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JULY, 1899.]
HISTORY OF THE BAHMANI DYNASTY.
187
The Sultan was rejoiced to hear of the shekh's arrival, and sent some learned men to wait, and requesting information about him, to inform the Sultan of the truth of the matter. They visited him according to the Sultan's orders, and found him perfect in all kinds of sciences and miracles; so they hastened to the Sultan and informed him of what they had found. This being the means of increasing the Sultan's belief he hankered after the society of that perfect instructor, and in ceremonious and respectful treatment neglecting not the smallest trifle, he assigned several cultivated lands to him as reward. Some have said that in the first interview between the Sultan and Saiyid Muhammad Gisů-darâz an altercation occurred which used to increase day by day up to the time when, according to the revolution of fate, the Sultan was deposed; and that it was owing to his want of attention to that cream of his race that he experienced the misfortunes which he did, as will presently be related.
The Sultan again conceiving the idea of waging a religious war against the infidels of the country of Vijayanagar, despatched an army in that direction. When they arrived there the troops opened the hand of slaughter and plander, and threw the fire of cbastisement among the infidel inhabitants of that country. By force of arms they conquered several of the districts of Bhanûr and Musalakal. The Sultân having appropriated the fixed sum of thirty-three laks returned to his capital with immense booty; and after spending nearly a year there, liberally bestowing largess, he again assembled his army and moved towards Mabür; but finding that fortress excessively strong and surrounded by an almost impenetrable jungle, be was obliged to make peace with the R&ya of that place, and after exacting from him a large sum by way of tribute and contribution, returned to his capital,
At this time two slaves named Hushyar and Bid&r who by royal favours and rank were distinguished above all the courtiers, bad various dignities conferred on them and most of the important affairs of government and the army were conducted according to their judgment and opinion. Bidêr was given the title of Nigam-ul-Mulk, and Hushyar that of 'Ain-ul-Mulk.
In the midst of these affairs Khwajah Jahân, to whom, owing to his sagacity, the affairs of government had been committed, bid farewell to this perishable world, and his rank also was conferred on Bidâr and Hůshyår.
The Sultân being determined to conquer Telingânâ proceeded in that direction till having got near Rajamundri he conquered many forts and districts of that country, and having taken possession of the whole of that territory he consigned it to agents of government, and then set out for his capital.
It is related that this sovereign during the period of his reign, which was twenty-five years and a fraction, made twenty-three (or twenty-four, according to other accounts - but God only knows secrets accurately !) expeditions against the districts and cities of the infidels, and plundered and devastated the countries of those accursed ones; and every year exacted from the infidels of Vijayanagar the sum of thirty-three laks of tanka, as originally fixed; and from Telingana to Rajamundri and from Vijayanagar to RA,ichûr the whole country was conquered by his army. In the latter days of his reign, the Sultan, who was nearly seventy years of age, and apparently much reduced in strength, was still strong in guarding the religion of Islam and the Faith of the Prophet; and notwithstanding his weakness, he had snfficient strength to undertake jihads against the infidels.
He died at Kalbargah on the 16th of Z-a Ka'dah, A. H. 825 (lat November, A.D. 1422) at the age of a hundred years. His dargah (shrine) is still to be seen at Kalburguh, and a chronogram recording the date of bis death is insoribed on it. The verses are translated as follows by Professor Eastwick (Mudras Handbook, 2nd edition, p. 359) :
"Like that of Gisa Dardz the Dakhan boasts no shrine !
"Glad Darks! the empire of Islam and of this world are thine!" The date of the saint's donth is given in the symbolioal lettore which compose the words
مخدوم دین و دنيا |
Lord of the Faith and of the World, A much longer tarikh, giving the day of the month as well as the your of his death and ending in the same words, is given in the Miftaf-ut-Tawirfkh, P. 114.
