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THE INDIAN ANTIQUARY
[ JAN., 1921
When Ibrahim Adil Shah heard that the army of Ahmadnagar had been assembled with the object of recapturing Sholkpár, he assembled his army and marched from Bijâpar to take the field.
Now, although 'Ali Barid Shah was professedly the faithful servant of Burhân Nizâm Shâh, he secretly inclined towards Ibrâhim 'Adil Shâh, with whom he maintained correspondence, and as will be seen, behaved with disgraceful treachery, which in the end brought about his downfall.
When Ibrahim Adil Shah with his army Approached Burhan Nigam Shâh's army. Ali Barid Shâh attempted to separate himself from Burhan Nizam Shah, and thus weaken his army; but he struck with his axe only his own leg. He sent his brother, Khan Jahân, to Burhån Nizâm Shah to say that the army of Bidar was weak, exhausted, and scattered, and to implore Burhân Nizâm Shâh to consider his own army and to make peace and to give him permission to return to Bidar in order that he might devote himself to the reorganization of his army and thus be ready to join the king whenever he should again set forth to war.
Bhopal Rai, who was one of the Brâhmans of 'Ali Barid Shâh, and had accompanied Khân Jahân on his mission was, by the guidance of his own good fortune, a well-wisher of Burhân Nizâm Shâh and used his influence to guide the negotiations into channels favouralle to Burhân Nizam Shah. He openly put to Khân Jahan this question, "When yon are content and at ease, are your enemies content and at ease or not ?" This apposite question attracted the king's attention to him, and the king, by means of judicious favours, induced the Brâhman to forsake 'Ali Barid Shah's service and enter his own, in which he was distinguished by the royal favour ; but at last he displayed the treachery and ingratitude which are inseparal.ly connected with infidels, and surrendered the fortress of Kaliyâni, of which he was kulwal, to the 'Adil Shâhi troops, as will be related in the history of the reign of Husain Nizam Shah.
Burhân Nizâm Shâh was well aware, from what Khân Jahân said, that 'Ali Barid Shah meditated treachery, and was very angry within himself, but; owing to the treaty which he had made, he refrained from openly taking vengeance on Khan Jahân, and gave him leave to depart. He then took counsel with Shâh Tâhir in the matter of 'Ali Barid Shah. Shah Tahir said that as 'Alt Barid Shâh was ever at variance with Ahmadnagar and constantly opposed the king and allied himself with his enemies, the wisest course was to put him out of the way now, while opportunity offered, as, if he escaped, he would not again be casily seized, but would gain power day by day and would become prouder than ever, for the only object which he had in view was independent sovereignty, to gain which he ever stirred up strife and caused much suffering to the land and its inhabitants.
While this discussion was in progress news was brought to the king that 'Ali Barid Shah had now thrown off all disguise and had caused the er voy of Dary& 'Imad Shah to be trampled to death by an elephant, and that Darya 'Imad Shah had drawn up his troops and was about to attack 'Ali Barid Shah. Burhan Ninhm Shah sent for Darya 'Imad Shah, and did his best to compose the strife, saying that 'Ali Barid Shah had been induced to join the army on the strength of his treaty with Ahmadnagar, which was & safe conduct to him, and that if the treaty were broken by the imprisonment of 'Ali Barid Shah, no one would henecforth place any trust in treaties entered into by Ahmadnagar. The king said that it was advisable to leave the faithless treaty-breaker, 'Alt Barid Shah, alone for the present, and then, having made peace with Ibrahim 'Adil Shah, to devote their whole attention to punishing 'All Barid Shah. Both Darya 'Imad Shah and Shah Tabir expressed admiration for the wisdom of the king's advice, and loyally accepted it.
