Firishta's History (Gulshan-i Ibrāhīmī) 92: ALLY ADIL SHAH:
History of the Rise of the Mahomedan Power in India (Briggs) 92
- Language
- English
Contents
ALLY ADIL SHAH:
92.1.1
Account of his early life — embraces the Sheea persuasion — engages the Raja of Beejanuggur to assist him in the war against the King of Ahmudnuggur. — After a successful campaign, Ally Adil Shah consents to accept of terms of peace. — The war renewed by the King of Ahmudnuggur in conjunction with the King of Golconda. — Ally Adil Shah and the Raja of Beejanuggur again take the field, — Peace concluded. — The Mahomedan kings of the Deccan unite against the Raja of Beejanuggur, who is slain in the battle of Talikote, and part of his kingdom wrested from his family. — Exertions made by Ally Adil Shah to occupy the dominions of Beejanuggur partially frustrated by the jealousy of the King of Ahmudnuggur. — Many Hindoo chiefs on the south rendered tributary. — The King marches against the surviving member of the house of Beejanuggur. — His Hindoo cavalry desert Ally Adil Shah, and act against him, which compels him to retreat — he cuts off the Hindoo officers by treachery — his death.
92.1.2
Ally Adil Shah, from his childhood, was remarkable for his ready wit and various accomplishments. While yet a youth, his father Ibrahim, one day in his presence, praised God who had given him grace to abandon the heretical precepts of his father and grandfather, and embrace the orthodox religion. The Prince humorously remarked, that as his Majesty had thought proper to depart from the faith of his parents, it was incumbent upon all good children to follow so excellent an example. The King, displeased at this sarcasm, asked him what sect he admired; to which he replied, that at present he was of the same opinion with his Majesty, but hereafter God must direct him. Ibrahim Adil Shah, from this answer, conceiving him to be inclined to the Sheea persuasion, disgraced his preceptor Khwaja Inayut Oolla Shirazy, and in a few days after put him to death, in conformity with the sentence passed on him by the Soony doctors at Beejapoor; and Moolla Futteh Oolla Shirazy was nominated preceptor to the Prince in his stead. This learned man was also secretly a Sheea, though for his own safety he outwardly professed the doctrines of Mahomed Huneefi and was much beloved by his pupil. Not long after this event, a party of the nobility having entered into the schemes of Boorhan Nizam Shah, proposed, by bribing the clerk of the kitchen, to poison Ibrahim Adil Shah, after which it was intended to raise his brother Abdoolla to the throne, and to restore the public exercise of the Sheea worship.
92.1.3
The clerk of the kitchen, who had at first favoured the design, no sooner heard that the intention was to change the form of religion of which he was a strict follower, than he revealed the plot to the King, who put all the conspirators to death; but the Prince Abdoolla escaped to the port of Goa. Ibrahim Adil Shah, from this moment, became suspicious of his son Ally, and sent him with his tutor to the fortress of Mirch, giving strict orders to the governor, Sikundur Khan, to watch him closely, and to prevent any persons of the Sheea persuasion from approaching his person, or allowing their doctrines to be mentioned in his presence. It happened, however, that the governor and his son-in-law, Kamil Khan Deccany, were privately of the Sheea sect, so that, instead of observing the orders of the King, they attached themselves to the Prince, and endeavoured to acquire his good will by granting him every indulgence. When Ibrahim Adil Shah was taken ill, and his end appeared nigh, the Prince frequently ascended the pulpit in a mosque, and read the prayers after the ritual of the Sheeas, and sometimes Kamil Khan himself officiated. This behaviour coming to the King's knowledge, he resolved to nominate his younger son Tahmasp to be his successor; but learning that he was by far a more zealous Sheea than his brother, he became incensed against him, and committed him to confinement in the fortress of Belgam.
92.1.4
He then said he must leave the succession to be determined by the decrees of Providence, and to the ministers of the government, who might elect either of the princes they chose for their sovereign after his death.
92.1.5
When the life of Ibrahim Adil Shah was despaired of, Mahomed Kishwur Khan, governor of the districts of Hookery, Belgam, and Raybagh, who possessed great wealth and influence in the state, moved towards the fort of Mirch, representing to Sikundur Khan, who commanded the latter place, that as the King's end was approaching, it was probable that many officers of the court and jageerdars would embrace the cause of the Prince Tahmasp, and raise dissensions in the state; that, therefore, it would be as well to prepare the royal insignia for the Prince Ally immediately, and at once to encamp near the walls of Mirch, in order that people might join his standard, and be able to move to Beejapoor without delay, on the death of the King. Sikundur Khan, accordingly, invested the Prince with the insignia of royalty, and sent his son-in-law, Kamil Khan, to attend him out of the fort. Ally was immediately joined by Kishwur Khan, who presented him with a large sum of money; and that chief in return was honoured with a dress, and received the office of commander-in-chief, while Kamil Khan Deccany was raised to the rank of a noble. The news of the Prince's proceedings spreading abroad, the King's troops repaired to his standard from various quarters; and many of the officers of the court, together with the body-guard, quitted Beejapoor, and hastened to pay their respects.
