[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Indian literature](https://indike.org/pramana/in) › [Dark Ages](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages) › [General histories](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.general) › [Tārīkh-i Firishta](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.general.tarikh-i-firishta) › [History of the Rise of the Mahomedan Power in India (Briggs)](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.general.tarikh-i-firishta~en-briggs) › 66 # Firishta's History (Gulshan-i Ibrāhīmī) 66: ALLA-OOD-DEEN HUSSUN SHAH GUNGOO BAHMUNY: History of the Rise of the Mahomedan Power in India (Briggs) 66 - **Language:** English ## Contents - [66.1](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.general.tarikh-i-firishta~en-briggs.66.1) — 7 parts - [66.2](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.general.tarikh-i-firishta~en-briggs.66.2) — 10 parts ### ALLA-OOD-DEEN HUSSUN SHAH GUNGOO BAHMUNY: ### [66.1.1](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.general.tarikh-i-firishta~en-briggs.66.1.1) His origin. — State of the Mahomedan power in the Deccan. — Mahomed Toghluk, King of Dehly, suspects the foreign officers stationed in the Deccan of an intention to revolt — takes steps to procure their being sent to his camp. — The officers concert measures with the Hindoo princes of the Deccan to revolt — they obtain possession of Dowlutabad. — The King of Dehly arrives, and attacks the confederates, but is induced to quit the Deccan to suppress an insurrection in Guzerat. — The Deccan chiefs establish their independence — they raise Ismael to the throne. — Zuffur Khan, the principal Deccan partisan, takes Kandahar and Bidur from the Dehly officers in charge, and reaches Dowlutabad. — Ismael abdicates the throne in favour of Zuffur Khan, who assumes the title and appellation of Alla-ood-Deen Hussun Gungoo Bahmuny. — He creates Seif-ood-Deen Ghoory minister, and makes Koolburga his capital. — The ex-King Ismael attempts to recover his power — he is seized, tried, and executed, but his estates and titles are conferred on his son. — Hussun Gungoo divides the Deccan into four departments: — 1st department, Dabul, Koolburga, Rachore, and Moodkul. 2d department, Choul, Joonere, Dowlutabad, and Peitun. 3d department, Mahoor, Ramgir, and the valley of Berar. 4th department, Bidur, Kotolas, and Indore. The King's health declines — his death. ### [66.1.2](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.general.tarikh-i-firishta~en-briggs.66.1.2) Authors differ regarding the birth and the early life of Alla-ood-Deen Hussun Bahmuny. It would be tedious and useless to relate all that has been said on this subject, so that I shall merely state that which is most generally believed in the Deccan. Hussun, a native of Dehly, was the servant of Gungoo, a braminical astrologer, enjoying high favour with the Prince Mahomed Toghluk, and who, in consideration of the good conduct of Hussun, gave him a pair of oxen, and permitted him to till a small piece of land for his own use. While at work one day, the plough attached itself to some substance, which on examination Hussun found to be a chain fastened to a copper vessel, containing a number of antique gold coins. On making the discovery, he carried the treasure to his master, who, commending him for his honesty, acquainted the Prince Mahomed Toghluk with the circumstance, who communicated it to his father, the King. The monarch ordered Hussun to the presence, and conferred on him the command of one hundred horse. ### [66.1.3](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.general.tarikh-i-firishta~en-briggs.66.1.3) It is further related, that the bramin assured Hussun he perceived from his horoscope that he would rise to great distinction, and be eminently favoured of the Almighty; and made him promise if he ever should attain regal power, that he would assume the name of Gungoo, and employ him as his minister of finance; a request with which Hussun readily complied. It is said, also, that his future destiny was foretold by the celebrated Sheikh Nizam-ood-Deen Oulia. From these prognostications, Hussun's ambition prompted him to proceed to the Deccan, which became the seat of his future good fortune. The Prince Mahomed Toghluk, having succeeded his father on the throne of Dehly, appointed his tutor, Kootloogh Khan, entitled Alum-ool-Moolk, governor of Dowlutabad; and granted permission, at the same time, to such officers as chose to proceed with him. Among these was Hussun, on whom was bestowed, in jageer, the town of Koonchy within the district of Ray Bagh. Some years after, Mahomed Toghluk led his army against the refractory nobles of Guzerat, whom he defeated. Many of these took refuge in the