of the
17
2r>8 HiST(n>'y or 'riii-: deccan.
dviiig caused ohstriictioiis in the ro.-ids, and every man wliosc

dire sufferings did not terminate in dcatli, and who retained
the poAver to move, wandered off to the towns and villages
of othcj' countries. 'J'liose lands whicii had heeii famous for
their fertility and plenty now retained no trace of prodnction."
Durinp; this time I'utteli Khan had Ix'cii in continenient,
but through an intrigue by means of his sister, who was iji
the King's zenana, lie not only Avas released, l)ut was appointed
Commander-in-Chief. iMitteh Khan, liowever, felt that this
chauge was only a teuiporary one. The King jMurtaza was

now very old, and was given up to all kinds of debauchery.
He was surrounded by evil advisers, and so to save hiuiself,
Futteli Khan placed his master in the same prison from wdiich
he had just been liberated. He then at once entered into
correspoudence Avith the Imperial Court, and offered to hold
the country as a vassal of Delhi. "In answer he was told
that if he wished to prove his sincerity he should rid the
Avorld of such a worthless and wicked being (Murtaza II.)
On receiviug this direction, Futteh Kliau secretly made away

Avith Nizam Shah, but gave out that he had died a natural
death" {ibid, Vol. \l\., p. 27). Futteh Khan, however, soon
repented of Avliat he had done, and placed Hussein, the son
of Murtaza, a boy ten years of age, on the throne, and Avhen
the ambassadors from Dellii arrived, he refused to hand over
the fort. Shah Jelian thereupon sent an army under Mahabut
Khan to reduce Dowlatabad. Futteh Khan's change of mind
appears to have been caused by the attitude of the Bijapur
forces, Avliom Add Shah had sent against Dowlatabad, but avIio
noAv made an arrangement to assist Futteh Khan in its defence,
against the Imperialists. Shahjee, Avho Avas rapidly becoming
a person of importance, appears in this matter on the side
of Bijapur, and did good service in harassing the march of
the Imperial army. But in spite of all opposition, the post
Avas at last invested, and the siege commenced. The defence
Scarped Rock Dowlatabad Fort.
THE STOltY OF MALIC K AMBER. 26]
was a very obstinate one, and wlicn at last the lower fort
was taken, Fntteli Klian retired with young King
tlie to the
uj)per fort which was held to be inipregnal)le. Abdul Ilaniid

{idid, Vol. vi., p. 41) thus describes it:
— "The okl name of
Dowlatabad was Deo-gir, or Dlinnigar. It stands
the fortress of
upon a rock which towers to the sky. In circumference it
measures 5,000 legal âz, and the rock all round is scarped
so carefully, from the base of the fort to the level of the
water, that a snake or an ant would ascend it with ditficulty.
Around it there is a moat forty legal yards {zara) in width
and tiiirty depth, cut into the solid rock. In the heart of
the rock there is a dark and tortuous })assage like the ascent
of a minaret, and a light is required there in broad daylight.
The steps are cut in the rock itself, and the bottom is closed
by an iron gate. It is by this road and way that the fortress
is entered. Ey the passage a large iron brazier had been con-
structed, wluch, when necessary, could be placed in tlie
middle of it, and a fire being kindled in the l)razier, its heat
would effectually prevent all progress. The ordinary means
of besieging a fort by mines, &c., are of no avail against it."
But in spite of the strength of the fort, Eutteh Khan saw

that further resistance was useless, and that sooner or later
he would have to yield. In order, therefore, to get as good
terms as possible, he offered to submit. The offer was accepted,
the keys handed over, and the Klmfha was read in the name
of the The young King Hussein was
Emperor. sent to
Gwalior to join the young prince who had been sent to the same
place from Ahmednagar, thirty-four years before. Futteli
Khan was loaded with honours, and was offered a high com-
mand in the Imperial army, which he was about to undertake,
when he developed symptoms of insanity from an old wound

in the head. He was, therefore, allowed to retire to Lahore,
where he lived for many years in recei})t of a pension of two
lakhs of rupees. His younger In'other, Chengiz Khan, had
262 HISTORY OF TUh' DECCAN.
already entered tJie Kiuperors serviee, where he was appointed

nn Amir of two tlioiisand, with the title of Mmisoor Khan.
Tliis was tlic end of tlic Nizam Shahs, and from this time,
the whole of their tei'ritory sunk into a piovince of the

Empire.
The story of Maliek And)er is very sliglitly mentioned hy
Indian historians, and he is fre(piently spoken of as being a
Governor of the Deliii Emperor. There can, however, be
no doubt that for nineteen years he not only ruled in his own
name, but that he very nearly i-econcpiered tlio whole of the
Ahmednagar Kingdom. He nmst liavc carried his concpiests
as far as the sea, for he is spoken of as doing damage to
the Imperial shipping. He was evidently held in great re-

spect in the Deccan, and both Golconda and Bijapur paid him
tribute. As long as he lived, the Moguls could retain no
firm hold, and he went uear to forming a large independent
kingdom which, had he lived a few^ years longer, might pos-
sibly have been able to withstand the Imperial arms. But it
was not to be, and wdien he died, the last capable defender
of the Deccan passed away, so that the end now became
merely a question of time. With the fall of Dowlatabad the
beginning of the end had commenced.
CHAPTER XXII.
THE BEGINNING OF THE END.
The fall of Dowlatahad was followed by the reduction of

several other strongliolds. Slialijee was negotiating for the
surrender of Jalna,but was anticipated hy the Moguls, wdio
induced the Governor of the fort to hand over possession to
them. Shahjee then managed to get hold of a relative of
the Nizam Shah, and keeping him in contincment in one of
the hill forts, proclaimed him as successor to the Ahnied-
nager Kingdouj. This led to an expedition hy the Imperial
army, commanded hy Prince Shah Shujah, and the Khan
Klianan, against the hill fort of Purenda, hut though the
siege was pushed with a considerahle amount of vigour the
besiegers were not able to effect a breach, and on the rains
setting iji, they had to retire. In 1685, we tind that an
ambassador was sent from Delhi to both Golconda and Pijapur
with Jirma/hs specifying the amount of tiibute they should
pay, and for the Muitha behig read in the Emperor's name.
Nominally, however, the Kings weie still independent, but
an officer, similar to oui- Kesidents of modern times, was
appointed to reside at the court of each, who kept the
Emperor informed of what was going on. We read that
these officers were met by the Sultans to whom they were
litil. ins 'WHY OF TJfl'J DECCAN.
iU'vivdiivd with cvci'v iiiaik of I'cspcct ; hotli Adil Sliiili iiiul
Kiitl) SIimIi i;<»iii<;- five /lO.ss from tlicir cjipitals to iiicct tlii-iii.
It is also si^-iiificaiit that from this time we find tliat the

Delhi historians omit the title of Shah, and merely style the
Kinjis, Adil Khan and Kutb-nl-J\lidk. Hnt though l?ija])nr
made a show of submission, the King' j)i'ivately kept up

negotiations with, and sent assistance to, the Mahratta Shahjee.
This led to a punitive expedition against him by an Imperial
The
Force, and there Avas a good deal of desultory fighting.
country was ravaged and laid waste, and finally Adil Shah
had to sue for peace, which he obtained by payment of
twenty lakhs in jewels, ele|)hants, &c., and by promising to
restrain Shahjee from molesting the Imperial territory. If
Shahjee agreed to surrender the Ahmednager strongholds,

such as Junar, &c., he was to be at liberty to enter the
Sultan's service, but if he did not, the Sultan was to assist
the Imperial army During the
in crushing his rebellion.
whole of this transaction, the Emperor himself was present

in the Deccan with the main body of his army, but on peace
being settled, he agreed to return to Delhi, and thus relieve

the country from the enormous strain which the presence of
the huge Imperial camp laid upon it. In his place the
Emperor left his son. Prince Aurungzebe, as Viceroy and
Governor of the Deccan. Abdul liamid [ibid, p. 88) states
that the Imperial province in the Deccan contained sixty-four
forts, fifty-three of which are situated on hills, the remaining
eleven being on the plains. It is divided into four s/ibas —
(1) Dowlatabad with Ahmednager and other districts, wdiich
they call the sub a of the Deccan. The capital of this province,
which belonged to Nizam-ul-Mulk, was formerly Admednager,
and afterwards Dowlatabad; (2) Telingana, this is situated in
the Balaghat (the capital was Nander with the fort of Kandahar)
(3) Khandeish, the capital of which was Burhanpur, and the
fort Asir; and (4) Eerar (the capital of which was Ellichpur,
THE BEGINNING OF THE END. 2«7
and the fortress Gawil). Tlie revenue of the four provinces

is stated to have amounted to five crores of rupees (equal
five millions sterling).
Shahjee did not submit without a struggle, but the com-

bined forces of the Emperor and Adil Shah were too nuich
for him, and he was at length compelled to surrender Junar,
and at same time to give up the young Nizam whom he
the
had j)roclaimed. The young prince was then taken by Aurungzebe
to Delhi, and eventually sent to join his two other relatives
in Gwalior. Shahjee now entered the service of Adil Shah,
who employed him in the campaign he was carrying on in
the Carnatic. Here Shahjee continued for almost the rest of

his life, leaving his younger son Sivajee under the care of
his mother at Poons. In the Carnatic, Shahjee proved him-
self a most useful servant. He reduced Mysore, Arcot, and
the whole of the Tanjore country down to the River Cauvery,
the latter portion being bestoAved upon him by the Sultan as
a personal jaghir.For more than seven years Shahjee did not see
his son Sivajee, who during
this time grew up to manhood, and
developed qualities which enabled him to infinitely surpass

his father in daring, intrigue, and in statesmanship. Mahmud
Shah was now on the tin-one of Eijapur. He had succeeded
his father in 1626, and reigned until 1656. During this long
period of thirty years, the Sultan, though not very successful
against the Imperial army, extended his dominions far into
the south and east. He did not himself a;o into the field, but
remained for the greater part of his time in the capital,
where he raised many handsome buildings. Amongst those is
the celebrated Gol Gumbaz, or, as it is often called, the Bol
Gumbaz {Go/ means round, and JJo/ speaking). This is in
some respects one of tlie most remarkable buiklings in the
world. The dome is bigger than that of the Pantheon at

Rome, and covers an area of 18,225 feet (one-eigiith more than
tiiat of the Pantlieon.) The tomi) —for in it the bodv of
Malimud was buried — took ten years to build. The dome

itself is l)uilt in pendatives* of a very peculiar form, and
iu Mr. Fergusson's opinion, they are the happiest thought in
dome-building that has yet come to light. The Bomhay Gazet-
teer (Vol XXIII.) thus describes the way it is built: "In —
ordinary Saracenic domes, the lines of the square are carried
up to the dome, and the octagon, at the springing of the
dome, has the same diameter as the square; at Bijapur this
space is contracted by inscribing in it two squares resting on
alternate piers of an imaginary octagon. These by their in-
tersection form an iimer octagon whose angles are opposite
the centre of the sides of the larger octagon. By these means
an enormous mass of masonry is hung as a bracket inside
the square. The inward drag of this mass is counteracted by
the circular gallery, but at the same time it balances the
tendency of the dome to spread at the base, and thrust the
walls outward. This beautifnl lîiilding serves for a landmark,
and is seen from a distance of twenty-five miles. It is, how-
ever, necessary to stand at some distance from it in order to
take in the exact proportions. When too close, the dome
seems to sink into the body of the building. Its great out-
ward defect is Avant of height, though in this it is said to be
superior to either the Pantheon or St. Sophia."
Prince Aurungzebe's tenure of the vice-royalty lasted for
about seven years. When he was appointed, he Avas a youth
of seventeen, and his rule wâs only a nominal one. Indeed
at this time the young Prince seems to have been more
devoted to religion than to the pomps and vanities of the
world. It was whilst he was residing at Kirki, which, after
him is called Aurangabad, that Aurungzebe conceived the
extraordinary idea of retiring from the world as an ascetic,
and, indeed, did for about one year actually live in a cell in
* A pondative is an architectural device by which a square is gradually

contracted into a circle,
THE BEGINNING OF THE END. 269
tlic rocky liills, tliat abound in tlio ncMg-lihoui'liood. TJic sacred

caves of Pjllora and Ajunta are situated not far from Auran-
gabad, and about the whole neighbourhood tliere exists a sort
of amn of asceticism and sanctity, and it is possible the young

prince's imagination was fired by this ti-adition, tliougli it
related to a religion different to his own. During the first
Viceroyalty of Aurungzebe in the Deccan, matters seem to

have been comparatively quiet, and they remained so for the
ten years during which Aurungzebe was employed in the military
operation in Ealkh. In 1654, however, Aurungzebe was again
appointed Viceroy of the Deccan, and the causes which led to
this appointment call for detailed notice. We have seen how
from time to time during the commencement of the Seven-
teenth Century the Golconda armies had taken a share in the
various wârs of the Deccan, and how Malick Amber levied
tribute from the country. Subsequently peace was restored,
and the Sultan became a tributary of the Empire. Abdulla
Kutb Shah was then reigning at Golconda, or rather at Bhag-
nagar, the old name of Hyderabad. This town is situated on
the south or right bank of the River Musi, one of the tribu-
taries of the Kistna. Though surrounded by a wall, the city
could never have been used for jmrposes of defence. It was
founded originally by Mahomed Kutb Shah at the end of the

sixteenth Century, and named by him after his favourite wife
or mistress, Bhagmati. The city has no architectural preten-
sions with tlie exception of the Char Minar or four minarets,
situated in the heart of the city at the meeting of tlie four
main thoroughfares, and the Jumma or Mecca ]\Iusji(l, of wliicli
a description Avill be given later on. In the seventeenth Cen-
tury Hyderabad was a centre of mercantile enterprise, and
merchants and dealers flocked there from all parts of the world,
one of the special attractions being the market for diamonds which
was held in the fort of Golconda, Ave miles distant. Amongst
these adventurers was the son of an oil merchant of Ispahan, who
tiO HIS TO in' OF THE DECCAN.
came to (jolcoiida about the year KJoO. I Ic was a man of extraor-
dinary talents, and in a short time rose to a position of a great

wealth and influence. 'VUc name hy which he is known in history
is Mir Jumla, and lie forms one of the principal characters in

the history of India during the scventeentli Century. Tlie
travellers Tavernicr and Thevenot who visited Golconda in
1648 and 1067 have left beliind graphic accounts, not only of
Golconda and Hyderabad, but also of Mir Jumla, who at the
fij'st date mentioned was the principal personage in the State,
The former says: — "Mir Jumla was a person of great wit

and no less understanding in military than in State affairs. I
had occasion to speak to him several times, and 1 have no

less admired his justice than his despatch to all people that
had to do with him; while he gave out several despatches at
one time, as if he had but one business on hand. ^ * * On
the 15th, in the morning, we were admittedupon him to wait
again, and were immediately admitted into his tent, where lie
sat with his two secretaries by him. The Nawab was sitting
according to the custom of the country, barefoot like one of
our tailors, with a great number of papers sticking between
his toes, and others between the fingers of his left hand, which
papers he drew sometimes from between his fingers and some-
times from between his toes, and ordered Avhat answers should
be given to every one." It was during Mir Jumla's period
of power in Golconda that the valuable diamond mines were

acquired and developed. These mines, as already stated above,
were situated at a considerable distance from Golconda, but

under Mir Jumla's orders they were most carefully and system-
atically worked. It is not clear whether the Minister did not
work some of them on his own account; possibly he farmed
them from the King. Thevenot speaks of his having twenty
maund's weiglith of diamonds which he had obtained either from
the mines or from conquests in the Carnatic. Mir Jumla also
owned a large jaghir adjoining the Carnatic, ahout BOO miles long
AiiLL IIasaji Kutob Shoisi,
THE BEGTNNINa OF THE END. 273
by 60 miles wide, yielding a revenue of forty lakhs of i-upees,

and lich in diMinond mines. His power and wealth were so great
that he was able to entertain a force at his own expense of
5,000 hoi'se. As was only natural, this enormous power and
wealth of a foreigner excited the jealousy of the Deccanees,
and endeavours were made mind against
to poison the King's
liim. His son, Mahomed Amin, wasyoung man of also a
dissipated habits and incurred the King's displeasure. Mir Jumla

saw that his disgrace and fall were inevitable, and he there-
fore resolved to throw himself into the arms of the Imperialists.
Prince Aurungzebe had just arrived in the Deccan, and
accordingly Mir Jumla wrote to him and invited him to
invade Golconda. Bernicr gives a copy of the letter,* which
runs as follows: — "You need but take four or five thousand
horse of the best of your army, and to march with expedition
to Golconda, spreading a rumour by the way that it is an
ambassador froui Shah Jehan who goes in haste to speak
about confidential matters to the king at Bhagnagar. The

Dabir, who is the first to be addressed, to make anything
known to the King, is allied to me, and is my creature and
altoo;ether mine. Take care of nothino; l)ut to march with
expedition, and I will so order it that without making it
known you shall come to the gates of Bhagnagar, and when
the King shall come out to receive the letters according to

custom, you may easily seize on him and afterwards or all
his family, and do with him what shall seem good to you;
in regard that his house of Bhagnagar, where he commonly
resides, is unwalled and unfortified." Bernier goes on to say
that on receipt of this letter, Aurungzebe at once marched as
proposed, and Mir Jumla kept his word, everything falling
out as predicted. "The King, being advised of the arrival
of this pretended ambassador, came forth into a garden
* '•
History of the late Revolution of the Empire of Mogul." Vol. I.,
pp. 38-39.
18
iwconVuvy to custom, received liiiii with liouoiir jiiid li;iviH<>-
unfortnnately put liimself into tlie liaiuls of tlie cueniy, ten

or twelve slaves were ready to fall upou and seize liini, as
had been projected, but that a certniu Oiiirah touched with
tenderness, could not forbear to ci'y out, though he was of
the })arty, and a creature of the Amir: 'Doth not your
Majesty see that Auruugzebc ? Aw'ay, or you are
this is
!
taken ' Whereat the King being affrighted, slips away, and
gets hastily on horseback, riding with all his might to the
fortress of Golconda." It is ])ossible that this account may be
true, for Aurungzebe Avas (piite equal to such a piece of
treachery. No doubt it is the story which Eernier heard, and
in his position of surgeon to the Emperor he \vould have
exceptionally good sources at his command. But it must
always be remembered that in every country, and especially
in India, stories which are current at court are generally
tinged with exaggeration. In this case not only is there internal
evidence that the story is not correct, but there is also the
history of Inayat Khan, which gives a very different version
but one which contains the element upon which the more
sensational one could easily be built. Apart from the impos-
sibility of Prince Aurungzebe being able to start on a raid of
this kind wdthout it being known, we know that he was
essentially a cautious man, and one who laid his plans after
much deliberation. An expedition of this kind would, no

doubt, have had attractions for a man like Sivajee, but not
for Aurungzebe, and further, if he had succeeded so far as
to have got the King actually in his poAver, he would not
have allowed him Now, Inayat Khan says Mir
to escape.
Jumba came Aurungzebe because he had fallen
himself to
into the displeasure of his master, the King. He was received
with high honour, and a kliilat, and wansah of 5,000 \vas
bestowed upon him. It is very possible that on the occasion
of this visit Mir Junda laid before the Prince the plan of an
The last King op Uulcuxda uMPKISUNED
BV AURUNGZEBE,
TILE BEGINNING OF THE END. 277
invasion; ])ut as yet there was no excuse. As soon, liowever,

as Sultan Abdullah heard that ^lir Junda had gone to
Aurungzebe, he ])laced his son, Mahomed Aniin, in confine-
ment, and attached all his Minister's property. This furnished

the excuse for interference, and we are told that the Prince
at once despatched " a quiet letter to Kutb-ul-Mulk regarding
the release of the j)risoners, and the restoration of Mahomed
Amin's goods and chattels." At the same time he reported
the matter to Delhi, and asked for permission to march with
an army to insist upon the order being carried out. This
permission being granted, the Prince despatched his eldest son,
Mahomed Sultan, with an advance force with orders to encamp
near Hyderabad, and insist upon the letter of his father
being obeyed. Al)dulla Shah at first delayed, but when the
army arrived within a short distance of Hyderabad, he
complied so far as to send out Mahomed Amin, but not his
and j\Iir Jumla's ])roperty. The Sultan is said to have taken
refui>-e in the fort of Golconda, and to have sent out a
messenger with a box of jewels, but same time to at the
have made a sortie which attacked the camp of the young
Prince whilst the jewels were being presented. The attack
was beaten off, but as the messenger was su})})osed to have
been an accomplice, he was j)ut to death. If Bernier's story
were true, Mir Junda must have still l)een with the Sultan,
but it seems clear that previous to the despatch of this advance
force he had joined Aurungzebe. There can be no doul)t that
the Sultan's was a very rapid one, and that after he
fiight
had escaped, the city of Hyderabad was partially plundered

but there seems to be no ground for the accusation of treach-
ery on the part of Aurungzebe. When iVurungzebe heard
that the Sultan had only partially obeyed his orders, he at
once joined his son with the main body of the army, and
proceeded to invest the fort. Some fighting ensued, in which
the Imperialists were not always successful, but the siege was
l)C'mi>- pressed actively wlii-ii orders eaine from Delhi to the

Priiiee to allow terms, and not to j)rcss the matter to the
end. This j)rol)al)ly was due to the jealousy Avhieh Prince
Dara Shukoh entertained of Aurungzebc, and as the former
was the emperor's favourite son, he was able to influence his
father's actions. From Taveniier's account it would appear
that Aurungzebe was by no means so successfid in his siege
as the historian Inayat Khan tries to make out. This history
is overladen with fulsome flattery of Aurungzebe, who is
never mentioned without some (puilifying adjective such as the

"ever victorious," "the fortunate Prince," or the "ever
triumphant." Tavernier visited Goleonda for the third time
soon after the war, and his account,
conclusion
of the
obtained, no doidit, from eyewitnesses, cannot be open to the
suspicion of partiality which that of a courtier is. Tavernier
speaks of one distinct repulse, in which the Imperialists had
to flee for several leagues after leaving their General on the
battle-field. Under Inayat Khan's plastic pen, this defeat
becomes a victory, and as the passage is a good example of
his style of writing which makes every enemy a "wretch"
and every Imperialist a "hero," it is worth reproducing:
" After two or three days had elapsed in this manner, a vast
force of the Kutb-ul-Mulk's made their appearance on the
northern side of the fort, and were about to pour down upon
the entrenchment of Mirza Khan, who was engaged in the
defence of that cpiarter; when the latter, becoming aware of
their hostile intention, made an aj)plication for reinforcements.
The renowned and successful Prince immediately despatched

some nobles with his own artillery to his support, and their
reinforcements having arrived at full speed, took part at
once in the affray. Under the magic influences of his

Majesty's never-failing good fortune, the enemy took to flight,
whereupon the ever-triumphant troops began putting the
:fniscreants to the sword, and allowed hardly any of them to
77//'; BEGINNING OF THE END. 279
esciipc (Iciitli or cnjjtivity. After ('liasiiif^ tlic vain wrctclics

as far as tlic fort, tlicy brought the prisoners alonji; with one
elephant tliat had fallen into their hands into his lloyal
Highness's presence. Oh tliis date a irio^ty jjersou was deputed

to (JO and fetch Mir Jumla!' 'J'his last sentence proves two
things: one, that at this stage of affairs Aurungzebe consid-
ered it advisable to have a third party through whom
negociations could l)e carried on; and secondly, that Mir
Junila was not with the King of Golconda, which he would
have been had Bernier's story been true. Pending JMir Junila's
arrival there w\as continued fighting and also negociations.
The King's mother * was admitted to an audience, not only
with the Prince's son Aurungzebe
Mahomed, but also with
himself. The terms offered to the King's mother were an
indcnnhty of one crore of rupees in cash, jewellery, and
elephants, which the "chaste matron," as she is termed,
agreed to pay. The narrative of Inayat Khan goes on to say:
"At this time the news of Mir Jumla's arrival in the vicinity
of Golconda was made knowai ; so the Prince forwarded to
him i\\c frman and khilat that had come for him from court."
Mir Jumla then joined the Prince's camp, and soon afterwards
peace was definitely settled, Abdullah Shah's daughter being
given in marriage to Aurungzebe's son Mahomed. Ten
lakhs of rupees in money and jewels wêre given as her
dowry, and then Aurungzebe evacuated his camp, and retired
to his seat of Government. So far Inayat Khan; but when
Tavernier's account is examined, it becomes clear that the
native historian in a courtier-like manner has glossed over
the whole proceedings. The traveller says: "Some days after
the enemy had laid siege to the fortress, a gunner, perceiving
Aurungzebe upon his elephant visiting the outworks whilst the
* Tavernier tells us that this lady was a Brahmin. She was of

great intelligence, and owing to her influence the Brahmins were largely
employed by the King.
28U HISTORY OF TILE DECCAN.
Kiiiji; was on tlic bastion, said to the latter tliat if his Majesty
wisliecl he coukl destroy the Prince witli a shot of the cannon,
and at tlic same moment he put himself in ])osition to tire.
Hut the King seized him by the arm, and told him to do
nothing of the sort, and that the lives of Princes should
be respected. The gunner, who was skilful, obeyed the
King, and instead of firing at Aurungzebe, he killed the
General of his army, who was farther in advance, with a
cannon shot. This stopped the attack, which he w{is about
to deliver, the wdiole camp being alarmed by his death.
Abdul Naber Beg, General of the army of the King of Gol-

conda, wdio was close by with, a flying camp of 4,000 horse,
having heard that the enemy were somewhat disordered hy
the loss of their General, at once took advantage of so favour-
able an opportunity, and going at them full tilt, succeeded
in overcoming them; and having put them to flight, he fol-
lowed them vigorously for four or five leagues till nightfall.
A few days before the death of this General, the King of

Golconda, who had been surprised, seeing himself pressed,
and supplies being short in the fortress, was on the point of
givingup the keys; but as we have before related, jMirza
Mahomed, his son-in-law, tore them from his hands, and

threatened to slay him if he persisted any longer in such a
resolution; and this was the reason wdiy the King, who pre-
viously had but little liking for him, thenceforward conceived
a great affection for him, of wdiich he gave daily proofs.
Auriingzehe having then been obliged to raise the siege, halted

some days to rally his troops and receive reinforcements, with
which he set himself to besiege Golconda. The fortress wâs
*
as vigorously attacked as it w'as vigorously defended".
Tavernier then goes on to describe the manner in which Mir
Jumla brought about a peace; how^ the marriage was cele-
brated, and how Mir Jumla then returned with Aurangzebe
* Edition of V. Ball, LL.D., 2 Vols. (MaemillaD, 1889).
to his seat of Government at Bniliaiipiir. There can be no

(loul)t tliat Anrungzebe was checked in his operations against
Gok'onda by orders from Delhi, and this clieck was most

likely due to the jealousy of his elder bi'other. It would,
however, be necessary to assign a reason which could pass
current. This reason might have been that Aurungzcbe had
taken an unfair advantage of the Sultan. Hence the story
which Bernier heard and has recorded. The letter of Mir
Jumla may ])ossibly be genuine, but it is impossible that the
scheme could have been carried out as suggested in it, and
it was not until Mir Jumla had left the Sultan that the
invasionwas actually carried out. From this time forward
Mir Jumla threw in his lot with Aurungzebe. He first of all
went to Delhi, where he presented the Emperor with a

splendid diamond, believed to be the Koh-i-noor which is now^
amongst tlie British crown jewels. * Mir Junda continued to
be Aurungzebe's confidential adviser, and no doubt much of

the latter's success was due to this clever schemer's advice.
This aid wâs afterwards rewarded by Aurungzebe when he
gained the throne by the viceroyalty of Bengal.
For a time therefore Golconda w'as spared, and Aurung-
zebe's chief attention wâs devoted to Bijapur and to the
turbulent Sivajee, who was uoav beginning to give the Moguls
a great deal of trouble. It is not within the scope of this
work to follow Sivajee's fortunes; this has already been done
by a far abler pen, and it must suffice here to say that the
whole of the Mogul forces in the Deccan were insufficient to
curb his growing power; and he continued in open rebellion,

not only against them, but also against his own Sovereign of
Bijapur.
As soon as Aurungzebe returned to his province, he com-
menced an expedition against Bijapur, one of the excuses for
which wâs that the Sultan had not kept Sivajee in restraint,
* Bernier, and also Ball's Tavernier, Appendix I.. Vol. II.
282 IIISraHY OF TIIK UFA 'CAN.
and was (lioivforo rcsponsihlc for liis dcprcdatiojis. Tlic Siillaii

of Jiijaj)ur was Ali Adil ^liaJi 11. who was tlien
(1050-1072),
a boy of nineteen. Tavernicr and Thevenot, who botli visited
Bijapur about this time, say that he liad been a(h)j)ted by tlie
late Sultan's wife before her husband's death. There is no

confii'niation of this in the Mahoniedan liistories, but it seems
pi'obaljle that this formed one of the reasons of Aurungzebe's
invasion; another was that on ascending the tin-one the iiew
Sultan liad not paid homage or sent tribute to the Bm])eror.
Mr. Campbell, in the Bomhai/ Gazetteer (Vol. XXIIL, p. 429)
speaks of the young King as being the son of the late Sultan
Mahomed, and calls the invasion an utterly unwarrantable one.
He does hot, however, give his authority for this statement,
and a certain amount of credit is due to the two European
travellers who could have had no reason for misrepresenting
matters. Tavernier is very explicit. * "Some years before
the death of the King, the Queen, as she had no children,
adopted a, young boy, upon whom she had bestowed all her
affection, and whom she brought up, as I have already said,
with the greatest care in the doctrines of the sect of Ali
{Sheah). On the death of the King she caused this adopted
son to be declared King, and Sivajee, as he then possessed
an army, continued the war, and for some time caused trouble
to the regency of this Queen. But at last he made the first
proposals for peace, and the treaty was concluded, on the

condition that he should retain all the country he had taken
as a vassal of the King, who should receive half the revenues
—and the young King, having been established on the throne
by this peace, the Queen his mother undertook the pilgrimage
to Mecca, and I was at Ispahan when she passed on her return."
Thevenot says the same, f "The King (who reigns in Bijapur at
present) was an orphan, whom the late King and Queen
* Ball's Edition. Vol. I., p. 183.
t Lovell's Translation, 1686.
adopted for their son, and after the death of the King, the
Queen had so nnich interest as to settle him upon the throne;

hut he being as yet very young, the Queen was deehired
Regent of tlie kingdom. Nevertheless, there has been a great
deal of weakness during her Government, and Rajah Sivajee
hath made the best on't for his own elevation" f])art III., p.
92). Now, adoption is not recognized in Mahomedan law,
and would therefore seem that Aurungzebe was justified in
it
putting forward a claim that the kijigdom had lapsed to the

Em])ire. Certainly similar claims have been put forward by
the Govermnent during the last hundred years, as
l^ritish
regards not only jMahomedans but also Hindoos, under whose

law adoption is a recognized custom. Aurungzebe accordingly
marched an army into Bijapur, and refusing all overtures
made by the young King, who offered almost everything short
of surrender, laid siege to the capital. The defence was an
obstinate one, and the city was on the point of surrender,
when news arrived of the illness of Shah Jehan. If Aurung-
zebe was to make a bid for the throne, it was necessary for
him to at once proceed to Delhi, and accordingly he made a
hasty peace, received from the young King his professions of
homage and a large payment of tribute, and then marched
his army back to the north. Prince Dara Shukoh, the eldest
son of Shah Jehan, seems to have made a very correct forecast
of Aurungzebe's intentions. Mahomed Saleh Kambu * says
Aurungzebe would first of

that the Prince told his father that
all help ^lurad lâksh, who was then Governor of Khandeish,
to rebel, and then, making use of the money he had received

from Golconda and Bijapur, Avould march with a large army
to Delhi in order to assume the Government. This, indeed,
is what actually occurred. The above-mentioned author says:
"Although the Emperor showed no haste in adopting those
views, he was quite willing to send the letters (of recall).
* Elliot and Dowson, vol. vii,., p. 129.
28t HIS TOBY OF Till': DKCCAN.
lie could not ivsist the influence Pi'iiU'C Dnra liad ohtaiiicd
over liini. So Icttors of tlic imploasaiit import ahovci (Icscrihcd
wore seuf off l)y the hands of sonic Inipci'ial messengers.

