CHAPTER 3—THE NIZAMSHAHI OF AHMADNAGAR
BACKGROUND.
THE ECLIPSE OF MAHMUD GAVAN FROM THE POLITICAL SCENE OF THE DECCAN and the death of
Sultan Muhammad Sah Bahamani in 1482 had created confusion in the Bahamani capital of Bidar.
The provincial governors now began to visualise the prospects of becoming independent. However,
none of them had reached that state of political preparedness which would have enabled him to
take such a step. At the time of the death of Muhammad Sah most of the newcomers and the
respectable from among the oldcomers were absent from the capital. Malik Naib Bahri who was
appointed to succeed Mahmud Gavan, now placed on the throne Mahmud, the son of Muhammad
Sah, after consultations with Qasim Barid-ul-Mamalik and Qivam-ul-Mulk the younger. The latter
was the governor of Warangal. At this time Yusuf Adili who was away on an expedition to Goa
returned to Bidar with full force to pay respects to the new Sultan. He remained completely
indifferent to the advances made by Malik Naib. He demanded the distribution of the offices of the
state. When the nobles met in assembly under the new scheme of redistribution Malik Naib retained
the prime ministership. Qivam-ul-Mulk, the elder, became minister, Qivam-ul-Mulk the younger,
master of ceremonies and Dilavar Khan, the African, assistant minister of finance. In the meanwhile
Fathullah Imad-ul-Mulk also arrived in the capital from Berar. Malik Naib now arranged for the
review of the troops of Bijapur and Berar by the Sultan. At the same time he gave secret orders to
the Deccani troops to fall upon the foreigners. At the time of the review the young Sultan, tutored by
Malik Naib, repeated the instructions of Malik Naib to the Deccanis about the attack on the
foreigners. The Deccanis executed the orders and fighting broke out between the two parties. The
fighting continued for twenty days, during which hundreds fell dead on both sides. Ultimately Yusuf
Adil withdrew from the city and retired to his province of Bijapur. For the next four years Malik Naib,
Fathullah Imad-ul-Mulk, and Qasim Band now appointed the Kotval of Bidar, carried on the
administration. However, Imad-ul-Mulk soon got disgusted with the intrigues in the Court and left for
his province of Berar. Malik Naib now became supreme. He appointed two deputies at Daulatabad
to represent his son Ahmad, extracting from them promises of loyalty to Ahmad1
1 It will be interesting to know the antecedants of Mullik Ahmed as given by Ferishta. They are
as under :—
Ahmud Nizam Shah was the son of Mullik Naib Nizam-ool-Moolk Bheiry, originally a bramin of
Beejanuggur, whose realname was Timapa, the son of Bheiroo.
72 MAHARASHTRA STATE GAZETTEER
He also put Fakhruddin in charge of Solapur and Parenda whom he created Khvaja-i-Jahan. He
then sent his son Ahmad to take charge of Junnar. The provincial governors and varipus officers of
the kingdom now realised that Sultan Mahmud was powerless and Malik Naib had usurped the real
power. In consecpence revolts broke out in the various parts of the kingdom. In 1486 Qivam-ul-Mulk
the younger, revolted in Telangana. Malik Naib marched against him. He took the king along with
him. At Goa, Najmuddin Gilani, the governor, died and his slave Bahadur Gilani seized the fortress,
refusing to owe allegiance to Sultan Mahmud. At Cakan, Zainuddin Ali, the governor, refused to
acknowledge the authority of Ahmad as the governor of Junnar. He was backed by Yusuf Adil Khan,
who sent five to six thousand cavalry to assist him. The news of this defiance of orders reached the
Sultan and Malik Naib in Telangana. Qasim Barid, Dastur Dinar and other nobles sought this
opportunity to seek audience of the Sultan. They impressed upon him that the sorry state of affairs,
was due to the arrogance of Malik Naib and mishandling of the administration of kingdom by him.
They advised the Sultan that Malik Naib should be put to death. When Malik Naib was informed of
the conference, he fled to Bidar and took asylum with one of his own proteges, Dilpasand Khan, a
noble at the Bidar court. Together, they started raising troops. When this news reached the Sultan,
he at once marched in the direction of Bidar. Dilpasand Khan now withdrew from his alliance with
Malik Naib and affirmed his loyalty to the Sultan. The Sultan sent orders to Dilpasand Khan to
execute Malik Naib. Dilpasand Khan strangled the helpless Malik Naib to death and presented his
head to the Sultan when the latter arrived in the capital.
contd.
In his infancy he was taken prisoner by the Mahomedan army of Ahmud Shah Bahmuny, when,
being admitted among the number of the faithful, and having received the name of Hussun, he was
brought up as one of the royal slaves. The King was so struck with his abilities, that he made him
over to his eldest son, the Prince Mahomed, as a kind of companion, with whom he was educated,
and attained eminence in Persian and Arabic literature. From his father's name Bheiroo, he was
called Mullik Hussun Bheiroo; but the Prince being unable to pronounce the word correctly, he
obtained the appellation of Bheiry. When the Prince ascended the throne, he raised his favourite to
the rank of a thousand horse; and it is also said, on account of his surname Bheiry, which signifies a
falcon, he was nominated to the office of falconer, which in Toorky is Called Kooshbegy : some
people have asserted that he obtained the name of Bheiry from his office alone. In course of time he
rose to the first offices in the state, and was dignified by the titles of Ashruf Hoomayoon and Nizamool-
Moolk. Being a great favourite of the minister Khwaja Mahmood Gawan, he was recommended
by him to the government of Tulingana including Rajamundry and Condapilly, which were granted to
him in jageer. On the death of that minister he succeeded to his office under the title of Mullik Naib
and on the demise of Mahomed Shah Bahmuny he was appointed prime minister to that monarch's
son, Mahmood Shah, who added Beer, and other districts in the vicinity of Dowlutabad, to his
estates. The administration of this new jageer was made over to Mullik Naib's son, Mullik Ahmud,
who took up his residence at Joonere while Khwaja Jehan Deccany was appointed governor of
Purenda. Although Mullik Naib had procured for his son the necessary orders to occupy those
districts, yet several Marhatta officers, in whom Khwaja Mahmood Gawan placed great confidence,
refused to give them up, until the King was of an age to act for himself. Mullik Ahmud, having
determined to enforce the orders, attacked the fort of Soonere, situated on the top of a hill, and of
uncommon strength. After a siege of considerable duration, the garrison came forward with swords
suspended from their necks, and habited in shrouds, to sue for quarter. The place being occupied
HISTORY – MEDIAEVAL PERIOD 73
The Deccanis or oldcomers were not happy with this turn of events. They decided to dethrone
the Sultan. They encircled the palace where the Sultan was having his drinking bouts and forced the
palace guards to join them. The Sultan, however, managed to escape to the roof of the palace
bastion and contrived to send a message to the foreigners or newcomers to come to his help. A
contingent of the foreigners arrived and drove away the Deccanis killing many of them. On the next
day, the Sultan ordered a general massacre of the Deccanis. The ruthless carnage of the Deccanis
continued for three days and was stayed only at the earnest prayer of Sah Muhibullah. The Sultan
now gave himself up to pleasure and debauchery.
When these events were taking place in the capital, Malik Ahmad was busy consolidating his
position. He had assumed the titles of his father under the name of Malik Ahmad Nizam-ul-Mulk
Bahri. Likewise, Qasim Barid who had the charge of Qandhar and Ausa had revolted and had
succeeded in defeating Dilavar Khan who had been sent against him by the Sultan. He marched to
the capital and forced the Sultan to appoint him as prime minister and assign to him Daulatabad and
Balaghat in Jagir. Qasim Barid had now to face a formidable opponent in the person of Malik
Ahmad. Malik Ahmad had already subjugated most of the forts in the Konkan and the Ghats
including Sivneri, Jond, Lohogad, Tung and Tikona, Kondana, Purandar, Bhorap, Marabdev,
Judhan, Khaj; Muranjan, Tungi and Tavni, Mahoil, Pali and Kotdanda Rajapuri. Qasim Barid could
not look with equanimity on these resounding victories of Malik Ahmad. He forced the Sultan to
send orders to Yusuf Adil to unite with Khvaja-i-Jahan and Zainuddin Ali Talis, the governor of
Cakan to march against Ahmad and destroy him. Yusuf Adil evaded these orders. However,
Nadiruzamani Saikh Movaddi, a Bahamani officer, volunteered to march against Malik Ahmad. He
reached Parenda on his way to Junnar with an army of 12,000 cavalry. Malik Ahmad who had
already been cautioned by Yusuf Adil about these court intrigues against him, prepared himself for
war. But instead of engaging the Bahamani army in the open, he hovered round their camp and
allowed them to advance. At this time Ali Talis was making preparations to march against Ahmad.
