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HISTORY OF THE BAHMANI DYNASTY.
SEPTEMBER, 1899.]
The nobles and great men used every day to peram bulate the sanctuary of that ka'bah with their business unattended to. Moreover, many of the courtiers, nobles and generals built houses for themselves in the neighbourhood of that lofty building, and took up their abode there, so that they might often have the honour of an audience.
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At this time Sanjar Khan, who was one of the greatest of the Sultan's nobles, in accordance with orders was engaged in fighting against the Uriah leader of the infidels of Telingana, and used constantly to take as prisoners the cursed people of that district, and used to send them to court; and the Sultan after confirming them in the faith of Islam sent them on to Prince Humayun Khân, who was the eldest of his sons. By the aid of God many of these wanderers in the desert of error and ignorance were led to the pleasant fountain of the right road, and by the light of Islam the darkness of infidelity was expelled from their hearts, and two of them were promoted to the rank of amer and warir. The Sultan himself used often to say: "Why does Sanjar Khan match himself in battle against the possessors of elephants ?" For at that time in the government of the Bahmani Sultans there were not more than about one hundred and fifty elephants, whilst those infidels had nearly two hundred thousand. Notwithstanding this the gallant Sanjar Khan was continually plundering their country, and used not to fail in killing and imprisoning the worshippers of idols.
In the midst of these affairs the Sultan sent Dilawar Khân Afghân with a large force to take the entrenchment and fort of Sharkah. He accordingly set out with his force, and having arrived at those frontiers, after some parleying and fighting settled matters peaceably; and taking an immense amount of valuable property for the government from the chief of each of the two districts, returned to court. But when he went to pay his respects to the Sultan he was dismissed from his government, and a eunuch who had recently received the title of Dastûr-ul-Mulk was appointed in his place. The people of the Dakhan being much distressed by the tyranny and oppression of that untrustworthy one used to complain of him day and night at the court; but the Sultan, from the extreme mildness of his disposition, used to wink at it, and do nothing to check his oppression of inferiors; but Prince Humâyûn Khân, from his innate mercy, out of kindness ordered one of his attendants to watch for an opportunity to free the people from the oppression of that mutilated one.
In this year Nasir Khan,87 Wall of Asir, conceived the idea of conquering the Sultan's dominions; and notwithstanding the long-established friendship and agreement between them, he invaded the Bahmaui territory and began to plunder and devastate. The Saltân on hearing that Nasir Khan with a large army had invaded his territory and laid waste several villages on the frontier, proposed to each one of his nobles to fight against Naşir Khân, but none of them would undertake it. At last he summoned Khalf Malik-ut-Tijar and nominated him for this business. Khalf without delay or thought consented, and applied himself to the task of putting down Naşir Khan's rebellion. The Sultan conferred many favours and benefits on Khalf, and presenting him with his own special robe gave into his hands a naked sword with a golden inscription on it. Khalf took leave of the Sultan and set out without even first going to his own house.
When the news of the approach of Khalf Malik-ut-Tijar with a numerous force of spearmen reached Naşîr Khân, he did not think it advisable to remain in the Sultan's territory, so he abandoned the vain expectations and desires which he had entertained, and being unable to oppose himself to the royal army, as a last resource he took to flight and shut himself up in the fortress of Asir.88 Khalf Malik-ut-Tijar pursuing him reached the neighbourhood of the fortress, and surrounding it laid siege to it. This continued for a long time till at last the distracted life of Nasir Khin, by order of the Almighty, becoming a captive in the claws of fate
s6 Not identified. Perhaps it is the name of the renegade chief called Sirkah a little farther on. 87 Ruler of Khandesh, and father-in-law of the Sultan.
اسیر حصار اثیر کردید - : A play on words *
