Firishta's History (Gulshan-i Ibrāhīmī) 208: MAHMOOD SHAH I. ENTITLED BEGURRA.
History of the Rise of the Mahomedan Power in India (Briggs) 208
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Contents
MAHMOOD SHAH I. ENTITLED BEGURRA.
208.1.1
A conspiracy threatens to subvert the throne, but is suppressed by the great vigour displayed by the King — he makes two campaigns to the Deccan to assist Nizam Shah Bahmuny against the King of Malwa — marches into the province of Sorut — reduces Girnal — makes an inroad through Kutch as far as the Indus — builds Moostufabad in Sorut — reduces Champanere — builds the town of Mahomedabad — constructs the city wall of Ahmudabad — proceeds to Dowlutabad in the Deccan. — Arrival of the Turkish fleet from the Red Sea at Diu — it is joined by the Guzerat fleet, and they proceed to attack the Portuguese. — Battle of Choul, in which both parties suffer severely, and each claims the victory. — Death of Mahmood Shah Begurra. Shortly after the accession of Mahmood Shah, the affairs of the state, which had been so much neglected during the reign of Kootb Shah, began to assume a form of regularity. Five or six months after, however, four nobles, who held small governments at a distance from the capital, jealous of the increasing influence of the minister, Imad-ool-Moolk, formed a conspiracy against him, and insisted on his removal; they even went so far as to threaten, if he were not instantly disgraced, to dethrone the present king, and to place his younger brother Hoossein on the musnud. The names of these officers were, — Boorhan-ool-Moolk, Azd-ool-Moolk, Hissam-ool-Moolk, Suffy-ool-Moolk.
208.1.2
In the history of Nizam-ood-Deen Ahmud it is related that these officers represented to Mahmood Shah that Imad-ool-Moolk projected to dethrone him, and intended to place the crown on the head of his own son, Shahab-ood-Deen. Notwithstanding the nature of this accusation, so likely to poison the mind of this young prince, he had sufficient discretion to see the matter in its true light, and at the same time too much prudence openly to avow his sentiments. He, therefore, dissembled his feelings, and determined to avail himself of the first favourable opportunity to expose the accusers. In the first place, he caused Imad-ool-Moolk to be confined in chains, thanked the informers for their loyalty and attachment, and assured them, that he would punish the traitor by putting him to death with his own hands. This conduct, while it elated the four conspirators with hopes of placing the Prince Hoossein on the throne, lulled them into security from any apprehension of a discovery of their plot. On the following day the King having taken his measures, ordered the accused minister to be conveyed into the palace-yard, opposite the hall of audience. Upon his arrival, he desired him to be brought into his presence, in order that he might put some questions to him before his death, when he suddenly caused his fetters to be removed.
208.1.3
Some of the conspirators observing this, and concluding they were discovered, threw themselves from the palace, on the pavement below, while others falling on their faces prostrated themselves at the King’s feet, and begged his mercy. In order that the triumph of the minister over his enemies might be complete, the King allowed him to stand on the right hand of the throne, where he received the congratulations of the court.
208.1.4
Hajy Mahomed Kandahary relates, that when the four conspirators heard of the enlargement of Imad-ool-Moolk they proceeded with a body of thirty thousand men towards the palace, where the King remained with three hundred attendants only. On this occasion, some resolved to shut the palace-gates, and defend themselves behind the walls; while others proposed to collect the crown jewels, and make their escape. Mahmood Shah, however, in spite of the inequality of numbers, and though merely a boy, slung his quiver at his back, and with a bow in his hand sallied forth, attended only by three hundred horsemen, and accompanied by all the royal elephants, which did not amount to two hundred. On quitting the palace, he caused the approaches leading to it to be occupied by elephants, proceeding himself through the main street in slow procession, with the royal music playing before him. By this coolness and intrepidity, several of his nobles were enabled to join him; and in a short time they formed a very considerable force, though infinitely inferior to that of the insurgents.
208.1.5
The rebel troops having no room to oppose a large front dispersed among the streets, and plundered the inhabitants; while the conspirators themselves, being in a very short time deserted, fled, and were pursued. Boorhan-ool-Moolk, being of an unwieldy bulk, threw himself for temporary safety into a ditch which runs into the Saburmutty, in the village of Surkech, where he was taken, and, by the King’s orders, trod to death by elephants. Azd-ool-Moolk fled among the Girasias, who, recognising him to be the same person that had on a former occasion plundered them, put him to death. Hissam-ool-Moolk took refuge with his brother Rookn-ood-Deen, the chief magistrate of Puttun, from whence both fled to Malwa; and Suffy-ool-Moolk was taken prisoner; but, as he was not considered so guilty as his confederates, the King spared his life, causing him to be confined in the fort of Diu, where he died. Order being restored, Imad-ool-Moolk requested permission to resign the seals of office, and spend the rest of his days in retirement and devotion; and the King (to convince the world of his attachment to his old minister) appointed his son, Shahab-ood-Deen, to his situation, with the title of Mullik Ashruf.
