Firishta's History (Gulshan-i Ibrāhīmī) 91: IBRAHIM ADIL SHAH I.
History of the Rise of the Mahomedan Power in India (Briggs) 91
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Contents
IBRAHIM ADIL SHAH I.
91.1.1
The King proscribes foreigners from his court, with a very few exceptions — he entertains thirty thousand cavalry, composed of the inhabitants of the Deccan — causes the accounts of government to be kept in the language of the Deccan. — History of the civil war in the government of Beejanuggur. — Accession of the minister Ramraj to the throne — his title is disputed by Ibrahim Adil Shah. — War ensues, which ends in favour of the Hindoos. — Ibrahim Adil Shah becomes jealous of his minister and general Assud Khan. — The kings of Ahmudnuggur and Bidur unite against Ibrahim Adil Shah. — The King of Berar mediates a peace between the parties, and Ibrahim becomes reconciled to his minister. — Serious confederacy of the kings of Ahmudnuggur and Golconda, and the Raja of Beejanuggur, against Ibrahim Adil Shah. — The Prince Abdoolla flies to the Portuguese at Goa, and induces them to promise him aid to dethrone the King. — The Prince Abdoolla is taken, and suffers death. — War with the King of Ahmudnuggur, during which he dies. — War continued with his successor. — Death of Ibrahim Adil Shah.
91.1.2
Ibrahim Adil Shah, on his accession to the throne, having rejected the names of the Imams from the Khootba, restored the exercise of the Soony rites, and commanded that no person should in future wear the scarlet cap of twelve points, which had been adopted by all the troops of his father, in imitation of the Persians. Instead of foreign troops he enlisted Deccanies in his service, and permitted only four hundred foreigners to remain in his body-guard. All the foreign officers, with the exception of Assud Khan Lary, Khoosh Geldy Agha, Roomy Khan, and Shoojat Khan Koord, were degraded, and Deccanies and Abyssinians were promoted in their stead. All the foreign troops which were thus dismissed entered into the service of different princes. Ramraj, the Hindoo Prince of Beejanuggur, entertained three thousand of them; and in order to reconcile them to the act of making obeisance to him, he caused a Koran to be placed before him when they came to pay their respects; which enabled them to do so without a breach of the ordinances of their religion.
91.1.3
Ibrahim Adil Shah, by this new regulation, created an army of thirty thousand cavalry composed of men who rode the King's horses. The customs which prevailed in the reign of Ismael Adil Shah were wholly laid aside; and the public accounts, formerly kept in Persian, were now written in Hindvy, under the management of bramins, who soon acquired great influence in his government. Assud Khan was ordered to enlist Deccanies in his service, and to adopt the Soony faith. Out of a thousand foreigners, he discharged six hundred, but refused to change his persuasion, and both in his camp and on his own jageer he publicly exercised the Sheea ceremonies, an indulgence the King thought it prudent to allow. The year after his accession, the King led his army to Beejanuggur, on the requisition of the Ray; but before the particulars of the expedition are recited, it is necessary to relate the causes which led to it, and to give some account of the revolutions which had taken place at that court. The government of Beejanuggur had remained in one family in uninterrupted succession for seven hundred years, when Shew Ray dying, he was succeeded by his son a minor, who did not long survive him, and left the throne to a younger brother. Not long after, he died also, leaving an infant only three months old.
91.1.4
Timraj, one of the principal ministers of the family, celebrated for his wisdom and experience, became sole regent, and was cheerfully obeyed by the nobility and vassals of the kingdom for forty years. On the occasion of the young King's attaining the age of manhood, Timraj poisoned him, and put an infant of the family on the throne, in order to have a pretence for retaining the regency in his hands. Timraj at length dying, was succeeded in his office by his son Ramraj, who having married a daughter of Shew Ray, added by that alliance greatly to his influence and power. By degrees raising his own family to the highest rank, and destroying many of the ancient nobility, Ramraj aspired to reign in his own name, and intended totally to extirpate the race of Shew Ray. Many of the nobility, however, opposing this project, he complied with their wishes, and placing an infant boy of the female line on the throne, committed his person to the care of the child's uncle, one Bhoj Tirmul Ray, who being deemed almost an idiot, Ramraj considered he had little to apprehend from him. Ramraj, in the space of five or six years, cut off by treachery almost all those chiefs who formerly opposed his pretensions to the throne; and leaving the city of Beejanuggur in charge of a slave, whom he had raised to high rank, he marched with an army against some of the rays of the country of Malabar, who withheld their tribute. These princes he soon reduced, and deprived them of their fortresses;
91.1.5
after which, having moved against a powerful zemindar to the south of Beejanuggur, he was detained for six months without making the smallest impression on him, though he had been engaged in several general actions. Ramraj having expended the treasures of his military chest wrote to his deputy to send him a supply of money from Beejanuggur, in order to enable him to continue the war; but the deputy, on opening the vaults of the treasury, and perceiving the magnitude of its wealth, instantly resolved on rebellion against his patron, and set at liberty the young ray, having first induced Bhoj Tirmul Ray to embrace his interest The deputy now assumed the office of minister, and began to levy troops. Several tributary rays, who were offended with Ramraj's administration, hastened to Beejanuggur to rally round their lawful King, and in a short time thirty thousand horse, and vast hosts of foot, were assembled under his standard at the city. Bhoj Tirmul Ray, apprehending that the slave, now the minister, might repent of his rebellion and eventually betray them to Ramraj, put his benefactor to death, and assumed the management of affairs at Beejanuggur.