Ahmad suddenly wheeled round and
contd.
it was found to contain five years' revenue of Marhatt and Concan, which had been deposited
therein ; and this sum enabled Mullik Ahmud to assume a new line of conduct. Having rewarded his
officers and soldiers liberally for their services, he proceeded to reduce the following places which
refused to submit to his authority, viz., Chawund, Loghur, Toonp, Kooary, Tikona, Koondhana,
Poorundhur, Bhorup, Joodhun, Kuhrdroog, Murunjun-Maholy, and Pally ; the whole of which he
occupied by force. He soon after conquered the Concan, and was besieging the sea-port of Dunda
Rajpoor, when he heard of the assassination of his father, Mullik Naib Nizam-ool-Moolk Bheiry. On
this information he raised the siege for the present, and returned to Joonere where he assumed the
titles of the deceased, under the appellation of Ahmed Nizam-ool-Moolk Bheiry; and although he did
not immediately adopt the title of Shah (or King), yet, as he is uniformly so called by historians, the
author (Mahomed Kasim Astrabady Ferishta) has thought proper to designate him, in the future
pages of his work, Ahmud Nizam Shah Bheiry.
(Briggs's Feriskta, Vol. III, pp. 189—92).
74 MAHARASHTRA STATE GAZETTEER
surprised Ali Talis at Cakan. In the engagement, Ali Talis was defeated and killed. In the meanwhile
a contingent of Malik Ahmad's army under Nasir-ul-Mulk Gujarati was twice defeated by Saikh
Movaddi. On hearing of these reverses, Malik Ahmad decided to attack the main body of the
Bahamani army. He made a night attack and completely routed the enemy. Saikh Movaddi was
killed in the action. The defeat of the Bahamani troops and the death of their two best generals put
the handful courtiers at Bidar in a quandary. They now persuaded the Sultan to send another force
against Malik Ahmad. Accordingly Azmat-ul-Mulk was sent with an army of 18,000 under his
command to put down Malik Ahmad. Ahmad avoided direct confrontation with the Bahamani army.
He moved in the hilly areas surrounding the present town of Ahmadnagar. When the Bahamani
army reached the Muri pass, 40 miles south-west of Ahmadnagar, Ahmad with 3,000 troops
suddenly headed for Bidar and captured the women of all the nobles who had marched against him.
He then moved towards Parenda. On his way he received an assurance from the panicky Bahamani
officers that they would not fight against him. On this assurance Ahmad released his prisoners and
sent them back to Bidar. In the meanwhile Azmat-ul-Mulk had been replaced by Jahangir Khan. The
behaviour of Azmat-ul-Mulk was disapproved by the court party. Ahmad now applied to Imad-ul-
Mulk of Berar to assist him against Jahangir Khan. He fell back on Junnar. Jahangir Khan occupied
Paithan and crossing the Jeur hills by the Devulganv pass near Tisganv encamped at Bhingar,
about two miles north-east of Ahmadnagar. Malik Ahmad, who was in the Jeur hills could not
receive any help from Parenda. This stalemate continued for a month. The rainy season was now
near. The Bahamani army, fatigued by the marchings gave itself up to relaxation and pleasure.
Malik Ahmad, who had kept a careful watch over the state of affairs in the Bahamani camp suddenly
made a night attack on Jahangir Khan on 23rd June 1490, accompanied by Azam Khan, the son of
Khvaja-i-Jahan. The Bahamani troops were taken by surprise and completely routed. Jahangir Khan
was killed. Malik Ahmad returned victorious to Junnar. This victory ended whatever connections
Malik Ahmad had with the Bahamani court. It paved the way for a declaration of independence by
him. This event was not delayed for long, for, in 1490, Malik Ahmad invited Yusuf Adil Khan of
Bijapur and Fathullah Imad-ul-Mulk of Berar to join him in assuming royal titles and asserting their
independence of Bidar. From this date these three provincial governors became the independent
rulers of the territories under their jurisdictions. Their dynasties came to be known as the Nizamsahi.
dynasty of Ahmadnagar, the Adilsahi dynasty of Bijapur and the Imadsahi dynasty of Berar. These
were soon followed by Qutb-ul-Mulk and Barad-ul-Mamalik at Golconda and Bidar, respectively.
Their dynasties came to be called the Qutbsahi dynasty of Golconda and the Baridsahi dynasty of
Bidar.
HISTORY – MEDIAEVAL PERIOD 75
MALIK AHMAD NIZAM SHAH.
Immediately after the declaration of his independence, Malik Ahmad laid siege to Danda
Rajapuri and, after a protracted siege, captured it. He thus secured an unbroken communication
between his Deccan territories and the coast. The Gujarat Sultans held the coast as far south as
Caul. The Bijapur Sultans were in possession of the coast as far north as Bankot. It may be recalled
here that Ahmad's father, Nizam-ul-Mulk had appointed the two brothers Malik Waji and Malik Asraf
to the charge of the fort of Daulatabad 1 Malik Asraf now revolted, killed his brother Malik Waji and
his son, and declared his independence. Malik Ahmad marched against Daulatabad. On his way he
received a communication from Qasim Barid asking him to march to the succour of Bidar which had
been attacked by Yusuf Adil. For this help he was promised the grant of Goa, Konkan, Panhala and
Karad. A battle was fought about 10 miles from Bidar. It ended in a victory for Yusuf Adil. Malik
Ahmad now retired to Junnar and invested the fortress of Daulatabad. The strong fort, however,
resisted alli attempts of Malik Ahmad to subjugate it by assault. He therefore consulted his
commandant Nasir-ul-Mulk and other officers. On their advice he decided to raise the siege of
Daulatabad, but ordered his army to lay waste the territory surrounding the fort every year so that no
reinforcements should reach the fort. He then retired to Junnar. In 1491 Bahadur Gilana, the Kotval
of Goa
1 A brief description of the fort is given below :—
The Daulatabad fort is on an isolated hill, 700 feet in height, forming an outlier to the Balaghat
range that bounds it on the north and east. The hill is coneshaped and the city of Daulatabad was
situated to the east and south of it; but the greater portion is now in ruins, and only some straggling
huts remain. The outer wall which enclosed the city is 22/3 miles in circumference, and has only two
entrances in use, the Mecca and Roza gates. About midway between them, a pathway branches off
from the main road to the fort, and a descent into a hollow leads to the first of the four walls with
which it is surrounded on three sides. The entrance is simply an open space; and beyond it is the
second line of defence, with a large square gateway, on the inner side of which are two small
groups of lions and elephants carved in stone. The third gateway is much higher and stronger than
the second, and the towers are decorated with effigies of elephants and lions. The porch has a
dome ornamented with panels of lotus leaves and flowers; and on each side are two small
chambers supported on carved stone pillars. A flight of steps leads to the top of the gateway, on
which are the ruins of several extensive buildings. The road turns abruptly to the right; and the gate
to the next line of defence has a high semicircular tower on the left, used as a nagarkhana. Beyond
this is a smaller entrance near the limit of the lower portion of the fort, from which a roughly-paved
ascent leads to the portal of the inner defences.
The interval just mentioned between the outer and inner fortifications, contains ruined
palaces, temples and dargahs shrouded in jungle shrubs.
