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NOVEMBER, 1899.]
HISTORY OF THE BAHMANI DYNASTY.
HISTORY OF THE BAHMANI DYNASTY. (Founded on the Burhan-i Ma,asir.)
BY MAJOR J. S. KING, M.B.A.S. (Continued from p. 247.)
CHAPTER XII.
Reign of Sultan Nizam Shah,
son of Humayun Shah.
277
HIS
ISTORIANS have related that, when Sultan Humâyûn Shah was on his death-bed, he summoned Khwajah Jahan and Khwajah Mahmûd Gilant, and by the terms of his will left them to decide as to which of his sons - viz., Sultan Nigâm Shah, Sultan Muhammad Shah, or Jamshid Shâh - was best fitted for the succession. Since the tokens of sovereignty were manifest in the appearance of Sultan Nigam Shah, after the death of the Sultan, Khwajah Jahân, in concurrence with the amirs, nobility and grandees, on the date above mentioned, in the capital Bidar, seated Saltân Nizam Shah at the age of eight years on the throne in place of his father. According to the customary service devolving upon the saiyids as heads of the people, Shah Muhabb-Ullàh, son of Shah Khalil-Ulláh, and Saiyid-i Sharif Saiyid Manjalah, son of Saiyid Hanif, each taking a hand of the Sultan, seated him on the throne; and the shekhhs and learned men who were present recited the fátikah and they as well as the nobles and ministers uttered the customary praises and congratulations and plighted their fealty; and having received suitable gifts recited these lines:
"O king, may thy high fortune be everlasting!
May the dust of tranquillity be the collyrium of thy penetrating eyes!
May the mirror of thy heart be always as free from blemish as the precious gems in thy sword!"
The prince being still only a boy in the flower of youth, the administration of the affairs of government was entrusted to the Queen-Mother, Makhdumah Jahan, who was daughter of Mubarak Khân, son of Sultan Firûz Shah; and with the aid of the sound judgment of the wise minister Khwajah Jahan Mahmûd Gâwân the affairs of State were wisely administered. First. of all their attention was given to the comfort of the subjects, and they busied themselves in repairing the injuries inflicted by Humâyûn Shab. All the innocent persons who had been imprisoned by him were set at liberty, and the agents of government were confirmed in the offices and rank which they formerly held. But as most of the amirs and vazirs, through fear of the vengeance of Humâyûn Shah, had fled and become scattered abroad, and the affairs of the subjects in general and the army had fallen into a state of the utmost disorder, and oppositionists and breeders of disturbance had withdrawn from their allegiance and raised rebellions, the Baya of Orissa with a large force of infantry, cavalry and elephants had invaded and devastated the whole territory of Islâm. The nobles and ministers of State who were present at court assembled large forces, and Sultân Nizam Shah set out with them from Bidar to repel the invasion. When they had gone only ten farsakhs from Bidar the army of Orissa arrived from the other direction, and between the two forces not more than three farsakhs10 remained. Shah Muḥabb-Ulláh with a force of 160 armour-clad cavalry armed with lances, placing his reliance on God, started at daybreak against the infidels, and encountered the enemy's vanguard, which consisted of nearly 10,000 infantry, 400 cavalry and some elephants. An engagement took place which lasted from mid-day till sunset. Many of the enemy were killed and the dust was defiled with the impure blood of the cursed infidels. The saiyid fought with the greatest bravery and the enemy's force was completely defeated. When the remainder of the enemy's force saw what had happened they wavered and fled, leaving their tents, baggage and other valuable goods on the spot.
About 34 miles,
10 About 10 miles.