91.1.6
Ramraj, on hearing of this revolt, concluded a hasty peace with his enemy, and returned towards Beejanuggur; but being deserted by several of his officers, who left him on the route to join their lawful sovereign, he thought it advisable at present to desist from war, and to rest content with his extensive jageer. A treaty was accordingly brought about between him and the young ray, by which Ramraj was suffered to remain in independent possession of his country. Quiet being now restored, the nobility, who had supported the revolution, left their sovereign under the care of his uncle Bhoj Tirmul Ray, and returned to their several districts. Not long after this event, the uncle, becoming ambitious of reigning, strangled his nephew, and seized the throne of Beejanuggur, and being a member of the royal family the nobility preferred his authority to that of Ramraj; but in a short time, being unwilling to endure his tyranny and oppression, they became disaffected towards him, and invited Ramraj to return, and assume the administration of affairs. Bhoj Tirmul Ray, obtaining intelligence of their designs, despatched ambassadors with a sum of six lacks of hoons, and many valuable presents, to Ibrahim Adil Shah of Beejapoor, soliciting him to march to his assistance, in return for which he promised to acknowledge himself tributary, and to pay down a sum of three lacks of hoons for every day's march his army might make.
91.1.7
Ibrahim Adil Shah, tempted by the greatness of the offer, and by the advice of Assud Khan, moved from his capital in the year 942, and arrived at Beejanuggur without opposition, when he was conducted into the city by Bhoj Tirmul Ray, who seated him on the royal musnud, and made rejoicings for seven days. Ramraj and the confederate nobles now sent letters to the Ray expressing contrition for their rebellion, and assuring him of their future firm allegiance. They represented in strong colours the evil consequences of introducing the Mussulmans into their country; that their temples and the idols would be defiled and destroyed, and that the children of all ranks of people, as in the times of the Bahmuny kings, would be carried away into captivity. Ramraj, moreover, swore never again to depart from his allegiance, if Bhoj Tirmul Ray would cause the retreat of the King of Beejapoor to his own dominions. Bhoj Tirmul Ray, thinking he had now no further use for his allies, requested the return of the Mahomedan army, and paid down fifty lacks of hoons, the amount of the settled subsidy, besides making presents to a vast amount to the King, among which were twelve fine elephants and some beautiful horses.
91.2.1
Ibrahim Adil Shah had not yet recrossed the Krishna, when Ramraj and the confederates, who had bribed many of the troops in the city, broke their promises, and hastened towards Beejanuggur, resolving to put the Ray to death, on pretence of revenging the murder of his predecessor. Bhoj Tirmul Ray, finding he was betrayed, shut himself up in the palace, and becoming mad from despair, blinded all the royal elephants and horses, and cut off their tails, that they might be of no use to his enemy. All the diamonds, rubies, emeralds, and other precious stones and pearls, which had been collected in the course of many ages, he crushed to powder between heavy millstones, and scattered them on the ground. He then fixed a sword-blade into a pillar of his apartment, and ran his breast upon it with such force, that it pierced through and came out at his back; thus putting an end to his existence, just as the gates of the palace were opened to his enemies. Ramraj now became Ray of Beejanuggur without a rival. Ibrahim Adil Shah, hearing of this revolution on his arrival at Rachore, despatched Assud Khan with the greatest part of his army to reduce the important fortress of Adony, which was on the point of surrendering, when Venkatadry, the younger brother of Ramraj, marched from Beejanuggur with a great army to relieve it. Assud Khan, upon his approach, raised the siege and moved towards him. A sharp engagement ensued;
91.2.2
and Assud Khan, finding that he was likely to have the worst of the action from the vast superiority of the enemy, retreated in good order, and was followed to the distance of seven fursungs by the victors, when he pitched his camp. Venkatadry, in order to be ready to harass the retreat again the next day, halted in full security at the distance of six fursungs from Assud Khan, who ardently wished for such an event. Before daylight, on the next day, Assud Khan, with four thousand chosen horse, surprised the camp of Venkatadry, whose self-confidence had thrown him wholly off his guard against such a manoeuvre. Assud Khan penetrated to his tents before the alarm was given, and Venkatadry had scarcely time to make his escape, leaving his treasures, family, and elephants, in the hands of the victors. When day appeared, Venkatadry collected his scattered troops, and drew them up as if to engage; but seeing Assud Khan prepared to maintain his advantage, and apprehensive of the consequences to his wife and children, he declined a battle, and retiring some miles off, fixed his camp. From thence he wrote an account of his disaster to Ramraj, and requested reinforcements.
91.2.3
Ramraj immediately sent supplies of men and money, giving out his intention of carrying on the war, but he privately informed his brother, that he had reason to imagine Ibrahim Adil Shah had not been induced to besiege Adony of his own accord, but that he suspected the zemindars of that quarter had invited him to make war, and that many of the officers with Venkatadry were secretly in the enemy's interest; therefore he thought he would act prudently by making peace with the Mussulmans at present, and obtaining the release of his wife and family from Assud Khan. In consequence of this advice, having procured the mediation and influence of Assud Khan, Venkatadry made overtures to Ibrahim Adil Shah for peace; which being granted, and the terms settled to the satisfaction of both states, Ibrahim Adil Shah returned to Beejapoor, accompanied by Assud Khan and the rest of his nobility and army.
