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NOVEMBER, 1899.
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EISTORY OF THE BAHMANI DYNASTY.
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nearly fifty engagements took place between the Mohammadans and the infidels. After that the rainy season arrived with its clouds, rain and storms ; so khwajah Jahân unavoidably adjourned the campaign, and with his army returned to Kolbâpûr, where he remained till the conclusion of the season of damp and mud. Then Khwajah Jahan raised his standard and resumed the conquest of the country of the infidels. First of all, marching to Rabankana (?)23 he took the fort immediately upon his arrival there; and thence he marched to the fort of Machal22a avd quickly succeeded in gaining possession of that also. After that the army marched towards the fortress of San gameshvar which in strength was second only to Junnar. As has already been related in these pages, the infidels of those parts in the time of Khalf Hasan Malik-at-Tujjár had massacred bim and the brave soldiers of Islâm.
When the Râya of Sagameshvar heard the news of the approach of the brave minister with his army, and had also heard of the conquest of the forts of that country, fearing vengeance, he was overpowered with terror; and having no other resource he sent a person to Khwajah Jahân to sue for quarter, and delivered up the fortress of Khelna23 to the agents of Khwajah Jabán.
This unrivalled minister passed nearly two years in that country and mountainous region. He put many of the base infidels to the sword, and seizing most of the forts and towns from the hands of the infidels, tbrew the fire of rapine and plander into the homes of the idol-worshippers, and immense booty and valuable goods, such as horses, elephants, maidens and female slaves of cypress-like forms and tulip-like cheeks, as well as precious jewels and pearls fell into the minister's hands.
Khwajah Jabân with his army took this immense booty to the court of the Sultan, and after making his obeisance, presented so many offerings from the booty which had fallen into his hands in his numerous victories that the beholders were astonished. The Sultan, by royal favours and kindnesses, exalted Khwfijah Jalên above all his equals, and conferred on him the titles of Majlis-i Karim and 'Azim-i A'zam Humayun Makhdi.m Khwajah Jahan ; and orders were given that in the royal assembly none of the nobles or grandees should take precedence of Khwajah Jahân; and that he should have supreme authority in the government of the Dakhant dominions.
In this year the Queen-Mother, Makhdamah Jahan died, and in A. H. 875 (A. D.11470) the Sultan assumed the reins of government.
In the midst of these affairs a messenger arrived from Telingana and informed the Sultan that the RAya of Orisa, who was the principal ráya of Telinga nâ, was dead.
The Sultan was rejoiced to hear this news, and resolved upon the conquest of those dominions ; accordingly he held a council of war with his nobles and ministers. Malik Nigam-ulMulk Bahri, who was one of the favourites of Humayun Shah, said : -" With Your Majesty's permission I will undertake this duty." The Sultan invested him with a special robe of honour, and despatched bim with some of the other nobles in that direction.
Wh a the base infidels of those parts heard of the approach of the royal army they assembled an army more numerous than ants and locusts, in the midst of heat like the flames of hell, and came out to oppose the army of Islam; but however much they strove, attacking and retreating before the conquering army, they were at last reluctantly compelled to take to flight, and the royal army pursued them and put many of them to the sword,
After this victory, Nizâm-ul-Mulk Pahri marched towards the fortress of Rajamundari (Rajamahendri), and in a short time obtained possession of it. Thence he proceeded towards the fort of Kondavir, which is situate on the summit of an extremely high mountain and built on hard rock. This fortress he laid siege to and after great exertions it was taken like the others. 29 Not identified.
920 A hill close to Vishalgadh, in which rises the river Muchkardi. 28 Tbe modern. Vishalgadh.
