Indian Antiquary Vol 50

Author(s): Richard Carnac Temple, Devadatta Ramkrishna Bhandarkar
Publisher: Swati Publications

Page 12

THE INDIAN ANTIQUARY
[Jan., 1991
Sholapur and laid siege to that fortress, for, he crgueil, there was the probability of one, If not both, of the fortresses being captured, and the fall of either would weaken Btjápar, and, to the same extent, strengthen Bijapur's enemies. This design, which was, in fact, the best for both parties, was discussed between Burhan Nizam Shah and Sadashivaraya, and was agreed upon, and the army of Ahmadnagar marched from Raichồr to Sholapur.
Burhan Ni Am Shah, having reached Sholapur, laid siege to it, and the garrison, relying on the strength of the fortress, defended it with resolution and bravery. The king then ordered Rami Khan Şahib, superintendent of the artillery, to bring up the big guns and lay them against the fort. The guns, however made no impression on the walls, and the king in his wrath sent for Růmi Khân, who was haled before him. He was so enraged that he drew his sword and made for Růmi Khan as though to slay him with his own hands, but Shabzada Miran Abdul Qadir and the other princes and amira restrained him, representing that it was not becoming that he should slay Rami Khan with his own hand. They said that if his death had been decided on, orders should be issued for his execution to proper persons; but if the king would pardon him they would engage that he should do better in future and Atone for past faults. The king pardoned Rami Khan on condition that he breached the wall of the fortress in twelve days' time. Rami Khan then left the presence and set about his business, and so well were the gun's served that within the stipulated period of twelve days one face of the fort wall was levelled with the ground. The army was then ordered to attack the place, and though the garrison made a most determined stand in the breacties, the fort was carried by storm and the royal army entered the town. There was much slaughter in the streets and the corpses were piled up in heaps. At length the king in his meroy commanded the troops to stay their hands from slaying, and the survivors, both of the garrison, and of the inhabitants, had the honour of submitting to the king.
Burhan Nigam Shah, before leaving Sholâpûr, repaired its defences, and when he was satisfied that it was as strong as before, he marched to Parenda.
Saif Ain-ul-Mulk now, without any cause whatever, began to apprehend that the king had designs upon him, and he therefore fled and entered the service of Ibrahim 'Adil Shah. Some historians give a later date for his flight from the king's service, but God know the truth of the matter.
(To be continued.)
THE EARLY COURSE OF THE GANGES.
BY NUNDOLAL DEY, M.A., B.L.; CALCUTTA. The Ganges is the largest and holiest of all rivers in India. According to the legend
mentioned in the Ramayana, Mahabharata, and the Puranas, the Lagond about the
goddess Gaugê (the Ganges), the daughter of the Himalaya, resided Ganges.
in heaven. Sagara, king of Ayodhyâ (Oudh), performed a horse sacrifice and let loose the sacrificial horse which was stolen by Indra. Sagara ordered his sixty-thousand sons to search for it. They looked for it everywhere on this earth, but unable to find it, resolved to seek for it in Rasktala (Patala), the lower regions. They dug and delved and pierced the earth on all sides, and at last entered Rashtala through a chasm made in the north-eastern quarter. They found the horse browsing by the side of an ascetic named Kapila Muni. Believing him to be the stealer of the horse, they tried to attack him. But the sage burnt them to ashes by a glance of his eyes. On account of their