Firishta's History (Gulshan-i Ibrāhīmī) 88.4
History of the Rise of the Mahomedan Power in India (Briggs) 88.4
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88.4.1
Having now attained the summit of his wishes, Yoosoof Adil Khan resolved to perform a religious vow, which he had determined on in his mind for many years. For this purpose, in the year 908, he held a council of his principal subjects, and calling Mirza Jehangeer and Heidur Beg, who were of the Sheea sect, as also Syud Ahmud Hirvy and other learned men of that persuasion, to him, addressed them, saying, that when the Prophet, appeared to him in a vision, and had hailed him with the presage of his present dignity, he then made a vow, that if his dream should ever be fulfilled, to promulgate the faith of the Imams, and grace the pulpit with proclamation of their titles; that also, when Timraj and Bahadur Geelany invaded his territories, and nearly seized the reins of government from his hands, he had renewed this vow; he therefore wished to have their opinions, whether the present was not a fit time for its performance.
88.4.2
The assembly unanimously broke out into prayers for the prosperity of his house. Some of those present approved of his devout intention, while others, more prudent, observed, that his power was yet but in infancy; that Mahmood Shah, though weak, was still the acknowledged lawful monarch of the Deccan; that most even among his own nobles were Toorks, Deccanies, and Abyssinians of the Soony persuasion, as were also the surrounding kings of the Deccan, such as Mullik Ahmud Nizam-ool-Moolk Bheiry, Ameer Bereed, and others, who were all zealous for their faith; therefore that it was more than probable an opposition too great to be overcome by his single power would attend any innovation of the established religion. Yoosoof Adil Shah, after a short pause, replied, that he had made a vow to God who had raised him by his goodness to royal power, and he did not doubt but on its fulfilment the same gracious arm would uphold him. At this instant news arrived that Shah Ismael Sufvy of Persia had established the Sheea doctrines throughout his dominions, which confirmed Yoosoof Adil Khan, who was a disciple of that house, in his determination, and he took measures without delay to carry his project into execution.
88.4.3
On an appointed day, he accordingly went in great state to the grand mosque in the citadel of Beejapoor; and Nukeeb Khan, one of the venerable syuds of Medina, by his command ascending the pulpit, cried aloud, in calling to prayer, according to the custom of the Sheeas, "I bear testimony "that Ally is the friend of God," after which he read the Khootba in the names of the twelve Imams. Yoosoof Adil Shah was the first prince who dared to perform these ceremonies publicly in Hindoostan. Notwithstanding this bold attempt, he had the prudence not to permit the populace to utter scandalous and abusive epithets against the Sahiba, so that fanaticism was prevented from spreading its baneful venom. The learned disciples of Jafur, and those eminently versed in the tenets of Mahomed Huneef, and of the Shafye persuasion, lived together in friendship; and in mosques of different sects each worshipped the true God according to his own belief, without interfering in the ceremonies of the other. The holy teachers and pious recluses were equally astonished at this well-regulated moderation, and attributed it to an almost miraculous ability in the wise king. The author of these sheets recollects an anecdote applicable to the toleration practised by some kings, which he thinks proper to insert for the information of his readers.
88.4.4
Mowlana Gheias-ood-Deen, a celebrated divine of Persia, much respected for his abilities and purity of life, was once asked by Ibrahim Adil Shah, which was the best of all the various sects of Islam? He replied, "Suppose a great monarch "to be seated in a palace, with many gates leading to it, and through whichever you enter you see the King, and can obtain admission to his presence, — your business is with the Prince, and not with those at his gate." Ibrahim Adil Shah again asked him, which, in his opinion, was the best of all faiths? He replied, that, in his opinion, the best man of every faith followed the best faith. This observation pleased the King, who conferred upon the Mowlana large gifts.
88.4.5
Yoosoof Adil Shah having read the Khootba according to the ceremonial of the Sheeas, and established their tenets at Beejapoor, many of the principal chiefs, such as Duria Khan, Fukhr-ool-Moolk Toork, and others, embraced the same tenets as their sovereign; but some being rigid Soonies refused, and even expressed a wish to quit his service. Yoosoof Adil Shah, when informed of the state of public feeling, permitted each person the free exercise of the doctrine, "My faith for myself, and your faith for yourself," which at length gave universal satisfaction. At this time, the King becoming jealous of the increasing influence of Ein-ool-Moolk Geelany, deprived him of the command he held in the army; and resuming the districts he had possessed during his father's life, allotted to him for his private support Hookery and Belgam in their stead, with permission to retire from court and follow his own opinions in religious matters. All the Soony nobles were also allowed to read the Khootba, within their own jageers, in the names of the Sahiba, and no opposition was made to the exercise of their own mode of worship publicly. But in spite of these indulgences, the King found it necessary to observe a strict watch over the chiefs of the Soony persuasion. Mullik Ahmud Bheiry and Ameer Bereed, who were strict and zealous followers of the Soonut, were alarmed at the innovation on the established faith of the Deccan, and spoke of it in reproachful terms.
