Firishta's History (Gulshan-i Ibrāhīmī) 99: HOOSSEIN NIZAM SHAH I.
History of the Rise of the Mahomedan Power in India (Briggs) 99
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HOOSSEIN NIZAM SHAH I.
99.1.1
Ascends the throne at the age of thirteen, and is supported by the foreign troops — his brother Abdool Kadur disputes his title, and is supported by the Deccanies. — The King's half-brothers fly to their uncle the King of Beejapoor. — The King declares war against Beejapoor — besieges Sholapoor. — Death of the King of Beejapoor. — The war prosecuted. — Hoossein Nizam Shah retreats to Peitun — is besieged in Ahmudnuggur. — Peace concluded. — The fort of Ahmudnuggur strengthened — War renewed. — The King of Golconda joins in an alliance with the King of Ahmudnuggur against the King of Beejapoor and the Raja of Beejanuggur. — The King of Ahmudnuggur loses six hundred pieces of cannon in one action. — Ahmudnuggur besieged a second time. — The enemy lose twenty-five thousand men by the swelling of the Sena river during the night. — Peace concluded. — Confederacy of the Moslem kings of the Deccan against Ramraj Raja of Beejanuggur, who is defeated and slain. — Death of Hoossein Nizam Shah I.
99.1.2
Hoossein Nizam Shah succeeded his father in the thirteenth year of his age. His full-brother, the Prince Abdool Kadur, with the other princes, fled from the capital on the same day, and from that moment two parties were formed in the government: the foreigners and Abyssinians embracing the cause of Hoossein Nizam Shah, and the Deccanies (both Mahomedans and Hindoos) that of Abdool Kadur, who was, however, at length deserted by his party, and flying to Berar, sought an asylum with Imad-ool-Moolk. Shah Ally and Meeran Mahomed Bakur fled to their uncle, Ibrahim Adil Shah, at Beejapoor, and Shah Heidur having gone to his father-in-law, Khwaja Jehan Deccany, at Purenda, laid claim to the throne. Hoossein Nizam Shah hesitated not to march against the pretender, Shah Heidur, who with Khwaja Jehan was obliged to seek refuge at the court of Beejapoor, and Purenda fell to the Nizam Shahy forces. On the occurrence of this event, Ibrahim Adil Shah openly espoused the cause of Shah Heidur and Khwaja Jehan, and declaring war against Hoossein Nizam Shah, marched to the fort of Sholapoor, which had been taken during the last reign. In the mean time, Hoossein Nizam Shah having formed an alliance with Imad Shah of Berar, and receiving from that prince a reinforcement of seven thousand cavalry, moved to raise the siege of Sholapoor, an account of which expedition has been given in the history of Ibrahim Adil Shah.
99.1.3
Seif Ein-ool-Moolk, who had left the Nizam Shahy service and gone over to Beejapoor, being driven from that kingdom, asked leave to return to Ahmudnuggur, which was granted him by Hoossein Nizam Shah, by whom he was subsequently treacherously put to death. His family, however, was saved by the gallantry of his chief dependent, Kubool Khan, who conducted it in safety to Golconda, where the latter was received into the service of Ibrahim Kootb Shah. Seif Ein-ool-Moolk was celebrated throughout the Deccan for his courage, and for the efficiency of his party of horsemen, with whom he lived on the terms of a brother. At this time, Ibrahim Adil Shah dying at Beejapoor, Hoossein Nizam Shah, in concert with Ibrahim Kootb Shah of Golconda, marched to invade that country; but the latter not entering with zeal into the cause, and returning to his capital, Hoossein Nizam Shah was also compelled to fall back on Ahmudnuggur. Ally Adil Shah, the successor of Ibrahim, now formed an alliance with Ramraj and Ibrahim Kootb Shah; while Hoossein Nizam Shah made fresh overtures to Imad-ool-Moolk of Berar, who having met him in the year 967, at the town of Sonput, on the banks of the Godavery, received his daughter in marriage on that occasion.
