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230
THE INDIAN ANTIQUARY
[ AUGUST, 1921
to the Khânkhânân's tent. The Khânkhânån asked him why he lud come, but he replied that he would give no account of his mission until the Khân khânân took him into the royal presence. The Khânkhânân thus found himself obliged to report Sayyid Murtaza's arrival and his refusal to declare its object except in the king's presence. A chamberlain then came and escorted him to the royal presence, and when he arrived before the king he made a low obeisance and remained for a long time with his head on the ground. The courtiers told him to raise his head, but he paid no heed to them and remained as he was until the king deigned to ask him why he had come. He then raised his head and began by uttering an encomium on the king and praying for his long life and prosperity. He then proceeded to state the object of his mission and said that Shah Tâhir's long and faithful service to Ahmadnagar was known to all and that his eldest son and successor had also rendered faithful service to the kingdom of Ahmadnagar and was now like to suffer death on account of his loyal devotion to Ahmadnagar. He then explained that 'All 'Adil Shah attributed the invasion of Bijapûr by Murtaza Nizâm Shah and Ibrahîm Qutb Shah to the advice of Shah Abu-l-Hasan, and that if Murtaza Nizam Shah persisted in the expedition and marched on to Bijâpûr, it could hardly be doubted that Shah Abû-l-Hasan would be put to death. He also said that if the king would give Shah Abd-l-Hasan a safe conduct he would visit him. The king replied that if Shah Abd-l-Hasan would visit him be would be guided by his advice.
When Sayyid Murtaza obtained this answer, which was entirely in accordance with his hopes, and was thus encouraged to hope for better things, he at once took his leave and has tened back with all speed to Bijapur to tell Abu-l-Hasan how he had fared. Shah Abd-lWasan was much relieved. He sent a rich pishkash consisting of money, goods, horses, and jewels to Murtaza Nizam Shah, who hononred him by accepting it. The nobles who had taken the field with the king, and especially the Khân Khânån, also sent rich presents to the king, and Shah Abd-l-Hasan made great efforts to induce the Khânkhânån to join him in advising the king to stop the war. These efforts were effectual, and the Khånkhanan and the other nobles reminded the king that Ibrahim Qutb Shah had beon a determined stirrer up of strife and breaker of treaties 177 and that his past treacherous conduct, especially in the Affair of Sangamner, was well known. They represented that now that Ibråhim Qutb Shah was in the king's power, having himself walked into the snare, the king had an excellent opportunity of avenging himself on him for his past misconduct and of taking from him, without difficulty, the large number of horses and elephants which was one of the chief gources of his pride and power. Such an opportunity they said, might ne ver occur again and was not to be neglected, as the king, after humbling Ibrâhîm Qutb Shah, could easily reduce the fortresses of Kaulas and Udgir, which were among the largest and strongest fortresses in those regions, and thus inflict on Ibrâhîm Qutb Shâh one punishment after Another and display to the whole world the results of bad faith and breach of treaties.
Thus the king, by the advice of the Khånkhánån, granted Shah Abo-l-Hasan's requests and set himself to take revenge on Ibrâhîm Qutb Shah. Accordingly he commanded that his army should surround the camp of Ibrâhîm Qutb Shah and plunder and slay. The next nrorning, when the sun rose, the army of Ahmadnagar attacked Ibråhim Qutb Shah's camp from every side, pouring showers of arrows into it and attacking their late allies with the sword.
177 According to Firishta (ii, 260) 'Ali 'Adil Shah had received from Ibrahim Qutb Shah a sympathetio lottor, which Shah Abd-l-Hasan showed to Murtar Ni. Am Shah.