The messengers readied Prince Aiirungzcl)c as he was engaged
in directing tlie ()j)eration against Hijapur, and he had tlie
])lacc closely invested (1050-57). The arrival of the letters
disturbed the minds of the soldiers, and greatly incensed the

Prince, so nuicli confusion arose." Accordingly, Aurungzehc
started on the expedition Avhicli was to gain for him a throne.
On way he passed through Dowdatabad, where he left

his
j\IirJumla in confinement. This, however, was merely a blind,
for there can be no doubt that he was lieljxjd by the crafty
Persian, both in advice and money. With the story of this
expedition, and with the unlia])py fate of Dara Sliukoh and
]\Iurad Puksh, we have nothing to do in this history. It is,
however, strange that we again find —as they had done 350
years before —the treasures of the Deccan being used by the

victorious Governor for the pur])0se of rebellion against his
own father, and for parricide. The curse that rests upon the
Deccan gold had not yet been removed, and it is easy to
understand how it has become a matter of belief amongst
natives of India, that hidden treasures are guarded by demons.
They demons of avarice and ambition.
are the
In the meantime the Deccan for a period of twenty years
had a breathing time. The end was not yet to be.
GENEALOGY OF THE KUTB SHAHI DYNASTY. (Golconda).
1. KtiLi KuTB Shah

1512—1543
KuTB u'd Din 2. Jamshid Haidar 3. Ibrahim

blinded hy 2. 1543—1550 1550—1581
4. MUHAMMED KULI
5. Mahummud 1581 — IGll
G. Abdullah Kutb Shah
1 1672
7. Abu Hasan, died in confinement
I
1672—83
CHAPTER XXIIT.
THE END OF BI.JAPUR.
urungzebe's absence
from the Dcccan,
was Sivajce's oppor-
tunity, and he at
once commenced a
series of raids, not
only into Im-
perial territory,
but also against
Biju])ur. The Sultan deter-
mined to make an effort to
crush him, and for this j)urpose
collected a large army, which
he entrusted to Afzul Khan,
one of his most trusted and
experienced Generals. Afzul
Khan, though a brave and
talented soldier, was by no
means a match for the wily
Mahratta. In 1659 Afzul Khan
set out on his expedition with an army of 5,000 horse and
7,000 picked foot, besides a large supi)ly of rockets and light

artillery. Sivajee gradually retreated until he had enticed the
THE END OE BIJAPUB. 287
Malioiiiedaii Gciicral into tlic detilcs of tlic JMuluilKilcsliwar
hills, and then when the latter had arrived in front of the
hill fort of Pratabgarh, he proposed a conference in which to
discuss the terms of j)eace. A small plateau below the fort
was elected as the place of meeting, and it was arranged
that the two Commanders should meet there unattended by
any followers. Afzul Khan, unsuspicious of any treachery,
was the first to arrive at the place of meeting. Soon after-
wards, Sivajee was seen descending the hill, stopping frequently

as he approached as if in fear. Arrived at the plateau, Afzul
Khan came forward to meet him, and then as Sivajee advanced
as embrace him, he suddenly plunged the sharp tiger-
if to
claw dagger he held in his right hand into Afzul Khan's
back, and at the same time followed up the stroke with a
blow of the dagger he held in his left. Afzul Khan attempted
to draw his sword, but it was too late, and he fell covered
with wounds at the Mahratta's feet. Whilst this tragedy
was taking place, the IMahratta troops had been gradually
closing round the Mahomedans, and just as the latter were
struck dumb with the foul act of treachery that was being com-
mitted before their eyes, a sudden onset was made. The
Mahomedans, horror-struck and taken unaware, at once took
to flight and were almost entirely cut to pieces, only a small
remnant escaping to tell the tale. Flushed with this success,
Sivajee broke into the open country and plundered up to the
walls of Bijapur itself. The King, however, Avas soon able
to raise another army which he enti'usted to Fazl Khan, the
son of Afzul Khan, and himself accompanied his troops to
the field. Sivajee at once retreated, and when he had regained
his hilly country was able to prolong the war indefinitely.
Whenever it came to a battle, the Royal Troops were success-
ful ; but the ]\Iahrattas then retreated to their inaccessible
hills, and, eluding the Mahomedan forces, broke out in a
fresh place. Although Fazl Khan distinguished himself by
bravery and skill, ho was not able to bring the war to a

(letinite eonclusion, and it dragged on until 1662, when a peace
was conc'hided, under which Sivajee's con(|ucsts were confirmed
to him on condition of his recognizing the Sultan as his Suzerain.
"By tliis treaty Sivajee became Ruler of tlie wliole of tlic
Konkan Coast from Kalyan to Goa, and above the Saliyadris

from the Bliima to tlie Varna, a strij) of huid about 130 miles
long by 100 broad." * This peace lasted for six years, and
thougli during this time Bijapur still continued to show signs
of its former splendour, it was gradually crumbling away. It
still continued to be a centre of commercial enterprise, and
the European travellers who visited it about this time speak
of the wealth of its merchants, and especially of the jewellers.
Tavernier, who visited the city about 1648, does not appear
to have been struck by its architectural beauties, and mentions
only the goldsmiths and jewellers. Thevenot's account is so
similar to that of Tavernier's, and is otherwise so vague about
the surrounding country, that one cannot help suspecting
that he merely wrote down what he heard from Tavernier,
whom he certainly met in Surat after the latter's visit.
Baldoeus, the Dutch traveller in 1660, says that the

Bijapur kingdom was 250 leagues long and 150 broad, and that
its army consisted of 150,000 horse, besides a large num-
ber on foot. The same traveller also says that the King-
dom abounded in saltpetre works. In 1666, a Mogul force
advanced against Bijapur under the command of Jey Singh,
and though the Sultan offered to pay all arrears of tribute,
he refused to accept any terms. But Bijapur was not yet
quite dead, and rousing himself in despair the Sultan suc-
ceeded in raising a large force, would seem that
to which it
Sivajee also contributed. With these combined armies, the

Sultan was able to defeat the Moguls, and the plague breaking
out, they had to retire to Aurangabad, pursued by the Bijapur
* Campbell, Bombay Gazetteer^ Vol. XXIII.
THE END OF BIJAPUB. 289
forces. ]]ut tlic cft'ort was not a national one, and in the
reaction that followed Bijapur was so weak that the Sultan
had to make first concessions to Sivaji, and stooped indeed
so far as to agree to pay him a yearly tribute of three lakhs
of rupees on condition that he would abstain from levying
chouth * throughout his dominions. Soon after this, the
Sultan Ali Adil Shah died (1672) and was succeeded by his
son, Secunder Adil Shah, a boy five years of age. Por the
next four years the kingdom w'as torn by rival factions.
Khawas Khan was 'the Regent, and a rivalry between the
two other Ministers, Abdul Karim and Mumfur Khan, was
formed by the Brahmin agents of Sivajee. The quarrels
between these two were so fierce that the Regent finding
himself helpless, made overtures to the Emperor, offering to
give the Sultan's elder sister to one of his sons in marriage.
The was accepted, and an army was despatched under
offer
Khan Jehan to annex the kingdom and bring back the prin-
cess. Before, however, the army could reach Bijapur the
Regent's treachery was discovered and the people rising in
indignation, assassinated him and electing Abdul Karim as
their Regent, flocked together to oppose the Moguls. Abdul

Karim at once made every disposition for defence, and so
patriotically was he backed up, that he was enabled to defeat
the Mogul General and send him in retreat across the bor-
der. Bijapur not as yet being ready for conquest, Aurung-
zebe now attempted diplomatic measures, and an Agent or
Resident was sent to Bijapur nominally as a mark of friend-
ship, but in reality to intrigue and gain over the nobles.
During these times of disorder Sivajee had not been idle.
* Chouthwas the one-fourth of the revenue which the Mahrattas

always levied in the districts which were at their mercy. It was a
kind of blackmail, and by paying, the district obtained immunity from

their raids. A hundred years later, this chouth was levied throughout
the gr<'nt('r part of India, from the Cauvery to the Ganges.
19
290 HIS TOBY OF THE T)ECCAh.
He liad declared liimsclf a Rajali ii» 1G74, and was now hnsy
in securing the country of Tanjorc and Gingcc wJiicJi had
been granted as a Jagliir to liis father Shalijee. It is not
unusual to find it stated in liistories that the kingdom of
Tanjorc was conquered by the Mahrattas. This, liowcver, is
scarcely correct. Tanjorc and the hitherto impregnable fort

of Gingec were in reality conquered by a Bijapur army de-
spatched by Mahmud Adil Shah, 1637. Shahjec, who about
this time liad submitted to the Sultan of Bijapur, after a
career of rebellion, which has already been described, Avas
appointed to the chief command of this expedition. He was

eminently successful, and carried the Bijapur armies through
the Carnatic as far as Tanjorc. Subsequently Tanjorc and
Gingee were granted to Shalijee as a Jaghir by the Bijapur
Sultan in reward for his services. Tanjorc was therefore a
portion of the Bijapur kingdom, and Shalijee merely held it
as a fief of the Sultan. Indeed, when during his father's

absence Sivajee broke into revolt, the Sultan recalled his
father, and holding him responsible for his son's actions, con-
fined him in a dungeon, the door of which was partially

built up (1648), Eventually, however, he was released and
sent back to Tanjore to quell a rebellion. Sivajee's claim to
this Jaghir was therefore a very shadowy one, but the weak-
ness of the Bija})ur State enabled him to make the best use
of it. He marched and succeeded in ousting
into the Carnatic
the Bijapur troops from Vellore, Gingee, and Tanjore, and
placed his brother Vencojee in charge of the country as his
own deputy. This was only done after some considerable
time, as Vencojee considered himself entitled to i\\c whole
Jaghir, but as it is not wuthin the scope of this history to
follow the fortunes of the Mahrattas, {\\g matter need not be
now discussed, and is only referred to in order to show that
the Mahratta dynasty in Tanjore was not the result of a
Mahratta conquest of the country, but of a Mahratta rebel-
THE END OF BTJAl'UR. 291
lion ag-aiiist the Suzerain })o\vcr, which was only rendered

possible by the Sultan's weakness. As a matter of fact,
Vencojce became the founder of the Tanjore dynasty, which

has only recently l)ecome extinct by the death of the last
female descendant, the Princess of Tanjore.
In the meantime matters in Bijapur were thrown into a
still greater state of confusion by a repulse wdiich the lîja])ur
troops met in an attack upon Golconda. The Golconda Sul-
tan had made an alliance with Sivajee, the object of which
was to divide the Bijapur kingdom between them. In antici-
pation of this attack the Bija])ur Regent, together with the
Mogul General Dilawar Khan, undertook an expedition against
Golconda, but were compelled to retreat by Madhanna Punt,
the Golconda Minister. On their return to Bijapur an emeute
broke out in the army, which was largely in arrears,
and it was only quelled by Masud Khan, the wealthy
Abyssinian Governor of Adoni, agreeing to pay the
arrears, if he was appointed Minister. This arrangement was
accordingly made, and Masud Khan by l)nying off a portion
of the forces and disbanding the remainder succeeded in re-
storing quiet. The Enqjeror Aurungzebe, however, wâs by no

means pleased, when he heard of this arrangement and informed
Dilawar Khan, his General, that he should have taken advan-
tage of the opportunity to interfere himself; he was now in-
structed to demand payment of arrears of tribute and also

the fulfilment of the arrangement regarding the Princess.
Masud Khan refused to carry out this latter request, and at
once regained his ])opularity, a portion of which had been
lost by the disbandment of the troops. Thcreu])on Dilawar
Khan advanced with an army to lay siege to Bijapur, and the
Princess, though personally strongly against the match, volun-
tarily went over to the Mogul Camp, in order, if possible,
to save the City from the horrors of a prolonged siege. The
sacrifice, however, was of no avail. She was courteously
29-1 irrSTOh'Y OF THE DECCAN.
received ;ui(l sent on with an escort to Aiirungzebe, hut the

Afog-iil iinny still continued to ])ress tlie sieg-e with vigour
(lG7t)). In desj)iiir the Regent iij)plied for help to Sivajcc,
and offered tlie Raichorc Doab if he would come to his assist-
ance. This offer Sivajee accepted, and taking possession of

his new territory, ravaged the country to the rear of the
]\[ogul army right uj) to the gates of Anraiigahad Dilawar ;
Khan, however, continued to ])ress the siege of Rijapur and

the Regent implored Sivajee to return as soon as j)ossible.
This the Mahratta did, and so galled the rear of the Mogul
army, that at length, being unable to make any im})ression
on the gallant defenders of the city, Dilawar Khan was com-
pelled to retire. ]]ija])ur was thus again saved, but at a heavy
cost. The cession of the Doab was exceedingly unpopular,
for it reduced Bijapur from a large kingdom to a mere iso-
lated province, shut in on both sides by Mahratta territory.

So great was the general disgust at the heavy price paid by
the Regent Masud Khan, that he was compelled to resign and
to return to Adoni. In meantime Sivajee had died, and
the
the new ministers at Rija})ur, Shirza Khan and Seyd Mackhtum,
endeavoured to regain popularity by recovering from his son
and successor Sambhajee, a portion of the territory granted
to his father. The attempt failed, and Avas especially injudi-
cious because it alienated Sambhajee, who never forgave it,
and thus Rijapur lost the only ally wdiose help might have
enabled it to hold out against the Emperor.
The end was now^ near. Por three years Bijapur enjoyed a
brief time of peace, but it was only the lull before the storm.
Anrungzebe had never relinquished his intention of subjugating

the Deccan. He was led to form this resolve, not only on
account of his personal ambition, but, as he openly said, from
religious motives. The "vile dog" Sivajee had for years
defied his authorities, and that still "viler dog" Sambhajee
treated it wath an even greater want of respect. The Mahrattas
THE END OF BIJArUIi. 293
were "accursed heathen" Avho must at all hazard he swept

away. Ihit Auruiigzehe regarded the Sultans of Golconda and
Bijapur with feelings of detestation, almost ecpial to those he
entertained towards the Mahrattas. Though they were not
actually infidels, they were heretics, for not only did they
belong to the unorthodox sect of Shias, but they also allowed
infidels to thrive in their dominions. In Golconda the princi-
pal Minister was a Hindoo, and in both States a tolerance was
shoAvn toward Christians, such as was not to be found else-
where Mahomedan world. Colonel Meadows Taylor

in the has
given in "A Noble Queen" a most interesting account of the
protection afforded by the Bijapur Rulers to the Christian
community at jNIudkal, and there were many other similar

Settlements throughout the kingdom. The following note from
the Bomhai/ Gazetteer (Vol. XXIII., p. 435) may be reproduced
here:
"According to Colonel Meadows Taylor the Adil Shahi kings
were tolerant in regard to different sects of Mahomedans
and the same tolerance seems to have been shown to Christian
missions from Goa. It is evident from the churches that still
remain in the Deccan, that the movements of the Jesuit friars

and their communication with the people were not restricted, and
that in some instances large communities were made their converts,
which still remain firm in their faith. One mission church is at
Aurangabad; another, the members of which are distillers and
weavers, at Chitapur on the Bhima, al)ont twenty miles south-
east of Gulburga; a third at Raichur which consists of potters;
a fourth at Mudkal, the largest, containing upward of 300
members, Avho are shepherds and weavers; a fifth at a place
between Raichur and Mudkal, who are farmers. In all these
places there are small churches furnished with translations in
excellent Canarese of the Breviary and of Homilies and lec-
tures, Avhich in the absence of the priest, are read by lay-
deacons or monks duly accredited. They have also schools

21)4 HISTORY OF THE DECCAN.
attached to tlicin. These clnirclics, iiiuler the hite Concordat
are now permanently subject to the jurisdiction of the Arch-

bislio]) of Goa, all of them possess firmans or grants of en-
dowments by Ibraliini, All, and Mahmud Adil Shah; some of
lands, others of grain, cloths and percentage upon the local
custom and excise revenues, which arc still enjoyed under

the local grant. The early Portuguese missionaries introduced
into the Deccan, where they still flourish, the Cintra orange,
and the black and white fleshy grapes of Portugal."

A similar tolerance to heretics was also shown by the
Golconda Sultan, and Tavernier tells a most interesting story
of how the Sultan formed a strong attachment to a certain
Father Ephraim, and when afterwards the same Father was

im])risoned by the Jesuits of St. Thome, and sent to the
Inquisition at Goa, the Sultan ordered Mir Jumla, wdio was
then in the kill and burn the whole Jesuit
Carnatic, to
settlement, if months the Father was not released.

within two
The threat had the desired effect, and the authorities in
Goa had to go in procession to Father Ephraim's prison,
open the doors and bring him out in triinnph (Ball's Edition
of Tavernier, Vol. 1., Chapter XV.) This dallying with
heresy was an abomination in the eyes of the bigotted Em-
peror, and he resolved to go in person and sweep the Deccan
of the infidels and heretics that abounded there. * In 1683
Aurungzebe's preparations were made, and he started on that
great expedition which lasted for twenty-four years, and from
* To this day it is remarkable what a number of Hindoo superstitions
and habits have crept into the Mahomedan families of the Deccan.
There can be no doubt that during the three hundred years of independ-
ence there was a far closer intimacy between the two races than
existed anywhere else in India. There seems to have been not only a
mutual toleration but a strong affection between the Hindoo subjects on
the one hand and the Mahomedan rulers on the other which was weakened
only towards the decline of the Bijapur kingdom, by unnecessary cruelty
towards the rising power of the Mahrattas as related anpra in the text.
THE END OF BIJAPUIL 295
which lie never returned. So vast was the army tliat accom-
panied the Emperor, that the advance was necessarily slow.
Mr. Stanley Lane Poole (" Anrungzebe ") has given a descrip-
tion of the enormous moving city which accompanied the
army, and it need not therefore be reproduced here. But
though the mills of the gods grind slowly they grind very fine,
and the gradual advance was like an avalanche that destroyed

everything in its way. In 1685 the campaign against Bija-
pur was commenced by the fall of Sholapur. At first the
Bijapur troops, aroused from their quarrels by the presence
of the common enemy, had some few successes, and defeated
the Mogul outposts on the banks of the Bhima; but
gradually the net was gathered closer round the devoted city.
The Bijapur army is said to have been in a very high state

of efficiency, well officered and full of brave and efficient
soldiers. But they had gradually to fall back, and Bijapur

was closely invested by Prince A'zam. The defence, hoAvever,
was nobly conducted, and the Mogul army suffered greatly
from Avant of provisions, for the neighbourhood of Bijapur
is a desert and the season had been a bad one. Por some
time the Imperial army make no impression upon
could
Bijapur, until at last Emperor who had remained at
the
Sholapur, came in person to conduct the siege. But still the
defence was vigorously conducted. Although a practicable
breach had been effected no storm was attempted. But
hunger did its work more effectually, and at last on the 15th
October, 1686, the garrison, reduced to the last extremities,
capitulated. The Emperor entered the city in state, moving

through crowds of weeping inhabitants and proceeded to the
greatDurbar hall, where he received the submission of the
nobles. The unfortunate Sultan Sikander was brought before
him laden with silver chains, and was ordered to be kept in
confinement in his own capital. He received an allowance of
one lakh of rupees per annum for his maintenance, but did
2y(> HISTORY OF THE DECCAN.
not loiip; survive to draw it, for a few yeeirs afterwards lie
died, not without suspicion of liaving l)een ])oison('{l l)y the

Emperor's orders. Tliis was the end of Jîjapni- as an
indc])cndent kingdom, and from lienceforth it l)erame an
Imperial province.
The English Geographer Ogill)y, writing in 1689, gives the
following account of Bijapiir compiled from old travellers
"Bija])ur had many jewellers Avho traded in diamonds and
pearls of great valne. The diamonds were brought from
Golconda and were sold to Surat or Cambay merchants, Avho
re-sold them in Goa and elscAvhere. The arms used by the
people, both by horse and foot, were broad swords, pikes,
lances with a sf[uare iron at the end about a span long, bows
and arrows, shields and darts. Their defensive arms were coats of
mail and coats lined Avith cotton. When they marched afield they
carried calico tents, under Avhicli they slept. They used oxen to
carry their baggage. Their common mode of fighting was on foot,
though when they marched, some Avalked, others rode on

horses, and some on elephants, of which the King kept a
large number. The King was very powerful, and able in a
short time to bring eighty thousand to two hundred thousand
armed men into the iield, both horse and foot. The King
had diverse great guns in his magazine, and about tAvo
hundred cannons, demi-cannons and culverines. The King was
called Adelcan or Adel Shah,' meaning the Lord of Justice,
'
'
'
or the King of Keys —

that is, the keeper of the keys that
locked the treasure of the Bisngar (Vijayanagar) King. The
land had no written laws, the King's will was the laAv. At
the capital civil justice was administered by the high
sheriff or Kotwal, and criminal cases were administered by
the King. The criminals were executed in the King's
presence with great cruelty, throAving them often before
elephants and other Avild beasts to be eaten, and some-
times cutting off their arms, legs, and other members.
TJIU END OF BIJAPUli. 297
A (lel)tor who failed to ])ay liis debt within the period named
by the judge was whipped and his wife and chiklren were
sold by tlie creditor as slaves. Persons taking oaths were
placed in a round circle made on the gromid and repeated
some words, Avitli one hand on aslies and the other laid on
their breast {Bombay Gazetteer Vol, XXIII., p. 434.)
It is clear from Bernier's resume of the history of the
Deccan that most erroneous impressions existed in Delhi
regarding the history and the condition of the Deccan. Bernier
of course tells us what he heard, and there seems to be little
doul)t that , these false stories were purposely propagated in
order to make Aurungzebe's invasion of Mahomedan states
popular. Bernier's story regarding the origin of the Deccan
Kingdom is utterly opposed to the real facts. He says : "Two
centuries have scarcely ela])sed since the great peninsula of
India, stretching from the Gulf of Cambay on the West, and
extending southerly to the Cape of Comorin and to the Gulf
of Bengal near Juggcrnath on the east, was with the exception
perha])s of a fcAv mountainous tracts under the domination of
one arbitrary despot. The indiscretion of Rajah, or King,
Ram Ras the last Prince under whom it was united, caused
the dismemberment of this vast monarchy, and this is the
reason why it is among many sovereigns professing
now divided
different religions. Jlam Ras had three Georgian slaves in
his service whom he distinguished by every mark of favour
and at length nominated to the Government of three con-
siderable districts. One was appointed governor of nearly the
whole of the territory in the Deccan which is now in the
possession of the Mogul Daulatabad was the capital of that
;
Government which extended from Bieder, Paranda and Surat

as far as the Nerbudda. The territory now forming the
Kingdom of Aîsia])our was the portion of the second favourite,
and the third obtained the country comprehended in the present
Kingdom of Golconda. These three slaves became exceedingly
ricli and powerful and as tlicy professed tlic Maliomedaii faith

and declared themselves of the Chyas (Shea) sect, which is
that of the Persians they received tlie countenance and support

of a great number of Mogols in the service of Ram Ras.
They could not even if so disposed, have embraced the religion
of the Gentiles, because the gentiles of India admit no stranger
to the participation of their mysteries. A rel)ellion in which
the three Georgian slaves united, terminated in the murder of
Ram Ras, after which they returned to their respective Gov-
ernment, and usurped the title of C//a/i or King." * —A more
incorrect or garbled account of Deccan history tlian this cannot
be imagined. Bernier, however, was a most accurate and
conscientious observer, and his record of contemporary events
is more reliable than those of the Maliomedan historians. He
was moreover for many years at the Imperial Court and had
access to the highest and best informed of the nobility. It
is therefore clear that he can only have recorded the version

which he heard and as it is impossible, (from the fact of the
histories being still extant) that the true history of the Deccan
could not have been known, there seems to be good ground
for the belief that this garbled version was purposely published
in order to give a colour to Aurungzebe's invasion and conquest,
for which, once interrupted, he was at that time only wanting
another opportunity.
* Berniers Travel's. — Constables Oriental Miscellany. — Constable & Co

X891. Vol. I,
CHAPTER XXIV.
THE FALL OF GOLCONDA. — A. D. 168G.
T tlie same time as

.Viiruiigzel)e sent an
army from Sliolapur
to attack Bijapur he
also sent an army
nnder Prince IMnham-
med j\Inazzam and
Khan Jehan against Hy-
derabad. Abn'l Hassan
was tlie reigning Sultan,
having succeeded his uncle
AbduUa in 1672. His two
principal Ministers were Hin-
doos, named Madanna and Akanna,
and this fact of employing infidels
^med one of the protests which

Aurungzebe put forward for his destruction.
Abn'l Hassan appears to have contemplated relieving
Bijapur, but his forces were met by the Imperial army
between the two kingdoms, and though greatly superior
in numbers, the Hyderabad General was beaten with con-
siderable loss. The- Imperial troops, however, were not
:]0(i HISTORY OF TllK DECCAN.
stn)n<;" cii()iii;li to follow up this ;ulvaiitii<^X', and rciiuiiiicd
ciicaiiipcd on the field of battle for some months. This

delay excited the Emperor's anger, and he despatched a
strong letter of censure to the Prince and to Khan Jelian,
who tlieren])on sent a message to Muhammcd Ihrahim, the

Hyderabad General, that they would conclude a peace if
certain districts 'which had been seized from the ])rovince of

Ahmednagar were restored. Ibrahim taking this offer as a
sign of Aveakness, refused peremptorily, and thus left the
Imperial forces no other resource than to recommence hostilities.
There seems to have been good reasons for the Emperor's

displeasure at the Prince's inaction, for in the })attle that
followed the Imperialists won an easy victory, and the Sultan's
troops fled in confusion to Hyderabad, whither they were
ollowed by the Mogul army. There is some reason to suspect
that Ibrahim, the Hyderabad Gencrah had been bought over.
At all events, his master, the Sultan, was so enraged at his
discomfiture that he sent an order for his arrest, and Ibrahim,
afraid of the result, then actually went over the Prince's
camp and made his submission. On hearing of this defection,
Abu'l Hassan at once left the city of Hyderabad and took
refuge Avith his servants and family in the fort of Golconda,
situated about four miles distant. This step appears to have
been taken against the advice of his Hindoo Ministers, Avho
would rather that he should have retreated to Warangal, in
the Telingana country, where he could easily have collected a
fresh army with which to raise the siege of the capital. The
flight was so hurried that it was only next day tliat the nobles
of the city heard that their Sultan had gone. As might be

expected, a panic ensued, and knowing that the Imperial
army was close at hand, they followed him pcllmell, leaving
their palaces and their effects behind. A scene then occurred
which was somewhat similar to that which took ])lace in
Paris after the Franco-Prussian war, in the days of the Com-

THE FALL OF GOLCONDA.Â. D. 1686. M
inline. The city was for sonic lioiirs in the liands of tlie
raljhlc, wliicli rose and looted every tiling that it couUl lay
hands upon. The pah^ces of the two Hindoo Ministers were
first of all pillaged, then followed the ])alace of tlie Sultan
and those of the nobility. More than four millions sterling
are said to have been carried off in this manner, and everything
Avas in a state of anarchy. "The women of the soldiers and
of the inhabitants of the city were subjected to dishonour,
and great disorder and destruction prevailed. Many thousand
gentlemen, being unable to take horse, and carry off their
property, in the greatest distress took the liands of their

children and wives, many of whom could not even seize a
veil or sheet to cover them, and fied to the fortress." *
As soon as the Prince heard of what was going on he
marched upon the city, but before he could arrive, it had
been for some time in the hands of the rioters. They do
not seem to have made any opposition. "Nobles, merchants,
and poorer men, vied with each other as to who by strength
of arms and by expenditure of money, should get their families
and property into the fortress. Before break of day, the
Imperial forces attacked the city, and a frightful scene of
plunder and destruction followed, for in every part and road
and market there were lakhs and lakhs of money, stuffs,
carpets, horses and elephants belonging to Abu'l Hassan and

his nobles. Words cannot express how many women and
children of Musulinans and Hindoos were made ])risoners, or
how many women of high and low degree were dishonoured,
carpets of great value, which Avere too heavy to carry, were
cut to pieces Avitli swords and daggers, and every bit was
struggled for."
The Prince a])pointed officers to prevent the })1 under, but
a considerable time elapsed before order could be restored,
and there seems little doubt that when the rioters were
*Kliafi Khan— Elliot and Dowson. Vol. VII.
siihdiicd tlic Iinj)Ci'ial troops themselves ])luii(lere(l on tlieir
own necouiit. Letters were now

received from AbiTl Hassan
offering snbmission, some negociation tlie Prince
and after
j)n)mised to withdraw on payment of one million two hnndred
thousand sterling in addition to the usual tribute; the Hindoo
Ministers were to be dismissed and the districts which had
been taken from Ahmednagar ])rovince wci'c to be restored.
No sooner were these conditions accepted than the Mahomedans
of Golconda rose against the Hindoo Ministers, attacked them
whilst coming from the Durbar to their own houses, and
killed them, sending their heads to the Imperial camp. As
soon as news of these occurrences reached the Emperor he
sent a letter openly approving of what had been done, l)ut
privately he censured both the Prince and the General Khan

Jehan, not only for sparing the Sultan, but also for not having
taken prompter steps to quell the riot. But as already related,
Aurungzebe required for the present all his available forces
for the siege of Bijapur. Accordingly Golconda had a brief
resj)ite, and the Prince and Khan Jehan, with the main body
of the army were recalled, and only a small force of obser-
vation was left with orders to watch events from a safe
distance. Saadat Khan Avas sent to Hyderabad as Vakeel or
Ambassador, with instructions to keep Abu'l Hassan quiet
with negociations regarding the indemnity and tribute, until
theEmperor should be at liberty to come in person. Saadat
Khan did his work Avell, and kept on procrastinating until he
received information that Bijapur had fallen and the Emperor
had arrived at Gulburga on his march to Hyderabad. Abu'l
Hassan now became thoroughly alarmed, and although he
still said that he was unable to send the requisite cash, he
offered to send the jewêls of his family, and did, in fact,
send to Saadat Khan a large number of trays of jewels, on
the understanding that they should be sealed up and subse-
quently valued, Aurungzebe, however, continued his march,
THE FALL OF GOLCONDA.Â. D. 1G8(). 303
and in a few clays had arrived not far from Hyderabad.

