The Cambridge History of India, Vol. III: Turks and Afghans v3.c27.84

v3.c27.84

It is doubtful whether Fīrūz, after this campaign, returned to his capital or marched directly to Pāngul, situated about twenty-five miles to the north of the confluence of the Krishna and the Tungabhadra, in which neighbourhood he waged his last and most unfortunate war against the 'misbelievers.' Pāngul had been included in the district of Golconda, ceded by Kānhayya to Muhammad I but was now in the possession of Vīra Vijaya of Vijayanagar¹ by whom, or by whose father, Devarāya I, it had been occupied. Fīrūz was opposed, on his way thither, by a division of the enemy's army, which fought with great bravery and was not defeated until it had inflicted heavy losses on his troops. The siege of Pāngul exhibited the physical, mental, and moral deterioration of Fīrūz. Its operations were protracted for a period of two years, until the insanitary conditions of the standing camp bred disease among men and beasts, and disease caused panic and wholesale desertion. Vīra Vijaya, seizing this opportunity, made an offensive alliance with the raja of Telingāna and marched to the relief of the town. Fīrūz Shāh's vanity and the recollection of his early successes forbade him to follow the wise advice of those who counselled a present retreat and preparations for future vengeance, and he insisted on giving battle to Vīra Vijaya. Mīr Fazlullāh Injū was treacherously slain during the battle by a Canarese Hindu of his own household, and the Muslims were routed, and would have been annihilated but for the careful dispositions and patient valour of Ahmad Khān, which enabled them to retire in some sort of order towards Gulbarga. The Hindus occupied the southern and eastern districts of the kingdom and repaid with interest the treatment which they had received.