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NOVEMBER, 1898.]
When the news of the approach of the relieving force (which was marching from the direction of the mountainous country and the district of Mânikdaund23) reached the Mughal army, they had arrived within five gaw of Ahmadnagar. At first the Prince, with the intention of giving them battle, marched from the neighbourhood of Ahmadnagar on the night of Wednesday, the 27th of Rajab [18th March, A. D. 1596], one day's journey towards [Shahdurg], but the plans of the Mughal army being again changed, they turned their reins from opposing that force; and turning towards the Jeur Ghat, they marched from there towards Daulatâbâd; and passing through the neighbourhood of Daulatabad, started in the direction of Jasapura and Varhâd [Berår].
THE TELUGU LITERATURE.
295
When the news of the march of the Mughal army reached the amire and leaders of the army of the Dakhan, they came to the neighbourhood of Ahmadnagar, and halted at the village of Pâtûri [Pathardi]. Ikhlas Khân and most of the Nigâm-Shahi amirs sent to the foot of the throne petitions tendering their obedience and submission, and asking for the royal promise of amnesty. According to the royal commands written promises were issued to the amirs and leaders of the army, and all were made hopeful of ungrudged royal favours. Consequently Ikhlas with the whole of the Habshi amirs separated themselves from the army of His Majesty 'Adil-Shah; and coming to the neighbourhood of the city of Ahmadnagar, encamped in the garden of the 'Abâdat-Khânah, and sent a person to the foot of the throne of sovereignty, asking for an audience. An order was issued from the palace that the purchased amirs should be honoured by kissing the threshold of sovereignty. Ikhlas Khân with his sons and brothers, and 'Aziz-ul-Mulk with his brothers, and Mali Khân and Khudâwind Khân, and Dilpat Raya with all the amirs of the sacred places [ahrám] attended at the royal court, and their heads were exalted to the heavens by the honour of kissing the ground; and they were distinguished by robes of honour and copious honours.
When His Highness Miran Shah 'All used to be among the Habshi amirs, all the Habshis in the kingdom were willing to serve under him. At this time when the Habshi amirs hastened to present themselves at the royal court, Shah 'Alf becoming alarmed, abandoned all the paraphernalia of royalty, and taking refuge with Shah Adil-Shah, placed himself under the protection of Suhail Khân. A body of troops which had been ordered to go in pursuit of him, when they reached him, plundered his tents and other property and returned.
(To be continued.)
DISCURSIVE REMARKS ON THE AUGUSTAN AGE OF TELUGU LITERATURE. BY G. R. SUBRAMIAH PANTULU. (Continued from p. 279.)
WHEN the marriage of Krishnaraya with Pratapa Rudra's daughter was settled the matter was reported to the bride, who could not brook the idea of taking a man of low birth as her partner in life. She, therefore, thought over the affair for a long time, and resolved to murder the king, and then slay herself. Her resolution was communicated to an intimate friend of hers, who extolled her for her daring resolve, and assured her of the secrecy of the affair, but no sooner did the lady reach home than she communicated it to a very intimate friend of hers, who in turn intimated it to another, till it reached the ears of Timmarasu. Meanwhile, Krishnaraya was annointed for the marriage. Timmarasu had pondered over the affair, and approached Krishnaraya, and secretly informed him of what was intended, but at the same time assured him that he was equal to the occasion, provided the king did as he told him. On this Appaji (Timmarasu) prepared a likeness of the king and filled it with pure honey, and substituted it for the king on the bed of soft swan feathers in the mystical chamber, covered it with a sheet, and informed the women of the palace not to disturb the king as he was very tired. As the women were in the secret, t' y left the bride in the chamber, while Appâji hid himself beneath the cot. No sooner did the bride find herself alone in the room than she struck the image on the bed with a sword, when the honey in it spurted on to 23 Manikdaund is a village about 26 miles east of Ahmadnagar. Gaw is a land-measure of about six miles. 33 Not identified.