Abu'l Hassan now gave up all hopes of escape by mere
payment, and sent to Saadat Khan to return the jewels, l)ut
was told had already been sent to the Emperor.

that they
The Sultan then despatched a humble letter to Aurungzebe,
but received in reply a stern letter, of which the following
is the purport:*
"The evil deeds of this wicked man pass beyond the bounds
of Avriting, but by mentioning one out of a hundred, and a
little out of much some conception of them may be formed.
First, placing the reins of authority and Government in the
hands of vile tyrannical infidels; oppressing and afflicting the
Seyds, Shaikhs, and other holy men ; openly giving himself
up to excessive debauchery and depravity; indulging in drunk-
enness and wickedness day and making no distinction
night;
between infidelity and Islam, tyranny and justice, depravity
and devotion waging obstinate war in defence of infidels
;
want of obedience to the Divine commands and prohibitions,

especially to that command which forbids assistance to an
enemy's country, the disregarding of which had cost a censure
upon the Holy Book in the sight both of God and man.
Letters full of friendly advice and warning upon these points
had been repeatedly Avritten and had been sent by the hands
of discreet men. No attention had been paid to them;
moreover, it had lately become kuoAvn that a lakh of pagodas
had been sent to the wicked Sambha. That in this insolence
and intoxication and worthlessness, no regard had been paid
to the infamy of his deeds, and no hope shown of deliverance
in this world or the next."
When Abu'l Hassan received this letter, he prepared for
the worst. In his sudden flight from the city to Golconda,
the Sultan seems to have displayed a great amount of weak-
ness and pusillanimity which stands out in strong contrast to
* Khafi Khan— Elliot and Dowson. Vol. YII.
804 UISTOltY OF THE DECCAN.
Ills final (li'tVncc. It is, however, with the {il)rii])t manner in
which he left his (•a])ital tliat f'nnlt can be found, but not
with tlic fact, toi' lly(ku'aba(l city, although surrounded by a
wall, on the river front, is iui utterly indefensible })lace, whereas
it took the Imperial Army more than eight months before it
could gain (Jolconda, and then only by treachery. The defence

was a heroic one, and was well worthy of the brave struggles
that we have already narrated as having taken place at Ah-
mednagar, Dowlatabad, and liijapur before they had to yield
to the Mogul arms. We shall be excused for going more

into detail as regards this memorable siege, for not only is
it the record of the end of the last Deccanee kingdom, but

we are fortunate in having a full account written by Khafi
Khan, * who was present throughout and who does ample
justice to the principal hero, whose friend he afterwards
became. AVe have the more excuse for these details, because
in the ordinary histories the episode is dismissed with a few
words only.
When Abu'l Hassan saw that there was no hope of mercy
or of consideration from Aurungzebe, he set his shoulder
manfully to the wheel. A large l)ody of horse, numbering
about 15,000 Avas stationed to the rear of the Mogul army,
and help was called for from Sambhajee, which was duly
sent. This force gave great assistance in cutting off supplies,
harassing convoys, &c. We are not told what was the
strength of the garrison, but we are told that the Sultan had
ample stores of provisions, and ammunition, and a very power-
ful battery of artillery. The men seem to have been imbued
Avitli a spirit of patriotism and hatred of the Moguls, but as
regards the principal officers, the Sultan was, with two notable
exceptions, deserted by almost all his nobility, Avho, seeing
that the end was near, went over to the Emperor's camp.
Ibrahim, the former Commander-in-Chief, had been given high
* Elliot and Dowson, Vol. VII.
THE FALL OF GOLCONBA.—A. D. 1686. 305
rank in the Imperial army and was now one of tlic foremost
amongst the besiegers. These two exceptions were Abdur-
Razzak Lari and AbdnUah Khan Pani. The former performed
miracles of heroism, and as the sequel will show, ranks most
deservedly amongst the bravest and most faithful of Indian
soldiers. The latter unfortunately was a traitor at heart, and
it would have been better for his master the Sultan if, like
Ibrahim, he had openly gone over to the besieging army.

The siege commenced on the 2it/i Bnhi-id-awal, (September
1687) and from this date for more than eight months not a
day passed without a hot encounter. Before long the Sultan's
troops outside the fort, swelled by Sambhajee's reinforcements,
amounted to between forty and fifty thousand horse, and
though not strong enough to engage the Imperial army,
afforded the garrison considerable relief. The Emperor's son,
Prince Shah Alum, was nominally in command of the army,

but he soon incurred his father's displeasure from the favour
with which he regarded the Sultan's overtures for peace. The
same thing had already occurred at Bijapur, and the Prince's
policy as heir-apparent seems to have been to gain over these
Deccan Sultans, and to make peace or war dependent upon
his own approval. Aurungzebe, however, was not the man
to be tlnvarted by his own son, and as soon as he became
aware of his intentions, he had him arrested and sent away
in confinement. Day by day and week by Aveek the trenches
were pushed forward. Almost daily the garrison made sallies,
some of which were successful, but the defenders were never
able to break the line, and the toils gradually closed in on
the fortress. fire on both sides that the smoke
So hot was the
is removed the distinction between day and night.
said to have
Large mounds were erected so as to command the interior
of the fort, and one is still pointed out as that on which
_ Aurungzebe's tent was pitched. In about a month's time the
trenches were carried up to the edge of the moat, and attempts
20
nor, HIS TOBY OF THE DECCAN.
were then made to till it uj) hy throwing in cotton hags tilled
witli eaitli. Fifty tlioiisand hags were ordered to he sent

from the cotton-pfoducing tracts of Berar, and the Ein])eror
himself sewed the seams of the first l)ag tlirown in. At last
matters were hrought so far that an escalade coidd 1)0
attempted. This had hecome necessary, for not only was
there great scarcity in the Imperial camp, hut ])estilence had
also broken out. Accordingly, after three months a surprise
was attem])ted one dark night. Ladders were fixed and a
few men succeeded in gaining the ramparts. Jiut at this
moment the garrison was alarmed hy the harking of a dog,

and the defenders succeeded in throwing down the ladders
and in beating off the storming party. The dog which had
thus given the fort another respite Avas given a golden collar
and a plated chain, and was kept tied near the Sultan himself.
Heavy rain now came on, in the midst of which another sally
was made, which caused the Imperialists heavy loss, both in
killed and prisoners. The latter were treated with generosity
and kindness. One of them, an officer of distinction, Sarbhara
Khan, was taken by the Sultan over his granaries and
magazines, and then sent back to the Emperor with overtures
for peace. The Sultan offered to present a crore of rupees
(one million sterling) and a further crore for every time that
Aurungzebe had besieged the fort; he also offered a free
present of 600,000 maunds of grain ; but Aurungzebe was
inflexible. In spite of the straits to which his army was
reduced, he replied : "If Ahu-1 Hassan does not repudiate
my authority, he nmst come to me with clasped hands or he
must be hrought hound before me. I will then reflect what
consideration I can show to him." By the month of Shaban
three mines were ready to be exploded, hut Abdur Razzak
by countermining, succeeded in withdrawing the powder and
match from one, and in drowning the other two with water.
Only one mine was partially exploded, and the result was
THE FALL OF GOLCONDA.—A. I). 1686. 307
more damage to the besiegers than to the l)esiegcd. Tlic

garrison tjion made a sortie, and succeeded, after desperate
fighting, in gaining which were only recovered
the trenches,
after much Another assault delivered under the
shiughter.
eyes of the Emperor himself, was also repulsed, and again
the garrison occupied the trenches, spiked a number of the
guns, and pulled out moat the logs of wood, and
of the
many thousands of the had been used to fill it
bags which
up, using them to repair the breaches in the walls. Aurungzebe
now almost despaired of success, and, force failing, tried what
he could do by bribery. Abdur Razzak refused all overtures,
although he was offered a high post and a munsah of 6,000
horse. He even went so far as to exhibit the Emperor's
letter to the men in his bastion, and tore it to pieces in
their presence, sending back as a message that he would fight
to the death. Abdullah Khan, however, was of a different

nature, and yielded to the Emperor's offers. After a siege
of eight months and ten days, he one night caused a wicket
to be opened and admitted Prince Muhammad Azam. The
gates were then thrown open, the army entered, and the shout
of victory was raised. " Abdur Razzak heard this, and
springing on a horse without any saddle, with a sword in
one hand and a shield and accompanied by ten

in the other,
or twelve followers, rushed to the open gate through which
the Imperial forces were pouring in. Although his followers
were dispersed, he alone, like a drop of water falling into
a sea or an atom of dust struggling in the rays of the sun,
threw himself upon the advancing force, and fought with

inconceivable fury and desperation, shouting that he would
fight to the death for Abu'l Hassan. Every step he advanced,
thousands of swords were aimed at him, and he received so
many wounds from swords and spears, that he was covered
with wounds from the crown of his head to the nails of his
feet. He received twelve wounds upon his face alone, and
;108 HISTORY OF THE DEC CAN.
the skin of his i'orclicad huiip; down over liis eyes and nose.
One eye was severely wounded and liis body the cuts uj)on
seemed as nuniei'ous as tlie stars, liis horse also was covered
witli wounds and reeled under his weijj^ht, so he gave the
reins to the beast, and by great exertiojis kept his scat.

The horse carried him to a f>arden, called Na(|uina, near the
citadel, to the foot of an old cocoa-mit tree, where by the
liel}) of the tree he threw himself off. On the morning of
the second day a })arty of men belonging to Husaini Beg
passed, and recognizing him by his horse and other signs,
they took compassion upon him, and carried him u})on a

bedstead to a house. When his own men heard of this, they
came and dressed his wounds."
In the meantime Abul Hassan had met his fate in a
kingly manner. When the noise and the groans convinced
liim that all was over, he first went into his harem to
comfort his women, to ask their pardon and to take their
leave. He then Avent into the reception hall, and placing

himself upon the throne {miis/iud) he waited for his unbidden
guests. As the day broke and the time came for taking his
food, he ordered it to be served to him where he was. At last
Ruhu-llah Khan, the Commander of the Emperor's forces,

was announced and entered with his suite. The Sultan greeted
them all with courtesy, conversed with them at his ease, and
never for a moment forgot his dignity. He then called for
his horse, and wearing on his neck a splendid row of pearls,
he went with his captor to the Imperial camp. He was first
taken to Prince Muhammad Azam, to whom he presented the

pearls. The Prince accepted them, and placing his hand upon
the Sultan's back, endeavoured to console him. The Prince
then took the Sultan to the Emperor, to whom he introduced
him. Aurungzebe received him courteously, and after a few
days sent him to be confined in the fort of Dowlatabad, where
he was kept as a state prisoner until the time of his death,
THE FALL OF GOLCONDA.-Â. D. 168(). 309
some years later. A suitable allowance was given to him,

and he was allowed the society of his wives.
This was the end of the last of the Deccan Sultans, and
whatever may have been the faults of Abu-1 Hassan's life, it
must be acknowledged that he met his misfortunes in a manner

worthy of a king.
now
It only remains to narrate the fortunes of his brave
general Abdur Razzak. We cannot better do than quote from
Khati Khan, the generous enemy who has already paid tribute
to his prowess :
—
" Al)dur Razzak, senseless, but with a spark
of life remaining, was carried to the house of Ruhu-llah Khan.
As soon as the eyes of Saf-Shikan Khan fell upon him, he
cried out :
'
This is that vile Lari ! Cut off his head, and hang
!
it over the gate ' Ruhu-llah replied that to cut off the
head of a dying man without orders, when there was no hope
of his surviving was far from being humane. A little bird
made the matter known to Aurungzebe, who had heard of
Abdur Razzak's daring and courage and loyalty, and he
graciously ordered that two surgeons, one a European, the
other a Hindoo, should be sent to attend thewounded
man, who were to make daily reports of his condition. The
Emperor also sent for Ruhu-llah Khan and told him that if
Abu-1 Hassan had possessed only one more servant devoted
like Abdur Razzak, it would have taken much longer time
to subdue the fortress. The surgeons reported that they had
counted nearly seventy wounds, besides the many wounds
upon wounds which could not be counted. Although one eye
was not injured it was probable that he would lose the sight
of both. They were directed carefully to attend to his cure.
At the end of sixteen days, the doctors reported that he had
opened one eye and spoken a few faltering words, expressing
a hope of recovery. Aurungzebe sent a message to him for-
giving him his offences, and desiring him to send his eldest
son, Abdu-1 Kadir, with his othei* sons, that they might
i-cceivc suitable muusabs and lioiioiirs. When tliis gracious

message reached that devoted and peerless hero, he gas|)(;d
out a few words of reverence and gratitude, but he said
that there was little hope of recovery. If, however, it ])leased
the Almighty to spare him and give him a second life, it was
not likely that he would be tit for service but should he be ;
ever capable of service, he felt that no one who had eaten

the salt of Abu-1 Hassan, and had thriven on his bounty,
(ôuld enter the service of King Aurungzebe. On hearing

these words a cloud was seen to pass over the face of his
Majesty, but he kindly said: "When he is quite well let me
know."
Eventually Abdur Razzak recovered, and again refused to
come to the Emperor's presence, asking to be allowed to make
the pilgrimage to Mecca. Aurungzebe now became angry,
and orders Avere sent to arrest him but Firoz Jung managed
to convey him away to his own house, and there kept him in
concealment. After a year Abdur Razzak thought better of
the Emperor's offer, he could no longer do any good to his

fallen master, and so he entered the Imperial service with a
mansuh of 4,000 and 3,000 horse.
The plunder taken at Golconda amounted to eight lakhs and
fifty-one thousand huns (golden coins or pagodas) and two
(U'ores and fifty-three thousand rupees, altogether six crores
eighty lakhs and ten thousand rupees {circa, seven millions
sterling), besides jewels, inlaid articles and vessels of gold
and silver; the copper coin {clams) amounted to 1,15,16,00,000,
ecpial to about 2^ nnllions sterling.

We have now arrived at the close of the Mahomedan
kingdoms of the Deccan. For the next thirty years this
portion of India remained a province of Delhi. The Great

Delhi Emperor had succeeded in absorbing the Mahomedan
States, Avhich had to a certain extent kept the Mahrattas in
check, and he was now left face to face with the despised
THE FALL OF GOLCONDA.—A. D. 1686. 311
infidels, lîit in spite of all its magnificence and aj)[)arent
power, Imperialism was rotten to the core. Auriingzebe con-

tinued to reign for about fifteen years, but (hiring tiie wliole
of that time, in spite of all attempts, he was unable to exter-
minate the Mahrattas. Their power continued to increase,
and was a rock upon which the flood of Imperialism was des-
tined te be broken. But this belongs to another period of
Deccan history, and at present there only remains to tell how
after thirty years another Mahomedan kingdom arose and
took the place of that of Golconda.
PART TIL
AN EMPIRE IN RUINS.
CHAPTER XXV.
THE KING-MAKERS.
In this section the scene lies principally in Delhi and the

North of India, but as the events led to the establishment of
a new Kingdom Deccan and the persons are intimately

in the
connected with Deccan affairs it has been deemed advisable

to relate the incidents at some length, especially as the period
referred to is very summarily treated in the usual histories.
After the fall of Aurungzebe was free to turn

Golconda,
his attention to the Mahrattas. Mr. Stanley Lane Pool seems
to think that the conquest of the Deccan kingdoms was
chiefly intended as the first step towards the destruction of
this nation of robbers and freebooters, since with their fall
the large subsidies them to the

paid by Mahrattas would
cease. Accordingly a was placed in charge of
governor
Hyderabad and Golconda, and the Emperor marched west-
wards in order to finally crush that 'hell-dog' Sambajee. At
first the Emperor's arms were everywhere successful. The
whole of the territories belonging to Bijapur and Golconda
were taken possession of by his generals down as far south
as Tanjore. So great was the respect shown to the Emperor's
AsAF Jaii (from an old picture),
THE KING-MAKERS. 315
authority that it was the custom of liis generals to send one

of his slippers placed on a splendid howdah, carried by an
elephant in gorgeous trappings and conducted by a force of
cavalry and infantry. Wlien the slipjjcr arrived at the capital
of a native Prince he was expected meet the slipper out-

to
side his capital and conduct it, followed by his nobles and
troops with their ensigns lowered, Durbar hall in the
to the
Palace. There the slipper was placed upon the throne and
the Prince himself had to pay it obeisance. This having been
done, the general in charge was presented with costly presents,
the tribute money was sent to him in sealed bags, and the
slipper marched on in state to the next kingdom, where a
similar pageant was gone through. On the occasion of a
ceremonial procession of this kind soon after the accession of
a new king (Runga-Kistna-Naicker, circa 1698) * the slipper,
accompanied by twelve thousand cavalry, from thirty to forty
thousand infantry, and two Nawabs, arrived outside Trichin-
opoly and a message was despatched by means of peons with
silver sticks and silver breast-plates, that the Imperial mandate
had come. '"As the king was young he enquired of the
sirdars about him what this meant. They replied :
'
It is the
Padslialis firman, i.e., a slipper placed in a howdah attended

with various banners and troops, which is sent to the rulers
of kingdoms, and these kings go forth to meet it; treat it
with respect; take it with those that accompany it to their

capital; give presents to these, and paying to them tribute
money, send them away. As this is the established rule, and
the mandate is now sent to this capital Ave also treat it in
same respectful maimer.' On hearing this the young king

tiie
became angry, but dissembling his intentions gave presents to

the ])eons and sent out his own ambassadors, who were in-
structed to plead sickness on his behalf, but to contrive so

that the embassy was brought into the town. This the emis-
'''
Taylor's Maimscripti^, Vol. II. p. 205.
31t> HISTORY OF THE DECCAN.
sai'ics ai)j)car to have done with success, and by first tixiiig
one place and then another as tlie spot where tJie king wouhl
meet them, induced the Nawabs to come inside the fort gate.
There being still no king the Nawabs said with anger: 'Is
your king not come? have you such obstinate ])ride?' But
the others said Our king from the effect of sickness
:
'
is not
able to enter a palankeen, come with us to the gates of the
palace.' They accordingly came with the mandate to the
gates of Sri-Runga-Kistnappa-Muthu-Virapa-Naicker's palace.
As the king still did not appear, they came still closer to the
palace entry; when, thinking want of respect was im-
that a
plied by waiting there, they took the mandate from the
howdah, placed it in a palankeen, and, not without anger,
carried it into the hall of the throne. Meanwhile the king
had invested himself with all the paraphernalia of his dignity,
and in the midst of a great number of his friends was seated
on his throne, wdien the Padshah's Nawabs, and principal
men, having taken the Farmana in their hands, had brought
it into the hall of the throne. Seeing that the king did not
pay the smallest token of respect either to the Farmmia or
themselves, they were excessively angry, and pushing aside
such persons as stood in their way in the hall of audience,
they came near and offered to give the Farmana into the
hands of the king. The king, being very angry, bid them
place it on the floor. But paying no attention to his command
and not putting the slipper down, they again offered to give
it into his hands. Thereupon the king called for people Mîth
wdiips : and adding. '
Will the Padshah's people put the
Farmana down or not? let us see,' further summoned people
with rattan canes. As the king was calling aloud, they be-
came terribly afraid and put the Farmana down on the floor.
The king, seeing this, placed one of his feet within the
slipper and addressing the people said :
'
How comes it that
your Padshah has lost even common sense? When sending
foot furniture for siicli kind of persons as ourselves, why

does lie not send two slippers instead of one? Therefore do
!
you speedily go back, and bring here another slipper While '
he thus spoke they answered with all the vivacity of anger. On

Avhich the king became excessively incensed and had them all
beaten and driven away. In consequence, on going outside
the fort they assembled all their troops and began to make
war. The king on hearing this intelligence, sent outside the
fort five thousand cavalry and a great force of infantry which

fell upon the Padshah's troops and cut them up piecemeal.
As they could not make a successful stand, they ran away,
and reported these occurrences to the Padshah. He, thinking
on the matter, considered that if he were for the future to
send such a message, the disgrace done to it now, !)y the
daring of one, Avould be imitated by others : he was therefore
induced by this high bearing of Raja-Runga-Kistna-Muttu-
Virapa-Naicker, thenceforwards to cease the sending of the
Farmana to the different rulers of countries."
The foregoing account is from a Hindoo source, and there
is nothing in an}^ of the Mahomedan histories which in any
wây confirms it. It is probably exaggerated, especially as
regards the numbers of the Mahomedan army who wêre put

to flight. It shows, however, that previous to the incident,
which occurred before the end of the seventeenth century, the
custom of sending the slipper had been for some years in
were acquainted with
force, since the Trichinopoly Sirdars it,
and that the Emperor's over-rule was recognized for as the ;
first impulse of the Sirdars was to show respect to the slipper,
it is clear that for some time previously the Emperor's rule

extended and was recognized as far south as Trichinopoly.
In the account of the transactions of the latter years of
Aurungzebe's reign, translated by Scott from the narrative of
a Bondela officer, we are told that in 1698 Ziilficcar Khan,
the Emperor's great general, of whom we shall hear more
318 mSTORY OP THE DECCAN.
later on, inarched sixty coss from (.Jin<^cc into the territories
ol: Trichinopoly and Tanjore and collected considerable contri-

butions from the Zemindars. The slipper embassy was j)robably
subsequent to this expedition and it was only five or six
years later, when Aurunf^zebe's whole attention was taken ii])
with the Mahrattas, that so flagrant an insult could have been

committed. Without therefore relying on the exact accuracy
of the incident as here given, it proves that soon after the
fall of Golconda the Emperor's armies over-ran the whole of
the territories of that State and of Bijapur and exercised a
certain amount of control over the hitherto independent Pandia
kingdom of Trichinopoly.
But we must now return to the affairs of the Deccan
proper. The Emperor with the main body of his army
marched from Hyderabad through Gulburga to Jîjapur. A
number of the Deccanee nobles and generals came in and
submitted and were rewarded with munsabs and military
charges. Amongst others was Sheikh Nizam Hyderabadee,
who was honoured with the title of Khan Humman and de-
spatched on an expedition against Sumbajee, that "vile dog"
who for so long had defied tlie great Emperor with impunity.
Sumbajee had at this period almost entirely withdrawn him-
self from the field. His armies were despatched in various
directions on marauding expeditions, and he himself remained
shut up in the fort of Sungumeshwar, where he imagined
himself safe amongst his native hills. Khan Humman,
however, was able to take him by surprise, and making a
rapid march from Kolapur arrived at the gates of the fort
and succeeded in entering before they could be closed. Sum-
bajee himself was intoxicated, and though most of his fol-
lowers succeeded in making their escape, twenty-four of his
principal chiefs defended him with bravery. They were,
however, all taken prisoners and Sumbajee together with his
;
prime minister Kuloosha were brought before the Emperor.

It is said tliat Auruiigzebc iiitciided to spare liim, so as to
induce liiiii to restore the forts wliicli were still in his pos-
session, and with this object in view offered him his life if
he would become a Mussulman. "Tell the Emperor," said
Sumbajee, "that if he will give me his daughter I will
become a Mahoinedan," and concluded his reply by an in-
vective on the pro])lict.* Exasperated by this insult the