92.1.6
Upon the death of Ibrahim Adil Shah, Ally, without delay, moved towards the capital, and was met on the route by all the members of the court with the regal insignia of his father, which they laid at the feet of the new sovereign; and on arriving within two miles of the city Ally Adil Shah ascended the throne in the garden of Kishwur Khan. All the syuds and learned men prayed for the prosperity of his reign, and the nobles and other officers of government, raising their voices in congratulation, presented offerings. The King gave orders for a town to be erected near the place, to commemorate his accession; which was soon built, and called Shahpoor. Of his disposition towards the Sheea religion he gave immediate proofs, by issuing orders for the Khootba to be read throughout his dominions in the names of the Imams, as in the reign of his grandfather; at the same time, he ordered forty persons to be employed in his train as criers, to utter curses against the Sahiba, agreeably to a ceremony adopted by those of the Sheea persuasion; so that curses were uttered in the mosques, at the public audiences, and in the King's presence whenever he appeared abroad.
92.1.7
Justice is a treasure which increases by expenditure, and an edifice which fire cannot burn, nor the engines of vicissitude destroy: the King, by his strict attention to this virtue, became entitled to rank among the most upright of monarchs, paying such scrupulous attention to the rights of his subjects, that the revenues of his dominions were increased, and the limits of his kingdom greatly extended. In the first year of his reign, being desirous of recovering the forts of Kulliany and Sholapoor, which had fallen into the hands of Hoossein Nizam Shah, the King, without waiting for the customary compliment of receiving ambassadors from the surrounding powers, to congratulate him on his accession, despatched Kishwur Khan and Shah Aboo Toorab Shirazy to negotiate a treaty of alliance with Ramraj at Beejanuggur; at the same time he sent Mahomed Hoossein Sadicky for the same purpose to Ahmudnuggur. Ramraj received the ambassadors with proper honours, and sent back one of his confidential officers with Kishwur Khan, to congratulate the King on his accession; but Hoossein Nizam Shah, jealous of the designs of Ally Adil Shah against Sholapoor, did not evince proper respect to his embassy, nor send any in return, but gave strong indications of decided enmity. Ally Adil Shah, intent on adding to his dominions, and repairing the losses sustained by his father, entered into a close alliance with Ramraj;
92.1.8
and on the occasion of the death of a son of that Prince, he had the boldness, attended only by one hundred horse, to go to Beejanuggur, to offer his condolence in person on that melancholy occasion. Ramraj received him with the greatest respect, and the King, with the kindest persuasions, prevailed upon him to lay aside his mourning. The wife of Ramraj, on this occasion, adopted the King as her son, and at the end of three days, which were spent in an interchange of friendly professions and presents, Ally Adil Shah took his leave; but as Ramraj did not attend him out of the city he was offended, and treasured up the affront in his mind, though too prudent, for the present, to evince any signs of his displeasure.
92.2.1
Ally Adil Shah's enmity towards Hoossein Nizam Shah daily increasing, he intimated to him, by a message sent through Shah Hoossein Anjoo, that it was clear to the whole world that the forts of Kulliany and Sholapoor belonged to his family by ancient right, though, owing to the misfortunes of his father, they had passed into the hands of the Nizam Shahy government, but that now he hoped they would both be restored, or, at all events, the former. Shah Hoossein Anjoo failed in every argument in prevailing on Hoossein Nizam Shah to give up either place; and Ally Adil Shah sent another ambassador to Ahmudnuggur, representing that passion and obstinacy in the discussion of political questions of such importance did not become great kings; and that to prevent ill consequences, he trusted Hoossein Nizam Shah would see the justice of giving up the forts, when the friendship between their states would increase; but if not, he might expect the march of an army into his dominions, which should be laid waste without mercy. Hoossein Nizam Shah, inflamed by this message, sent back a reply so indecent as to be unfit to relate; which increased the anger of Ally Adil Shah to such a degree, that changing the colour of his canopy and standard from yellow to green, the colour of Hoossein Nizam Shah, by way of defiance (according to the custom of the Deccan), challenged him to come and reclaim his honour.
