Firishta's History (Gulshan-i Ibrāhīmī) 97: AHMUD NIZAM SHAH:
History of the Rise of the Mahomedan Power in India (Briggs) 97
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AHMUD NIZAM SHAH:
97.1.1
His origin and early history — is appointed governor of Joonere — declares his independence on the murder of his father at the court of Bidur — extends his territorial possessions — assumes the title of king — builds the fort and city of Ahmudnuggur — takes Dowlutabad from the officers of the Bahmuny government — reduces Antoor and several hill forts in the southern hills of Kandeish — compels the rajas of Galna and Buglana to pay him tribute — supports the claims of Alum Khan Farooky to the throne of Kandeish, but is compelled to relinquish his interference by the King of Guzerat. — Death of Ahmud Nizam Shah — his character — The manners of his court described. Ahmud Nizam Shah was the son of Mullik Naib Nizam-ool-Moolk Bheiry, originally a bramin of Beejanuggur, whose real name was Timapa, the son of Bheiroo. In his infancy he was taken prisoner by the Mahomedan army of Ahmud Shah Bahmuny, when, being admitted among the number of the faithful, and having received the name of Hussun, he was brought up as one of the royal slaves. The King was so struck with his abilities, that he made him over to his eldest son, the Prince Mahomed, as a kind of companion, with whom he was educated, and attained eminence in Persian and Arabic literature. From his father's name Bheiroo, he was called Mullik Hussun Bheiroo; but the Prince being unable to pronounce the word correctly, he obtained the appellation of Bheiry.
97.1.2
When the Prince ascended the throne, he raised his favourite to the rank of a noble of a thousand horse; and it is also said, on account of his surname Bheiry, which signifies a falcon, he was nominated to the office of falconer, which in Toorky is called Koosh-begy: some people have asserted that he obtained the name of Bheiry from his office alone. In course of time he rose to the first offices in the state, and was dignified by the titles of Ashruf Hoomayoon and Nizam-ool-Moolk. Being a great favourite of the minister Khwaja Mahmood Gawan, he was recommended by him to the government of Tulingana, including Rajmundry and Condapilly, which were granted to him in jageer. On the death of that minister he succeeded to his office under the title of Mullik Naib; and on the demise of Mahomed Shah Bahmuny he was appointed prime minister to that monarch's son, Mahmood Shah, who added Beer, and other districts in the vicinity of Dowlutabad, to his estates. The administration of this new jageer was made over to Mullik Naib's son, Mullik Ahmud, who took up his residence at Joonere, while Khwaja Jehan Deccany was appointed governor of Purendar. Although Mullik Naib had procured for his son the necessary orders to occupy those districts, yet several Marratta officers, in whom Khwaja Mahmood Gawan placed great confidence, refused to give them up, until the King was of an age to act for himself.
97.1.3
Mullik Ahmud, having determined to enforce the orders, attacked the fort of Soonere, situated on the top of a hill, and of uncommon strength. After a siege of considerable duration, the garrison came forward with swords suspended from their necks, and habited in shrouds, to sue for quarter. The place being occupied, it was found to contain five years' revenue of Marhatt and Concan, which had been deposited therein; and this sum enabled Mullik Ahmud to assume a new line of conduct. Having rewarded his officers and soldiers liberally for their services, he proceeded to reduce the following places which refused to submit to his authority; viz. Chawund, Lohgur, Toong, Kooary, Tikona, Koondhana, Poorundhur, Bhorup, Joodhun, Kuhrdroog, Murunjun, Maholy, and Pally; the whole of which he occupied by force. He soon after conquered the Concan, and was besieging the sea-port of Dunda Rajpoor, when he heard of the assassination of his father Mullik Naib Nizam-ool-Moolk Bheiry. On this information he raised the siege, for the present, and returned to Joonere, where he assumed the titles of the deceased, under the appellation of Ahmud Nizam-ool-Moolk Bheiry; and although he did not immediately adopt the title of Shah (or King), yet, as he is uniformly so called by historians, the author (Mahomed Kasim Astrabady Ferishta) has thought proper to designate him, in the future pages of his work, Ahmud Nizam Shah Bheiry.
