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THE INDIAN ANTIQUARY.
[DECEMBER, 1899.
the jungle for the open country. When the spies reported to the Sultan that the base rebel had come out of the jangle, he directed Fakhr-ul-Mulk with his eldest son, Ratan Khan, and Zarif-ul-Mulk Afghan (one of the amirs of Sultan Ahmad Bahri Nizam-ul-Mulk, who had come to the assistance of the Sultan) with 3,000 brave spearmen to oppose the ungrateful Bahadur. And he gave striet injunctions to the amirs that if they should catch Bahadur they should refrain from killing him, and bring him alive to the foot of the throne. But since the measure of the life of that unworthy one was brimful, the period of his security had expired, and the orders as to sparing his life were of no avail. According to orders the amirs and brave troops of the Sultan proceeded towards that synopsis of the lords of rebellion, and the two armies, eager for the fray, met in the neighbourhood of that jungle, and an engagement ensued.
The bark of Bahadar's life fell into the whirlpool of destruction and death, and all his valour availed not to prevent it. In the midst of the battle he was engaged in single combat with Ratan Khân, who was the Rustam of the age, and they stained the dust of the battle-field with one another's blood; but the royal good fortune aiding him, Ratan Khân overcame his antagonist, and with his spear he dragged Bahadur from his saddle and threw him to the ground, so that the resigned his soul to its Creator. Ratan Khan then cut off the rebel's head and threw his body on the ground; thus freeing the world from his sedition.
When Ratan Khân cnt off the rebel's head and sent it to the royal court, the Sultan exhibited much regret; for Bahadur Gilani in manliness and bravery was unrivalled. In the presence of the court assembly the Sultan said: "Would to heaven he had been caught alive! that I might have pardoned his crimes and given him back his government: it is a pity that so brave a man should be killed." After that, in accordance with orders, the head of that tyrant was sent to the capital, Bidar, and despatches announcing the victory were sent in all directions. This event happened on the 5th Safar, A. H. 900 (5th November, A. D. 1494).
After the mind of the Sultan was freed from anxiety regarding Bahadur, he marched with his army towards the fort of Panhâlâ, which is situate on the summit of a hill. In loftiness its towers rivalled the heavens, and the battlements of its portico used to boast of superiority to the seventh heaven.
Notwithstanding its elevation, the fort had a very extensive, beautiful and pleasant open space inside the fortress with abundance of good water, trees and fruits innumerable and much cultivation.
When the victorious standards of the Sultan appeared round that fort, the garrison, being unable to resist the attack of the royal army, asked for quarter and a written treaty of favourable terms. The Sultan gave them hopes of their obtaining favourable terms, and the mukaddam of the fortress delivered the keys to the servants of the court. The Sultan, for the purpose of viewing the fort, ascended the hill and gave thanks to God that such a fortress had been taken without trouble. The Sultan with much boot; and countless treasure then descended from the fortress to the foot of the hill, and ordered his army to proceed to Bijapur, whilst he himself with some of his favourite amirs and intimate companions went to see the Port of Mustafa-abad Dabhol.
When he arrived there he conferred many favours and kindnesses on his subjects and the people of that place; and having spent several days in the happiness of viewing the sea-coast and the gardens of that country he bestowed several of Pahadur Gilani's districts on Sultan Aḥmad Babri Nizam-ul-Mulk, some on Makhdum Khwajah Jahân; and the remainder he gave on feudal tenure to Malik Ilyas Turk; and it was arranged that he should send to the public treasury each year the sum of ten laks of tankah; and, living in a manner the reverse of Bahâdur Gilâni, should not become a traveller on the paths of sedition.
