Indian Antiquary Vol 51

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

Page 137

HISTORY OF THE NIZAM SHAHI KINGS OF AHMADNAGAR 129
The Bîjâpûrîs, on their side, repented of having released Shah Abu-i-Hasan and, having again imprisoned him,354 once more prepared for war. They employed a force of Bargis 256 who, for their valour and endurance, are known as the Uzbaks of Hindustan, to prevent supplies from reaching the besiegers, and thus caused a famine in the camp of the allies. The allies, reduced to great straits owing to the scarcity of food, took counsel as to the course to be followed and it was agreed that they should not confine themselves to the siege of Bîjâpûr, but should disperse and ravage the country 256.
XCI. AN ACCOUNT OF THE MARCH OF THE ALLIES FROM BEFORE BIJAPUR
WITH THE OBJECT OF PLUNDERING THE CROPS OF THE ADIL SHAHÎ KINGDOM AND DESTROYING ITS BUILDINGS.
All the amirs and the officers of the army agreed that the neighbourhood of Bîjâpûr should be abandoned, and they began operations by plundering and laying waste the suburb of Shahpûr which contained palaces and gardens full of fruit and flowers. Having levelled its palaces with the ground and uprooted all its fruit trees, the army marched, in the latter days of Muharram A.H. 988 (March A.D. 1580), 257 from Bîjâpûr through the Adil Shâhî kingdom, which was populous and well cultivated. As they went they plundered and ravaged, levelling huts of the poor and the palaces of rich with the ground, and destroying the crops, until they reached the city of Kalhar, which is one of the most famous cities of the Dakan for its populousness and its fine architecture. This city they plundered and burnt, obtaining such spoil that the whole army, both small and great, was made wealthy by the plunder of this city alone. When they had done with Kalhar, of which they left no stone standing on another, they marched towards Rai Bâgh Dihgirî a populous city noted for its fruits, and especially for its grapes. This place they so devastated that of the city no trace remained, and no remnant of its vines, which were all destroyed. Thence the army marched through the country plundering all, both rich and poor, and slaying all.
JUNE, 1922]
On this march the army plundered and destroyed all the cities, villages and forts, such as Miskiri, which lay on their way, and ravaged and wasted all the towns and districts, until they came to the fortress of Miraj. The garrison of Miraj was thrown into great confusion by the news of the approach of the allies, but as the fortress was exceedingly strong, a few of the bravest of the garrison, relying on its strength, came forth, and there was a fight between them and the advanced guard of the Nigâm Shâhî army. Owing, however, to the great strength of the fort, the allies did not tarry to besiege it, but marched on to besiege Naldrug.
254 This is a mistake. Shah Abul Hasan remained in power throughout the siege of Bijapur. 355 Marathas.
25 This is a very partial account of what happened. The allies, completely demoralized by their failure before Bîjâpår, and harassed by the Marathas, sued for peace, which Ibrahim Adil Shah refused to grant. They then agreed that Muḥammad Quli Qutb Shah snould march on Gulbarga, which was on the way to his own capital and attempt to reduce it, and that the army of Ahmadnagar should renew the siege of Naldrug. They left Bijapur depressed and humiliated by their failure, and Muhammad Quli Qutb Shah returned to Golconda, leaving a force under Sayyid Zainal Astarabadi, whom he entitled Mustafa Khan, to besiege Gulbarga. The army of Ahmadnagar according to Firishta did not venture within striking distance of Naldrug, but retired to Ahmadnagar by way of Kolhar and Miraj, plundering as it went. A force under Dilâvar Khan utterly defeated Sayyid Zainul at Gulbarga and captured from him 150 elephants.-F. ii, 103, 104.
257 This date is wrong. The siege of Bijapur was not raised until A.D. 1581.
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