208.1.6
In the year 866, Ahmud Nizam Shah Bahmuny of the Deccan, attacked on all sides by his enemies, particularly by Sooltan Mahmood of Malwa, who had marched towards his capital, solicited the aid of Mahmood Shah. The King no sooner received this communication than he determined immediately to march to his assistance; but his officers and nobles recommended that he should send an army, and himself remain at home, in order to provide against any contingences which might occur during his absence. With an ardent disposition, and ambitious of glory, he could not be averted from his resolution; and he assumed command of the army in person, consisting of a large body of cavalry and infantry, besides five hundred elephants. With this force he marched to Nundoorbar, where he was joined by Khwaja Jehan of Gavulgur, and proceeded to make a diversion by attacking the territory of the King of Malwa. This circumstance compelled Sooltan Mahmood Khiljy to retreat from Ahmudabad Bidur, to which place he had penetrated, in order to return and protect his own country; but the passes on his direct route being occupied, he was reduced to the alternative of marching by Elichpoor, from whence, penetrating through the Gondwana woods, he arrived in Malwa. Such was the end of this campaign.
208.1.7
In the following year, Sooltan Mahmood Khiljy renewed his attack on the Deccan; and the King of Guzerat, at the entreaties of Ahmud Nizam Shah Bahmuny, marched to his relief, but did not arrive in sufficient time to prevent Sooltan Mahmood laying waste all the fertile country in the vicinity of Dowlutabad, and carrying off many prisoners. The King of the Deccan on this occasion paid a large sum for the assistance of the Guzerat troops to Mahmood Shah, who, on returning to Ahmudabad, addressed a letter of remonstrance to Sooltan Mahmood Khiljy to this effect:—“It is surely far from “the principles of the faith for you to wage war “with true believers. On the other hand, it is as “discreditable to refuse to meet your enemy in the field. Desist, therefore, from these invasions, or “you may rely on it that the moment you commence ‘your march again towards the Deccan, we will “make a predatory incursion into Malwa.” This letter was answered by a promise of refraining in future from any other invasion of the Deccan.
208.1.8
Two years afterwards (869), Mahmood Shah marched with a large army towards Bavur, an extraordinary hill-fort, considered impregnable by the inhabitants. From thence he proceeded to Doora and Purnalla, places situated between Concan and Guzerat, and defeated the infidels in several actions; and the Raja was obliged to give up his forts, and to throw himself on the mercy of the Mahomedan conqueror, who, after having obtained from him a large sum of money, restored his country into his hands.
208.1.9
As an instance of the impartial justice of Mahmood Shah it is related, that in the year 870, while on a hunting party near Ahmudnuggur, Baha-ool-Moolk, the son of Aluf Khan, one of his principal nobles, in a fit of passion put to death a trooper, and for fear of being taken fled to Idur. The King immediately sent Mullik Hajy and Imad-ool-Moolk, two of the secretaries of the government, to seize him; but they, in order to screen the real murderer, on account of his rank, gave a sum of money to two of Baha-ool-Moolk’s servants, to acknowledge that they perpetrated the deed; and the secretaries promised to save their lives, by using their influence with the King. These unfortunate men, allured by the largeness of the bribe, and relying on the fair promises of the two officers, avowed the commission of the crime, and being delivered over to the court of justice, were tried, condemned, and executed. Sometime after, when the King discovered the real state of the case, he caused the heads of the secretaries to be struck off, notwithstanding they were men of noble family, and in high favour at the time. After their execution their skins were stuffed with straw, and hung over the gates of the town, as public examples, to the rest of the nobles of the court.
208.2.1
The author of the history of Mahmood Shah relates, that in the year 872 the King saw the holy Prophet (Mahomed) in a dream, who presented before him a magnificent banquet of the most delicate viands. This dream was interpreted by the wise men as a sign that he would soon accomplish a conquest by which he would obtain great treasures; which prediction was soon after verified in the capture of Girnal.
208.2.2
In the year 873, Mahmood Shah marched towards the country of Girnal, the capital of which bears the same name. This place is situated on a mountain, on which is constructed the strongest fortress in that part of India. Its reduction had been frequently in the contemplation of the kings both of Dehly and Guzerat, but they had not yet been able to effect it, and many of the ancient rajas of India had in vain attempted to seize that formidable fortification. The accomplishment of this object was reserved for Mahmood Shah Begurra. The mountain on which the fortress stands is surrounded by lower hills situated at some distance, and ravines and broken ground surround its approaches on all sides, which lead through narrow defiles. One of these, the Dumodry Ghat, has a strong outwork at the entrance, called at the present day Joonagur. There are, besides, two other works, called Mohabilla. Nearly nineteen hundred years had elapsed since this fortress first came into possession of the family of Mandulik Raja, who held it when Mahmood Shah marched to attack it; and excepting Mahomed Toghluk and Ahmud Shah of Guzerat, no foreign prince had penetrated into that country.
