________________
JULY, 1899.]
sovereignty for both of them. Khân Khânân, assisted and inspired with hope, then took leave of that illustrious man, went to his house and with a number of trustworthy attendants prepared for flight. Just then a merchant from Labsâ called Khalf Hasan (who afterwards in the reign of Sultan Ahmad obtained the title of Malik-ut-Tijâr, and who was celebrated for his great bravery and generosity), having this year brought Arab horses for sale to the government and having received a portion of the price of them, paid a visit to Sultan Ahmad. When by his shrewdness he became aware of the contemplated flight of Ahmad Shah, he reminded him of the days of their friendly companionship as well as the requirements of sincerity and fidelity,
and vowed to serve him at the risk of his life.
HISTORY OF THE BAHMANI DYNASTY.
On the night when the Sultan (Ahmad) intended going forth, Khalf Hasan was present at the door of Sultan Ahmad's house. Suddenly the latter with four hundred faithful and fullyequipped attendants issued from the house with the intention of flight. Khalf Hasan coming forward saluted him with the title of "Sultân." Ahmad gathered a good omen from this salutation, and said to Khalf Hasan :-"Go to your house with all speed, for you are a merchant and a stranger, and if anyone sees you with me your property may be plundered and even your life sacrificed on account of me." Khalf Hasan replied:-" At the time of ease and leisure to be a companion and confidant, and in the days of adversity to sprinkle the dust of inconstancy in the eyes of manhood and turn one's back on one's benefactor is contrary to the requirements of religion and manliness and is abhorrent to the'disposition of an Arab or Persian: as long as there is life and breath in my body Heaven forbid that I should ride far from your stirrup Kings, in their numerous important affairs have need of ministers, so it is possible that eventually some business needing the assistance of inferiors may ensue. For the work done by the weak needle the head-exalting spear after all is inferior to it; and the sword is amazed at the work accomplished by the slender peu-knife; and a servant, however worthless and untrustworthy he may be, is not without his uses in averting injury and blows."
189
Sultan Ahmad, highly approving of the sincerity and faithfulness of Khalf Hasan regarded this also as a proof of his own fature good fortune, and said to Khalf Hasan:-"If the sovereignty comes into my grasp you shall be a partner in my good fortune, and be requited for the fidelity and kindness which you have shown towards me."
Sultan Ahmad with his adherents then left Kalburgah and proceeded towards Telingânâ.
When the news of the flight of Sultan Ahmad was noised abroad in the city, Hûshyâr and Bidar awaking from the sleep of negligence, 50 in a state of perplexity and helplessness waited on the Sultan, and asked permission to pursue Khân Khânân. The Sultan, owing to his near relationship and the bonds of fraternity, was unwilling to do so, and said: "Wherever Khân Khânân through fear of his life may have hidden himself, it seems best to leave him alone." The unhappy Hûshyâr and Bidar having gained over some of the nobles again represented to the Sultan, saying: The departure of Sultan Ahmad will be the cause of endless rebellion and sedition; it is therefore advisable to send people in pursuit of him, and prevent his assembling a force, and to throw the stone of separation among his adherents, so that the idea of rebellion may not enter his mind; for if he succeeds in collecting a large force it will be difficult to deal with him."
51 Another clever pun:
Since the power of Hûshyâr and the senseless Bidar had arrived at such a stage that the Sultan had no choice in the matter, he maintained silence. Hûshyâr and Bidâr with thirty elephants and 20,000 horse went in pursuit of Sultan Ahmad, and by doing so, injured the reputation of Firûz and made themselves the butt of the arrows of the accidents of the time.
A clever play on words:
شهار و بیدار از خواب نفت بیدار کشتی وشیار و بیدار نا ہشیار