91.2.4
In this expedition, some malicious persons told the King that Assud Khan had received a vast sum of money, besides jewels and gold and silver plate, from Ramraj, in order to procure the release of the prisoners, and for mediating the peace. Ibrahim Adil Shah, instead of being displeased, or coveting the great sum said to have been received, reproved the informers, and observed, he returned God thanks that he had a servant to whom great kings condescended to pay contributions, and who bore the yoke of submission on their necks. He then, in the presence of the informers, called for Assud Khan, and honoured him with a suit of his own robes, and conferred on him other distinguishing marks of favour; which confounded his enemies, and for some time prevented their further machinations against him. The King, on his return to the capital, nominated Assud Khan to the office of prime minister, as well as commander-in-chief of his armies; which circumstance excited more and more the envy of his enemies, who took every opportunity of hinting that his influence was growing dangerous. Though these insinuations for a long time were disregarded, yet some impression was at length made on the royal mind, and the King was heard in private to express his wish to humble the minister.
91.2.5
Yoosoof Toork, one of the King's chamberlains, thinking this a fit instant to alarm his master, observed, that Assud Khan, from a similarity of religious tenets, maintained a secret correspondence with Boorhan Nizam Shah, to whom he meditated resigning the fort of Belgam, and entering his service. This story confirmed the suspicion of Ibrahim Adil Shah, who now asked his confidant what would be the surest method of securing his minister. Yoosoof recommended that he should be invited to court from Belgam, on pretence of his being required on the ceremony of the circumcision of the young Prince Ally, when, if he came, he might be easily confined, or his authority curtailed. The King's water-cooler happening to overhear this consultation, told it in confidence to his own family, who revealed it to their friends; so that in a short time the King's displeasure against the minister became the topic of conversation among all ranks, and Assud Khan was placed on his guard. When the royal order was sent, commanding him to court, he excused himself from attending, on pretence of illness: attempts were then made to corrupt his servants to poison him, but all in vain; these measures only serving to render him more vigilant against treachery. At last it was resolved that Yoosoof should have lands conferred on him in the vicinity of Belgam, and retire to them with his dependents, to be at hand to seize any favourable opportunity that might offer of surprising the minister.
91.2.6
Assud Khan, an experienced and cautious politician, was not to be easily deceived by these arts. One day he proceeded with only a few attendants to visit a garden-house at some distance from Belgam, leaving orders for four hundred horsemen to follow. One of Yoosoof's spies obtaining information of Assud Khan's movement hastened to inform his master that the minister had gone out almost unattended, and might easily be surprised and taken prisoner. Yoosoof accordingly advanced towards the garden, which, to his astonishment, he found surrounded by troops. Seeing, however, his own party superior in numbers, he resolved on attempting to effect his object by force; but was repulsed by Assud Khan, who returned triumphant to Belgam after taking many prisoners.
91.2.7
Ibrahim Adil Shah denied that this attack was made with his consent; and in order to corroborate this assertion, he commanded Yoosoof to appear at court, and placed him in confinement; at the same time writing to Assud Khan that he was much offended with Yoosoof's conduct, and would punish him in any manner the minister wished. Assud Khan, who knew the real state of the case, sent back a reply, respectfully saying that he himself was the only guilty person, and would willingly have gone to court to implore forgiveness; but that as the King had been pleased of his own accord to overlook his conduct, he was at a loss for words to express his sense of the obligation. With this letter he sent back all his prisoners, after having presented them with honorary dresses, and committed to their charge valuable offerings for the King.
91.2.8
The breach between the King and his minister becoming public throughout the Deccan, Boorhan Nizam Shah and Ameer Bereed availed themselves of it to circulate insidious reports, that Assud Khan had promised to deliver up Belgam to them whenever they should approach; and accordingly, in the year 949, they invaded the territories of Ibrahim Adil Shah, and wresting the five districts dependent on Sholapoor from his officers, gave them up to the servants of Khwaja Jehan Deccany, after which they moved in the direction of Belgam. Assud Khan, though not originally privy to the invasion, deemed it prudent, in order to save his estates from plunder, to join them on their approach with six thousand horse. The allies, inspired with fresh courage by this accession of power, spread desolation through the country to the neighbourhood of Beejapoor; and Ibrahim Adil Shah, conceiving himself unable to oppose them in the field, retired with his family to Koolburga. Assud Khan, true to the interest of his sovereign, though abandoned by him, secretly despatched Ally Mahomed Budukshy, one of his most faithful servants, to Elichpoor, the capital of Berar, representing to Alla-ood-Deen Imad Shah, that from the strange and inconstant vicissitudes of fortune an event had occurred, which had involved him in a maze of embarrassment, entreating Imad Shah to march to the aid of Ibrahim Adil Shah, and that he, Assud Khan, would join him as soon as he should reach the borders.
91.2.9
Imad Shah, in compliance with this solicitation, moved without delay towards Koolburga; and Boorhan Nizam Shah and Ameer Bereed, then lying before the citadel of Beejapoor, raised the siege, and after devastating the suburbs of the city, marched for the purpose of preventing a junction of the Berar army with Ibrahim Adil Shah. Assud Khan, according to agreement, now quitted the allies, and with all his followers joined Imad Shah, to whom he represented, that the traitor Yoosoof having filled the mind of his prince with suspicions of his loyalty, and Ibrahim Adil Shah having listened implicitly to every idle report tending to his dishonour, the ministers of Boorhan Nizam Shah took advantage of the King's displeasure towards him, and with a view to promote their own advantage had openly declared that he, Assud Khan, had offered to join their master if the King of Ahmudnuggur would invade the territory of Beejapoor. Ibrahim Adil Shah believing this vile tale, became more incensed against him, and not only removed him from his office, but attempted in various ways to take his life. He stated that the enemy, on finding their arts had succeeded, entered his estates to give colour to their story, and finding himself unsupported by his sovereign, he was (from regard to self-preservation) obliged to join the confederates for a time;
91.2.10
but that as Imad Shah had now come to his assistance, he relied on him to remove from the King's mind the effects produced by the accusation of his enemies; but if that could not be effected, he declared himself willing to submit to any punishment the King his master might think fit to inflict on him.