97.1.4
On his return to Joonere, having spent a decent time in mourning for his father, he devoted himself to promote the good administration of his country; and such was his justice, that, without his sanction, the loadstone dared not attract iron, and the kahrooba lost its power over grass. The character of Mullik Ahmud as a general, when he had the government of Tulingana, stood so high, in repelling the rays of Ooreea, that no officer of the Bahmuny government was willing to march against him, although it was the desire of the court to reduce his power. The King, by the advice of Kasim Bereed, his prime minister, sent repeated orders to Yoosoof Adil Khan Savaee of Beejapoor to unite with Khwaja Jehan Deccany, and Zein-ood-Deen Ally Talish, to march against Joonere. Yoosoof Adil Khan, however, not only evaded the duty, but even apprised Ahmud Nizam Shah of his danger, and directed his own troops to evacuate Indapoor, which properly belonged to his jageer. Ahmud Nizam Shah created Zureef-ool-Moolk Afghan his Ameer-ool-Omra, and to Nusseer-ool-Moolk Guzeratty he assigned the office of Meer-Joomla. He then made overtures to Zein-ood-Deen Ally Talish (who had before marched to attack him) to unite his fortunes with his in the approaching struggle against the Bahmuny forces. Zein-ood-Deen listened to the proposals, and made some advances to meet his wishes;
97.1.5
but when Sheikh Mowullid Arab, one of the Bahmuny generals, volunteered his services to reduce Ahmud Nizam Shah, and had reached Purenda on his way towards Joonere, Zein-ood-Deen Ally, dreading the consequence of uniting with Ahmud Nizam Shah, resolved to join the King's troops. Ahmud Nizam Shah left his family in the strong hill-fort of Soonere, and marched to oppose the royal army, but conceiving himself unequal to contend with so numerous a force in a fair battle, he hovered round the King's camp with his cavalry, and cut off its supplies. It was at this time that he first heard of the intended defection of Zein-ood-Deen Ally Talish; and he determined, if possible, to prevent it. He, accordingly, put in practice a manoeuvre as daring as it proved successful. Making a sudden counter march during the night from the vicinity of the royal army, he appeared before Chakun, the head-quarters and jageer of Zein-ood-Deen, which he escaladed without waiting a moment. Ahmud was the first man on the walls, and actually succeeded in getting footing for seventeen of his comrades in armour before the garrison was alarmed; the rest of his party soon following, an indiscriminate slaughter succeeded. The garrison fought nobly, but in vain; Chakun was taken; and no less than seven hundred persons, among whom was Zein-ood-Deen Ally, fell in the assault. Ahmud Nizam Shah had left the main body of his army under his general Nusseer-ool-Moolk to watch the motions of Sheikh Mowullid;
97.1.6
but that officer having imprudently ventured to attack the Bahmuny forces, with very unequal numbers, was twice defeated. Upon hearing this, Ahmud Nizam Shah left Chakun, and rejoining his army, made a night-attack on Sheikh Mowullid's camp. The Bahmuny troops were completely routed, their leader, with many officers of distinction, fell in the action, and all the heavy baggage, elephants, and tents, came into the possession of Ahmud Nizam Shah, who now returned to Joonere, and devoted himself with the utmost attention to the civil administration of his government. On the defeat of Sheikh Mowullid, Mahmood Shah Bahmuny ordered Azmut-ool-Moolk Dubeer, with another army of eighteen thousand men, against Ahmud Nizam Shah, who, adopting the same policy as before, avoided a battle, and moved with his troops to the hills of Kadurabad. When Azmut-ool-Moolk reached the Moory pass, Ahmud Nizam Shah, with three thousand horse, made rapid marches to Ahmudabad Bidur. Having previously gained over the city guards, he was admitted by night into the place, and after getting possession of the females of his father's family, despatched them to Joonere. In the morning he seized the women of all those officers who had marched to attack him, and moved with them towards Purenda, taking proper precautions to treat them with becoming respect.
97.1.7
Upon his arrival near the King's army the officers sent word to him, that they could not think of opposing him, as an enemy, who had behaved so well to their families; but that it was unbecoming him to fly like a thief from his foes, and wage war with women and children; a conduct unworthy even of Franks and Koords. Ahmud Nizam Shah, having generously sent back the families to their respective relatives, marched on to Purenda. In the mean time an order from the Bahmuny king, full of resentment, was received in camp. He complained of the disgrace to which his troops had been subjected, in allowing Ahmud, the son of Nizam-ool-Moolk the falconer, to soar aloft like the falcon, while they lay trembling in their nests, and were unable to preserve their mates and young from his talons. He observed, that if they seized the person of Ahmud, well and good, but if not, they would be disgraced in the eyes of the King and of the world. The army halted at Beer; and the officers remonstrated against this reproach, declaring they were ready to attack the enemy wherever he was to be found; that their general, Azmut-ool-Moolk, had no intelligence of his motions; but that if any other general was at their head, who would afford them the opportunity of distinguishing themselves, the King's good fortune alone would ensure them success.