Emperor ordered him to be executed, which was done in a
most barbarous manner. A red liot iron was drawn across
his eyes, his tongue was cut out, his skin flayed from his
body, and his head cut off. (August 1689.) The news of
this barbarous murder of the son of the great Sivajee only
served to exasperateMahratta nation still more against
the
the Moguls, and the war was therefore carried on on both
sides Avith even more bitterness than before.
Aurungzebe's Prime Minister at this time Avas Assud Khan,
and his son Yeatikad Khan was despatched with a large force
to invade the Concan. He was fortunate enough to obtain
possession of Yessoo Bhai, Sumbajee's widow, and her son
Sivajee, who had been declared as his father's successor, with
his uncle Rajah Ram as regent. These two prisoners were
taken to the Emperor's camp, where they were kindly received,
and the boy, being only six years of age, was adopted by
Aurungzebe's daughter. He seems to have been taken notice
of by the Emperor, who called him Sahoo or Shao, and by
thisname he was always afterwards known. Yeatikad Khan
was highly honoured for this capture, and the title of Zulfic-
car Khan was bestowed upon him, under which name he
henceforward played a conspicuous part.
Rajah Ram, with a large force, then set off for the strong
fort of Gingee, which is situated in the present district of
South Arcot, about 50 miles inland from Pondicherry. The
remains of the fort show that it must at one time have been
* Grant Duff, Vol. I. p. 306.
320 HIS TOBY OF THE DECCAN.
of coiisidcfnhk' strcii{i;tli. It is l)iiilt on n siiiiill cii-ciilai' I'angc
of rocky hills which arc isoliiicd in the plain. A wall con-
nects the whole of this range, and strong forts are built at
the mouth of each entrance or valley. The ground thus

enclosed contains several s(|uare miles, and is ca})al)le of
growing grain required for the garrison. There are also
large reservoirs which are fed not only by springs but by

water-courses from the hill sides, so that the place Avas capa-
ble of maintaining a lengthened siege without any relief from
outside. This fort formed the stronghold of the jMahrattas
in the south of India, and the outpost of their possessions in
Tanjore. The siege of this im})ortant place lasted for very

nearly ten years from 1689 until 1698, but there seems to
be no doubt that operations were purposely delayed owning to
intrigues amongst the generals. The Bondela officer, from
Avhose journal Scott has compiled his history of this portion
of Aurungzebe's reign, says that the total ruin of the Mahrat-

ta power might have been effected with ease many years
before but the Amras delayed on purpose, and secretly as-
sisted each other to draAV out the war to a never-ending

length for their own advantage, also dreading that when the
Emperor should have finally reduced the Deccan, he would
carry his arms to Candahar and ]3alkh, which expeditions
were disagreeable to the nobility, who did not wish to
encounter the hardships of the north.* During the greater part of

the siege of Gingee, Zulficcar Khan was in chief command, though
for a portion of the time he was superseded by Prince Kaum Buksh,
Aurungzebe's favourite son. Soon after the Prince's arrival rumours
began to circulate that the Emperor Avas ill and was not likely to
recover. In the event of the throne becoming vacant it was
necessary for the success of any aspirant that he should be at head-
(piarters in order to assert his claim. Accordingly the Prince began
* It is alleged that docuinents exist which show that Aurungzebe's
secret intention was ultimately to found a great Empire in Central Asia.
to make secret overtures to the Mahrattas and on this coming

to tlic cars of Zulficcar Khan lie promptly had the Prince arrested
and contined in his own tent. This was an act of masterfulness that
Kaum Buksh never forgave, and he never let an opportunity pass
of showing the dislike he felt for the general, a dislike which seems
to have been cordially and implacably returned. Nevertheless the
siege of Gingee had to l)e raised, for the imperial army was so
reduced by sickness and want of provisions that it had to withdraw

into quarters. Zulficcar Khan and the Prince were summoned to
the Emperor's camp, and although Aurungzebe openly accepted

his son's explanationand blamed the general, as a matter of
fact he kept the Prince for some time in honourable confine-
ment and employed his lieutenant on active service. Zulficcar
Khan wâs a brave and ambitous general. When he really
meant fighting he invariably beat the Mahrattas, but it is said
that he secretly intended to establish himself in the Carnatic

with the object, when the opportunity came, of making him-
self independent. If this is true, it was unfortunate for him
that he relinquished the idea, for though after Aurungzebe's
death Zulficcar Khan enjoyed for a few years the power and
the wealth of a king-maker at Delhi, his career ended at last
with murder and spoliation, whereas another, following out his
original ambition, actually achieved independence and became
the founder of a royal line that still rules in the Deccan.
The date of this incident was 1696, and from this time
Aurungzebe seems to have adopted a fresh policy in his cam-
paign against the Mahrattas. A new force was despatched
into the Carnatic to besiege Gingee, and the Deccan army
was divided into two portions. The one, a flying colmnn,
wâs sent under Zulficcar Khan to beat up the IMahrattas
wherever they could be found, whilst with the main body
the Emperor himself sat down to besiege the hill forts one
after the other. Chin Koolich Khan, a name destined to be-
come famous in the Deccan, was left as Governor of Eijapur.
21
Ill ])nrsii;iiicc of this ])laii tlie Emperor siirccssivoly besieged
and caj)tured Sattara, J-'aualla, Vislialgiirli, Sino-nrli, Piii-iiiida,
Rajp;iirli, Pooiia, and Waikankara; wliilst in tlie open iicld
Zulticcnr Klian constantly defeated the iMaliratta armies wlien

he conhl meet them face to face. Hut in s])ite of this mar-
vellous perserverance of an old man bordering on ninety,
Aurungzebe was never able to make any lasting impression
on the "monntain rats." Young Sahoo was still kept in the
Emperor's camp. Rajah Ram, his imcle, who at first acted
as Regent, was dead, and the real leader of the Mahratta
nation was Tara Bhai, Siiinbajee's widow and ste])motlier to
Sahoo. Tara Bhai was a second Queen Chand, and deserves
a lasting place in the ranks of noble queens and heroines.
She became the life and soul of the Mahrattas, and sent out
army after army M-ith instructions to avoid all conflict in the
open field, but to harass the imperial armies in the rear, to
cut off their supplies, and to carry raids far beyond the
confines of the Deccan. Aurungzebe' spersistency and dogged-
ness in his attempts up the Mahratta confederacy
to break
had the very opposite effect to what he intended, and it is
said that the Mahrattas themselves offered up prayers for the
preservation of the Emperor's life and therefore for the pro-
longation of his policy. So successful Avere the ]\Iahrattas in
their raids that on several occasions the huge imperial camp
was reduced almost to starvation, and was so hemmed in on
all no one dared to leave its limits. The Deccan
sides tliat
itselfwas reduced to the state of a desert. All the Emperor's
supplies and money had to l)e drawn from the north. His
governors at Hyderabad and Rija})ur could only Avith diffi-
culty make small collections, and even there they had to dis-
pute Avith the Mahratta tax collectors, who boldly levied their
cJiouth, or one quarter of the revenue, throughout the im])erial
provinces. But nothing could l)end the Avill of the stern old
Emperor. Hunger and reverses did not subdue it, and though
THE KTNG-MAKFBF!. 323
Oil at least two occasions his camp was well iiigli carried away
by floods, he still jiiirsned his life of sclf-ahiieo-atioii, resolved
to conqiiev or to die. ZiilHccai- Khan was again despatched

to carry on the siege of Gingee, and received a hint that it
would be well for liiin to show more energy. This time he
was not trammelled by the presence of a royal Prince, and
Gingee at last yielded to his arms (1698), and, the strength
of the Mahrattas in the South Carnatic being broken, the
general was left free to return to the principal seat of the
war in the Here the same system of operations was
Deccan.
carried on. Aurungzebe laid sieere to one fort after another,
and Zulficcar Khan hurried from province to province in
pnrsnit of the elusive Mahrattas. In one campaign alone he
is said to have marched 2,000 coss, or about 4,000 miles,
a distance Avhich is surely somewhat exaggerated. It is
scarcely Avithin the province of this work to follow in detail

all Anrungzebe's movements. It is true that the scene of
them lay in the Deccan, bnt they have been so exhaust-
ively discussed Grant Duff that it would be useless
by
to go over the same ground. Each year was a repetition
of the previous one. Nothing decisive was ever gained by
the Emperor. The forts he took one year were frequently
retaken in the following one, when he had moved on to begin
again the same wearisome story. During the whole of this
time the Mahrattas gradually increased in strength and daring.
Their bands harried the country from Mysore up to Guzerat,
and a strong central system of Government was organized at
Poona. I'ifty years before, Aurungzebe had found Sivajee at

the head of a comparatively small body of robbers. When
he died Sivajee's grandson ruled over a well organized Gov-
ernment and a nation imbued with the spirit of plunder.
The time had at last come for the great Emperor to leave
this life of unrest and struggles. Nearly ninety years of age,
he had ruled for almost fifty. All those Avho had crossed his
])ntli, wlicther father, brotlicrs, sons oi- ncplicws, had conic to
a violent end, in battle, or else l)y \hv, more secret means of

the dagger or the poison bowl. For the last twenty years of
his life he had lived in a camp and endured hardships far
greater than some of his luxurious followers. Right or
Avrong he had unswervingly carried out the line of ])olicy he

had laid down for himself, and now, as he felt his end ap-
proaching, he saw his plans thwarted, his enemies flourishing, his
sons at discord with one another, and the whole fabric of
Empire crumbling aAvay as it were to pieces. Towards the end
of 1706 he marched into Alimednagar, the capital of the old
Nizam Shalii kings, and on the day he marched in, he himself
exclaimed that his last campaign was finished. Remembering
his OAvn fight for the throne, he sent his three sons away to
their different governments, separated as far as possible from
one another. The eldest, subsequently known as Rahadiir Shah,
was in Cabul; Azim Shah was sent to Malwa, and Kaum
Euksh, his youngest and favourite, to Bijapur. To the eldest
son the Emperor seems to have sent no message, and to have
made no sign, and he probably thought that he was too far
removed to have a chance of succeeding. But shortly l)efore
he died he wrote a letter to Azim Shah and another to
Kaum Buksh, iDoth of which are so pathetic that they must
be given in ewte?iso*
To Shah Azim Shah.
"Health to thee! My heart is near thee! Old age has arrived
weakness subdues me, and strength has forsaken all my members.
I came a stranger into this world, and a stranger I depart. I
know nothing of myself, wdiat I am, and for Avliat I am destined.

The instant which passed in power has left only sorrow behind
* Eradat Khan, translated by Scott (also Elliot and Dowson). These
letters are not to my knowledge reproduced in any of the histories.
Mr. Stanley Lime Poole gives an extract fi'oni one in his monograph.
Jiiravf/zih.
it. I liuvc not been the guardian and protector of the empire.
My vahiahlc time has been passed vainly. 1 had a patron in
my own dwelling (conscience) but his glorious light was unseen
by my dimmed sight. Life is not lasting; there is no vestige
of departed breath, and all hopes from futurity are lost. The
fever has left me, but nothing remains of me but skin and
bone. My son Kaum Buksh, though gone towards Bijapur,
is still near; thou my son art yet nearer. The worthy of
esteem Shah k\\\m (lâhadur Shah) is far distant and my
grandson (Azim Ushan) by the orders of God is arrived near
Hindoostan. The camp followers, helpless and alarmed, are
like myself full of affliction, restless as quicksilvei-. Separated
from their lord, they knoAv not if they have a master or not.
I brought nothing into this world, and except the infirmities
of man carry nothing out. I have a dread for my salvation
and with what torments I may beThough I have
punished.
a strong reliance on the mercies and bounties of God, yet
regarding my actions fear will not quit me; but Avhen I am
gone, reflection will not remain. Come then what may I have
launched my vessel to the waves. Though Providence will
protect the camp, yet regarding appearances, the endeavours
of my sons are indispensably incumbent. Give my last prayers
to my grandson (Bedar Bukht son of Azim Shah) whom I
cannot see but the desire affects me. The Begum (his favourite
daughter) appears afflicted but God is the only judge of
hearts. The foolish thoughts of women produce nothing but
"
disappointment. Farewell ! farewell ! farewell !
To the Prince Kaum Buksh.
"My Son, nearest to my heart. Though in the height of

my power, and by God's permission, I gave you advice and
took with you the greatest pains, yet, as it was not the
divine will, you did not attend Avitli the ears of compliance.
Now I depart a stranger, and lament my own insignifiance,
vvliiit docs it protit nic? I carry willi iiic tlic tViiits of
my sins and imperfections. Surprising Providence ! 1 came

here alone, and alone I depart. The leader of the cai'avan
has deserted me. The fever which troubled me for twelve

days has left me. Wherever 1 look I see nothing but
the Divinity. My fears for the camp and followers are
great, but alas ! I know not myself. My back is bent with
weakness and my feet have lost the power of motion. The
breath which rose is gone, and left not even hope behind it,
1 have committed numerous crimes and know not with what

punishment I may be seized. Though the Protector of
mankind will guard the camp yet care is incumbent also on
the faithful, and my sons. When I was alive no care was
taken and now the consequence may be guessed. The
guardianship of a people is the trust by God committed to
my sons. Azim Shah is near. Be cautious that none of the
faithful are slain or their miseries will fall upon my head.
1 resign you, your mother and son to God, as I myself am
going. The agonies of death come upon me fast. Bahadur
Shah is still where he was, and his son has arrived near
Hindustan. Bedar Bukht is in Guzerat. Hyut al Nissa (his
daughter the Begum), who has beheld no afflictions of time
till now, is Regard the Begum as without
full of sorrows.
concern. Odeypooree*, your mother, was a partner in my
illness and wishes to accompany me in death; but every
thing has its appointed time.
The domestics and courtiers, however deceitful, yet must
not be ill treated. It is necessary to gain your views by
gentleness and art. Extend your feet no lower than your
skirt. The complaints of the unpaid troops are as before.
* It is questioned whether this is not a mistake for Jodhporee, as a

princess of Jodhpore Avas sent to The house of
Aurungzebe's zenana.
Odeypore claims to have never contributed a Princess to the Mahomedan
Emperors.
Dai'a Shakoli, tli()ug"li of iinicli judginciit and good understanding,

settled lai-gc pensions on iiis })eo])le, hut paid them iU, and
they were ever discontented I am going. Wliatever good
or evil I have done, it was for you. Take it not amiss, nor
rememhcr what offences I have done to yourself, that account
may not be demanded of me hereafter. No one has seen the
departure of his own soul : but I see that mine is departing."
Reading between the lines of these letters there seems little
doubt that Aurungzebe's sym|)atliies were in favour of Kaum

liuksh. Both this Prince and Azim Shah, though they had
purposely been sent off to their respective governments of
Bijapur and Malwa, were cognizant that their father's death
was imminent, and remained therefore as near as possible.
Bahadur Shah was supposed to l)e too far away to be
dangerous, but as the sequel showed, he also had laid his
plans with the greatest care and caution. Azim Shah's
general was the redoubted Zulficcar Khjui, between whom
and Kaum Buksh there was an undying hatred dating l)ack
from the incident which occurred at the siege of Gingee,
already alluded to.
Eradat Khan, who had for a long time been in attendance

on the Emperor, gives a touching sketch of his last interview
with his old master, which must have taken place only
shortly before the latter's death. Eradat Khan had been
appointed to an important command at Aurungabad, and
" on the evening before my departure, the Emperor, opening
the window^ of his sleeping apartment, called me to him and
said: 'Absence now takes place between us and our meeting
again is uncertain. Eorgive then whatever willingly or
unwillingly I may have done against thee, and pronounce the
words, / forgive ! three times with sincerity of heart. As
thou hast served me long, I also forgive thee whatever
knowingly or otherwise, thou may est have done against me.'
Upon hearing these words my sobs became like a knot in
my tliroat, so that I liad not power to speak. At last after

liis majesty had re])eate(lly pressed me I made sliift to
pronounce tlie words, / forgive! three times, interrupted by

heavy sol)s. lie slied many tears, repeated the words, and
after ])lessinp; me, ordered me to retire."* There is sometliing
very pathetic in the picture of this okl man dying alone in
the midst of a large camp, haunted by the memories of past
crimes, and by the forms of those nearest to him in blood
who had crossed his path and had been done to death, and
with a vague dread of a retribution to come. "I have
committed numerous crimes and know not with what punish-
ment may be seized." Such is his own confession, and the
I
feeling must have been rendered acute ])y the consciousness

that liis "valuable time had been passed vainly." His long
life had in fact been a failure, and the work which during
the last twenty years of his life he had set himself to do
with stubbornness of purpose and inflexibility of will, was not
only undone but he was leaving his empire in a far worse
position than it had been when he took it by force from his
father's grasp. " Every plan that he formed came to little good;
every enterprize failed," is the verdict of the Mahomedan historian

who praises him for his "devotion, austerity and justice; and
for his incomparable courage, long-suffering and judgment."
But in spite of the admiration which is due to the many
great qualities in Aurungzebe's character it seems difficult if
not impossible to join with those who regard him as a martyr,

as a man who "had pitted his conscience against the world,
and the world triumphed over it," or as one w^ho "lived, and
died in leading a forlorn hope, and if ever the cross of heroic
devotion to a lost cause belonged to mortal man it was his."f
The real truth is that the cause he was devoted to was his
own advancement, and in order to achieve that he did not
* Scott's TraiiKlation.
t Stanley Lane Poole, Aurangzib, p. 205.

scruple to wade tlirougli blood towards the tlu-one lie longed

for. Fratricide had for hiiii no terrors, and the obligation
of tilial respect or paternal love no weight. To us he seems
more like a narrow-minded bigot with such a load of guilt
on his conscience that he mistrusted all mankind. ISo doubt
his conscience reproached him for the crimes of his youth,
but can it be said that this deterred him from the commis-
sion of others in his old age? The relentlessness with which,
for no reason, he brought about the ruin of the Deccan

kinss, and the barbarous manner in which he treated the
Mahratta Sumbajee, show that the old Adam was still alive
in him, and that what he had done in 1656 he would not
have hesitated to do forty years later had the same obstacles
been in his path.
Aurungzebe's death occurred on the 21st of February, 1707,

and three days afterwards Azim Shah, who was then 54 years
of age, arrived atAhmednagar, took possession of the Imperial
camp, and week later formally ascended the throne.
a The
remains of the deceased Emperor were despatched to Aurun-
gabad, where they were buried in a tomb Avhich he had
prepared during his life-time. Azim Shah at once commenced
a leisurely march for Agra, having been joined by several
of the important chiefs, such as Chin Koolich Khan, with his
father Feroze Jung, and Mahomed Ameen Khan, who for
this purpose deserted the service of Kaum Buksh. This latter
Prince evidently felt himself too weak to make an attempt
for the throne. He was only forty years of age and could
bide his time. Accordingly he retired to his seat of Govern-
ment at Bijapur, and leaving his two elder brothers to tight
it out, occupied himself Avith collecting an army in the Deccan

with which he resolved to encounter the conqueror. The
route chosen by Azim Shah was, though shorter as the crow
flies, and the consequence was
a very hilly and difficult one,
that before he reached Agra a number of his men were lost
:«(» HIS Ton V OF THE DECCAN.
I)y disease and by want. Hudar Huklit, A/iiii Shah's son, who
was in Guzcrat, was ordered to march in order to join his
father's army near Agra. Tliis order was at once ol)eyed and
the I^rinee set off with only three tbousand men, withont
waiting to raise a larger army, altliongli at the time there
was a considei-ahle amount of money in tlie treasury. The
fact is that 13edar Bukht had been greatly attached to his
grandfather, Aurungzebe, and had therefore excited liis
father's jealousy, and he was afraid that, if he met him with
anything like a considerable force, Azim Shah might snspect

him of entertaining designs against the throne. Eradat Khan,
who was in this Prince's confidence, tells us much of the
strained relations betw-een father and son, and there seems to
be very little doubt that the Prince did really harbour the
thought of supplanting his father.
In the meantime Bahadur Shah, although far off in Cabul,
and already an old man of 64, had not been idle. When
despatched to this distant government, he had accepted what
was really a banishment without a word of complaint. To
his OAvn sons, who were with him, and to his friends he said
that he had given up all idea of ever succeeding to the throne.
When new^s of Aurungzebe's sickness reached him, he said
that in the event of his father's death he Avould not dispute
the throne with Azim Shah, but wôuld retire into Persia and
claim hospitality from the Shah. So persistent was he in
these statements that not only were they believed l)y his own
family l)ut they also served to dispel all suspicions at head-
quarters, and he looked upon accordingly as a negligea])le
wâs
quantity, too far removed by age and by distance from any
chance of rivalry. Bahadur Shah's Dewan or principal minister
Avas one Monuaim Khan, who was thoroughly faithful and
attached to his master. This officer had for some time been
employed in organizing and reforming the Prince's army and
household. He had therefore a claim to his confidence, and
THE KlNGMAKEliS. 331
accordingly he one dny (jucstioncd him regarding liis future

pLans. Suhse([ucntly lie related what took place to Eradat
Khan, who has given us his statement in his own words
" When I perceived that my attachment, sincerity, and
abilities had properly impressed Shah Alam's mind, and that
he was convinced that I was a prudent, faithful, and secret
servant, being alone with him one day, Conversing on the
affairs of the Empire, I took the liberty of thus addressing
him: 'It is reported that your Highness intends flying to
Persia, with so much confidence that even the Princes

your sons assure me by sacred oaths of its truth.' He
replied: 'In this rumour their lies concealed a great design,
to forward which I have spread it abroad and taken pains to
make it believed. First, because my father, on a mere suspicion
of my disloyalty, kept me nine years in close confinement,
and should he even now think I cherished the smallest

ambition, he would immediately strive to accomplish my ruin.
Secondly, my brother Mahomed Azim Shah, who is my

powerful enemy, and valiant even to the extreme of rashness,
would exert all his force against me. Prom this report my
father is easy and my brother lulled into self-security; liut
by the Almigldy God, ivlio gave me life (laying his hand on

the Koran by him) and on this holy book, I swear, though
not one friend should join me, I will meet Azim Shah iu
single combat, wherever he may be ! This secret which I
have so long maintained, and even kept from my own children,
is now entrusted to your care. Be cautious that no instance
of your conduct may ])etray it.'"*
The confidence thus shown was not misplaced. Monuaim

Khan at once went to Lahore, which formed the key of the
road to Delhi, and there (piickly made the necessary prepa-
rations, so that everything should be ready when the time
came to strike the decisive blow. Bodies of troops were
* Evadat Khan, Memoirs of the Mogul Empire. Scott, Vol. II.
,y.i2 llJSTOJtY OF THE DECCAN.
collected and stationed in garrisons, so that they conkl be

picked np completely e(|uii)ped eî route. A regular stage of
connnunication was opened out towards the Deccan on one
side and through the Khyher pass to Cal)ul on tlie other, so
that any news could l)e transmitted with the utmost despatch.
Tavernicr tells us that messages of importance were generally
conveyed by foot-runners instead of by horsemen, and that
runners were able to beat horsemen over a k^ng distance.
" The reason is," says this entertaining traveller (Ball's edition,
vol. i. 291) "that at every two leagues there are small huts,
where two or three men employed for running, live and im-
mediately when the carrier of a letter has arrived at one of
these huts he throws it to the others at the entrance, and one
of them takes it up and at once sets off to run. It is con-
sidered unlucky to give a letter into the hand of a messenger
it is therefore thrown at his feet and he must lift it up. It
is still to be remarked that throughout India, the greater

part of the roads are like avenues of trees, and those which
have not trees planted, have at every 500 paces small pieces
of stone which the inhabitants of the nearest villages are
bound to whiten from time to time, so that the letter carriers
can distinguish the roads on dark and rainy nights." The
distance which the messengers would have to travel between
Ahmednagar, where Aurungzebe died, and Cabul, could not
have been less thau 2,000 miles, and the road by which
troops could march from Cabul to Agra is not less than 1,200
miles, but yet so great was the despatch used by Bahadur
Shall that although the old Emperor only died on the 28th
Zilkad, in little more than 2^ months from that time the
Prince had forestalled his brother; had taken possession of
Agra, and was able to deliver a decisive battle on the 80th
day after Aurungzebe's decease. Immediately Bahadur Shah
received the news of his father's death he started off post
haste for Lahore, where he found a body of troops ready and

a strong force of artillery prepared and ke])t in readiness by

the faithful Monnaini Khan. Without a day's delay the
Prince hurried on, picking up fresh levies on his way, and in
this manner was able to reach Agra several days before his
brother, who had leisurely marched up from the Deccan
never dreaming of finding a rival to dispute liis throne.
Eradat Khan, who was with Azim Shah's army, attached to
the person of his son Bedar Bukht, says that "such vanity
took possession of the mind of Azim Shah that he was cou'
vinced his brother, though supported by the myriads of Toor
and Sullum, durst not meet him in the field. Hence those
who brought intelligence of his approach he would alnise as
fools and cowards, so that no one cared to speak the truth.
Even his chief officers feared to disclose intelligence, so that

he was ignorant of the successful progress of his rival." *
From this dream of security, however, there was a rude
awakening; for, when he arrived at Muttra, about 20 miles
from Agra, he was met by a message from Bahadur Shah
offering to divide the kingdom with him. So magnanimous
was the elder brother that he even left to the younger the
choice of the division. The offer was, hoAvever, haughtily
refused, and on the following day (18 Rubbee ul AAval A.
II. 1119=23rd May 1707) iho^ two armies met for the
decisive struggle. Prince Bedar Bukht commanded the
advance guard, Zulficcar Khan the left wing, and Azim Shah
the main body of the army. Bahadur Shah had with him
a considerable army, and, assisted hy his four sons, ad-
vanced to the attack in a compact form. Azim Shah's
order seems to have been very loose, and he foolishly
left the main body of his army and advanced to the sup-
port of his son Bedar Bukht, who was engaged with

the vanguard. Zulficcar Khan on the left wing was also
attacked, and, though he Avas able to hold jiis own, his
* Scott's Translation,
foi'cc was pjrcatly weakened hy tlie dcifcctioii of liis "Rajjmot

allies, wlio tied at the fall of their chiefs, Ram Siiio-h jiiid
Diilpiit How, who were killed by the same caiiiioii hall. The
(lay was actually decided hy the defeat of the vanguard of
A/iin Shahs army, and the main body does not seem to liave
hcen ensafvcch Azini Shah and llcdar Bukht both fell tiuhtino;
bravely, and when this occuri-ed the rest of the army took to
flight. Zulficcar Khan, seeing that the day Avas lost, escaped
to Gwalioi- and took refuge Avith his father Assud Khan. In
this manner, after a comparatively easy victory, Bahadui- as-
cended the throne.

Zulficcar Khan's conduct in the ])attle is open to some
doubt, and there were certainly many who suspected him of
having wilfully refrained from assisting Azim Shah. The
result seems to justify these suspicions, because although
Monuaim Khan was with justice made Vizier, Zulficcar Khan
was Ameer- ul-Amra, with the post of chief pay-
created
master and the govermnent of the Deccan. His father, Assud
Khan, received the honorary post of Vakeel Muttaluk, which
though of considerable dignity, carried with it no real power.
"Shah Alam Bahadur Shah was generous and merciful, of
a great soul tempered with affability and discerning of merit.
He had seen the strict exercise of power during the reigns
of his grandfather and father and been used to authority
himself for the last fifty years. Time received a new lustre
from his accession, and all ranks of people obtained favours,

equal, if not superior, to their merits, so that the public
forgot the excellences and great (pialities of Aurungzelie,
Avliich became absorbed in the bounties of his successor."
(Eradat Khan). His court Avas a veiy splendid one and his
throne was surrounded by seventeen princes of the blood, for
he permitted even the sons of those princes who had fallen
in battle against him to appear fully Jirmed in his presence.
The only danger remaining to the Emperor Avas in the
THE KING-MAKEBS. 335
Deccaii. There, lv;imii Hiiksli lind the l\liiitl);i lend in liis
name, in Bijapur and llydci'al)ad coins lind Ix'cn struck, and

lie liad assnmcd all tlic signs of royalty. This Prince was a
man of considerable intelligence hut of a very violent and

hasty temper. Although the favourite son of Anrungzebe, it
is said hy Eradat Khan that he seldom remained for more
than a month in his father's society without getting into some
trouble or disgrace, was rash and impulsive, very over-
lie
bearing in manner, and at the same time possessed of an
inordinate self-conceit. Aurungzebe probably with a view of
liel})ing him, had attached some of the most ])owerful of the
nobles to his service. One of the principal of these was

Ghazee-ud-Din Feroze Jung, a Turanian Mogul whose poAver
and influence in the Deccan was very great. As already
mentioned, the son of this nobleman was Chin Koolich Khan,
the future founder of a new dynasty. Forgetful of the as-
sistance which these tAvo powerful chieftains could have ren-
dered to him, Kaum Buksli not only made no attempts to
conciliate, but estranged and disgusted them by his arbitrary

and domineering conduct. who had for some
Feroze Jung,
time been blind, from the Deccan entirely, and
withdrew
having accepted a small Government in Guzerat relinquished
for good all prominent share in pul)lic affairs. Koolich Khan
remained in the Deccan 1)ut kept aloof together with his
retainers from all connection with the headstrong young
Prince who was evidently bent u})on consummating his own
destruction. This exam])le was followed by several other
noblemen, until at last the Prince was left unsupported except
by his own personal retainers. Kaum Buksh made Hyderabad
his headcjuarters, and nothing daunted at the defection of his
followers refused all overtures of the Emperor and declared
that he Avould fight out the struggle for the throne until the
bitter end.
In the meantime Bahadur Shah, after having made the
nrrnii<i;(MHCiits nofTssnry for the scttlciuciit of his new Ein])ire^
collected iui iiiiiuensc; army, ^vifh whicli ho started to suluhic

his rebellious hi-othcr. It is said that the expedition contained
a huiuhed thousand inoi'e men than (hd any army of Aiirung-
zebe's, but this seems to be scarcely bkely. JJefore entering
the Deccan witJi this strong force Baha(hir Shah made another
and Last attempt at conciliation, and wrote to Kaum Buksh a
letter in which he said: "Our ever honoured father resigned
to you Bijapur; ]iut we give you in addition, Hyderal)a{l.
Tliese two extensive countries, long famous for great kings,
producing a revenue more than half of Hindustan, we
leave to you, without interference or reluctance, and
shall esteem you dearer than our own children. Think
not then of contention nor consent to shed the blood of
the faithful nor disturb the repose of our Government. If
you give the ear of acceptance to this advice, we will
further confer upon you the Nizamat of Deccan if agreeable

to you; and after visiting the sacred tonil) of our father
we will i-eturn to Hindustan." * Kaum Euksli paid no atten-
tion to this overture, whicli was made with all sincerity, but
continued to make his preparations, lint as the Emperor drew
nearer the defections of his noblemen continued to increase.
Many were gained over by messages from the Aîzier IMonuaim

Khan promising them pardon and reward; and others, seeing
the hopelessness of the cause, left him to return to their
homes. When Bahadur Shah had arrived within 25 miles of

Hyderabad, Kaum Buksh's army consisted of only 10,000 of
the worst Deccan horse and a small force of artillery. With
this insignificant army the infatuated Prince even yet expected
to gain a victory, and giving up the protection of the city
walls marched forth to meet the Imperial army. Bahadur
* The word Hindustan is always understood to refer to the upper
Ganges valley, and is not used as we use it to apply to the whole
Peninsula.
Shall, still willing to spare liis hrotlicr, forl)a(lc liis troops to

attack, but the Prince, mistaking this forbearance for fear,
himself led the charge. Ziilticcar Khan, his old enemy, then
obtained permission to advance with a small force, and if
possible to capture the Prince alive. As soon as the Prince's

followers saw that an attack was really intended they tied in
all directions, leaving their leader almost alone. " Notwithstand-
ing this, he continued as long as he had strength to use his

liow and arrows from his elephant, till at length he sank
down on his seat through loss of blood from several wounds.
He was then taken prisoner by Daoud Khan, and carried
to the Prince Jelian Shah, who with his brothers (sons of the
Emperor) had stood at some distance during this extraordi-
nary skirmish."* lie was carried to the Im])erial tents and
there treated by his brother with every kindness, but it was
all of no avail and he died the same evening from the effects
of his wounds. Kaum Buksh in the violence of his ambition
threw away the chance of an empire even greater than that
of his brother. The Deccan, "united under one Prince, who
was also a member of the Imperial family, and acknow-
ledged by and allied to the Emperor himself, would Ijefore
long have developed into a strong and homogeneous kingdom
extending from sea to sea, and from the Vindhyas to Cape
Comorin. Such a kingdom was the only possible means of
subduing the Mahrattas, and by it the disjointed Hindoo
kingdoms of the south would have been concjuered without
difficulty. It is probable that the course of history would have
been far different if, when some forty years later the English
began to take an active interest in the political affairs of
South India, they had come into contact with a strongly
established Mahomeden king of the Deccan.
Bahadur Shah resolved to return at once to his capital, and
was perhaps deterred from remaining any longer in the Deccan
* Eradat Khan, Scott's Translation.
22
338 HISTORY OP THE DECCAN.
by the ineinory of liis t'atlior's fate, wlio, thinking- after the
ea])tnrc of Suinl)ajec that only two or three matters remained

to he settled, stopped on anil then jôt entangled in so many
operations that he was never able to leave tlie eoiintry. Before
leaving, however, the Em])eror took one important step with
the o])jeet of conciliating the Mahi'attas, 'J^his was the release
of Sahoo, Sumbajee's son who had for the last twenty years
been following the Emperor's camp.* This step was taken
in conse(|nence of the advice of Zulflccar Khan, who as l)efore
stated had been appointed Viceroy of the Deccan. SaJioo's
mother, brother, and family were, however, kept as hostages
of his good conduct. This being done, the Emperor leaving

Sahoo to establish himself, marched l)ack to Agra, where for
the present we Avill leave him in order to follow the affairs
of the Deccan.
During Sahoo's long confinement, his uncle Rajah Ram and
afterwards his father's second wife Tara Bhai had conducted
the Mahi-atta affairs. Tara Bhai governed in the name of her
son, who, how'Cver, was an idiot, and the real power remained
in her hands. This power she did not feel disposed to at
once relinquish, and, pretending that Sahoo was nothing but

an impostor, called upon her ministers to help her in opposing
him and swear fidelity to her son. Daoud Khan, who had
to
been by Zulficcar Khan as Deputy Governor of the Dec-
left
can, had been instructed to give Sahoo every assistance in his

power. Accordingly the latter was soon able to raise an
army of 15,000 well equipped men, with which he marched
from the Godavery towârds Poona. Here he found the people
by no means unauimous in their support of Tara Bhai, and
many came forward and recognized him as the legitimate
* It not quite certain whether this step had not ah-eady heen
is
resolved npon or even taken by Azini Shah before he marched to

encounter Bahadur at Agra. Looking at the dates, however. I am inclined
to think the text is correct.
THE KING-MAKEBS. 339
descendant of the great Sivajee. Having ()l)tained possession

of Sntara, Salioo caused himself to l)c formally seated on the
throne. Tara J3hai and Sahoo both sent representatives to
the Imperial Court, asking for the Emperor's countenance and
support. Sahoo was hacked uj) by Zulticcar Kkan, but Tara
Bhai, on the other hand, found an advocate in Monuaim Khan,
the Vizier, and the result was that though letters were made
out in the hitter's name as regent for her son Sivajee, they
were not delivered but kept in abeyance until the dispute
between the two rivals should be fought out.
The result of this struggle belongs more to the history of
the Mahrattas, and as this has been already exhaustively
treated, it is not our intention to go over the same ground
here. SutRce it to say that Sahoo remained at Satara whilst
the rival court was held at Kolapur. The former received
the moral and active support of the Mahomedan governor of
the Deccan, and the latter was followed by many of the
principal Mahratta chiefs. The practical result of this rivalry
was the growth of the Brahmin influence in Poena, which
finally resulted in the representatives of royalty being reduced
to the position of puppets, whilst the Brahmin Peishwas,
arrogating to themselves all the actual power and influence,
ruled the Mahratta people and directed the course of its armies.
Before passing on to the next period it will be as well to
take a glance at the state of the Deccan after twenty years
of warfare. The whole extent of country lying between
Hyderabad, Bijapur, and Ahmednagar seems
been to have
reduced to the condition of a desert, not only by the ravages
of contending armies but also by the progress of the vast
imperial camp, nund)ering over a million of soldiers and
followers, which like a swarm of locusts ateup the country
as it moved slowly from place to place. The Mahomedan
governors found the greatest difficulty in collecting the revenue,
and were compelled to treat the jaghirdars and zemindars
340 M rs T< ) i: Y F THE DECCA N.
witli tlie utmost severity, and tliev in tlieir turn exacted from
the cultivator whatever they could. \ illages were depopulated
and tields left uncultivated, mid whenever the Mahomedan
army had I'cmoved to some distance tlici-c apj)eare(l in its
track a maraudin<»; l)ody of Mahratta horse, which if not

satistied hy the blackmail of rlionth, harried what little the
Mahomedans had left. A more (le|)loral)le state of things
cannot he imagined. Aiirungzehe was couipelled to draw not
only Jiis treasure hut even his su|)plies from the north, and
these caravans were constantly heing phuulered hy the
Mahratta cavalry. jMore than hfty years before, Mir Jumla,
the able Minister who forsook tlie Golconda king for Shah
Jehan's service, had, it is said, endeavoured to persuade the
latter Emperor to leave the north of India and fix his capital
in the Deccan which Avas the site where gold and diamonds
could be found, and Avhere a more s])lendid kingdom could
be maintained than in the north. It Avas on this occasion
that Mir Jumla gave to the Emperor the Kohinoor as a
specimen of the Avonderful diamonds which the country

produced. Had Mir Jumla been able to visit the Deccan in
the beginning of the IStli century he would have marvelled

at the change that had taken place. On all sides were villages
ruined, fields neglected, and irrigation Avorks destroyed. The

people from harmless ])easants had turned into organized
gangs of robbers, wlio endeavoured to recover their own
losseshy despoiling others. Tavernier, Thevenot, and the
other European travellers of the 17th century speak of
Hyderal)ad as the emporium of Indian trade, and of Bijapur
as one of the richest and most populous cities in the Avorld.
At the time Ave are Avriting of, all trade had ceased, for no
caravan Avas safe, and a merchant travelling Avith goods or
money Avould not have gone tAventy miles Avithout l)eing
rohbed and probably nuu'dered.