208.2.3
Mahmood Shah, relying on the interpretation of his dream, marched towards Girnal with perfect confidence of reducing it to his subjection. On his arrival within eighty miles, he detached a force of one thousand seven hundred men, under his uncle Toghluk Khan, in advance; and presenting every man of the party with a dirk in a scabbard mounted with gold, ordered that the works called Mohabilla should be occupied at all hazards before his arrival. As the approach of this force was unexpected, the Rajpoots, who bear the name of Row, and who were intrusted with the charge of the post, were attacked by surprise, and cut off. Mahmood Shah with the main body following soon after, passed the defile without opposition. The Ray of Girnal, hearing of the occupation of the Mohabilla post, descended from the hill-fort, and attacked Toghluk Khan, and might have repulsed him, but for the arrival of the King with the main body, when the Ray sustained a total defeat, being himself severely wounded. The victorious army, without attacking the fort of Girnal, destroyed all the temples in the vicinity; and the King sending out foraging parties procured abundance of provisions for the camp. The Ray, rather than sustain a siege, purchased a cessation of hostilities by present submission, and by the payment of a large amount in jewels and in specie; after which, the army returned to Ahmudabad.
208.2.4
In the year 874, the King, who only wanted some excuse to invade Girnal a second time, urged, as a cause of complaint against the Raja, his habit of assuming the ensigns of royalty. He, therefore, ordered an army of forty thousand horse to march to Girnal, and to exact a fine from him on this account. The Ray, who was neither able nor willing to oppose the Mahomedan arms, paid the sum required; and Nizam-ood-Deen Ahmud states in his history, that Mahmood Shah distributed the money produced by this expedition, in one night, amongst a set of female dancers. About this period a curious incident occurred, and the anecdote will serve to illustrate the character of Mahmood. He was engaged on a hunting excursion, when a must elephant, running towards him, attacked that on which the King was seated. All the rest of the party instantly took to flight, and the King was left alone. The circumstance by no means disconcerted him; but with a presence of mind which never deserted him, he received the animal with undaunted bravery, and with a spear assisted his own elephant and driver in such a manner, that the infuriated beast became so severely wounded as to give up the contest and fly.
208.2.5
In the latter end of the year 874, the King again marched by way of Sorut to Girnal. The Ray declared his willingness to pay any sum of money he could produce, to protect his subjects from the oppression and horrors of war. Mahmood insisted on his abdicating the throne and government in his favour. The Ray made no answer, but shut himself up in the fort of Joonagur, to which the King laid siege. Shortly after, having evacuated Joonagur, in the beginning of the year 875, the Raja again retired to Girnal; but seeing no end to his misfortunes, he at length consented to become a proselyte to the Mahomedan faith, when he was dignified with the title of Khan Jehan; and his descendants have ever since occupied one of the most respectable stations at the Guzerat court. The author of the Mirut-Iskundry relates the circumstance of the conversion of the Ray of Girnal in the following words: — "The Mandulik Raja," says that author, "being taken prisoner, was sent to Ahmudabad. One day, perceiving a grand procession going towards the residence of the holy Shah Alum at Russoolabad, the Ray enquired who Shah Alum was, and in whose service. He was told that this holy person acknowledged no master, but the Supreme Being. Struck with admiration at the reply, he resolved to visit him, and was afterwards persuaded by him to become a proselyte to the faith."
208.2.6
The King, being desirous that the tenets of Islam should be propagated throughout the country of Girnal, caused a city to be built, which he called Moostufabad, for the purpose of establishing an honourable residence for the venerable personages of the Mahomedan religion deputed to disseminate its principles; Mahmood Shah also took up his residence in that city. Having by this measure withdrawn his court into a corner of the kingdom, the greater part of his dominions was left to the bad management of his officers, who during his absence neglected their duty, the evil effects of which soon became apparent.” The public roads were so infested by robbers, that it was dangerous for single travellers, or small parties, to pass to and fro in Guzerat, so that the King found it necessary to establish a more active police. Accordingly Jumal Khan, the son of Sheikh Mullik, ennobled with the title of Mohafiz Khan, was appointed to this duty, with orders to reside at Ahmudabad, and he was authorised to increase the police establishment. In a short time, five hundred thieves were publicly executed; and some idea may be formed of the number of the police retainers when it is known, that Mohafiz Khan had, at one time, in attendance one thousand seven hundred bargeer-i-khass, or persons equipped by him, and riding his own stable horses.
