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HISTORY OF THE BARMANI DYNASTY.
243
SEPTEMBER, 1899.]
Shah, together with Shah Muhabb-Ullâh, grandson of Shah Ni'mat-Ulláh and eighty troopers whom he had as a body-guard, intending to take to flight, came out of the house and happened to pass by the darbár. The elephant-keepers who were standing ready with the elephants, being well acquainted with Humâyûu, came forward and saluted him. Saif Khan and Ulugh Khân had been appointed to protect the darbár, and when they saw Sultan Humâyûn Shab, Ulugh Khân opened the door and invited him to enter. Sultan Hamâyûn, relying upon his word, entered and killed Saif Khan with his sword,93 and with the aquiescence of Shah Muhabb-Ullah and the favour of God ascended the throne, and giving Hasan Khân a slap in the face said: "How dared you during my lifetime desire sovereignty and sit on the royal throne ?" He then imprisoned Hasan Khân and ascended the throne.
The nobles who had sworn allegiance to Hasan Khân were not willing to have Humâyûn Shah as king some of them from fear took to flight. Among these Raja Rustam Nigam-nlMulk, who was the pivot of the kingdom and the pillar of the state, fled towards Châkan and Janir (Junnar), where joining his son, who was Malik-ut-Tujjar and governor of that district, he fled towards Gujarat; and Malû Khân, commander of the left wing of the army, fled to Râ,ichûr.
Sultan Humâyân Shâh ascended the throne on the 22nd of the month Jamâdî II. in the year above mentioned. He put to death all the nobles who had been in a state of rebellion. Seme, together with Hasan Khan, he imprisoned. The courtiers and others nolens volens submitted to his rule.
Humayun Shah was a king who in learning, eloquence and wit stood alone and distinct among the sovereigns of his time. In valour he was like the brazen-bodied Isfandyar, and in bodily strength unrivalled in the Dakkhan; but with so many personal excellencies and outward and inward perfections he was of fierce disposition and a shedder of blood: he showed no compassion towards one accused of a crime, and fearlessly shed the blood of Musalmâns for the most trivial offences. When he ascended the throne, seeing the importance of having a reliable and prudent minister who would be of one accord with him, he recalled and placed the affairs of government in the hands of Najm-ud-Din Mahmûd bin Muhammad Gâwân Gilani, who was one of the great men of the kingdom, and in justice, penetration and profundity of reflection was the most accomplished of his age, and was afterwards promoted to the title of Khwajah Jahan. The Sultan presented him with a special robe of honour and golden belt, and in showing his regard for him and exalting his dignity neglected not the smallest particulars; and that sincere-minded and able minister in his high office regulated the affairs of government in such a way that there was no room for improvement.
In the midst of these affairs the Sultan learned that Sikandar Khan,5 son of Jalal Khan Bukhari, at the instigation of the devil, had raised the standard of rebellion and with a large force was advancing on Golkonda. On hearing this news the Sultan was excessively enraged, and ordering a large force to be assembled, sent Khân Jahân in command of it. The latter making rapid marches reached Sikandar Khân and engaged him, but being unequal in strength, after some slight skirmishing he took to flight. The Sultan was furious on hearing the news and determined to go there himself. When Sikandar Khân heard of his arrival he boldly attacked the Sultan's force and used his best endeavours, but fortune only laughed at him; his army was defeated and he himself slain.97
93 A play on words. - Saif Khân ra ba saif-i jAn-sitan ba qatl rasinidah.
According to Firishtah, Saif Khan was tied to the feet of an elephant, and dragged round the town till he was
dead.
94 This man was one of the perpetrators of the massacre of saiyids at Chakan.
95 Firishtah tells us that Sikandar Khin, having been an intimate friend of Humayun's before the accession of the latter, now expected to get command of the army in Telingana, but being disappointed in his hopes, he joined his father in Balkonda, and raised a revolt.
Khan Jahan was governor of Birår, and had come to the capital to congratulate the Sultan on his accession.Firishtah.
97 For particulars of this battle, see Firishtah.
