Firishta's History (Gulshan-i Ibrāhīmī) 100: MOORTUZA NIZAM SHAH, COMMONLY CALLED DIWANA, OR, THE MADMAN.
History of the Rise of the Mahomedan Power in India (Briggs) 100
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Contents
MOORTUZA NIZAM SHAH, COMMONLY CALLED DIWANA, OR, THE MADMAN.
100.1.1
The Dowager-queen Khoonza Sooltana assumes the office of regent during the King's minority — she proceeds to attack Beejapoor. — Peace concluded. — The governments of Beejapoor and Ahmudnuggur unite to conquer Berar, but which is only plundered. — The young King compels his mother to retire from public life, and assumes charge of his government — he makes war with Beejapoor — attacks Dharoor, which is taken. — The King endeavours to expel the Portuguese from Reevadunda on the sea-coast, but fails. — Partition treaty of Berar and Beejanuggur formed between the courts of Ahmudnuggur and Beejapoor. — Berar conquered by the King of Ahmudnuggur. — The Emperor Akbur of Dehly requires him to relinquish it. — Character of Chungiz Khan the Ahmudnuggur general and minister — his death. — Sulabut Khan minister. — The King attempts his son's life. — His son murders him. As this Prince ascended the throne during his minority, his mother, Khoonza Sooltana, became for six years regent and manager of the affairs of the kingdom. She raised her three brothers, Ein-ool-Moolk, Taj Khan, and Etibar Khan, to the first rank of nobility. She appointed Moolla Inayut Oolla to the office of peshwa ; and sat daily in durbar, transacting public business, behind a curtain ; while her son, Moortuza Nizam Shah, was engaged in those amusements suited to his age.
100.1.2
Such was the state of affairs at the Nizam Shahy court when Ally Adil Shah led his army against the Hindoos, who now remained in the provinces of Beejanuggur, at Anagoondy, and whose chief, Venkatadry, the brother of the late Ramraj, resided at Penkonda. Venkatadry, in this extremity, applied for relief to Khoonza Sooltana, who having marched at the head of an army, accompanied by her young son, against the dominions of Beejapoor, compelled Ally Adil Shah to retire from before Anagoondy to defend his own country; but peace was soon after concluded between these Mahomedan princes; and a league was subsequently entered into against Toofal Khan, the prime minister of Boorhan Imad Shah, who had usurped the authority of Berar. Both the Adil Shahy and Nizam Shahy troops having entered that country plundered it, and marched back again before the rains. On their return Ally Adil Shah treacherously endeavoured to seize the person of the young King of Ahmudnuggur; but his mother, the Regent, gaining intimation of his intention, suddenly decamped during the night, and a river which intervened having swelled rapidly, the two armies were effectually separated, and the Nizam Shahies were enabled to gain the fort of Ahmudnuggur.
100.1.3
In the year 975 Ally Adil Shah invaded the Nizam Shahy dominions, and taking several places, defeated the Ahmudnuggur forces. In the mean while the conduct of the Regent, Khoonza Sooltana, in providing for her relations at the expense of the most deserving nobles in the state, gave umbrage to the whole of that class; till at length Shah Jumal-ood-Deen Hoossein Anjoo, Kasim Beg Hukeem, and others, the companions of the King, complained to him of his mother's conduct. The King replied, "The whole of my ministers are attached to the Queen, how then am I to subvert her usurped authority?" They answered, that, with his permission, they would gain over some of the principal nobles, and effect the object. Moortuza Nizam Shah having given his consent, the chiefs above mentioned, with their friends, repaired some time after to the palace, where the King happened to be sitting with the Queen-mother: his childish fears made him conclude the secret was betrayed, so that, in order to save himself, he revealed to her that certain chiefs had resolved to seize her; upon which she instantly caused the principal conspirators to be secured.