91.3.1
Imad Shah, convinced of the integrity of Assud Khan, heartily espoused his cause, and conducted him on the same day to Ibrahim Adil Shah, to whom he also soon made clear the error into which he had been led. Ibrahim Adil Shah clasped Assud Khan in his embrace, expressing contrition for his ill usage of him; and in order to convince him of his sincerity, he not only imprisoned Yoosoof and his agents, who had abused his confidence, but conferred his estates on Ein-ool-Moolk Geelany, an officer of distinction whom Assud Khan had prevailed to quit the service of Ameer Bereed. The reconciliation between the King and his minister soon changed the state of affairs, and Ibrahim Adil Shah and Imad Shah marched to give the allies battle, who retreated with expedition towards Dowlutabad. They were hotly pursued by the Beejapoor and Berar troops, who took ample revenge for the depredations the enemy had committed in the Beejapoor territory. An event occurred, however, which brought about a peace. Ameer Bereed dying suddenly, Boorhan Nizam Shah was reduced to sue for terms; and the venerable Shah Tahir was sent as his ambassador to make the overtures. In the treaty which ensued, it was agreed that the Sholapoor five districts, which had been taken by the allies, should be restored to Ibrahim Adil Shah, and Boorhan Nizam Shah promised never again to lay claim to them. The treaty being signed and exchanged, each of the sovereigns returned to their respective capitals.
91.3.2
In the following year, 950, Ibrahim Adil Shah married the daughter of Alla-ood-Deen Imad Shah, named Rubeea Sooltana, and the nuptials were celebrated with great splendour. Boorhan Nizam Shah, jealous of his military reputation, and vexed at the termination of the late war, declared he should enjoy no rest till he recovered the five districts he had been compelled to relinquish to Beejapoor. Accordingly, shortly after, availing himself of some disagreement which occurred between Ibrahim Adil Shah and Imad Shah, Boorhan Nizam Shah formed secret alliances with Ramraj of Beejanuggur, and Jumsheed Kootb Shah of Golconda, to wage war against the Beejapoor territories on the south and east, while with his own army, and the troops of Ally Bereed and Khwaja Jehan, he invaded them on the north-east. With this force he laid waste many districts, and on several occasions defeated the Beejapoor troops sent to oppose his progress. Jumsheed Kootb Shah, entering the kingdom on the east, seized the district of Kakny, in which he built a strong fort, and occupied the whole country to the walls of Koolburga, and, moreover, laid siege to the fortress of Etgeer, near the city of Sagur; while on the south Ramraj deputed his brother Venkatadry to reduce the fort of Rachore; so that the kingdom of Beejapoor, attacked at once by three powerful armies in separate quarters, seemed on the brink of destruction.
91.3.3
Ibrahim Adil Shah, at a loss how to act, and without confidence in the opinions of his counsellors, sent for Assud Khan from Belgam, and asked his advice. Assud Khan observed, that Boorhan Nizam Shah was the true enemy, who had instigated the rest to hostility, and that if he could be removed, it would be easy to manage the others. He advised, therefore, that peace should be concluded with him, by resigning the five districts dependent on Sholapoor. He recommended, also, that separate overtures should be made to Ramraj, and presents sent to propitiate his friendship; observing, that small concessions would suffice to ensure his forbearance, as his own country, the Carnatic, was as yet by no means in a settled state, many of the dependent rays being still in revolt. In conclusion, he stated, that when free from the attacks of these two powers, Assud Khan would himself undertake the chastisement of Kootb Shah, and promised in a short time to recover all the places he had taken from Beejapoor.
91.3.4
Ibrahim Adil Shah acted according to this advice, and peace being concluded with Boorhan Nizam Shah and Ramraj, Assud Khan marched against Jumsheed Kootb Shah, and reduced the newly-erected fort of Kakny after a siege of three months, and levelled it with the ground. He then moved on towards Etgeer, of which place the enemy raised the siege on his approach, and not thinking it prudent to hazard an engagement, retreated to his own dominions. Assud Khan followed him closely to the walls of Golconda, when Jumsheed Kootb Shah halting gave him battle. On this occasion, the King of Golconda was defeated in a severe action, and received a sabre wound in his cheek from Assud Khan as they fought hand to hand, which disfigured him for life. Thus Assud Khan, after a glorious campaign, returned triumphant to Beejapoor, where he was received by the King with honour, having fulfilled to the utmost all that he had promised.