92.2.2
In the year 966, Ally Adil Shah having invited Ramraj to join him, those two monarchs invaded the territory of Hoossein Nizam Shah, and laid it waste so thoroughly, that from Purenda to Joonere, and from Ahmudnuggur to Dowlutabad, not a vestige of population was left. The infidels of Beejanuggur, who for many years had been wishing for such an opportunity, left no cruelty unpractised. They insulted the honour of the Mussulman women, destroyed the mosques, and did not respect even the sacred Koran. Hoossein Nizam Shah, by the advice of Kasim Beg Hukeem, Shah Jafur, and other ministers, declining any opposition in the field, retired to Peitun, and after some time purchased peace by giving up Kulliany to Ally Adil Shah; but the enemy had no sooner retired than he entered into an alliance with Ibrahim Kootb Shah, and marched in conjunction with him to retake the fort he had just surrendered.
92.2.3
Ally Adil Shah, on receiving intelligence of this league, again despatched Kishwur Khan and Aboo Toorab to Beejanuggur, to solicit aid from Ramraj; and also invited Ally Bereed Shah to enter into the same confederacy. Ramraj, who knew the character of the King, judging that should he refuse his assistance he would make peace with the Mussulman powers, and attempt the recovery of Moodkul and Rachore, marched to join him with fifty thousand horse and a great army of foot. The allies met on the banks of the Krishna, and moved immediately towards Kulliany, which was then besieged by the Nizam Shahy and Kootb Shahy forces. Ibrahim Kootb Shah, according to his usual mode of embracing the strongest party, quitted his ally, and came over suddenly to Ally Adil Shah; upon which Hoossein Nizam Shah, without delay, retreated to Ahmudnuggur. The allies followed him with the utmost expedition to that city, and he did not think it prudent to remain there, but having thrown a reinforcement and supplies into the citadel, retired to the town of Joonere. The three sovereigns laid siege to Ahmudnuggur, and sent detachments on all sides to lay waste the country. The Hindoos of Beejanuggur committed the most outrageous devastations, burning and rasing the buildings, putting up their horses in the mosques, and performing their abominable idolatrous worship in the holy places.
92.2.4
The siege was pushed with the greatest vigour, but the garrison held out with resolution, hoping that at the approach of the monsoon the enemy would be necessitated to retire. In this they were not disappointed; for when the rains set in, the floods, the damp, and the want of provisions, caused the utmost distress to prevail in the camp. At the same time, also, Ibrahim Kootb Shah maintained a secret correspondence with the besieged, to whom he privately sent in grain. Ally Adil Shah, suspecting the causes of the obstinacy of the besieged, and, probably, scandalised by the behaviour of his Hindoo allies, persuaded Ramraj to raise the siege, and to march against Sholapoor. Upon their arrival within some miles of that fortress, Kishwur Khan, seeing the danger of the aggrandisement of the Hindoo prince, represented to Ally Adil Shah, that if the fort of Sholapoor should fall, Ramraj would most probably keep it for himself, and extend his views to the neighbouring countries; it seemed, therefore, advisable to endeavour to reduce the fort of Nuldroog, and to leave the reduction of Sholapoor to a more convenient time, when there would be no apprehension of any rivalry for its possession. Ally Adil Shah, approving this advice, persuaded Ramraj to alter his views, and move to the place where Raja Nul had formerly erected a strong fortress. Here, after throwing up an extensive work of stone, the allies took leave of each other, and returned to their several dominions.
92.2.5
In the first expedition, when Ally Adil Shah had invited Ramraj to his assistance, the Hindoos committed great outrages at Ahmudnuggur, and omitted no mark of disrespect to the religion of the faithful, singing and performing their abominations and superstitious worship in the very mosques. The King was then much offended; but as he had not the means of preventing it he pretended not to observe it. In the conclusion of this campaign, Ramraj, looking with contempt on the Islam monarchs, and regarding them as of little consequence, refused to pay proper honours to the officers sent to communicate with him. When he admitted them to his presence, he did not permit them even to sit, and treated them with the utmost contempt and haughtiness. He made them attend when in public in his train on foot, not allowing them to mount till he gave orders; and on the return from the last expedition to Nuldroog, the officers and soldiers of his army, in general, treated the Mussulmans with direct insolence, making use of contemptuous language to them. Ramraj, after taking leave, casting an evil eye on the countries of Kootb Shah and Adil Shah, despatched armies to the frontiers of each, and Ally Adil Shah was compelled to purchase his forbearance by ceding the districts of Etgeer and Bagrakote; and Ibrahim Kootb Shah, to obtain the same end, resigned Kowilconda, Pangul, and Guntoor.