100.1.4
In the year 977, the Dowager-queen marched, with her son, to oppose the encroachments of Kishwur Khan, the Beejapoor general. Upon their arrival at D'hamungam, Moortuza Nizam Shah, now able to judge for himself, and resolving to become free from his mother's trammels, gained over the principal nobles, and sent Hubbush Khan to inform the Queen that it was his pleasure she should no longer engage in public affairs, but live retired, like the other princesses. Enraged at this message, she summoned her creatures, and throwing a veil over her face, came from the palace on horseback, armed with a bow, a sword, and dagger. She was, however, seized, after a short resistance, and her attendants fled. The King now assumed charge of the affairs of his government; and having levied forces, marched towards Dharoor, with the intention of attacking Kishwur Khan, the Beejapoor general. On arriving within a short distance of the enemy's camp, a messenger from Kishwur Khan brought him a sealed paper, which, upon being opened, was found to contain such insolent expressions as enraged him to the highest pitch. Mounting his horse he swore that he would not alight till he entered the fort of Dharoor, towards which he rode at full gallop. His attendants represented that fortresses were not to be taken by cavalry, and with a handful of men, and that he ought not to expose his person so imprudently.
100.1.5
The King replied, that by the Almighty God he would force the gate with his sword, and hew his passage into the place; that if victory was decreed him, no injury could happen to him; and that if his death was fixed, it was vain to avoid the danger. The officers, seeing his determination, begged, at least, that he would put on armour, which was allowed by the Prophet; to this he consented, and then proceeded to the attack. Having reached the gate, he was assailed by showers of shot, arrows, and rockets poured forth from the fort walls, which killed many men, and some elephants and horses. Moortuza Nizam Shah still persevered, and escaped unhurt. At length the fire from the fort suddenly ceasing, the King was astonished; and on sending persons to enquire the cause, the troops entered unopposed, and found the fort evacuated. An arrow, it seems, had by chance pierced the heart of Kishwur Khan, who lay dead on the ground. The victors cut off his head, and hung it over the battlements; on which the King offered up thanksgiving for his victory. The Nizam Shahy army now invaded Beejapoor, in conjunction with Ibrahim Kootb Shah of Golconda, against whom Moortuza Nizam Shah afterwards conceived enmity, produced through the artifice of Shah Abool Hoossein, to such a degree, that Ibrahim Kootb Shah found it necessary to make his escape, leaving his camp to be plundered by the Nizam Shahies.
100.1.6
Shortly after this, a treaty was concluded between Ally Adil Shah and Moortuza Nizam Shah, when the latter returned to Ahmudnuggur, where he appointed Jumal-ood-Deen Hoossein his prime minister, and then marched against the fort of Reevadunda, belonging to the Portuguese, but was obliged to raise the siege, after a blockade of some months, as the enemy obtained provisions by sea, owing to the treachery of the Nizam Shahy officers, who were bribed by presents, particularly of wine. The King, upon his return from this expedition, displaced several of his ministers, and conferred the office of vakeel on Chungiz Khan, a nobleman of great abilities, who, by his attention, restored the public affairs. This minister defeated, by his address, a proposed alliance between Ally Adil Shah and Ibrahim Kootb Shah, and effected an union between his master and the former, who had an interview on the borders, when it was agreed, that Ally Adil Shah should conquer as much of the Carnatic as would produce a revenue equal to Berar and Bidur; which latter kingdoms Moortuza Nizam Shah should be at liberty to wrest from the hands of Toofal Khan and Ally Bereed Shah. In the year 980 Moortuza Nizam Shah marched to Berar; and by the gallantry and good conduct of his general Chungiz Khan drove Toofal Khan from Elichpoor, compelling him and his son, Shumsheer-ool-Moolk, to fly to the hills, taking from them two hundred elephants, besides all their heavy baggage.