208.2.7
His power was, in fact, so little within control, that his son Mullik Khizr, in the absence of the King, marched without orders, and obliged the rays of Idur, Wagur, and Serohy, to pay him tribute. The King, who was still at Moostufabad superintending the building of the new city, now heard that the inhabitants of Kutch, far removed from Dehly, had long thrown off all allegiance from that government. This people having but little to subsist on, were in the habit of plundering their neighbours, and had lately invaded Guzerat. Mahmood Shah, who only wanted an object to excite him to action, readily seized this opportunity of gratifying his ambition, enriching himself, and of propagating the faith. Accordingly, in the year 877, he proceeded towards Kutch, and by forced marches came suddenly upon the enemy’s encampment at Sheevur with only three hundred cavalry, the rest of his troops having been left behind during a march of sixty coss without a halt. The Kutchies consisted of four thousand archers, who drew up in good order. Mahmood Shah dismounted to put on his armour, and with his small party charged the enemy, which, notwithstanding the disparity of numbers, was (by the assistance of God) defeated, and numbers of them slain; after which, the remainder came forward with their weapons slung round their necks, to implore mercy. Mahmood Shah, wishing to ascertain if they had any knowledge of the principles of the true faith, questioned them as to their religion.
208.2.8
They replied, they were men of the desert, without teachers: they knew there was a sky, earth, and water, and fire; that they had no wants but the necessary articles of food; but begged his Majesty to send teachers among them, in order that they might become true Mahomedans. The Kutchies are a large, tall, robust race, extremely active, and notoriously good archers. Many of the chiefs of the tribe accompanied the King on his return to Moostufabad, where they imbibed the true principles of the faith; after which, a constant intercourse was kept up between that city and these people.
208.3.1
From them the King learned, that beyond the country of Sheevur, in the province called Sind, were four thousand inhabitants of the Jutt and Buloch tribes, who also excelled in the use of the bow to that degree, that it was said of them that they could split a hair with an arrow. These Bulochies, as well as their neighbours the Bulochies of Persia, are of the Sheea persuasion, and live by depredations, sometimes penetrating as far as the Guzerat provinces. In the end of the same year, Mahmood Shah marched towards Sind. On arriving at Sheevur, he selected a detachment of one thousand cavalry, each trooper leading a second horse with a week’s provender; and by making forced marches across the desert, he reached the frontier of that country. On the evening of his arrival he halted, in order that his men and horses might be effective on the following day, when he attacked the enemy’s camp. This delay, however, enabled some persons who were tending their camels to give intimation of this sudden inroad, so that many of the Bulochies made their escape in consequence, and the King found the tents deserted, except by a few persons who had concealed themselves. These were dragged out on being discovered by the soldiery, and put to death; and their camp was delivered up to plunder; after which the King retreated to Moostufabad, having penetrated on this occasion as far as the Indus.
208.3.2
Mahmood Shah’s next effort was against the port of Jugut, with a view of making converts of the infidels, an object from which he had been hitherto deterred by the reports he received of the approaches to it. The cause of making the attempt at this time arose from the capture of Mowlana Mahmood Samarkandy by the people of Jugut. This holy man was one of the most learned philosophers of his age. He had spent the greater part of his life in the service of the Bahmuny kings, and being in the decline of life was returning to his native country. Having embarked in a vessel bound to Ormuz, it was driven into the port of Jugut, where the inhabitants, at the instigation of the bramins, boarded the ship, and having taken the Mowlana and family prisoners, plundered him of all he possessed, permitting him with his two children to go, but detaining his wife. The holy man brought his complaint to Mahmood Shah at Moostufabad; stating that his wife had been seized and detained by Raja Bheem of Jugut; and he persuaded the King that he was bound in duty to attack these infidels, who had thus dared to lay hands on the faithful. Mahmood Shah, having harangued his army, stated the necessity of making another campaign against the infidels of Jugut, to which, although the troops had been sadly harassed during the last three or four years, by severe marches, they cheerfully consented.
208.3.3
The King, after an arduous march, at length arrived before the fort of Jugut, a place filled with infidels, misled by the infernal-minded bramins. They were terrified at the appearance of the Mahomedans, and fled in confusion to the island of Béte. The spot on which the King encamped was full of wild beasts, such as lions, leopards, and wolves. Snakes, also, were so numerous, that within the enclosure occupied by the royal tents no fewer than seventy were killed in one day. The army was employed in destroying the temple at Jugut, and in building a mosque in its stead; while measures, which occupied three or four months in completing, were in progress for equipping a fleet to attack the island of Béte. During this time the enemy attacked the King’s flotilla on twenty-two different occasions. At length the Mahomedans reached the island, and landed, and having got into the town, put to death a vast number of Rajpoots. Raja Bheem effected his escape in a small boat during the attack, though he was overtaken and made prisoner by some vessels sent in chase; and being put in fetters was carried in the train of the King to Moostufabad, where he was delivered over to the holy man on whose account the war had been undertaken, to whom also his wife and property were restored. The Raja was, subsequently, at the instigation of Mowlana Mahmood, dragged around the city of Ahmudabad, and put to death, in order to deter others from similar conduct.