Deccan; where Kootloogh Khan and his officers, contrary to the duty they owed their sovereign, afforded them an asylum. This proceeding induced the King to determine on removing the whole of the Deccan officers to other provinces. With this view, Ahmud Lacheen was deputed to wait on Alum-ool-Moolk, requiring him to send the Deccan officers to Guzerat. ### [66.1.4](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.general.tarikh-i-firishta~en-briggs.66.1.4) The governor accordingly summoned them to repair to Dowlutabad. Some months elapsed before they arrived; when, at length, they departed with Ahmud Lacheen for Guzerat. Ahmud entertained hopes of extorting presents from these officers to engage his interest in their favour with the King, but being disappointed, he resented their conduct, and treated them with contempt; remarking to his attendants, that they deserved death for having given protection to the rebel chiefs of Guzerat, and for so long neglecting the royal summons to appear at court. The Deccan officers, on hearing these sentiments, became alarmed; and on reaching the frontier, they formed a plan to revolt. It was notorious that the King frequently punished with death the slightest offences, and often without examining the accused; so that they considered it better for them to maintain themselves in the Deccan by force, than to deliver themselves up tamely like sheep to the slaughter. This resolution being taken, they quitted Ahmud Lacheen, who in attempting to oppose them was defeated and slain. The chiefs were immediately joined by numbers of disaffected persons, and before they reached Dowlutabad had collected a large force. The rajas of the Deccan, also, suffering under the tyranny of the King of Dehly, rejoiced at this revolt; in which some joined, while others, more circumspect, only privately encouraged it, and assisted the rebels with money and supplies. How just is the observation of the poet, who remarks, ### [66.1.5](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.general.tarikh-i-firishta~en-briggs.66.1.5) "When man is oppressed he revolts from his prince in the hour of danger; "For how can a kingdom flourish when the ruler is tyrannical?" Imad-ool-Moolk, the King's son-in-law, governor of Berar and Kandeish, residing at Elichpoor, finding himself daily deserted by his troops, and fearing least his officers should finally deliver him over to the Deccanies, quitted that city with his family, under pretence of hunting, and retired to Nundoorbar; while the Berar officers plundering the treasury, proceeded to join the insurgents' camp near Dowlutabad. The garrison of this fortress, also, perceiving the accumulated force of the rebels, delivered over the place into their hands. Thus, in a few months, the territory of the Deccan, which had been conquered in a long series of campaigns, and at a vast expense of blood and treasure, seemed about to be snatched from the hands of the King of Dehly. On securing possession of Dowlutabad, the insurgents, in order to give weight to their measures, resolved to elect a leader; and they raised one Ismael Khan Afghan, an officer of one thousand horse, whose brother, Mullik Moogh, commanded the royal army in the province of Malwa, to be their King, with the title of Nasir-ood-Deen. This selection arose principally out of the hope that the Deccanies would be supported by the new king's relative in Malwa. Honours were bestowed by the new sovereign on all his officers, and to each was assigned a landed estate. ### [66.1.6](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.general.tarikh-i-firishta~en-briggs.66.1.6) At this time, Hussun, who has been before mentioned, had the title of Zuffur Khan conferred on him, and he received some districts for his own support and that of a body of soldiers. Meanwhile Mahomed Toghluk approached from Guzerat, having been joined on the road by Imad-ool-Moolk Tubreezy, and Mullik Moogh, governor of Malwa. On his arrival, near Dowlutabad, he found the insurgents ready to receive him at the head of thirty thousand cavalry, drawn up on the same plain where Alla-ood-Deen had first defeated the son of Ram Dew, Raja of Dewgur. In the action which ensued, both wings of the royal army were routed, and Mahomed Toghluk was even preparing to fly, when suddenly the curse of disloyalty fell upon the rebels. Khan Jehan, one of their principal chiefs, receiving an arrow wound, was dismounted, and his division, consisting of six thousand men, dispersed and fled from the field. At the same instant, also, the standard-bearer of Nasir-ood-Deen Ismael, the newly-created King, panic-struck, allowed the colours to fall from his hands; and the insurgent troops, supposing their chief had forsaken them, gradually fell back. Night coming on, both