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August, 1921] HISTORY OF THE NIZAM SHÅHÍ KINGS OF AHMADNAGAR
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THE HISTORY OF THE NIZAM SHAH KINGS OF AHMADNAGAR. BY LIEUT.-COLONEL T. W. HAIC, C.S.I., C.M.G., C.B.E.
(Continued from p. 210.) LXXVI.--AN ACCOUNT OF MURTAZĀ Nizim SHAH'S EXPEDITION, WITH IBRAHIM QUTB
SHAH, AGAINST 'ALI ADIL SHAH, AND OF THE CONCLUSION OF PEACE WITH MURTAZA NIZAM SHÃY BY 'ALI ADIL SHAH AND OF HIS REVENGE ON
IBRAHIM QUTB SHAH. As 'Ali Adil Shâh had repeatedly violated his treaties and broken the peace with Murta â Nizam Shah, Murtaza was constantly devising plans of revenge against him with a view to putting a stop to the strife caused by him. At this time Ibrahim Qutb Shâh sent an envoy to Ahmadnagar to ask pardon for his former acts of enmity against Murtaza Nizam Shah and to conclude a treaty of peace. It was also now reported to the king by the Khânkhanan, who was pishvá, that the fortress of Bijapur was falling into ruins, and that 'Ali Adil Shah was so careless and negligent that he was paying no heed to the business of repairing it. It was also said that the spirit of the army of Bijâpûr had been broken by the death of Kishvar Khân and other amirs, and the capture of Nûr Khân, all these amirs having been among the leading officers of the Bijâpûr kingdom. The Khânkhânân's advice was that this opportunity should not be missed, but that Murtaza Nizam Shah should march with Ibrâhîm Qutb Shâh against Bijâpâr, should break the power of 'Ali `Adil Shâh and thus free himself from anxiety, and should regain possession of Sholâpar and of the townships which had formerly belonged to Ahmadnagar.
The king granted the request of Ibrahim Qutb Shah and accepted the advice of his nobles. He then issued orders for the assembling of his army, and when the whole army was assem. bled at Ahmadnagar, he set out to wreak his vengeance on his enemies. Ibrâhîm Qutb Shâh also, agreeably to the treaty which had been made, marched at the same time from his capital with a large army, and the two kings with their armies met and encamped near Wåkdari.
When 'Ali `Adil Shâh heard of the offensive alliance between Murtaza Nizâm Shah and Ibrâhîm Qutb Shah, he was much perturbed and alarmed, and attributed the alliance to the advice of Sayyid Shah Abû-l-Hasan, son of the late Sayyid Shah Tâhir, who was at that time zakil of that kingdom (Bijâpûr). Ali 'Adil Shah used very violent language regarding Shah Abal-l-Hasan. Shâh Abû-l-Hasan was very much alarmed by what 'Ali `Adil Shah said and devoted all his attention to making peace. Sayyid Murtaza,176 who had formerly been in the service of Ahmadnagar and had fled and taken refuge with 'Ali `Adil Shah, owing to the fear of Khủnzah Humâyûn, was on most friendly and intimate terms with Shah Abd-1. Hasan, and, relying on the clemency and generosity of Murtaza Nizâm Shah, volunteered to go to the Ahmadnagar camp and do what he could to promote peace and compose the strife.
Accordingly he set out from Bijâpûr at dead of night and rode at such speed to the camp of Murtaza Nizâm Shâh that he covered the distance, which was three days' journey, before the morning. He then stabled his horse and, covering his head in a blanket, made his way towards the royal court. As he could not obtain admission on his own authority, he went
170 This was Sayyid Murtaza Sabzaväri who afterwards re-entered the service of Ahmadnagar, took a prominent part in the conquest of Berar, was appointed governor of that province and afterwards, being de eated in his attempt to overthrow the regent Salábat Khan, fled from the Dakan and entered the service of Akbar, and was employed by him in the campain against Ahmadnagar.
