________________
144
THE INDIAN ANTIQUARY
[MAY, 1921
country was divided between three kings it was evident that the lives and property of Muslims, would be always at the meroy of infidels a state of affairs which was neither pleasing to God, nor acceptable to His people. He said further that rulers should earnestly consider how they would answer to God for neglect of their duty in protecting His people, and that it now behov.d the princes of Islâm to sheathe the sword of intestine strife and to form an alliance among themselves and cement it by intermarriage, in order that they might act as one against the infidels.
These arguments took effect on 'Ali `Adil Shah, and his anxiety regarding Husain Nizam Shah was removed. It was agreed that the alliance between Bijapur and Ahmadnagar should be cemented by intermarriage, and that Chånd Bibi (daughter of Husain Nizam Shah) should be given in marriage to 'Ali 'Adil Shah, and Falah Dibi Hadya Sultân, sister of 'Ali
Adil Shah, to Shahzada Murtaza, afterwards Murtaza Nizâm Shâh I. These marriages were celebrated amidst general rejoicings, the people regarding them as an earnest of future peace and prosperity. When the festivities had come to an end, Husain Nizam Shah bestowed the fortress of Sholápar on Chand Bibi as dowry, 146 and delivered the keys of the fortress to 'Ali `Adil Shah. It was then agreed that the three kings spould meet with their armies at Sholapur in the following year and should march against the infidels. They then separated and employed the interval in collecting and strengthening their forces.
In the following year,147 'Ali Adil Shah and Ibrâhîm Qutb Shâh, having collected very large armies, met at Sholapur, and Husain Nizam Shah, as soon as he heard of their meeting at Shol&par, set forth from Ahmadnagar at the head of a numerous army to join them. On his arrival at Sholapur, on Jamadi-ul-awwal 8, he gave audiences to 'Ali 'Adil Shah and Ibrahim Qutb Shah, and on the 20th of the same month, the three kings marched from Sholapur towards the kingdom of Vijayanagar. They marched to the village of Talikota, situated near the Krishna river, and, when they arrived there, found that the passage of the river, which was wider than two arrow-flights and was very deep, would be most difficult.
When the Rêya of Vijayanagar heard of the meeting of the Sultans and of their march towards his kingdom, he resolved to march to meet them. He sent his youngest brother, Venkatádri, with 20,000 horse, 1,000 elephants, and 100,000 foot as an advanced guard, to the Krishna, to hold the fords and prevent the passage of the Muslims, and he sent his other brother, Eltamráj, following him, with 12,000 horse, 1,000 elephants, and 200,000 foot. and he himself followed Eltamrâj with a great host;148 and the three Hindu armies met on
146 This sensible arrangement might have been expected to terminate the perennial dispute regard. ing this fortress, but it only put it to rest for a time. Chand Bibf bore no sons to 'Ali Adil ShAh, who was gucceeded by his nephew, Ibrahim II.; and when she ultimately returned to Abmadnagar, the return of her dowry, that is to say the restoration of Sholapúr, was demanded. The demand was justified by the Islamic law, but not by sound policy.
167. The years, 972. Jamddi-ul awwal 8 and 20 of this year corresponded to Deo. 12 and 24, AP. 1664. Firishta does not mention the meeting at Shol&pur on the earlier date, but says that the allies met near Bijapur on the later. The T.M.Q.S. agrees with him.
168 The strength and distribution of the Hindu army at Talikota are thus given by Firishta (ii. 250) (1) Right, under Tirumala, here called Eltamráj, and by Firishta Timråj, consisting of 20,000 horse, 200,000 foot, and 500 elephants : (2) centro, under Sadashivardya himself, consisting of 37.000.horse, 500.000 foot, and 1,000 (elsewhere 2,000) elephants : (3) left, under Venkatádri, consisting of 25,000 horse, 300,000 foot, and 100 elephants ; in all 82.000 horse, 900,000 foot, and 2,000 (or 3,000) elephants. Sayyid Al isyu that Venkatadri commanded the Hindu right, and on this point the T.M.Q.S. agree with him.