parties retired without molestation to their camp. Nasir-ood-Deen Ismael having sent for Zuffur Khan and his principal chiefs, resolved that it would be inadvisable for the present to hazard another battle, and it was agreed that Nasir-ood-Deen Ismael should retire within the walls of Dowlutabad with a sufficient garrison; ### [66.1.7](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.general.tarikh-i-firishta~en-briggs.66.1.7) while the officers should keep the field, provide for the protection of their own districts, and harass and cut off the enemy's convoys and supplies. The rebels, accordingly, silently withdrew during the night, so that at daylight the King of Dehly saw not a vestige of their army. On the following day, Imad-ool-Moolk Tubreezy was detached in pursuit of Zuffur Khan, and the King laid siege to Dowlutabad. After some time, the garrison, reduced to despair, was about to surrender, when intelligence arrived of an insurrection at Dehly, under a slave named Tuky, who, with a body of disaffected rabble, had committed great enormities in the capital, threatened the provinces, and was on march to Guzerat. The King, leaving the camp at Dowlutabad in charge of one of his generals, marched to quell this new rebellion. The Deccan officers, encouraged by this circumstance, collected from all parts, and advancing in force, compelled the royalists to raise the siege, and to follow their sovereign. On the retreat, they were hotly pressed by the Deccanies as far as the banks of the Nerbudda. On which occasion, the royalists lost much baggage, and several elephants laden with treasure. ### [66.2.1](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.general.tarikh-i-firishta~en-briggs.66.2.1) Zuffur Khan also marched with twenty thousand horse to Bidur, then occupied by Imad-ool-Moolk Tubreezy; but owing to the superiority of the royalists he dared not engage them. At last, being joined by fifteen thousand infantry, sent by the Raja of Tulingana, and five thousand horse, detached by Nasir-ood-Deen Ismael from Dowlutabad to his assistance, Zuffur Khan made the attack. The action, which was hardly contested, continued from daylight till sunset, when, as it was decreed by God, that Zuffur Khan should be raised to the sovereignty of the Deccan, Imad-ool-Moolk was slain, and his army routed. Many of the fugitives took shelter in Bidur, others in Kand'har, while some few retired with difficulty to Malwa. ### [66.2.2](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.general.tarikh-i-firishta~en-briggs.66.2.2) Zuffur Khan having left Mullik Seif-ood-Deen Ghoory to reduce the forts of Bidur and Kand'har proceeded to Dowlutabad; at which place he was met by Nasir-ood-Deen Ismael, who, on observing that greater attention was paid by the officers and the army to the general than to him, and perceiving, also, that they wished to have him for their king, prudently resolved to retire to a more humble station. Calling a meeting, therefore, of the principal officers present, Nasir-ood-Deen Ismael declared, that on account of his age he was unfit to rule in such times, and requested they would elect a new king, observing, that for his part he should recommend Zuffur Khan as most worthy of the throne. The assembly unanimously consented to the proposal; and the astrologers being directed to select a fortunate moment for his inauguration, on Friday, the 24th of Rubbee-ool-Akhur, 748, the crown was placed on the head of Zuffur Khan, and a black canopy, the colour assumed by the Abasside caliphs, was elevated over his throne. The Khootba was read, and coins struck, in his name, impressed with his title of Alla-ood-Deen Hussun. From that period, also, Koolburga, which now became the royal residence, was named Ahsunabad, and became the capital of the first Mahomedan king of the Deccan. Alla-ood-Deen Hussun, having assumed charge of his government, neglected none of its duties, and his dominions daily extended; ### [66.2.3](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.general.tarikh-i-firishta~en-briggs.66.2.3) so that in a short time the territory from the river Beema to the vicinity of the fortress of Adony, and from the port of Choul to the city of Bidur, was brought under his authority. It is related, that on his accession the King distributed four hundred pounds weight of gold, and one thousand pounds of silver, in charity, in the name of Nizam-ood-Deen Oulia, who had predicted his good fortune. Mullik Seif-ood-Deen Ghoory, remarkable alike for his integrity and good sense, was appointed minister; and the ex-king, Nasir-ood-Deen, re-assuming his original name of Ismael, was honoured with the title of Ameer-ool-Omra. Not unmindful of his promise to his former master, the King entrusted his treasury to the bramin Gungoo, who