91.3.5
Some time after this campaign, Boorhan Nizam Shah was instigated by Ramraj to march for the purpose of reducing Koolburga, and Ibrahim Adil Shah moved from Beejapoor to oppose him. On his arrival near the town of Hoorchean, the Beejapoor troops found Boorhan Nizam Shah strongly posted on the opposite bank of the river Beema; and seeing it impossible to cross at that spot, Ibrahim Adil Shah encamped on the right bank. Both armies lay inactive during three months of the rains, in sight of each other, with the river between them. At length, Ibrahim Adil Shah, tired of delay, found means to cross, and a general action ensued, in which the army of Boorhan Nizam Shah was totally routed with heavy loss, leaving on the field of battle two hundred and fifty elephants, one hundred and seventy pieces of cannon, besides ammunition, waggons, and all the royal insignia and camp-equipage. Ibrahim Adil Shah, in this action, fought personally with the utmost bravery, and slew three antagonists with his own hand; but he had the generosity to attribute his victory solely to the conduct of Assud Khan, on whom he conferred several districts in addition to his jageer. The King, elated by vain-glory, treated the ambassadors of Boorhan Nizam Shah who came to treat for peace in a contemptuous manner;
91.3.6
and from this time he behaved tyrannically even towards his own subjects, putting to death some of his best officers, and severely punishing others on slight pretences, measures which occasioned great disaffection in his government. Boorhan Nizam Shah, taking advantage of these discontents, again made war on the King of Beejapoor, and defeated him in two engagements in the space of six months, on which occasions he took many elephants; and the Nizam Shahy troops committed such ravages as seemed to threaten the very existence of Ibrahim Adil Shah's power. The Beejapoor king, fancying his losses were occasioned by the disaffection of his officers and by the intrigues of the bramins at the head of civil affairs, caused forty Hindoos and seventy Mussulmans of rank to be put to death in the short space of two months, on vague suspicions. At last, numbers of the nobility, reduced to despair, formed a conspiracy to dethrone the King, and to raise his brother Abdoolla to the throne. Matters had gone far, when one of the conspirators, in hope of obtaining a considerable reward, betrayed the plot to Ibrahim, who put him to death with most of those against whom he had informed. His brother Abdoolla, with much difficulty, made his escape to Goa, where he was honourably received by the Portuguese, who afforded him protection.
91.3.7
The King, enraged at his flight, punished all the bramins whose office it was to superintend the police with tortures, in the great square of Beejapoor, where they expired in excruciating agonies. At this time, also, renewing his suspicions of the fidelity of Assud Khan, the King conducted himself so, that the old minister was induced to withdraw for self-protection to his estates at Belgam, from whence he sent a confidential friend with an offering of nine elephants, nine horses, and many valuable curiosities, with the following letter to the King: — "Why, ah! why, art thou thus estranged from me? What have I done, what hast thou heard, what hast thou seen in me? "If I have committed a crime, let my head fall beneath the stroke of the sabre; but it is neither generous nor just to be incensed without cause. "I know not the reason of this unkindness, nor what can have occasioned such coldness. "Whatever crimes interested persons have attributed to my charge, I may have committed an hundred times; but I know not their accusations; and, like the wolf accused of destroying Yoosoof, I am innocent, and condemned unseen or unheard. The language they attribute to me has never passed my lips, nor have evil designs been conceived in my mind.
91.3.8
"The reason of my delay in this fortress, and of my absence from the court, is to avoid the designs of my enemies, who daily misrepresent the purity of my intentions, and the sincerity of my attachment. They have already tainted my character with the stain of disaffection, and have made the peaceful recess of the King's heart a cave of spleen, nay, of grief, and a recess of burning fire. By accusing me of treachery, they diminish the glow of cheerfulness on the part of the King. They pollute, with the alloy of suspicion, the pure gold of my loyalty, and dissolve thine heart in the tormenting crucible of jealousy.
91.4.1
"If, however, the kindness of the King of "kings should, in compassion for my situation, "cause mine enemies to be put to shame, and "command my presence, I will, when the rains "are at an end, proceed to throw myself at the "foot of the throne: in one month will I hasten, "with joyful presents and offerings, to the royal "court." Ibrahim Adil Shah, moved by this letter, treated the family of Assud Khan, then at Beejapoor, with many marks of favour, and was about to permit them to join him at Belgam, when the rebellion of the Prince Abdoolla suddenly breaking out, his mistrust of the minister was renewed, and his favourable disposition towards him removed.
91.4.2
The Prince Abdoolla, having effected his escape to Goa from the harsh treatment of his brother, was induced, by the advice of many of the nobility of Beejapoor who attended him, to enter into a correspondence with Boorhan Nizam Shah of Ahmudnuggur, and Jumsheed Kootb Shah of Golconda, in hopes of obtaining their assistance. These princes, seeing the distracted state of affairs at Beejapoor, and fully aware of the disgust of Assud Khan, promised their aid to place Abdoolla on the throne, and wrote to the Portuguese of Goa, that, owing to the cruelty and tyranny of Ibrahim Adil Shah, they foresaw that such troubles would soon break out in his government as he could by no means suppress; and it was, therefore, their wish, that the Prince Abdoolla might be sent to them, as they intended seating him on his brother's throne. The Portuguese agreed to support this project; but observed, they could only hope to succeed by the cordial co-operation of Assud Khan. Boorhan Nizam Shah, on receipt of this answer, despatched one of his principal bramins to Assud Khan to prevail on him to join in the plan: but that faithful minister, starting with horror at the idea of disloyalty, told the bramin indignantly, that but for the laws of civilised nations, which respect the persons of ambassadors, he would put him to death;
91.4.3
commanding him, as he regarded his safety, to depart instantly from the reach of his authority, lest indignation should get the better of his reason, and induce him to forget what was due to his character. The bramin returned with this message to Boorhan Nizam Shah; but the Portuguese, perceiving that all the powers of the Deccan, excepting Assud Khan, were united in support of the Prince Abdoolla, they marched with him from Goa, and he openly proclaimed himself King. Most of the nobility at the capital were about to desert Ibrahim Adil Shah, and go over to Abdoolla, when an event occurred which changed the face of affairs. Assud Khan was taken dangerously ill; and Boorhan Nizam Shah, supposing he might die, cast his eye on the fort of Belgam; and instead of marching direct to Beejapoor with Abdoolla, which would have insured the accession of that prince to the throne, he halted at Mirch, to prosecute his own designs; and deputing the same bramin, who had formerly gone to Belgam, with a vast sum of money, he was directed to employ it in corrupting the soldiers of the garrison to deliver the fort into his hands, in case of Assud Khan's death. The bramin had nearly succeeded in his commission when the plot being discovered by Assud Khan, he slew the spy, together with seventy of the soldiers whom he had already bribed.
