________________
JUNE, 1899.]
MISCELLANEA.
In this battle the Musalmâns being completely victorious Rânî Durkávatî was made prisoner, and the brave army of Islâm entered the fort of Miraj. A letter announcing the victory was sent to the shekh, who was much pleased at the news, and in reply desired them to call the fort Mubarakâbâd, as it was auspicious to them and the people of Islâm. This victory took place A. H. 748 (A. D. 1347). The shekh then said to them :-"Go on, for victory is on your side."
Having gained possession of Mubarakâbâd and the neighbouring districts round it the power and glory of the Musalmans increased day by day. They quelled all disturbances in that part of the country; and having tranquillized their opponents, by the advice of the skekh they proceeded towards Kalburgâ.
When they arrived in that neighbourhood they observed the actions and motions of the garrison of the fort and its governor; and having ascertained the numerical strength of his army and the nature of his warlike preparations, they thought to themselves that their small force was unequal to the task of taking taking the fort; and informed the shekh accordingly. He replied: "On the night of Wednesday Parvan Râ,o will be going on a pilgrimage to his own idol-temple, which is situate at a distance of three farsakhs 20 at that very time you should proceed to the fort, for the victory has already been given to you."
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Hasan was delighted and kissed the feet of the shekh, and on the appointed night he went to the fort. The garrison, thinking it was Parvan Râ,o returning, opened the gate of the fort, and Hasan Gangû boldly entered and turned out the people of the fort. When this news reached Parvan Ra,o he was confounded; and returning from. the temple engaged the army of Islam. A fierce battle ensued, and the Muḥammadan troops poured a rain of arrows on the enemy, in the midst of which Parvan Ri,o was slain and the remnant of his army dispersed. They buried Parvan Râ,o's head near the gate of the fort, and the mark of the place still exists.
They named Kalburga "Aḥsanâbâd," and Hasan Gangû without further dispute being established on the throne of sovereignty in the city of Ahsanâbâd, assumed the title of Sultan Ala-ad-Din Bahman Shah. He made Gangû Pandit pre-eminent, and it was agreed between them that Sultân 'Alâ-ud-Din and all his descendants should adopt the surname of "Bahman Shah." This victory took place in A. H. 748 (A. D. 1347).
He reigned with wisdom and firmness for a period of thirteen years, ten months and twenty-seven days. He died in the year 761 (A. D. 1359).30 He was constant in his discipleship to the shekh, and his example in this respect was followed by his successors.
His eldest son, Sultan Muhammad, was appointed his successor.
(To be continued.)
BY G. B. SURRAMIAH PANTULU. (Continued from Vol. XXVI. p. 308.)
XLII.
MISCELLANEA.
SOME NOTES ON THE FOLKLORE OF THE TELUGUS.
Ar Rajamundry there lived a king, Vishnuvardhana by name, who, distressed at the misconduct of his sons, requested a Brahman to instruct them in the paths of virtue. The Bråhman thereupon began to tell them the following
story of the crow, the turtle, the deer and the rat to prove to them the blessings of harmony.
There stood on the banks of the Godavri a huge cotton tree on which birds of the air used to roost at night. Laghupathanaka, king of the crows, woke early one morning and saw a Kirata fowler who appeared to him a second Yama and said: "I have seen this man's face at dawn. Some misfortune is sure to happen. It is not wise to remain near him." As he was flying away as quickly as possible, the fowler approached the
29 About 10 miles.
30 According to all the other accounts he reigned eleven years, two months and seven days, and died in
A. H. 759.
