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NOVEMBER, 1898.]
THE SIEGE OF AHMADNAGAR
281
THE SIEGE OF AHMADNAGAR AND HEROIC DEFENCE OF THE FORT BY CHAND BIBI-A NARRATIVE OF AN EYE-WITNESS.
BY MAJOR J. 8. KING. The Indian Staff Corps (retired).
(Continued from p. 270.) Night attack made by Mubariz-ud-Din Abhang Khan on the army
of the Mughals; and explanation of some of the
fatalities which occurred in that interval. TT has been already related that when the Habshi amirs, owing to quarrels among themselves, beennie
1 dispersed, each of then became scattered through the various quarters of tlic dominions. Of these, Ikhliş Khan, Aziz-ul-Mulk, Bulail Khan and others hastened to Daulatabad; and the garrison of that fort having espoused their cause, they raised to the sovereiguty ore named Moti, and called him "Moti Shah," and hoisted the standard of opposition and independence. And in like manner Mubarizud-Din Abhang Khan, in order to get one of the sons of the kings and heirs of the country, lastened towards Bijậpur, where he procured His Highness Miran Shah Al, [son of ?) the late Burhan Nizin Shah, who was living under the protection of Ibrahîm *Adil Shah, with the sagacious son of that sovereiga, who was twenty years of age. With a number of followers he then entered the district of Bhid, where he engaged himself in arranging the affairs of State and the conquest of the kingdom ; and collected a large crowd of dispersed troops in that district, who had been scattered throughout all parts of the country.
When Mlyan Manjů, through fear of the Mughal army, went with Ahmad Shah towards the district of Bhid, Her Highness Chand Blbi -- who constantly took part in the aflairs of State and the arrangement of the business of the kingdom - sent to Mubariz-ud-Din Abhang Khán, a contidential messenger with her private seal, and forbade that nobleman to engage in war with Manjů or to pursue him ; but ordered him to proceed to Daulatâbâd, and in conjunction with all the Habshi amirs and other confederates, to expel the Mughal army. In accordance with this order, Mubariz-ud-Din Abhang Khân with His Highness Miran Shah 'Ali and about 5,000 veteran cavalry, proceeded towards Daulatábad.
When the news of the approach of Miran Shah 'Ali and Abhang Khan reached Ikhlas Khân and the other Habshis, owing to a quarrel which had previously taken place between them, they were not desirous of an alliance with Miran Shah Ali; so, taking counsel with one another, they said, “We have appointed person to the sovereignty, and raised the regal umbrella orer his head, and have given him the control of all the affairs of State. To depose him now without cause, and to choose the service of Shah All, who is a protégé of Abhang Khân's, and to place ourselves ander the orders of our enemy, can have no result but repentance." Consequently, not being willing to form an alliance with Abhang Khân or submit themselves to His Highnese Miran Shah All, they refused to meet them or speak with them ; but about 500 celebrated cavalry - well armed and brave
of their army, separated themselves from Ikhlas Khan and joined the camp of Shah 'All and Abhang Khân.
When His Highness Miran Shah Alt and Abhang Khân gave up all hopes of an alliance with, or the submission of, Ikhlan Khan and the other Habshi amirs, they sent to Her Highness Chand BIM a representation of the state of affairs, Brying :- "If Your Highness to order it, with the force which we have with us we shall gird up our loins in the service of the State, and use our best endeavours in the defence of the fortress and fighting against these lords of arrogance."
Chand Bibi issued orders summoning them to the capital, and sceordingly they turned towards the city. When they arrived near it, they sent to the neighbourhood of the city & spy, to verify the roads and places intervening between them and the fortress, which might be free from obstruction by the Maghal army. The spy, after reconnoitring, brought information that the east side of the for