91.4.4
The nobles of Beejapoor, on hearing of this event, became fully convinced that the old minister took no share in the pretensions of the Prince Abdoolla, and accordingly remained firm in their allegiance to Ibrahim Adil Shah, while the adherents of the Prince began to fall off daily. The disorder of Assud Khan continuing, and old age having rendered him too weak to contend against it, he prepared to meet death, and entreated Ibrahim Adil Shah to honour him with a farewell visit in the following verses: — "Haste, like the morning breeze, to the bower "of friendship; come, like the graceful cypress, to "the garden." Ibrahim thinking it advisable to comply with his request, marched, in the month of Mohurrum, 956, towards Belgam. After passing Hookery he received accounts of the minister's death; from whence the King pushed on, and arrived on the same night at Belgam, where he administered consolation to his mourning family and attendants, giving them assurances of his favour; but he attached, in the meanwhile, all Assud Khan's estates and treasures. In this state of affairs, the Portuguese marched back to Goa, accompanied by the Prince Abdoolla, while the other confederates also retreated to their own dominions. Assud Khan was remarkable for his judgment and talents ; and his administration of the government during the reign of Ismael Adil Shah has justly rendered his name celebrated in history.
91.4.5
For nearly forty years he was the patron and protector of all the noble and distinguished men of the Deccan. He lived universally respected and esteemed, and maintained a splendour and magnificence suited to his high station. The sovereigns of Beejanuggur, and others, acknowledged his great abilities and influence, by frequently honouring him with letters, and propitiating him with valuable presents. His household servants, Georgians, Circassians, Hindoos, and Abyssinians, amounted to two hundred and fifty. He had sixty large elephants, and one hundred and fifty of a smaller size. In his stables were four hundred Arabian horses, exclusive of those of mixed breed, foaled in India. During his administration he had amassed great wealth. In his kitchen were every day expended one hundred maunds of rice, Deccan weight, fifty sheep, and one hundred fowls ; from which some notion may be formed of the expenditure of other articles. He first introduced the fashion of wearing the waistband of gold cloth, and the dagger, which have been ever since assumed by persons of rank in this country. He also attempted to ride elephants with bridles, instead of managing them with the kigjuk, or goad; but as those animals have frequently sudden starts of vice, this mode of guiding them was not found to answer. Ibrahim Adil Shah, agreeably to his last will, gave the daughter of Assud Khan (Mahtab Beeby) in marriage to Ally Bereed Shah, with whom he sought an alliance.
91.4.6
Boorhan Nizam Shah, soon after the death of Assud Khan, deputed ambassadors to Ramraj with presents, and professions of regard were interchanged between the Princes. On learning this circumstance, Ibrahim Adil Shah treated the ambassadors of the latter, who were with him at Beejapoor, with such marked neglect that they became alarmed, and retired abruptly, without taking leave, to Beejanuggur, where they communicated to Ramraj, that Ibrahim Adil Shah, out of resentment of his alliance with Boorhan Nizam Shah (had they not made their escape), would probably have put them to death. Ramraj was much incensed; and in order to involve Ibrahim Adil Shah in war with the King of Ahmudnuggur, he wrote to that prince, recommending him to attack Kulliany, belonging to Ally Bereed, the ally of Ibrahim Adil Shah. Boorhan Nizam Shah, accordingly, moved from Ahmudnuggur with an army, and surrounding Kulliany, effectually blockaded it. Ibrahim Adil Shah, at the request of Ally Bereed, marched to relieve it; and encamping within sight of the enemy, threw up an entrenchment around his army, not choosing to risk a battle on the plain. Boorhan Nizam Shah, unwilling to raise the siege, also fortified his camp. In this state of affairs, Ibrahim Adil Shah ordered his Bergy officers, who were expert light troops, to occupy the roads, and prevent supplies of grain and forage reaching the enemy.
91.4.7
These orders were so implicitly obeyed, that a famine soon prevailed in the camp of Boorhan Nizam Shah, so that in the month of Ramzan, the King and his army, true believers, and Hindoos, all fasted alike, from absolute necessity. Boorhan Nizam Shah, in this distress, consulted his generals; some of whom proposed to raise the siege, and retreat to Ahmudnuggur; while others recommended him to make peace with Ibrahim Adil Shah. Shah Jafur and Kasim Beg (two foreign chiefs) dissented from both these opinions, and strongly advised offering battle to the enemy; a resolution which Boorhan Nizam Shah determined to adopt. Accordingly Seif-ood-Deen Ein-ool-Moolk, with other chiefs, at daylight on the morning of the dissolution of the fast, surprised the camp of Ibrahim Adil Shah, whose troops were off their guard, and employed in preparing for the festival. The King, who was then in the warm bath, had scarcely time to make his escape; and his troops fled in such confusion, that all the tents, baggage, and artillery, were left in possession of the victors. Boorhan Nizam Shah, elated by his success, directed an assault to be made on the fort of Kulliany on the same day; and the garrison, intimidated by the defeat of their ally, laid down their arms, and surrendered the place without opposition.
