The Aravidu Dynasty of Vijayanagara, Vol. I v1.c18.74

v1.c18.74

8. Soon, at the end of 1579 or beginning of 1580, the Golkonda troops entered the province of Udayagiri situated at the North-East of the Empire ⁴. After crossing the Krishna they easily captured the forts of Inaconda, Cacherlacota and Cammum (Cumbum); but the fortress of Kandbir was not so easily taken. "Here Haidar-ul-Mulk", says the anonymous chronicler, "was informed that Kandi Timana, Mudna Chinna and Kasturi Ranga had collected a force of thirty thousand men, and were on the point of marching to attack him. He therefore deferred the siege of Kandbir and moved to meet them. The Hindu infantry poured in upon the king's troops on all sides from the woods; but they only rushed on to their own destruction. The Muhammadans gained a complete victory, and pursued the enemy to the fort of Guram, which surrendered". The fort of Belamkonda and all the minor forts of the neighbourhood fell also into the hands of the Muhammadans; and thereafter Haidar-ul-Mulk proceeded to Kandbir. "A long time was expended in attempting to reduce this strong fortress without effect; and Haidar-ul-Mulk found it necessary to apply for reinforcements to Golkonda, on which Ibrahim Qutb Shah appointed Syad Shah Tacki, known by the appellation of Amir Shah Mir, with a considerable detachment of Mughals and Persians, to proceed and to take the command from Haidar-ul-Mulk of all the forces South of the Krishna. On his arrival at Kandbir, Shah Mir made many attempts to carry the place by escalade, but invariably failed, till at length he resolved, whatever might be the loss sustained, to drag his guns up the hill to within a moderate distance of the walls. By this means part of one face was battered down, and an attack made one morning both at the breach and on the South gateway. The Hindus were prepared to receive the storming parties and fought desperately; but they were driven back, though not without heavy loss on the part of the assailants. The fort was eventually taken through the exertions of the elephants, who forced open one side of the gate. The Muhammadans then rushing in took the place; and Kapury Timraj, son-in-law of the celebrated Ramraj of Bijanagar, fell into the hands of the victors¹.