quitted the service of Mahomed Toghluk Padshah, and repaired to the Deccan; and the affix of Gungoo Bahmuny was superadded to the King's title in all public documents, and remained engraven on the royal seal of that dynasty till its extinction. It is generally believed that Gungoo was the first bramin who accepted office in the service of a Mahomedan prince; before whose time, the bramins never engaged in public affairs, but passed their lives in the duties of religion, and in the study of the Vedas; indifferent to fortune, conceiving the service of princes to be destructive of virtue. ### [66.2.4](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.general.tarikh-i-firishta~en-briggs.66.2.4) If, as physicians, astronomers, metaphysicians, or historians, they sometimes associated with the rich or powerful, they never consented to wear the chain of servitude, though courted by gifts, and promised the highest distinctions. Since Gungoo's acceptance of employment, however, the management of the revenue has been committed generally to bramins, by all the princes of the Deccan. Alla-ood-Deen Hussun, as well by wise policy as by force of arms, towards the end of the reign of Mahomed Toghluk, subdued every part of the Deccan previously subject to the throne of Dehly, and gained over by conciliatory measures the Afghan, Mogul, and Rajpoot officers of the Dehly government, holding possession of Bidur and Kandahar, which were delivered into his hands. ### [66.2.5](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.general.tarikh-i-firishta~en-briggs.66.2.5) He wrested Kowlas, also, with its dependencies, from the Raja of Wurungole, with whom he formed a treaty of alliance. The death of Mahomed Toghluk, in 752, removing all apprehensions of attack from Dehly, the King engaged assiduously in the internal economy of his government, and witnessed the marriage of his eldest son Mahomed with the daughter of Mullik Seif-ood-Deen Ghoory. On this occasion, he distributed ten thousand robes of cloth of gold, velvet, and satin, among the nobles of his court, besides one thousand Arabian and Persian horses, and two hundred sabres set with jewels. The populace were entertained with various amusements, and booths were erected in the streets of Koolburga, from which showers of confectionary were thrown among the crowd. The rejoicings lasted a whole year; on the last day of which, the nobility and officers, in their turn, made offerings of jewels, money, and the rarest productions of all countries. ### [66.2.6](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.general.tarikh-i-firishta~en-briggs.66.2.6) Mullik Seif-ood-Deen Ghoory, in consequence of this alliance, assumed a place in public assemblies above those of all the nobility. This circumstance gave offence to the Ameer-ool-Omra, who complained of it, but he was told, that in every settled government the civil officers took precedence of the military. Although apparently satisfied with this explanation, he secretly conspired with some disaffected persons to depose the King, and to re-ascend the throne he had abdicated. His designs not being favoured by Providence, the King obtained timely information of his intentions from persons who had joined in the plot, but had since repented. Having convened all the principal officers of the court, the King openly accused Ismael, who denied the charge by the most solemn oaths. Being confronted, however, with the informers, and many of the conspirators having fully proved the charges against him, the Ameer-ool-Omra suffered death: his relations and adherents, however, were unmolested; no confiscation of his property took place; and his son, Bahadur Khan, was raised to the rank of Ameer-ool-Omra. This act, connected with other instances of justice tempered with mercy, raised the King's fame, and strengthened his power. The Raja of Tulingana, who had thrown off all fealty, was treated with generous forbearance, on account of the assistance he had rendered to the King; and he now voluntarily agreed to pay the tribute he had heretofore remitted to the King of Dehly. ### [66.2.7](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.general.tarikh-i-firishta~en-briggs.66.2.7) Alla-ood-Deen, at the instance of Mullik Seif-ood-Deen Ghoory, sent a considerable force into the Carnatic, from whence his general returned successful, with valuable contributions from several rajas in money and jewels, besides two hundred elephants, and one thousand female singers. Having received an invitation from Preme Ray, the representative of the ancient rajas of Guzerat, to invade that country, (which, owing to the weakness of the kings of Dehly, had become a prey Shaban, A. H. 758. August, A. D. 1357. contending chiefs,) Alla-ood-Deen Hussun, in the month of Shaban, 