100.1.7
Toofal Khan was driven from jungle to jungle for six months, at the end of which time, being forced into a narrow defile blocked up by the King's troops, he would certainly have been taken, had not the King been delayed by religious superstition for some time on his march by a mad devotee, Meer Moosa Mazinderany, who, meeting him on the road, conjured him by the love he bore to the twelve Imams not to move further till he had given him the sum of 12,000 hoons. The King waited on the spot till he could comply with his request, though the minister entreated him to defer giving the money till the camp was pitched. The delay which ensued enabled Toofal Khan to make his escape, and fly to Boorhanpoor, where he sought protection with the ruler of Kandeish, who was, however, afraid to grant it, for fear of the vengeance of Moortuza Nizam Shah. Thence Toofal Khan returned to Berar, and took refuge in the hill-fort of Nurnala, from which place he applied for assistance to Akbur Padshah, Emperor of Dehly, Akbur sent an envoy to Moortuza Nizam Shah, requiring him immediately to desist from his invasion of Berar; but no attention was paid to the communication, so that Nurnala, and all the other principal forts in Berar, fell into the hands of Moortuza Nizam Shah; and Toofal Khan, with his sovereign, Boorhan Imad-ool-Moolk, and all his family, being captured, were confined in one of them; where they shortly after died suddenly, and, it is conjectured, by poison.
100.2.1
Moortuza Nizam Shah would now have returned to Ahmudnuggur; but Chungiz Khan representing that as Ally Adil Shah was aggrandising himself by the reduction of the country of Beejanuggur, it was desirable for him, also, to prosecute his project against Ahmudabad Bidur, to which place he accordingly marched. In the mean time, Meeran Mahomed Shah, the ruler of Kandeish, taking advantage of the absence of Moortuza Nizam Shah from Berar, sent a force of three thousand horse, and seven or eight thousand infantry, to support a person who pretended to be a son of the late Duria Imad-ool-Moolk, ruler of Berar. This force succeeded in expelling several of the Nizam Shahy posts, and in retaining a great portion of the country. On hearing this, Moortuza Nizam Shah returned with the greatest expedition, accompanied by a light force only, directing Chungiz Khan to follow with the main army. Syud Moortuza, a Nizam Shahy general, who preceded the King, having come up with the Berar pretender, at the head of eight thousand horse, obliged him to fly, and his adherents to disperse. Meanwhile, Moortuza Nizam Shah entering Kandeish by the Rohunkehra Ghat, ravaged the country to the very gates of Boorhanpoor. Chungiz Khan, desirous of seeing the fortress of Aseer, to which Meeran Mahomed Shah Farooky had retired, went with eight thousand horse in order to reconnoitre it. Meeran Mahomed Shah employed a detachment to endeavour to cut off his retreat;
100.2.2
but it was repulsed with loss, and some officers even were taken prisoners. Moortuza Nizam Shah now marched in person to Aseer, from whence he sent out parties who left not a vestige of population in the surrounding country, so that Meeran Mahomed Shah was in the end compelled to purchase the retreat of the Nizam Shahies by the payment of a large sum of money. Shortly after this Mirza Khan Isfahany reached the Nizam Shahy camp, as ambassador on the part of Ibrahim Kootb Shah, in order to prevent the meditated attack on Bidur. To effect this object he offered a large sum of money to Chungiz Khan, who refused it with indignation, telling him that the treasures of the Nizam Shahy kingdom were at his disposal. He said, however, that after the reduction of Bidur, it would be prudent for Moortuza Nizam Shah, Ibrahim Kootb Shah, and Ally Adil Shah, to unite against the encroachments likely to be made on their power by the Emperor Akbur. The ambassador failing in bribing the minister, endeavoured to effect his purpose by bringing over to his design Sahib Khan, a favourite minion of the King, who had been ill treated by Chungiz Khan; insinuating that that minister intended to assume the royal titles in Berar. Sahib Khan will ingly received the accusation, and informed the King, who at first did not believe it, ascribing it to the effect of malice on the part of Sahib Khan towards the minister. Sahib Khan, however, persisting in his assertion, pretended to weep;
100.2.3
