[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Indian literature](https://indike.org/pramana/in) › [Dark Ages](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages) › [General histories](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.general) › [Tārīkh-i Firishta](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.general.tarikh-i-firishta) › [History of the Rise of the Mahomedan Power in India (Briggs)](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.general.tarikh-i-firishta~en-briggs) › 93 # Firishta's History (Gulshan-i Ibrāhīmī) 93: IBRAHIM ADIL SHAH II. History of the Rise of the Mahomedan Power in India (Briggs) 93 - **Language:** English ## Contents - [93.1](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.general.tarikh-i-firishta~en-briggs.93.1) — 7 parts - [93.2](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.general.tarikh-i-firishta~en-briggs.93.2) — 8 parts - [93.3](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.general.tarikh-i-firishta~en-briggs.93.3) — 8 parts - [93.4](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.general.tarikh-i-firishta~en-briggs.93.4) — 7 parts - [93.5](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.general.tarikh-i-firishta~en-briggs.93.5) — 8 parts - [93.6](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.general.tarikh-i-firishta~en-briggs.93.6) — 8 parts - [93.7](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.general.tarikh-i-firishta~en-briggs.93.7) — 6 parts ### IBRAHIM ADIL SHAH II. ### [93.1.1](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.general.tarikh-i-firishta~en-briggs.93.1.1) Chand Beeby, the Dowager-queen of Ally Adil Shah, assumes charge of the government — she procures the minister to be seized and put to death, and raises another officer to his station, who, apprehensive of the Dowager's conduct, causes her to be seized, and confined in Satara. — The minister is expelled by the people, and the Dowager is released, — Dissensions at the court. — The kings of Ahmudnuggur and Golconda unite to attack Beejapoor — they besiege it, but are compelled to withdraw. — Dilawur Khan protector. — Chand Beeby retires to Ahmudnuggur. — Civil war in Ahmudnuggur. — War between Ahmudnuggur and Beejapoor. — The protector Dilawur Khan is compelled to fly from the capital. — The young King assumes charge of his government. — War against the Hindoos of the Carnatic and Mysore. — The Prince Ismael aspires to the throne, and suffers death. — War with Ahmudnuggur. — The King of Ahmudnuggur is killed in battle. Ibrahim Adil Shah, upon his accession to the throne, being only in his ninth year, the management of public affairs devolved on Kamil Khan Deccany, and to the dowager Chand Beeby, the late king's widow, was intrusted the care of the young king's education. Every day, excepting on Wednesdays and Fridays, Ibrahim was seated on his throne in the hall of audience, when the current business was transacted in his presence. For some time Kamil Khan behaved with due moderation in his high office; ### [93.1.2](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.general.tarikh-i-firishta~en-briggs.93.1.2) but at length, intoxicated with power, he became guilty of some disrespect towards Chand Beeby, who turned her thoughts to effect his destruction. She therefore secretly sent a message to Hajy Kishwur Khan, an officer of high rank, observing, that as the Regent was unfit for his office, she wished to remove him, and to bestow it upon himself. Hajy Kishwur Khan, allured by these hopes of advancement, formed a plot, with several chiefs, to seize Kamil Khan; and one evening, while he was holding a durbar in the green palace, Kishwur Khan suddenly entered the citadel with four hundred armed men, shut the gates, confined the commanding officer of the garrison, and proceeded to secure the Regent. Kamil Khan, alarmed, attempted to fly towards the haram, in hopes of finding protection with Chand Beeby, when he was informed, by some of the eunuchs well disposed towards him, that the plot was formed by her. Confounded at this intelligence, he ran out of the palace, and, as his only chance of escape, flung himself over the wall of the citadel into the ditch, then full of water. He swam over, and passed undiscovered to the Imam gate of the city. This was, however, shut; but by the help of his turban, sash, and other cloths tied together, and fixed to one of the battlements of the city-wall, he descended, and hastened to his own house at no great distance, where he prepared for flight with his friends. ### [93.1.3](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.general.tarikh-i-firishta~en-briggs.93.1.3) Hajy Kishwur Khan, not finding his intended victim, supposed he was in the fort, and was employed near an hour in searching all the buildings and places of concealment; after which he despatched a force to seek him without. Kamil Khan, having provided himself with as many jewels and as much money as time would allow, fled with seven or eight attendants towards Ahmudnuggur; but he had not gone above four miles before he was overtaken, and seized by the people of Kishwur Khan, who cut off his head, and carried it to their patron; but they appropriated all the jewels and treasure found on his person to their own use. Hajy Kishwur Khan, following the example of Kamil Khan, and supported by the patronage of Chand Beeby, grasped at the whole authority of the state, and ruled with uncontrolled sway. At this period, Behzad-ool-Moolk Toork, Meer Nobut to Moortuza Nizam Shah, advanced from Ahmudnuggur, with fifteen thousand horse, to reduce some districts belonging to Beejapoor; upon which the Regent detached Ein-ool-Moolk Geelany with an army to repel the enemy on the frontiers. Behzad-ool-Moolk suffered a total defeat near Shahdoorg, when all his tents, baggage, elephants, and artillery, fell into the hands of the victors, who returned in triumph to Beejapoor. The minister, by the advice of Chand Beeby, ordered rejoicing for three days, and conferred rich gifts and honorary distinctions on all the officers who had signalised themselves in this expedition; ### [93.1.4](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.general.tarikh-i-firishta~en-briggs.93.1.4) but some time after, he thought proper to issue an order requiring the elephants taken on the occasion to be given up to the King. This act gave much offence to many of the nobles, who not only refused to comply, but secretly combined to remove him from the regency. Some advised that they should address Chand Beeby, and recommend her to send for Moostufa Khan from Bunkapoor, to take upon himself the administration of affairs; while others were for deferring any measure for the present, conceiving that as Syud Moortuza, governor of Berar, was on his march from Ahmudnuggur to revenge the defeat of Behzad-ool-Moolk, it would be inexpedient to attempt a change in the ministry till the enemy was driven away from the frontiers; but that object being once effected, they proposed retiring, as if