followers, compelled him to take flight. In the meantime, the Sultan with the main body of the army had retired, and Dilawar Khan was only able to join him after much difficulty. The Sultan now determined to shake himself free of Dilawar Khan, and for this purpose arranged with Amir-ulOomara, Eyn-ul-Mulk, to come over to his camp. This he did one night by stealth, whilst Dilawar Khan (who though more than eighty years of age was not past the pleasures of love) was engaged in amorous dalliance with a "beautiful virgin of Deccan, whom he had long sought after and just obtained." Next morning when too late, Dilawar Khan found that his royal captive had escaped, and at once proceeded to bring him back. He found the Sultan with Eyn-ul-Mulk's forces drawn up behind, and he at once told him that “marching by night was improper," and that he should therefore return The Sultan incensed at his insolence exclaimed: "Who will deliver me from this traitor?" Whereupon one Asout Khan spurred up to the Regent, and struck him with his sabre. The horse reared and threw Dilawar Khan, who, in the confusion that followed managed to escape, leaving his son, Khan, behind, who was taken and put to death. Ibrahim Shah was now for the first time really independent, and news arriving that Boorahan Shah had defeated Jamal Khan, and taken possession of Ahmednagar, he sent him letters of congratulation, and retired to Bijapur. In the meantime Dilawar Khan had taken refuge with Boorahan Nizam Shah, who, forgetful of the assistance given by the Sultan of Bijapur, employed him to reduce the fort of Sholapur, which for so long had been the subject of contention between the two kingdoms. This led to another war, and the Ahmednagar troops took the initiative, and headed by the traitor Dilawar Khan, marched upon Bijapur. Ibrahim Adil Shah pretended to take no notice of this invasion, and allowed the enemy to advance as far as the river Bhimah, pretending in the meantime to give himself up to pleasure. In this way Dilawar Khan was misled into thinking that Ibrahim was too weak to oppose him, and when messengers came from his late master offering to take him back into his service, he at once consented, hoping in this way to be restored to his former absolute power. Ibrahim received his former Minister in his capital, but soon disillusioned him by ordering him to be blinded. Dilawar Khan in vain represented that he had come to court solely on his Majesty's assurance of pardon and safety. The Sultan told him that he had only promised him life and property, and that depriving him of sight could effect neither. Accordingly, he was blinded and sent to the fortress of Satara, where he remained a prisoner until he died. Ferishta was an eyewitness of these proceedings, of which he gives a graphic account, the side he was on being that of the Sultan of Bijapur. Ibrahim Shah having thus rid himself of his rebellious subject, at once marched against the invaders. Boorahan Shah was compelled to retreat, and dissensions breaking out in his camp, was only too glad to sue for peace. This was granted after some delay, on condition that he razed the fortress he had built on the banks of the Bhimah. To this the Sultan had to consent, and, after with his own hands pulling down the first stone, he marched back to Ahmednagar in disgust, "heartily repenting of his unprovoked invasion of the territories of Ibrahim Adil Shah.” Peace being restored at home, Ibrahim Shah turned again to the reduction of the Malabar Rajahs, whom Bulleel Khan had left only partially subdued. The duty was entrusted to Munjum Khan (1593), who succeeded so well that in a short time he had taken the fort of Mysore, which was then in possession of Vencatadri Naick, the brother's son of the late Rama Rajah of Vijayanagar, when he was recalled by news of a fresh rebellion. It will be remembered that the late Sultan Ali Adil Shah, the husband of Queen Chand, had left no sons but two nephews, the eldest of whom, Ibrahim, succeeded him. The younger of these two, Ismael, was appointed to the Government of Belgaum, where, however, he was kept in a kind of honourable confinement. This restraint becoming irksome, the young prince, having associated several noblemen with him, suddenly seized the fort and proclaimed his independence (Ramzan 9th, 1593). A general revolt now occurred, and for a time it seemed as if Ibrahim would be crushed by his enemies. The old nobleman, Eyn-ul-Mulk, disgusted, probably that he was allowed so little share in the Government, secretly favoured Ismael, under whom he hoped to enjoy more power. Boorahan Nizam Shah, anxious to revenge his former humiliation, also marched an army to assist the pretender, and the noblemen generally espoused his cause. The Hindoo Rajahs also broke into revolt, and the Portuguese, anxious for some excuse to interfere, promised to send a reinforcement to Ismael. But the young Sultan Ibrahim managed to extricate himself from his awkward dilemma with considerable skill. He had an able and courageous adviser in his aunt, Queen Chand, and he resolved to strike the rebels singly before they could effect a junction. Hummeed Khan was despatched with a force to meet Eyn-ul-Mulk, who had now openly joined the young prince at Belgaum. Hummeed Khan pretended to favour the rebellion, and, thus misled, Eyn-ul-Mulk left the protection which the walls of Belgaum afforded, and advanced towards Hummeed Khan without waiting for Boorahan Shah, who was only a few marches distant. He probably thought it more advisable to bring the rebellion to a successful issue by the help of Hummeed Khan, than to be under obligations to the rival King of Ahmednagar. But he was deceived. Preparations were made to receive the supposed rebel Hummeed Khan in a splendid pavilion which was pitched for the |