To return to the fortifications, after crossing the last portal, and at a distance of 50 or 60 yards,
a fourth large gate forms the entrance to another line of defence. This is called the '' black gate ";
and from it the road turns to the right to the fifth gateway. An ascent of a dozen broad steps leads to
the sixth gate, which has an oblong porch with a semi-circular roof, containing the remains of a
Hindu building. Another ascent of 50 or 60 steps leads to the seventh gate, to the left of which is the
entrance to the old palace of the Hindu rajas ; and a short distance beyond is the eighth gate,
containing on the right the ruins of the Chini mahal. Immediately above the Chini mahal is a circular
bastion, carrying a heavy piece of ordnance ; and a few yards further on is the only entrance which
the upper fort possesses. It it approached by a narrow bridge thrown across a trench which
surrounds the fort. The treach is always supplied with water, and is upwards of a hundred feet in
depth. The passage from the bridge leads through a small portal and ascends to a high bastion
errected by Aurangzib. From this point, the ascent continues along at
76 MAHARASHTRA STATE GAZETTEER
rebelled and took possession of the whole coast-line up to Dabhol. He plundered many Gujarat
ships. Mahmud Begada, the Sultan of Gujarat, requested Mahmud Sah Bahamani to control his
refractory vassal. Accordingly the Sultan appealed to Yusuf Adil, Malik Ahmad and Fathullah Imadul-
Mulk for help against Bahadur Gilani. Malik Ahmad, along with Yusuf Adil and Fathullah sent
large forces to help the Sultan. Bahadur Gilani's rebellion was suppressed. Ahmad, now thought of
shifting his headquarters from Junnar to a convenient place. His choice fell on Bhingar, the site of
his great victory over Jahangir Khan, the Bahamani general, which was roughly midway between
Junnar and Daulatabad. In 1494 he laid the foundation of a city upon the left bank of the Sina river
and named it Ahmadnagar, after himself. "In two years the city is said to have rivalled Bagdad and
Cairo in splendour". After this the Ahmadnagar army took the field twice a year, at the time of the
early and the late harvest, to plunder the country about Daulatabad and in effect to starve the fort
garrison. The garrison, however, withstood all attempts of Malik Ahmad to subjugate the fort. At this
time Yusuf Adil and Dastur Dinar who held the country between the Bhima and Telangana had
come to grips, each claiming suzerainty over the other. Malik Ahmad aligned himself with Dastur
Dinar and induced Khvaja-i-Jahan of Parenda to march in aid of the latter. Later, he himself
marched to join hands with Khvaja-i-Jahan. Dastur Dinar was defeated by Yusuf Adil. He was,
however, restored by the Sultan to his former Jagirs. Malik Ahmad then retired to Ahmadnagar, his
capital. Immediately afterwards, Yusuf Adil again attempted to compel Dastur Dinar to accept his
suzerainty. On finding that Qasim Band and Malik Ahmad were supporting Dastur Dinar, he gave up
his efforts. He, however, obtained from Bidar, a decree prohibiting Malik Ahmad from attacking him.
In 1498, Ahmad Nizam Sah, Yusuf Adil Sah and Imad-ul-Mulk decided to divide the whole of
the Deccan among themselves. Malik Ahmad Nizam sah laid claim to Daulatabad, Antur, Galna 1
and the country beyond these forts as far as the
contd.
a winding gallery hewn out of the heart of the rock The first gallery is 60 feet long, and lands in a
small courtyard. To penetrate the second gallery, it is necessary to be provided with torches. The
passage is about the same length as the last one, and terminates in a small vestibule ornamented
with pillars. Beyond this is a long tunnel containing numerous chambers cut out of the rock, which
were used as guard rooms and store-houses. Another flight of steps lands on a small platform and a
further ascent of 43 feet leads to a small opening 30 feet by 20 feet. This upper outlet has a
contrivance in the shape of a huge iron gratig to close it; and when necessary, a large fire was
kindled upon the grating, which rendered all approach; from the inner gallery impossible. To provide
ventilation for the fire, a hole was tunnelled close by. The remains of a fortified wall are also seen ;
and to the left is a small bastion with a piece of ordnance.
1 A brief description of the fort is given below :—
Galna Fort lies about fourteen miles (22.53 km.) north of Maleganv. It consists of a circular
detached hill with fairly flat top affording an area of twenty or thirty acres (8 to 12.44 hectares). The
top is 2,316 feet (706 metres) above mean sea level or about 800 feet (243.84 metres) above the
plain. It is accessible only by a broad flight of steps, now in a ruined condition, cut into the northern
face. These steps cross the hill from east to west, and then reversing the line climb again to the
east-ward, and pass Under four gateways, Parkot, Lokhandi, Kotval Pir, and Lakha.
HISTORY – MEDIAEVAL PERIOD 77
borders of Gujarat .1 During all these years Malik Ahmad was continuing with his operations against
the fort of Daulatabad, held so valiantly by Malik Asraf. Malik Asraf now sought the aid of Mahmud
Begada, the Sultan of Gajarat, who was at that time marching against Sultan Adil Khan Faruqi of
Khandes. Adil Khan appealed to Ahmad Nizam sah to come to his help against the Sultan of
Gujarat. Ahmad sah consequently raised the siege of Daulatabad, and marched to the aid of Adil
Khan with a force of 15,000 cavalry. This was against the advice of his commander-in-chief Nasir-ul-
Mulk Gujarati. He, however, accompanied his master to Burhanpur and was sent as ambassador to
the Gujarat camp. In the camp, at his master's instance he induced the elephant keeper of the
Gujarat army to let loose a mad elephant at a fixed time. At the time of the night Ahmad Nizam Sah
attacked the Gujarat camp with 5,000 cavalry and 5,000 infantry. The mad elephant was let loose
just at that time by the elephant keeper. Panic seized the Gujarat army and Mahmud Begada fled
six miles away from his camp. Ahmad Nizam Sah occupied the camping grounds of the Gujarat
army. Peace was, however, soon established with both the Sultans
contd.
Of these the Lokhandi gate is remarkably handsome and is lined with iron plates from which it takes
its name. There is a small opening in one fold of this gate to admit a single man. The third and
fourth gateways, at about two-thirds of the ascent from the town, are approached by covered ways
and are furnished with strong iron-cased doors and surmounted by walls nearly twenty feet (6
metres) thick, where the gateways are situated. These walls are continued westward and eastward
along the face of the hill till they unite in the highest battlements on the west and on the east ends of
the hill, while a single wall encircles the plateau on the east, south, and west sides.
The upper walls are perfect and contain magazines of various sizes in each of the bastions,
which are semicircles and must have commanded the approach in every direction on the south and
west, while the face of the hill, being almost perpendicular for nearly one thousand feet (304.80
metres) below the wall, the lines are as straight as the outlines of the rock allow, and have been
defended by large wall pieces, which were moved on iron pivots and many of which are still seen on
the round bastions at every eighty or hundred yards (37.15 to 91.44 metres) on the west and. north
faces.
The south side of the hill is a bare scarp for many feet from the wall, and, at about two-thirds
of the length from the east, there is a bastion in which are arches of Saracenic form between the
central two of which was a slab containing a Persian inscription dated A. D. 1569 (H. 977). There
was a second slab in a niche between the battlements, fronting the north and surmounting a row of
cellars furnished with moderate sized windows, and probably intended for residences. This slab
contained a Devnagari inscription dated A. D. 1580 (Sak of 1502).
This tower and bastion is close to the north-west eorner of the fort, a part where the whole of
the wall shows marks of repairs, which must have been recent as compared with the ruins of the
original structure in the valley below. From the tower a narrow stone pavement, which connects the
whole circle of the battlement by flights of steps, leads east towards the entrance gateways, to a
second tower built so as to command the entire ascent, and immediately facing the third and fourth
gateways at different elevations. From this second tower the side of the hill, whose slope makes the
plateau in the top more conical towards the east than towards the west, admitted of two wells with
batteries for swivel guns and pierced with loopholes at every elevation. The hill above this spot
approaches within thirty yards (27.43 metres) of the wall, and between this tower and the mosque
there are the idol of Gal-nesvara Mahadeva, five cisterns, and a series of rock-cut caves.
1 Brigg.s Vol. III, p. 19.
78 MAHARASHTRA STATE GAZETTEER
agreeing to withdraw to their respective territories.1 Malik Ahmad now returned to his siege of
Daulatabad. Malik Asraf again appealed to Sultan Mahmud Begada for help promising him tribute
and the reading of the Khutba in his name. Mahmud Begada agreed and marched with a large force
to the succour of Malik Asraf. On the approach of the Gujarat army Malik Ahmad raised the siege
and returned to his capital. Malik Asraf visited the camp of the Sultan of Gujarat, paid him tribute
and accepted his suzerainty. Mahmud Begada then returned to Gujarat. Immediately after, Malik
Ahmad marched against the fort of Daulatabad and laid siege to it with 30,000 troops. The fort of
Daulatabad was garrisoned by Maratha troops which had not liked the submission of Malik Asraf to
Sultan Mahmud. They, therefore, revolted and sent offers of submission to Ahmad Nizam Sah.
Shortly after Malik Asraf died and the fort capitulated to Malik Ahmad. Ahmad garrisoned the fort
with his own troops, built new fortifications to strengthen it and retired to Ahmadnagar. He now
ordered the building of a wall round the Bagh-i-Nizam at Ahmadnagar. The work was entrusted to
experts who completed the construction of the wall in a short time. The fortifications of Ahmadnagar
thus completed, new palaces were built inside the fort. Malik Ahmad then shifted his headquarters
within the walls of the Ahmadnagar fort. He now turned his attention to the fort of Antur which he
reduced and forced the chiefs of Baglana and Galna to pay him tribute (1499). In the year 1504,
Yusuf Adil San of Bijapur proclaimed profession of the Siah creed in his kingdom. This action, was
looked upon with disfavour by the neighbouring kingdoms which professed the Sunni creed.