92.2.6
Ramraj daily continuing to encroach on the dominions of the Mussulmans, Ally Adil Shah resolved to curb his insolence and reduce his power by a league of the faithful against him; for which purpose he convened an assembly of his friends and confidential advisers. Kishwur Khan Lary and Shah Aboo Toorab Shirazy, whose abilities had often been experienced, represented, that the King's desire to humble the pride of the Ray of Beejanuggur was undoubtedly meritorious and highly politic, but could never be effected unless by the union of all the Mahomedan kings of the Deccan, as the revenues of Ramraj, collected from sixty seaports and numerous flourishing cities and districts, amounted to an immense sum; which enabled him to maintain a force, against which no single king of the Mussulmans could hope to contend with the smallest prospect of success. Ally Adil Shah commanded Kishwur Khan to take measures to effect the object of a general league; and an ambassador was accordingly despatched without delay to sound Ibrahim Kootb Shah, and to open to him, if prudent, the designed plan. Ibrahim Kootb Shah, who had been inwardly stung with indignation at the haughty insolence and the usurpations of Ramraj, eagerly acceded to the proposed alliance, and offered to mediate a union between Ally Adil Shah and Hoossein Nizam Shah, and even promised to obtain for the former the fort of Sholapoor, which had been the original cause of their disagreement.
92.2.7
With this view Ibrahim Kootb Shah despatched Moostufa Khan Ardistany, the most intelligent nobleman of his court, to Ally Adil Shah, with orders, if he should find him still sincere in his intentions towards the league, to proceed from thence to Ahmudnuggur, and conclude the alliance. Moostufa Khan, on his arrival at Beejapoor, fully perceiving that the object of the alliance was for the sake of prosecuting war against the infidels, departed for Ahmudnuggur, and laid the subject before Hoossein Nizam Shah. He reminded him, that during the times of the Bahmuny princes the whole strength of the Mussulman power was united under one king, which maintained the balance against the force of the Ray of Beejanuggur; that now, though the Mussulman dominion was divided, yet policy required that all the princes of the faithful should unite in restraining the increasing power of their common enemy. He observed, that the authority of the Ray of Beejanuggur, who had reduced all the rajas of the Carnatic to his yoke, required to be checked, and that his influence should be removed from the countries of Islam, in order that the people of their several dominions, who should be considered as being committed by the Almighty to their care, might repose in safety from the oppressions of unbelievers, and their mosques and holy places no longer be subject to pollution from infidels.
92.3.1
These remarks had their full effect upon Hoossein Nizam Shah, who, pleased with the communication of Moostufa Khan, treated him with unreserved confidence, so that he had every opportunity he could wish of promoting the object of his mission. After some days it was agreed, that Hoossein Nizam Shah should give his daughter Chand Beeby in marriage to Ally Adil Shah, with the fortress of Sholapoor as her dowry; and that he should receive the sister of that Prince, named Huddeea Sooltana, as a consort for his eldest son Mooturza; that a treaty of eternal friendship should be entered on between both states, and that they should unite sincerely to reduce the power of Ramraj; for which purpose it was resolved to march against him at the earliest practicable period. These points being settled, Moolla Inayut Oolla accompanied Moostufa Khan as ambassador on his return to Beejapoor; on which occasion the political treaties and marriage agreements were drawn out, and mutually confirmed by the most solemn oaths. It was agreed, also, that on the same day, nuptial rejoicings and festivals should be held at Beejapoor and Ahmudnuggur, and the two princesses be sent to their separate courts. Hoossein Nizam Shah, Ally Adil Shah, Ibrahim Kootb Shah, and Ally Bereed Shah, now began to make active preparations for the campaign against Ramraj.
92.3.2
Ally Adil Shah, preparatory to declaring war, and in order to afford himself a pretence for breaking with Ramraj, despatched an ambassador to his court, demanding restitution of Etgeer, Bagrakote, Rachore, and Moodkul, which had at different times been wrested from him. Ramraj, as was expected, expelled the ambassador with disgrace from his court; and the united sovereigns made this circumstance a plea for hastening their preparations to crush the common enemy of Islam. In the year 972, the four princes, at the head of their respective armies, met on the plains of Beejapoor, and on the 20th of Jumad-ool-Awul of the same year marched from that neighbourhood. After some days they arrived at Talikote, and the armies encamped near the banks of the Krishna; where, as the country on the north bank belonged to Ally Adil Shah, he entertained his allies with great splendour, and sent strict orders to all the governors of his dominions to forward supplies of provisions from their districts regularly to the camp. Ramraj, though he saw this formidable union of the Mussulmans against him, did not descend in the least from his former haughty language, but treated the Mahomedan ambassadors with scorn, regarding their enmity as of little moment. In the first instance he detached his youngest brother Yeltumraj, with twenty thousand cavalry, five hundred elephants, and one hundred thousand foot, to occupy the right bank of the Krishna, and secure all the passages of the river.
