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APRIL, 1921) HISTORY OF THE NIZAM SHAHI KINGS OF AHMALXAGAR
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THE HISTORY OF THE NIZAM SHAHI KINGS OF AHMADNAGAR. BY LIEUT,COLONEL T. W. HAIG, O.S.I., C.M.G., C.B.E.
(Continued from p. 72.) LXI.-AN ACCOUNT OF THE TREATY BETWEEN I BRÂHÎM QUTB SHIH AND HUSAIN NIZM
SHH REGARDING THE CAPTURE OF GULBARGA AND BIDAR. A.D. 1558. When the fame of Husain Nizâm Shah's conquests and the account of his mighty army were spread abroad, Ibrahim Qutb Shâh conceived the desire of entering into an alliance with him and sent Mustafa Khân, one of his chief amirs, who had no equal in the Dakan as a diplomat and politician, to Abmadnagar, to conclude a treaty. Mustafa Khân arrived at Ahmadnagar and was received by the king, and in a short time succeeded in concluding a treaty, by the terms of which Ibråhim Qutb Shah was to meet Husain Nizâm Shah and the two kings were then to capture both Gulbarga and Bidar. Gulbarga was to be attacked first, and the fortress and all the districte dependent on it were to be handed over to Husain Nizam Shah, and the two kings were next to attack Bidar which, with its dependencies, was to be handed over to Ibrâhim Qutb Shah. After the conclusion of this treaty, Qasim Beg was sent with Mustafa Khân to Ibrâhîm Qutb Shah, and it was agreed that the two kings should march from their capitals and should meet before Gulbarga. Husain Nizâm Shah then assembled his army and marched on Gulbarga Ibrâhim Qutb Shâh also marched with his army from his capital and met ķusain Nigam Shâh aud the army of Ahmadnagar before Gulbarga, which fortress the two armies then surrounded and besieged.
The fort of Gulbarga, although built on the plain, is yet very strong, and is surrounded by a deep and broad ditch full of water. It is so constructed that the walls cannot be damaged by artillery, for the ground at the top of the counterscarp of the ditch rises so high that all shot fly above the walls, while the depth of the ditch and the fact that it is always full of water prevent running.
Husain Nizâm Shah, having encamped before the fortress, directed his attention to the best means of capturing it. He ordered Rûmî Khan and Madho Râm, who were in charge of the artillery, to push the heavy siege guns forward to the edge of the ditch and batter the walls, in order that a practicable breach might be made for the attacking force. Rami Khân and Mâdho Râm carried out these orders and the rest of the army pushed forward the trenches to the edge of the ditch. The garrison, who had great confidence in the strength of the fortress, were in no way daunted, and showed a most determined front to the besiegers, fighting most obstinately.
While these events were taking place, the king ordered the Sayyid Shah Hasan Inja, who was one of the most famous amūrs of the army, Ghazanfar Khân, Daulat Khân, Nizâm Khân. Miyân Makhdům and others to attack the fortress, and, after capturing it, to hand it over to the officers of Ibråhim Qutb Shah. These amirs, with the whole army which they led. besieged Gulbarga for a month, during which period the defence was most steadfastly maintained and the siege most vigorously pressed. The walls were, however, at length breached, and the troops advanoed to storm the place. They were met by the defenders, and a most determined and bloody.ftght took place, in which Farang Khân, Ashraf Khan, and Khurshid Khan were slain. The fighting before the fortress and in the breaches continued not only throughout the day, but for a whole month more. At length the garrison were reduced to great straits and, having no more strength to fight, sent a messenger to 'Adil Shah setting forth their desperate circumstances. Ibrahim Adil ShAh was himself unable to contend with Husain Nizam Shah and sent to Ram Raj, ruler of