in disgust, to Beejanuggur, and there taking measures, in concert with Chand Beeby, for accomplishing their ends. Kishwur Khan, informed of these designs, took steps to prevent them. He sent an order under the royal seal to Meer Noor-ood-Deen, a jageerdar near Bunkapoor, to assassinate Moostufa Khan, promising to reward him for the deed with the estates and honours of that nobleman. Noor-ood-Deen, though he had been patronised by Moostufa Khan, and was indebted to him for his present office, undertook to perform this base action. ### [93.1.5](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.general.tarikh-i-firishta~en-briggs.93.1.5) He sent the bearer of the royal order into the fort, and at the same time private instructions by one Mahomed Ameen, addressed to the principal officers of the garrison, informing them, that Moostufa Khan meditated to put them to death, and to deliver up the fort to the Raja of the Carnatic, with whom he had entered into a design to subvert the royal authority; therefore it was required that they should fulfil the contents of the order intrusted to the hands of Mahomed Ameen, the bearer, and rid themselves of their treacherous governor, for which they would be amply rewarded by the King. Mahomed Ameen, upon his arrival at the gates of Bunkapoor, sent word to Moostufa Khan, that he had brought a letter from the King; upon which he was admitted with great respect, and orders were given for his accommodation. Pretending that it was late, he desired to be excused showing the mandate till the next morning; and Moostufa Khan, unsuspicious of treachery, took no notice of the delay. During the night, Mahomed Ameen showed the paper to the officers of the garrison, who seeing the King's order for the death of Moostufa Khan, agreed to put it into execution. Accordingly, while he was at prayers the following morning, a number of them rushed upon him, and strangled him with a bow-string. When intelligence of this transaction reached Beejapoor, Chand Beeby was highly incensed, and expressed in bitter terms of reproach her disapprobation of the conduct of Kishwur Khan. ### [93.1.6](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.general.tarikh-i-firishta~en-briggs.93.1.6) The minister for the present concealed his resentment against her; but in a short time accused her of having secretly instigated her brother, Moortuza Nizam Shah, to invade Beejapoor, and obtained the King's order to confine her for some time in the fortress of Satara. She was, accordingly, forced out of the haram, with many indignities, and sent prisoner to that place. After this measure Kishwur Khan became self-secure, and conducted affairs with uncontrolled authority. He sent Meean Buddoo Deccany, on whose fidelity he had reliance, to command on the frontiers, with instructions to seize, by treachery, most of the Abyssinian officers of the army, and to confine them in Shahdoorg. This design coming to the knowledge of the intended victims, they resolved to seize Meean Buddoo, and then to remove Kishwur Khan. With this view, Yekhlass Khan, the principal Abyssinian chief, pretending that he had received news from Beejapoor of the birth of a son, made a grand entertainment, to which he invited Meean Buddoo, who, not suspecting his intentions, went to his tent, attended only by a few of his friends, and was made prisoner by the very same stratagem he had designed to practise. Yekhlass Khan, with all the chiefs, and the whole army, moved on the same day towards Beejapoor; while Ein-ool-Moolk and Ankoos Khan, with such of the nobility as were friends to Kishwur Khan, deserted on the route to their several jageers. ### [93.1.7](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.general.tarikh-i-firishta~en-briggs.93.1.7) Kishwur Khan, on hearing of this league against him, gave over all thoughts of opposition. To preserve appearances, however, as well as to prevent his being seized by the inhabitants of the city, he invited the young King to a feast at his own house; but as he attended him through the streets, the common people, and even the women, uttered loud exclamations of abuse against him, calling him the murderer of syuds and the gaoler of Chand Beeby. The Regent, finding the minds of the populace incensed against him, thought it time to prepare for his escape. When he heard the army was arrived within a day's march of the city, he prevailed on the King to go with him, on pretence of hunting, to Koolabagh, one of the royal gardens; where, on his arrival, he expressed fears lest the heat of the sun should hurt his Majesty's health, and begged he would return to the palace, promising to follow himself, as soon as he had taken a view of the gardens of Shahpoor. The King returned agreeably to his request; when Kishwur Khan, who had a train of four hundred horse, among whom he had distributed his jewels and money, leaving his women and children behind in the city, took the road of Ahmudnuggur. On his arrival he found that court did not wish to afford him protection; on which he moved towards Golconda, the capital of Kootb Shah, where he was shortly after assassinated by one of the relatives of Moostufa Khan, in revenge for his treachery towards that nobleman. ### [93.2.1](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.general.tarikh-i-firishta~en-briggs.93.2.1) The Abyssinian chieftains entered Beejapoor without opposition, and were honoured by the young king with dresses and other marks of approbation. Yekhlass Khan assumed the regency; and Chand Beeby, being conducted from her confinement in Satara to the capital, was again intrusted with the care of the young King's person. At her request, Afzul Khan Shirazy was appointed Peshwa, and Yessoo Pundit Moostowfy of the kingdom; but the new regent, not long after, put the two latter to death, on suspicion of their entertaining designs prejudicial to his interest in concert with Chand Beeby. He banished many officers of rank from Beejapoor, and, in conjunction with Humeed Khan and Dilawur Khan, ruled the state as his caprice directed. He invited Ein-ool-Moolk from his jageer to court; and on his arrival near the city, the minister, with his two companions, went out to meet him, as a mark of respect Ein-ool-Moolk, seeing the three ministers with but few attendants, treacherously seized them, put heavy fetters on them, and the next morning prepared to enter the city with his prisoners upon elephants, in order to secure the government On his entering the city he found that the garrison had shut the gates of the citadel, and meant to oppose him; upon which, without securing his captives, he withdrew with expedition, and again retired to his jageer. Yekhlass Khan and his companions, being thus unexpectedly released, re-assumed their authority; ### [93.2.2](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.general.tarikh-i-firishta~en-briggs.93.2.2) but some of the nobility at court opposing them, great dissensions prevailed in Beejapoor, which gave encouragement to enemies to invade the