The Cambridge History of India, Vol. III: Turks and Afghans v3.c29.12

v3.c29.12

Ismā‘īl gave his younger sister in marriage to ‘Alā-ud-dīn of Berar and persuaded Sultān Qulī Qutb Shāh to aid him in recovering Pāthrī, but ‘Alā-ud-dīn was not strong enough to retain it and in 1527 Burhān again took it and, aided by Amīr ‘Alī Barīd, captured the stronger fortress of Māhūr and invaded Berar. ‘Alā-ud-dīn and his ally, Muhammad I of Khāndesh, were defeated and driven into Khāndesh while the armies of Ahmadnagar and Bīdar ravaged Berar. The fugitives appealed to Bahādur of Gujarāt, who welcomed the opportunity of extending his influence in the Deccan and set out in 1528 for Ahmadnagar. The intervention of Gujarāt temporarily united Bījāpur and Ahmadnagar, and Burhān, who withdrew to Bīr, was joined by contingents of 6000 horse from Bījāpur and 3000 from Bīdar. Bahādur occupied Ahmadnagar, though his advanced guard suffered two defeats on the way thither, and Burhān and Amīr ‘Alī Barīd retired to Parenda and thence to Junnār, from which place their light horse was able to cut off the invaders’ supplies. Bahādur, when provisions failed at Ahmadnagar, marched to Daulatābād and besieged the fortress, while the allies occupied the hilly country in the neighbourhood and repeated the tactics which had driven him from Ahmadnagar. It was evident by now that he was intent solely on his own aggrandisement, and ‘Alā-ud-dīn of Berar and Muhammad of Khāndesh readily agreed to desert him in consideration of Burhān’s promise to restore all that he had taken from them. The approach of the rainy season of 1529 warned Bahādur of the necessity for retreating before the roads became impassable, and Burhān obtained peace on paying an indemnity and causing the *khutba* to be recited in Bahādur’s name. Burhān indemnified Muhammad of Khāndesh for his losses, but made no reparation to ‘Alā-ud-dīn, and even retained Pāthrī and Māhūr.