entreating the King, if he did not believe him, to send for Mirza Khan Isfahany, who was a townsman of the minister, to hear what he knew. The intelligence being confirmed by Mirza Khan, made some impression on the King's mind, though he resolved to wait for further proof. At length, one day having sent for Chungiz Khan, he signified his wish to return to Ahmudnuggur, as he was tired of the field. The minister observed, that in a newly-conquered province it was advisable for his Majesty to remain five or six months, in order to gain the good will of the inhabitants; but in case that did not suit him, at all events to leave him with an army for that purpose. This suggestion convinced Moortuza Nizam Shah of the truth of the accusations against the minister, and the King immediately altered his behaviour towards him. Chungiz Khan perceiving this became alarmed for his safety, and staid away some days from court on the plea of indisposition. This conduct only tended the more to confirm the King's suspicions; who having resolved to put him to death, directed his physician to administer a poisoned draught to the minister as medicine. Chungiz Khan discovered the device, and at first refused to take it; but knowing it would be of no avail, he at last resolved on the sacrifice, and drank the potion. During his last moments he wrote the following address to the King: —
100.2.4
"The faithful servant Meeruk, the sun of whose age has passed through sixty mansions, and was hastening to the seventieth, having bowed the "head of submission on the threshold of devotion, "represents, that he has quaffed the draught mixed "with the water of life. In obedience to the "duty and loyalty he owes to the King (by whose "bounty he was cherished), he has shut his eyes "from all other considerations. Had he his wish, "it would be that the life and reign of the King "should be as permanent as the grave will be to "his servant; and he solicits that the King will "esteem him after life as he did during its ex-"istence, and classing him among the most loyal "and devoted of his subjects, will act according "to the wishes now expressed, written in his own "hand. Firstly, That he will send his body for "interment to Kurbela. Secondly, That he will "show favour to the under-mentioned officers, as "worthy of his distinction, and that he will enter-"tain his foreign servants among his own guards." This last testament, with some instructions, he committed to the care of Syud Moortuza, and then reclined upon his bed till the next day, when his soul departed from his body — that temporary and perishable tenement which is only borrowed for a while. Moortuza Nizam Shah became, too late, convinced of the uprightness and the sincere attachment of his minister, whose death he regretted with unfeigned sorrow;
100.2.5
and upon the King's return to Ahmudnuggur he resolved on retiring from the world. He called before him the principal inhabitants of Ahmudnuggur, and said to them, "Be it known that I am unfit to rule; for I find I want the capacity to distinguish right from wrong, so that I frequently am guilty of oppression, under the cloak of justice, and when the truth becomes apparent I am grieved at my want of discretion. I now, therefore, call you to witness, and require you to testify on the last day, that I have appointed Meer Kazy Beg my Vakeel Mootluk, who is one of the descendants of the Prophet, that he may act unto every one agreeably to the law, and by not giving a preference to the strong over the weak, he will disregard all private considerations. Should any person take even the needle of a weak old woman, and I be questioned concerning it at the day of judgment, I will answer, that I had no business in such affairs, which depended on Kazy Beg, the descendant of the Prophet." Then, addressing himself to that minister, he said, "The government is now in your hands: if thou canst not direct it alone, let Ameer-ool-Moolk, Mirza Mahomed Tuky, and Kasim Beg Hukeem, be your partners in the administration;
100.2.6
while I, who am fearful and apprehensive of the anger and punishment of the Almighty, sincerely repenting of my conduct towards Chungiz Khan, seek retirement, and employ my days in penitence and prayer." The King, after this, retired to an apartment in the palace of Ahmudnuggur, called Bagdad, where no one, male or female, was admitted to his presence but Sahib Khan. In the year 984, the Emperor Akbur advancing to the frontier of the Deccan to hunt, the King moved to the north, with a few troops, but in a covered litter, to observe his motions, and to be in readiness to defend his dominions, and would have marched to attack the Emperor, had he not been prevented by the entreaties of his nobility. At their request, however, Moortuza Nizam Shah remained on the border, till Akbur returned to his own dominions, when the King again retired to his privacy in Ahmudnuggur. In the rainy season the King went to Dowlutabad; and on visiting the tombs of the saints he was seized with religious enthusiasm. One day, unknown even to Sahib Khan, he withdrew from his apartment, and was going alone on foot towards the tomb of Imam Ruza, when he was recognised by a countryman, who gave information to the minister, and it was with much difficulty they prevailed on him to return. After this, on coming back to Ahmudnuggur, he took up his residence in the garden of Husht Behist. At this time the excesses of his favourite Sahib Khan and his associates knew no bounds.