92.3.3
He also sent his second brother Venkatadry with another equally large army, himself following by slow marches with the whole power of his dominions. The allies, finding that all the known ferries and fords were thus pre-occupied by the enemy, despatched spies to explore the river, in hopes of finding some place at which they might be able to cross their troops: it was at length fully ascertained that the only safe passage for the army was directly in the enemy's front, which was in his possession, and who had constructed field-fortifications, strengthened by cannon and fire-works, on the opposite bank. On obtaining this information the allies held a council, when it was determined that they should march to another part of the river, as if with the intention to cross, in hopes that the enemy might be induced to quit his position and follow, when the Mahomedans might return suddenly, and throw part of the army across at the desired ford without interruption. Agreeably to this plan, the army of Islam moved on the next morning, and continued to march for three days successively, which completely deceived the enemy, who quitted all his posts, and manoeuvred along the opposite bank of the river. The allies, on the third night, suddenly struck their camp, and moved with such rapidity, that during the next day, they gained the ford which the enemy had deserted, and crossed the river without opposition.
92.3.4
On the next morning they made a forward movement to within ten miles of the camp of Ramraj; who, though somewhat astonished at their activity, was by no means dismayed, but commanded his brothers to fall back and join him. The allies now drew up their army in order of battle. The right wing was intrusted to Ally Adil Shah, the left to Ally Bereed Shah and Ibrahim Kootb Shah, and the centre to Hoossein Nizam Shah. The artillery, fastened together by strong chains and ropes, was drawn up in front of the line, and the war elephants were placed in various positions, agreeable to custom. Each prince erected his particular standard in the centre of his own army, and the allies moved in close order against the enemy. Ramraj intrusted his right wing to his brother Yeltumraj, to oppose Kootb Shah, and his left wing to his other brother Venkatadry, against Ally Adil Shah, while he himself commanded the centre. Two thousand war elephants and one thousand pieces of cannon were placed at different intervals of his line. About noon, Ramraj mounted a sing'hasun, in spite of the remonstrances of his officers who wished him to be on horseback, as much safer; but he said, there was no occasion for taking precaution against children, who would certainly fly on the first charge. Both armies being in motion soon came to battle, and the infidels began the attack by vast flights of rockets and rapid discharges of artillery, which did not discourage the allies.
92.3.5
On this, the action became general, and many were slain on both sides. Ramraj, experiencing a very different reception to what he expected, descended from his sing'hasun, and seating himself on a rich throne set with jewels, under a canopy of crimson velvet, embroidered with gold and adorned with fringes of pearls, caused his treasurer to place heaps of money around him, that he might confer rewards on such of his soldiers as merited the distinction; rich ornaments of gold and jewels were also placed before him for the same purpose. The infidels, inspired by the generosity of their prince, charged the right and left of the allies with such vigour, that they were thrown into temporary disorder; and Ally Adil Shah and Ibrahim Kootb Shah began to despair of victory, and even to prepare for retreat. Hoossein Nizam Shah, however, remained firm in the centre, and pushed on so ardently, that the division of Ramraj was thrown into confusion, on which the Ray, although seventy years of age, again mounted his sing'hasun, which was soon after abandoned by the bearers on the approach of a furious elephant belonging to Hoossein Nizam Shah; and before he had time to recover himself and mount a horse, a party of the allies took him prisoner, and conducted him to Chuleby Roomy Khan, commanding the artillery.
92.3.6
This officer brought him before Hoossein Nizam Shah, who ordered his head to be instantly struck off, and caused it to be placed on the point of a long spear, that his death might be thus announced to the enemy. The Hindoos, according to custom, when they saw their chief destroyed, fled in the utmost disorder from the field, and were pursued by the allies with such success, that the river was dyed red with their blood. It is computed, by the best authorities, that above one hundred thousand infidels were slain during the action and in the pursuit. The plunder was so great, that every private man in the allied army became rich in gold, jewels, tents, arms, horses, and slaves, the kings permitting every person to retain what he acquired, reserving the elephants only for their own use. Letters with accounts of this important victory were despatched to their several dominions, and to the neighbouring states, while the kings themselves, shortly after the battle, marched onwards into the country of Ramraj, as far as Anagoondy ; and the advanced troops penetrated to Beejanuggur, which they plundered, rased the chief buildings to the ground, and committed every species of excess. When the allies had destroyed all the country around, Venkatadry, who escaped from the battle to a distant fortress, sent humble entreaties to the kings, to whom he agreed to restore all the places which his brother had wrested from them ;
92.3.7
and the victors being satisfied, took leave of each other at Rachore, and returned to their respective dominions. The kingdom of Beejanuggur since this battle has never recovered its ancient splendour ; the city itself was so destroyed, that it is now totally in ruins and uninhabited ; while the country has been seized on by the tributary chiefs, each of whom hath assumed an independent power in his own district.
