Page images
PDF
EPUB

Stung by this daring escapade, the Bieder Sultan removed the General in command of his army, and appointed in his place Jehangir Khan, the Governor of Telingana, who had a considerable reputation for bravery and ability. Ahmed Shah, vastly outnumbered, now retired into the hills of the Konkan, whither he was followed by Jehangir Khan, who for a space of a month blockaded him. On the rains setting in, Jehangir Khan, thinking himself safe, relaxed a good deal of his discipline, with the result that one night Ahmed Shah surprised his camp and finding the army in a state of intoxication, put the whole, including the General, to the sword. On the site where this victory was won, Ahmed Shah laid out a garden and built a magnificent palace, which he called Bagh Nizam. This was in 1489, and from this date, acting under the advice of Adil Shah, of Bijapur, whose policy it was to weaken the power of Bieder as much as possible, he commenced reading the Khutba in his own name, and assumed the White Umbrella as a sign of royalty. This assertion of independence, however, offended some of his nobles, whereupon the Sultan replied that he had assumed the umbrella, not as a sign of royalty, but in order to shelter himself from the sun. The nobles then withdrew their objection on condition that he would allow his subjects to do the same. "As he could not well refuse," says Ferishta, "permission was given; and from that time to this, in his country the King and the beggar carry it over their heads; but to distinguish the Sultan from his subjects, the royal umbrella has a piece of red upon it, while the others are all white. This custom spread throughout all Deccan, contrary to that in the Moghul Empire, where no one but the sovereign dare use an umbrella." *

In 1493 Ahmed Shah resolved upon the reduction of Dowlatabad, which for some time had been in possession of

* Scott translating Ferishta in 1794 adds a note to this effect: "This is the case at present, except in the English dominions,"

two brothers, to one of whom, Malick Wojah, his sister, was married. On a child being born, the other brother Malick Ashruff, afraid that he would be removed, assassinated both brother and nephew, in consequence of which the wife sought the protection of her brother Ahmed Shah. The Sultan thereupon advanced to besiege Dowlatabad, but on his way gave assistance to Cassim Bereed at Bieder, who was then besieged by Adil Shah. The policy of the Deccan Kings was to maintain the balance of power, and so we continually find them taking first one side and then the other, so as to prevent any of their rivals from becoming too powerful. After raising the siege of Bieder, Ahmed Shah advanced upon Dowlatabad, but found it too strong to be taken by assault. Accordingly he resolved to build himself a city nearer the fort, and by continuing a constant state of siege, and by devastating the country around, to compel the garrison to capitulate. This led to the building of a city about half way between Juna and Dowlatabad, situated on the banks of the River Seer. This city is said to have been completed in two years' time, when, according to Ferishta, it "rivalled in splendour Bagdad and Cairo." Calling it after his own name, the new City was called Ahmednagar. From this time the siege of Dowlatabad continued for more than seven years, interrupted occasionally by other small undertakings, and the fort was not finally taken until 1449 or 1500, when, upon the death of Malick Ashruff, the keys were surrendered to Ahmed Shah. From this time Dowlatabad continued in the possession of the Ahmednagar Kings. The remainder of Ahmed Shah's reign was a comparatively peaceful one, and he employed it in improving the condition of the country. In 1508 he died, leaving a son seven years of age, to whom he made his nobles take an oath of allegiance.

Ahmed Shah has left a reputation not only for singular ability, but also for great virtue and self-control. It is related

of him that when he rode through the city "he Character. never looked to the right or the left, lest his eyes might fall upon another man's wife." Upon one occasion when a young man, he had captured the fort of Kawcel, and among the captives was a young lady of extraordinary beauty with whom he fell desperately in love. Upon being told, however, that she had a husband who was also a prisoner, he not only restored her to him unmolested, but dismissed them both with valuable presents. Towards his officers he was generous and forgiving. Instead of dismissing a man after failure, he stimulated him to further efforts, giving him another chance to retrieve his character, and in this way enjoyed the strong attachment of all his nobles. Ferishta says that the custom of duelling was introduced by this Sultan, who, when young men came before him with mutual complaints, ordered them to fight the quarrel out in his presence, deciding in favour of the one who first wounded his adversary. In consequence of this encouragement, a crowd of young men attended the hall of audience each day, hoping to win fame and distinction in the Sultan's presence, until at last matters came to such a pass that every day two or three combatants were killed. At length the Sultan, disgusted at so much slaughter, ordered that all such combats should take place, not in his presence, but on a plain outside the city. Regulations for such duels were laid down, bystanders and relations were not allowed to interfere, and all blood feuds in consequence of the death of one of the combatants was strictly prohibited. This custom of duelling found great favour in the Deccan, and spread throughout the country where all noblemen were especially skilled in the use of the sword. Ferishta speaks of having been an eyewitness to such a duel in which six grey-bearded men were killed in the streets of Bijapur. He speaks of the custom as an "abominable" one, and trusts that under "the auspices of wise and just

princes, it may be altogether done away with, so that this country resembling paradise may be purified from such abomination."

It is now time to revert to Bijapur, where about the same time the first King, Yusuf Adil Shah had died, also leaving a minor son, whose fortunes we will for the present follow.

[graphic][merged small]
[merged small][merged small][merged small][graphic][subsumed][merged small]

been about 13 or 14 years old. The late King on his deathbed had appointed one of his most trusted nobles as Ismael's Guardian and Regent, and had made the other Amras swear to obey him. For some time Kamil Khan-for this was the Regent's name-governed well and wisely. He lived on terms of friendship with the other Mahomedan Kings, and appears to have gained considerable popularity amongst the nobles as well as the people. The Portuguese were confirmed in the possession of Goa, and a treaty was drawn up with them, which was faithfully observed on both sides. As times went on, however,

« PreviousContinue »