disaffection, detached a force to plunder and make night-attacks on the Mahomedans of Cossimcota; who, unprepared for resistance, were at first surprised; but they eventually succeeded in repelling the enemy; and the Hindoos spread themselves in all quarters, and laid waste the country. News of this sudden revolt reaching court, Chungiz Khan and D'hurmarow, two officers of distinguished gallantry and ability, were directed to proceed and reinforce Syud Hussun in Cossimcota. Veij Nat Dew, instead of marching boldly to oppose the Mahomedans, took post in his capital, and his country became a prey to their ravages. Kishtum Raj, nephew of Veij Nat Dew, being offended with his uncle's conduct towards him, fled for protection into the Mahomedan camp, where he was honourably received; and as this young man was popular in his uncle's army, many of the officers of Veij Nat Dew came over and joined him. Shortly after this, Veij Nat Dew being old, and deserted by most of his courtiers and soldiers, was taken seriously ill, and died. On the occurrence of this event, Chungiz Khan and D'hurmarow marched with the army towards his capital, whilst the latter wrote to the representatives of the late raja, requiring them to pay the tribute, or that the country would be laid in ashes. They replied by saying, that Veij Nat Dew had left no sons fit to succeed him, and that the hopes of the country rested on Kishtum Raj, who was now with the Mahomedan army; that, therefore, if he were sent to the capital, they would agree to pay the usual tribute in his name. Accordingly a treaty was entered into with Kishtum Raj as the successor of Veij Nat Dew, who consented to pay the same tribute as Bhaybulundur, and to present on the occasion of his installation three lacks of hoons*, and three hundred elephants, besides jewels. D'hurmarow, satisfied with the professions of Kishtum Raj, gave him a suit of armour from the royal armoury, and some horses and other articles of state, and sent him with a suitable escort to the capital of his new kingdom. He was joyfully received by the courtiers and by his army, and immediately sent 150,000 hoons† and one hundred and fifty elephants, in part-payment of the stipulated amount, for the King; but instead of endeavouring to make up the remainder of the sum, he was so infatuated as to follow the advice of some of his friends, and to attack the country of the Mahomedans. The King, on hearing of the young raja's ingratitude, directed the army, under Chungiz Khan, to march, and build a strong fort as a depôt, in the neighbourhood of his capital; which being carried into effect, distressed the Hindoos, as it gave the Mahomedans opportunities of attacking them every moment. In a very short time afterwards, Kishtum Raj was compelled to pay the remainder of the stipulated sum for his installation, and also the annual tribute, as had been originally agreed upon. A. H. 1019. In the year 1019, news arrived that Purtab Saf, the Raja of Bustar, had plundered some of the King's subjects on the borders of his country, and that he was A. D. 1610. * 120,000l. † 60,000l. A Goand chief. daily gaining strength, and making partial incursions into the Kootb Shahy dominions. Asyrow, an officer of ability, with several others, were detached to attack and reduce him. In the first instance Asyrow was opposed by Purtab Sa in person, who was defeated, but fled into almost impenetrable woods. The King's troops pursued the enemy as far as they could, and occupied some of the villages and small towns in that country, but were unable to besiege with success the fortress of Bustar, situated in the midst of thick forests. The army was accordingly encamped on an open spot, and Asyrow wrote to the capital for instructions. The King immediately directed his prime minister, Meer Mahomed Ameen, to march, at the head of all the disposable troops at the capital, and conquer the country of Bustar. Purtab Sa, unable to cope with the Mahomedans in the field, fled before them from place to place. Meer Mahomed Ameen proceeded into the interior until he arrived in the neighbourhood of Mulangoor and Mundlere, at which places he built strong forts; and having marched for a whole month he reached the capital of Bustar, to which place the arms of Islam had never before penetrated. Purtab Sa called together all the neighbouring rajas to resist the attack; but a sudden fall of heavy rain coming on spoiled great part of the powder and this event, together with the circumstances of a dearth of provisions and the distance of the Mahomedan army from the capital, combined to induce Meer Mahomed Ameen to retreat. This object was effected with great difficulty as far as the banks of a con siderable river on the frontier, where he encamped: thence he wrote to court for fresh orders; and the King directed Mullik Birlas, with five thousand musketeers and rocketers, to march to his assist ance. Zeekad 17. Dec. 17. Shortly after this, on Saturday the 17th of Zeekad, A. H. 1020, Mahomed Koolly Kootb Shah, having been taken suddenly ill, died, after an indisposition of only two days. The Deccanies assembling at the palace commenced to attack the foreigners who were maintained about the King's person; but the mob was dispersed by the kotwal of the city, who called the rioters away to the coronation of the young king. Mahomed Koolly Kootb Shah died in the 49th year of his age, after reigning nearly thirty-four years. Among the public works executed by his orders are the following, in the vicinity of Hydrabad: 1. The palace and gardens of the Ilahy Mahal. 2. The Mahomedy gardens. 3. The palace of Nubat-Ghat. 4. The palace of Kooh-toor. 5. The palace of the Nuddy Mahal. 6. The alms-house, entitled Lungur of the twelve Imams. 7. The Jooma musjid. 8. The college. 9. The private mosque. 10. The public hospital. Besides these were many other mosques, baths, and public seminaries. On reference to the ac counts of Meer Aboo Talib, the King's private treasurer, it appears that seventy-eight lacks of hoons (2,800,000l. sterling) were expended in the construction of public works during the lifetime of Mahomed Koolly Kootb Shah. A sum of sixty thousand hoons, (24,000l.) was distributed annually to the poor; of which twelve thousand hoons (4800%) were given in charity during the month of Mohurrum alone. |