99.1.4
In the same year, also, Hoossein Nizam Shah detached Mahomed Wostad Nyshapoory and Chuleby Roomy Khan against the fort of Reevadunda, built by the Portuguese on the sea-coast, who having made peace, promised not to molest the subjects of the Ahmudnuggur state. He also carried his arms into Kandeish, and subdued the fortress of Galna. In the mean time, the allied sovereigns of Beejapoor, Golconda, and Beejanuggur, invaded the Nizam Shahy territories, and the forts of Kulliany and Sholapoor were demanded as the terms of peace; which being refused, the confederates reached Ahmudnuggur with an army amounting to one hundred thousand horse and nine hundred thousand infantry. Hoossein Nizam Shah, unable to cope with these forces, fled from Ahmudnuggur to Peitun, whence he deputed embassies to Imad-ool-Moolk in Berar, to Meeran Moobarik Shah Farooky of Kandeish, and to Ally Bereed Shah at Bidur, soliciting each of them to march to his assistance. Khan Jehan, the brother of Ally Bereed Shah, having left Bidur some time before, had entered the service of Duria Imad-ool-Moolk, whom he now not only dissuaded from rendering any assistance to the King of Ahmudnuggur, but even prevailed on him to allow him to take the command of six thousand horse, and march to the frontier to attack him.
99.1.5
This measure was, however, anticipated, and Khan Jehan was so completely defeated by a small detachment of Nizam Shahy horse, that he was ashamed to return to Imad-ool-Moolk, and came over to the Adil Shahy army. The allies now laid siege to Ahmudnuggur; but Ibrahim Kootb Shah, unwilling that Ally Adil Shah should add this fort to his dominions, connived at supplies passing through his camp to the garrison. At the same time, also, Moolla Inayut Oolla Novayut, then in the Kootb Shahy service, kept up a communication both with Hoossein Nizam Shah at Peitun and with the besieged. As these proceedings could not long remain secret, Ally Adil Shah and Ramraj demanded an explanation of Ibrahim Kootb Shah, who, without affording it, decamped during the night and marched to Golconda, while Moolla Inayut Oolla finding his way first into the fort, afterwards joined Hoossein Nizam Shah at Peitun. Duria Imad-ool-Moolk, after the defeat of Khan Jehan, by way of reparation to Hoossein Nizam Shah, sent a large force under Jehangeer Khan to join him. This division was employed to cut off the supplies of the besiegers, which soon produced a famine; and all circumstances combined to compel the allies to raise the siege and to encamp at Ashty, where it was determined to send one division of the army to Purenda, and another to Ousa, and that after having secured supplies, to return to the siege of Ahmudnuggur.
99.1.6
Hoossein Nizam Shah, however, having deputed Kasim Beg and Moolla Inayut Oolla to Ramraj to sue for peace, it was granted on the following conditions: — First, That he should cede the fortress of Kulliany to Ally Adil Shah. Secondly, That he should put to death Jehangeer Khan, who commanded the auxiliary troops of Duria Imad-ool-Moolk, who had been extremely active against the enemy. Thirdly, That Hoossein Nizam Shah should submit to pay Ramraj a visit, and to receive a pan from his hands.
99.1.7
Hoossein Nizam Shah, to save his kingdom, accepted the terms, and fulfilled the second article, by employing a band of assassins to put to death the gallant Jehangeer Khan in his tent. After having thus, at the instigation of an infidel, murdered one of the faithful, and verified the proverb, that "there is no faith in princes," he proceeded to the camp of Ramraj, who rose on his entering his tent, and took him by the hand. Hoossein Nizam Shah, who possessed great pride, called for a basin and ewer, and washed his hands, as if they had been polluted by the touch of Ramraj, who said, in his own language, "If he were not my guest I would cut off his hands and hang them round his neck;" then calling for water, he also washed; and such were the bad feelings which prevailed, that a tumult nearly occurred on the spot. Hoossein Nizam Shah, on giving the keys of Kulliany to Ramraj, said, "I give them to you as a present." Ramraj immediately sent them to Ally Adil Shah, and gave Hoossein Nizam Shah pan, when he returned to Ahmudnuggur without visiting Ally Adil Shah. On his arrival, he caused the fort, which was originally built of mud only, to be rebuilt with stone, and a deep ditch to be excavated around it. The treaty of peace was concluded by Kasim Beg and Moolla Inayut Oolla on the part of Hoossein Nizam Shah, and by Venkatadry and Yeltumraj on the part of Ramraj.
