Indian Antiquary Vol 50

Author(s): Richard Carnac Temple, Devadatta Ramkrishna Bhandarkar
Publisher: Swati Publications

Page 89

MARCH, 1921)
HISTORY OF THE NIZAM SHAH KINGS OF AHMADNAGAR
79
however, was the only way to the fortress, the troops rushed up the narrow cleft, only to be met with showers of rooks and stones which were heaved over the wall of the fort. Many were killed by these stones and by the arrows shot by the infidels from the fortress. Husain Nizâm Shah bethought himself of his artillery, which he considered, might be of some use against this fortress, as the defences above the cleft might be breached and destroyed by guns. He therefore sent for his artillery and caused the guns to be laid on the bastions above the cleft, which was the one vulnerable spot in the defences. The guns played on the bastion until it was breached and destroyed, and the defenders, when they saw that the bastion on which all their hopes depended, was destroyed and that a way into the fort was now open, saw that submission to the king was the only thing left for them. They were granted their lives, liberty, and property. The king then made one of his officers commandant of the fort and marched thence to take vengeance on the infidels of Galna. Having enoamped before Gâlpa, which is an exceedingly strong fortress built of dressed stones, he laid siege to it. The garrison of Galna, who had seen how Antür had fallen after the guns had been brought against it, were alarmed when the fort was surrounded by the royal army, and sent a messenger to Bahârjiya, who was the governor of that fort and of the mountainous district around it, to say that the royal army had arrived before the fort and was besieging it, and that as they despaired of being able to hold the fort, they were of opinion that their best course was to make their submission to the king. As Baharji saw nothing for it but to meke his submission, he sent an envoy tothe king with valuable gifts of merchandise, rich stuffs, jewels, and horses, and completely humbled himself. When the envoy arrived and, by means of the amérs, was admitted to an audience, he presented the tribute sent by Bahârjt, and immediately afterwards the garrison of Gâlna came forth, made their submission and presented the keys of the fortress to the king. Both the envoy and the garrison were favourably received and honourably entreated, and the king the appointed one of his officers coinmandant of the fort, with orders to see to the necessary repairs, to hold the fort securely, and to treat the inhabitants of the district well. The king then returned to his capital.
In the third year of usain Nizâm Shah's reign (A.H. 963-A.D. 1555-56) the royal army did not leave the capital and the year was spent by the king in ease and enjoyment. By the royal command founders broke up the guns named Shah Qal'ah Kusha, and Qal'ah Shikan 133 and made from them the gun named Husain Shahr.
At this time the misguided Saif 'Ain-ul-Mulk, who had deserted Abmadpagar for Btjapar and had ever since dode his utmost to stir up strife between the kingdoms, sent a messenger to court to signify his desire of making his obeisance and submitting once moroto the Sultan of A madnagar and to ask for & safe conduct in order that he might travel without anxiety to Ahmadnagar to do homage, for by this time the friendship between him and 'Ibråhim 'Adil Shah had been changed to enmity and he could find no resting place in the kingdom of Bijâpůr, as has already been mentioned.
Husain Nizam Shah sent some of his trusted officers with a safe conduct to summon Saif 'Ain-ul-Mulk to court, for he conceived this to be the polioy best suited to the time. Husain Nizam Shah now heard that the people of Gujarat had sent letters to Saif 'Ain-ulMalk, offering him the throne of that kingdom, as Sultan Mahmad,134 who had been king of Gujarat, had died and had left no undoubted heir to succeed him on the throne. Since
19 "The royal fort, opener," and "the fort breaker."
18 I have not been able to discover elnowhere any mention of an offer of the throne of Gujarat to sait 'Ain-ul-Mulk, and it is improbable that it was made.