The Cambridge History of India, Vol. III: Turks and Afghans v3.c29.80

v3.c29.80

The favourite Husain, who received the title of Sāhib Khān, became involved in a bitter quarrel with Husain Khān Turshīzī, one of the Foreign nobles in Berar, and shortly afterwards aroused the wrath of the whole of the Foreign party by his treatment of Mīr Mahdī, a Sayyid of the family to which the Shāhs of Persia belonged. After an unsuccessful attempt to abduct his daughter he attacked and captured his house and slew him. Dreading the vengeance of the Foreigners, he persuaded the king that they were conspiring to depose him, and to raise to the throne his son Husain, and many of the party, perceiving that they were suspected, left Ahmadnagar and retired to Golconda or Bījāpur, or to Berar, where they entered the service of Sayyid Murtazā Sabzavārī. A massacre of those who remained took place at Ahmadnagar, and the favourite endeavoured to persuade the king to order a general massacre throughout the kingdom, and especially in Berar, the Foreigners’ stronghold, but even Murtazā was able to understand that such a measure was beyond his power, and that if it were possible it would destroy the military strength of his kingdom, and Sāhib Khān, resenting his master's refusal to comply with his wishes, fled by night, with 3000 horse, towards Parenda. He was pursued and overtaken, but the infatuated king refused to punish him, and he sulked, and would not be reconciled until his master promised to capture Bīdar and appoint him to its government, and to cause Sayyid Murtazā and the Foreigners of Berar to be massacred when they joined the royal army.