Mahmud Bahamani commanded Malik Ahmad, Imad-ul-Mulk, Khudavand Khan, and Quli Qutb Sah
to form a league against Yusuf Adil on religious grounds and invade his kingdom. Malik Ahmad, who
was a sworn enemy of Yusuf Adil, and Quli Qutb responded. Barid captured Gunjoti and Malik
Ahmad dispatched a communication to Bijapur demanding the cession of Naldurg. Yusuf suddenly
marched upon Gunjoti and retook it. He then sent back an angry reply to Malik Ahmad. Yusuf,
however, decided to fight the war away from his territory. Avoiding direct engagement with the allied
army which consisted of the troops of Bidar and Golconda, and the Ahmadnagar contingent of 1,000
cavalry and a train, of artillery. Yusuf entered the Ahmadnagar territory. He laid waste the territory
about Bid. He was hotly pursued by the allies and entered the Berar territory. He sought help from
Imad-ul-Mulk, the Sultan of Berar, who refused to be drawn in this religious war. On the contrary he
advised Yusuf Adil to retrace his steps and revoke his proclamation. Yusuf Adil agreed and recalled
his edict. He further detached Malik Ahmad and
1 As in Burhan-i-Masir. The version of the succession of events that led to this episode as
related by the Gujarat historians is given in the chapter on the Faruqi dynasty of Khandesh. It is
claimed by them that there was no invasion of Khandesh in the year referred to by Sayyad Ali.
However, Sultan Mahmud Shah did appear on the Khandesh border and made a show, of strength
when Adil Khan Faruqi failed to pay tribute in the year in which this episode was alleged to have
taken place.
HISTORY – MEDIAEVAL PERIOD 79
Qutb-ul-Mulk from the alliance.1 Thus ended what Ferishta called the Holy war of the faithfuli
brethren. In 1507 Malik Ahmad was embroiled in a war with Mahmud Begada of Gujarat on the
issue of succession to the Khandes throne. He marched to Thalner to support the claims of Alam
Khan. When he heard of the approach of Mahmud Begada, with a large force, he retired to
Gavilgad. He tried hard to press the claims of Alam Khan with Mahmud Begada. But Mahmud
scornfully rejected the claims. Finding that he was no match to the superior strength of Mahmud
Begada, Malik Ahmad quietly returned with Alam Khan to Ahmadnagar. Shortly after, in 1509. Malik
Ahmad died after a brief illness.
The life of Malik Ahmad was hectic and adventurous. In his early career, till the declaration of
independence by him in 1490, he had to fight hard against the Bahamam nobility. Afterwards he
was busy consolidating his gains, fighting against the territorial ambitions of neighbouring Sultans
and subjugating the Hindu officials of the Bahamanis in his territory. As a matter of fact many of the
fortified places in the Nizamsahi Konkan and the region of the western ghats were held by Hindu
Chiefs. They could not withstand the power of Malik Ahmad and were wiped out. Malik Ahmad did
not possess the qualities of continence and modesty as claimed by Sayyad Ali. He was ruthless,
particularly towards the Hindus, and killed the commandants of the fort along with their families
when the forts capitulated. Sayyad Ali even boasts proudly of the carnage of Hindus and the
desecration of Hindu temples by Malik Ahmad. He was, however, an excellent administrator and
ruled well, though ruthlessly and with an iron hand. He constituted a council to advise him on
matters of administration. The names of some of these were, Malik Nasir-ul-Mulk Gujarati- Wakil
and Pesva, Dalpatrav-Wazir, Kaji Khavand Majlis and Ustad Khvaja-Ibn-Dabir. His ministers and
officers were Kamil Khan, Jarif-ul-Mulk Afghan, Jalal Rumi Khan, Kadam Khan, Munir Khan, Polad
Khan, Malik Raja Dastur-ul-Mulk and Sayyad Muizuddin. The advice rendered by the council was
not necessarily binding upon the Sultan who loved to rule as a despot 2
1 Briggs's, Vol. III, pp. 22—29; Wolseley Haig gives a different version. According to him
Imad-ul-Mulk advised Yusuf Adil to go to Khandesh. From Khandesh Yusuf Adil succeeded in
detaching Malik Ahmad and Qutb-ul-Mulk from the league. Then he marched from Khandesh
addressing a letter to Mahmud Shah Bahamani seeking pardon. That letter received an insulting
reply from Mahmud Shah at the instance of Barid. Yusuf Adil then with the assistance of Imad-ul-
Mulk defeated Mahmud Shah and Amir Ali Barid at Kalam in Berar.
2 The practice of yekung (single-stick) was also introduced by this prince, who was himself
well skilled in the sword, and delighted much in the exercise ; accordingly, as is ever the custom, the
people being eager to copy the prince, both high and low devoted themselves to it, and instead of
colleges, as is usual in Mahomedan cities, schools for single-sword and wrestling were established
in all quarters of the city of Ahmudnuggur. Nothing was talked of but this art in every assembly, till at
length things grew to such a pitch in the strife-engendering climate of the Deccan that people
vaunted over their neighbours; and brawls arising between rash young men, they frequently begged
to make good their cause before the King, who used to see them combat with swords in his
presence ; and he who gave the first wound was considered the victor. In consequence of this
encouragement, a crowd of
80 MAHARASHTRA STATE GAZETTEER
BURHAN NIZAM SHAH.
On his death Malik Ahmad Nizam Sah was succeeded by his son Burhan Nizam Sah, a child
of seven. Mukammil Khan Dakhani who had served Malik Ahmad as Wakil and Pesva in the last
years of his reign, was reappointed to that post. His son Jamaluddin was created Aziz-ul-Mulk and
appointed to the office of Sarnobat. Under the influence of the power enjoyed by his father, Aziz-ul-
Mulk started behaving arrogantly with other nobles, and insulting them at every opportunity. A few of
the nobles, therefore, decided to destroy the influence of Aziz-ul-Mulk and Mukammil Khan. They
entered into a conspiracy aiming at deposing Burhan Nizam Sah and putting his younger brother
Rajaji on the throne. Rajaji was removed from the palace. He was being taken to the headquarters
of the conspirators when his absence was detected by the palace guards who brought him back.
The plot of the conspirators to depose Burhan Nizam Sah thus failed.
The nobles who had participated in the conspiracy now felt that they would be victimized by
Mukammil Khan and Aziz-ul-Mulk. Among such nobles were Rumi Khan, Kadam Khan, Munir Khan
and others. They, therefore, fled to Berar with 8,000 cavalry and entered the service of Alauddin
Imad Sah, the Sultan of Berar. 1 They convinced Alauddin that this was the opportune time for an
attack on Ahmadnagar as the Sultan of Ahmadnagar was very young and the Ahmadnagar court
was
contd.
young men were in the habit of assembling daily at the palace for the purpose of displaying their
skill, till at length a day seldom passed without one or two persons being killed. The King, thinking it
time to discountenance this practice, gave orders that no more exhibitions of this sort should take
place in his presence, though the combatants were at liberty to settle their disputes on the outside of
the town ; and it was commanded, that if either party were killed in fair combat, no retaliation should
be required. This vile custom is so congenial to the Mahomedans of the Deccan, that it has spread
far and wide from Ahmudnuggur; and it is so fashionable at the present day that even learned
divines and philosophers, as well as nobles and princes, practise duelling ; and if their children show
any backwardness in this way they do not esteem them as lads of proper spirit. As an instance of
which, the writer of these pages (Mahomed Kasim Ferishta) saw the following transaction occur in
the streets of Beejapoor. Syud Moortuza and Syud Hussun, two brothers whose beards were grey,
and who were in high estimation at court, had a trifling dispute with three Deccanies, who were also
brothers, who frequented the court, and were also respectable greyheaded men. First, the son of
Syud Moortuza, a youth of twenty, engaged one of the Deccanies, but was immediately killed. The
father and uncle engaged the other two Deccanies, and they were also killed; and before their
bodies could be removed and buried, the three opponents died of the wounds they had received, so
that, in a few minutes, six respectable persons, who had no real animosity towards each other, were
lost to their relatives and to society. The Mahomedans of the Deccan are certainly very expert in the
use of the sword, and particularly in single combat ; but as they generally practise on foot, and do
not accustom themselves to throwing the lance on horseback, they are inferior as cavalry ; and their
skill is of no avail when acting in masses of infantry, though in private quarrels, and street
contentions, they fight like lions.