88.4.6
At length, forming an alliance, they invaded the territory of Yoosoof Adil Shah. Ameer Bereed seized on Gunjowty, and many districts taken from Dustoor Deenar, while Mullik Ahmud Bheiry sent ambassadors to Beejapoor peremptorily demanding the surrender of the fortress of Nuldroog. Yoosoof Adil Shah, incensed at this wanton attack on his dominions, sent back an answer full of indignation, and marching at once on Gunjowty recovered it forthwith. Mahmood Shah Bahmuny and Ameer Bereed now made application for aid to Sooltan Koolly Kootb-ool-Moolk, Imad-ool-Moolk, and Khodawund Khan Hubshy. Sooltan Koolly, though secretly of the Sheea persuasion, yet in conformity with the spirit of the times, and by the advice of his officers, moved towards the camp of Mahmood Shah; but Imad-ool-Moolk and Khodawund Khan framed excuses, and did not join the league. Ameer Bereed now despatched his own son Jehangeer Khan to Ahmudnuggur, with such urgent remonstrances, that Mullik Ahmud Bheiry was induced to march with ten thousand horse and a train of artillery; which, added to the troops of Ameer Bereed and Sooltan Koolly Kootb-ool-Moolk, composed a formidable army, of which Mahmood Shah was nominally the leader.
88.4.7
Yoosoof Adil Shah, thinking it unsafe to engage in a pitched battle with the inferior force at his command, sent his son Ismael, then an infant of five years old, with all his treasures and elephants, from Alund to Beejapoor, committing the care of that city and the sole direction of affairs to Kumal Khan Deccany. Having stationed Duria Khan and Fukhr-ool-Moolk Toork to protect Koolburga, he himself, attended by Ein-ool-Moolk Geelany, and many foreign officers, together with an army consisting of six thousand horse firmly devoted to him, marched towards Beer, burning and destroying the country as he passed. Mullik Ahmud Bheiry, finding his territory thus pillaged, moved with Mahmood Shah Bahmuny and the allies in pursuit of the enemy. Yoosoof Adil Shah had taken this step to prevent the war being carried into his own country; and though he avoided a general action, he hovered around the allied army, harassed their followers, and cut off their supplies. Finding this plan not sufficiently successful, and his troops being exhausted with fatigue, after first plundering the environs of Dowlutabad, he penetrated into Berar, relying on the friendship of Imad-ool-Moolk. This chief was at the time encamped with his army near Gavul, resolved to maintain a strict neutrality, and to attend merely to the protection of his own country. Yoosoof Adil Shah, however, was received with kindness;
88.4.8
but Imad-ool-Moolk, apprehensive that the allies would invade Berar, if he openly espoused the cause of Yoosoof Adil Shah, advised him to retire for the present towards Boorhanpoor, till some plan could be devised of dissolving the league formed against him; he recommended him also, strongly, by way of conciliating his enemies, to order the Soony rites to be re-established in Beejapoor. Yoosoof Adil Shah saw the necessity of compliance, and sent orders to that effect to Kumal Khan. Meanwhile, taking leave of Imad-ool-Moolk, Yoosoof Adil Shah proceeded to Boorhanpoor, where he was received with due respect by the ruler of Kandeish.
88.4.9
Imad-ool-Moolk, on his part, deputed one of his nearest relations to Mullik Ahmud Bheiry, and to Sooltan Koolly Kootb-ool-Moolk, assuring them that Ameer Bereed had only made religion a pretext to destroy Yoosoof Adil Shah, in order that he might secure Beejapoor for himself; and Imad-ool-Moolk added, that if Ameer Bereed, now master only of a small territory, was enabled to effect so much in the name of the King, the subversion of their own independence in the Deccan would, in the event of any great accession of dominion, necessarily follow. He, moreover, observed, that no man had any right to interfere in the religious concerns of another, since every one would be rendered accountable for his actions on the day of judgment. Setting aside, however, this argument, Yoosoof Adil Shah had now formally retracted his profession of the Sheea doctrines, and had sent orders to restore the Soony rites in Beejapoor, so that no fair pretence now remained for continuing the war. Imad-ool-Moolk, therefore, strongly recommended the confederates, instead of weakening themselves and becoming the dupes of an artful minister, to retire to their own dominions. Mullik Ahmud Bheiry and Sooltan Koolly Kootb-ool-Moolk, who paid great respect to the advice of this aged and experienced statesman, were convinced by his arguments, and retreated suddenly one night, without even taking leave of Mahmood Shah.