208.3.4
Mahmood Shah, conceiving his dominions too extensive for his own immediate management, divided Guzerat into separate provinces, appointing governors to each, himself residing at Moostufabad. Béte and Jugut, — Furhut-ool-Moolk, Songier, — Imad-ool-Moolk, Godra, — Kowam-ool-Moolk, Tanna, — Nizam-ool-Moolk, Ahmudabad, — Khoodabunda Khan. The latter individual was the preceptor of the Prince Moozuffur Khan. A short time after this arrangement took place, Khoodabunda Khan, in conjunction with Ray Rayan, and some other officers, concerted a plan to dethrone Mahmood, and to place his son, the Prince Moozuffur, on his throne, and proposed taking advantage of the Rumzan fast to carry their project into effect. Among others to whom they communicated their plan was Imad-ool-Moolk, governor of Songier, whom they swore to secresy. The force which he commanded being at that time at the seat of his government, he had not the power, even had he wished it, to oppose the conspirators; he therefore pretended to enter into their project, and in the mean time sent messengers to order his troops to Ahmudabad. On the last day of the Rumzan, Imad-ool-Moolk went to the Prince’s court, accompanied by his troops, and attended him, as usual, to read prayers at the Eedgah, and he returned without making any attempt to place him on the throne, as was expected. The conspirators, though disappointed, were overawed by the force of Imad-ool-Moolk, and looked on the plot as having failed.
208.3.5
In the mean time, Keisur Khan, an officer of the household, mentioned the affair privately to the King, who proceeded forthwith to Gogo, and embarking in a vessel sailed to Cambay. On his arrival there, he was met by most of the confederates, who came to welcome him. On the first court-day, in order to discover how they were disposed towards him, he addressed his courtiers, saying, that as his son Moozuffur had now arrived at years of discretion, and as he understood that some of the nobles looked up to the Prince in preference to him, he had come to the resolution of abdicating the throne in the Prince’s favour, and proceeding to Mecca to pay his devotions at the holy shrine. Imad-ool-Moolk of Songier entreated the King, in the first place, to proceed to Ahmudabad. This observation from Imad-ool-Moolk at once convinced him that he had nothing to apprehend from that quarter, he therefore marched to Ahmudabad, declaring, that, after his arrival, he would not eat till the nobles consented to his visiting Mecca. The chiefs, having by this time discovered that the King only wanted to try their fidelity, forbore to urge him; and Nizam-ool-Moolk recommended him to proceed and subdue the fort of Champanere, from the plunder of which the expenses of the pilgrimage might be defrayed. The King replied, “God willing, let it be even so.” For some days after he avoided conversing with Imad-ool-Moolk, whom he knew to be loyal;
208.3.6
but although acquainted with the whole plot, he had yet communicated nothing to the King. An explanation, however, at length took place, when the King disgraced the minister Khoodabunda Khan, and caused the person employed in the meanest office of his household to be called by his name, in order to show that the minister was worthy of no higher station. Mahmood Shah, after remaining for some time at Ahmudabad, proceeded to Puttun, from whence he deputed Imad-ool-Moolk and Keisur Khan to levy tribute on the rajas of Julwara and Aboogur. During the first march, while encamped at the shrine of Sheikh Hajy, Mujahid Khan, the son of the late degraded minister, took the opportunity of revenging himself on Keisur Khan, who had given the first information of his father’s defection: and entering his tent at night, put that nobleman to death. The King’s suspicions of the murder fell first on Ajdur Khan, who was known to be hostile to Keisur Khan, and he was placed in fetters; but the real murderer and his accomplices having fled from camp the next night, the King caused Khoodabunda Khan to be imprisoned, and Ajdur Khan to be released. The King now returned to Ahmudabad, and then proceeded to Moostufabad, where he remained for some years. In the year 887, he prepared an army to move towards Champanere;
208.3.7
but about that period, hearing that the Bulsar pirates had gained such an ascendency at sea as to threaten the invasion of his dominions, and had already intercepted the trade, he collected a fleet, on board of which he embarked a force consisting of gunners, musketeers, and archers, with which he sailed from Cambay. After some days the fleet fell in with the enemy and gave chase: a running fight was sustained for some hours, during which several of the piratical vessels were captured. The fleet returned to Cambay, and the King repaired to Ahmudabad.
