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192
THE INDIAN ANTIQUARY.
[JULY, 1899.
and the water of the river overflowed to such an extent that the country round for three or four farsakhs was flooded, and much damage was caused. In the streets and bázár of the city the water rose so high that the Sultan and his family for seven days and nights had to live in the upper storey of the palace. The fortifications and the city still remain, but that building has not remained: the city is known by the name of Firuzabad.
He took Baba Kamal as his spiritual adviser, and became his disciple. Facing his own dome (tomb) another of elaborate construction was built for the saint, and beneath it a reservoir which the Sultan built during his lifetime: the dome and reservoir are still in existence.
The affairs of state, both great and little, he entrusted to Sultan Ahmad, whilst he himself only attended to his devotions; and Sultan Ahmad's power being very great in the government he gained over to his side the nobles and ministers and the whole of the army, and meditated opposition to the Sultan.
One day someone informed Sultan Firûz that Sultan Ahmad was plotting against him, and contemplated carrying him off and becoming king in his place, and advised the Sultan to be on his guard; he only replied: "What remedy is there against the decrees of Fate? It is certain that he will be king after me."
It is well known that seventy of the troops had mutinied against Sultan Firûs, and he had sentenced them to death, but at the intercession of Sultan Ahmad their lives were spared and they were promoted. These men joined Sultan Ahmad in plotting to kill Sultan Firuz. There were many Habshi slaves in the service of the Sultan as personal attendants: one of these Habshis who was in charge of the royal wardrobe, used every morning to bring the Sultan's clothes into his private apartments, and dress him. When Sultan Ahmad's power increased he wished to establish himself in the sovereignty; and deceiving the Habshis and soldiers by false promises, persuaded them to join him in putting Sultan Firûz, to death.
One day Saltan Ahmad after making elaborate preparations came to the door of Sultân Firuz's palace with the intention of assassinating him. When the sentries saw this they began fighting with the followers of Sultan Ahmad, and many were killed on both sides. At last the Habshi jámah-dar, 57 who was a confidential servant, told the guards that he would go and acquaint the Sultan with the attack of Sultan Ahmad; but he had previously promised the latter to assassinate the Sultan at the time of the fighting. Watching his opportunity he entered the private apartment of Sultan Firâz, who at the time was engaged in reading the word of God. That unfortunate Habshi killed Sultan Firûz with a dagger, and then informed the people of the fact.
When the troops of the Sultan became aware of the murder, they retired from the fight, and each one hid himself. Some of the nobles raised the eldest son of Sultân Firûz to the throne, but at the same moment Sultan Ahmad put him to death, and seated himself on the throne.
The duration of the reign of Sultan Firûz was twenty-five years, seven months and twelve days; and the period of the sovereignty of the eight Bahmani kings in the city of Ahsanâbâd was eighty-two years, five months and eighteen days; but God only knows!
(To be continued.)
87 Keeper of the wardrobe ; a servant who hands the clothes to his master.
