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JUNE, 1921 )
HISTORY OF THE NIZAM SHAH KINGS OF AHMADNAGAR
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THE HISTORY OF THE NIZAM SHAH KINGS OF AHMADNAGAR. BY LIEUT.-COLONEL T. W. HAIG, C.S.T., C.M.G., C.B.E.
(Continued from p. 146.) LXVIII.-VICTORY OF THE MUSLIMS OVER THE IDOLATERS. When the accursed Sadashivaraya observed the determination of the Muslims, his spirit was roused, and he sent forth 30,000 horse from the centre of his army against the Muslims, while his younger brother, Venkatâdri, who commanded the right of the infidels, attacked the left of the allies under Ibrahim Qutb Shah, which was beaten back, while 'Ali
Adil Shah, in consequence of his former alliance with Sadashivaraya, left the position allotted to him. The centre, however, under the command of Husain Nigam Shah, stood fast and manfully withstood the idolaters. Ikhláş Khin again charged the enemy with his 'Iraqi and Khurasani horse and did great execution among them. Iu fact, Ikhla Khân and Rumi Khân were the heroes of the day. Rami Khân, who commanded the artillery of Ahmadnagar, brought up all the heavy and light guns on their carriages, and the rockets, and drew them up by order of Husain Nizam Shah, before the army, and kept up a heavy fire on the enemy.153
At this phase of the fight Husain Nizâm Shâh ordered the camp followers to set up his pavilion in front of the enemy. This pavilion was the king's great tent of state, and it was the custom of the Sultans of the Dakan, whenever they ordered this pavilion to be set up on the field of battle, to stand their ground without quitting the saddle until victory declared for them. The erection of this pavilion at this stage was not without danger to the king's honour, but when Sadashivaraya saw that the pavilion was being set up, he lost heart and gave all up for lost. Nevertheless the Hindus charged repeatedly, and the defeat of the Muslims appeared inevitable when, in the heat of the conflict, one of the elephants charged Sadashivaraya and slew his horse with its tusks.154 The Raya was thus dismounted and at that time Rumi Khân and some of his men rode up and were about to kill him. Just then, Dalpat Rai, one of Sadashivaraya's vazirs cried out, 'Do not kill him, but carry him alive before Divân Barid, for he is Sadashivariya.' They therefore straitly bound the
163 Other authorities agree that the wings, under 'All Adil Shah and Ibrahim Qutb Shah were beaten back, and that it was Husain's steadfastness that saved the day. Some of the troops from the wings, seeing his standard still aloft, retumed and rallied round him. His artillery was well served by Chalabi Ram Khan and the most determined attack made by the Hindu centre was broken by a terrible discharge from Husain's guns, which had all been loaded to the muszle with copper coin. usein followed up his advantage by a furious charge (F. ii. 76, 261).
154 This account differs from that given by Firishta (ii. 76, 962), according to wbich Sadashivaraya did not mount a horse but, when he saw the day going against him, left his throne and re-entered his litter One of Husain's war elephants, named Ginulam 'All, overthrow the litter, and its bearers fled, leaving Sadashivaraya lying alone on the ground. The driver again directed the elephant towards the jowelled litter, with a view to securing it e 8 prize, when one of the Hindu King's Brahmans came forward and said. * This is Sadashivarầya. Find a horse for him and he will make you one of the greatest lords in his kingdom." The driver, on leaming who the captive was, caused his olophant to pick him up and carried him to Chalabt Rumi Khan, who sent him on to Husain Nigam Shh, by whose ordere he was instantly beheaded. His head was raised aloft on a spear on the elephant which had brought him in, and the Hindu army, horrified at the sight, broke and fled. Husain Nigam Shah afterwards had the houd stufted with straw and sent to Tufal Khan of Berar 48 & warning. The statement that 'All Adil Shah wished to preserve the common enemy appears to be a slander. There is no other authority for it and there is no reason to believe that 'AH, whose dominions marched with those of Vijayanagar, was not anxious for the destruction of the Hindu kingdom w Hussin could be.