208.4.1
During this year, in consequence of an unusual drought, famine prevailed in Guzerat, of which many thousands of the inhabitants perished. On the 1st of Zeekad, the King commenced his preparations for marching against Champanere. This fortress situate on a high hill, was surrounded by strong works of solid masonry, and was in possession of Beny Ray, a chief of the Rajpoot tribe. It is so ancient that no tradition even exists of the time of its foundation. The princes of Champanere had possessed the government from time immemorial; and sixty thousand Rajpoots formed the army of the Raja, who were devoted to his person with an enthusiastic attachment. It is by no means, therefore, to be wondered at, that this fort had not yet been subdued, or that its rulers had never bent their necks to the Mahomedan yoke. When the Ray heard of the determination of Mahmood Shah, he began to lay waste the country contiguous to Rusoolabad, and put to death many of the faithful. On the King’s arrival at Baroda, repenting of his conduct, the Ray sent ambassadors to solicit forgiveness; but Mahmood Shah, enraged at the devastation committed on Rusoolabad, refused to listen to any accommodation. It was in the beginning of the year 888 before all the preparations were ready, that Taj Khan, Beiram Khan, Etibar Khan, and Azd-ool-Moolk, were sent in advance, and arrived at the foot of the hill on the 7th of Suffur, A. H. 888.
208.4.2
After this the enemy repeatedly attacked these troops without much effect, till at length the King having reached the fort, he encamped at Girnary on the Malwa road. Beny Ray deputed ambassadors, offering to pay two elephant loads of gold if Mahmood Shah would desist from his purpose; but finding neither his entreaties nor offers of any avail, he collected his troops, consisting of sixty thousand men, beside the auxiliaries furnished by the neighbouring rajas. With these troops the Rajpoots made frequent attacks on the besiegers; till at length they compelled them to raise the siege; and the Raja drew up his army to engage the King, who now appeared at the head of his forces. The action which ensued was sanguinary, and obstinately contested on both sides; and the Hindoos, though repulsed, retreated in good order, with a compact body of twelve thousand men. The King having followed the enemy to the foot of the hill-fort, renewed his disposition for the prosecution of the siege, and returned in person to Girnary. Shortly after, a convoy of provisions and stores, under Syud Mudun Lung, was attacked by the Rajpoots, and the whole convoy seized. In consequence of this, the King repaired to the camp, and superintended in person the operations of the siege, both in constructing the trenches and carrying on mines. The flower of the Rajpoot army had been destroyed in the late action;
208.4.3
and the Raja, beginning to despair of saving his capital, or of appeasing Mahmood’s rage, sent his minister Shew Ray to Mando, promising Sooltan Gheias-ood-Deen Khiljy of Malwa to pay him a lack of tunkas of silver for every march he should make in coming to his assistance. Gheias-ood-Deen assembled his army for this purpose at the town of Nalcha; when Mahmood Shah, leaving orders for the continuation of the siege, marched to attack him. On arriving at D’har, Mahmood Shah heard that Sooltan Gheias-ood-Deen, on being reproached by his nobles and officers for entertaining an intention of marching to the assistance of an infidel, had disbanded his army and returned to Mando. Mahmood Shah, in consequence, countermarched to Champanere, and caused a mosque to be built in the lines, in order to convince his troops that it was his resolution not to desist from the siege of the fort till it was reduced. The mines were now carried on with increased exertion, and the approaches brought within a short distance, so much so that the besiegers discovered that the Rajpoots left the place through a sally-port every morning in order to perform their ablutions. The King, taking advantage of this circumstance, ordered a party on the morning of the 2d of Zeekad, A. H. 889, to be close to the walls at daylight;
208.4.4
and as the besieged quitted them, many of the Mahomedans rushed into the place, and penetrated as far as the second gate, while Mullik Eiaz Sooltany, with a small party, escaladed the western wall, where a breach had been made a few days before by one of the batteries, and got possession of the main gate. The Rajpoots seeing no chance of escape, and finding that the King rejected all overtures for surrender, made a funeral pile within the walls, and having brought their property, their wives, and their children, set fire to it, and consumed them to ashes; after which, they resolutely awaited the storm. Meanwhile they made every effort to expel Mullik Eiaz Sooltany from the position he had gained; but a shell falling on the palace of the Raja, it was deemed unlucky. Mahmood Shah, who was ready in the lines, sent more troops to support Mullik Eiaz, who opened the gates, and admitted the Mahomedans. With this reinforcement the King arrived in person; and having planted the colours on the works, obtained entire possession of the ramparts. The Hindoos, thus situated, collected in a body, and running to some water near the spot, bathed, with their naked swords and spears in their hands, and then rushed on the Mahomedans. The Rajpoots were for the most part killed in this assault, though the victors also suffered severely, both in killed and wounded. The Raja Beny Ray, and his prime minister Dongursy, were both wounded, and fell into the hands of the King’s troops.