Since the extinction of the dynasty of Bahmuny this practice has rather been encouraged than
discouraged by other princes of the Deccan, excepting by Ibrahim Adil Shah II of Beejapoor, who
seems to set his face against the custom ; and it is to be hoped, that this abominable habit, which is
unknown in any other civilised country in the world, will, by the happy exertions of wise princes like
him, be altogather abolished.
(Briggs's Ferishta, Vol. IIIl, pp. 207—209).
1 Fathullah Imad-ul-Mulk died in 1504 and was succeeded by his son Alauddin under the title
of Alauddin Imad Shah.
HISTORY – MEDIAEVAL PERIOD 81
riddled with political intrigues. Alauddin readily agreed and marched with a large force towards
Ranubari on the Ahmadnagar frontier. The Ahmadnagar troops, on receiving intimation of the
movements of Alauddin, had already moved towards Ranubari under the command of Mukammil
Khan and had taken up positions there. On the way they were reinforced by Khvaja Jahan Dakhani
of Parenda. Mukammil Khan divided his army into two contingents, one under his own command
and the other under the command of Miyan Kala Ajdur Khan. A general engagement took place.
Alauddin Imad Sah was defeated. He fled the field of battle leaving all his baggage, horses and
elephants to be looted by Ahmadnagar troops. It was through the intercession of the Sultan of
Khandes that peace was established between Ahmadnagar and Berar.1
For the subsequent history of Ahmadnagar for a few years divergent accounts have been
given by Ferishta and Sayyad Ali Tabatabai.
According to Ferishta, in the year 1518, dispute arose between Alauddin Imad Sah and
Burhan Nizam Sah on the question of Pathri. Burhan Nizam Sah instructed Mukammil Khan to write
to Alauddin Imad Sah to transfer Pathri to Ahmadnagar to be exchanged for another district. Imad
Sah refused to accede to this demand. Instead, he started fortifying the place. Mukammil Khan
objected to the building of such a strong fort so near the frontiers of Ahmadnagar kingdom. But this
warning went unheeded and Alauddin Imad Sah completed the fortifications of the fort and left for
his capital. Sometime after this. Burhan Nizam Sah went on a reconnoitring expedition in the
neighbourhood of Daulatabad. He suddenly marched towards Pathri. He attacked the fort and
carried it by assault. He placed the fort in charge of Miyan Muhammad Ghori who
1 The following is the account of the invasion of Ahmadnagar by Berar as given by Ferishta:—
A. H. 916 A. D. 1510
The enemies of the Peshwa (Mookumil Khan) were soon after induced to quit Ahmudnuggur
with their followers, to the number of eight thousand men. They entered the service of Allaood-Deen
Imad-ool-Moolk, ruler of Berar, whom they excited to attack the dominions of Boorhan Nizam Shah.
Imad-ool-Moolk, deeming the conquest an object of easy attainment, marched with a large army
from Elichpoor towards the Nizam Shahy frontier ; while Mookumil Khan, aided by the forces of
Khwaja Jehan Deccany of Purenda, and attended by the young King, opposed the enemy near the
town of Ranoory, in the year 916, when Imad-ool-Moolk sustained a total defeat; flying from the field
without halting till he reached Elichpoor, and leaving in the hands of the Nizam Shahies all his
baggage, horses, and elephants.
In this battle Boorhan Nizam Shah, on account of his tender years, rode on horseback with
his tutor Ajdur Khan, and was seated before him on the same saddle. Imad-ool-Moolk, finding
himself pursued, left Elichpoor and fled to Boorhanpoor, where he solicited the aid of the ruler of
Khandesh to mediate a peace. Some learned men were accordingly sent to Mookumil Khan, who
represented that it was contrary to the law of the prophet for the faithful to wage war against each
other, a peace was concluded, and both parties returned to their respective dominions.
(Briggs's Ferishta, Vol. III, pp. 213-14.)
82 MAHARASHTRA STATE GAZETTEER
had distinguished himself on the occasion and conferred on him the title of Kamil Khan.1 Burhan
Nizam Sah then returned to the capital.2
According to Sayyad Ali the capture of Pathri was preceded by three battles fought between
the armies of Ahmadnagar and Berar. The first battle was fought at Borganv and the second on the
banks of the river Devnali. Both the battles were indecisive.3 Burhan Nizam Sah now decided to
fight out the issue to a final conclusion. He made elaborate preparations and marched against
Alauddin Imad-ul-Mulk. A grim battle was fought near Danur in which the Imadsahi forces were
completely routed. All the bag and baggage of the enemy fell into the hands of. Burhan Nizam Sah.
Imad Sah was so overwhelmed with this defeat that instead of retreating towards his capital of
Ellicpur he fled to Gujarat.
It was after this defeat of Imad Sah that Burhan Nizam Sah marched in Berar and besieged
Pathri.4 The fort was taken by assault and razed to the ground. Burhan Nizam Sah then appointed
Muhammad Ghori to the command of the fort with the title of Kamil Khan and then returned to
Ahmadnagar.
It is interesting to note that Ferishta, while giving the subsequent happenings in the capital
avers to the existence of Mukammil Khan as the prime minister. He, however, says that Burhan
Nizam Sah, after his return from the campaign against Pathri, married Amina, a dancing girl, and
took to drinking wine. Mukammil got disgusted with this state of affairs and tried to upbraid Burhan
Nizam Sah. When his attempts failed, he, one day approached Burhan Nizam Sah and laid the
insignia of his office at the feet of the Sultan requesting to be relieved from participating any more in
public business. Burhan Nizam agreed and raised his sons to high rank in the kingdom. Mukammil,
till his death, led a retired life.
1 The 'Ahmadnagar District Gazetteer', mentions that it was Mukammi Khan and not Burhan
Nizam Shah who led the expedition, p. 362.
2 It is said that the ancestors of the Nizam Shahy kings were natives of the town of Patry ; but
for some cause, one of them, a Coolcurny, quitting his birthplace, removed to Beejanuggur and
settled. When the family attained regal power its relations came to Ahmudnuggur, and expressed a
desire to recover their ancient rights in the village of Patry, situated within the territory of Berar, but
close on the Nizam Shahy frontier. On which Mookumil Khan wrote to Imad-ool-Moolk, as from
Boorhan Nizam Shah, requesting that he would, out of private regard, give up the Patry district, in
which the Nizam Shahy family has so much interest, and receive in lieu of it another, yielding even a
greater revenue. Imad-ool-Moolk refused to consent to the exchange; and fearing that a war might
ensue in consequence of his refusal, began to build a fort at Patry. Mookumil Khan requested him to
desist, but in vain; till at length the work being completed, Mookumil Khan, being some time after at
Dowlutabad, went on a party of pleasure to see the caves of Ellora in its vicinity, from whence he
made a sudden march against Patry, and carried it by assault. After which he left it in charge of
Meean Mahomed Ghoory, who had distinguished himself on the occasion, and conferred on him the
title of Kamil Khan. (Briggs' Ferishta, Vol. III pp. 214-15.)
3 Sayyad Ali gives the names of the following officers who accompanied Burhan Nizam Shah
in the second battle:—Alam Khan, Rumi Khan, Kadam Khan, Munir Khan, Umdat-ul-Mulk, Khairat
Khan, Polad Khan, Miyan Raja, Danayya Rui Rai, Makhdum Khwaja Jahan and Ain-ul-Mulk Kanani.
4 Sayyad Ali, however, conveniently forgets to give reasons that prompted Burhan Nizam
Shah to insist upon the capitulation of Pathri.