kingdom. Behzad-ool-Moolk, the general of Ahmudnuggur who after his defeat had retreated, now returned with Syud Moortuza, the Ameer-ool-Omra of Berar. Mahomed Koolly Kootb Shah, also, having entered into alliance with Moortuza Nizam Shah, marched from Golconda, and joined his generals before Shahdoorg, to which place the allies laid close siege. The governor, notwithstanding the distracted state of affairs at Beejapoor, made a gallant defence, and refused splendid offers to betray his charge; observing, that he would not forfeit his honour, the loss of which nothing could restore to him, as he must give up with it the esteem of the world. The allies, finding all their attempts fruitless, resolved to raise the siege, and to march against Beejapoor, where the dissensions among the ministers would probably favour their cause; and they concluded that if they succeeded in taking the capital, the dependencies must soon fall. The allies, accordingly, broke up their camp from Shahdoorg, and appeared before Beejapoor with forty thousand horse. ### [93.2.3](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.general.tarikh-i-firishta~en-briggs.93.2.3) As there were then at the capital not more than two or three thousand troops, the Abyssinians kept themselves close in the city till the arrival of Ein-ool-Moolk and Ankoos Khan, with eight thousand horse, who subsequently arrived and encamped near the Allapoor gate, and maintained repeated skirmishes with the enemy, notwithstanding their inferiority of numbers. At length about twenty yards of the wall of the city fell down, owing to heavy rain; and Ein-ool-Moolk and Ankoos Khan, disgusted at the conduct of the Abyssinian chiefs, went over to the enemy on the same night. The allies now resolved on making an assault; but Syud Moortuza, who was displeased at being superseded by Behzad-ool-Moolk, prevented the immediate execution of that design, and the Beejapoor troops found time to repair the breach. At length the Abyssinian chiefs, finding that the principal nobles and officers disliked their authority, and on that account declined coming to the King's assistance, they represented to Chand Beeby, that they were willing to give up their power to whomsoever she chose to appoint, as they were loyal, and wished to see the government flourish, though they admitted they could not conduct it themselves, owing to the jealousy of the rest of the nobles. ### [93.2.4](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.general.tarikh-i-firishta~en-briggs.93.2.4) Chand Beeby, relying on their declarations, conferred the robes of Ameer Joomlagy on Shah Abool Hussun, son of Shah Tahir, who immediately sent off expresses with orders to encourage the Bergy chiefs of the Carnatic to return to their duty. He also wrote to Syud Moortuza, who had a profound veneration for the family of Shah Tahir, advising him to prevail upon the allies to quit the territories of Beejapoor; threatening, if they did not, that when the Bergies joined the King (which would shortly take place) their retreat should be cut off. Syud Moortuza, the Berar general, unwilling that the efforts of the allies, under Kootb Shah and Behzad-ool-Moolk, should succeed, adopted measures to induce them to retreat. In the first place, he sent to Ein-ool-Moolk and Ankoos Khan, the two chiefs who had deserted from Beejapoor, recommending them to return; observing, that it was unworthy of them at such a moment of danger to quit the service of their king on pretence of dislike to his ministers. They accordingly re-entered Beejapoor the same evening, where they renewed their allegiance to Ibrahim Adil Shah. Most of the nobility and the Bergies, hearing of the change in the administration, also hastened to court with their followers, and by the loyal exertions of Abool Hussun in less than a month an army of above twenty thousand men was collected at the capital, where affairs assumed a more propitious aspect. The Bergy chiefs were detached to harass and cut off the enemy's supplies; ### [93.2.5](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.general.tarikh-i-firishta~en-briggs.93.2.5) and succeeded so well, that in a short time famine pervaded their camp, and the allies repented of their expedition to Beejapoor. As the distress of the besiegers increased, they held councils as to what measures they should adopt. It was at last determined that they should separate their forces; that Kootb Shah should proceed against Koolburga, and that Behzad-ool-Moolk and Syud Moortuza should recommence the siege of Shahdoorg. They accordingly moved suddenly from before Beejapoor; but the Nizam Shahy army, on account of some events which will hereafter be mentioned, returned to Ahmudnuggur, plundering the districts of Kolhar and Mirch on their route; while Mahomed Koolly Kootb Shah, having left a detachment under his general Moostufa Khan to reduce some districts of Ibrahim Adil Shah, returned to his capital of Golconda. Moostufa Khan, at the end of three months, was totally defeated by an army sent from Beejapoor, under the command of Dilawur Khan, who, pursuing his success, followed the enemy to the gates of Golconda, and took much plunder on the road. ### [93.2.6](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.general.tarikh-i-firishta~en-briggs.93.2.6) It will hardly be credited that the city of Beejapoor, which had been invested for twelve months by the united armies of the confederate sovereigns of Berar, Ahmudnuggur, and Golconda, and during which time a large breach was made in the city walls, and the garrison within mutinous, while the kingdom was in a state of anarchy : it will not be believed, I say, that, under such circumstances, the Beejapoor monarchy should have been saved by the exertions of one man. This person was Shah Abool Hussun, who in the course of two or three months brought together an army of twenty thousand horse, and in one month afterwards not only attacked the enemy, and raised the siege, but even pursued the army of one of the confederates to the very gates of his capital, and took from him, among other spoils, no fewer than one hundred and fifty elephants. On the return of Dilawur Khan from his successful expedition against the Kootb Shahy troops, he became so elated that he aspired to the office of minister. To attain this end, he gained over Heidur Khan, the commandant of the citadel of Beejapoor, wherein the King resided, and resolved to seize the minister Yekhlass Khan. Every thing being ripe for the execution of his design, he marched expeditiously to the capital, and encamping near the Allapoor gate, sent in such flattering messages and declarations of attachment to Yekhlass Khan as threw him off his guard, and rendered him neglectful of the security of the city and palace. ### [93.2.7](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.general.tarikh-i-firishta~en-briggs.93.2.7) One day when Yekhlass Khan was reposing in his own house without the citadel, Dilawur Khan with his sons, attended by seven hundred horse and fifteen elephants, suddenly