208.4.5
After this victory, Mahmood Shah caused public prayers to be read, and directed the wounds of the prisoners to be attended to. Having sent for Beny Ray, he asked him what could induce him to hold out so long, before so large a force. The Ray replied, with undaunted firmness, “I hold this territory by hereditary right, and being descended from a line of noble ancestors, have been taught to respect that name which they handed down to me. I “ determined, therefore, not to act in a way so as “ to disgrace my family.” Mahmood, admiring this spirited and manly conduct, ordered every attention to be paid to the Raja’s wants and comforts. During the time the King was detained by his sick and wounded at Champanere, he laid the foundation of the city of Mahmoodabad, and also of a beautiful mosque, in which was a pulpit with this sentence inscribed upon it, commemorating the date of its completion: — خطبه و منبر “ Prayers and the pulpit.” Beny Ray having recovered from his wounds, the King used every effort to persuade both him and his minister to embrace the Mahomedan faith. They, however, persisted in refusing, swearing that they preferred death to abjuring their religion. Mahmood Shah was in hopes of shaking their constancy by confining them separately, and treating them harshly. This conduct only tended to support their resolution, till at length the King, at the instigation of some holy men about his person, ordered them to be put to death.
208.4.6
At this period, he caused the city of Ahmudabad to be surrounded by a wall and bastions; and on its completion had the following sentence, commemorative of the date of that event, inscribed on one face of the fortification: — من دخله كان آمنا “ Whosoever is within is safe.” In the year 892, some merchants travelling from Dehly with horses for Guzerat were plundered in passing the territories of a Hindoo chief. The King immediately sent a person to demand restitution of the property; and such was the awe Mahmood Shah had inspired, that the merchants were not only well reimbursed, but the messenger was handsomely entertained, and magnificent presents sent back with him to the King. In the year 900, one Bahadur Geelany, an officer of the Deccan government, having revolted from his master, collected a force consisting of from ten to twelve thousand men, and also a fleet, with which he not only seized on the ports of Goa and Dabul, but went so far as to lay hands on some Guzerat vessels trading along the coast. He afterwards landed, and took possession of the island of Mahim, giving up the town to plunder. On information of this event, the admiral, Sufdur-ool-Moolk, was sent to Mahim by sea, and Kowam-ool-Moolk marched with a force by land. The fleet experienced a heavy gale off the port, in which most of the vessels were stranded; on which occasion the enemy came down to the beach, and massacred the crews as they were washed ashore.
208.4.7
The admiral himself was taken prisoner, and all the fleet fell into the enemy’s hands. Kowam-ool-Moolk hearing of this disaster, on his arrival near Mahim, sent a messenger to the King, and halted till further orders. Mahmood Shah now deputed an envoy to the King of the Deccan, complaining of the outrage committed by Bahadur Geelany; and that monarch marching against the rebel (notwithstanding a disaffection of the nobles of his court), seized his person, and caused him to be executed; and Sufdur-ool-Moolk, the Guzerat admiral, was released from prison, and the fleet of the late Bahadur Geelany, which fell into the hands of the King of the Deccan, was delivered over to the admiral's charge. After the necessary equipments, Sufdur-ool-Moolk sailed from Mahim to the northward, taking with him some valuable presents from the King of the Deccan, and also a letter, requesting the interference of Mahmood Shah with the officers of his army, and the nobles of his court, who were in a state of actual revolt. Mahmood Shah, perceiving that matters had gone too far to be enabled to render him any aid, declined engaging in the affairs of his court.
208.5.1
In the year 901, Mahmood Shah marched towards the countries of Wagur and Idur, from the rajas of which places he exacted large offerings, and returned laden with treasure to Mahomedabad Champanere. Three years afterwards (A. H. 904), having heard that Aluf Khan had raised the standard of revolt, the King ordered Sheikh Burra Deccany, the Kazy-ool-Koozat of Ahmudabad, to march against him; upon which the rebel fled to Malwa, where he shortly afterwards died by poison. On the following year (A.H. 905) Adil Khan Farooky, ruler of Kandeish, following the example of Aluf Khan and the officers of the Deccan, raised the standard of revolt, and refused to pay the usual tribute. Sheikh Burra was also sent against him; but Adil Khan coming in person to Mahomedabad Champanere, threw himself on the King’s mercy, bringing with him the arrears of tribute, as a peace offering. Some historians state that Mahmood Shah marched in person against Adil Khan, and having arrived on the river Tapty, received his submission there.
208.5.2
About this period Mullik Ashruf, the governor of Dowlutabad, wrote to Mahmood Shah, stating that he had possession of that strong fortress, and was besieged by the Deccan army under Ahmud Nizam Shah Bheiry; offering, at the same time, if the Guzerat monarch would march to his assistance, to give him possession, and hold it as his tributary. Mahmood Shah, in consequence, marched to the south, and Ahmud Nizam Shah raised the siege, and retreated to Ambur. The King of Guzerat did not halt till he reached Dowlutabad; where having received handsome presents from Mullik Ashruf, he returned to Mahomedabad Champanere. In the year 906, the King having discovered a conspiracy among some of the nobles of Ahmudabad, for the purpose of dethroning him, went thither, and by strong measures dictated by policy as well as by necessity, removed some from their offices, and caused others to be executed.