97.1.8
Mahmood Shah now recalled Azmut-ool-Moolk, and deputed Jehangeer Khan, governor of Tulingana, with three thousand horse, to assume the command of the army of Beer; an officer who had before much distinguished himself, and who now moved from Beer to Purenda. Khwaja Jehan, the governor of Purenda, unwilling to oppose Ahmud Nizam Shah, sent his son Azim Khan to join him, and himself retired into his fort.
97.2.1
In this state of affairs Ahmud Nizam Shah applied for aid to Imad-ool-Moolk Gavully, the ruler of Berar, and fell back on Joonere. Jehangeer Khan, meanwhile, occupied Peitun; and this movement induced Ahmud Nizam Shah to approach the Jeeoor Ghat, where he was reinforced by Nusseer-ool-Moolk Guzeratty, with a body of troops from Kadurabad, and a convoy of provisions; upon which, having secured the Jeeoor pass, he remained among the hills. Jehangeer Khan crossed the hills by the ghat at Teesgam, and encamped at Bingar, where both armies remained within six coss of each other for nearly a month; when Jehangeer Khan, fancying himself secure during the rains, gave himself up to his comforts and pleasures; an example which soon spread throughout his army.
97.2.2
Ahmud Nizam Shah, in the mean time, having good intelligence of the state of the enemy, made a night-attack on the 3d of Rujub, A. H. 895, accompanied by Azim Khan. They entered the enemy's camp just as the day broke, and falling suddenly upon it, completely routed the Bahmuny troops. Jehangeer Khan, Syud Isaac, Syud Lootf Oolla, Nizam Khan, and Futteh Khan, all officers of distinction, were slain; and those who were taken prisoners were mounted on buffaloes, and led about the camp for the diversion of his soldiers; after which, they were sent back to Ahmudabad Bidur. This victory was called the Victory of the Garden, as on that spot Ahmud Nizam Shah built a palace, and laid out an elegant garden, which was beautified by his successors, who having constructed a fortification round it denominated it Bagh Nizam. After this success, Ahmud Nizam Shah returned public thanks to God, and having given away the proprietory right of a village near the spot in charity, as a residence for holy men, he returned to Joonere, without rival or enemy. By the advice of Yoosoof Adil Shah of Beejapoor, he soon discontinued the names of the Bahmuny kings in the public prayers, for which he substituted his own, and assumed the white canopy; but Khwaja Jehan and some of his own officers remonstrating with him, he commanded his name to be discontinued in the public prayers; and to save appearances declared, that he used the canopy to screen him from the sun, and not to affect royalty.
97.2.3
The officers, observing this to be the case, considered there would be no objection to their using umbrellas also, to which he assented; and from that day to this no distinction exists in the Deccan in that respect between the King and a subject; excepting in the colour of the canopy used by the King, which has a scarlet cloth on the inside, while the others are white; a custom which prevails in the Deccan, but not in Hindoostan. The officers of Ahmud Nizam Shah's government, however, shortly afterwards insisted on his re-assuming the regalia, by having his name read in the Khootba or public prayer, to which he assented, declaring it was only at their particular request. Ahmud Nizam Shah now resolved to take the sea-port of Dunda Rajpoor, near Choul, which after a long siege he reduced; and having thus secured the peaceable possession of the Concan, he turned his thoughts towards Dowlutabad, and commenced an intrigue with the governor, to induce him to deliver it into his hands. Mullik Wujee and Mullik Ashruf, two brothers, were originally servants of Khwaja Mahmood Gawan, after whose death they became enrolled among the corps of silehdars of Mahomed Shah Bahmuny, and were at length raised to the rank of nobles by the patronage of Mullik Hussun Nizam-ool-Moolk Bheiry, the father of Ahmud Nizam Shah. Mullik Wujee was by him appointed governor of Dowlutabad, and his brother Mullik Ashruf governor of the surrounding districts dependent on it.
