Firishta's History (Gulshan-i Ibrāhīmī) 89.5.1

89.5.1

The King having now formed an army of ten thousand cavalry, consisting of Arabians, Persians, Toorks, Oozbuks, Koords, and other foreigners, whom his liberality had bound to his interest, marched towards Ahmudabad Bidur. On his approach, Ameer Bereed, who was old and infirm, by the advice of Heemajy, a bramin, his minister, committed the charge of the fort of Bidur to his eldest son Ally Bereed, and himself withdrew to the fortress of Oodgeer. Ismael Adil Shah, on arriving before Ahmudabad Bidur, blockaded the city on all sides; but the garrison made repeated sallies, and being nearly equal in numbers to the besiegers, greatly retarded their operations. At length the sons of Ameer Bereed, with five thousand horse, came out of the city, resolved, as the Beejapoor troops were composed only of bowmen, to charge them under cover of their shields, and cut them to pieces in close combat with their swords. Ismael Adil Shah, who had foreseen such an event, had provided three thousand cavalry, expert swordsmen, whose horses, as well as themselves, were covered with iron armour. This body was commanded by Syud Hoossein, an Arab chief of distinction. A very severe action in consequence ensued, on the plain before the gate of Bahmunypoora, and foreigners and Deccanies both displayed great courage. Ismael Adil Shah, in spite of the remonstrances of Assud Khan, engaged in the action, and killed with his own hand two of the sons of Ameer Bereed, who attacked him successively on that day.