entered the city, and proceeded to the palace, into which he was admitted, according to promise, by Heidur Khan; after this, having payed his compliments to the young king, he stationed his own guards in every direction. Yekhlass Khan soon after advanced towards the gates with four thousand men, but the cannon from the walls obliged him to retire to a distance. He now blocked up the citadel for nearly four months; but being deserted by Buleel Khan, his principal chief, with the greatest part of his followers, and disdaining to fly, he was taken in his own house by Dilawur Khan, who, forgetting all his favours and kindness, ungratefully put out his eyes, and confined him. On this occasion, much injury was sustained by the inhabitants of the town from both parties, and many fine edifices were destroyed by the cannon. ### [93.2.8](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.general.tarikh-i-firishta~en-briggs.93.2.8) Dilawur Khan, on his accession to the regency, endeavoured to attach the nobility to his interest, by courting their alliance; strengthening, also, his own party, by placing his relations in the highest offices, particularly his sons, who held situations immediately about the King's person. Buleel Khan, who had by his desertion from Yekhlass Khan contributed greatly to his exaltation, was adopted by Dilawur Khan as his son, and retaining only about one hundred foreigners and sixty Abyssinians, he banished all the rest from the King's dominions. Shah Abool Hussun, the saviour of Beejapoor, who had been sent prisoner to a hill-fort subsequent to the siege by Yekhlass Khan, was first blinded by Dilawur Khan, and then put to death, as was also Hajy Basheer, a favourite of the late king; and the power of the Regent Chand Beeby was so completely nullified, that none of the court any longer attended to her commands. The new minister by stratagem got into his power Ghalib Khan, governor of the fortress of Adony, who had rebelled, and caused him to be blinded. He established the Soony ceremonies of religion in Beejapoor. He ruled the kingdom with absolute sway and authority in every department for eight years, during which period he restored the pecuniary resources of the government to a flourishing condition. ### [93.3.1](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.general.tarikh-i-firishta~en-briggs.93.3.1) The first act of his power, after he found himself secure, was to detach Buleel Khan with an army to collect the arrears of tribute from the rays of Malabar. Buleel Khan, after being joined by Arsapa Naik, Ray of Jerreh, marched against the fort of Shunkur Naik, Ray of Caroor, who refused to pay the tribute. One night, during the siege, while visiting the batteries, Buleel Khan had the misfortune to be taken prisoner by a body of the enemy, and was carried into the fort, where he was confined in heavy chains. His troops, missing their chief, raised the siege and separated to various quarters. Buleel Khan, after some time, by promises of great rewards, prevailed on his keepers, and a seller of grass, to assist in his escape; and he was carried out by the latter upon his shoulders, concealed in a bundle of forage. When he had gained a convenient spot, he contrived to strike off his chains, and hastened with all expedition towards the Beejapoor frontiers, where, arriving in safety, he procured a horse and proceeded to Bunkapoor, from whence he informed Dilawur Khan of his escape, and requested to be supplied with another army to take revenge on Shunkur Naik; but the Regent declined for the present to make any farther attempts in that quarter. ### [93.3.2](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.general.tarikh-i-firishta~en-briggs.93.3.2) Dilawur Khan, the same year, in order to conclude a treaty of alliance with Moortuza Nizam Shah, sent ambassadors to the court of Ahmudnuggur; and in the year 992 Moortuza Nizam Shah requested of Ibrahim Adil Shah his sister Khoodeija Sooltana in marriage for his son the Prince Hoossein; which being agreed on, Kasim Beg came with a train of four hundred horse to Beejapoor to receive the Princess, and escort her to Ahmudnuggur. She departed in great pomp at the end of four months, and was accompanied by her aunt Chand Beeby, who desired to visit her brother Moortuza Nizam Shah. In the year 995, the King having attained to years of discretion, it was thought advisable, in conformity with the dictates of God, pronounced by his prophet, "increase and multiply," that he should marry; and for this purpose an ambassador was sent to the capital of Bhagnuggur, since called Hydurabad, to solicit in marriage the Princess Mullika Jehan, sister to Mahomed Koolly Kootb Shah. The person deputed on this delicate occasion was Khwaja Tilla Beg Shirazy, who was entertained sumptuously at every stage by the King's order, and graciously received at Bhagnuggur. This step having been undertaken without the concurrence of Moortuza Nizam Shah of Ahmudnuggur, that monarch was so incensed, that Mahomed Koolly Kootb Shah thought it prudent to abstain from sending the Princess till he obtained his consent; ### [93.3.3](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.general.tarikh-i-firishta~en-briggs.93.3.3) a measure which he was the more induced to adopt, as the late Ibrahim Koolly Kootb Shah had, upon his death-bed, enjoined his son not to give away Mullika Jehan in marriage without the consent of Moortuza Nizam Shah. Dilawur Khan, the minister and regent of Beejapoor, supposing that the cause of the Princess's detention originated with Moortuza Nizam Shah, marched with the Beejapoor troops to the Ahmudnuggur frontier. On his arrival at the fort of Owsa, Moortuza Nizam Shah, who had long retired from public affairs, judging that some conduct of his ministers had occasioned this invasion, confined Sulabut Khan, and gave his office to Kasim Beg, who by his entreaties prevailed on Dilawur Khan to quit the country. The Beejapoor army then moved towards the dominions of Mahomed Koolly Kootb Shah, who, in order to maintain peace, sent his sister to Ibrahim Adil Shah; and the nuptials were celebrated with great magnificence at Shahdoorg, from whence the King returned to Beejapoor. In the year 996, Moortuza Nizam Shah, long supposed to be deranged, now evinced symptoms of downright madness, and endeavoured to take the life of his son Meeran Hoossein; upon which the minister, Mirza Khan, thought it best to assist the Prince, in confining Moortuza Nizam Shah; to effect this object, he requested the assistance of Dilawur Khan, who marched with his sovereign from Beejapoor; but before he arrived at Ahmudnuggur, Meeran Hoossein had dethroned his father. ### [93.3.4](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.general.tarikh-i-firishta~en-briggs.93.3.4) Ibrahim Adil Shah sent congratulations to him upon his accession, and intended to have had an interview with him and the Queen, his sister, for which purpose he remained encamped some miles from Ahmudnuggur; but upon hearing that Hoossein