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HISTORY OF THE BAHMANI DYNASTY.
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The Sultan lent a willing ear to the speech of these mischief-makers, and sent a person to summon Jalal Khan and Sikandar Khân. They with soothing excuses sought means of avoiding compliance with the summons of the Sultan, and showed some reluctance to appear at court. But their excuses only tended to strengthen the suspicions of the Sultan, who proceeded against them with a numerous army. When they heard of the Sultan's approach, Sikandar Khân left his father together with his family and baggage in the fortress of Balkonda with some reliable troops, while he himself with 1,000 cavalry crossed over to Mahor, and from there wrote a letter to Mahmod Khilji, who in those days was the ruler of the kingdom of Mâlwâ, representing his weakness and despair, and asking that king to come to the assistance of of the descendants of Ahmad Mukhtar.
Sultan Mahmud, who expected some such contigency, resolved to proceed to the Dakkhan with a large force. Marching by stages he arrived at Mahûr, where Sikandar Khân joined him. The Sultan at that time was on his way to Balkonda, and wben he heard of the approach of Sultan Mahmûd he went to oppose him.
Historians have related that on that occasion the Sultan (A1A-ud-Din) had with him nearly 180,000 cavalry, and the army of Sultan Mahmûd was not more than 50,000 cavalry. When only one stage remained between the two forces, and Sultan Mahmûd became aware of the numbers opposed to him he knew that it would be folly to contend against them, so returned to his own country by double marches. He left one of the amirs of his army with 1,000 cavalry to protect Sikandar Khân, with orders that if the latter contemplated returning to his own country he was to be prevented.
Sikandar Khan who was now hopeless of assistance from Sultan Mahmûd, repented of his rebellion and wished to rejoin his father and children whom he had left in the fortress of Balkonda; go he used to remain two or three stages behind on pretence of obtaining provisions. One day, according to custom he did this till Sultan Mahmid was a day's march ahead ; and Sikandar Khan then resolved to go to Balkonda, and accordingly turned in that direction. The force which had been appointed for his protection tried to prevent him, but the heroic Sikandar Khån attacked them, and they not being sufficiently strong to resist him refrained, and Sikandar Khân moving in the direction previously determined on rejoined Jalal Khan and his family. After consultation he then sent a person to the Sultan's court, expressing contrition for what had occurred and suing for quarter. The Sultân pardoned him and received him at court with much favour and kindness.
When the Sultan had reigned for a period of 23 years, 9 months and 22 days he died.
Sultan AIA-ud-Din Ahmad Shah was a king adorned with the ornaments of clemency, generosity, learning and sincerity. Although he spent most of his time in the society of beautiful youths and in such like pleasures ; so that it is mentioned in histories that he had in his haram several thousand female slaves, with whom he spent the best part of his time; still he did not neglect the poor and needy and his subjects and dependents.
In the early part of his reign he released each person who had been wrongfully imprisoned, and be strove his utmost in the propagation and adornment of the faith of Islâm. He threw down ancient churches and idol-temples, and in place of them founded masjids, public schools and charitable institutions, among which was a hospital of perfect elegance and purity of style, which he built in his capital, Bidar, and made two beautiful villagesol there as a pious endowment, in order that the revenge of these villages should be solely devoted to supplying medicines and drinks, and skilful physicians were engaged to attend to the sick and afflicted friendless poor; and with the favour of God they used to cure the people of their ailments. So much did he attend to carrying out the orders and prohibitions of the divine law that even the name of wine and all intoxicating liquors was abrogated in his jurisdiction ;
The word in the original is hand, is, plural of kanisah, church. Does this mean Christian Churches ? ege.