208.5.3
In the year 913, the infidel Europeans, who had of late years usurped the dominion of the ocean, endeavoured to occupy for themselves some port on the Guzerat coast, on which they wished to settle; and the Grand Seignior of Constantinople, desirous of opposing this measure, deputed Ameer Hoossein with a fleet from the Red Sea to engage them in this quarter. Ameer Hoossein arrived off the Guzerat coast in this year; and Mahmood Shah, also, anxious to aid in the expulsion of these strangers, sailed with a fleet first to Daman, and then to Mahim. On his arrival at the former port, he ordered Mullik Eiaz Sooltany, the Ameer-ool-Omra, with a large fleet, to sail from Diu to attack the enemy in concert with the Turkish fleet, whose ships were of a larger description than those of Guzerat. The combined fleets fell in with the Portuguese off the port of Choul, where an engagement took place, in which the flag-ship of the enemy (valued at a crore of rupees) was sunk, and every man on board perished. Mullik Eiaz, having thus defeated the Portuguese fleet, returned victoriously; for “although four hundred Turks were honoured with “the crown of martyrdom, no fewer than three “thousand or four thousand Portuguese infidels “were, at the same time, sent to the infernal regions.” After this event, the King having placed the Guzerat ports in security from the enemy’s attacks, returned to Mahomedabad Champanere.
208.5.4
Shortly after, news arrived that Dawood Khan Farooky, ruler of Kandeish, was dead, and that a revolution had taken place in that country. Adil Khan Farooky (the grandson of Mahmood Shah) deputed a person to the King, asserting his right to the government, and claiming assistance from him on the score of relationship. In the year 913, therefore, Mahmood Shah marched with a small force towards Aseer. On the road thither he halted to celebrate the Rumzan at the town of Chikly, on the banks of the Nerbudda; where he learned that Alum Khan Farooky, being invited by one Hissam-ood-Deen of Kandeish, and supported by Ahmud Nizam Shah Bheiry, and Imad-ool-Moolk ruler of Berar, had assumed the reins of government in Aseer. On Mahmood Shah reaching Talnere, he was met by Adil Khan, and thence he sent a Guzerat detachment in advance to Boorhanpoor. In consequence of which, the united forces of Berar and Ahmudnuggur retreated, and Adil Khan was placed at the head of the government. Larun Khan Khiljy, one of the pretenders to Kandeish, was gratified by receiving the title of Khan Jehan; and he obtained the district of Ahwas in jageer. Mahmood Shah, on this occasion, conferred titles also on many other of the Aseer officers attached to Adil Khan, and left a body of Guzerat troops to support his authority. In order to deter Hissam-ood-Deen from making any future attempt on the government, he conferred on him the town of Difoor, in the district of Sooltanpoor.
208.5.5
Notwithstanding these arrangements, internal commotions occurred at Aseer during the following year, which were amicably adjusted through the agency of Mahmood Shah, who sent his own son to carry into effect his orders, and to confirm the authority of Adil Khan. It is worthy of remark, that an embassy, accompanied by valuable presents, was sent on the following year from Sikundur Lody of Dehly to Mahmood Shah of Guzerat, thereby acknowledging, for the first time, the independence of that kingdom. In the latter end of the same year, Mahmood Shah made a tour of his kingdom; proceeding, first, to Nehrwala Puttun, where he solicited the prayers of the holy men dwelling in that place; and subsequently to Ahmudabad, when he paid his devotion at the shrine of Sheikh Ahmud Geesoo-Duraz, and returned thence to Mahomedabad Champanere; where falling dangerously ill, he sent for his son the Prince Moozuffur, the heir apparent, from Baroda. Shortly afterwards, recovering sufficiently to transact business, he permitted him to return to his government; but in a few weeks after, having a relapse of his complaint, he again sent for the Prince. At this period, Yadgar Beg Kuzilbash arrived as ambassador from Shah Ismael, King of Persia; but before he could obtain an audience, Mahmood Shah died, on the 2d of Rumzan, A.H. 917, in the seventieth year of his age, and the fifty-fifth of his reign.
208.5.6
He was surnamed Bégra, or Bé Gurra. Historians differ with regard to the origin of this appellation: some assert it was given to him because bégra signifies curled, as the horns of a cow, alluding to the shape which his mustachios assumed. Shah Judeecowa Deen Hoosein, however, in his history, gives his opinion in these words:— “The word bé, in the Guzeratty language, signifies two, and gurra a hill-fort, from whence the name Bé Gurra, derived from Mahmood Shah, having reduced two hill-forts on the opposite sides of his dominions, before deemed impregnable; viz. Girnal on the west, and Champaneere on the east.” This derivation appears to me sufficiently rational and probable.