99.1.8
In the year 970, Hoossein Nizam Shah and Ibrahim Kootb Shah met in the neighbourhood of Kulliany, where they celebrated the marriage of Beeby Jumally, the eldest daughter of the former, with the latter sovereign, and immediately after laid siege to that fortress. In this situation they were attacked by Ramraj and Ally Adil Shah, who were also joined by Ally Bereed Shah from Bidur, and Boorhan Imad Shah from Berar, who had lately succeeded his father, Duria Imad Shah, in the government. The latter prince was particularly incensed against Hoossein Nizam Shah for his shameful assassination of Jehangeer Khan. On the approach of these forces Hoossein Nizam Shah sent his family into the fort of Ousa, and accompanied by Ibrahim Kootb Shah marched with seven hundred pieces of ordnance of different calibres, and five hundred elephants, to within twelve miles of the enemy. It happened that he had scarcely encamped, when a violent storm came on, which blew down all the tents, and the rain pouring in torrents, his cattle, and his guns in particular, were rendered almost useless, the latter being immovable in the heavy black clay in which he was encamped. On the following morning the enemy's Bergy horse cut in upon Ibrahim Kootb Shah's lines, whose army fled without making resistance; and Hoossein Nizam Shah, finding himself deserted, commenced his retreat also, taking with him only forty out of seven hundred pieces of ordnance, which he had brought into the field.
99.2.1
On the third day he was compelled to quit the few guns he had, and to fly to Ahmudnuggur. In his retreat, however, he carried the umbrella of royalty over his head; and though attended only by a thousand horse, he made his way good through six thousand of the enemy. Being remarkably strict in his observance of prayers at stated hours, one afternoon, when closely pursued, his friends represented the danger of dismounting to pray, but he disregarded them; and the enemy were so struck with his dauntless courage, that they stopped at some distance to admire it. After prayers, on observing that he had on a girdle of gold, he recollected that it was unlawful to pray in it, and casting it off, he repeated his devotions. The enemy deeming it unnecessary to follow him farther resolved on giving over the pursuit. The King having thrown supplies into Ahmudnuggur retired to the fortress of Joonere. The allies again laid siege to Ahmudnuggur; and the Hindoos of Ramraj committed every species of indignity and atrocity on the persons and property of the faithful, polluting the mosques, and dishonouring the women.
99.2.2
Ally Adil Shah, scandalised at these indignities, but unable to prevent them, advised Ramraj to raise the siege, and to pursue Hoossein Nizam Shah to Joonere, who upon this retired among the high mountains in the vicinity, and employed Hoossein Roostoom Khan Deccany, Adhum Khan Hubshy, and Sabajee Coly, with their troops, to hover round the confederates, and to cut off their supplies; and so effectually did they lay waste the country as to prevent their advance.
99.2.3
Hoossein Roostoom Khan met the enemy at the village of Canoor, and during the absence of Ally Adil Shah, who was hunting at the time, fell suddenly on the Beejapoor army. The uncle of Ally Adil Shah was killed on this occasion; but the Beejapoories were so successful in the end, as to leave Hoossein Roostoom Khan and two thousand of his men dead on the field of battle. At the approach of the rainy season, the allies returned to the siege of Ahmudnuggur. The army of Ramraj encamped south of the fort, on the bank of the Sena river, when the rain having fallen very heavily in the hills, and the river swelling suddenly during the night, three hundred horses and a vast number of carriage cattle were drowned; besides which, no fewer than twenty officers of rank, and upwards of twenty-five thousand men of all descriptions, were swept away in the torrent. Ramraj, in consequence of this disaster, raised the siege, and moved towards the Carnatic; and Ally Adil Shah, following his example, marched to Nuldroog, to put that fort in a state of defence. When the allies reached the town of Ootgy, Ramraj, under the pretence of foraging, halted, and took that opportunity of plundering some of the Beejapoor and Golconda districts, and eventually obtained from both these princes a cession of territory before he retired to his capital.
99.2.4
Having placed Moortuza Khan Anjoo in the command of Nuldroog, Ally Adil Shah retreated to Beejapoor. His officers made frequent incursions into the Sholapoor district belonging to Hoossein Nizam Shah, who dreading an attack on the town sent thither one thousand bullock loads of grain, under a strong escort, to enable it to sustain a siege. Moortuza Khan of Nuldroog, obtaining intimation of this convoy, left his station with a large body of Bergy cavalry, and fell in with the Nizam Shahy detachment between Sholapoor and Furenda: an action ensued in which the latter was defeated, with the loss of one hundred and fifty elephants. The Bergies, elated with success, began to plunder and spread over the country. Moortuza Khan sent the elephants to Beejapoor, and retired towards Nuldroog. In the mean time the Nizam Shahies, having learnt from one of their own soldiers who had been taken and released by Moortuza Khan of the dispersed condition of his army, collected about two thousand horse, and pursuing the Adil Shahy troops, came suddenly upon Moortuza Khan, took him prisoner, and sent him to Ahmudnuggur. Hoossein Nizam Shah, still bent on supplying Sholapoor with the means of resistance, marched from Ahmudnuggur in person at the head of his army, and succeeded in throwing into the place twelve thousand loads of grain.
