The Aravidu Dynasty of Vijayanagara, Vol. I v1.c11.48

v1.c11.48

In the year 1550 Jamshid Qutb Shah died; and the nobles of the court elevated his son Subhan Kuli, a tender child 1, to the throne, under the regency of Saif Khan Ain-ul-Mulk, at the request of his mother the Dowager-queen. The nobles however were not pleased with the appointment of the Protector, a man who had been exiled to Ahmadnagar by the late Sultan. They finally became so obstreperous that Mustafa Khan, the Prime Minister, immediately wrote to Ibrahim Qutb Shah at Vijayanagara, inviting him to court. On receipt of this letter his two friends in adversity, Syud Hye and Hamid Khan, advised him to proceed instantly to the capital and proclaim himself king. He also consulted his friend Rama Raya, who not only acceded to Ibrahim’s wishes, but even offered to send his brother Venkatadri with ten thousand cavalry and twenty thousand infantry to support him 2. Ferishta says that Syud Hye and Hamid Khan advised the Prince to decline this large force, which might in his name effect anything to favour the views of Rama Raya, even the usurpation of Government, if it chose. But the *Narasabupali-yanu* states openly that Rama Raya ‘helped him (Qutb Mulk, viz., Ibrahim Qutb Shah) to get back his lost kingdom’ 3. Knowing the tendency of Ferishta, we are inclined to believe that the Qutb Prince left Vijayanagara accompanied by Venkatadri’s forces 4; during the journey he was advised by his friends to dismiss the Hindu troops and he actually did so; perhaps on reaching the town of Pangul, where he was met by Mustafa Khan on whom he bestowed the office of Mir Jumla and a dress of honour. Here he was shortly after joined by Salabat Khan, with three thousand foreign cavalry and many other officers who now deserted the infant King. On his arrival at Golkonda, Ibrahim Qutb Shah was enthroned without opposition; in consequence—says Ferishta—of the extreme popularity of his minister Mustafa Khan ¹.