Bahadur Shah's reign Avas only a short one, for he died in
THE KING-MAKERS. Ul
1711 while on an expedition aji'Jiinst the Sikhs. xVt tlie time

of liis tleath liis four sons were with iiini in liis eamp, and
again tliere oceurred the fratrieidal stnigj^le for the throne
which had taken place at the close of the two former reigns.
The actnal scene was in the Piinjaid), l)iit as the results
materially affected the Deccan, we pro])Ose to descrilie it with
some detail, especially as the circumstances are passed over
by the usual histories with a few words, although they afford
a graphic sketch of how the [jassion for empire destroyed all
natural ties and feelings in the members of the royal family,

and of how the empire was tottering on the verge of ruin by
being up into contending parties and factions.
split
Bahadur Shah died near Lahore in his seventieth year.

(18th Eel). 1711.) His four sons were Jehander Shah the
eldest, Jehan Shah, Raffiu-sh-Shah and Azimu-sh-Shah. All
four resolved to try for the throne, and the youngest, Azimu-
sh-Shah, had apparently the best chance of succeeding. Each
of the Princes had his own camp and following, l)ut Azimu-
sh-Shah was in possession of his father's camp and treasure,
and had therefore the proverbial nine ])()ints of the law in
his favour. He at once caused himself to be proclaimed,
upon which the other three brothers combined and agreed to
sink their own rivalry in order to crush the jjretensions of

the youngest. The young Prince conuuenced badly by offend-
ing the powerful Zulticcar Khan. This general, who had
for so long been accustomed to a prominent place in the
affairs of the Empire, and who with some justice regarded

himself as a maker of Em])erors, sent a message to Azimu-
sh-Shah asking how he could be of service him. The ansAver
to this overture was couched in so su])ercilious a tone that
Zulficcar Khan withdrew in disgust and eml)raced the cause
of the eldest brother Jehander Shah. *
* Eradat Khan thus relates the incident which is of interest, as

throwing some light upon the rules of oriental etiquette, any breach of
Instead of at once attacking his ])rotliers, Aziniu-sli-Shali
made another mistake in entrenching liimsclf in his canij).

lie may perhaps liave thought tliat if lie waited his time,
and kept hold of the treasure, his Ijrothers would gradually
be deserted by their followers, so that they would eventually
have to submit. The reverse, however, actually happened.
Zulficcar Khan threw himself into the cause of the three
Princes, and with his usual energy drew all the artillery from
the city of Lahore, beneath the walls of which they were
encamped. The truth of the proverb, I'audace, f audace et
tonjours V audace, especially as regards oriental warfare, was

illustrated on this occasion. Azimu-sh-Shah's hesitancy was
attributed to fear, and instead of his brothers being deserted
by their followers, fresh levies were attracted, and many even
deserted from Azimu-sh-Shah, who unwisely at such a time
showed no disposition to spend any of his treasure. By shutting
himself up in entrenchments Azimu-sh-Shah gave Zulficcar Khan
an opportunity which was not likely to let
this veteran soldier
slip. Though numbers prevented him from meeting

his inferior
Azimu-sh-Shah in the field he was much stronger in artillery,

and accordingly commenced an active cannonade from which
the Prince's army, shut up in the entrenchments, suffered
which is calculated to cause bitter offence: "The Ameer-ul-Amra now

desired me to send my grandson to Azimu-sh-Shah to ask him how he
could serve him on the present occasion. him but he returned

I sent
with a reply, laconic and slight, as if from a nobleman of high rank to
the conmiander of a hundred. '
As the Imperial servants can know no
place of support but this court, and most have already repaired to it, the
Ameer-ul-Amra may also pay his duty, with assurance of a gracious
reception in the Presence.' When Ameer-ul-Amra read this, he shed
the
tears, and said to me with some emotion You see the manners of the
:
'
Prince and his advisers ! Whatever is the will of God must taken place.
Alas ! the errors of a favourite, unacquainted with government often
endanger the very existence of his master. When fortune frowns on
any one, he is sure to do that which he should not.' After saying this
be left and went to Prince Moiz-ud-Din (Jehander Shah),"
severely. After allowing himself to ho tircul at for live days,

a proceeding whieli served to dispirit his army still more,
the misguided Prince issued forth to attack the combined
Princes. At the first meeting with Jehan Shah his followers
tied. Azimu-sh-Shah and his son Mahomed Kurreem were
left almost alone, and the Prince, disdaining to fly, was shot
as he was fighting from the hack of his elephant.* His son

managed to mount a horse and escape, hut he was captured
a few days afterwards and cruelly put do death. There
remained therefore the three Princes, Jehander, Jehan, and
Raffiu-sh-Shah. According to their compact the treasure was
to he divided equally hetween them; and Jehan Shah, who
appears to have heen a loyal and generous prince, at once
placed a guard over the treasure, prevented his followers
from pillaging the camp, and sent the whole of the ready
cash to Zulficcar Khan for division. This was what this wily
old intriguer wanted. He had determined to support Jehander
Shah, who was a foolish and dissipated man, as heing the
one over whom he was likely to exercise the greatest influence.
With this ohject in view he delayed a division of the treasure,
since he knew that the troops of Jclirm and Raffiu-sh-Shah
were clamouring for pay and were th ?fore likely to create
trouhle. He played with each Prince i i turn, visiting first
one and then the other, promising îih fair words, hut
always putting off a settlement. Jehan Sl.ah Avas advised hy
his friends to seize the traitor at his next visit and put him
to death, hut this he refused to do, and when he came
contented himself with reproaching him for his duplicity,
adding: "Even now, perhaps, thy family is dreading that I

may put thee to death, which, however politic, I scorn to do
* This is Eradat Khan's story, and, as ho was an eyewitness of the

battle, it is probably true. Khafi Khan, on the other hand, says that
Azinm-sh-Shah 'disappeared', iind was supposed either to have been
drowned or assassinated.
hy fraud. Kisc, tlieu, uiul ô in \)vt\cQ to tliiiic own house."

AVc arc told tliat " tlic Ainccr-ul-Auira (le])artc(l witli a sj)ccd
and j)i'('('ij)itati()n which declared his o-uiH." This nia<;iianiinity

was however tlirown away, and Zulfiecar Klian oj)cnly j)ut
asideall disguise aud anuounccd his iutention of ruining

Jehan Shall. RatHu-sh-IShah in the meanthiie j'cniained (juiet.
He had ou former occasions greatly befriended Zulticcar

Khan, and thought hiui h );iiid to hiiu by ties of gratitude.
He therefore counted on his su|)})ort, and leaving his two
elder brothers to settle their own quarrel, reserved himself
to fight the conqueror. Jehan Shah, seeing that nothing was
to be gained by delay, resolved to attack Zulfiecar Khan,
but the night before he could carry out his intention a fire
broke out his camp Avhich

in destroyed the whole of his
ammunition. Some fresh supplies were obtained, but they
were utterly insufficient, and many of his followers began to
desert. Jehan now determined to stake all on a sudden
attack. He made a furious onslaught on Jehander's camp,
and nearly surprised his brother in his tent. Zulfiecar Khan,
however, was ready with his whole force draAvn up. Jehan
Shah was surrounded, his followers fled, and he wâs struck
by a musket l)all. His son, Perkhandcr Akhtcr, Avho fought
by his side, descended from the elephant and defended his
father with his swôrd, until he also fell covered with wounds.
During this skirmish Raffiu-sh-Shah had drawni off his forces,
and remained a passive spectator. When it Avas over he

advanced with the intention of engaging Jehander Shah,
firmly believing that Zulfiecar Khan Avould come over to his
side. He was, howêver, advised to wâit until the following
day, when if he attempted a surprise there was a better
chance of success. This he did, and early in the morning
an attack was made on Jehander's camp. But owing to the
treachery or rashness of the attacking force a premature
cannon shot gave the alarm, and they found a strong force
(liawiiup and coimiiaiKlcd by their siij)})Osc(l ally Zulfircar

Khan. 'V\\v unhappy prince thus disappointed and hctrayed
resolved to sell his life as dearly as possible. As usual lie
was forsaken by his soldiers, but descending from his elephant
he "drew the sabre of glory from the scabbard of honour
and fought singly on foot against thousands of assailants."
He, too, soon fell covered with wounds, and Jehander Shah
left Avithout a rival, was proclaimed Em})eror and sounded
the march of victory.

Dreadful as were these fi-atricidal (piarrels it is impossible
to deny to the sons and grandsons of Aurungzebe the one
virtue of courage. The word "fear" seems to have been
unknown to them, and they were always ready to expose
their persons without scruple. They fought Avith the courage
of despair, and though they were void of the ordinary natural
feelings of family affection, ambitious, and revengeful,
false,
they were undoubtedly brave. This was apparently their one

virtue.
Zulficcar Khan had been the moving spirit in this intrigue,
and he was the principal person to Jehander profit by it.
Shah was a man of weak mind and of low and dissipated

tastes. He cared nothing for the duties of government,
and left the whole power in the hands of his minister.
During his short reign of nine months the Emperor set

all public opinion at defiance. He went about publicly
with a common courtesan as his companion, and not
content with holding drunken orgies in the palace, he
went Avith her to the bazaar and frequented the lowest
houses. On one occasion he went with his mistress and a
herl)-woman named Zohera to the house of a common prostitute
where they remained drinking until late in the night. "After

rewarding the Avoman with a large sum and the grant of a
village, they returned in a drunken plight to the palace, and
" linked to a thousand crimes,"
3iG HISTORY OF THE DECCAN.
all three foil asleep on the road. On their ai-rival Lall Kooi*
(the mistress) was taken ont by her women, l)nt the Emperor
remained sleeping- in the chariot, and the di-iver, who had
shared in the jollity of his royal master, withont examining
the conveyance, drove it to the stables. The officei's of the
])alace after waiting till near morning for liis arrival, on
finding that the mistress had entered her apartments withont
the Emperor were aharmed for his safety, and sent to her to
enqnire concerning his situation. She desired them to imme-
diately examine the coach, where they found the wretched
})rince fast asleep in the arms of Zohera, at a distance of
nearly two miles from the palace. After this he still more
exposed his vices to the public; often he passed through the
streets, seizing the wives and daughters of the lower trades-
men. Once a Aveek, according to the vulgar superstition, he
bathed with Lall Koor concealed only by a single cloth in
the fountain of the Lamp of Delhi (a celebrated saint) in
hopes that this ceremony would promote pregnancy." * On
another occasion the same woman Zohera met Chin Kulicli
Khan who was living in Delhi in strict retirement, in the
streets. Finding that the Khan's palankeen did not get ont
of the way soon enough, Zohera's attendants began to insult
him, and she herself called out to him from the top of her
elephant, "Are you the son of a blind man?" This wanton
insult led to an affray in which Zohera got roughly treated
by the Khan's followers. Zohera complained to her mistress
and she in turn to the Emperor, who ordered Zulficcar Khan
to punish the nobleman. This however he did not dare to
do, and Chin Kulich Khan, disgusted at the profligacy of the
Court, kept himself in even stricter retirement awaiting the
opportunity which was not far off. Zulficcar Khan was at
this time not only Minister ])ut also Viceroy of the Deccan
and made use of his position to enrich himself and his near
* Er.adat Khan, Memoirs of the Mogul Empire^ Scott's Translation.
relatives. On all sides there was nothing hnt injustice and

oppression. " He studied to ruin the most ancient families,
inventing pretences to put them to death, that he might
plunder their possessions. Unliappy was the person he sus-
pected to ])e rich, as wealth and vexatious accusations always
accom])anie(l each other. He took enormous emoluments and
revenues for himself, while he disposed ofmoney to others
with a hand so sparing that even his own creatures felt
severe poverty with empty titles, for he never ViWoweA ja^hirs
to any. The minds of high and low, rich and poor, near or
distant, friends or strangers Avere turned against him, and
wished his destruction. Hindoos and Mussulmans agreed in
praying to Heaven for the fall of his power, night and day.
Often does the midnight sigh of the widow ruin the riches
*
a hundred years."
In the meantime in the Deccan everything was playing into
the hands of the Mahrattas. Having nothing to fear from a
debauched Emperor they extended their conquest on every
side. Where they could not actually annex territory they
levied their black-mail of one cpiarter of the revenue, and
the Mahomedan weak to oppose their exactions,
deputies, too
were content to purchase immunity hy allowing them to col-
lect their c/ioufh. The actual administration of the Mahratta
Empire was conducted by the Peishwa at Poona, and grad-
ually the Rajah at Sattara became a mere puppet in his
hands. The great feature of the IMahratta armies was their
cavalry, for which they were in a considerable measure in-
debted to Aurungzebe. This Prince had during the last
twenty years of his life devoted much attention to the im-

])rovement of the breed of horses in the Deccan. He imported
a vast number of Arab sires from the north and distributed
them amongst the villages. When he died, and the Imperial
army left the Deccan, these horses fell into the hands of the
* Ibid.
Mulirattas, wlio were not slow to use tlieiii for iiiilittij-y pnr-
])Oscs until the Deeeanee mare or stallion heeanie famous
tliroutiliout India.*
Whilst everything at Delhi was in confusion, an avenger was
rapidly ])reparing an army in the distant })rovin('e of Tiengal.
Azinni-sh-Shah, the first of the four sons of the late Emperor
who fell in the struggle at Lahore, had left a son named
Ferokshere who was Governor of Eastejii Bengal. His
principal supporters were tA\() hi'othei-s, descendants of the
well-kno^vn Seyds of Barha, a race celebrated for its bravery.
These two men, Seyd A])dullah and Hussein Ali, had already
distinguished themselves in the engagement between Aziui
Shah and JBahadur Shah after the death of Aurungzebe. On
this occasion they had fought on Azim Shah's side, and when
Bahadur Shah proved victorious they withdrew to Bengal.

Here they attached themselves to the service of the young
prince Ferokshere, and received, the one the Government of
Allahabad, and the other that of Beliar. When Ferokshere
commenced march on Delhi he was at once joined by
his
Seyd Hussein Ali vâth a large foi'ce from Behar. It wâs
hoped at Delhi that the other brother at Allahabad would
remain loyal, and flattering letters full of promises were sent
to him, but in vain. Seyd A])dullah, disgusted at the profligacy
* There can be no doubt that the Deccan plains, with their vast stretches
of waste kind, are eminently suited for horse-breeding purpose. Of late
years considerable attention has been bestowed on the I'evival of horse-
breeding in the Nizam's Dominions, and annually fVoin 1.200 to 1,500 young
coltsby thoroughbred Arabs out of country mai'es are brought to the great
horse fair at Mallagaom in the Biedor district. In course of time the new
Deccanee breed bids fair to rival if not surpass the historical Deccan
cavalry of the last century. It is only, just in reference to this, to mention
the name of Mr. Ali Abdoolla, the well-known sportsman, who for about ten
years has been at the head of the Hyderabad Government Stud. The
headquarters and principal breeding farm are at Singareddy, about 30 miles
from Hyderabad.
THE KTNG-MAKERR. 34P
of the Court ;ni(l the (l('s|)()tisin of Ziilticc.-ii' Klinii, only waited

for tlie Prince's approach to hand over to him the fort and
to join him witli tlie whole of his force. This accession I'aised
the immher of bY'roksher(!'s army to a])ont 70,000 horse and

foot, and wilhoul waiting- foi- fnrthei' additions he commenced
the march from Allahabad on Delhi. Thirty miles to the
east of Agra the Prince met the force which had been sent
to oppose him. This was commanded l)y Aiz-ud-Din, a son
of the Emperor, and consisted only f>f six thousand veteran
troops, a fine park of ai-tillery, and a large rablile of Jats
and Rajputs. A slight skirmish folloAved, wliich thongli
unattended by any important result was sufficient to terrify
the Imperial general, who, taking with liim tlie lieir-apparent,

fled to Agi'a. Of the army lie left behind a large num-
ber Avent over te Ferokshere and the remainder dispersed.
Ferokshere remained encamped upon the field of battle, and
instead of marching upon Agra in pursuit, awaited there the
return of the Imperial army. The Emperor finding that
Ferokshere did not advance, and attributing Ids delay to
fear, left Delhi, and inarched to Agra. Here he was joined
by the rest of his army which now numbered "seventy
thousand horse, and foot without number." The two armies
were separated by the river .lumna, and for the space of a
week their time was occupied in marcJiing and counter-
marching on either bank, endeavouring to gain a ford.
This the two Seyds first succeeded in doing, and although the
Emperor with an advance guaixl came up to them before the
Avhole army had succeeded in crossing, he did not venture to
attack them. Next day a general engagement took place, and
the following is the description by Eradat Khan who Avas an
eyewîtness, and who was engaged on the Emperor's side.
"After a cannonade of some time I saw two bodies from the

enemy's line charge ours, one with a red and the other with
a green standard. The former was the corps of Rajah Jud-
hoolla Ram aiul the hitter of Scyd Hussein Ali Kliaii. Ob-
serving tliat onr riglit flank was nineh exposed, I remarked
it to Zulficcar Khan, who immediately ordered Abdul Summad
Khan to move with the mistress's troops to that quarter.
The first body of the troops charged, and the second pushing
tlirough the line of our artillery, which was deserted as it
appi'oached, attacked the centre in which was Jehander Shah.

Our troops fell back upon the camp and great confusion took
place." This charge practically decided the fate of the Em-
peror. Although Seyd Hussein Ali had fallen desperately
wounded, the Imperial troops never attempted to rally. They
did not even wait to be attacked, but broke their line and
scattered in every direction, leaving the women, the jewel
office, and the treasury to shift for themselves. Zulficcar Khan
with a few veterajis still held out, hoping that the presence
of the Emperor might have the effect of rallying the troops.
This probably would have been the case even at this late
hour, for the enemy, finding that Seyd Hussein Ali had been
carried off wounded, had halted in hesitation. A bold charge
might then have saved the day, but Jehander Shah was not
made of the same stuff as the rest of his family, and had
not the courage to risk his person to save his throne. He
had already mounted a fast elephant and was on his way to
Delhi. Zulficcar Khan held out till dark, and then, seeing
that further resistance was hopeless, followed his master and
reached Delhi shortly after him.
The Governor at Delhi was Assud-ud-Dowlah, father of
Zulficcar Khan, and to him the Emperor appealed for pro-
tection. Jehander Shah's personal vices, however, had long
since forfeited the loyalty and affection which were his due.
His army was defeated and scattered, and his nobles were
therefore no longer in fear of his power. Assud-ud-Dowlah
at once placed him in confinement, and, anxious only to save
himself and, if possible, his son, sent word to Eerokshere
that ho lield the ex-Emperor at his disposal. In the meantime

Ferokshere had caused himself to i)e pid)liely pioehiimed, and
was joined by many of tiie chief generals of his defeated
rival. Amongst these was Chin Kulich Khan, who, as we
have already seen, had just cause for resentment against
Jehander Shah; and who, there can be no doubt,
had entered into a private arrangement with the Seyds
to hold aloof. He
welcomed by I'erokshere, and
was
was rewarded with a mmisab of 7,000 horse and the ap-
pointment of Subadar of the Deccan with the title of
Asaf Jah, Nizam-ul-Mulk, by which name he will be designated
in future. Naturally the principal rewards fell to the share
of the to whom
two Seyds, was entirely
Ferokshere's victory
due. The elder brother Seyd Abdullah was appointed Vizier,
with the title of Kutb-ul-Mulk, and a mimsah of 7,000, whilst
the younger, Hussein Ali, was created Ameer-ul-Amra, with
a similar munsah.
Ferokshere received the message of Assud-ud-Dowlah with
an appearance of satisfaction, and returned a gracious reply,
telling him that his services would be rewarded by a confir-
mation in his office of Vizier and Governor of Delhi, and
ordering him to keep Jehander Shah in close confinement.
This message raised the spirits of Assud-ud-Dowlah and of his
son Zulficcar Khan, and instead of attempting to seek safety
by flight they remained in Delhi, kept everything quiet, and
awaited the arrival of Ferrokshere.
When new Emperor had arrived within a few marches
the
of Delhi he sent word to Assud-ud-Dowlah to join him in
his camp, and bring with him Zulficcar Khan. This order
was at once obeyed with a feeling of mingled hope and fear.
The who was advanced in years, was graciously re-
father,
ceived,and presented with jewels and robes, and the Emperor
then told him to return home and leave behind him his son
Zulficcar Khan, as the Emperor wished to transact some
ar)2 NISTOJiY OF THE DEC CAN.
l)iisiness witli liiiii. 'I^lic fatlier, says Kliafi Kliaii, saw tliat
liis son was doomed, and with a swclliii_i>; lieart and tcarfid
eyes lie repaired to his tent. Ki'achit Khan •»;ivcs a more
detailed account of the tragedy that foHowed. Zulficear Klian
was first of all kept waiting in one of the a])artments of the
Imperial tent. A dinner was then l)rout>;ht to him, but it
being against the court eticpiette for a sid)ject to eat in the
Emperor's was asked to adjourn to a s(piare of screens.

tent, he
Arrived here the door was at once shut upon him, and after
he had been kept for some time in suspense, Abdullah Khan,
the superintendent of the liouschohl, of wliom we shall Jiear
more hereafter under the name of Mir Junda, came to him
with a question he was desired to answer. He was asked to
explain why at the siege of Gingee he had {)ut the Emperor's
uncle Kaum Buksh into confinement. The reply was: "I
confined the prince by order of Aurungzebe, his sovei'eign
and mine. Had he commanded me to impi'ison my own
father, I should have at once complied." He was then asked
why in the battle between Azim Shah and Bahadar Shah he
had deserted the former and sought safety in flight. The
reply was :
" While Azim Shah was alive I kept the field, but
when he ^vas dead I dared not oppose a prince of the blood
without a rival of etpial dignity at the head of our army."
The next (piestion was: "What were the circumstances of
your conduct to the martyred prince, His Majesty's father,
?
Azimu-sh-Shah " Zulficear Khan replied: "He behaved inat-
tentively to me, and I then attached myself to his brother;

but in this did no more than other nobles, who each embraced the
cause of the prince he loved best, and from whom he
received the greatest favours." Then followed the last
question, which, however, was unanswerable, "Why was his
majesty's brother inhumanly murdered in cold blood, many

days after the battle, when other princes were allowed to
live?" The fallen general now saw that no submission or

entreaty would spare his life, and so lie angrily exclaimed,

"If I am to die, kill nie instantly, nor vex me longer with
vain interrogation." Thereupon Lachin Heg, a person who
earned an unenviable notoriety in reference to executions,
and other followers i-ushed in and strangled Zulficcar Khan
with a bowstring, afterwards plunging their daggers into his
body. The body was drawn outside the camp with ropes,
and allowed to lie as an example of fallen gi-eatness. His
estates, and those of his father, wêre confiscated, but his
father was allowed to go into retirement, where soon
afterwards he died, not wîthout suspicion of poison.
At the same time an order was sent to despatch the ex-
Emperor Jehander Shah, and as Ferokshere made his
triumphal entry into Delhi, the head of his uncle wâs carried
round the city on a spear w'hilst the body wâs placed on an
elephant, from which also was hung the corpse of Zulticcar
Khan, head downwards. Some days were then occupied with
other executions, and for some time there w\as in Delhi a
reign of terror. Lachin Beg, wdio was a prominent performer
in these murders, received the nickname of Pasuia KasJi
(thong-puller). Khafi Khan says : "As men Avere subjected
to this punishment of the bow^-string without ascertainment
or proof of offence, such a terror of it seized the hearts of
the nobles of the reign ofBahadur Shah
Aurungzebe and
that when anyone left his home to attend uj)()n the Emperor,
he took farewêll of his sons and family Hakim Salim had . . .
been one of the personal attendant upon Azimu-sh-Shah, and

it was said that the Prince was killed at his suggestion. Mir
Jumla invited the Hakim to his house, and treated him
sumptuously at night, but before morning men were sent to
his door and they strangled him.'' This Mir Jumla was a
great favourite of the new^ Emperor, Ferokshere, and he
appears to have been the Emperor's confidential agent in
contradistinction to the two Seyds, to whom the affairs

of tlic State were entrusted. As iiiip:lit l)c expected, before

long tliis dual poAver led to consideiable friction, and the
constant endeavour of the Seyds was to remove j\lir Jumla
from lii*^ post near tiie Emperor's car. Kulicli Khan, or
rather Asaf J ah, Nizam-ul-Mulk, the caution which
with
characterized all his actions, from this scene of
withdrew
bloodshed and intrigue, and, nuiking Aurungabad his head-
quarters, did his best to bring the Deccan into order and
repose.
The Emperor Ferokshere was a man of low mind and
manners, but was at the same time extravagant in his profu-
sion and display, and so succeeded in gaining a certain popu-
larity amongst the vulgar. He was imbued with a strong
jealousy of the two Seyds, which however he dared not openly
show because of power and of the obligations he was
their
under to them for their assistance in raising him to the throne.
This jealousy was secretly fostered by Mir Jumla, who, having
quickly squandered the accumulated wealth of Zulticcar Khan,
was meditating the downfall of the Seyds. Seyd Abdullah,
to whom were entrusted the duties of Vizier, was much
addicted to the pleasures of the zenana, and left most of his
business to his dewan, named Ruttun Chund, who took advan-
tage of the trust confided in him to levy exactions from all
who were brought into contact with him. The more active
and talented of the two brothers was Seyd Hussein Ali, who
was Amir-ul-Amra, or Commander-in-Chief. AVith the object
of separating Hussein Ali from his brother, Mir Jumla persu-
aded the Emperor to despatch him against Ajeet Singh, Rajah
of Marwar, who had been in a state of rebellion since the
death of Aurungzebe. Ajeet Singh submitted very quickly,
and, agreeing to give a daughter to the Emperor in marriage,
received more lenient terms than he Avas entitled to, for
Hussein Ali was anxious to return to Delhi, where the hostility
between his brother the Vizier and Mir Jumla had broken
into The cause of this rupture was the monopoly

