________________
154
THE INDIAN ANTIQUARY.
[JUXE, 1899.
and inquired about his origin. Hasan told him all about himself. Gangủ Pandit then said to Hasan: "A great dignity is in store for you." Hasan asked: - “What reason have you for making that statement ?" He replied: - "From this circumstance which I have just witnessed, that while you were asleep a large snake came, and holding a blade of green grass in its mouth, drove away the fies from your face ; when you awoke, it, servant-like, lowered its head and went away. A very high dignity will come to you since a noxious animal performs service such as that for you. In time to come 1 hope in all sincerity for some humble situation in your service ; perhaps by the happy influence of your favour I may obtain some post of honour; and I hambly petition that you will combine my name with your own, and that you and all your descendants will always sign your farmáns with the word "Bahmani.” Hasan agreed to this proposal, and used to write himself “Bahmani," and eighteen of his successors who sat on the throne assumed the same surname.
Hasan Ganga held some situation in the service of the shekh entitled Shekh Muhammad Siraj Junaidi (May the blessing of God be on him !), and passed most of his time in his cell. One day the shekh was in the act of performing his ablutions in the village of Gangi, a saburb of Miraj, which is now known by the name of Murtazââbâd. The shekh having taken off the turban to wipe his head, Hasan Gangu took it up and placed it on his own head ; upon which the shekh remarked: "Hasan demands from me the crown of royalty."
When some time had passed in this way, Hasan one day complained of being in great want. The shekh said: -" All things are bound to happen in their own time."
Since that country was the abode of infidels there was no masjid there, so the shekh founded one; and the Musalmans with one accord gave the building to him.
By chance Hasan on day filled a large vessel with earth, and lifted it up: the shekh said: "Wasan desires to lift the weight of the world."
One day the shekh was asleep, and as the sun was shining on him, Hasan sheltered him with his mantle. When the shekh awoke and perceived this he remarked : - "Hasan solicits from me the royal canopy."
Once, when Hasan's mother went to the shelth and represented to him some of the distress of their circumstances, the shekh told them to begin tilling the ground in a certain place, and their wishes would be falfilled. According to the shekh's instructions they employed themselves in tilling the ground, and happening to find in it some indications and vestiges of mortar and stone, they gave information of this to the shekh. He replied: - "Give thanks to God Most High (glorified be his name!) that our desire is accomplished. If you give thanks, I will increase you.""
One night when Hasan was in his master's presence the shekh said: "O king, collect an army and wage a religions war (jikád) till you bring the country of the unbelievers into the pale of Islam." Hasan replied: -" To wage war preparations are necessary, and at present I am poverty-stricken." The shekh said: “God the Most Holy and Most High has bestowed on you a treasure." Then the shekh, taking Hasan with him, went to the piece of ground which he had told him to cultivate, and there disclosed the treasure. Hasan, by order of the shekh took awayas much as he required, expended it in raising an army, and then informed the shekh of what he had done. Gangu Pandit exerted himself very much in carrying out these services. Then the shekh said to Hasan :-"Be present on Friday, for it is the predestined day."
As soon as it was night Hasan presented himself, and having recited the Fatihah with the army of the shekh, the latter tied a girdle roand Hasan's waist, and directed him to proceed towards Miraj.
When he arrived in the neighbourhood of Miraj the governor of the fort was an infidel woman named Rân Durkâvati. Unconscious of their approach she had gone out on a journey, and when they met an engagement ensued.