HISTORY – MEDIAEVAL PERIOD 83
Sayyad Ali makes no mention of the presence of Mukammil Khan in the campaign against
Pathri and gives an entirely different story of the downfall of the Vazir and his son Aziz-ul-Mulk. He
says that Mukammil Khan died shortly after the battle of Ranubari. His son Azip-ul-Mulk was
appointed to the office of the Vakil and Pesva of the kingdom. Aziz-ul-Mulk usurped all power and
reduced Burhan Nizam Sah to the status of a nominal sovereign. He even made an unsuccessful
attempt to poison Burhan Nizam Sah. At this time Danayya Casanji, the commandant of the fort of
Antur, came on a visit to the Sultan and was informed by him of the high-handedness of Aziz-ul-
Mulk. Danayya promised the Sultan to devise ways and means to destroy Aziz-ul-Mulk. On the
consent of Burhan Nizam Sah he left for Antur and faked a rebellion with the complete
understanding of Burhan Nizam Sah. When Aziz-ul-Mulk was informed of the rebellion, he sent his
brother Jahangir Khan against Danayya. But Danayya defeated Jahangir Khan and took him
prisoner. The news was received with a shock by Aziz-ul-Mulk who now pressed Burhan to
personally lead the campaign against Danayya. Unwillingly, Burhan consented. On his march
towards Antur, Burhan Nizam was advised by some of his nobles to recall those of his amirs who
had fled to Berar for fear of Aziz-ul-Mulk. Accordingly, Burhan recalled these amirs. They now joined
Burhan Nizam Sah and attacked Aziz-ul-Mulk. Aziz-ul-Mulk was blinded. After thus destroying the
influence of Aziz-ul-Mulk, Burhan Nizam Sah carried on the administration of the kingdom for some
time with the help of Mir Ruknuddin, Saikh Jafar and Maulana Pir Muhammad Shervani.
Subsequently Mir Ruknuddin was dismissed and Saikh Jafar appointed to the office of Vakil and
Pesva. After some time Saikh Jafar was replaced by Kanhu Narsi who had been introduced to the
court by Saikh Jafar himself. Kanhu Narsi continued to hold the post of Vazir for a long time. Burhan
Nizam also made certain other appointments in the military department of the government. He put
Bareb Khan and Juner Khan as Sarnobats in command of the vanguard and Gairat Khan as
Sarnobat in command of the rear of the armed forces. It will not be out of place here to take a brief
survey of events that were taking place at Bidar during this period and the part played by Burhan
Nizam Sah in the Bidar affairs.
In about 1514 Amir Ali Barid1 appointed Jahanglr Khan, the adopted son of Dastur Dinar, to
the charge of Gulburga, creating him Dastur-ul-Mamalik. To counter any opposition from Ismail Adil
sah who had succeeded his father in 1510 he marched against Bijapur. Amir Barid had obtained
assistance from Quli Qutb Sah and Burhan Nizam Sah. He was, however, defeated and fled to
Ausa. Mahmud sah Bahamani who had accompanied Amir Barid was escorted to Bidar by 5,000
Bijapur
1Qasim Barid died in 1504 and was succeeded as a matter of course by his son Amir Ali
Barid.
2Yusuf Adil Shah died in 1510, a year after the death of Malik Ahmad Nizam Shah.
84 MAHARASHTRA STATE GAZETTEER
cavalry. However, Amir Barid aain obtained help from Burhan Nizam Sah, attacked Bidar and forced
the Bijapur cavalry to retire.
Mahmud Sah Bahamani now fled to Berar and with the help of Alauddin Imad Sah marched
upon Bidar. Amir Ali Barid again appealed for help to. Burhan Nizam Sah against Alauddin Imad
Sah. But the wretched monarch left Alauddin's camp and went over to Amir Ali Barid. Alauddin Imad
Sah was forced to retire to Berar. Sometime in 1520 Sah Tahir, a learned scholar from Iran,
migrated to India and landed at Dabhol. He first proceeded to Bijapur, thence to Gulburga and finally
to Parenda where he was warmly received by Makhdum Khvaja Jahan. Pir Muhammad Servani of
the Ahmadnagar Court was at this time on a visit to Parenda. Burhan Nizam Sah, on the advice of
Servani, invited Sah Tahir to his court and became his patron (1522). Sometime after this an
alliance was formed between Ahmadnagar and Bijapur to punish Amir Ali Barid who had instigated
Krsna Raya of Vijayanagar to attack Bijapur. The two Sultans met at Solapur and the sister of Ismail
Adil:, Bibi Mariam, was married to Burhan Nizam Sah. Asad Khan Lari, the prime minister of Bijapur,
promised, at the time of marriage, to give the fort of Solapur and its five and a half districts to
Burhan Nizam Sah as the princess's dowry. When Burhan demanded the cession of Solapur, Ismail
denied that he had ever authorised such' a thing. The humiliated Burhan dropped the demand and
returned to Ahmadnagar, determining, however, to settle the issue at the proper time. The marriage
brought the two queens Amina and Bibi Mariam in conflict with each other and Bibi Mariam
complained to her brother of the insulting treatment she received at the hands of her husband.
Ismail Adil vainly remonstrated with the Ahmadnagar ambassador at Bijapur. This episode further
embittered the relations between the two kingdoms. Burhan Nizam Sah now allied himself with Amir
Ali Band and Alauddin Imad Sah and marched with a combined army of 40,000 against Solapur in
1525. Ismail Adil Sah marched with an army of 12,000. In the engagement fought near the frontiers
of Bijapur, the allied troops were defeated by the mounted archers of Bijapur commanded by Asad
Khan. Alauddin fled to Gavilgad and Burhan, exhausted by heat and thirst, was carried by his
retreating troops to Ahmadnagar.
When these events were taking place, there was a rapid succession of Bahamani Sultans at
Bidar. Mahmud Sah died in 1518 and Amir Ali Barid put on the throne his son Ahmad. Ahmad died
in 1520 and was succeeded by his brother Alauddin. He was, however, deposed by Amir Ali Barid
for conspiring against him and put to death. Amir now put on the throne Waliullah the brother of the
deposed Sultan. But he went the same way as Alauddin. His brother Kalimullah was allowed by
Amir Ali Barid to succeed Waliullah. Kalimullah tried to get rid of his minister by writing to Babar, the
Moghal emperor to help him. Amir Barid came to know of the conspiracy. Fearing death,
HISTORY – MEDIAEVAL PERIOD 85
Kalimullah, in 1527, fled to Bijapur and thence to Burhan Nizam Sah. Burhan treated the helpless
Kalimullah as a sovereign and made promises to recover Bidar for him. Sah Tahir, who was now
minister to the Ahmadnagar Sultan, restrained Burhan from following this course of unwanted
generosity. Poor Kalimullah now suffered disgrace. Restrictions were placed upon him. Shortly
afterwards he died. With the death of the last of the Bahamani family, Amir Ali Band now declared
independence and assumed the royal insignia.
In 1527, at the instigation of Ismail Adil Sah and with the active help of Qutb Sah, Alauddin
Imad Sah marched against Pathri and captured it1 Burhan Nizam Sah now allied himself with Amir
Ali Barid and besieged Pathri. After a close siege which lasted for two months, Pathri capitulated.
Burhan gave the district of Pathrl in charity to his Brahman relations and marched against Mahur
which he carried by assault. From Mahiir he invaded Berar and marched towards Ellicpur. Alauddin
now sought the assistance of Sultan Muhammad of Khandes. But the allies were defeated by the
armies of Ahmadnagar and Bidar. Alauddin and Muhammad fled towards Burhanpur, leaving Berar
to be ravaged by the armies of Ahmadnagar and Bidar. Three hundred elephants belonging to
Alauddin along with his baggage fell into the hands of the invading armies. Alauddin Imad Sah and
Muhammad Faruqi now sought the assistance of Bahadur Sah of Gujarat. Bahadur Sah entered
Berar by way of Nandurbar and forced Burhan and Barld to beat a hasty retreat. Burhan frantically
sought the assistance of Bijapur and Golconda and called for further reinforcements from Bidar. He
even wrote a letter of congratulations to Babar on his ascending the throne of Delhi. This was meant
to make an impression on Bahadur Sah. Burhan sought Babar's help in repulsing the aggressor.
Undeterred, Bahadur Sah continued his advance and occupied Ahmadnagar. Burhan fell back on
Bid where he was joined by a cavalry force of 6,000 from Bijapur and 3,000 infantry from Bidar. An
advance contingent of the Gujarat army was twice defeated between Paithan and Bid by Amir Barid,
the Gujarat army losing 3,000 men and seventy camels laden with treasure. Another division of
Gujarat army consisting of 20,000 horse under Khudavand Khan also suffered a defeat. The main
army of Gujarat under Alauddin Imad Sah.
1A. H. 933. A. D. 1527.
In the year 933, Imad Shah, at the instance of Ismael Adil Shah and Sooltan Koolly Kootb
Shah, led an army against the fort of Patry, which he recovered ; but which was shortly afterwards
retaken by Boorhan Nizam Shah, after a close siege of two months. On this occasion he razed the
works to the ground, and gave over the district dependent on it in charity to his relations the
bramins, in whose hands it continued for several generations till the reign of the Emperor Akbur.