91.4.8
Ibrahim Adil Shah was by no means disheartened by this affair; and in order to save his own territory from devastation he invaded that of the enemy. He came suddenly before Purenda, and finding the gates open, rushed with a body of troops into the fortress, which submitted, and was given over in charge to one of his Deccany officers. From thence he proceeded to lay waste the neighbouring districts; and after having levied considerable contributions, he retreated, on the approach of Boorhan Nizam Shah, towards Beejapoor. Boorhan Nizam Shah proceeded to recover Purenda. Before he arrived within many miles, the dastardly governor, being alarmed, fled by night, without communicating his design to his followers, and on the next morning they imitated the example of their chief. The third day after this the evacuated fortress was quietly taken possession of by its former master.
91.5.1
Ibrahim Adil Shah put to death the Deccany chief on his arrival at Beejapoor, and began to make preparations for retaking the fort of Kulliany. Boorhan Nizam Shah, on receiving intimation of this design, sent ambassadors to Ramraj, who agreed to meet him near Rachore, in order to concert a plan of operations for the ensuing year. Ramraj accordingly moved with a considerable force to that place in the year 959, when it was resolved that the forts of Moodkul and Rachore should be conquered for Ramraj, and that he should aid in reducing the city and dependencies of Sholapoor. The allies took Rachore, and on its falling into their hands the garrison of Moodkul also surrendered without opposition; and Ramraj having left his younger brother, Venkatadry, with an army, to assist Boorhan Nizam Shah, returned to Beejanuggur. Boorhan Nizam Shah took Sholapoor in a short time, and having strengthened it, returned to Ahmudnuggur. Some time after, Boorhan Nizam Shah dying, peace was concluded between his successor Hoossein Nizam Shah and Ibrahim Adil Shah. The two kings had a friendly meeting on their borders, and parted much pleased with each other; but this good understanding did not last long. Khwaja Jehan Deccany, who had fled to avoid the resentment of his sovereign, Hoossein Nizam Shah, coming to Beejapoor, inspired Ibrahim Adil Shah with hopes of retaking Sholapoor;
91.5.2
and for this purpose Ibrahim Adil Shah concluded a treaty with Ramraj, and invited into his service Seif Ein-ool-Moolk, commander-in-chief of the army of the late Boorhan Nizam Shah, who had taken refuge in Berar from the oppression of the present sovereign. These overtures were accepted by that distinguished chieftain; and the King of Beejapoor conferred on him high titles, with considerable estates, and an immediate present of money. By his advice Ibrahim Adil Shah soon after espoused the cause of the Prince Ally, son of Boorhan Nizam Shah, who had taken refuge at his court. It was agreed between them, that on Ally Nizam Shah being seated on the throne of Ahmudnuggur, the forts of Kulliany and Sholapoor should be surrendered to the King of Beejapoor. In order to effect these objects, the Prince Ally, accompanied by the body of two thousand horse which had come with him from Ahmudnuggur, marched to the frontier for the purpose of drawing over the nobles of that kingdom to his cause; but in this attempt he met with little success: and Hoossein Nizam Shah having put his army in motion, Ibrahim Adil Shah marched from Beejapoor to support the Prince Ally, having previously distributed large sums among his troops. Both armies met on the plains of Sholapoor, and drew up to engage.
91.5.3
Ibrahim Adil Shah gave the command of his right wing to Seif Ein-ool-Moolk Geelany and Ankoos Khan, and that of the left to Noor Khan and Imad-ool-Moolk, himself taking post with the household troops in the centre. The kirawul, or advanced picquet, was commanded by Seif Ein-ool-Moolk, who pushed on from the line, and began the action with great impetuosity; Ibrahim Adil Shah, disapproving of his separation so far from the main body, directed that the picquet should remain nearer the line, in order the sooner to receive support, if necessary. The general returned for answer, that his Majesty's observation was very just; but that as he had advanced so far, to return would only give spirits to the enemy. Having sent this message, he went on, and seized the enemy's cannon, which he spiked, and drove their picquets back on their main body. Here, however, he was resolutely opposed by Hoossein Nizam Shah, who commanded in person, notwithstanding which the Nizam Shahy army began to give way, and must inevitably have been defeated, had the gallantry of Seif Ein-ool-Moolk met with proper support. At this crisis, several Nizam Shahy chiefs, who had been engaged on the left, advanced to the assistance of their sovereign, and almost surrounded Seif Ein-ool-Moolk, whose division was thrown into temporary confusion; but still seeing the standards of Ibrahim Adil Shah, though at a distance, he, as was his custom on desperate occasions, dismounted from his horse, resolved to conquer or die.
91.5.4
Some of the troops, on seeing him dismount, told the King that Seif Ein-ool-Moolk, having gone over to the enemy, had just alighted to pay his respects to Hoossein Nizam Shah. Ibrahim Adil Shah, who from the first entertained suspicions of his fidelity, was now confirmed in them, and fled from the field without halting, till he reached Beejapoor. Seif Ein-ool-Moolk, finding the King had fled, nobly fought his way through the enemy with great loss; and upon his arrival at the capital, sent word, respectfully, to his master, that he had lost all his baggage, and was without tents or any covering for himself or his miserable followers; he begged, therefore, an advance of cash, to enable him to repair his losses, and appear at court according to his rank and station. The King, who was persuaded his defeat originated in the first disobedience of his orders for the picquets to fall back, replied, that he wanted no such insubordinate and obstinate servants, and that he might provide for himself wherever he could.
