The Dynasties of the Kanarese Districts of the Bombay Presidency from the Earliest Historical Times to the Musalman Conquest c10.222

c10.222

In A.D. 1553 Hussain Nizám Sháh succeeded his father Burhán and soon became involved in war with A'li A'dil Sháh, who was aided by Rámráj of Vijayanagar, while the king of Golkonda sometimes sided with one party sometimes with the other. The allies advanced and besieged Ahmadnagar, but were forced to retire for want of supplies. Hussain then built the present stone fort, and carried the war into the districts near Sholápur; but having suffered a severe defeat near Kalyán, in which he is said to have lost 600 cannon, among them the great gun now at Bijápur, he had to retreat to Junnar, while the allies once more besieged Ahmadnagar (A.D. 1562). The rains came on, and a flood of the Sina is said to have carried away 25,000 men of Rámráj's army. The allies retreated, and the Musalmán kings, alarmed at the insolence of Rámráj, combined against him. Hussain gave his sister Chánd Bibi to A'li A'dil Sháh in A.D. 1563, with Sholápur as her dowry, and the united forces invaded the Vijayanagar territories. A decisive battle was fought at Tálikot on the Krishna in which Rámráj was killed and his army routed. Soon after this Hussain died and was succeeded by his son Mortiza, a madman. He overran Berar, defeated the Khándesh troops who opposed him, and by A.D. 1572 annexed it to the kingdom of Ahmadnagar. As he grew older he secluded himself entirely, and entrusted the management of the kingdom to Salábat Khán, a minister who has left a high reputation for ability and integrity. He is said to have begun the tank at Bhátodi near Ahmadnagar, which has lately (1877) been restored; and his tomb on the hills to the east of the city is a prominent feature in the landscape. He was dismissed and imprisoned about the year A.D. 1585, because the king considered that he was responsible for a war with Bijápur; he was released in A.D. 1588 after Mortiza's death, and died in A.D. 1589. Mortiza was killed in A.D. 1587 by his son Mirán, who reigned only a short time being assassinated by his minister Mirza Khán, and Ismáel was put on the throne in 1588. Akbar, the emperor of Delhi, seized the opportunity for interference in the affairs of the Dakhan, and favoured the claims of Burhán the brother of Mortiza. Ibráhím A'dil Sháh also took Burhán's side. He was at first unsuccessful, but in A.D. 1590 he defeated Ismáel's troops and became king.