92.3.8
Hoossein Nizam Shah dying not long after this event, was succeeded by his son Moortuza, then a minor. Ally Adil Shah, conceiving this a favourable opportunity of extending his dominions on the south, moved with an army to Anagoondy, in order to place Timraj, the son of Ramraj, on the musnud of Penkonda, and to depose Venkatadry ; hoping, by degrees, to acquire for himself a portion of the territory of Beejanuggur. Venkatadry, informed of his designs, wrote both to Moortuza Nizam Shah and to his mother Khoonza Sooltana (who directed his affairs) for assistance. The Queen, unwilling to witness the aggrandisement of the King of Beejapoor, and acting by the advice of Moolla Inayut Oolla, took her son with her, and marched at the head of an army to Beejapoor; upon which, Ally Adil Shah was compelled to retreat expeditiously from Anagoondy, and return to protect his capital, before which he found the Ahmudnuggur army encamped. Frequent skirmishes took place between the two armies; when at length the Queen deemed it advisable to return with her son to Ahmudnuggur, without prosecuting hostilities any further.
92.4.1
The next year, at the request of the Queen-regent of Ahmudnuggur, Ally Adil Shah accompanied the army of Moortuza Nizam Shah to Berar, which they laid waste, and then returned on the approach of the rains to their capitals. This year the stone wall round Beejapoor was completed. In consequence of the mismanagement of the relatives of Khoonza Sooltana, the government of Moortuza Nizam Shah was much distracted, and Ally Adil Shah formed the project of adding some parts of its territory to his own. In furtherance of this project he presented Kumal Kishwur Khan with the standard of Assud Khan, on which was embroidered an angry lion; and in the beginning of the year 975 detached him, with a body of twenty thousand horse, to invade the Nizam Shahy territories. This general occupied some of the districts with little opposition; and in a short time after he constructed a fort for their defence, and named it Dharoor. Moortuza Nizam Shah, having now attained the age of manhood, wrested the authority out of the hands of his mother, and marched to recover his losses; on which Kishwur Khan shut himself up in the fort, which he had well stocked with stores and provisions, and prepared to sustain a siege. Ankoos Khan, and other chiefs, who had been sent to his support by Ally Adil Shah, whether from hatred of him, from dishonesty, or folly, chose to quit him, under pretence of drawing off the enemy's attention by plundering and laying waste the environs of Ahmudnuggur.
92.4.2
Moortuza Nizam Shah, unaffected by this manoeuvre, took an oath not to retire without reducing the fortress; and on reaching Dharoor, made an immediate assault, without any regular approaches, and succeeded, contrary to the expectations of his own troops, by the lucky accident of Kishwur Khan being killed by an arrow, as he was conducting the defence. After the death of their chief, his followers fled through a wicket out of the place, which fell into the hands of Moortuza Nizam Shah, with all the districts that had been wrested from him by the army of Ally Adil Shah. Khwaja Meeruk and Peer Khan Isfahany were immediately detached with a large force, in pursuit of Ein-ool-Moolk, one of the Beejapoor officers, who had moved towards Ahmudnuggur for the purpose of plunder; and overtaking him, a desperate action ensued, in which that chief was killed, the second in command, Noor Khan, taken prisoner, and the remains of Ally Adil Shah's army returned to Beejapoor with great difficulty.
92.4.3
In the following year Ally Adil Shah marched to Goa, in order to recover it out of the hands of the Europeans; but he retreated without effecting any object, after the loss of a vast number of his troops. He next moved against the fortress of Adony, which had hitherto resisted all the efforts of the Mahomedans. This fort was now in possession of one of the principal officers of the late Ramraj, who, on the death of his master, had assumed independence. Ankoos Khan was despatched on this service with eight thousand horse, a body of infantry, and a considerable train of artillery. Several indecisive actions were fought on the plain; till at length the chief shut himself up in the fortress, which, though well supplied with stores and provisions, yet, owing to the vigour with which Ankoos Khan carried on the siege, it submitted to his arms. Adony is situated on the summit of a high hill, and contains many ponds and fountains of clear and sweet water, with numerous princely structures. The rays of Beejanuggur, regarding it as impregnable, had all contributed to make it a convenient asylum for their families; and it was fortified with eleven walls, one within another, so that it appeared impossible to reduce it by force; and nothing but the close and the long blockade of Ankoos Khan could have effected that object.
92.4.4
This acquisition having added greatly to the military reputation of Ally Adil Shah, he resolved on prosecuting other conquests: prior to entering on which he judged it proper to have a meeting with Moortuza Nizam Shah, who, at his request, came to an interview on his borders; on which occasion it was agreed, that the latter should be allowed to occupy Berar, and that Ally Adil Shah should be permitted to conquer as much of the dependencies of Beejanuggur as he thought proper, without any interference on the part of Moortuza Nizam Shah. In the year 981, Ally Adil Shah, accordingly, marched against the fortress of Toorkul, which he had lost during the invasions of Ramraj, after whose death it had fallen into the hands of Venkutty Yesoo Ray, an officer of the Beejapoor government, who had seized it for himself, and now, after a siege of seven months, surrendered himself prisoner, and was put to death by painful tortures. The King then moved to reduce Dharwar, one of the strongest of the forts in the Carnatic, and at that time in possession of one of the officers of the late Ramraj, who, though he paid annually a small tribute to Yeltumraj, had now acquired great power. By the ability of Moostufa Khan Ardistany, who had been appointed prime minister, the fort was taken in six months; and when the surrounding country was perfectly reduced to order, Ally Adil Shah, at the persuasions of this minister, carried his arms against Bunkapoor.