99.2.5
It was in the year 972 that the league was entered into by the four Mahomedan kings of Ahmudnuggur, Beejapoor, Bidur, and Golconda, to crush the rising power of Ramraj, the Hindoo prince of Beejanuggur. The armies united and marched to the southward: they crossed the Krishna and encamped on the Hookery river, situated twelve miles from the former. Ramraj marched to oppose them at the head of seventy thousand cavalry and ninety thousand infantry, chiefly matchlock men, besides archers and artillery-men. The kings of the Deccan made overtures to him, promising the restitution of the districts they had taken from him on the march, in order to obtain peace, conceiving themselves unequal to cope with his formidable army. Ramraj, however, refused to listen to any accommodation; and having detached his brother Venkatadry, at the head of two hundred thousand infantry, twenty-five thousand cavalry, and five hundred elephants, to oppose Ally Adil Shah on the left, and his other brother Yeltumraj, with twenty thousand horse, two hundred thousand infantry, and five hundred elephants, to oppose Ibrahim Kootb Shah and Ally Bereed on the right, himself remained in the centre with fifteen thousand chosen auxiliaries (supplied by the neighbouring rajas), one thousand elephants, and five hundred thousand infantry, to oppose the army of Hoossein Nizam Shah.
99.2.6
He directed his soldiers to endeavour to take Ibrahim Kootb Shah and Ally Adil Shah prisoners, in order that he might keep them in iron cages during the rest of their lives; and he directed his own column, if possible, to bring him the head of Hoossein Nizam Shah. The Mahomedan kings, despairing of coming to any terms with the enemy, resolved to fight desperately; and they thus disposed their troops: Ally Adil Shah was on the right, Hoossein Nizam Shah in the centre, and Ibrahim Kootb Shah and Ally Bereed on the left. Each of which divisions erected twelve standards in honour of the twelve Imams before proceeding to the attack. Hoossein Nizam Shah's front was covered by six hundred pieces of ordnance of different calibres. They were placed in three lines of two hundred each: in the first line were the heavy guns, in the second were the smaller, and the third line was composed of zumbooruks, or swivels; the whole commanded by Chuleby Roomy Khan, an officer of distinction from Asia Minor, who had served in Europe. In order to mask this disposition, two thousand foreign archers were thrown out in front, who kept up a heavy discharge on the enemy as he approached: these fell back as the Hindoos advanced, till they were close to the heavy battery, which opened upon them with such effect, that they retreated in confusion with dreadful loss.
99.2.7
Recovering, however, from the panic, they rallied, and were induced to charge the guns a second time, after having received some money, and promises of more from Ramraj. The assault had now become general along the Mahomedan line, and the two flanks had already fallen back, when the guns in the centre were thus attacked. Chuleby Roomy Khan had provided bags of copper money to load with, should the enemy close; and these proved so destructive, that upwards of five thousand Hindoos were left dead close to the muzzles of the guns, before they retreated. The repulse of this charge seems to have decided the fate of the day: the confusion of the enemy was taken advantage of by Kishwur Khan Lary, an officer of the Beejapoor army attached to the centre, who, charging through the intervals of the guns with five thousand cavalry, pursued the enemy into the centre of Ramraj's line; where, in attempting to make his escape on foot, the Hindoo prince was overtaken by one of the Nizam Shahy elephants, which seized him in his trunk; and on being brought to Hoossein Nizam Shah, Ramraj was beheaded by that monarch's order, and his army fled to Beejanuggur. The details of the remaining events have been already related in the Adil Shahy history; suffice it to say, the country of Beejanuggur fell to the Mahomedan armies, and Hoossein Nizam Shah returned to Ahmudnuggur, where he died, shortly after, of a disorder brought on by excess. He left behind him four sons and four daughters.
99.2.8
His death has been commemorated in the following words:— "The sun of the Deccan has become obscured."