The Early History of the Deccan (Parts I–XI) v2.c15.s2.t5.53

v2.c15.s2.t5.53

The most satisfactory account of the events mentioned above comes from the pen of ‘Iṣāmi, the earliest writer on the subject, who finished his history in A.D. 1349. According to him Ulugh Khān plundered the country until he reached Warangal. He then invested the fort for six long months but could not reduce it. The Sultān at Delhi became impatient, and wrote letters to Ulugh Khān charging him with indifference in the execution of his commands. Ulugh Khān, in his eagerness to bring the siege to a successful end, consulted ‘Ubaid, the astrologer, to find out the day on which the fort was destined to fall into his hands. The astrologer made his calculations, fixed the day of the fall, and declared that if the fort still remained unconquered on that day he would forfeit his life on the gibbet in its vicinity. The day fixed by ‘Ubaid approached; but the defenders of the fort showed no signs of submission. ‘Ubaid was greatly alarmed. If his prediction should fail, as it appeared certain to do, Ulugh Khān would certainly demand his head. To escape the evil consequences of the failure of his prediction, he devised a plan, and spreading in the army the false news of the Sultān’s death, of a revolution in the capital, and of Ulugh Khān’s secret resolve to kill the principal amirs in the camp for their alleged ‘Alā’i sympathies, he created a panic which led to their conclusion of peace with Pratāparudra and their subsequent flight from Warangal followed by that of Ulugh Khān himself.¹