New History of the Marathas v1.c14.9

v1.c14.9

The year 1672 proved calamitous both to Bijapur and Golkonda. Abdulla the ruler of the latter state died on 21st April and Ali Adilshah of the former on 24th November following, thus facilitating intervention by the Mughals and the Marathas. The situation at both the places became so full of intrigue and confusion that the troubles of the two kingdoms cannot be well analysed without a full grasp of the fast changing details. Abdulla Kutb Shah had no son, but his eldest son-in-law Saiyad Ahmad tried to secure the throne for himself. Saiyad Muzaffar the Chief Commandant of the State forces, however, assisted Abul Hassan the younger son-in-law of the late Sultan, to gain the throne and himself exercised full powers of Government. But Abul Hassan soon asserted himself with the help of Madan Pant or Madan, overthrew the domineering Saiyad Muzuffar and raised Madan Pant to the position of his Chief Minister. The Shah conferred upon him the title of “Surva Prakāsh”. This gave rise to two factions in the State, the Hindu and the Muslim, but Mādannā with great sagacity and tact managed to conduct the administration successfully and satisfactorily until the State came to be finally extinguished by Aurangzeb after murdering Madan Pant.