Indian Antiquary Vol 52

Author(s): Richard Carnac Temple, Stephen Meredyth Edwardes, Krishnaswami Aiyangar
Publisher: Swati Publications

Page 361

NOVEMBER, 1923] HISTORY OF THE NIZAM SHAHI KINGS OF AHMADNAGAR
than by being slain for his benefactors, by this means obtaining an everlasting good name. I have heard that the emperor Akbar claims to be a god,391 and I now see that his amirs claim to be prophets. It was doubtless last night that inspiration descended on you that this country should be conquered by you. Is God most High, forsooth, neither art nor part in this matter that you issue the decisive decree that you will take this fort within the next few days? It is possible that, in accordance with the holy verse, 'How oft, by God's permission, hath a small host vanquished a numerous host!' 39 He will help the men of this country and turn you back unsuccessful from before this fortress. It is, moreover, evident to you that the people of this country have lived and live in enmity with Foreigners. I am a well-wisher of the emperor, and I consider it to be his benefit to withdraw the prince's great amirs from the neighbourhood of this fort, lest such a disaster as cannot be remedied befall them. The fort contains a large number of brave and fierce warriors who, if they fall, will be martyrs, and who, if they prevail, will be warriors in God's way. How can I command them to submit to you? The army of the Dakan is on the point of arriving, and you will then be surrounded and, after heavy losses and much hardship and toil, you will only with the utmost difficulty be able to retreat, and you will not be safe or at peace until you reach the presence of the emperor. What I now say will certainly be
reported to the emperor."
345
Mir Muḥammad Zaman also spoke well-weighed, manly, sober, and sincere words in that meeting place and silenced the enemy.
Some days were spent in such discussions as these and peace seemed to be far off when news of the approach of the army of the Dakan was repeatedly circulated through the Mughul camp. Spies reported that 70,000 good horse, with elephants and a strong force of artillery, were marching towards them stage by stage. The Mughul amirs now thought it high time to drop the fruitless discussions about Daulatâbâd and contented themselves with the province of Berar, on the basis of the cession of which peace was concluded.
On Tuesday, Rajab 23 (March 23, A.D. 1596) 393 the gates of war were closed and peaceful communications were opened between the two armies.
As the stores in the fort had now been entirely consumed the defenders were reduced to great straits, and while Afzal Khân was in the Mughul camp, they wrote to him imploring him to hasten, by all the means in his power, the conclusion of peace, and saying that they could not hold out for a day longer and that most of the garrison had, owing to the failure of the supplies, decided to let themselves down over the walls and flee to the Mughul camp. Afzal Khan therefore agreed with the Mughul amirs that Sayyid Murtaza and Qazi Ḥasan should be sent to the fortress to conclude the terms of peace and they, on arriving in the fortress, were favourably received by Chand Bibi Sultan and received marks of her royal favour. Terms of peace were soon agreed upon, the great officers of state in Ahmadnagar consenting, in view of the exigencies of the time, to the cession of Berar, and the treaty of peace and friendship was signed. 'Umdat-ul-Mulk Muhammad Khân Miyân Muntakhab, who had once more with his sword established his title to royal favour, and several great officers
381 This taunt, levelled at Akbar's theological vagaries, probably hit the orthodox amtras hard.
Qur'an ii, 250.
393 Firishta seems to agree in this date, for he says that the imperial army retreated early in April 1598 (F. ii, 318). According to the Akbarnama peace was concluded on March 2, but this does not appear to be probable.
كم من مكة كاملة قابت مكة كبيرة باذن الله 105