Nizam Shah had atrociously put his father to death, after confining him, he was so struck with horror that he resolved not to see him. He sent Meer Hoossein Koord, who was remarkable for his freedom of speech, to Hoossein Nizam Shah to tell him, that he had marched from Beejapoor solely with the desire of placing him on the throne, and obliging his father to retire to some fort where he might pass his time in the exercise of religious duties; but as he understood that he, Meeran Hoossein, had wickedly put his parent to death, he would not see him; and, lest the world should suppose that he acted with any views of conquest, he should leave him to the vengeance of the Almighty, and return to his own dominions. The King, after sending this message, returned to Beejapoor; from whence Buleel Khan was again detached with twelve thousand horse to collect the arrears of tribute from the rays of Malabar; and in case they refused payment, to reduce their forts. A year had scarcely elapsed, when Hoossein Nizam Shah was assassinated, and one Jumal Khan became all powerful in the government; upon which Dilawur Khan advised Ibrahim Adil Shah to move towards Ahmudnuggur, to take advantage of these dissensions; ### [93.3.5](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.general.tarikh-i-firishta~en-briggs.93.3.5) and orders were accordingly issued to Buleel Khan, directing him to return from Malabar without delay. In the year 997, the King marched from Beejapoor, and Dilawur Khan caused the army to halt near Shahdoorg above a month, in hopes of the junction of Buleel Khan; but he not appearing, the Regent judged farther delay dangerous, and moved on towards Ahmudnuggur. Meanwhile, Jumal Khan, with Ismael Nizam Shah, attended by fifteen thousand horse, and a considerable body of foot and artillery, advanced to meet him, and both armies lay near each other for many days without engaging. At length, Jumal Khan thought proper to sue for peace; and Dilawur Khan consented to grant it, on condition that the Princess Khoodeija, sister to Ibrahim Adil Shah, and widow of the late Hoossein Nizam Shah, should be sent back to her brother; also, that the court of Ahmudnuggur should pay the expenses of the war. Jumal Khan, without delay, sent the Princess with all her private property and jewels, besides a large sum of money, upon which Dilawur Khan retreated; and on the same day Buleel Khan joined the army, where his services were not now wanted, and his departure from Malabar regretted, as he had nearly brought affairs in that quarter to a final adjustment, which was disturbed by his recall. ### [93.3.6](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.general.tarikh-i-firishta~en-briggs.93.3.6) Dilawur Khan, displeased at Buleel Khan's delay, which he supposed to be designed, undervalued the articles he had brought as part of the tribute, and demanded the immediate payment of the balances due from the rays who had accompanied him to pay their compliments to the King. In order to disgrace this officer still more, he accused him, in presence of the King, of disobeying the royal orders in not hastening sooner to the royal camp; but Buleel Khan, knowing the King was well inclined towards him, boldly replied, that he had been guilty of no fault, nor delayed longer than he could well avoid. He stated, that he was just on the point of receiving a large sum in part of the arrears of tribute, which would have been lost to the treasury had he immediately made public his orders of recall, and the troops would also have met with great difficulties. He observed, that the minister himself rather than he, was to blame for having led the King precipitately against an enemy; whereas, if he had remained fifteen days longer at Shahdoorg, the troops from Malabar would have joined, and the country of Nizam Shah might have been successfully invaded. Yet he was ready to confess his own errors, and throw himself on the King's mercy for any fault he might have committed. Dilawur Khan, though much offended at this boldness, apprehending that any notice of it at the time might occasion a disturbance, thought it best to conceal his displeasure; ### [93.3.7](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.general.tarikh-i-firishta~en-briggs.93.3.7) and assuming an air of approbation, he addressed the King, saying, that Buleel Khan was a loyal subject, and had performed great services; and that as his excuses for delay had some reasonable foundation he requested his Majesty to forgive him, and to confer upon him marks of the royal favour. The King, readily complying with this request, honoured Buleel Khan with a rich dress; and after the breaking up of the court, Dilawur Khan took him apart to his tents, where he entertained him with much hospitality; and by way of apology for his late usage said, that as it was known to the public that he had adopted him as his son, if in the affairs of government he did not behave to him with the same strictness as to others it would be said that he showed undue partiality to his own favourites. Shortly after, a robe was conferred on the son of Arsapa Naik, who had attended Buleel Khan to pay his respects to the King, as well as on many others of the rays of Malabar, who were all honourably dismissed to their own country. The minister having by his hypocritical behaviour thrown the gallant general off his guard, a few months after the return of the army to Beejapoor, forgetting all his great services to himself in the time of Yekhlass Khan, he caused Buleel Khan to be treacherously seized and deprived of sight without the knowledge of the King, who, though much displeased, was too completely in the hands of Dilawur Khan to be able to express the indignation he felt. ### [93.3.8](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.general.tarikh-i-firishta~en-briggs.93.3.8) An opportunity, however, shortly offered of freeing himself from his intolerable thraldom. ### [93.4.1](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.general.tarikh-i-firishta~en-briggs.93.4.1) In the year 998, the King, at the request of his minister, marched from Beejapoor, in order to wrest the crown of Ahmudnuggur from Jumal Khan, who had set up the son of Boorhan Nizam Shah in opposition to his father. Jumal Khan, having raised a considerable army, advanced with Ismael Nizam Shah to within sixteen miles of the King's camp, but without any intention to engage. In this situation he sent ambassadors with great offers to Dilawur Khan, if he would grant him peace; but the minister refusing to listen to any terms, and many officers at the same time deserting from Jumal Khan, the latter, in order to secure himself from any sudden attack, took up a strong post surrounded by declivities and broken ground, at some distance from his former camp, on the banks of the Beema. Dilawur Khan thinking his enemy weak, and feeling himself secure of victory, marched to attack him, contrary to the express wish of the King, with thirty thousand horse, confident of taking him prisoner. Upon