92.4.5
This place was the principal residence of Velapa Ray, who had been originally a principal attendant of Ramraj; after whose death he assumed independence, and had lately compelled the rays of Jerreh, Chundurgooty, and Karoor, to become his tributaries. Upon the approach of the Bejapoor army Velapa shut himself up in the fort, and detached his son, with a thousand horse and ten thousand foot, to occupy the woods and passes, in order to harass the enemy as opportunity offered, and to endeavour to cut off his resources. At the same time, he sent letters to Venkatadry, the brother of Ramraj, professing great contrition for his defection from him, and begging for assistance against the Mahomedans; in consideration of which he promised to pay annual tribute, and in future to continue firm to his allegiance. Venkatadry, in reply, wrote him, that by his wickedness and evil example most of the dependents on his house had become rebels, and departed from their duty, so that it was with difficulty he could support himself at Penkonda and Chundergeery, the only places which the kings of Islam had left him. He advised him, therefore, if money or jewels could purchase terms from the Mahomedans, to procure them on any conditions;
92.4.6
but if he should find this impossible, he recommended him, by all means, to induce the neighbouring rajas to espouse his cause, and to prevail on them to join his son with their followers, in order to harass the Mussulmans, by cutting off their supplies, and by making frequent night attacks. He promised, moreover, to issue his orders to all his vassals to assist him, though he could not rely on their obedience. Velapa Ray, by this answer, was reduced to despair, yet, in compliance with the advice it contained, he prevailed on some chiefs to join his son; who acted with such vigour, that grain became scarce in the King's camp, which was molested every night by bands of robbers and assassins, who did much execution. The infantry of the Carnatic, who value their lives but little, were quite naked, and had their bodies anointed with oil, to prevent their being easily seized: thus prepared, they entered the tents at night and stabbed the soldiers, while sleeping, without mercy. Every night numbers were killed by them in this treacherous manner; and so great a dread and discontent prevailed among the troops, that they were near forcing the King to raise the siege. At length Moostufa Khan provided a remedy, both to ward off famine and to repel the nightly murderers.
92.4.7
He detached the Bergy chiefs with six thousand horse against the enemy in the field, and stationed a chain of eight thousand foot round the camp every night By this precaution the robbers became tired of making further attempts, as they found it impossible, if they once got within the lines, to escape with impunity. The Bergy chiefs performed their duty so well, that the communication with the country was again opened, and plenty restored to the camp. The siege, however, continued for one year and three months, when provisions in the garrison began to fail, and the son of Velapa Ray dying, all the feudal rajas who had attended him retired home. Velapa Ray, despairing of relief, at length sent offers for surrendering the fort to the King, on condition of being allowed to march away with his family and effects, which Ally Adil Shah thought proper to grant, and the place was evacuated accordingly. The King ordered a superb temple within it to be destroyed, and he himself laid the first stone of a mosque, which was built on the foundation, offering up prayers for his victory. Moostufa Khan acquired great credit for his conduct, and was honoured with a royal dress, and had many towns and districts of the conquered country conferred upon him in jageer. The King, who was much devoted to his pleasure, intrusted to the sole management of Moostufa Khan all affairs of state, and resigned to him his seal, with orders to use it as he pleased, without waiting for particular instructions.
