Firishta's History (Gulshan-i Ibrāhīmī) 89.7
History of the Rise of the Mahomedan Power in India (Briggs) 89.7
- Language
- English
89.7.1
Ismael Adil Shah having already marched from Beejapoor, received this communication at Bahmunhully while at evening prayers; and was so indignant that he moved with only four hundred horse and forty foot, and reached the river flowing under Nuldroog before evening prayer the next day. He then dismissed the ambassadors of Nizam Shah, telling them, he had done all that was incumbent on him to avoid a war, but that he should now wait for his royal brother to come, as he had repeatedly done before, and amuse himself with a view of the tempestuous ocean of war. Boorhan Nizam Shah did not refuse the challenge, but, attended by Ameer Bereed, proceeded with twenty-five thousand horse and a considerable train of artillery to the frontiers of Beejapoor. Ismael Adil Shah left the organisation of the troops to Assud Khan, who thus arranged them: — All the young men, sons of foreigners and Rajpoots, were formed into one body, composing a light division, under command of Sunjur Khan, son of Mirza Jehangeer Koomy, while their fathers, who were mostly old, remained in the line; observing that this was a day for the young soldiers to display their courage. Assud Khan assumed the command of the right wing, leaving the left to Moostufa Agha, Sikundur Agha, and Khoosh Geldy Agha, Toorky chiefs of distinction. The centre was commanded by the King in person, who joined as soon as the line was formed.
89.7.2
On observing that the colour of the canopy, the royal standard, and flags of the enemy, which were formerly white, were changed to green, the King asked the cause of this alteration. He was told these were the insignia conferred on Boorhan Nizam Shah by Bahadur Shah of Guzerat. While he was yet speaking, the light division became engaged; and Ismael Adil Shah instantly advanced with his whole line, by which the action became general, and was so well maintained on both sides that victory was long doubtful. At length Khoorsheed Khan, commander of the Nizam Shahy army, being killed, his troops fled in disorder. Boorhan Nizam Shah was shortly after surrounded by the Beejapoor Mogul horse, and in danger of being taken prisoner, when his body guard, by a desperate effort, liberated their sovereign, and escorting him safely from the field, he fled with precipitation to Ahmudnuggur, without waiting to collect his scattered army. Much plunder fell into the hands of the victors; and the superiority of Ismael Adil Shah became established throughout the Deccan. The battle was called the Victory of the Foreign Boys, by whose exertions it was principally won. This corps now rose daily in the King's esteem, and many of them were raised to the rank of nobility, in reward for their services during the lifetime of their fathers. This was the last contest between Ismael Adil Shah and Boorhan Nizam Shah.
89.7.3
An alliance was subsequently formed between them, when they had an interview on their frontiers, in which it was agreed that the former should be at liberty to reduce the country of Kootb Shah, and the latter be permitted to add Berar to his possessions without molestation. In consequence of this arrangement, Ismael Adil Shah becoming reconciled to Ameer Bereed, induced him to join in the attack on Tulingana; and they accordingly proceeded and laid siege to Kowilconda, one of the principal fortresses on the frontiers of that kingdom. This fort had very nearly been reduced, when Ismael Adil Shah was attacked by a violent fever which obliged him to keep his bed. Finding his disorder increase, he sent for Assud Khan Lary and Ameer Bereed, who were both absent from the camp, laying waste the enemy's country. On their arrival he expressed his wish that they should continue the siege, while he retired to Koolburga for change of air, till his recovery should enable him to rejoin his army. It was accordingly fixed that the King should begin his journey on the next morning in a palky; but before daylight, a severe relapse of fever coming on he was united with the elect on Wednesday the 16th of Suffur, 941, after a glorious reign of twenty-five years.
89.7.4
Assud Khan having embalmed the royal corpse, placed it in a close litter, and sent it privately to Gogy. He concealed the King's death for two days; at the end of which time he communicated the fatal intelligence to Ameer Bereed and all the nobility, whom he advised to keep the event secret, in order to avoid disputes between the two young princes in an enemy's country. It was proposed, therefore, to raise the siege of Kowilconda, and to defer making arrangements for the succession till their arrival at Koolburga, where they might seek inspiration to direct their choice at the tomb of the blessed Syud Mahomed Geesoo-Duraz, who lies buried near that city. All the chiefs approving of this counsel, Assud Khan, at the head of the army, accompanied by the princes, began their march from Kowilconda.
89.7.5
Syud Ahmud Hirvy relates that Ismael Adil Shah was just, prudent, patient, and liberal; and from the abundance of his magnanimity he gave rewards without too minutely inspecting the condition of his treasury. He was extremely generous also, frequently pardoning state criminals, and was averse from listening to slander. He never used passionate language. He possessed great wit, to which he added a sound and acute judgment. He was an adept in the arts of painting, varnishing, making arrows, and embroidering saddle-cloths. In music and poetry he excelled most of his age. He was fond of the company of learned men and poets, numbers of whom were munificently supported at his court. He was delighted with repartee in conversation, and had a great fund of humour, which he often displayed in his intercourse with his courtiers: no other king of the Deccan equalled him in this respect. He was fonder of the Turkish and Persian manners, music, and language, than the Deccany: he seldom made use of the latter tongue. This partiality was owing to his being educated under the tuition of his aunt, Dilshad Agha, who by desire of his father kept him as much as possible from the company of Deccanies, so that he had little relish for that people. He was buried at Gogy, near the tomb of his father, Yoosoof Adil Shah.