91.5.5
Seif Ein-ool-Moolk, who could not accuse himself of any crime, was overwhelmed with astonishment, and sent another message to represent that he had served the King at the risk of his life with unshaken fidelity, and had sacrificed five hundred brave relations and friends in the battle; and that in his present miserable situation he could not move. He stated he had no other refuge but the King's threshold; and that having quitted his place of refuge at his invitation, he could not repair to any other court. The King conceiving the latter part of Ein-ool-Moolk's message to reflect on himself, ordered the bearer of it to be beaten, and turned out of his presence.
91.5.6
Seif Ein-ool-Moolk, despairing of redress, had recourse to the advice of his friends how to proceed; and they recommended his going to his jageers, and raising the collections of the autumn harvest, then just ripe, after which, should the King send a force to expel him, he might retire wherever he should see best. This plan he accordingly adopted; and having marched from Beejapoor to Man-Dese, collected the revenues, and divided them among his troops. Ibrahim Adil Shah sent one of his officers with five thousand horse to expel Ein-ool-Moolk from the country, but the royalists were defeated; and the chief, thus urged into revolt, growing bolder by success, collected the revenues of many districts, such as Walwa, Mirch, and others. The King now detached against him ten thousand horse and foot, under command of Neeaz Koolly Beg and Dilawur Khan Hubshy. These troops were also defeated; and so many elephants and horses, with such a quantity of valuable baggage, fell into the hands of Ein-ool-Moolk, that he began seriously to think of establishing himself in the country as an independent chief, with which view he levied additional troops. Ibrahim Adil Shah, at length thought it necessary to take the field in person, at the head of five thousand chosen horse, three thousand foot, and a train of artillery. Ein-ool-Moolk encamped on the river Man, and the King arrived, and halted some days on the opposite bank without attacking him.
91.5.7
Seif Ein-ool-Moolk could not make up his mind to retreat, and resolved not to quit the country without fighting. For three days successively he advanced towards the King's camp, as if to engage, but as often returned; the royal army remaining under arms on each occasion from dawn till sunset, expecting the attack. On the fourth day, Ein-ool-Moolk put his troops again in motion; but the King supposing that his design was only to parade, as on the preceding days, neglected to make preparations for his reception, the common guards of the camp only getting under arms. At length the enemy's standard appearing in sight, Ibrahim Adil Shah marshalled his troops in great haste, and moved out of the camp to give battle. Ein-ool-Moolk, averse from engaging the King in person, consulted with his friends; observing, that it was treason to fight against the royal standard; to which all assented except Moortuza Khan Anjoo, who remarked, that the standards did not fight, and there was no danger of shedding royal blood. Ein-ool-Moolk, satisfied with this casuistry, and finding it too late to hesitate, charged the royalists, and attacking the centre, where Ibrahim Adil Shah was posted, pressed on it so vigorously that it was soon thrown into disorder, and the King fled; upon which his whole line broke, and victory declared in favour of Ein-ool-Moolk, who seized the royal canopy, elephants, and artillery, besides all the tents and baggage. The King shut himself up in the citadel of Beejapoor;
91.5.8
and so great was the alarm of the people of the town, that the ruin of the royal family was pronounced to be inevitable. Seif Ein-ool-Moolk, following up his success, appeared before Beejapoor, where he for several days assaulted various parts of the city, and endeavoured to cut off the supplies. In this exigency, Ibrahim Adil Shah applied to the Hindoo prince Ramraj for assistance, sending him a present of 1,200,000 hoons; upon which he despatched his brother Venkatadry, with a considerable force, to expel the enemy. Seif Ein-ool-Moolk, in imitation of Assud Khan, thought to surprise the infidel's camp; but Venkatadry having intelligence of his designs, ordered his troops to be on their guard, and having procured long faggots, with cloths steeped in oil bound round one end of each, commanded his followers, upon the alarm being given, to light them, and, holding them up as high as possible, afford the troops a full sight of the enemy. Ein-ool-Moolk, in prosecution of his intentions, having one night chosen two thousand men for the purpose, marched, accompanied by Sulabut Khan, to the enemy's camp, which he was allowed to enter unmolested; but upon the preconcerted signal being given, all the brands were instantly lighted up, and Venkatadry, who was fully prepared, fell upon the enemy with such success, that above five hundred of them were slain before the detachment could clear the camp. Ein-ool-Moolk and Sulabut Khan with the greatest difficulty made their escape;
91.5.9
and losing the road through the darkness of the night, a report spread through his camp on the return of some of the fugitives that Ein-ool-Moolk was killed. The troops became panic-struck at their situation, and separating in all directions during the night, fled to different quarters. Ein-ool-Moolk and Sulabut Khan, with two hundred horse, about daylight arriving at their ground, and seeing it deserted, fled by the route of Man-Dese to the dominions of Hoossein Nizam Shah, where they sought protection, but were basely assassinated by his treachery, the particulars of which will appear in their proper place, in the history of that dynasty. Ibrahim Adil Shah, soon after the restoration of his affairs, having long abandoned himself to hard drinking, and to promiscuous intercourse with women of bad character, was afflicted with a complication of disorders. During his illness, he put to death several physicians who failed in curing him, beheading some, and causing others to be trodden to death by elephants, so that all the surviving medical practitioners, becoming alarmed, fled from his dominions. At length, deserted by his physicians, he departed this life in the year 965, and was buried at Gogy, near his father and grandfather, after a reign of twenty-four years and some months. He left behind him two sons and two daughters.