100.2.7
The latter consisted of about three thousand scoundrel Deccanies, who frequently forced children from their parents for the worst of purposes: among other instances was that of the daughter of Meer Mehdy, who was killed in defending the honour of his family. Although these injuries gave great disgust, the Regent was still afraid of the favourite's influence with the King, till at length Sahib Khan became so insolent as to order a nobleman to change his name because it happened to be the same as his own, and on his refusal he resolved to destroy him, but was prevented by Sulabut Khan, who informed the King of the circumstance. Sahib Khan, enraged, quitted the court ; but the King, distressed at his absence, followed him in person, and overtaking him at Ahmudabad Bidur persuaded him to return, by agreeing to his two unreasonable requests ; first, that of displacing Sulabut Khan from his office; and, secondly, that of taking for him the city of Ahmudabad Bidur from Ally Bereed Shah, who, upon his besieging it, required and received assistance from Ally Adil Shah.
100.3.1
At this time Boorhan Nizam Shah, the King's brother, escaped from the fort of Joonere, and created an insurrection, which obliged Moortuza Nizam Shah to return suddenly to Ahmudnuggur, and to recall Sulabut Khan. Sahib Khan in consequence left the King a second time, and Boorhan Nizam Shah, being defeated, fled to Beejapoor. The King endeavoured again to conciliate and soothe Sahib Khan ; but he was put to death by the nobles who were sent to effect the reconciliation, and who persuaded the King he fell in the act of making resistance. Upon the death of Sahib Khan, Sulabut Khan became minister, without a rival, and continued in power for some years, to the satisfaction of the people. The Marratta country was never so well governed as by Sulabut Khan since the reign of Mahmood Shah Bahmuny. In the year 988, Ally Adil Shah dying, was succeeded by his nephew Ibrahim, then only in his ninth year. Sulabut Khan, conceiving his minority favourable to making a conquest of the Beejapoor territories, persuaded Moortuza Nizam Shah to invade them. An army was accordingly sent under Behzad-ool-Moolk, which was defeated, with the loss of all the elephants that acompanied it. The other events of this year have been already related in the Beejapoor history.
100.3.2
In the year 992, the King sent a splendid embassy to Beejapoor to solicit in marriage Khoodeija, the sister of Ibrahim Adil Shah, for his son Meeran Hoossein, and his request being acceded to, the Princess was brought to Ahmudnuggur in great pomp. Several nobles at this time formed a combination to displace the minister Sulabut Khan, who persuaded the King to take up his residence in the fort, and himself marched against the confederates, whom he dispersed. Shortly after this, a discontented faction having brought Boorhan, the King's brother, in the disguise of a holy man, to Ahmudnuggur, conspired to set him on the throne; but on the very day intended for the attempt, Sulabut Khan discovered the plot, and Boorhan, making his escape, fled to the Concan; but not thinking himself secure there, he sought an asylum with the Emperor Akbur at Dehly, from whom he some time afterwards procured a force under Mirza Azeez Koka to attack Moortuza Nizam Shah. The instant this intelligence reached Ahmudnuggur, Moortuza Nizam Shah detached an army of twenty thousand men, under Mirza Mahomed Tuky, to the frontier, who, in conjunction with Raja Ally Khan of Kandeish, marched to Hundia on the banks of the Nerbudda. Mirza Azeez Koka had already crossed the river, and finding he could not oppose the Deccanies in the field with success, suddenly moved ground, marched into Berar, and took Elichpoor and Balapoor;
100.3.3