97.2.4
At this time, also, one of the Marratta chiefs, who, during the late commotions in the Bahmuny court, had seized on the fort of Galna, was obliged to give it up to Mullik Ashruf, and to relinquish his predatory incursions on the neighbouring country. The brothers conducted their administration so admirably that the robbers, so long notorious about Dowlutabad, were brought under subjection, and the roads to the frontier of Sooltanpoor, Nundoorbar, Buglana, and Guzerat, for the first time, became so safe that merchants and travellers passed to and fro without guards; and the inhabitants being happy under their government, the country assumed a flourishing appearance. Both the brothers, in gratitude for the patronage of Nizam-ool-Moolk kept on terms of friendship with his son Ahmud Nizam Shah, who, to cement their alliance still stronger, after the victory of Bagh Nizam, gave his sister Beeby Zeenut in marriage to Mullik Wujee. A son being born by this marriage, the younger brother, Mullik Ashruf, who had entertained the ambitious idea of succeeding Mullik Wujee, and founding a kingdom for himself, perceiving his hopes would be cut off by this event, atrociously assassinated both father and son; after which he assumed independence at Dowlutabad, and endeavoured to form alliances with the ruling princes of Boorhanpoor, Berar, and Guzerat.
97.2.5
Beeby Zeenut, after the murder of her husband and child, making her escape to Joonere, sought protection with her brother, who marched in the year 899 against Mullik Ashruf in Dowlutabad. His army, however, had only reached Bagh Nizam, when he was met by letters from court, sent by Kasim Bereed, soliciting his aid against Yoosoof Adil Khan, who was now besieging Bidur; after which Kasim Bereed promised to assist him in reducing Dowlutabad. Ahmud Nizam Shah, abandoning his designs against Dowlutabad for the present, proceeded to Bidur, which he relieved in the manner related in the history of Yoosoof Adil Shah, and then marched to Dowlutabad; to which fort he laid siege for two months without success, and returned towards Joonere. On his arrival at the town of Bingar, a village situated equidistant between Joonere and Dowlutabad, he resolved to found the capital of his from whence he determined to detach an army every year, to lay waste the country about Dowlutabad till he reduced it. With this view, in the year 900, he laid the foundation of a city in the vicinity of the Bagh Nizam, upon the bank of the Sena river, to which he gave the name of Ahmudnuggur. So great exertions were made in erecting buildings by the King and his dependents, that in the short space of two years the new city rivalled Bagdad and Cairo in splendour;
97.2.6
and it henceforward became a custom for the Ahmudnuggur army to take the field twice a year at stated periods to devastate and plunder the country contiguous to Dowlutabad, in order, if possible, to reduce it by famine. Mullik Ashruf, in the mean time, solicited the aid of Mahmood Shah Begurra of Guzerat; and in the year 905 that monarch marched for the double purpose of humbling the power of Adil Khan Farooky, the ruler of Kandeish, and also of relieving Dowlutabad, now besieged by Ahmud Nizam Shah. On the arrival of the Guzerat army at Sooltanpoor, Adil Khan Farooky requested the aid of Imad-ool-Moolk Gavully and Ahmud Nizam Shah to oppose Mahmood Shah of Guzerat; on which Ahmud Nizam Shah raised the siege of Dowlutabad, and repaired with fifteen thousand cavalry to Boorhanpoor. The united forces of Adil Khan Farooky, Imad-ool-Moolk Gavully, and Ahmud Nizam Shah Bheiry, encamped at that city, while Mahmood Shah Begurra still lay before Aseer. In this state of affairs, Nusseer-ool-Moolk Guzeratty, the general of Ahmud Nizam Shah, was deputed to the enemy's camp as ambassador. During his mission, at the instance of his master, he bribed the Guzerat elephant-keepers to be ready to let loose a must elephant at a certain moment when required.
97.2.7
On the night appointed, Nizam Shah, at the head of five thousand infantry, consisting of archers, rocketers, and matchlockmen, besides five thousand Coly cavalry, made a night-attack on the Guzerat camp, and at the same moment the must elephant being set free, as had been concerted, the consternation became general throughout the enemy's lines. Mahmood Shah Guzeratty and his officers, who did not apprehend an attack from so inferior a force, were sleeping quietly in their tents, but being alarmed at the uproar, sprung from their beds in dismay. At this instant, the elephant running towards the tents of the Guzerat seraglio, the ladies uttered fearful shrieks. The King of Guzerat, concluding the enemy had penetrated his camp and was committing slaughter among his family, made his way through his pavilion, and fled with a few attendants to the distance of six miles. The Deccanies conto the limits of the camp, firing rockets, till the Guzerat officers had turned out their troops. They then quietly retreated. The confusion having in some measure subsided, the Guzerat chiefs hastened in a body to the royal tents to congratulate the King; but not finding him, they thought proper to follow the next morning with the whole army, and Ahmud Nizam Shah and the allies took up the ground the enemy had left.
