Indian Antiquary Vol 52

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

Page 362

346
THE INDIAN ANTIQUARY
NOVEMBER, 1993
of state in Ahmadnagar were sent to the prince, Shah Murad, to conclude the treaty there, and were kindly and favourably received, & robe of honour being conferred on Muhammad Khân. Peace having been thus happily restored, the affairs of the kingdom soon righted themselves, Sand Muhammad Khan, Changiz Khân, and the rest of the amirs and officers returned joyfully from the prince's camp to the fortress, where they were most favourably received by Chånd Bibi Sultan, who approved of all their exertions on behalf of the faith and the state. The Mughul army now raised the siege and withdrew from before the fortress, while the garrison, which had been reduced to great straits for want of food, came forth and purchased corn from the Mughuls, who had amassed great store of grain during the continuance of the siege. In two or three days' time the garrison had collected such store or corn that if the peace could have been broken and the state of siege 'restored, they would have had no anxiety.
When the news of the approach of the army of the Dakan, which was marching from the hill country and the district of Mânikdân, reached the Mughul army, the army of the Dakan was within five gdú of Ahmadnagar.
At first Shah Murad decided to fight them and, on the night of Rajab 27 (March 27, A.D. 1596), marched one stage from Ahmadnagar in their direction, but he then changed his mind and retreated, marching towards the ghat of Jeûr. Thence he marched towards Daulatbâd and, passing by Daulatâbâd, marched towards Hasápur and Berar?
When the news of the departure of the Mughul army reached the amirs and officers of the army of the Dakan, they advanced to Ahmadnagar and encamped in the village of Påtūri. Ikhlas Khân and most of the Nizâm Shâhî amirs sent petitions expressing their submission and obedience to Chånd Bibi Sultân and asked for assurances of forgiveness. These were issued to the amirs and officers of the army and they all received marks of the royal favour and enoouraging bonours. Ikhlas Khan and the rest of the African amirs then separated themselves from the 'Adil Shâh army and encamped in the garden of the 'Ibadat-Khina in the suburbs of the city and sent a messenger to ask that they might be admitted to an audience. A royal farman was issued, admitting them to an audienoe, and Ikhlâs with his son and his brothers, 'Aziz-ul-Mulk with his brothers, Malik Khân, Khudâ vand Khân, Hamid Khân with his sons, Farhad Khân, and Dalpat Rai were admitted at court and had the honour of paying their respects there, and received robes of honour and rich gifts.
As Miran Shah 'Ali was in the hands of the Africans and all the Africans had wished to raise him to the throne, now that the African amirs paid their respects to Chând Bibi, he became alarmed and fled for safety to the 'Adil Shahi army, where he remained under the protoction of Suhail Khan. A body which had been sent from the army of the Dakan in pursuit of Miran Shâh 'Ali failed to come up with him, but plundered his tents and camp equipag and all his property, and then returned.