After destroying Patry, Boorhan Nizam Shah marched and reduced the fort of Mahoor, and
afterwards moved on to Elichpoor. Imad Shah, unable singly to contend with the Nizam Shahy
troops, fled to Boorhanpoor, where he induced Mahomed Khan Farooky, the ruler of Kandeish, to
assist him. Thus united, the allies marched against Boorhan Nizam Shah ; but experienced such a
total defeat, that they lost three hundred elephants and all their baggages, besides many places in
Berar which fell into Boorhan Nizam Shah's hands.
86 MAHARASHTRA STATE GAZETTEER
however, continued to advance and forced Burhan Nizam Sah to fall back upon Parenda and
thence on Junnar. From Junnar, Burhan sent contingents of his army to cut off supplies from
reaching Ahmadnagar. Though Ahmadnagar had capitulated, the fort garrison still continued to
resist. Bahadur Sah, reduced to miserable straits for want of supplies, withdrew from Ahmadnagar
and marched to Daulatabad, leaving Alauddin to continue the siege of Ahmadnagar. Bahadur Sah
besieged the fortress of Daulatabad which was commanded by Manjan Khan, the son of Khairat
Khan. Burhan wrote pressing letters to Ismail Adil to march in person to his relief. Ismail Adil, who
was engaged in his war with Vijayanagar, sent 500 picked cavalry commanded by Haider-ul-Mulk
Kazvini. Burhan Nizam Sah, now, on the advice of his minister Kanhu Nasri issued forthwith all his
troops from Junnar and proceeded to Daulatabad. He succeeded in occupying a few hills
surrounding Daulatabad and commanding the fortress. For three months he carried operations
against the besiegers. He was, however, defeated in a general action. To Alauddin Imad Sah and
Sultan Muhammad of Khandes, it had now become apparent that under the gucie of assisting them
the Sultan of Gujarat was solely bent upon his own aggrandisement. They now received a
communication from Burhan to intercede on his behalf with Bahadur Sah. They agreed on Burhan
promising to return to them the forts and elephants captured by him in the last war. The two Sultans
met Khudavand Khan, the Gujarat general, and expressed doubts about the motives of Bahadur
Sah, protesting against occupation of their territory by the Gujarat army for such a long time. The
Gujarat commander replied pointing out that they had invited the Gujarat Sultan and thus were
themselves to blame for the consequences. It was then that the alliance between Gujarat, Khandes
and Berar was broken and Alauddin attacked the Gujarat camp. He sent provisions to the garrison
of the Daulatabad fort and retired to Ellicpur. Bahadur Sah, though generally successful on the field
of battle, decided to pull off the campaign, due to the approach of the rainy season. Talks began
through the intercession of Muhammad Sah Faruqi, and Burhan Nizam Sah bought peace on very
insulting and humiliating terms. He acknowledged the suzerainty of the Sultan of Gujarat by
agreeing to read the public prayers in his name. He also promised to return Pathri and Mahur to
Berar and the elephants captured by him in the last war with Khandes and Berar to the respective
Sultans1. With peace thus concluded, Bahadur Sah returned to Gujarat.2
1It is pertinent to note that Burhan read public prayers in the name of Bahadur Shah
throughout the kingdom of Ahmadnagar but refused to fulfil the other term of the treaty. It was only
after long haranguing that Muhammad Shah of Khandesh could succeed in recovering his elephants
from Burhan Nizam Shah. To Alauddin's requests he turned a deaf ear.
2Sayyad Ali in Burhan-i-Masir gives a totally distorted and exaggerated version of the
confrontation between Ahmadnagar and Gujarat. The gist of his account is as under:—Imad-ul-Mulk
after his defeat by Burhan Nizam Shah fled to Gujarat and persuaded Bahadur Shah to undertake
the conquest of Ahmadnagar. Bahadur
HISTORY – MEDIAEVAL PERIOD 87
In 1531, Bahadur Sah of Gujarat invaded Malva. Burhan. Nizam Sah was genuinely alarmed
and sent his minister Sah Tahir to the court of Bahadur Sah with many valuable presents to arrange
for a meeting between himself and Bahadur Sah. Sah Tahir was ill-treated by Bahadur Sah who
refused even to give him audience.1 But ample amends were made to him when Bahadur Sah
discovered his talents and erudition. After a three months' stay he was given leave to depart. Later
in the same year Burhan Nizam Sah sent Sah Tahir and Narsu Pandit to Bahadur Sah to
congratulate him on his conquest of Malva. At the intercession of Miran Muhammad Khan of
Khandes, Sah Tahir and Narsu Pandit (alias Kanhu Narsi) met Bahadur Sah who was on his way to
Gujarat. The meeting took place at Burhanpur. Sah Tahir now represented the desire of his master
to meet Bahadur Sah. At this time Bahadur Sah had received reports of the movements of the
Moghal emperor Humayun towards the south. Humayun was aiming at the assimilation of Malva
and Gujarat in the Moghal empire. In the eventuality of a Moghali attack, Bahadur Sah did not want
to antagonise
contd.
Shah marched from Gujarat and laid siege to the fort of Daulatabad. The commandant of the fort
Manjan Khan offered stiff resistance and the siege went on for a long time. When the news of the
collaboration between Bahadur Shah and Imad Shah was received by Amir Barid, he wrote to Imad
Shah of the inconsiderateness of his action in inviting Bahadur Shah. He pointed out to the danger,
Bahadur Shah would pose to the sovereignty of Berar if he succeeded in subjugating Ahmadnagar.
Imad Shah realised the predicament he had put himself in and removed himself at a distance from
the main camp of Bahadur Shah. He also wrote to Manjan Khan encouraging him to stoutly defend
the fort. Manjan Khan now attacked the Gujarat army killing many soldiers. Being reduced to great
straits, Bahadur Shah invited Imad-ul-Mulk and his officers for consultations. Imad-ul-Mulk advised
him to raise the siege of Daulatabad and lead an expedition against Burhan Nizam's army. He
pointed out that once the Ahmadnagar army is destroyed, the capture of the fort would be an easy
task. Bahadur Shah lent his consent to this proposal. Imad-ul-Mulk on the other hand sent a
message to Manjan Khan to attack the Gujarat army from the rear no sooner it raised the siege.
Imad also informed Burhan Nizam Shah that all of them belong to a single family and now they
should unite to drive away the outsiders from their territory. He further said that Burhan and Amir Ali
Barid should attack the Gujarat army and in the thick of the battle he would desert Bahadur Shah.
When the Gujarat army raised the siege according to plan, Manjan Khan attacked it from the rear
causing heavy slaughter among the Gujaratis. In the meanwhile Burhan collected a huge force and
put it under the command of Malik Barid. Malik Barid advancing in Bid province attacked the Gujarat
army. He was now joined by Burhan Nizam Shah. The combined armies now attacked the Gujaratis
and the battle raged for the whole day. Half of the Gujarat forces perished in the battle. Bahadur
Shah was now convinced of the strength of Deccani army and repented for having invaded Deccan
on the advice of Allauddin Imad Shah. He considered the further prosecution of the campaign as
futile and decided to imprison Alauddin Imad Shah. Before he could execute his plan, Imad Shah
moved away from the main camp of the Gujarat army. He informed Bahadur Shah of the difficult
task that lay ahead of him and advised him to retire to Chanakdeo. Bahadur Shah reached
Chanakdeo where he was informed that Imad Shah had left for Berar. Anxiety now engulfed
Bahadur Shah and consulting his officers he retreated to Gujarat. Burhan Nizam Shah also returned
to Ahmadnagar.
The comparison will show the obvious discrepancies in the account given by Sayyad Ali. It will
be of interest to note that Sayyad Ali very conveniently avoids to describe the extremely humiliating
terms imposed by Bahadur Shah of Gujarat upon Burhan Nizam Shah.
1The reasons for this ill-treatment of Shah Tahir by Bahadur Shah appear to be the refusal of
Burhan Nizam Shah to abide by the terms of the treaty and his suspension of the practice of reading
the public prayers in the name of Bahadur Shah.