97.2.8
A peace being shortly after concluded with Mahmood Shah Guzeratty, Ahmud Nizam Shah returned towards Dowlutabad, and ascending the ghats from Berar, encamped at Elloora, and relaxed from his cares in a variety of amusements. The Guzerat historians have omitted to mention this defeat, desirous, perhaps, to conceal this blot on the fame of Mahmood Shah Begurra; so that God only knows whether it be true or false.
97.3.1
Ashruf Khan, reduced to great distress, applied once more for assistance to Mahmood Shah of Guzerat; promising, if he would relieve him from the attacks of Ahmud Nizam Shah, to read the public prayers at Dowlutabad in his name, and to pay him annual tribute. Mahmood Shah tempted by these offers, returned with a large army to the bank of the Tapty, upon which Ahmud Nizam Shah raising the siege retired to his capital. Ashruf Khan, agreeably to his promise, read the Khootba in the Kootb-ood-Deen mosque at Dowlutabad in the name of Mahmood Shah of Guzerat; and going to his camp made him valuable presents, which he agreed to renew every year as his vassal; and Mahmood Shah, after collecting tribute from Adil Khan of Boorhanpoor, returned to his own dominions. His retreat was no sooner communicated to Ahmud Nizam Shah than he again marched to Dowlutabad, where he found the garrison so indignant at the idea of becoming tributary to the King of Guzerat that they sent word to Ahmud Nizam Shah of their devotion to him, of which they would soon afford him a convincing proof. He received this intimation when he reached the Godavery; upon which, having made a forced march with three thousand men, he surrounded Dowlutabad by daylight on the following morning. Mullik Ashruf, on discovering the disaffection of his troops (who were principally Marrattas), appeared deeply affected, and being taken suddenly ill, died in five days;
97.3.2
when the garrison delivered up the keys into the hands of the King of Ahmudnuggur. He now entered the fort, gave orders for the necessary repairs, and established therein a garrison of his own troops. On his return to Ahmudnuggur, he built a citadel round the Bagh Nizam, in which he erected a palace of red stone. During this year, also, he reduced the forts of Antoor and other places in Kandeish, and compelled the rajas of Galna and Buglana to pay him tribute. In the year 913, Dawood Shah Farooky of Boorhanpoor dying, disputes arose concerning the succession. Mullik Hissam-ood-Deen, one of the principal officers of his government, solicited the aid of Ahmud Nizam Shah in favour of Alum Khan, while Mahmood Shah Guzeratty had resolved to place his nephew, Meeran Adil Khan, the son of Hussun Khan Farooky, on the musnud; for which purpose the King of Guzerat marched towards Kandeish. In the mean time, Mullik Larun, a third competitor for the throne, having possession of the fort of Aseer, refused to acknowledge the supremacy of either of the Farooky princes. Ahmud Nizam Shah and Imad-ool-Moolk Gavully had just reached Boorhanpoor, when they discovered the real state of affairs; and having heard that Mahmood Shah Guzeratty, with a considerable force, had absolutely arrived at Talnere on the Tapty, the allies consented to leave four thousand cavalry each to assist Alum Khan, and themselves fell back on Gavulgur.
97.3.3
These troops, however, soon after deserting the cause of Alum Khan, the campaign ended by the Deccan allies retreating to their capitals; and Ahmud Nizam Shah was shortly after joined by Alum Khan, who came thither to crave his protection. On the return of Mahmood Shah to Guzerat, Ahmud Nizam Shah advanced with an army to the frontier, and demanded of Mahmood Shah of Guzerat that he should give a portion of the Kandeish dominions to Alum Khan; but Mahmood Shah treated the ambassadors with indignity, and asked them what right a slave of the Bahmuny king had to write to him as an equal, or meddle with affairs beyond his own threshold? He told them, also, that if their master did not shortly alter his conduct he should be compelled to punish him. Ahmud Nizam Shah, notwithstanding this insulting behaviour, deemed it imprudent to push the matter farther, and returned quietly with Alum Khan to Ahmudnuggur. In the year 914, Nusseer-ool-Moolk, the Vizier, dying, his office was conferred on Mookummil Khan Deccany; and two or three months afterwards, the King himself being taken dangerously ill, he appointed his son Boorhan Nizam, an infant of seven years of age, his successor, and shortly afterwards died.
