Book Title: Indian Antiquary Vol 50
Author(s): Richard Carnac Temple, Devadatta Ramkrishna Bhandarkar
Publisher: Swati Publications
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MAROH, 1921) HISTORY OF THE NIZAM SHAHI KINGS OF AHMADNAGAR
75
guard under one of the most experienced amars, and the whole army followed this advanced guard by forced marches.
When Makhdům Khvaja Jahận heard of the approach of the royal army, he came forth from his fortress with his army, and, having taken up & defensible position, sent his spies into the royal camp in order that he might be informed of the king's movements; but, on hearing at midnight, that the royal army was near him, he fled with the speed of lightning into the fort of Parenda, and then, after having taken an affecting farewell of his family and having appointed one of his relations to the command of the fort, continued his flight and took refuge with Ibrahim 'Adil Shah.
The advanced guard of the royal army arrived at Parenda just after Makhdam Khvája Jahân had left it, and at once proceeded to besiege the fortress. At sunrise the main body of the royal army arrived and encamped before the fortress. The king then ordered that the balistae should be mounted and that the trenches and breastworks should be constructed; and the fort was attacked with great determination. The garrison, relying on the great strength of the fortress, defended it bravely, and the fighting throughout the day was very fierce. The next day the royal troops again attacked the fortress, while the garrison lined the walls to defend it. This continued for some days and there was still no sign of the resolution of the defenders giving way. The king then ordered the heavy guns to be brought up to the edge of the ditch, in order that they might pound the walls from there. The walls were thus soon breached and the royal army poured in through the breaches and slew many of the garrison. The remainder then surrendered and the king granted them their lives and the lives of their wives and families, and ordered that their property should not be plundered.
The king, having captured the fortress, appointed one of his officers commandant, and ordered that its breaches should be repaired. Thus in a short time Parenda became stronger than ever it had been before. The king then returned to Ahmadnagar and, reaching the capital, bestowed large gifts on the holy men and Sayyids of the city. LVIII.-AN ACCOUNT OF THE DISPATCH OF SOME OF THE AMÎRS TO BERAR IN ORDER TO
PUT DOWN THE TRAITOR TUFAL KHÂN. 127 Tufal Khân was a base fellow of the kingdom of Berar who had, by some strange freak of fortune, acquired the confidence of (Darya) 'Imad Shah and had attained to the position of Amir-ul-Umara, nay vakil and pishva, and thus held all power in the state. When he found that the whole kingdom, the army, and the people were subservient to him, he was filled with pride and meditated rebellion and treachery, desiring to obtain the kingdom of his master and benefactor for himself. He went so far as openly to oppose and defy Daryâ 'Imad Shah, who, finding himself unable to cope with the rebel, sought help from Husain Nizam Shah, and Husain, who was ever ready to suppress rebellion and was specially inclined to crush this particular rebel, sent an army under somo of the amits, Farhad Khân, Ranghår Khân, Miyân Salâr, Daulat Khân, and others, to Berar, for this purpose.
When Tufal Khan heard of the approach of this army, he was overcome with terror and fled before it. The amfro pursued him and allowed him no rest in any place in Berar until at length he fled in fear to Burhanpär. When Darya 'Imad Shah was thus
197 Firishta doos not mention this expedition.