open flame.
of the patronage and power in the; liands of tlie Vizier and
liis brother. Mir Junda, in order to share in the per([uisites
attached to the patronage, insisted that all orders and petitions
should receive his counter-signature as confidential minister of
the Emperor. As Vizier Seyd Abdullah claimed to be the
official representative, and Ruttun Chund, his deputy, openly
defied the pretensions of the palace favourite. The latter,
however, had the ear of the Emperor, and it had been re-
solved to effect the Vizier's arrest when suddenly his brother
appeared on the scene. It is said that the Emperor's mother,

who had guaranteed the arrangement between the Emperor
and the two Seyds, when the revolt against the late Emperor
wâs resolved upon, betrayed to them the conspiracy that was
being hatched and caused Hussein Ali to ]je warned that
he should return quickly if he wished to save the influence
of his brother. This unexpected return disconcerted the con-
spirators, and a fresh combination was brought about. It was
proposed to elevate Hussein Ali to the Viceroyalty of the
Deccan and to remove Asaf Jah to jNIalwa. Hussein Ali did
not object to this as long as he was allowed to govern by a
deputy whilst he remained at Delhi, where his influence at
the head of the army was sufficient to counteract Mir Jumla's

intrigues. This, however, was exactly what the Emperor wished
to avoid, and matters wêre nearly coming to an outbreak when
the Emperor's mother interfered. She visited the two Seyds
and persuaded them to come to the Emperor's presence,
agreeing, as a guarantee of good faith, that during the audience
their troops should garrison the palace. Accordingly the two
brothers went, and having made a nominal submission a com-
promise was effected, under which Mir Jumla was sent to the
governorship of Behar and Hussein Ali agreed to go to his post
in the Deccan. Such, hoAvever, was the power of the haughty
soldier that before leaving the Emperor's presence he openly
356 nrSTOUY OF TJFE DECCAN.
said tlial if Mir .1 inula were recalled, or if aiiytliii)p; sliould

be atleiiipted against his brother Seyd Ahdidhih, he would
within twenty (h)vs retui'ii to Delhi at the head ot" his army.
These matters ha\ inp; Ix'en satisfactorily arranged, the Emperor
celebrated his marriage with Ajeet Singh's daughter with con-
siderable ])om}).*
Mir Jumla actually went to ISehar, but the intrigues in his
favour still continued at Delhi, and a message was sent by
the Emperor to Daoud Khan, the former Deputy of Zulficcar
Khan in the Deccan, to oppose Hussein Ali on his march.
Daoud Khan was a brave man and from his long connection
with this part of the country had considerable influence Avith
the Mahrattas, He therefore accepted the dangerous mission,

and calling in Neemajee Scindia, marched from Aurungabad
to meet the new Viceroy. It is worthy of remark that during
this struggle Asaf Jah had quietly acce})ted his removal. His
time had not yet come, and without attem])ting to oppose
Hussein Ali, he withdrew to Moradabad and left his succes-
sor to fight out his quarrel with Daoud Khan. The latter
was easily beaten, and being killed during the engagement,

his followers at once dispersed. Daoud Khan's body was
dragged round 13urhanpore at the tail of an elephant, and a
despatch was sent to the Emperor apprising him of the death
of a rebel. Ferokshere is said to have remarked that Daoud
Khan had l)een unjustly killed, Avhereupon the Vizier boldly
replied that had the same fate happened to his brother
Hussein Ali, Plis Majesty would possibly have been of a
different opinion.
*At this time the Emperor had just recovered from a severe ilhiess during;'
which he had been treated by an English physician, Mr. Hamilton. When

the grateful Emperor wîshed to reward Mr. Hamilton, the latter refused to
accept any fees, and the only recompense he asked for was a charter for the
East India Company allowing them free trade at Calcutta. This Avas at
once granted, and the fees of office Avere remitted.
For some niontlis there existed ii state of armed neutrality

between the Emperor and his two powerful nobles. Mir
Junda was no longer at lieadcpiarters to take any active part
in intrigues, and the two Seyds were on their guard against
any overt act. Eut the Emperor chafed daily at his state of
dependence and resolved as soon as he could to remove the
two men who overshadowed his throne. It is said (Khati
Khan) that the Emperor's own mother, who, as already stated
had been a ])arty to the agreement between the Seyds and
her son, before he struck a blow for the throne, and avIio
had stood security for her son's good faith, kept them in-
formed of any plots against their well-being. This may be
true but the real reason of the Emperor's state of feebleness
lay in the disorganization of the Emj)ire. He had no friends
to whom he could turn for help. It was evident that a great
Empire was crumbling to pieces, and that every one was
scrambling to secure something for Jiimself. The skies were
falling and there was a chance of catching larks. An example
of the general feeling of unrest and of the weakness of the
Government is to be found in certain riots which occurred in
Ahmedabad in the third year of Ferokshere's reign. The
origin of the riots was the same as that which brought about
the riots in Bombay and elsewhere during the last eighteen
months, namely, the cow ([uestion. It is remarkable that this
is the tirst instance, on record of the Hindoos having taken
up arms in this matter since the commencement of the
Mahomedan rule. The striking difference between the riots
of 1713 and those of 1893 lies in the manner in which the
rioters were treated. Religious disturbances are always likely
to occur between rival creeds in a country like India, but
the case or difficulty Avith Avhich they are sup})ressed is the
test of the strength or weakness of the Government. The
riot originated in a Hindoo on the night of the ffo/i feast
attempting to burn the Ilo/i on a vacant piece of ground in
358 nrs'rony of the deccan.
front of liis house coiiiiiioii to liiniself aiul a Malioincdan

]iei<^lil)our. The iicif»;hl)()ur ])revcnte(l liiiii, and tlic Hindoo
a])i)calcd to the Mahomcdan Governor, wlio decided that he
had a right to do as he liked in liis own house, and accord-
ingly the Ilo/i was burnt. Next day tiie neighbour brought a
cow to the same piece of ground and slaughtered it there,
putting forward as an excuse that he also liad a right to do
as he liked on his own ground. The Hindoos at once rose
en masse and attacked the j\Iahoniedans, who had to take
refuge in their houses. Flushed with their success the Hindoos
seized the son of a cow-butcher, a lad of 14 or 15, dragged
the boy off, and slaughtered him. This act of revenge drcAv
all from their quarters, and to their assistance
the ]\Ialiomedans
came a number Afghans in the Governor's employ, who
of
were always ready for a tight. The IMahomedans commenced
to fire the Hindoos' (quarters, but met with a check at the
house of a rich Hindoo jeweller, which they found barricaded
and defended by a number of match-lock men. A regular
pitched battle ensued, and numbers were killed on both sides.
For three or four days all business and work Avas suspended,
and the citizens were occupied in fighting with each other.
At last both parties appealed to Delhi, and petitions were
sent to the Emperor. But similar riots were going on at
Delhi, and nothing seems to have been done. Matters grad-
ually settled down in Ahmedabad, but no steps appear to
have been taken to punish the rioters.
Another example of the brutality and lawlessness of the

time is to be found in the treatment of the Sikhs in the same
year (1714). This strange sect had always been an object of
peculiar abhorrence to the Mahomedans. Goaded by persecution
they frequently retaliated in kind. They erected a strong
Gurdaspur in the Panjab, about ten or twelve
fortification at
days journey from Delhi, and an expedition was sent to
reduce it. The Sikhs, a strong and warlike race, as we have
since discovered, fought with tlic utmost bravery. On sevcriil
occasions they ahnost succeeded in overpowering the Imperial

forces, but at last tlicy had to yield to superior numbers
and suffered a crushing defeat, after which they shut them-
selves up in the fort. A long siege followed, in which, owing
to the determined bravery of the defenders, no advantage
could be gained, and it was only when their supplies were
cut off that they coidd be reduced to sue for terms. The
only condition they asked for was that their lives should be
spared. This would seem to have been promised, for the
Mahomedan historian (Kliati Khan) who relates the incident
says: "Diler Jung at first refused to grant quarter, but at
length he advised them to beg pardon of their crimes and
offences from the Emperor. Their chief Guru with his son
of seven or eight years old, his diwan, and three or four
thousand persons, became prisoners and received the pre-
destined recompense for their deeds." There followed a
massacre which is pro])ably unsurpassed in history for the
brutality of its details. Khati Khan goes on to say: "Three
or four thousand of them were put to the sword, and the
extensive pLain was tilled with blood as if it had been a
dish. Their heads were stuffed with hay and stuck upon
spears. Those who escaped the sword Averc sent in collars
and chains to the Emperor." Two thousand stuffed heads
and one thousand prisoners were sent to Delhi, and among
them Guru and his son. They were all paraded before
the
the Emperor, who ordered them to be killed in batches of
several hundreds each day, reserving the Guru and his son
for the last. When all had been slain the Guru was made
to cut off his own son's head, and was then himself slaughtered
as a tinale.
In the meantime matters were becoming very critical in
the Deccan. After the defeat of Daoud Khan by Seyd Hussein
Ali, the Emperor secretly instigated the Mahrattas to oppose
lii-O HISTORY OF THE DECCAN.
liis A'icoroy in tlie ]io])C of ('nisliii)<>- liis power tliroii<y]i tiicm.
One Kluiiule Row had cstahlislicd u cliniii of posts along the

t'oninicrcial road from Snrat to ]3urlianj)ur and hlack-niailcd
or rol)l)C(l all the caravans that passed. Trade was almost
])aralyse(l, and two expeditions sent by Hussein Ali against
this freebooter were surprised and defeated. Rajah Sahoo at
Sattara, secretly encouraged by the Emperor, was also putting
forward pretensions to the levy of c/ionf/i throughout the

Mogul possessions in the Deccan. At Delhi affairs seemed
to be coming to a crisis. Mir Jumla suddenly returned to
Court without leave, and though apparently received with
disfavour, he remained in Delhi and was supposed to be
Seyd Abdullah kept his brother
intriguing against the Seyds.
in theDeccan fully informed of how things were going on,
and urged him to come in person and by his ])resence ])ut
matters right. Plussein Ali saw that there was no time to
l)e lost, and fearing to leave an unsettled country ])ehind
him determined come to terms with the Mahrattas.
to
A treaty was accordingly drawn up Ijetween him and Rajah
Sahoo, in which the claim of the latter to chouth was recog-
nized. The Rajah on his side made himself responsible for
the peace and security of the districts over which he levied
this species of blackmail. He became, as it were, the head
of the Deccan Police, and in case of robbery was bound to
make good the value of the property stolen. He actually
styled himself not the independent rival, but the servant and
vassal of the Delhi Emperor. The annual amount of the
chouth thus levied from the Provinces of Aurangabad, Berar,
Bieder, Bijapur, Hyderabad, and Kandesh, was valued at no
less than IS crores of rupees, equal in those days to nearly
£ 20,000,000. * In order to aid in the collection of the revenue
and to keep the peace, the Mahratta Rajah engaged to keep up a
force of 15,000 men, to be placed at the disposal of the
* Grand Duff, History of the Mahrattas, Vol. I. p. 383.
THE KING- MAKERS. 361
Mogul Governors. No douht a treaty of tliis kind was hiniiil-
iating in tlie highest degree, but it left Seyd Hussein Ali free
to go to Delhi and settle matters for himself, and the Seyd's
personal interests were to him a matter of gi-eatcr importance
than those of the Em])irc. Besides, not only did it leave him
with free hands, hut it also gave him two important allies in
the shape of his recent enemy, Khunde Row, and Ballajee

Wishwanath, who joined him Avith a considerable force. As
might be expected, the Emperor Ferokshere refused to ratify
a treaty which so completely thwarted his intentions, but this
was a matter of small imj)ortance to the Seyd who now felt
himself strong enough to o])cnly set the Emperor at detiance.
Accordingly (1718) he commenced his march, towards Delhi,
resolved if he could not ])en(l the Emperor to his will to
depose him and put a more pliant instrument in his place.
In Delhi everything was ripe for a revolution. Ferokshere
had disgusted every one by his vacillation, his tyranny, and
his unworthy The last was a Kashmiri of low
favourites.
birth, named Mahomed Murad, who had been rapidly pro-
moted to the highest rank. Several of the old nobility, and
amongst others Nizam-ul-Mulk were recalled from their posts,
and though received with apparent favour were not granted
other appointments. The Emperor openly spoke of removing
Seyd Abdullah from the post of Vizier and of appointing
Mahomed Murad —Avho was now called Itakad Khan — in his
place. Accordingly the old nobility formed a secret combi-

nation, and rather than submit to the authority of a Ioav up-
start, agreed to support the two Seyds.
When Ferokshere heard of Hussein march from the All's
Deccan he became alarmed, and a peace was made between

him and Seyd Abdullah. The Emperor visited the latter in
his house and protested with oaths that he would do him no
harm. It was, however, felt on both sides that this reconcilia-
tion Avas a hoUoAV one, and Abdullah's private letters to his
brothci urged him to hasten his march as imicli as |)()ssihlc'.
Early in 171 i) (end of Rabi-ul-Awal A.H. 1181) Hussein

Ali arrived near Delhi, and, as if in deliance, caused his drums
to be beaten within carsliot of the Emperor's palace. Ferokshere
at thiscrisis showed his usual hesitation. At one time he
would be transported with rage and vow to be revenged on
the two brothers, while at another he would pretend that he
was anxious for a reconciliation. Tlie few friends who remained
by him saw that the end was coming, and began to desert
him. One of the last to do so was the Rajput prince Jey Singh.
He left when the Emperor granted tlie demand of Seyd Ab-
dullah that he and his brother should be placed in supreme
power over all affairs of state and that various posts in the
palace and in the Government should be filled by their
adherents. Two days after Jey Singh's departure the two
brothers entered the citadel, the Emperor's guards wêre removed
and their own men wêre placed in charge, "Of all the great
men near the Emperor, none were left near him, or near
the gates of the fortress except Imtiyaz Khan, registrar
of the Privy Council, whose absence or presence made
no difference, Zafar Khan, who for his complaisance
and time serving was called 'the pea in every soup', and
some helpless attendants and eunuchs." (Khafi Khan). At
the first audience of the two Seyds with their royal master
only a few words passed, but at a second on the following
day the brothers openly upbraided him for his intrigues and
treachery and denounced the ingratitude with which they had
been treated in return for placing him on the throne.
Whilst this discussion was going on in the palace the city
was For the first time the Mahomedan
in a state of excitement.
capital of the Empire was in the hands of infidels, for a large
force of Mahrattas was used to garrison it. This unusual sight
seems to have excited the rage of some Mahomedan horsemen,
fifteen or twenty of whom attacked a band of Mahrattas and
put tliein to flight. A panic followed in wliicli most of the

Mahrattas atteiiiptcd to leave the city, but the people rose
and a massacre ensued in which some fifteen hundred Mah-
rattas, including Santa, a chief of note, were killed. When
this riot was at its height the drums were beaten and a dec-
laration was made that Ferokshere had abdicated and was
succeeded by Rafi-ud-Darajat, grandson of Bahadur Shah.
This diverted the attention of the rioters, who now attempted
to enter the palace and rescue the Emperor, for though
Eerokshere had disgusted the nobility he was still popular
with the masses. Here, however, they were met by the Seyds'
garrison and repulsed. Inside the palace everythiug was in
confusion. Ferokshere had taken refuge in his zenana, but
he was soon dragged out from amongst the shrieking women,
taken to a small chamber in the top of the fort, and there
blinded. " In this corner of sorrow and grief they left him
with nothing but a ewer, a vessel for the necessities of nature,
and a glass to drink out of." * (18 February 1719)
*Khafi Khan.
P5
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CHAPTER XXVI.
THE END OF THE KING-MAKERS AND THE BIRTH
OF A NEW KINGDOM.
The new Emperor Darajat was a young man of less than

twenty years. He was placed with such haste on the throne
that therewas not even time to change his clothes, all that
could be done being to throw round his neck a string of
pearls. He appears to have been weak both in body and
mind, and was a mere puppet in the hands of the Seyds,
Avho not only garrisoned the fort and palace with their own
soldiers but placed their friends and dependants in every post
of importance. With the object of getting rid of Nizam-ul-
Mulk he was sent to Malwa, and again he went without a
murmur. There followed him, however, a number of men
who, discontented with their treatment by the Seyds, looked
to Nizam-ul-Mulk as their patron. These men he attached
to his service by payment and by kindness, and they formed
the nucleus of a force which was destined to win him a
kingdom.
In themeantime in Delhi the Seyds did exactly as they
liked. They scrambled for the royal treasures, and the elder
brother took a number of Ferokshere's ladies and transferred
them to his own zenana. It is said that the two brothers
(juarrelled over the division of the plunder, and that for some
time jealousy and hatred took the place of the union that
had hitherto existed between them. As for the unhappy
Pcrokslicrc, lie lingered for two niontlis in his niiscrahle prison.

The o})eriition performed on his eyes had not been thoroughly
done, and he gradually recovered their use, so that he was
able to attempt an escape by letting himself out of a window.
He was, however, discovered and dragged back. He then
attempted to bribe his jailor to let him escape, and on this
failing he broke into a passion and abused the two Seyds for
their ingratitude towards him. This was re])orted and the
order went forth that Ferokshcre was to be killed. The
executioners entered his cell with the bow-string. "When the
thong was thrown upon his neck, he seized it with both hands,
and struggled violently with hands and feet, but the execu-
tioners beat his hands with sticks and made him leave go his
hold. There is a common report that daggers and knives
were used but from Avliat the author
in that desperate struggle,
has heard no such weapon was used." (Khali Khan). The

unfortunate Emperor Avas then 38 years of age, and from the
time of his victory over Jehander Shah he had reigned six years,
nine months, and twenty-four days. His tragic end was due in a
great measure to his own fault and to the manner in which he
worked against the Seyds whilst openly acknowledging them as
his chief ministers. He had forfeited the confidence of all
the nobles, but he was by the people with

still regarded
affection, and whenbody Avas carried to the tomb of
his
Humayun, it was followed by a crowd of men and women,
"chiefly the vagabonds and mendicants of the city, Avho had
partaken of his bounty. They cried and groaned, tore their
clothes, threw dust upon their heads, and scattered their abuse.
The baksJiis of Hussein Ali and Seyd Abdullah were ordered to
attend the funeral, and they did so with several of the principal
men of the city. Stones were cast at them. No one Avould take
the bread or the copper coins which Avere offered in charity. On
the third day some vagabonds and beggars met, cooked food, and
distri])uted it among the poor and remained assembled all
THE BIRTH OF A NEW KINGDOM. 367
night." {I6id.) In the meantime the new Emperor was dying

of consumption, and by tlie time he had reigned six months,
he begged that he miglit be allowed to die in peace and that
the throne might be bestowed upon his elder brother Raffiu-ud-
Daula. This was done, and three days afterwards Darajat
died. The new pup})et Emperor was, like the last, weak in
body and in intellect. He received the title of Shah Jelian
the Second, but l)eyond the fact that coins were struck and
the Khutba read in his name, he had nothing to do with the
Government. He was surrounded by creatures of the elder
Seyd and was not even allowed to leave the palace in order
to go to mosque or hunting, or to speak to a courtier, except
in the presence of one of the Seyds. His very clothes and
food were chosen for him, and a guardian was appointed wdio
looked after him as a nurse does after a child. In the
meantime a revolution had broken out at Agra. One of
Aurungzebe's grandsons named Nekn Siyar, the son of Ma-
homed Akbar, had been confined in the and him some
fort,
of the soldiers of the garrison proclaimed Emperor and at

the same time garrisoned the fort. Seyd Hussein Ali marched
against the rebels with a considerable army, and after a
short siege the fort capitulated. Neku Siyar was taken
prisoner and sent back to confinement, and the vast treasures
which for three or four hundred years had been accumulated
at Agra fell into the hands of Hussein Ali. The jewels of
Nur Jehan and Mumtaz Mahal alone were valued at between
two and three crores. Most of this plunder the yonnger Seyd
kept for himself. The elder got nothing until after about
four months he received twenty-one lakhs of rupees. This
settlement between the ]3rotliers was brought about by the
intervention of Ruttun Chimd, but the ill-feeling rankled in
the minds of both. But before this reconciliation could take
place the young Emperor Shah Jelian 11. died after a short
reign of three months and some days (Sept. 1719). The
;lfi8 fflSTOh'Y OF TILE DECCAN.
cause of his death was dysentery and mental disorder. This

nne\})et'ted death of their puppet completely disconcerted the
plans of the Seyds. They did not know what to do. It was
necessary to place a scion of the royal house on the throne,
but it was also necessary that he should be of such a
character that he would not interfere with their plans. At last
they selected Prince Mahomed Roshan Akhtar a youth eighteen
years of age, great-grandson of Aurungzebe and son of Jehan
Shah, who had been living in retirement at Fathpur, with
his mother, a woman of much intelligence and tact. The
death of the late Emperor was kept a secret for a week and
not announced until the new one had been proclaimed, on
Zilkada A. II. 1131 (end of Sept. 171D) under the title of
Mahomed Shah Badshah.
The new Emperor was a man of some character, and he
was fortunate in having an able counsellor in the person of
his mother. This lady would do nothing to excite the
jealousy of the two Seyds, and, acting under her advice, the
young Emperor at first allowed his two powerful ministers
to do as they liked. The Emperor's person, as before, was
surrounded by creatures of the two ministers, and there gradually
arose a general feeling of discontent throughout the country
at their absolute power. This discontent was increased by
the behaviour of Ruttun Chund, who, acting in the name of
the elder Seyd, disgusted every one by his rapacity and
injustice. Added to this there no longer existed the same
bond of union between the two brothers, and their enemies
began to gather courage and to watch for an opportunity of
causing their downfall. Throughout all this Aveb of intrigue
the one personage who held aloof and won the respect of all
was Nizam-ul-Mulk, who in his Government at Malwa was
quietly strengthening his position by gathering round him a
body of adherents devoted to his person, who, when the time
should come, woidd be ready to fight for him to the death.
Seyd Hussein Ali was not slow to perceive the increasing

popularity of his great rival, and resolved to bring matters
to an issue. Accordingly he formulated against him a number

of and called upon him for an explanation. This
charges,
Nizam-ul-Mulk furnished, and in so satisfactory a manner
that Hussein Ali had no other recourse than to boldly throw
off the nuisk. He informed him that as he wanted the
province of Malwa for himself, in order the better to regulate
the affairs of the Deccan, Nizam-ul-Mulk might select any
one of the governments of Agra, Allahabad, ^lultan, or Burhanpur.

This demand brought matters to a crisis.The young Emperor
and his mother secretly looked to the Nizam as their liberator
from the Seyds, and letters from Delhi warned him that
there was no time to be lost, and that what he had to do
he must do quickly. Accordingly Nizam-ul-Mulk resolved
to openly break with the Seyds, and leaving Ujain, he first
of all made three marches as if towards Agra, and then turned
sharply round and marched southwards towards the Deccan.
Town after town rapidly submitted, and at Burhanpur he
captured the family of Hussein All's brother. These he re-
frained from molesting, and in a true spirit of chivalry de-
spatched them unharmed with a strong escort to the capital.

When the Seyds heard of the revolt of Nizam-ul-Mulk they
at once determined to do all in their power to crush him.
Orders wêre despatched to all the Governors of districts and
forts to oppose him in every way, and Hussein Ali began to
collect a large force in order to march against him in person.
In meantime Alam Ali Khan endeavoured to surprise

the
Nizam-ul-Îidk between two forces. Whilst he marched on
]3urhanpur from Aurungabad with a strong force, a large
army, principally composed of Mahrattas, advanced against it
from the West. This army was commanded by Dilawar Ali
Khan, a general of some repute. The Nizam, however, was
not the man to allow himself to be caught in a trap like this.
24
He first marched against Dilawar Ali Khan and defeated

of all
him Avith considerable slanghtcr. The i>cnei'ai and some five

tiionsand men, chiefly liajpoots, wcic left on the field, and
the con(|neror then turned hack to meet Alam Ali Khan,
detaching a small force to gnard J^nrhan})nr. Refore engaging
his o])ponent the Nizam sent him a conciliatorv message, bnt
this was rejected Avith scorn and a general engagement ensned.
This Avas fonght on the; hanks of the Pnrnah al)ont twenty-
five miles to the west of Hiirhaii|)ui'. Khali Khan thus de-
scribes the battle: "On the 6th Siiarwal, 1132 A. H. (1st
Angust 1720 A. D.) the battle was fonght. Alam Ali Khan
received a severe wonnd. bnt for all that he kept the field.
The elephant wliich carried him, nnable to bear any longer
the arrows and swords-cut that he received, turned tail. Alam
Ali Khan, drip])ing with blood from his Avounds, turned his
face toAvards the army of Nizani-ul-]\fulk, and cried out that
his elephant had turned his back but he had not. All his
arroAvs Avere exhausted, but such of the enemy's arroAvs as
had struck his face or his body, oi' his liou-da, he quickly
pulled out and returned. He received so many Avounds in
succession that lie sank under them and sacrificed his life for
his uncles (the Seyds). He Avas only tAventy-two years of age,
but he Avas distinguished by all the determination and the
bravery of the Earha Seyds." (Elliot and DaAvson, Vol. VII.)
The leader being killed, his army scattered, and the Avhole of the
camp fell into the hands of the Nizam, avIio Avas at once
joined by several other chiefs of influence. It is Avortliy of
remark hoAv important a part ])oavs and arroAvs play in all

these engagements. There Avere muskets in use and artillery,
but the boAv seems to have been the favourite Aveapon of the
leaders.
The ncAvs of this catastrophe Avarned the Seyds that no
further time must be lost, and it Avas accordingly resolved
that Seyd Abdullah should return to Delhi and keep things
quiet tlicrc, wliilst Hussein Ali, acconipanicd by tlic Empci-or,

should march at once aganist Nizani-ul-Mulk. Tliis was done
and Ilusscin Ali set off with an army of about 50,000 men
and the imperial camp, ikit scarcely had the two brothers
been separated by a few days march when the conspiracy
which had for some time I)ecn liatching broke out. This
conspiracy had received the sanction of the Emperor's mothei-,
although the Emperor himself was left in ignorance. Besides
the Queen-mother only three men appear to have been in the
plot, ]\Iahomed Aniin Khan, Saadat Khan, and an artillery
officer named Haidar Khan. It was the last who was selected
as the actual assassin. "On the 6tli Zilhijja, in the second
year of the reign, the royal army was encamped at Tora,
from Fattipur.
thirty-five koss Mahomed Amin Khan, having
accompanied the Emperor to his tent, made a show of being
unwell, and retired to the tent of Haidar Kuli Khan. When
the Emperor entered his private apartment, Hussein Ali also
retired. As he reached the gate of the royal inclosure, Mir
Haidar Khan, who had a speaking acquaintance with him,
approached. Washing his hands of life he placed a written
statement in the hands of Hussein Ali and complained of
Mahomed Amin as his victim read it." {Ibid.) AYliile he was
thus engaged Haidar Khan drew his dagger and plunged it
into his side. The