his arrival at the spot where Jumal Khan was so strongly posted, he repented of his rashness, but ashamed to retire, he halted, in hopes that all the troops would soon join. At this instant an officer from Ibrahim Adil Shah arriving, represented, that as the army was not prepared for action, the King desired he would defer it for the present, and stay till the troops were properly organised. ### [93.4.2](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.general.tarikh-i-firishta~en-briggs.93.4.2) Dilawur Khan returned for answer that he would shortly bring Jumal Khan bound to the presence of the King, and instantly advanced towards the enemy. Having with great difficulty passed over much marshy ground, full of hollows, his troops, without order or proper disposition, reached the enemy's front, when Dilawur Khan detached the Bergy cavalry to fall upon the rear, to prevent any of the fugitives escaping. Jumal Khan, seeing himself surrounded, resolved to rely on his sword alone, and drew out his troops, prepared for a desperate resistance. In the very beginning of the action, Ein-ool-Moolk, Ankoos Khan, and Alum Khan, who knew that Ibrahim Adil Shah was displeased with the minister, retired with their divisions, and leaving him in the gulf of destruction, withdrew to the royal camp at Darasun. Dilawur Khan, notwithstanding this, fought so valiantly with his own troops, that he threw the enemy into disorder; upon which his soldiers separated to seize the plunder of the camp, according to the loose custom of the people of India, leaving their general with not more than two hundred horse. A party of the enemy, who had retired in good order with their Prince, Ismael Nizam Shah, perceiving this, returned to the attack; and Dilawur Khan, after a gallant struggle, preferring his safety to certain destruction, fled with seven persons, among whom was the author of this history, from the field. ### [93.4.3](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.general.tarikh-i-firishta~en-briggs.93.4.3) On his way, spies brought intelligence that Ein-ool-Moolk with the other officers who had deserted him were hastening to the King, in hopes of destroying his influence; upon which he redoubled his speed, and reached Darasun before them, with three thousand of his defeated troops, who joined him by parties on his route. Lest the victors should pursue, he marched with the King all night towards Shahdoorg, where he arrived the next morning. Jumal Khan, after this very unexpected success, having taken above one hundred elephants, advanced to Darasun, where the author, who had received some wounds, and could not travel from weakness, fell into his hands, but made his escape by a stratagem. Jumal Khan, learning that Boorhan Nizam Shah, with his allies Raja Ally Khan and the chiefs of Berar, were advancing, moved to the northward from Darasun, followed by the Beejapoor army, which pursued him for nearly one hundred and sixty miles. The King now thought proper to halt with the main body, and to detach the Bergy cavalry in pursuit, in order to cut off the enemy's supplies, and to harass him on his route. Dilawur Khan insisted that the King ought to march on without delay to the Rohunkehra Ghat. The minister's conduct and language on this occasion gave great offence; and Ibrahim Adil Shah, now of an age to act for himself, and tired of being led in the trammels of the Regent, resolved to free himself by effecting his destruction. ### [93.4.4](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.general.tarikh-i-firishta~en-briggs.93.4.4) As all the officers of the royal household and the body guards were attached to Dilawur Khan, the King was fearful of communicating his wishes to them, lest they should betray him. After much precaution, he fixed upon two Hindoos, common servants of no note, to be his confidents on this important occasion. These he sent privately to Ein-ool-Moolk, the Ameer-ool-Omra, to complain of the unreasonable conduct of Dilawur Khan; and he received in answer solemn assurances of his support and assistance. After much negotiation conducted through the two Hindoos, it was agreed that the King should, on a certain night when Dilawur Khan was asleep, repair suddenly to the camp of Ein-ool-Moolk, which was only a mile distant, where he was to be joined by him, by Alum Khan, and by Ankoos Khan, who would faithfully obey his commands. Ibrahim Adil Shah, relying on these promises, on the night of the fourteenth of Rujub, 998, came out of his private apartments, and commanded Kufshdar Khan to bring him a horse. The keeper of the stables refused obedience, saying, that he dared not comply without the orders of Dilawur Khan. Kufshdar Khan, provoked at this insolence, gave him several blows; upon which the grooms of the stables became terrified, and brought horses immediately. The King, mounting, issued forth, attended by his servants from his tents. ### [93.4.5](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.general.tarikh-i-firishta~en-briggs.93.4.5) On the way Elias Khan, his nurse's son, who was upon guard, running up to him, asked the cause of his movement, and received for answer, that the present was not a time for explanation, but he should know if he chose to attend him; which he immediately did, with rather less than a hundred horse. When he arrived within a short distance of the camp of Ein-ool-Moolk he halted, till that nobleman, with Alum Khan, and Ankoos Khan, joined him. As soon as the King's march became known, several officers, among whom was myself, with about three thousand soldiers, hastened to join him during the night. Dilawur Khan, though above eighty years of age, had devoted that night to a beautiful virgin of the Deccan, whom he had long sought to gain, so that, though several emissaries frequently requested admittance to inform him of the King's flight, his attendants, who had received the strictest orders not to disturb him, refused to tell him; a circumstance which gave full time for Ibrahim Adil Shah to complete his designs. Towards sunrise, the minister was roused from his dream of pleasure, and with his sons and six thousand horse, with many elephants, followed his sovereign, in hopes that, on his arrival, the King would be deserted by his friends, and be again obliged to throw himself into his hands. When he came in sight of the royal army, the King ordered Ein-ool-Moolk to prepare to oppose him; ### [93.4.6](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.general.tarikh-i-firishta~en-briggs.93.4.6) but that nobleman sent word privately to the minister, offering to stand neuter while he attempted to carry off the King. Dilawur Khan, encouraged by this assurance, stopped his followers at a little distance, and coming on with a hundred horse and four elephants close to the King, addressed him, saying, that marching at night was extremely improper, but hoped the King would now return to his encampment. Ibrahim, enraged at this insolence, exclaimed, "Will no one punish this traitor?" Upon which an inferior