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214
THE INDIAN ANTIQUARY.
[August, 1899.
Sultan Ahmad Shah proceeds to take vengeance on the Gujarat army.
When the news of this affair reached the Sultan, being determined to avenge himself on the enemy, he summoned his army, and in obedience to his orders, from the districts, forts, cities and feudal lands the nobles and chiefs of the victorious army set out for the capital, Bidar; and in a short time so large a force assembled at the door of the court that the east and west winds were slut out. The Sultân holding out to his army hopes of reward, at an auspicious time anfarled the royal standard and set out for the frontier of Gujarat. In due time he encamped within sight of the fort of Bahal,67 situate on the frontier between the Dakhan and Gajarât, and laid siege to it. The governor of the fort of Bahûl, who was an infidel, aided by the strength of the fortress, and hopeful of the protection of Sultan Ahmad of Gujarat because the fort from time imniemorial had been in subjection to the rulers of that country - sent a letter to Sultan Ahmad Gujarati informing him that the Sultan of the Dakhan was on his way to Gujarat. In a state of despair he also informed him about the siege of the fortress, and assured him that if he (the Sultan of Gujarat) would free him from this difficult affair he would annually pay large som into the royal treasury.
In consequence of this Saltan Ahmad Gujarati, with the intention of assisting the infidels of Bahal, set out with an immense army, and in one stage arrived at that fortress. When the (Bahmani) Sultan obtained information of the arrival of enemies he raised the siege and went out in all haste to meet his adversary. Both forces baving reached the banks of the riverbe alighted opposite to one another, so that there was only the breadth of the above-mentioned rirer between the two armies. Every day the two forces drawn up in battle array stood opposite one another ; but, however much the troops of both sides endeavoured to cross the river and engage in battle, neither side gave any facility for so doing, and being unwilling to shed Vusalman blood the troops neglected to fight; so that for nearly a year those two armies were seated orposite one another, and neither of the two would begin the battle. When the time hecame very protracted the theologians and learned men from both sides intervened and with the limpid water of exhortations and advice extinguished the fire of battle which had been kin. tied, and laid the foundations of reconciliation. It was settled that the fort of Bahůl, which from ancient times had been in Gnjarât, should still remain in possession of the agents of that kingdom; and on this side whaterer pertained to the servants of the Bahmani court should remain so. After some days the bonds of mutual friendship and agreement were arranged between the two kings, and their animosity being brought to an end an offensive and defensive alliance was arranged, and it was agreed that they should not fail to exalt the standards of Jolam and break down the rites of the heretic3.
The two kings having agreed to all these terms of peace sent one another many valuable presents; and for nearly a hundred years the foundations of unmixed friendship remained firm between the kings of these two countries and they continually sent presents to one another, as will be related herenfter.
After this reconciliation the Sultan returned to his capital and looked after the comfort of his subjects and army, and far and near overthrew the customs of beresy and impiety. He promoted in office and rank each of the anirs and ministers of state : Muhammad bin 'Ali Bawardi, who was one of the descendants of Sultan Sanjar Saljiķi, received the title of Khwajah Jahan; and the commander of the left wing of the army being promoted to the command of the right wing?o the Sultan exalted him with the title of Malú Khin, and on the commander of the right wing he conferred the title of Sarang Khán. Shir Malik became Kotwal of Dadbak (?), and Shir Khân, son of the Sultan's sister, who had been the cause of the assassination of Sultan Firúz, met with the same fate as the latter. Mirzê Nûr-Ullah - grandson of Shâh Ni'mat
67 Or Bahol, or Bhol, or Bhol. Distinctly written Jor! in the text. But a reference to the Gujarat history shows that it was Batnol : now called Tambol, a hill fort in Khậpdesh - ride Bayley's Gujarat, p. 100 n., and pp. 118-120. 68 Probably the river Thpti. « Sar-Daubat-i Maisarah.
10 Sar-naubat-i Maimanah.