Ameer-ul-Amra struck the assassin- a
violent blow with same time crying out, "Put
his foot, at the
!
the Emperor to death " The shock of his motion overset

the palankeen, and he fell dead to the ground. A hundred
swords were drawn in an instant, and the daring assassin was
cut in pieces, but a baud of Moguls who had been placed
ready by Mahomed Amin Khan, now approaching, dispersed
the attendants, and cutting off the head of the Ameer-ul-Amra
carried it to the Emperor. (Scott's Translation). As soon as
the news of this tragedy spread there was an uproar in the
camp. One of the deceased's nephews, Izzat Khan, rushed
sword ill liaiid to the Emperor's tent, resolved to jivciige Lis

uncle, but Avas cut down in the attempt. The Emperor was
quickly mounted on an elephant and brought out by Mahomed
Amin, and an attax^k was made on Hussein Ali's camp. Those
of his dependants who resisted were cut to })ieces, and the
rest escaped, leaving the encampment to be tirst plundered
and then set on fire. Such was the end of the great Seyd,
the maker of four Emperors and for about eight years the
virtual ruler of India. His career and his fate were not dis-
similar to those of Zulficcar Khan, whose story has been
related, and the history of both, like that of others who have
attempted the same role in other countries, shows the inevi-
table fate of overweening ambition.
The news of the assassination of Seyd Hussein Ali spread
with marvellous rapidity throughout India, and there was
generally a feeling of relief. Nizam-ul-Mulk was one of the
first to tender his services to the Emperor, but none the less
he was not slow to seize the opportunity to strengthen his

position in the Deccan and to render it secure. Seyd Abdullah in
Delhi received the news with consternation and grief, and at

once prepared to revenge his brother's death. His first act
was to place another Prince on the throne in opposition to
the Emperor, but this was a post of danger that none cared
to accept. The two sons of Jehander Shah flatly refused to
accept the throne, Neku Siyar, who had already once tasted
for a few weeks the sweets and dangers of royalty, also
declined the honour, and it was only after much persuasion
that Sultan Ibrahim, youngest son of RafRu-sh-Shah, at length
allowed himself to be proclaimed. The singular device was
resorted to of making him Emperor for a temporary purpose
(«/7]^«7=by Avay of loan). The next step was to gather
together an army, and in this the Seyd showed unusual
energy. He opened his treasure-house and distributed more
than a crore of rupees amongst various noblemen and chiefs.
THE BIRTH OF A NEW KINGDOM. .373
Horsemen were enlisted at the rate of eiglity rupees each

man, and lavisli promises wei-e made of promotion and prize-
money. In this maimer a considerable force was rapidly col-
lected, but as was to be ex})ected it consisted for the most

part of raw recruits. Many of Hussein All's old soldiers,
who at first had taken service undei* the Emperor, deserted
when they heard that the brother of their old master had
taken the field. These and a body of the brave Seyds of
Barlia formed the backbone of Seyd Abdullah's army. 13ut
little reliance could be placed on the rest. In spite of the
large sums spent in recruiting, most of the horses Avere rid-
den bare-backed, and the foot-soldiers were badly equipped.
About 70 miles from Delhi Seyd Abdullah was joined by a
fresh force of Barha Seyds, who brought with them ten or
twelve thousand horses. By degrees the army swelled to the
number of from 90,000 to 100,000 horsemen. In the mean-
time the Emperor had advanced to meet his rebellious Vizier,
with an army far inferior to his in numbers, but well
equipped and disciplined. The two armies met near Husainpur,
and on the 17tli Muharram they Avere ])oth draAvn up in battle
order. Before commencing the fight the Emperor ordered
the head of Ruttun Chund, the Hindoo DcAvan of the Seyds,
to be struck off and throAvn at the feet of his elephant.
This man Avas execrated by everybody, and this act therefore
Avas regarded as one of good omen. The royal army seems
to have l)een the stronger in artillery, and a furious can-
nonade Avas opened Avhich caused some of Seyd Abdullah's
recruits to take to their heels. The Iârha Seyds performed
miracles of gallantry, and frequently charged the Imperial
batteries Avith such impetuosity that at one time it seemed as
if they Avould turn the tide of battle in their favour. But
they Avere numerically too Aveak, and Avere at last l)eaten l)ack,
and in their turn lost their guns. Night fell and the Im-
perial army still continued the cannonade, causing nundiers to
run away. On tlie following morning out of tlic; 100, 000

lioi'senien only seventeen or eighteen thousand remained in
Seyd Abdullah's camp. When daylight l)roke, the Emperor,

who had remained on his elephant for the greater part of the
night, ordered a general advance. The JJarha Seyds still
fought with great gallantry and made several desperate

charges. Seyd Abdullah placed himself at their head, and
at one time the royal forces began to waver. But a fresh
])ody of troops was brought up, the Seyds were surrounded,
and at length beaten. Seyd Abdullah was taken prisoner,
having been Avounded in several places. A few others of
the Seyds were also taken, but the greater number fell
under the swords of the Imperialists, and the power of this
clan was for ever broken. The inifortunate young Ibrahim,

who had for a few days been on the throne, was found hiding
in the jungle, but as he had had ])ut little choice in what he
had done, he received the royal pardon. Seyd Abdullah him-
self was kept in confinement, and was carried with the
army, which now marched upon Delhi. Before it could arrive
there the Seyd's relatives and family made their escape, taking
with them as much of their property as they could collect.
On the 22nd Muharram the Emperor entered Delhi in state,
and there followed a distribution of rewards to those who

had supported him. Letters were also despatched to Nizam-
ul-Mulk asking him to come to Delhi and take up the duties
of Minister. This was a post which the Nizam was by no
means anxious to occupy. His experience of the intrigues at
the Imperial Court had disgusted him with the life; his great
rivals were now removed; and he had resolved to make
himself independent in the Deccan. For the time, however,
he deemed it advisable to consent, and so, after regulating
his affairs in the Deccan, he marched leisurely towards Delhi,
where he arrived in the middle of 1721. Nizam-ul-Mulk was
now the most prominent personage in the Empire. He enjoyed
THE BIBTH OF A NEW KINGDOM. 375
a reputation for great shrewdness and caution, but at tlie
same time for boldness in seizing and utilizing his opportunities.
A man of this stamp was not likely to be long without

enemies, and no sooner had he arrived in Delhi and taken
up the duties of his post than intrigues were organized
against him. On every side he found himself opposed and
thwarted, and there were not wanting unworthy favourites to
warn the Emperor that he was only substituting another
king-maker in the place of those who had been removed.
Nizam-ul-^lulk was too wise and shrewd to throw away the
substance of power which he had already won in the Deccan
for the shadow which depended on the tickle favour of a
royal master, and accordingly he made up his mind to leave
at the earliest opportunity, and never to return in the capacity
of a subject. On the pretence of wishing to recruit his
health by hunting he left Delhi for a few days, and then,

taking the opportunity of an uprising of the Mahrattas in
Malva, advanced to Ahmedabad. Here he was met by news
both from Delhi and Hyderabad. From the capital he heard
that his son Ghazi-ud-Din, whom he had left as his Deputy,
had been removed by the intrigues of his enemies, that the
faction of his opponents was in power, and that the city was
in a state of wholesale corruption. From the Deccan on the
other hand he learnt that ^lubariz Khan, the lieutenant
whom he had left at Hyderabad, had revolted and had given
out that he had been a])pointed Subadar of the Deccan.
This decided him. He resolved to renounce for ever Delhi
ambition and intrigue and to devote the rest of his life to
independence. He therefore turned his back upon Hindustan
and marched rapidly towards Anrungabad. Arrived there
he sent several conciliatory messages to Mubariz Khan,
remindino; him of former obligations but findino* them
;
disregarded, he marched to meet him. The two armies

met near Shakar Kerar in Berar, and though ^lubariz
Kliiiii fought very bnivcly lie was totally defeated, himself

and his two sons being killed. The Nizam then advanced
to Hyderabad, which from this time he made his head-
([uai'ters, From this time (1723) the independence of the
Hyderabad State may be dated, and the Em])eror was obliged to
recognize the accomplished fact. He did this with as good a
grace as possible, and sent to his powerful vassal a present
of elephants and jewels, with the title of Îsaf Jah and
directions " to settle the country, repress the turbulent, punish
the rebels, and cherish the people." This the Nizam did,
and Khati Khan thus concludes his interesting history of this
period :
" In a short time the country was brought under the
control of the Mussulman authorities — it was scoured from
the abominations of infidelity and tyranny. Under former
Subadars, the roads had been infested with the ruffianism of
highway robbers and the rapacity of the Mahrattas and
rebellious zemindars, so that traffic and travelling were stopped,
but now the highways were safe and secure. The Mahrattas
had exacted the choiith with all sorts of tyranny from the
jaghirdars, and init ten per cent under the name
addition to
of surdeshmukh. By
means odious kumaish-dars were
this
removed and changed every week and month; orders ])eyond

all endurance of the ryots were issued, and annoyances and
insults were heaped upon the collectors of the jaghirdars.
Nizam-ul-mulk so arranged that instead of the cJtouth of the
Suba of Hyderabad a sum of money should be paid from his

treasury, and that the surdeshmukh which was levied from the
ryots at the rate of ten per cent should be abandoned. He
thus got rid of the presence of the kumaish-dars (collectors)
of the chouth and the officials of the surdeshmukh and rahdari
passport system), from which latter impost great annoyance
had fallen upon travellers and traders."
From this time forward the Nizam was practically independ-
ent. He had brought with him to the Deccan a band of
devoted adherents, and upon tlieni he bestowed large gifts of
land. Some of these were Mahomedans, l)ut some also were

Hindoos. The former were utilized for military service, and
in i-cturn for their valuable jaghirs they were bound to furnish
large bodies of soldiers — foot, horse, and artillery. So greatly
did the Nizam depend upon the noblemen for support and
loyal service that he newly acquired kingdom
divided his
roughly into thirds. One third was reserved for his own
privy purse, and was termed the ârf-i-Khas; one third was
allotted for the expenses of the Government, and was called
the Beicans territory, and the remaining third was distriluited
as jaghirs or feudal estates. Of these the military fiefs were
the most important, and are still known as the Vagah estates.
So extensive were the powers granted to the holders of these
fiefs that they formed a kind of imperium in imperio and in their

own jaghirs possessed They had the power
sovereign rights.
of life and death, and were excluded from all State taxation.
This division of power and wealth was probably necessary
in order to safeguard the new ruler of the country from
rivalry and rebellion, but it contained in it the seeds of
future difficulties and complication. The Hindoo noblemen
were chiefly employed in administrative work. This was a
wise measure, for a large ])roportion of the population of the
country say 90 out of 100, consisted then as it does now of
Hindoos. In this policy Asaf Jah showed great sagacity and
knowledge of Deccan traditions. From the time of the first
Gulburga Sultan, AUah-ud-Din, it had been the custom for

the Mahomedan princes to employ Hindoos to manage the
land revenue and finance. This work they had done with
eminent success until the twenty years campaign of Aurung-
zebe revolutionized the condition of the Deccan. The first
Nizam had a new element to deal with, that of the ^lahrattas,
and he therefore showed great wisdom in reverting to the
old policy of entrusting Hindoos with the task of dealing with

;}78 HISTORY OF THE BECCAN.
their Hindoo rivals in the matter of land revenue and tinance,

and of relying upon his jMahoniedan followers to furnish his
military contingent. But the old Deccan nohility disappeared
or fell into obscurity. TTjidei- flii.s term we refer more espe-
cially to the Mahomedan families of the Deccan. The Hindoo
Rajas and landholders remained. They gave their allegiance
to the new master, and were contirmed in their old })rivileges
and possessions. But the Deccannee or Mahomedan nobles

were more or less pledged to former Viceroys, and followed
all
with them their changes of fortune, their estates being bestowed

upon the adherents of the new regime. Thus the proiegiis of
the first Nizam gladly accepted the title of Asaf Jaliis or
followers of Asaf Jah, and to the present day this designation
is highly ])rized as a proof of honourable descent.
Asaf Jah, by prudence, caution, self-restraint and by bold-
ness, thus succeeded in raising himself to a position of the
highest importance in Tndia. One of his great rivals was killed,
and the other was kept in confinement in which he shortly
died, some say of a natural death, but Khafi Khan says
" God forbid that his (the Emperor's) counsel should have
God
!
been given for poison, but only knows

Indian history is for the most part a record of daring-
adventurers, Avho gain power and sometimes the throne by
a series of crimes and utilize it for purposes of extortion,
tyranny, and oppression. In the lives of Zulficcar Khan and
of the two Seyds we have a striking example of such careers
and of the inevita])le catastrophe. Asaf Jah presents a
remarka])le contrast to the general rule. His rise to poAver
is stained by no crime, domestic or public, and his story is
simply that of a man who bided his time, who seized his
opportunity, and who was loyal to those who treated him
loyally.
The time has now come to close the first portion of this
history. The days of the Empire were fast drawing to a close.
Buyoiid the Kliyhcr Pass began to l(3om shadow of the

the
Persian conqueror, and in Maliarashtra a nation had been formed
that was to make a l)i(l for the Empire. It (Hd so and failed,
and in the meanwhile in the West and the East and North-
East the small clouds of British power, at the time scarcely
bigger than a man's hand, gradually increased in size, until
a few years later the English were called in lirst as the aids
and then as the arbiters of the Mahomedan Emperors. With
the death of Aurungzebe the decay of Mogul Empire
the
commenced and at the death of Mahomed Shah the Empire
had practically ceased to exist. If Asaf Jah had had successors
Avorthy of him, the Delhi Emperors would have been followed
by as glorious a dynasty in the Deccan.
GENEALOGY OF ASAF JAU, TIIK FIKST NIZAM.
1. Mohomod bin Al)i Bukr,

2. A 1)00 Moliomed Mukkee,
d. Aboolkasim Makee.
4. Abdul Rehnian Makee.
5, Abdulla Baari.
G. Mohomcd Kasim Khushkce.
7. Nasruddin Basri.
8. Kasim Ali Roomi.
9. Moliomed Saeed Kushkee,
10. Abdulla Soofi.
11. Abdul Razzak Bagdadi.
12. Abdulla Bagdadi.
13. Mohomed Baha ooddiu Bagdadi.
14. Shiekh Mohomed Bagdadi.
15. Shiekhulsheyookh Shahab ooddiu Sohurverdi.
16. Abi Mohomed Hafiz.
17. Zeuooddin Qutbul-aktak.
18. Shiekh Ala ooddiu.
19. Shiekh Tajooddin.
20. Shiekh Fateh oollah.
21. Shiekh Najib oollah.
22. Fatehulshiekhussani.
23. Shiekh Javid Ulmolukub Sirmusp.
24. Fatehoolla Shiekhussaui.
25. Shiekh Javid Shah Sani.
26. Huzrut Mohomed Durvesh.
27. Shiekh Mohomed Moomin.
28. Mohomed Alumulshiekhul Saddikiul Alvi.
29. Khawaja Azizau Aluna.
30. Khawaja Mir Ismail.
31. Mir Abid Khan Ulmokhatib Ba Kooleej Khan "Walid-i-
Kamruddin Khan.
32. Feroze Jung.
33. Chin Koolich Khan Asaf Jah 1st Nizam.
Kindly furnished by the private Secretary to H.H. the Nizam.

Â
JnWiciiis'U:'
APPENDIX.
Owing to the kind permission of the Government of Bombay
I have been permitted to reproduce the description of Bijapur
and the plans of the city as they appear in Vol. XXIII of
the Bombay Gazetteer. The description of Hyderabad I
propose to reserve for the second portion of this history which

will consist for the greater part of the history of modern
Hyderabad under the present dynasty founded in the first
quarter of the last century.
BLja'pur,' during the sixteenth and the greatei' part of
the seventeenth centuries (1490-1686) the capital of the Adil

Shah dynasty and the mistress of the Deccan, is in north
latitude 16" 50' and east longitude 75« 48', about 1950^ feet
above the sea, on the north slope of the ridge which forms
the water-shed of the Kistna and Bhima rivers. It is a
station on the Hudgi-Gadag or East Deccan railway sixty

miles south of Sholapur. Its surroundings have nothing
striking or picturesque. On all sides for long distances
stretch waving treeless downs, the uplands covered with a
shallow stony soil, bare except during the south-west rains
(June-October), and separated by dips or hollows of compar-
atively rich soil. To the north the country is peculiarly
desolate, nothing but ridge after ridge, scarcely a village as
far as the eye can see. To the very walls the country is the
1 Contril)ut<>(l by Mr. H. F. Silcock, C. S.

'•^
The levels taken in different parts of the city are 1932 feet at the Asar
Mehel, 1940 at the Boli Gumbaz, 1960 at the plinth of the Two Sisters, 1972
at the niamlatdar's office in the Macca Gate, and over 2000 feet near the
Tdgah. Mr. E. K. Reinold, 0. E.
384. HISTORY OF THE DEC CAN.
same, exce])t that outside of the city the monotony of the

rolling plain is relieved by tombs and other buildings, From
the north the first glimpse of J5ij;ipur is about fifteen miles
distant, where the dome of the Boli Gumbaz rises above
the intervening uplands, and, as the city is neared, fills the
eye from every point, looming large against the south(^rn
horizon. At five miles the whole city breaks suddenly into
view, and far on every side the country is covered with
buildings of varied shapes and in different stages of decay.
The numbers of tombs, mosques, palaces and towers which lie
scattered in every direction, give the scene a strangely impressive
grandeur. To the right, the white domes of Pir Amin's
tomb gleam in the sunlight, a brilliant contrast to the dark
gray ruins in the foreground. In front lie the city's massive
walls and bastions, with here and there a stately building
towering over the fortifications, while, on the left, the colossal
proportions of the Boli or Gol Gumbaz dwarf its surroundings.
Still further to the left, the plain, the old battlefield, is dotted
with tombs, among which is conspicuous the massive dark
gray mausoleum of Ain-ul-Mulk. Close round the city
the land is surprisingly barren. The ground in front is bare

of trees and all and is broken into large irregular
vegetation,
hollows, the quarries from which the city was hewn. On the
west miles of ruins of the old town of Shahapur (1510-1636)
prevent cultivation. Close to the walls on the south are
traces of tillage, but none of it shows from a distance. The
only object is the great city stretching far and near in a
waste whose desolate glimpses of noble buildings, some fairly
preserved others in ruins, make the more striking.
South of Bijapur the country changes. On the southern
side of the ridge which overlooks the city there is consider-
able cultivation. The same treeless ridges remain, but be-
tween the ridges are fairly rich hollows, and, within eight
miles of the walls, is the valley of the Don now as of old
APPENDIX. 385
the granary of Bijapiir. Tlie slope of a barren ridge,
surrounded on tliree sides by a treeless cropless plain, seems

a strange site for a capital. The desert to the north where
no invading army could find food or fodder was no doubt a
valuable defence to Bijapur on the side most open to attack.
13ut the crest of the ridge to the south, commanding the
approaches on both sides, seems at first a better site for a
fortress. The reason for the choice of the present site seems
to have been that the crest of the ridge is waterless while
within the walls of Bijapur the supply of water is abundant.
The under rock teems with splendid springs of which, to
judge by the remains of wells and gardens, full advantage
was taken. Later on the local supply was increased by
artificial means, and the Torvi conduit and the Begam Lake
made the city almost independent of its local resources,

Bijapur within the walls covers about 1600 acres or two
and a half square miles. The suburbs even now spread over
a large area, and in the city's prime stretched for miles.
The walls, which are still in fair order, are about six and a
quarter miles round and form an irregular ellipse of which
the major axis from the Macca Gate in the west to the
iVllapur Gate in the east is about two and three-quarters and
the minor axis from the Bahmani Gate in the north to the
Fateh Gate in the south is about one and three-quarters

miles.
The city walls are surrounded by a deep moat forty to
fifty feet broad. They are massive and strong, and, not
counting ten at the gates, are strengthened with ninety-six
bastions of various designs and different degrees of strength.
In height the walls vary from thirty to fifty feet, and have
an average thickness of twenty feet which in places they
greatly exceed. The general plan of construction is much
the same in the different sections, though the design and
^ The Torvi water works are de8cril)ecl at page 403.
386 HTSTOnY OF THE DECCAN.
finish vaiv.' Tlicy seem to consist of two massive stone

walls twenty to thirty feet high and twenty to thirty feet
apart, with the space between filled with earth, well rammed,
and covered with a masonry platform. This platform which
runs all round the walls, was protected on the inside by a
battlemented curtain wall about ten feet high running from
bastion to bastion and loopholed for both artillery and small
arms. On this platform there was ample room for the move-
ments of the garrison, who, from their superior station, could
with ease command the ground outside. The construction of
the walls was undertaken by Ali Adil Shah I. (1557-1580),
1 Major Moor (Little's Dotachmeut, 310, 811) describes tlie -walls in May 1792
as, Athick stone building about twenty feet high with a ditch and rampart.
Capacious towers of large hewn stone were at every hundred yards much neglected
and many fallen in the ditch. The curtain was of great height jterhaps forty feet
from the berme of the ditch entirely built of huge stones strongly cemented and
frequently ornamented with scul{)tured representations of lions and tigers. The
towers were very numerous and of vast size built of the same materials and some
with top ornaments like a cornice and otherwise in the same style with the curtain.
Captain Sydenham (Asiatic Kesearches, XIII, 435) describes the walls in 1811 as a
rampart flanked by 109 towers of different dimensions, a ditch and covert way
surrounding it, and a citadel in the interior. These works were very strong and
were still in fair repair, their outer and inner faces being of hewn stone laid in mortar.
The parapets which were nine feet high and three feet thick were composed
entirely of stone and mortar. The towers were in general semicircular with a
radius of about thirty-six feet. The curtains, which appeared to rise from the
bottom of the ditch, varied from thirty to forty feet in height, and were about
twenty-four feet thick. The ditch was in many places filled and was so covered
with vegetation that not a trace of it apjieared. In other parts it seemed to
have been formed through rock, forty to fifty feet broad and about eighteen feet
deep. A faced counterscarp showed in many places and the remains of a line
of masonry running parallel about seventy yards in front pointed out the
boundary of the covert way. In 1792 Major Moor found tliis covert way
almost perfect. He says it was one hundred and fifty and in places two
hundred yards broad. (Little's Detachment, 311). At ])rescnt hardly a sign of
the covert way remains. The Honourable Mountstuart Elphinstone (Colebrooke's
Life, II. 70) describes the walls in 1819: The ditch and the rampart enclose a
circle of six miles circumference. The rampart is of earth supported by strong
walls and large stones. It is twenty-four feet thick at top, and has Indian
battlements in tolerable order and large towers at moderate distances. We
mounted a very lofty tower separate from the wall. From this height we saw
the plan of the town, now scattered with ruins and in some places full of
trees. The most conspicuous object next to the great dome is the citadel. On
the whole I find Bijapur much above my expectations and far beyond anything
I have ever seen in the Deccan. There is something solemn in this scene and
one thinks with a melancholy interest on its former possessors. The jn-oofs of
their power remain while their weaknesses and crimes are forgotten and our
admiration of their grandeur is heightened by our compassion for their fall.
APPENDIX. 387
Oilhis return from the decisive victory of Tjilikoti (1565) in

which the po^¥er of the great Hindoo kingdom of Vijayanagar
(1335-1587) perished. They are said to have been completed
in two years and a half, though as necessity arose strong
bastions were added at intervals down to the overthrow of
the Adil Shah dynasty in 1686. It is locally reported that
the nobles of the realm were each entrusted with a bastion
and curtain wall; and that this explains the great variety in
the design and detail of the different sections which adds
much to the handsomeness and impressiveness of the whole.
On each of the leading bastions a stone tablet commemorating
its building was let into the wall. Some of these tablets
remain, but many have fallen out and been carried away.
Of the ninety-six bastions, three, the Sherzi bastion on the
west and the Landa Kasab and Firangi bastions on opposite
sides of the Fateh Gate on the south, greatly exceed the
others in size and strength.
The Sherzi Buruj or Lion Tower takes its name from
two heraldic lions carved in stone to the right of the entrance
which leads to the tower platform.^ The bastion is not very
high, but is of great diameter and is very strong. In
the centre are two raised circular platforms for cannon, on
one of which lies, supported on beams of wood, the great
bronze gun of Bijapur the jNIalik-i-Maidan or Monarch of the
Plain till recently almost the largest piece of ordnance in
existence, and a splendid specimen of the founder's skill. The
bastion is furnished with bombproof powder-chambers and water-
tanks, and apparently it was never exposed to fire as the masonry
is Dread of the Malik-i-Maidan prevented attacks,
untouched.
which was well for the garrison, as from its unwieldy size and
peculiar construction the gun could not have done much harm,
and, as the bastion was so low, it might have been comparatively
easily scaled. The inscription tablet states that this tower
1 Bird in Journal Bomiiay Branch Royal Asiatic Hociety, I, 854.
was 1658 by Nawab Muiizli Shaliiii in the reign

built about a.d.
of Ali Adil Shah (1656-1672). It was therefore almost
11.
the last addition to the defences. The inscription runs:

"During the reign of the victorious king Ali Adil Sha'h, who, through
the favour of God gained a glorious victory, this bastion was in five months
made Ann as a rock by the successful efforts of Munzli Sha'h. An angel in
delight gave the date of the building saying. The Sherzi bastion is without
an c'ciual."
The numerical value of the angel's words is 1069 that is

A.D. 1658. Near the Fateh Gate on the south, and about
530 yards west-southwest of it, a bastion towers above its
neighbours. This is locally known as the Landa Kasab. On
it is the largest gun in Bijapur, though as it is in a seldom
visited part of the city, its existence has been overlooked and
the Malik-i-Maidnn is generally considered the largest. The
bastion was built about a.d. 1609 by Hazrat Shah in the
reign of Ibrahim II. (1580-1626). A second inscription tablet
seems to show that it was not finished till 1662, as this
tablet, let into the inside wall of the bastion, records the
completion of the walls in that year. The Landa Kasab
seems to have been the most formidable in construction and
armament of all the bastions on the south side, as, in addition
to the large iron two other pieces of artillery

gun referred to,
were mounted on it, one of which, something like a modern

mortar, still lies on it. Against this bastion Aurangzeb in
1686 seems to have directed the whole fire of his artillery,
and pitted it with shot-marks.' Little damage was done to the
tower itself, but a breach was made in the curtain-wall close
by, and, as the garrison could be relieved from that side only,
the steps leading to the top of the bastion were open to the fire,
and the place was no doubt untenable. Both guns seem to have
been more than once struck, and the larger one lies dismounted,
probably from a shot which struck it near the muzzle.
Outside the walls, near the Landa Kasab bastion, is the tomb of Eklas
1
Khau the dome of which was destroyed by shots during Aurangzcb's siege.
The whole tomb bears marks of heavy fire! From the direction of the shot-
marks it seems that it was seized as an advanced post by Aurangzeb's army,
and recovered by the defenders.
APPENDIX. 389
The FiRANGi BuRUJ or Portuguese Tower, about 1000 yards

east of the Fateh Gate, is the most complete of all the bastions,
and from its peculiar construction is extremely interesting.
It is a hollow semicircular tower, in the middle of a strong
battlemented curtain-wall, along every few yards of which are
small raised platforms for cannon. The tower rises about
thirty feet above the general platform of the walls, and about
half-way up a passage-way or corridor was built running
round the interior, access to which was gained by steep
flights ofstone stairs at each end of the tower. On this
corridormasonry platforms for small cannon were constructed,
while at each end are small ammunition chambers. The
hollowness of this tower takes greatly from its value as a
defence. It is called the Portuguese Tower because
it was
built by a Portuguese general who took service with Ali Adil

Sh.ih I. (1557-1580) in 1576. As far as inscriptions show
his name was Yoghris Khan, and, on the tablet in the tower,
he is called the Slave of Ali Adil Shah. Nothing else is

known of this The name Yoghris was probably taken
man.
on entering the To judge from the works
Bijapur service.
entrusted to him he must have stood high in the king's favour.
Their inscriptions seem to show that the Fateh Gate was one
of the bastions of the Macca Gate, and one or two other
parts of the walls were built by him or under his supervision.
The north face of the Avails has several fine bastions. But
the Sherzi, Landa Kasab, and Firangi are the best worth
seeing, as each is remarkable to Sherzi bastion for its arma-
ment, the Landa Kasab for its historical importance, and the
Firangi for its construction and architecture.
Five large gates led into the city, i
Four of these are still
^ Xear the Boli Guinbaz was a sixth g-ate called Padshfipur. It was unde-
fended and appears to have been used for much the same ])urpo8e as the postern
g-ate near the Maoca Gateway. Several small postern gates in different parts
of the city opened into tiio moat. The Padshapur Gate was built up for many
years and has only lately been opened.
ill use; the fifth has been closed and turned into Govern-
ment offices. These gates were, the Macca in the west, the
Shahiipur leading to the Shahapur suburb in the north-west,
the Bahmani leading to the Bahmani kingdom in the north,

the Allapur close to the Allapur suburb in the east, and the
Mangoli to the south. Close to the Macca Gate a small
postern gate led west into the Zohrapur suburb. The Macca
Gate has been closed for more than a century, but commu-
nication with that quarter of the city was kept through the
Postern Gate. In later years another western entrance was
made close to the Sherzi Tower, the wall being knocked down
and a bridge thrown across the moat. This gate, which is
known as the Futka or Broken Gate, is now the chief western
entrance to the city. Another gate to correspond with the
Futka Gate was opened close to the Allapur Gate in the east,
and a broad road has been lately made to join the two and
open this part of the city which ruins and brushwood made
wholly inaccessible. The ancient gateways are models of
building, and are immensely strong. The general plan in all
is much the same; two massive circular towers with the

doorway between, and above the door a platform guarded by
a battlemented wall. In front of these towers a broad clear
space is surrounded by lofty fortified walls joined with the
towers and loopholed for musketry. These walls also end in
small castellated towers with another gateway between, facing
parallel to the city-walls, so that in addition to the fire from
the gateway the approach was swept by the fire from the
walls. The gates themselves, some of which remain, are of
thick wooden beams about six inches square fastened together
with iron clamps, strengthened with massive bars, and bristling
with twelve-inch iron spikes. With the siege appliances of
the days of the Bijapur monarchy, gateways such as these
were impregnable, and no attempt seems to have been made
to force them. Aurangzeb did not enter the city till it sur-
APPENDIX. 391
rendered, and made no attempt to gain tlie gateways. The

name Fateh or Victory, by which the Mangoli (âte is known,
preserves the conquest of I3ij;ipur by the Emperor Aurangzeb.
Through this gateway he entered tlie captured city in state
and to mark the circumstance ordered tlie name of the gate
to be clianged from Mangoli to Fateh or Victory. A hand-
some gun, cast-iron inlaid with brass in a scroll pattern, which
is said to have been dropped by the Emperor's troops while
filing through this gateway, has been lately raised and placed
on the platform of the Two Sisters. The Macca Gateway,

which is now closed and used as the offices of the mamlatdar
and subordinate judge, is by far the strongest and most
complex of the gates. Its appearance is so changed by the
houses built inside of it that the general plan is difficult to
master. Outside it is somewhat like the others, the walls

ending in two round towers with a doorway between. Inside
the construction is ])eculiar. The gateway looks like a large
bastion furnished with several platforms for the working of

heavy guns and with covered ways loopholed for musketry.
On the city side too it was strongly fortified, for, though the
guns coukl not be trained on this side, a passage ran along
the front loopholed for musketry and communicating with
the interior of the fortification. The whole plan is more that
of a strong fort than a gateway, and great pains seem to
have been taken to make it impregnable not only to enemies
without but to treachery within. One of the guns, which lay
dismounted on the southern tower, has been raised on a
masonry platform. It is interesting for its inlaid muzzle and
from having apparently burst at the breech and been repaired
by welding round it a massive coil of iron. Two or three
fine trees on the gun platforms add to the picturescjueness of
this part of the fortification which is well worth a visit. The

gate is said to have been closed and' garrisoned by order of the
Peshwa's government about 1 762 to protect the city from robbers.
From whatever direction it is approached, Bijapiir has an

air of striking grandeur. Its perfect walls and bastions and
the glimpses of noble buildings pleasantly shaded combine to
give the impression that the city is peopled and prosperous.
When the gate is passed the waste inside is a sudden sur-
prise. From the west the approach through the modern
village of Torvi is some preparation for the ruin within the
walls. Long lines of fallen houses, with here and there a
palace wall or a mosque mark the site of the old town of
Shahapur. Nearer the city on the south, is the beautiful tomb
and mosque of Ibrahim II. (1580-1626) and in front above
the almost unharmed walls Khawas Khan's tomb now known
as the Two Sisters and the Seven- Storey ed Palace rise in
the middle distance, and further on is a glim])se of the dome
of the Jama Mosque and of the Eoli Gumbaz of Sultan
Mahmud (1626-1656). The greater part of the people of
modern Bijapur are settled close to the western gate, and though
their lowly huts are a marked contrast to the stately monu-
ments of the past, the air of life and cheerfulness is a
not unpleasing relief among the waste of ruins. When the

peopled western quarter is passed the ruin and loneliness
of the inside more and more
become painful, though
shady gardens tombs and other ancient buildings
round
relieve the monotony and mask the desolation. Towards the
centre of the city a road well lined with trees leads to the
Citatel or Ark-killah with the royal palaces and other public
buildings. On all sides are splendid specimens of the builder's
art. The Sat Miizli, Anand Mehel, and Gagan Mehel

within the citadel, and the Malika Jahan mosque, the
Asar Mehel, and the unfinished tomb of Ali Adil
Shah II. immediately without, form a group rarely
equalled for picturesqueness, each in itself a gem of art.
Beyond the Citadel north towards the Bahmani or east
towards the Allapur gates, is a dreary waste, with almost
APPENDIX. 393
nothing save fallen palaces and roofless dwellings overgrown

with custard-apples and other wild shrubs, while an occasional
unharmed tomb or mosque makes the surrounding desolation
the more complete. Even these ruins have glimpses of the
Bijapur of the author of Tfira. Amidst the ruins are enclosures
that were once gardens in which broken fountains and dry
water-courses suggest visions of elegance and comfort, and
where low brushwood and tangled grass have choked fragrant
flowers and rich fruit trees. Here and there a jasmin, run
wild, trails over ruined walls and once trim terraces. Mournful
as is the desolation the picturesque beauty of the buildings,
the flne old trees and the mixing of hoary ruins and perfect
buildings form an everchanging and impressive scene. Striking
as they are, the imagination is perhaps less stirred by the
grandeur of the public buildings than by the countless other
ruins. and minarets, all carved from
Palaces, arches, tombs,
rich brown basalt, garlanded by creepers and broken and
wrenched by piped and banian roots, furnish fresh interest
even after days spent in the ruins. In the height of prosperity
Bijapur must have been a noble city. Still it may be questioned
if its buildings were so effective in their prime as they now
are deserted and in ruins.
The Ark-killah^ or Citadel, nearly in the centre of the city,

is one of the most interesting parts of Bijapur, a perfect
treasury of artistic buildings. It was chosen by Yusuf Adil
Shiih (1489-1510) as the site for his fort, but was so changed
and improved by his successors as to leave little of the old
village of Bichkanhali.^ The present citadel is nearly circular,
a little less than a mile round measuring by the counterscarp
of the ditch. Its defences are a strong curtain, with, on the
south and east, several bastions of considerable strength, a
I
The Ark of Ark-killiili h of doubtful orig-in. It is probably taken from
the Sanskrit ark the sun.
- Captain Sykes (Bom. Lit. Trans. 111. HI) says this villafjo was called
Kcjganhalli.
faussebraye or rampart mound and ditch, the whole well built

and massive.^ The faussebraye is very wide, esjjecially on
the north and where a second wet ditch was cut
north-w'est,
at the foot of the rampart, which on these sides was very
low, apparently to give the royal palaces whose fronts all look
in that direction an unbroken view over the city and
country round. The citadel w^ns begun by Yusuf Adil Shah
shortly after his revolt in 1489. A mud fort then stood on
the site.- The mud wall was taken down and a strong stone
wall built in 1493,^ many of the stones being apparently

taken from Hindoo temples as this wall contains much
carving like that found in temple stones. The citadel was
not completely fortified till the reign of Ibrahim Adil Shah I.
(1534-1557). A stone tablet in one of the bastions near the
gateway marks its completion in a.d. 1546 (x\.h. 953) under
the superintendence of Khan A'zam Ekhtiar Khan. The
original design seems to have been to build a double wall
round the fort with two moats, and to have the space between
the walls a garden. This design seems never to have been
carried out. On the south and south-west the double wall
was built, and the space between turned into a garden with
ponds and fountains, but this inner wall passed only a short
way west. On the east only one wall was built, though its
base was guarded by a curtain-wall running from bastion to
bastion. On the north side the main Avail of the citadel
was very low, apparently not to block the vieAv, but on this
side the double moat sufficed for protection. Though the
walls are strong and massive, and several formidable bastions
were built at prominent points, it seems unlikely that such a
fort could have ever stood for any time against an enemy
1 Little's Dotacliment, 320. In 1819 the citadel which had a double rampart
and a moat enclosinnj numerous and magniticent palaces was in a state of ruin
and decay. The courts were overgrown with trees and choked with weeds and
everything- looked dismal and forlorn. Colehrooke's Elphinstone, II. 71.
2 Briggs' Ferishta, II. 462. 3 Briggs' Ferishta, III. 14.
APPENDIX. 395
armed with artillery who had forced the city fortifications.

