New History of the Marathas v1.c13.55

v1.c13.55

The State of Bijapur was now sinking deeper and deeper into ruin through a succession of ministerial revolutions. The boy Sultan Sikandar Adil Shah was on the throne with Khawas Khan as the principal minister wielding all authority. Aurangzeb urged his generals Bahadur Khan and Dilir Khan to subjugate the Adilshahi state now that it was in its weakest condition. Khawas Khan intrigued with Bahadur Khan, to whom he paid a personal visit on 19 October 1675 at a place on the banks of the Bhima. This visit was interpreted as a move on Khawas Khan’s part to sell away the Adilshahi raj for some paltry selfish gain. Khawas Khan’s rival Bahlol Khan got scent of this ruinous move, and at once put Khawas Khan under confinement at Bankapur and himself seized all power, (19 November 1675).