officer of the body guard, named Adeena Khan, spurring his horse up to Dilawur Khan, gave him a wound with his sabre, and was preparing to inflict another stroke, when the minister's horse, rearing at the flashing brightness of the weapon, threw him; and his elephant drivers rushing between him and Adeena Khan, he had time to escape to his own troops, whom he endeavoured to lead on against the King; but they hesitated to assault their sovereign, and many of them even deserted to him. Dilawur Khan, overwhelmed with confusion, effected his escape to Ahmudnuggur; but his son Kumal Khan was overtaken at Darasun by the royalists, and put to death. When the hand of Providence had thus destroyed the power of the Regent, and the veil of obscurity was removed from before the King's person, he gave honorary dresses to Ein-ool-Moolk, Alum Khan, and Ankoos Khan, although they had failed in strictly performing their promises; ### [93.4.7](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.general.tarikh-i-firishta~en-briggs.93.4.7) and ascending the throne on the spot, the King gave public audience. Such persons as had distinguished themselves by their loyalty during the night he rewarded with a generosity beyond their expectations, and gratified the nobility and army by liberal largesses. Upon his retiring into his private apartments to take repose, a circumstance happened worth mentioning. Dilawur Khan being one of the disciples of Hunefy had established the Soony ceremonies during his regency; but many of the nobility, among whom were some strict Soonies, hastily concluding that the King, adopting the tenets of his father and his uncle, must be a Sheea, began to proclaim evening prayer according to the custom of the latter sect. The King, who had, by education, become a disciple of Hunefy, on hearing the call to prayer, was offended at the change, and gave orders for the criers to be confined; but upon being informed of the cause of the alteration, he smiled at the sudden conversion of the Soony nobility, and would frequently rally them upon it, calling them political Sheeas. He, however, left every one to follow his own opinion as to his form of worship; and both sects were allowed to practise their religious ceremonies as in the time of his ancestor Yoosoof Adil Shah. ### [93.5.1](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.general.tarikh-i-firishta~en-briggs.93.5.1) Soon after the expulsion of the Regent, intelligence arrived of the defeat of Jumal Khan, and of the accession of Boorhan Nizam Shah. The King sent letters of congratulation to him on the occasion; and, as there now remained no cause for continuing in the field, the King returned to Beejapoor, where he employed himself in regulating the affairs of his government; which he did with so much justice, clemency, and prudence, that his people soon forgot their late troubles, and had reason to congratulate each other on the happy deliverance of their sovereign from the thraldom of his late minister. When Dilawur Khan fled to Ahmudnuggur he was favourably received by Boorhan Nizam Shah, enrolled among his nobles, and appointed to reduce the forts of Sholapoor and Shahdoorg; which coming to the knowledge of Ibrahim Adil Shah, he sent ambassadors to request that the rebel might be sent to him, together with the elephants which had been taken from him by Jumal Khan. Boorhan Nizam Shah, instead of granting this demand, forgetting every former obligation, prepared for war; and, at the instigation of Dilawur Khan, in the month of Jumad-oos-Sany, A. H. 1000, marched towards the territories of Beejapoor; and having passed the frontiers, laid waste the country as he advanced. Upon his arrival at Mungulwera, seeing that no army was sent into the field to oppose him, the King of Ahmudnuggur became suspicious of some stratagem to draw him into the heart of the Beejapoor kingdom; ### [93.5.2](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.general.tarikh-i-firishta~en-briggs.93.5.2) and he would have retreated, but was prevailed upon by Dilawur Khan to continue his advance as far as the river Beema, where he halted, and there finding a ruined fortress, ordered it to be repaired. Ibrahim Adil Shah, who, during this time, had neither given orders to assemble his nobility, nor taken measures to defend his country, on hearing this, said, that Boorhan Nizam Shah would shortly act like the child who builds walls of clay, and then destroys them with his own hands. The King of Beejapoor acted as if unmindful that an enemy was in his country; and contenting himself with despatching a few horse to observe his motions, appeared to give himself totally up to amusements, which behaviour became the wonder of all; and every man formed his own conjectures regarding it, both in his own dominions and the enemy's camp, without being able to account for his conduct. Boorhan Nizam Shah consulted with his officers on the subject, as well as with Dilawur Khan. Some said that Ibrahim Adil Shah, being a youth, was immersed in pleasures, and neglected the affairs of his kingdom; while others believed that he suspected the fidelity of his officers, and was afraid of calling them together. The King's spies brought him regular information of all that passed, and gave alarming accounts of the confidence infused into the enemy by his extraordinary supineness. ### [93.5.3](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.general.tarikh-i-firishta~en-briggs.93.5.3) Ibrahim Adil Shah, at length, finding matters ripe for the execution of his design, sent a messenger to Dilawur Khan, requesting him to return, and again take the charge of his affairs; observing, that he saw, though late, the folly of his conduct, in having listened to the representations of designing men against so worthy a servant; but said, if he would once more accept of his office, he might depend on meeting with the utmost consideration. Dilawur Khan, overjoyed at this invitation, returned for answer, that if his Majesty would assure him he should not suffer any injury in his life or property, he would hasten to throw himself at his feet. All the securities he required being granted, the minister, in hopes of once more attaining absolute power, and confining the King as formerly, obtained his dismission from Boorhan Nizam Shah, who in vain represented to him that he was hastening to his own destruction; observing, that such behaviour as his towards his sovereign could never be sincerely forgiven. The minister came to Beejapoor, where he arrived in the evening, as the King was returning in state, from the garden of the twelve Imams, towards the palace. After having paid his respects, he proceeded on foot in the train. When he had passed on a little, the King called to Elias Khan, and ordered him to show Dilawur Khan a specimen of his own favourite punishment, in putting out eyes. ### [93.5.4](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.general.tarikh-i-firishta~en-briggs.93.5.4) The minister in vain represented that he had come to court on his