History of Aurangzib, Based on Original Sources v4.c65.s10: § 11. The Fall of the last Adil Shah.
History of Aurangzib, Based on Original Sources v4.c65.s10
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§ 11. The Fall of the last Adil Shah.
v4.c65.s10.1
Bijapur fell a week after this date, but not to assault. At these proofs of the grim determination of Aurangzib and the completeness of his preparations, the garrison lost heart. The cause of the Adil-Shahi monarchy was hopeless: the king was a plaything in the hands of selfish nobles, the administration could not possibly be reformed, the dynasty could not be restored to real power and prosperity, and all hope of help from outside was gone. The future was absolutely dark. For what master and with what prospects would the Bijapuri generals continue their resistance to the bitter end? Even to Sikandar Adil Shah himself it was hardly a change for the worse to pass from the condition of a puppet under his "mayors of the palace" to that of a pensioner under Aurangzib.
v4.c65.s10.2
So judging, Sikandar and his officers decided on capitulation, as the only means of preventing useless bloodshed. (B.S. 540.) The garrison had by this time shrunk to 2,000 men. (Dil. 203.) In the night of 9th September the secretaries of the two Bijapuri leaders, Nawab Abdur Rauf and Sharza Khan, waited on Firuz Jang and discussed terms of surrender. Next night their masters themselves visited the Mughal general and agreed on behalf of Sikandar to yield the fort. On the 11th they repeated the visit and were introduced to Aurangzib, who received them with favour.
v4.c65.s10.3
Sunday, 12th September, 1686, saw the downfall of the Bijapur monarchy. Amidst the tears and lamentations of his subjects who lined the streets, Sikandar, the last of the Adil-Shahi Sultans, gave up his ancestors' throne and issued from the capital of his house, at one o'clock in the afternoon, in charge of Rao Dalpat Bundela and some other imperial officers whom Firuz Jang had sent into the fort. The fallen monarch cast a last look at the royal city, henceforth to be widowed of her lord, and passed out of the Shahi gate of the citadel towards Aurangzib's camp in Rasulpur. As soon as he came in sight, the imperial band struck up the music of triumph proclaiming far and wide the crowning success of Mughal arms. Firuz Jang with many other nobles of high rank advanced to the gate to welcome the captive and lead him to the Emperor.
v4.c65.s10.4
Meantime the large tent which served as the Hall of Public Audience in Aurangzib's camp, had been richly decorated for this historic scene. "All the high grandees and *mansabdars*, great and small, had by order come fully armed to the Hall and each taken his stand at his proper place. Bahramand Khan, the superintendent of the Private Audience Chamber, marshalled the ranks and regulated the ceremony." When Sikandar arrived at the door of the tent, the Chief Paymaster, Ruhullah Khan, with a train of high officers, welcomed him and ushered him into the Presence. The fallen monarch made his bow at the foot of the conqueror's throne. His extreme beauty and combined grace of youth and royalty excited universal admiration and pity for his fate. Even Aurangzib was touched: he spoke soothingly to Sikandar, "God's grace be on you! You have acted wisely and chosen your own good. I shall exalt you with many favours and gifts. Be composed in mind." Then he seated Sikandar on his right hand, close to his grandson Muizz-ud-din, and presented him with a gorgeous robe of honour, a dagger set with jewels, worth Rs. 7,000, a pearl necklace with an emerald pendant, worth Rs. 13,000, a jewelled crest (kalgi), and a costly mace. The deposed Sultan was enrolled among the Mughal peers with the title of Khan (lord), and a pension of one lakh of Rupees a year was settled on him. The princes and nobles present shouted their congratulations and made the customary presents to the Emperor.
v4.c65.s10.5
After the vesper prayer, Sikandar was given leave to retire and was conducted to the tents erected for him and his family within the enclosure of the imperial residence. All the Bijapuri officers were taken over into Mughal service, their chiefs, Abdur Rauf and Sharza Khan, were created 6-hazaris with the titles of Dilir Khan and Rustam Khan respectively. Imperial officers took possession of Bijapur and attached Sikandar's property. (Ishwardas, 104; M.A. 280; Dil. 202.)