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THE INDIAN ANTIQUARY
[JULY, 1921
before the king. So many of the 'Adil Shahî army were slain that the undulations of the ground were filled with their bodies and the broken country became a level plain. A very few managed to escape. All their property, camp equipage, horses, elephants, gold jewels, arms, and munitions of war fell into the hands of the royal troops; and all that was consi. dered suitable for the king's acceptance was collected by his officers, while the rest was left to the troops. The king then caused the head of Kishvar Khân to be paraded throughout his dominions on a spear, and the fame of this went abroad throughout all lands.
It is said that when Murtaza Nizam Shah reached the gate of the fortress he there saw a nosebag full of nails hung up. He asked what the reason of this was and was told that 'Ali' Adil Shâh had written to Kishvar Khân saying that since he had built the fortress of Dhârûr and had ravaged the country about it, he might return to Bijâpûr, but Kishvar Khân had replied that he would neither return nor turn back until he had captured Ahmad. nagar, whereupon 'Ali 'Adil Shah had sent him these nails with a message that the nails would be in the bag of him who returned without taking Ahmadnagar.
When 'Ali `Adil Shah heard that Murtaza Nizâm Shah was not in his capital, he set forth with Nur Khân, 'Ain-ul-Mulk and Zarif-ul-Mulk for Ahmadnagar with the intention of laying waste the country and levelling all the buildings and dwellings with the dust to avenge the death of Kishvar Khân. 1 74
When the king heard of this he sent Farhad Khan and Changiz Khân with other officers and a large army to oppose the invaders, sending with them most of the royal army from Dhârûr, while he himself remained for a short time in Dhârûr to restore the fortress, which he renamed Fathâbâd. He then appointed one of his officers to the command of the fortress and set out on his return journey.
Farhad Khân and Changiz Khân, with the rest of the amirs and the army, pressed on with all speed and came up with the enemy, and a fierce battle was fought, in which Changiz Khân displayed the greatest valour, and although he received several wounds he continued to fight until he had completely defeated the 'Adil Shâhî troops. Núr Khan Adil Shâhî was taken prisoner by the troops of Firûz Jang, and 'Ain-ul-Mulk and Zarif-ul-Mulk were killed. The 'Adil Shahỉ troops fought with great determination, but their efforts were of no avail, and when they saw that their officers were no longer at their head they fled from the field 175.
After this signal victory the royal army, taking Nur Khan and the head of 'Ain-ul. Mulk with them, rejoined the king and made their obeisance to him, and the amirs - who had taken part in the battle were honoured with robes of honour and other distinctions.
These two signal victories, obtainod in the same expedition, greatly strengthened the king and his administration of the state. After thus defeating his enemies the king returned in triumph to his capital.
(To be continued.)
1% Firishta (ii, 259) does not say that 'Ali Adil Shah himself accompanied the force under Ain-ul-Mulk, which consisted of ten or twelve thousand horse, and it is improbable that he did so. It was this force which captured Khondhåna (see note 171).
176. Ain-ul-Mulk, Ankas Kian, and Nur Khan had been ordered to relieve Dhårür, but they feared to meet Murtaza Nigam Shah in the field and sent Kiehvar Khân a message to the effect that they would create a diversion in the direction of Ahmadnagar, but the manouvre failed to draw Murtapa from before Dharur, and after the fall of that place he dealt with the relieving force in the manner here described. Changiz Khan had with him the contingents of Farhad Khan and Ikhla, Khan, numbering five or six thousand horse. He ordered these two amire to attack the enemy, and while the conflict was at its height appeared on the soene with forty elephante, 400 of the household troops, and green banners borne aloft. The Bija. puris, believing that Murtaçê was coming against them in person, broko and fled.
