Shah proceeded on his way; but the Abyssinian called him coward, in refusing to dispute his title with the sword. Ibrahim warned him of his imprudence; but the Prince's mildness only added fury to the Abyssinian's anger, who proceeded to abuse him in grosser language. On this the Prince dismounted and drew: the Abyssinian rushed upon him; but the Prince's temper giving him the advantage, he killed his antagonist, whose brother, standing by, insisted on taking up the cause, and he also fell a victim to his temerity. On the death of Jumsheed Kootb Shah, the ministers at court placed his son, an infant of two years old, on the throne. The Deccan nobles crowded into the palace, and were clamorous for situations, and became so riotous, that Moostufa Khan, the prime minister, immediately wrote off to Ibrahim Kootb Shah to Beejanuggur, inviting him to court. On his arrival on the frontier, he was met by Moostufa Khan, whom he honoured with the office of Meer Joomla and a dress of honour, and was shortly after joined by Sulabut Khan with three thousand foreign cavalry, besides many other officers who now deserted the Deccanies and the infant King. Before the arrival of Ibrahim Kootb Shah at the capital of Golconda upwards of six thousand horse had joined him, which ensured his accession to the throne; an event that took place on the following day, without opposition, in consequence of the extreme popularity of his minister, Moostufa Khan, to whom he shortly afterwards A. H. 965. A. D. 1558. In the year 965, Ibrahim Kootb Shah, in concert with Hoossein Nizam Shah, marched against the Beejapoor territories, when it was agreed the latter should take Koolburga, and the former Etgeer. The allies accordingly proceeded, in the first place, to Koolburga; but when Ibrahim Kootb Shah contemplated the great power of Hoossein Nizam Shah he was unwilling to assist in aggrandising it; after a few days, therefore, he suddenly decamped to Golconda, and his ally, unable to cope singly with the Adil Shahy forces, retreated to Ahmudnuggur. At the period when the united forces of Ally Adil Shah and Ramraj moved against Hoossein Nizam Shah, those princes invited Ibrahim Kootb Shah to join them, to which he was induced from political motives. He was present at the siege of Ahmudnuggur by those monarchs; but after the fall of the place, according to custom, he suddenly broke up his army, without communicating with the allies, and leaving part of his camp standing, retreated to Golconda. After the war, Ibrahim Kootb Shah sent an envoy to Hoossein Nizam Shah, and begged an alliance with his daughter Beeby Jumally. The latter consented, on condition of Ibrahim Kootb Shah uniting his forces to dispossess Ally Adil Shah of the fort of Kulliany; and, con A. H. 971. A. D. 1564. sequently, in the year 971, the two monarchs marched from their respective capitals to reduce that fortress. On his arrival near Kulliany the nuptials between Beeby Jumally and the King of Golconda were A. H. 972. celebrated, after which they both laid siege to that place. Ally Adil Shah had in the mean time formed a strong confederacy with Ramraj, Toofal Khan, and Ameer Bereed, against the kings of Ahmudnuggur and Golconda: they thought it prudent to raise the siege, and retreat to their own capital. Ramraj and Ally Adil Shah pursued Hoossein Nizam Shah to Ahmudnuggur, devastating his country on the route; and on their return they encamped at the town of Orgy, on the Tulingana frontier, for nearly six months, during which they plundered part of Tulingana, and alarmed the whole kingdom, when Ibrahim Kootb Shah sent an envoy, and sued for peace. In the following year, 972, Ibrahim Kootb Shah, in conjunction with the other Mahomedan monarchs of the Deccan, marched against Ramraj, when that King was killed, and his territory occupied. On his return from that glorious campaign, the King's minister and brother-in-law, Moostufa Khan Ardustany, having left him at the town of Rachore, under pretence of going on a pilgrimage to Mecca, joined the camp of Ally Adil Shah. In the reign of Moortuza Nizam Shah some account is given of the conduct of his mother, Khonza Sooltana, who caused discontent, and created factions throughout the empire. Ally Adil Shah at this time deputed his famous general, Kishwur Khan Lary, to build a strong fort on the Beejapoor eastern frontier, which he called Dharoor, having conquered at the same time several towns of the Nizam Shahy government. was induced, from motives of self-preservation, to confine his mother in a fort; and he deputed Khan Khanan with a force to reduce Dharoor, at the same time inviting Ibrahim Kootb Shah to assist him; but before that monarch reached the place, it had fallen to the Nizam Shahy forces, and the allies marched on together into the Beejapoor territory. Ibrahim Kootb Shah, at this period, wrote a letter full of friendship to Ally Adil Shah, proposing terms of peace for himself alone. The latter sent his communication direct to Moortuza Nizam Shah, who, on discovering his treachery, sent a party of horse to attack his camp. Ibrahim Kootb Shah fled without opposition to Golconda, and lost one hundred and fifty elephants in his retreat, besides a number of his best officers and men. His son, Abdool Kadur, when he arrived on the frontier, begged of his father to permit him and some of his officers to lie in wait, and attack the rear of the enemy in their pursuit. The King, naturally jealous, supposing that the Prince intended to compass his death, and to effect his own elevation, confined him in a fort, and shortly afterwards ordered him to be poisoned. A. H. 989. Ibrahim Kootb Shah died suddenly, in the year 989, after a reign of thirtytwo years. MAHOMED KOOLLY KOOTB SHAH Proceeds towards Koolburga in support of an alliance formed with the King of Ahmudnuggur - returns to his capital, leaving one of his officers to conduct the campaign.- The King of Ahmudnuggur is attacked by the Regent of Beejapoor, and defeated, with the loss of one hundred and twenty elephants.— Mahomed Koolly Kootb Shah sends an embassy to Beejapoor espouses the sister of Ibrahim Adil Shah builds the city of Bhagnuggur, so called after his favourite mistress Bhagmutty. IBRAHIM KOOLLY KOOTB SHAH left three sons, the eldest of whom, Mahomed Koolly, succeeded to the throne at the age of twelve. He immediately married the daughter of Shah Nizam Isfahany, a syud of the Tubatibba tribe, who had long held the office of Ameer Joomla under the late King. At the Syud's instigation the King marched to co-operate with Syud Moortuza Subzwary, the general of Ahmudnuggur: the first object of their attack was Nuldoorg; but as the governor resisted a long siege, they resolved to march to Beejapoor; being equally unfortunate and unsuccessful there, the courtiers of Mahomed Koolly Kootb Shah represented that it was customary among the kings of the Deccan, if they went in person to war, to beg the aid of their allies, who themselves proceeded in person to their assistance, as had |