but finding himself pursued, and his retreat cut off by the route he came, he proceeded westward, and coming suddenly upon Sooltanpoor and Nundoorbar, plundered them, and returned to Malwa, when the Nizam Shahy and Kandeish troops retired to their respective capitals. At this time one Futteh Shah, a dancer, who had succeeded Sahib Khan in the King's favour, began to abuse his power, by obtaining large grants of land, and gifts of the royal jewels, which were lavishly bestowed upon him by his master. At length, he asked for two necklaces, which had been brought into the treasury from the plunder of Ramraj, composed of valuable rubies, emeralds, and pearls. The King commanded them to be given to him; but Sulabut Khan, unwilling that such inestimable curiosities should be lost to the royal family, substituted two strings of mock jewels in their place. After some time, Futteh Shah discovering the imposition, complained to the King, who being enraged, commanded the Regent to lay out in an apartment all his jewels for inspection. Sulabut Khan having concealed the most precious, placed the rest as he was ordered; but the King missing them, was so angry, that he threw all before him into a large fire, and withdrew in a passion to his chamber. On his departure, the Regent hastened to save them from the flames, and only the pearls had received any damage. From this period the King was considered mad.
100.3.4
The King now took it into his head that his son Meeran Hoossein designed to dethrone him, and attempted to put him to death; but Sulabut Khan watched over the safety of the young prince. At this time, Ibrahim Adil Shah demanded that the nuptials of his sister should be celebrated with the King's son, or that the Princess should be sent back to Beejapoor; but Sulabut Khan having refused compliance with either demand, unless he delivered up the fortress of Sholapoor, Ibrahim Adil Shah declared war, and laid siege to the fort of Owsa. Moortuza Nizam Shah, offended at the conduct of his minister, upbraided him with treachery, and declared himself weary of his control; on which the Regent, to show his loyalty, begged the King to appoint any place for his confinement, and he would voluntarily put chains on his own feet, and repair to it. Moortuza Nizam Shah named the fort of Dunda-Rajpoor; and Sulabut Khan, in spite of the remonstrances of his friends and numerous dependents, immediately submitted himself to the King's guards, and was carried to his prison. On the imprisonment of Sulabut Khan, the King conferred the regency on Kasim Beg Hukeem, and the vizarut on Mirza Mahomed Tooky, conmanding them to conclude peace with Ibrahim Adil Shah; after which the nuptials of the Princess Khoodeija with the Prince Meeran Hoossein were celebrated with great splendour. Not long after this event the King becoming suspicious of his son resolved to destroy him;
100.3.5
for this purpose he told his ministers that he longed for his son's society, and they, delighted at his returning kindness, sent the young prince into the fort to him. The King, as if in the abundance of affection, gave him a chamber near his own; but the next morning, while the youth was sleeping, the King set fire to his bedclothes, and fastened the door upon him. The Prince was awakened by the smoke, and freeing himself from the clothes, hastened to the door. Finding it locked, he cried out for help, and was almost suffocated, when he was released by his father's favourite, Futteh Shah, and carried to the minister, who conveyed him secretly to Dowlutabad. The King, after some time, going to the apartment to examine the ashes for the bones of his intended victim, and not finding them, was enraged. Futteh Shah told him the Prince had been burned to ashes; but he did not believe it, and demanded the Prince from the favourite, whom he suspected of having saved him from the fire. At length, Futteh Shah revealed the truth, and the King sending for the ministers, ordered them all to be confined, and appointed others. The new ministers also refusing to kill the Prince, the King, after nine days, displaced them, and gave the regency to Mirza Khan.
