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Do., 1920)
HISTORY OF THE NIZAM 8
H1 KINGS OF AHMADNAGAR
217
THE HISTORY OF THE NIZAM SHAĦ KINGS OF AHMADNAGAR. BY LIEUTCOLONEL T. W. HAIG, C.8.I., C.M.G., C.B.E.
(Continued from p. 204.) XX.XVIII.-AN ACCOUNT OF THE BATTLE OF ARCEAN- BETWEEN BURHAN NIRX SHAH AND
IBRBIM 'ADIL SHIH, AND OF ITS RESULTS. 103 It has already been mentioned that Ased Khân, who surpassed all the other 'Adil Shah amirs in power and in strength of the forces under his command, was apprehensive of Ibrahim 'Adil Shah's intentions towards him and was therefore ever sedulous in stirring up strife, considering that his safety lay in Ibrahim Adil Shah's pre-occupation with his enemies. He now stirred up strife between Burhan Nizam Shah and Ibrahim Adil Shah until the matter ended in bloodshed. Both kirgs assembled their armies in order to do battle with one apother, and Burhan Nigam Shah, having sent Mahmad Nafir to summon Malik Barid and his brother Khan Jahan, marched rapidly to meet the enemy. Malik Barid and Khan Jahan joined the king near the town of Kalam, and the opposing armies met at Arjan, where a fieroe battle was fought. The battle raged lorig with great vehemence and among those slain on the side of Ibrahim 'Adil Sb&h, was 'Ain-ul-Mulk Kan'âni, who, as be had bebaved treacherously on the former occasion by deserting Burhan Nigam Shah and joining Ibrahim Adil Sh Ab at the instigation of Darya 'Imad Shah, may be seid to have met with the due reward of his treason and ingratitude. Ram Shiva Deva, a Brahman of the court of Burhan Nizam Shah, who enjoyed great irtimacy with the king, left the heaven which he had oocupied in this earth for bell. The battle lasted until sunset, but at last victory was declared for Burh An Nizam Shah and the Bijâparis fled, leaving the whole of their baggage, tenta, and camp equipage in the hands of the victors. The army of Abmadnagar pursued the fugitives and put large pumbers to the sword, and the survivors made their way, with much difficulty, to Bij pôr.
Burhån Nizam Shah tben marched to Sholâpár, a very strong fortress situated on the frontier of the Bijápar kingdom, and then held by an officer for Ibrahim 'Adil Shah. Here he encamped while his army besieged the fortress. The garrison, finding themselves unable
109. The accounts of campaigns between Bijapur and Ahmadnagar in this and the following five mootione are incorrect. The course of the war between Ahmadnagar and Bijapar was briefly follow : In 1540-41 Burhan Nigam Shah, encouraged by reports of the estrangement between the Sunnf Ibrahim
as Shah I and hie most powerful subject, the Shi'ah Asad Khan Larf, believed that the time had como for be rooovery of the Sholapur district, which had at one time been a fief of the Ahmadnagar kingdom, but and been annexed by Bijapur during the war between Burhan and Bahadur Sbah of Gujarat. Ho therefore formed an alliance with Amir 'Ali Barid and Darya 'Imad Shah of Berar, invaded the Bijlpar
jpgdom, ro-annexed the Shol&pur district and advanced to Belgaum, the fief of Asad Khan. And Khan was loyal to his master but could not withstand the invaders and was obliged to make show of
amplying with Burhan's demands by joining him with his contingent of 6,000 horse. Ibrahim, on learning of this accion of strength to Burhan, fled from Bijapur to Gulbarga whilo Burhan and Amir 'Alt Barid antored Bijapur and besieged the citadel. Darya 'Imad Shah who had disapproved of the expedition from the first and was awaiting an opportunity of ohanging sides, was employed by Aba" Khan Lart to make his peace with Ibrahim and both he and Daryl joined Ibrahim who was now strong enough to attack Burhan. As Ibrahim and Dary advanced, Burhan and Amir 'Alf retired, first on Bt. and on being pursued thither, to the hills above Daulatabad leaving Ahmadnagar at the mercy of the invaders. Amir 'Alt Barid died near Daulatabad (see note 101) and Burban was foroed to sue for pesco, which be obtained by the retronion of the Sholapur district and a promise never again to molest Bipo.
The battle of Archan" wis probably a battle or skirmish fought at Charchin, abond 32 miles sous weat of Bhol&por, during Burhan's advance to Belgaum
