The Aravidu Dynasty of Vijayanagara, Vol. I v1.c16.86

v1.c16.86

This was an excellent chance for Tirumala to recover the countries taken by Ali Adil Shah from Rama Raya, which he expected would be restored by the allies to Vijayanagara; he also seized this opportunity to enfeeble his enemies by fostering war among them, following the Machiavellian policy of his late brother. But at the same time he received another despatch from the Queen Dowager of Ahmadnagar; Khunzah Humayun, who was ruling over the kingdom during the minority of her son, demanding from him the sum of two lakhs of huns for aid to be given him by the allies against the encroachments of the Sultan of Bijapur. Tirumala, very much astonished at the Queen’s demand, sent a message to the Golkonda Sultan informing him of the circumstance. Ibrahim Qutb Shah promptly deputed a person to Ahmadnagar to express to the Queen his surprise at this unexpected demand, remarking that “it appeared very impolitic, in the present posture of affairs, to make demands of money on Yeltumraj, instead of conciliating one who was a useful ally at the head of ten thousand men, and who had reason to bear great enmity towards the powerful state which they were on the point of attacking”. Khunzah Humayun, instead of acting on this advice, persisted in her demand, and even accompanied it with threats. Tirumala could not tolerate this; accordingly, he not only refused to pay the money, but set out from his capital against the allies. Ibrahim Qutb Shah did not expect such an unfavourable turn of events; and fearing the power of the Hindu army, dispatched an envoy to Tirumala, advising him to retreat to his country, and promising that his own troops would also move simultaneously. On the following day, both armies struck camp and retreated to their own countries¹.