100.3.6
Mirza Khan, seeing the disordered state of the King's intellect, pretended acquiescence with his commands, and courted the favour of Futteh Shah and his dependents, by frequent gifts, but wrote privately to Beejapoor, that as the King was mad, and wanted to murder his son, if a detachment were sent to the borders, he would make it a pretext for raising troops, and would then openly espouse the cause of the young Prince. Dilawur Khan, Regent of Beejapoor, complied with his request, and Mirza Khan asked the King what steps he should take against the enemy. Moortuza Nizam Shah directed him to pursue what measures he thought proper; and Mirza Khan, collecting the troops, marched from Ahmudnuggur, and encamped near the town of Ranoory, where they halted by his orders. The King, surprised at their not moving onwards, sent the writer of this history to enquire the cause. As the Regent knew my attachment to the King, he concluded, that if I discovered his designs I should make them known. Mirza Khan therefore bribed Futteh Shah to obtain the King's order for my recall, and for the immediate advance of the army. I was in the camp when Futteh Khan arrived, and had discovered the real designs of the minister, who had given orders to prevent my return; but having timely notice, I made my escape in the night. On my arrival in the city, I related what I had seen and heard to Futteh Shah, who pretended not to believe me.
100.3.7
I observed, that I had no interest or hatred to gratify, to induce me to accuse the minister falsely, and that the truth of my account would quickly appear. While we were talking, intelligence was brought that Mirza Khan had marched to Dowlutabad, in order to bring the Prince Meeran Hoossein, and seat him on the throne. The King now asked my advice how to avert the threatened storm. I replied, that there were two measures which promised success: first, that the King should leave his retirement, and march from the city at the head of his guards, when, probably, most of the nobles would desert the Regent and join him; on which he replied, he was too ill to mount a horse. I then recommended that he should send for Sulabut Khan from confinement, and put him at the head of affairs, as he was beloved and respected by all ranks, who would flock to his standard, and that his Majesty should also proceed in a litter to meet him as far as the fort of Joonere. The King, approving of this advice, instantly sent off express orders to release Sulabut Khan, and prepared to move himself; when Futteh Shah fell at his feet, and, weeping, said, that should his Majesty quit the palace, the guards would immediately seize and send him prisoner to the Prince, in order to pay their court to a new sovereign. The King, on this remark, altered his intention, and resolved to wait in the palace for the arrival of Sulabut Khan.
100.3.8
The troops, perceiving the King's imbecility, deserted in crowds to Dowlutabad, from whence Mirza Khan hastened to the capital, accompanied by the Prince, so as to arrive before Sulabut Khan. At the time he came I had the guard of the palace, and wished to defend it; but being deserted by my people, and no one being left with the King but Futteh Shah and a very few domestic attendants, opposition was vain. The Prince and Mirza Khan rushed into the fort with forty thousand armed men, without opposition, and put to death whomsoever they found. The Prince fortunately knew me, and reflecting that we had been school-fellows, and brought up together, ordered my life to be spared. Having reached his father's presence, the Prince behaved to him, both in word and action, with every possible degree of insult. Moortuza Nizam Shah was silent, and only looked at him with contempt, till the Prince, drawing his naked sabre across his breast, said, "I will put you to death." Moortuza Nizam Shah then breathing a deep sigh, exclaimed, "O thou accursed of God! it would be better for thee to let thy father be thy guest for his few remaining days, and treat him with respect." The Prince, relenting for a moment at this speech, withdrew from the apartment.
100.3.9
Not having patience, however, to wait for his death, though he was then ill of a mortal disease, he caused the King to be put into a warm bathing room, and closing fast the doors and windows, so as to exclude the air, he lighted a great fire underneath, and the King was speedily suffocated. This parricide was perpetrated in the year 996. The deceased King was buried with due ceremony in the Roza garden; but his bones were afterwards taken up and conveyed to Kurbela, where they were deposited near those of his father and grandfather. Moortuza Nizam Shah reigned twenty-four years and some months. Alas! there is no stability in fortune; for endless is the circle of her revolution. Expect not thou to be free from the encroachments of time. For there is quarter to no one from his cruel sword.