The site is unfavourable. It is almost the lowest part of the
city and is commanded by the rising ground on the north-
west, on which is built the cavalier called the Upri Buruj.
No doubt the deep moat, even if not swarming with
crocodiles as Tavernier reports/ made the place ditticult of
approach. Still this was but a slight obstacle, to a well-armed
enemy in possession of the north-western height, as all the
palaces would be open to his fire and the place be untenable.

This unprotected state of the public buildings tends to show
that in later years the Ark-killah was never used as a citadel,
but simply as a royal residence. It may have been owing
to its defenceless position that Ali Adil Shah I. (1557-1580)
resolved on fortifying the whole city instead of trusting to
the central castle.
At present the main entrance to the citadel is on the
south-east by two traversed gateways of considerable strength.
Originally- five well fortified gates are mentioned but of three of
these no trace remains. Apparently the gateways were added
after the fortifications were complete. The original or south-
east gate lay between the two lofty circular bastions in which
the fort-walls ended, and the entrance seems to have led through
an old Hindoo temple much of which was left standing and
the column used in making the gateway and the guard-
house attached. 3 Additions were built to the outside of
Harris' Voyages, II. 360.

1 2 Qgilby's Atlas (1G80), V. 246.
Some hold that there was no temple here and that the columns were gathered
3
from different places to form a guard-room. Looking to the peculiar character of

these columns, which differ greatly from the others in the Ark-killah, and to the
copious Kanarese inscriptions, also to the fact that the distance of the columns
from each other is much the same as if they were parts of an old Hindoo temple
but is not what it would have been had they been brought to form a guard-
house it is difficult to believe that the columns are not the remains of an
unmoved temple. Some on each side of the gateway correspond so exactly that
it is hard to believe that they are not in their original places. Moreover all
he architectural remains close by are Hindoo. The large slab spanning the
entrance is raised on stones undoubtedly part of a temple, and close by are
the remains of Hindoo victory pillars. If all those were brought from a distance
it is strange that they should have been centred in so comparatively narrow a space.
396 HI8T0EY OF THE DEC CAN.
these bastions in form of flanking walls, and a second

the
gate, with a guard-room above it, was made in front of the
earlier gate and strengthened by a fortified wall which ran
parallel with the entrance and at right angles to the bridge

leading over the moat/ Every precaution seems to have been
taken to make this gateway impregnable. In itself it is very
strong, and ample quarters for a large garrison were provided,
while the ])owerful end bastions commanded all approaches.
This was the only entrance till, in the reign of Mahmud
Adil Shah (1626-1656), a causeway was thrown across the
moat on the west, but it is so narrow as to be of use only to
walkers. On entering by the main gateway, after passing
through beautifully carved basaltic Hindoo columns, the height
and massiveness of the side walls at once attract attention.
No guns remain on any of the bastions, but the platforms
are untouched. They are said to have formerly been armed
with 100 guns, but considering their size and number this
is scarcely probable.^ After passing the old temple the road

crosses the centre of the Ark-killah and leaves on the left
another so-called Hindoo temple or college Avhich is evidently

a mosque built of temple remains.^ Beyond this it sends off
one branch on the left to the Granary or Chini Mehel I.

and the Sat Mazli which in later years was the favourite
residence of the kings and is still a singularly beautiful
palace. Another branch leads to the right in the direction
of the Macca mosque and passes close to a low circular wall
* It in curious that in this fortification, wliich is evidently a subsequent

addition, theguard-room over the bridge is built in very much the same style
as the small chambers in the towers of the Idgah near the Ujiri Buruj, which
is said to have been constructed by Yusuf. The main gateway and l)astions
were no doubt built by him and he may have also built the outer line of
defence subsequently, but with the exception of this guard-room, the rest of the
towers and walls seem of a later age than the main gatewav.
Ogilby's Atlas, V. 247.
2
Some hold that the four centre columns uiuler what may be styled the
3
dome as well as the entrance gateway are remains of a Hindoo temple in place.
But the rest of the building has been undoubtedly formed from the stones of
other temples brought for the purpose of building the mosque.
APPENDIX. 397
which is said to mark tliu centre of tlie old village of

Bichkanliali. Following the straight road towards the north,
after passing the Mint and one or two other ruined
buildings, the Anand Mehel or Joy Palace is reached, one
of the most beautiful palaces in Bijapur, surrounded by
remains of terraced walks, fountains, and gardens. On the
opposite side lies the Gagan Mehel famous for the large
arch which spans its front, while the gateway which opens
on the road, now being turned into a church, is no less
remarkable for the exquisite stucco ornament of the interior.
The main building of this palace now in ruins is
which is
one of the oldest in the city and for many years was the
residence of the kings. Afterwards when the Sat Mazli

and Chini Mehel were built the Gagan Mehel was turned
I.
into a reception-hall. Here in 1686 the Emperor Aurangzeb

received the submission of the last of the Adil Shah
kings, the youthful Shikandar, amid the passionate tears
of the nobles and tlie wailing cries of thousands, which rose
to the throne of God as a witness against the causeless ag-
gressor. ^ The only other public building which can be iden-
tified is the Adcilat Mehel on the north-east, and of this
only the bare walls are left. On the western side near the
causeway the Hindoo temple of Narsoba stands pictur-
esquely on the side of the inner moat. In this temple it is
said king Ibrahim II. (1580-1626) used to worship, when

for some years he forsook the faith of his fathers.
With the rays of tlie morning sun streaming through the
oriel windows of the Sat Mazli and the waters of the inner
moat lapping its base and reflecting its climber-clothed walls,

few places in Bijapur, until recent changes, were more beau-
tiful than this Ark-kill.ih. Few places also are fuller of
memories than the Ark-killah. Here in 1510 the young
'
Colonel Meadows Taylor in Arcliitectiirc of Bijii|nir. 47.
398 jrTSTOJ?Y OF THE DEC CAN.
Ismail (1510-1534) was besieged l)y his traitor minister Kama!

Kluiii; here between 1511 and 1585 tlie noble (jueen Chand
Sulttina held ]icr conrt, and from lierc was (1580) sent ])ri.soner
to Sattira; here Mahmud the Merry (102G-1G5()) spent hiip})y
hours with his favourite the beautiful Rhumba ; and this same
citadel, the scene of many a glorious pageant, witnessed also
the overthrow of the dynasty of which it was the glory and
the pride. Though its palaces are in ruins, its gardens choked
with tangled grass and thorns, and its water-courses and
fountains dry, an air of kingly dignity clings to the Ark-killah,
and rouses a feeling of reverent admiration for the noble
dynasty.
Excluding the citadel, Bijapur within walls, during the days
of the monarchy, seems to have been divided into thirty-three
wards or pefh most of which remain and are used for munic-
ipal purposes. Of ten the position is forgotten, and even
since 1848 all trace of two has been lost. Of the twenty-three
wards ^
into Avhich the present city is divided, the five most
important are BaraKhudan Bazar in the north-west, Mahmud
Khan Bazar in the west, Ane-kendi Bazar in the east-centre,
Jiima Mosque Peth in the east, and Shah Peth in the
north-east.
Bara Khuda Bazar, a corruption of Bara Khudavand in
the northwest close to the Shahapur Gate is one of the oldest

parts of the city. In it is the large Chand well built by
Ali Adil Shah I. (1557-1580) in honour of his queen Chand
Bibi. This ward is still fairly peopled. Mahmud Khan
Bazar, in the west close to the Macca Gate, is the business
^ The names of these wards Bara Khudan Bazar

passing west to east, are, I
2 Purani Peth; 3 Langar Bazar; 4 Haidar Bazar; 5 Pali Bazar; 6 Fateh Jama
Bazar; 7 Mahmud Khdn Bazar; 8 Mubarak Khan Bazar; 9 Karanjin Bazar; 10
Rumi Khfin Bazar; 11 Kaniiil Khan Bazar; 12 Murad Khan Bazar; 13 Ane-
kendi Bazar; 14 Jama Masjid Bazar; 15 Naghtan Bazar; 16 Jhakti Bazar;
17 Thana Budruk Bazar; 18 Shahutra Bazar; 19 Padshapur Bazar; 20 Daulat
Khan Bazar; 21 Shah Peth; 22 Shikar Khana Bazar; and 23 Rangin Masjid
BaziM-. Tlie site of the Murkho Khurd and Murkho Budruk wards is forgotten.
APPENDIX. 399
centre of tlic city, where the weekly market is liekl. It was

named in honour of Sultan Malinnid (1620-1656) hnt all tlie
present houses are modern. To the north of tins ward may

be seen the ruins of Afzul Khan's palace, the victim of
Shivaji's treachery at Pratiipgad in 1659 The Taj well,
built by Ibrahim Adil Shah II. (1580-1626) in honour of his
queen Taj Sultana, is the most famous well in the city, and
with the surrounding rest-houses, is an interesting piece of
architecture, the large arch which spans the entrance to the
well being particularly fine. The Anekendi Bazae, in the

east centre to the north of the Jama Mosque road, is interesting
from its line large entrance gateway. It contains the mosque
of Mustiipha Khan in which is some handsome stone carving,

and the remains of several old j)alaces notably the palace of
Khawas Khan, minister to Ali Adil Shah II. (1656-1672).
The ward is said to take its name from rfj/e the Kanarese for
elephant, as the royal elephant stables were in this quarter.
The Jama Mosque Peth has some fine old houses inhabited
by the descendants of old Bijapur families. The great mosque
is in this ward, and this is the headquarters of the Musalman
community. Shah Peth, in the north-east near the great

dome, is interesting from its being inhabited almost wholly
by Gavandis or masons, who, though they no longer follow
the craft, are said to be the descendants of the masons who
built Bijapur. The place is frequently called the Gavendis'
ward. No interest attaches to any of the other wards inside
the walls most of which are almost deserted.
Were it not for its suburbs, which even now are pretty
thickly peopled, the city would present a still more unfavourable
comparison than it does with that Bijapur which less than
three centuries ago counted its inhabitants by the hundred-
thousand. Of eight suburbs only five are of importance. Of
tho five three are close to the city walls, Shtihapur also called
Khudanpur that is Kluulavandpur and Fakirabad in the north-
west, Zohnipiu' called after Ihi-ahiin II. 's wife in the west,
and Ibr;iliinii)iir called after Ihraliim II. in the south. The
remaining two are at some distance Sh.iluipur or Pir Amin's
Darga about two miles to the north-west and Torvi about four
miles to the west. The other suburbs are Allapur built by
Yusnf Adil Shah (1489-1510) a mile and a half, and Ainapur
with a large unfinished tomb of Sultjin Miihmud's wife Jahfin
Begam about two and a half miles, to the east of the city.
Exactly opposite the Boli Gumbaz and about 150 yards from
the wall is the railway station approached by the Hipargi road
wliich runs east and west through the city to the north of
the Ark-killah.
Shahapur Darga or Pir Amin's Darga, from the tomb of a
Musalman saint ofthat name, lies about two miles north-west
of the Khudanpur Bazar, also known as Shahapur Peth, on
the side and crest of a hill which overlooks the city walls
on the east and some fine mango groves on the west. The
houses are clustered round the saint's tomb which is an object
of great veneration and is well cared for. The tomb is gaudy,
and the grounds round it are and well kept, and, as
pretty
the domes are regularly whitewashed, their colour from a
distance forms a pleasing contrast to the gray ruins which
surround them. Between Pir Amin's tomb and the city is
the rest-house of Nawab Mustapha Khan, a large quadrangular

building made during the reign of Sultan Miihmud (1626-1656)
for the use of travellers and lately (1883) turned into a jail.
West from Pir Amin's tomb, still part of Bijapur, is the

hamlet of Takki or Afzulpur, called after Shivaji's victim
Afzul Khiin (1659) whose summer palace was in this quarter.
The village itself has nothing of mark. Some little distance
off is the family burial-ground of Afzul Khan, to which a
curious story belongs. On a broad platform stretching along
one side of what was once a large masonry pond or well, but
which is now silted and embowered in mango and tamarind
APPENDIX. 401
trees, are rows of tombs, allExamination

very closely alike.
shows from the device carved on their tops that these are all
women's tombs and that they are ranged in eleven rows of
seven tombs each. All are of the same size and shape and the
same distance apart, except one on the north-west corner which
is a little larger. The BiJ;ipur story of these tombs is that
when in 1659 Afzul Khan volunteered to lead the fatal ex-
pedition against Shivaji the astrologers warned him that he
would never return. On the strength of this warning he set
his house in order by drowning his seventy-seven wives in
the palace pond, burying their bodies in the pond bank, and
-adorning their graves with rows of neat tombs. The story
^may be false; there are no means of testing its truth. Still
it is strange to find so many tombs of precisely the same

pattern and apparently of the same age, in what was originally
a part of the private grounds of Afzul Khan's palace. The
legend explains their presence fairly well, though the character
of its hero is somewhat out of keeping with Meadows Taylor's
chivalrous tender-hearted Afzul Khan. Near Afzulpur are the
remains of some fine reservoirs made as feeders to the Torvi
water-course which was the main source of the city's water-supply.
The four western suburbs Shahapur, Zohnipur, Pir Amin's
Darga, and Takki are remains of the great city of Shahjipur
finished in1557 by Ali Adil Shah I. (1557-1580),^ which, in
the days of Bijapur's greatness, from the Bahmani Gate in
the north stretched as far as the present village of Torvi and
appears to have covered a larger area than Bijjipur itself.
Both towns were known under the general name of Bijapur,
The
but Shahapur seems to have been the centre of business.
population is stated at one time to have amounted to nearly
a million, and judging by the wide area the and houses
streets
covered this is not improbable. For three miles from the
' Brig'ii^s' Fcrishtii, III. 116. Accordino: to Scott (Doccan, II. 72-73) Shahapur
was begun in 1510 and was inij)rovod by Ibrahim Adil Shah I. (1534-1557).
26
walls of Bijiipiir the country is covered with the ruins of

Shiihiipur, and the city apparently spread still further, as the
walls with which Ibrahim II. (1580-1620) intended to enclose
the two cities are almost a mile beyond the modern village
of Torvi.The greater portion of Shahiipur was destroyed by
Miihmud Shah in 1035, when he wasted the country round
lîjapur to prevent the advance of the Moghals.
Later on
when the city underwent several sieges, was no longer safe
it
to live outside of the fortifications, and Sh.ihapur was gradually

deserted. The present suburbs Khudanpur and Fakirabad
of
in the north-west are still known by the name of Sh;ihapur,
though the houses are all comparatively modern, and the
gateway in that quarter preserves the memory of the time
when Shfihapur was a large and flourishing city not inferior
to Bijapur.
To the west of Shahapur lay the suburb of Nauraspur,
which Ibrahim II. (1580-1626) wished to turn into a new
capital, and about 1600 began to raise magnificent palaces
and other buildings. Had his design been carried out, the
new capital would have been much more picturesque than
Bijapur. It is at the head of a considerable valley surrounded
by which it was intended to fortify with a strong
lofty hills,
wall, part of which was built and is still standing. Even
now Nauraspur is more striking than Bijapur whose uniform
flatness is monotonous. Ibrahim failed to carry out his design.
The astrologers warned him that the removal of the seat of
government from Bijapur would ruin the state and he desisted.
Still palaces and gardens were completed, and Nauraspur
became the favourite hot-weather residence of the Bijapur
court. The ruins attest the magnificence of the place. One
of the buildings, the Sangit or Nauras Mehel, a splendid
ruin, compares favourably with any Bijapur palace. The front
arches are very fine, while the site of the palace is extremely
picturesque with the Torvi hills in the back ground and in
APPENDIX. 403
front a valley stretching for miles full of luimgo and other trees.
However rich Bij;ipur might be in springs, so large a po-
pulation could not wisely be dependent on the
left wholly
local supply. According to Ferishtn, Ali Adil 8hah I. (1557-
1580) was the first king who j)aid attention to the water-
supply. ' lie built the large well in Shah.ipur now known
as Chiind's well and made channels to lead the water through
the city. Ferishta's mention of water channels suggests that
the under-ground Torvi channels were the work of Ali Adil
Shcih I. not as is locally believed of Sultan Mahmud (1626-
1656). The channel which brings water from Torvi, three
miles west of Bijapnr, and distributes it through the city, is
a vast work of no slight engineering skill. A site was chosen

on a stream about a mile above Torvi, and a masonry dam
was built across the valley. From the lake thus formed, a
masonry channel sunk in the bed of the stream carried the
water to a mile of Torvi, and from there an
within half
under-ground water-course was hollowed, which passed under
Torvi and was continued about a mile to Afzulpur where it
seems to have ended in a large reservoir. Another small

masonry pond or well at the base of a hill about 400 yards
west of Torvi supplemented this supply. Here the water of
some very powerful springs was gathered in a reservoir and
carried along an underground channel to Torvi, where it
joined the larger channel. The reservoir at Afzulpur seems
to have been also fed by another pond made in the hills,
half a mile south of that village, whose water was carried on
arches over the intervening houses. Traces of this high level
conduit remain where it crossed the old road to Torvi, and
though nothing about it site of the pond
is locally known, the
and the direction in which the remains of the conduit seem
to lead, leave no doubt that it was intended to supplement
the Torvi water-supply. The remains of the reservoir at
At'zulpur sliow work of great size. Tlie dam,

tliat it was a
which is now breached in two ])laccs, is nearly sixty feet
high, a huge mass of masonry and earth, with curious cliambers
in tlie embankment. Below the main lake is another smaller
reservoir to catch the overflow and supply the neighbouring
parts of the city. From the main lake a canal, which at its
start is about eight feet by six, carried the water under ground
nearly three miles to the city. The cutting of this canal must
have been a work of great difficulty, as in places it is sixty
feet below the surface in solid rock. During ])art of its
length it is lined with brick masonry, but in general the water

flows along a rocky channel. Communication was kept with
the surface by a number of vertical air shafts or uwds as
they are locally called. These shafts which are about forty
yards apart may be traced along the whole length of the canal
as far as the Ibrahim Roza. There the line is lost. It is
recovered in the middle of the city in a garden near the Two

Sisters. Between this garden and the Ibrahim Roza the
channel seems to have split in two, as a line of air shafts
runs a good deal to the south towards the Jama mosque.
Some of these shafts are fitted with steps probably to aid in
cleaning the channel which has now sdted to such a depth
that it is next to impossible to discover its true dimensions.
Water still flows into the city by this channel. It supplies
the Asar Mehel reservoir and the outer moat of the Ark killah,
but this water can hardly come from Torvi unless there is
another unknown underground connection, as the Afzulpur
lake is dry. Probably the channel is filled from springs tapped
on the way. Even in the part of the canal above Torvi,
water seems still to flow from the spring at the head of the
water-course, as it is not uncommon to find it bubbling
through holes in the masonry and forming miniature fountains
in the stream bed.
In later years (1580-1686), when the number of palaces
APPENDIX. 405
and the love of luxiiiy and ease increased, it was felt that
Torvi water-supply was not enough for the wants of the city.
It was at too and could not bring water into

low a level,
many palaces or be used for fountains or gardens. For this

a lake at a much higher level than the city was required.
A site was chosen among the hills to the south of the city,
and a large lake was formed by throwing a dam about a mile
in length across the valley.^ The lake thus formed covered
an area of about 500 acres, and as it was much higher than
Bijcipur there was ample pressure to raise the water to the

required height. The water was carried through a pipe 15"
in diameter cased in a mass of masonry 8' by 6' and at a
depth varying from 15' to 50' below the surface, for two
and a half miles to the Shah Ganj or main distributary
tovAêr, a little to the south-east of the Ark-killah. Along
its course from the lake large square towers were built about
800 feet apart to relieve the pressure of the water and prevent
the pipes bursting. Owing to the height of this lake above
the city and the consequent pressure, the water in the towers
inside of the walls was raised 20' to 30' above the ground.
Some of the towers are very fine pieces of Avorkmanship and
many of them are still standing and show how the supply of
water was conveyed all over the city from the Boli Gumbaz
to Shiihapur. The largest supply of water was in the Ark-
kilhih,where two fine distributary towers are still standing.
Here, as appears from the remains of fountains in the Sat
Mazli, the water could be laid on some 80' above ground.
All Avere supplied with water on the ground-floor and all the
palaces had small channels and reservoirs of running water.
Countless fountains embowered in trees played in every quarter,
^ Below the embankinent of this lake are the remains of a second lake which
from the traces of conduits was apparently also connected with the city. Nothino-
is now known in Bijapiir regarding: it. It is not improbable that is was the
work of Ali Adil Shah I. who, according to Ferishta, brought water into the
city. The conduits run in the direction of the Jama mosque, and as Ali began
that building it is not unlikely that he also provided it with water.
4or> irrsTORY of the beccan.
and iT.'igi'aiit flowers tilled the air with their })erfuiiie. Few
places can have been more beautiful than this Ark-kiliali witli
its stately ])ahices and grounds, and the air full of the coolness
and the flow of Avater.
To Sultan Mahmud (1626-1656) Bijapur owed most of its
comfort and luxury. Other

kings adorned tlie city with
buildings, but Mahmud by making the Begam Lake which he
named after his cpieen Jahan Begam, in 1653, made gardens
and fountains possible all over the city. For this and for
other reasons Mahmud's name is locally in such high repute
that every Avork of importance, regarding which there is doubt,
is attributed to him. Besides the Begam Lake, he is said to
have made the Torvi Avater-course ; and though from the
Avorks he did take in hand, it might be safe to attribute this
Avater-course to him, still, considering his comparatively short
reign of thirty years, during nearly tAvo-thirds of Avhich he
Avas engaged in Avar Avith the Moghals, it is improbable that
he could have made his own mausoleum and the palaces in
the Ark-killah, nearly completed the Jiima mosque, constructed
the Begam Lake, and in addition have undertaken the vast
labour of cutting the underground Torvi Avater-channel. It
is more likely that, as stated by Ferishta, the city is indebted

to Ali Adil kiah I. (1557-1580) for the Torvi Avorks. Still
Sultan Mahmud did enough to raise above question his claim

to be considered the greatest of the Bijapur kings, a monarch
Avliose energy, perseverance, and genius Avould have dignified
any time or country. During the 1876-77 famine the Begam
Lake Avhich Avas silted Avas taken in hand. A dam Avas built
and the Avhole of the Avater-course and the twelve Avater-toAvers
betAveen it and the Asar Meliel have been thoroughly cleaned
out. Its Aveak point is the smallness of the catchment area.
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THE LIBRARY

HISTORY OF THE DECCAN.

History of the Deccan.

The Deccan may be roughly described as that portion of Southern

and Ireland, and is a high-lying plateau with an elevation of from

and oppression of Sultan Mahomed Toghlak the Mahomedan ;

o-enerals and governors in the Deccan revolted: distance and

intcniiil dissensions prevented all interference on tlie purt of the

there exists no connected or continuous history. To Ferishta we

but outside this circle everything is confused. There is a luxuriant

attention to the details of the history of the different provinces.

a l)oy goes through ;i detailed course of the Jiistory of liis own

the various histories, and to piece them together, so as to form

Scott, a book which is now becoming scarce, my first thanks are

mission of which I have gladly availed myself. Colonel Meadows

Dominions"' l>y Messrs. Wilniott an<l Sc'y<l Jioossein Belgrami,

have not been able to visit in person. To .Mr. llerrman Linde

Nicholas of Madras. Some of the portraits have been reproduced

History of Bijapur and of the Deccan down to its Subjugation by

XIII. YusuF Adil Shah of Bijapur 137

The Empire in Ruins.

XXV. The King-Makers 312

A detailed list o£ all the Illustrations. Maps, Plaus, Genealogical Tables,

Up to the end of tlie thirteenth century the Mahomedans

large city but an important fortress, supposed to be impreg-

he wanted the riches for was to use them as a means of

project to the emperor, Ala-ud-Din marched southwards with

the steepness of the rock was very strongly fortified with

walls, bastions, and moats. There were in reality three distinct

was the centre of a considerable trade. At the time of Ala-

Barni, the Maliom-

treasure that it is said

over as many to liis side as ])ossil)le. When the Ein])eror Jelal-

Sultan and perceived several boats full of horsemen around

and God only knew where he would have gone to, if he

did not awake and detect the obvious intention. Jletooktlic

done ? " Iktiyar-ud-Din Hud ran after the betrayed monarch,

np and enjoyment. "Ala-ud-Din, in the pride

was sent to Deogiri, the Rajah of which had rebelled and

as l)eiiig those of a de])en{leiit, ))iit when the fort of Sarbar

carpenters applied the sharp iron to shape the blocks, so that

groaning under the weight of the treasure, lie reached Delhi

which had, how^ever, to undergo several others before, thirteen

The plunder thus obtained from the two excursions to the

Dharwar Samoonder." This name evidently refers to one of

the Vellala dynasty, which then ruled in IMysore, and the

IVassaf, Kales Dewar. Tliis kiiii;- is said to have been im-

quoises, and emeralds, more than is the power of language

and amounted hundred and twelve, besides five thousand

arrived in Delhi with and presented it to the

Sultan Ala-ud-Din. lUit a curse seemed to attach to all the

Dowlatabad, ceased to be the residence of a Hindoo king.

poor old Sultan Jelal-iid-Diii was avenged upon the murderer's

would fall in. Whilst the Sultan was being entertained at

and his companions. Ulugli Khan then monnted the throne

probable that he does not exercise more than a nominal sway.

THE OKI(;i-\ OF TJIE 15AI1MA>KE KlXCiS OF GULBURGA.

N the last cha])ter 1

offered too great a temptation to the loyalty of his lieutenants.

and was emjDloyed by a Brahmin of Delhi named Ga//////.