97.3.4
Though the virtues of this prince exceed all description, yet in compliance with the custom of historians, the author will attempt to relate a few. Among his great qualities were continence and modesty. When he rode through the streets of the city he never looked aside to the right or left, lest his eyes should fall on another's wife. When he was a young man, and marched to reduce the fort of Gawulgur, there was taken among the captives a young lady of exquisite beauty, who was presented as an acceptable gift to him by one of his officers. Ahmud Nizam Shah was charmed with her person, but being told by her that she had a husband, who, with all her family, was among the prisoners, he restrained his desire, and restored her uncontaminated to her friends, with a present. It was his custom, when any of his officers were backward on the day of battle, to reward instead of reproaching them. One of his courtiers once taking the liberty of enquiring the cause of this unusual line of conduct, he replied, that he should have an explanation of his motives at some other time. Nor was it long before an officer of this description distinguished himself very much; and having received honorary marks of the King's favour, Ahmud Nizam Shah said to the courtier, " Princes like masters of the hunt, alone know how to train for the chase." The practice of yekung (single-stick) was also introduced by this prince, who was himself well skilled in the sword, and delighted much in the exercise;
97.3.5
accordingly, as is ever the custom, the people being eager to copy the prince, both high and low devoted themselves to it, and instead of colleges, as is usual in Mahomedan cities, schools for single-sword and wrestling were established in all quarters of the city of Ahmudnuggur. Nothing was talked of but this art in every assembly, till at length things grew to such a pitch in the strife-engendering climate of the Deccan, that people vaunted over their neighbours; and brawls arising between rash young men, they frequently begged to make good their cause before the King, who used to see them combat with swords in his presence; and he who gave the first wound was considered the victor. In consequence of this encouragement, a crowd of young men were in the habit of assembling daily at the palace for the purpose of displaying their skill, till at length a day seldom passed without one or two persons being killed. The King, thinking it time to discountenance this practice, gave orders, that no more exhibitions of this sort should take place in his presence, though the combatants were at liberty to settle their disputes on the outside of the town; and it was commanded, that if either party were killed in fair combat, no retaliation should be required. This vile custom is so congenial to the Mahomedans of the Deccan, that it has spread far and wide from Ahmudnuggur;
97.3.6
and it is so fashionable at the present day, that even learned divines and philosophers, as well as nobles and princes, practise duelling; and if their children show any backwardness in this way they do not esteem them as lads of proper spirit. As an instance of which, the writer of these pages (Mahomed Kasim Ferishta) saw the following transaction occur in the streets of Beejapoor. Syud Moortuza and Syud Hussun, two brothers whose beards were grey, and who were in high estimation at court, had a trifling dispute with three Deccanies, who were also brothers, who frequented the court, and were also respectable grey-headed men. First, the son of Syud Moortuza, a youth of twenty, engaged one of the Deccanies, but was immediately killed. The father and uncle engaged the other two Deccanies, and they were also killed; and before their bodies could be removed and buried, the three opponents died of the wounds they had received, so that, in a few minutes, six respectable persons, who had no real animosity towards each other, were lost to their relatives and to society. The Mahomedans of the Deccan are certainly very expert in the use of the sword, and particularly in single combat; but as they generally practise on foot, and do not accustom themselves to throwing the lance on horseback, they are inferior as cavalry; and their skill is of no avail when acting in masse. of infantry, though in private quarrels, and street contentions, they fight like lions.
97.3.7
Since the extinction of the dynasty of Bahmuny this practice has rather been encouraged than discouraged by other princes of the Deccan, excepting by Ibrahim Adil Shah II. of Beejapoor, who seems to set his face against the custom; and it is to be hoped, that this abominable habit, which is unknown in any other civilised country in the world, will, by the happy exertions of wise princes like him, be altogether abolished.
Linked texts (1)
- Tārīkh-i Firishta — Muḥammad Qāsim Hindū Shāh Firishta 1606, Persian