758, took the field, and having detached his eldest son, the Prince Mahomed, in advance with twenty thousand horse, himself followed by easy marches. On arriving at Nowsary, the Prince found the country abounding in game, of which he sent accounts to his father, who being fond of field sports, proceeded with expedition, and spent nearly a month in that vicinity; at the end of which period, having contracted an intermittent fever, and not using proper precaution in refraining from violent exercise and high living, his disorder increased to so alarming a degree, that he was induced to return to Koolburga. On reaching his capital, he convened all the learned and holy men in whose presence he vowed to abstain in future from all things forbidden by the law of the Koran. At this time he divided his kingdom into four principal governments. ### [66.2.8](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.general.tarikh-i-firishta~en-briggs.66.2.8) The district, including the capital, extended from Koolburga as far west as Dabul, and south as far as Rachore and Moodkul, was placed under Mullik Seif-ood-Deen Ghoory: the tract comprehending Choul (on the sea-coast), and lying between Joonere, Dowlutabad, Beer, and Peitun (being the territory of Mahrut), the King committed to the charge of Mahomed Khan, the son of his brother Ameer Ally. On the north-east, Mahoor, Ramgir, and a portion of Berar, were intrusted to Sufdur Khan Seestany; and Bidur, Indour, Kowlas, and the districts in Tulingana, were assigned to the charge of Azim Hoomayoon, son of Mullik Seif-ood-Deen Ghoory. The King continued six months in a declining state of health ; in spite of which, he gave public audience twice a day, transacting business, and administering justice to the poor and friendless. He issued orders to release all prisoners throughout his dominions, except those accused of capital offences, whom he commanded to Koolburga ; and having himself examined them, gave liberty to all but seven, whom he delivered over to his son Mahomed, that after his death he might act towards them as he judged proper. At length, finding no benefit from medicine, and feeling nature exhausted, he discharged his physicians, and waited patiently the final cure of human ills. ### [66.2.9](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.general.tarikh-i-firishta~en-briggs.66.2.9) In this state, enquiring one day of his youngest son, Mahmood, who had been reading with his tutor, what book he had been studying, the youth replied, the Bostan of Sady, repeating the following passage as his lesson of that day : — " I have heard that Jumsheed, that compound of excellence, caused these words to be engraved on a marble fountain: 'Many like me have viewed this fountain, but they are gone, and their eyes closed for ever. I conquered the world by valour and prudence, but was unable to subdue the power of the grave.' " The King sighed at the recital, and calling his sons Dawood and Mahomed to him, said, " This is my last breath, and with it I conjure you, as ye value the permanence of the kingdom, to "agree with each other. Mahomed is my successor: submission and loyalty to him is your first duty in this world, and will ensure you happiness in the next." He then sent for his treasurer, and committed to each of his sons a sum of money to be distributed instantly among the poor. Having done which, they returned to inform him his wishes had been fulfilled; when he exclaimed, "Praise be to God," and instantly resigned his life to the Creator of all things. The death of Alla-ood-Deen Hussun happened eleven years, two months, and seven days, after his accession to the throne, on the 1st of Rubbee-ool-Awul, 759, in the sixty-seventh year of his age. ### [66.2.10](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.general.tarikh-i-firishta~en-briggs.66.2.10) Alla-ood-Deen Hussun being once asked how he contrived without great treasures or armies to attain royalty, he replied, by kindness to my friends, generosity to my enemies, and by courtesy and liberality to all mankind. It has been asserted that he was descended from Bahmun, one of the ancient kings of Persia, and I, the author, have even seen a pedigree of him so derived, in the royal library of Ahmudnuggur; but it was probably only framed, after his accession to the throne, by flatterers and poets, for I believe his origin was too obscure to admit of being traced. The appellation of Bahmuny he certainly took out of compliment to his master, Gungoo, the bramin, a word often pronounced bahmun. The King himself was by birth an Afghan. --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.general.tarikh-i-firishta~en-briggs.66](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.general.tarikh-i-firishta~en-briggs.66) · Pramāṇa