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AUGUST, 1899.]
HISTORY OF THE BAHMANI DYNASTY.
217
After that the Sultan divided the country of Hindustan among his sons: the district of MÅhür with its dependencies he settled on Prince Malmûd Khân7e and Raichir and Chal (379 with their dependencies on Da, ad Khân.
In the meantime the Sultan fell into a bad state of health, and in spite of the remedies of the physicians his illness daily increased till he died on the 25th or 26th of Rajab, A. H. 838 (24th or 25th February, A.D. 1435).
Account of some of the Good Qualities of Sultan Ahmad Shah. The learned have recorded that he was a king renowned for bis many good qualities and justice and piety. His disposition was adorned with the ornament of clemency and temperance and with the jewel of abstinence and devotion.
In generosity he carried off the palm from all the kings of the world, as has been recorded in the folowing verses by Shekh Azari, who has been formerly mentioned.
An amér named Shir Malik, & celebrated noble of high rank, and who had the management of most of the important affairs of government, having gone to take one of the forts of the infidels, took the strong fortress, and with much booty and countless borses and elephants, was returning in triumph to the royal court. Saiyid Naşir-ud-Din, who was by birth one of the true saiyids, an Arab, had been honoured by being presented to the Sultan, and had received various honours and presents; and the Sultan having given him a large sum of money for the construction of an aqueduct to carry water into Karbalâ, bad dismissed him. On his way the saiyid happened to pass through the camp of Shir Malik, and did not salate the latter in the usual ceremonious manner. Shir Malik from the pride which he possessed, becoming like & furious lion, ordered the saiyid to be dragged to the ground from his saddle. The saiyid in his indignation and wrath returned to the Sultâns's court, and made the following representation : "On account of the faith and friendship which, as is well known, the Sultan of the World entertains in regard to my family, I have travelled to this country, leaving the sacred places and tombs of fathers and ancestors, the society of companions and friends; and regardless of attachment to my mother country, which is beyond the power of imagination. The result of the love and reverence for the Prophet Muhammad is only this, that a descendant of that holy personage is dragged from his horse to the ground: this disgrace and baseness bas been inflicted on the saiyids.'
The Sultan was much affected by this speech, and showing much kindness and consideration towards the saiyid, strove his utmost by valuable presents to soothe his feelings, and then seut him on his intended journey.
When Shir Malik arrived near the seat of government the nobles and ministers of state went out to meet him, and showing him the greatest honour brought him to the court. When the eye of the Sultan fell on him the fire of his wrath was kindled and blazed up. He ordered tbe elephant called “Kassab" (the butcher) to be brought. The lookers on were amazed at this, and from fear of the king's anger trembling seized their limbs, and they said to themselves : --"Notwithstanding such valuable services and such gallantry on the part of Shir Malik, to kill him and throw him under the feet of an elephant is far from the Sultan's usual kindness and gratitude." But no one had the courage to say anything till the elephant-keeper brought the appointed elephant, when the Sultân, without giving Shir Malik an opportunity of saying a word, ordered him to be thrown under the elephant's feet. The Sultan then said:
Thus only can insult to descendants of the Prophet be suitably requited ; and the protection of Islam is incumbent upon all."
The Sultan's age was between 60 and 70, and he reigned for a period of 12 years, 9 months aud 24 days, but God the Most High alone knows the truth of matters. 78 Or Muhammad Khan (?) - vide p. 148 D.
15 Not identified. This period added to the date of his accession (11th ShawwAI, 825) would make his reign terminato on the 5th Sha'ban, 838 (6th March, 1434). According to Firishtah ho reigoed 12 years and 2 months