Majesty's assurances of pardon and safety. The King told him that he had only promised not to injure his life or property, and that depriving him of sight would affect neither. He was accordingly blinded, and sent to the fortress of Satara, where he remained a prisoner till he died. The King having successfully got rid of his dangerous enemy, sent orders to all his nobility to hasten from their jageers without delay, and to make preparations to march against Boorhan Nizam Shah II. He first sent the Bergy chiefs, with six thousand horse, to cut off all communication and supplies from the enemy's camp; and in the month of Shaban, having appointed Roomy Khan Deccany commander of his army, detached him at the head of ten thousand horse, and soon after Elias Khan was sent to reinforce him with three thousand of the household troops. The Bergy cavalry greatly distressed the enemy, defeating several detachments sent against them; till at last Boorhan Nizam Shah proceeded in person to attack them. Unable to oppose regular troops the Bergies recrossed the Beema, which was then fordable, and a lucky flood of the torrents from the mountains having swelled the river immediately after, prevented their being pursued; upon which Boorhan Nizam Shah returned to his lines. ### [93.5.5](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.general.tarikh-i-firishta~en-briggs.93.5.5) A famine and pestilence now prevailed to a great extent in the enemy's camp, carrying off great numbers of men and animals, and obliged him to retire some marches towards his own country in order to obtain relief. When he had received supplies of provisions, and the pest had somewhat abated, Boorhan Nizam Shah moved again with a design to lay siege to the fortress of Sholapoor; but was opposed on his march by Roomy Khan and Elias Khan, who defeated a principal part of his army under Noor Khan, Ameer-ool-Omra of Berar, and took a hundred elephants and four hundred horses. ### [93.5.6](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.general.tarikh-i-firishta~en-briggs.93.5.6) After this loss the affairs of Boorhan Nizam Shah declined daily; and numbers of his troops, tired of a long and fatiguing campaign, deserted from his camp; and a conspiracy was formed against his life by several of the officers, who wished to place his son Ismael upon the throne in his stead. Discovering the plot, and growing suspicious of all around him, he began his retreat towards Ahmudnuggur; but was so harassed on his first march that he thought it imprudent to attempt moving further till he could make peace with Ibrahim Adil Shah, to whom he sent ambassadors to treat, and for which purpose he halted at Kurmulla. Ibrahim Adil Shah for nearly a whole month refused to listen to any accommodation, till he compelled Boorhan Nizam Shah to destroy the fort he had erected within his territory, on the bank of the Beema, which he reluctantly did, throwing down the first stone with his own hands; after which his troops demolished the whole fabric, which had cost much trouble and expense. He then marched expeditiously back to Ahmudnuggur, heartily repenting of his unprovoked invasion of the territories of Ibrahim Adil Shah. The King's affairs being now restored to order, he resolved to humble the rays of Malabar, who, since the recall of Buleel Khan, had neglected to pay their tribute. For this purpose he despatched Munjun Khan with a considerable army. ### [93.5.7](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.general.tarikh-i-firishta~en-briggs.93.5.7) This general on arriving at Bunkapoor halted, and summoned all the rays to meet him with their tributes, promising protection to those who obeyed, but threatening the refractory with vengeance. Most of them prepared to comply with his demands, and intended coming in a body to visit him; but as Gunga Naik, who was one of the principal rays of Malabar, and had eight or ten thousand horse and foot in his pay, went first to pay his respects, the rest, jealous of his power, and suspecting that he had gone to form some plan against them with Munjun Khan, broke off their engagements, and withdrew to the mountains. Munjun Khan, not thinking it prudent to follow them into an unknown country, marched with Gunga Naik against Jerreh, which belonged to Arsapa Naik; who with his allies, to the number of twenty thousand men, endeavoured to interrupt the siege. For three days bloody skirmishes were maintained by the Beejapoor troops, who could not make use of their cavalry owing to the nature of the ground, so that their success was frequently doubtful; but at length the good fortune of the King prevailed; and Arsapa, seeing further resistance vain, consented to pay tribute, and made a present of two fine elephants to Munjun Khan, with many curious and valuable effects for the King. He also joined the army, and assisted at the siege of Mysore, belonging to Venkatadry Naik, which was reduced in three months, and twenty fine elephants were taken with it. ### [93.5.8](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.general.tarikh-i-firishta~en-briggs.93.5.8) Munjun Khan was proceeding rapidly in his conquests, when the rebellion of the King's brother in Belgam occasioned his recall, and left the affairs of Malabar once more in an unsettled state. ### [93.6.1](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.general.tarikh-i-firishta~en-briggs.93.6.1) The Prince Tahmasp had two sons, Ibrahim Adil Shah and the Prince Ismael. The latter was brought up with his brother till he arrived at the age of puberty, when Dilawur Khan sent him to be kept prisoner in the fortress of Belgam, according to the usual policy of governments. After the expulsion of the Regent, Ibrahim Adil Shah sent one of his confidential servants to his brother, to express his concern that reasons of state policy did not permit him to satisfy the desire he had that they should live in the same place together, and to assure him of every indulgence and mark of affection consistent with his situation. At the same time he sent orders to the governor of Belgam to give the Prince Ismael the full liberty of the fort, and to provide him with every convenience and amusement that could make his captivity less irksome: he also allowed him a monthly income of one thousand hoons for his private expenses. The Prince for some time seemed satisfied with his condition; but suddenly losing all sense of the generosity of his brother conspired against him, and by degrees bringing over the governor and garrison of Belgam to his interest, and secretly corrupting many of the officers of the court, on the 9th of Rumzan, 1002, he took possession of the fort, and openly raised the standard of revolt. _First 39 of 60 passages. [Read on](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.general.tarikh-i-firishta~en-briggs.93)_ --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.general.tarikh-i-firishta~en-briggs.93](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.general.tarikh-i-firishta~en-briggs.93) · Pramāṇa