92.5.1
Four months after the reduction of Bunkapoor, when the country was properly settled by the royal officers, and the different chiefs had submitted to pay tribute, Ally Adil Shah took up his residence in the fort, where he spent his time in a round of amusements, and detached Moostufa Khan, with twenty thousand horse and a considerable body of infantry and artillery, to reduce the forts of Jerreh and Chundurgooty. On the arrival of the minister at the former place, the Ray made offers of submission and tribute, which were accepted; and the army moved on, without molesting him, to Chundurgooty, the Ray of which prepared to resist. Moostufa Khan laid siege to the fort, and detached the Bergy chiefs to oppose the rays who had come to its assistance. At the end of fourteen months the fort was carried by storm, in the year 983, and Ally Adil Shah came from Bunkapoor to visit it; where having continued three months, he returned in triumph to Beejapoor, after an absence of rather more than three years from his capital. Moostufa Khan remained at Chundurgooty to regulate the country, and the royal seal was left in his possession; while instructions were given to the heads of departments for all orders to be expedited by them from Beejapoor for his approval. The following year a petition came from Moostufa Khan, representing, that the ancient fortress of Chundurgooty was situated upon a lofty hill, and better calculated for defence than that now standing on the plain;
92.5.2
so that he wished the King would come and view the old site, in order that, if he approved, it might be refortified. Ally Adil Shah, in compliance with his minister's request, went with a small train; and approving the plan submitted to him, ordered a fort to be constructed. It was finished in the space of one year, and the King came again from Beejapoor to view it. Shunkur Naik, having come to visit the King, invited him to make the tour of his country; and Ally Adil Shah, accepting the offer, left his army at Chundurgooty, and with Moostufa Khan and four or five thousand men, proceeded to the fortress of Karoor. This place is situated in a mountainous country, full of forests, and so difficult of access, that in most of the passes only one horseman can enter at a time. The King disliking the appearance of the country returned to Chundurgooty, leaving the Naik all his possessions; but Moostufa Khan, in order to make a merit of his master's generosity, told the Naik that it was with difficulty he had dissuaded him from reducing it; therefore, if he consulted his own safety, he would submit to pay tribute, and induce the surrounding rays to do the same. Shunkur Naik, by his representations, prevailed on Seeva Naik of Jerreh, the Rany of Barcelore, and several other chiefs, to pay their respects to the King, to whom they presented offerings of considerable amount, and agreed to pay annual tribute.
92.5.3
On the day on which these chiefs received their dresses from the King, women's habits were prepared for Hur Devy, Bhar Devy, the Rany of Barcelore, and another rany, which they declined accepting, saying, that though women in sex, they held their dominions by the power of masculine minds; upon which the King gave them men's dresses, and applauded their high spirit. These countries have been long governed by women, the daughters always succeeding to the raj, and the men serving under them as officers: the husbands of the ranies have no power in the state.
92.5.4
Ally Adil Shah having settled his new conquests, appointed a bramin to superintend the revenue, and left Moostufa Khan commander-in-chief of the whole, conferring the office of vakeel upon Afzul Khan Shirazy; after which he returned to Beejapoor. Moostufa Khan, who was a faithful servant, and anxious to extend the power of his sovereign, sent, not long after, one of his confidential friends to court, proposing to his Majesty to march against Penkonda. Ally Adil Shah, approving the suggestion, ordered his forces to assemble, and moved to Adony; from whence, on the junction of Moostufa Khan with the troops of the Carnatic, he proceeded towards Penkonda. On his approach, Venkatadry, committing the place to the care of one of his nobles, retired with his treasures and effects to the fortress of Chundurgeery. The King surrounded the city, blocking it up closely for three months; at the end of which time the garrison were nearly submitting for want of provisions, when Venkatadry bribed Hundiatum Naik, the chief of the Bergies, with twenty-four lacks of rupees and five elephants, to desert with his followers from the King, and harass his camp; which he did so effectually, that Ally Adil Shah was compelled to raise the siege, and to retire to the neighbourhood of Bunkapoor; from whence he shortly after marched back to Beejapoor, leaving Moostufa Khan to protect the frontiers.
92.5.5
In the year 986, the Bergies committing excesses in their jageers about Beejanuggur, the King sent Moortuza Khan Anjoo against them with three thousand foreign archers and a number of Deccanies and Abyssinians, with whom they carried on skirmishes for nearly a whole year, without being at all weakened. Moostufa Khan then represented to the King that it was useless sending troops against them, and he had better prevail upon them by stratagem to come to Beejapoor, when he might punish them in a manner worthy of their treachery. Ally Adil Shah, approving this advice, despatched Yeesoo Pundit, and others of their friends, to invite them to return. Hundiatum Naik in vain represented to them that it was not possible the King could forgive a treachery which had disappointed him of the conquest of Penkonda; but said they were only invited to court that their destruction might be effected. Most of the chiefs and their followers, however, returned; but Hundiatum Naik retired to Penkonda, where he engaged in the service of Venkatadry. For some time the King treated the Bergies with kindness, but at length put most of them to death. In the year 987, as the King had no son, he appointed his nephew Ibrahim, son of his brother Shah Tahmasp, his successor; and the following year he was assassinated by a eunuch, whom he had forced against his inclination to come to his court from Ahmudabad Bidur.
92.5.6
He was buried in the city of Beejapoor, where his tomb, which is called Roza Ally, is still to be seen. During his reign he received two ambassadors from Akbur Padshah of Dehly; the last of whom was in the city when he was assassinated. The jooma musjid, the howz-i-shapoor, the city wall, and the aqueducts which convey water throughout all the streets, were constructed by his orders, most disgusting and offensive, and it is by no means attempted to be palliated by Ferishta when he mentions it. A modern author of the history of Beejapoor, however, has set forth reasons in defence of Ally Adil Shah's conduct, and endeavours to prove that Ferishta has traduced his memory.