88 MAHARASHTRA STATE GAZETTEER
Burhan Nizam Sah. He, therefore, sent Sah Tahir back to Ahmadnagar with a message to Burhan
Nizam Sah of his willingness to meet him at Burhanpur.1 Sayyad Ali in Burhan-i-Masir states that
Burhan Nizam Sah was first reluctant to go to Burhanpur as, many officers of the Ahmadnagar
court, who were against Sah Tahir, attributed motives to Sah Tatar's mission. But later on, being
convinced by Sah Tahir and Kanhu Narsi, Burhan relented and agreed to the interview. The account
of the meeting between the Sultans is as follows: Burhan Nizam Sah put Husain Nizam Sah in
charge of the administration with 7,000 horse and started for Burhanpur. Hearing, on the way, that
all except holy men were required to stand before the throne of Bahadur Sah, Burhan declined to
move further saying that should he who had won his independence from the great house of the
Bahamani stoop to that of Gujarat Sah Tahir again intervened, promising his master that his honour
would in no way suffer and agreed to accompany him to the Gujarat king's court. When the royal
party approached Bahadur Sah's camp, Sah Tahir accompanied Burhan Nizam Sah carrying on his
head a copy of Qoran in the hand-writing of the Caliph Ali. When Bahadur Sah saw Sah Tahir
approaching him, he got down from his throne, kissed the Qoran, and with it, touched his eyes and
forehead three times. He then received compliments from Burhan who greeted him, and ascended
the throne. Bahadur Sah then requested Sah Tahir to be seated. He replied that he could not accept
a seat when his master was being made to stand. Upon this Bahadur Sah requested Burhan Nizam
Sah and Sah Tahir to be seated. After having humiliated Burhan Nizam Sah, Bahadur Sah took
from his waist a sword and jewelled dagger and girded them on Burhan Nizam Sah with the words, "
May the title of Sah prove auspicious to you"2 Bahadur Sah also presented him with the canopy or
chatra, which he had taken from the king of Malva. Bahadur Sah then instructed his officers and
Miran Muhammad, the Khandes Sultan, to escort Burhan Nizam Sah to the tent erected. An
entertainment programme was arranged when Bahadur Sah seated both Burhan Nizam Sah and
Miran Muhammad on chairs of gold in front of him. He presented Burhan with five horses, two
elephants and twelve fighting deer. Bahadur Sah and Burhan Nizam Sah then played caugan or the
game of polo. Sayyad Ali says that Burhan Nizam Sah exhibited such skill in the game that Bahadur
Sah was highly pleased. Burhan Nizam Sah now made valuable offerings to
1From Sayyad Ali's account it appears that the meeting between Burhan Nizam Shah and
Bahadur Shah took place after Bahadur Shah returned to his country subsequent to his conquest of
Malwa. This does not appear to be true. Bahadur Shah stayed for a long time at Burhanpur at the
invitation of Miran Muhammad after the conclusion of his Malwa campaign on his way to Gujarat. It
was during his stay at Burhanpur and before his return to Gujarat, that he invited Burhan Nizam
Shah to meet him.
2It is, however, difficult to accept the version that the Nizamshahi Sultans of Ahmadnagar,
who assumed all the titles and insignia of royalty as early as 1490, should have so late as 1531,
sought and obtained the confirmation of their sovereignty from a distant ruler of almost equal dignity.
HISTORY – MEDIAEVAL PERIOD 89
Bahadur Sah but the latter accepted only a copy of the Qoran, a sword, four elephants and two
horses. The account further says that the Sultan of Gujarat then conferred all the Deccan country on
Burhan Nizam Sah. Bahadur Sah who was very pleased with the performance of Sah Tahir used
every effort to persuade him to accept services under him. Sah Tahir, however, refused and
returned along with Burhan Nizam Sah to Ahmadnagar. On his way to Ahmadnagar, Burhan visited
Daulatabad to pay his respects to the shrines of holy men who were buried there. He was met at
Daulatabad by his son and ministers and the envoys of Bijapur and Golconda. Burhan Nizam Sah
conferred the titles of Latif Khan and Pratap Rai, respectively on two of his officers Khvaja Ibrahim
and Sabaji Citnis who had preceded him to Burhanpur to arrange for his reception there1. Burhan,
who had now left the management of kingdom in the able hands of Kanhu Narsi, started on an
expedition in the Konkan and the western ghats. He reduced about thirty forts in the region. He
forced the Maratha chiefs to pay the tribute which they had not done since the death of Malik
Ahmad Nizam Sah.
In 1531 Ismail Adil Sah demanded the cession of Kalyani and Kandhar from Amir Barid. Amir
Barid appealed to Burhan Nizam Sah for aid against Ismail Adil. Burhan dispatched an insolent
communication to Ismail Adil commanding him to desist from this demand. To this letter Ismail Adil
gave a stinging reply humiliating Burhaan Nizam Sah for accepting the suzerainty of Gujarat and
using the secondhand and the soiled insignia of Malva. Burhan Nizam Sah declared war with
Bijapur and marched upon Umrazpur. Accompanied by Barid Sah, he then invaded the territory of
the Bijapur kingdom. They were, however, completely routed by Asad Khan Lari, the Bijapur
general, near Naldurg. Burhan fled precipitately to Ahmadnagar leaving all his baggage behind and
losing four thousand men killed in action.2 In 1532 Burhan Nizam Sah and Ismail Adil Sah met and
decided to divide the Deccan between themselves. Adil Sah, who already claimed Bidar, was
permitted to annex Golconda whereas Burhan Nizam Sah's claim to Berar was confirmed. The
scheme, however, did not materialise as Ismail Adil died in 1534.3
Sayyad Ali gives information about the attack on a number of strongholds by Burhan Nizam
Sah at about this time. The first was the capture of the fort of Galna in the territory of
1Sayyad Ali informs us that some historians have stated that Bahadur Shah and Burhan Shah
met in a village near Daulatabad. The meeting according to these historians was brought about not
by Shah Tahir but by Khwaja Ibrahim Dabir and Sabaji. They were now honoured with these titles,
respectively. Sayyad Ali however vouchsafes for his account.
2Sayyad Ali conveniently avoids to mention this ignominious defeat of Burhan Nizam Shah at
the hands of the Bijapur general Asad Khan Lari.
3Ismail was succeeded by his eldest son Mallu Khan. He was, however, soon deposed and
his younger brother succeeded him under the title of Ibrahim Adil Shah I.
90 MAHARASHTRA STATE GAZETTEER
Raja Baharji of Baglana. The second was the siege of Murhir or Mulher fort. The commandant of the
fort was Bahirdarana. He was the feudatory of the Sultan of Gujarat. He wrote to him for help when
the fort was under siege by Burhan. The Sultan of Gujarat strongly protested and Burhan Nizam
Sah had to raise the siege. On his way back to Ahmadnagar he was met by Ratan Khan, the brother
of Makhdum Khvaja Jahan, the commandant of Parenda. Ratan Khan complained about the illtreatment
meted out to him by his brother and requested Burhan Nizam Sah to punish Khvaja
Jahan. Accordingly Burhan attacked the fort and reduced it. Khvaja Jahan went over to Ismail Adil
Sah and came back to attack Parenda with a large force. Burhan deputed two of his officers Hasan
Khan and Daulat Khan to oppose Khvaja Jahan. Initially they suffered reverses but ultimately
Khvaja Jahan was defeated and fled to Gujarat. After a few years, Khvaja Jahan regained the
favour of Burhan Nizam Sah and was reappointed to the command of Parenda.
It was at this time that Burhan Nizam Sah accepted the Siah faith. He was encouraged to do
so by his minister, Sah Tahir, who was himself a Siah Divine. A great discourse was arranged
between Sah Tahir and the Sunni Maulavis of the court, prominent among whom were Maulana Pir
Muhammad, Saikh Jafar, Maulana Abdul Avval, Qaji Zainul Abidin and Qajl Wilayat Ambar. The
Maulavis were defeated in the discourse and as they could not find any arguments they started
abusing. They even rebuked Burhan Nizam Sah for having accepted the Siah faith. The result was
the execution of Maulavi Qaji Ambar and the infliction of severe penalties upon the rest 1.
Burhan now appointed Sah Tahir as his Vakil and Pesva and at his instigation substituted the
names of the Imams for those of the Sahibas in the public prayers. He changed the colour of his
canopy and standards to green. He also settled pensions on persons to revile and curse the three
first Khaliphas and their followers in mosques and in the streets. This caused much discontent and
disaffection among the Sunnis who revolted under the leadership of Maulana Pir Muhammad. Pir
Muhammad collected a force of 12,000. He decided to depose Burhan Nizam Sah and place on the
throne his son Miran Abdul Kadir. The news was conveyed to Sah Tahar by the head of the cavalry
division of the Nizamsahi army, Husain Abdal Rumi. Sah Tahir informed Burhan Nizam Sah of the
happenings and advised him to break the revolt of Pir Muhammad. Accordingly, Burhan Nizam Sah
dispatched Javil Khan Sarpardadar to counter
1 Sayyad Ali boastfully but quite wrongly states that the acceptance of the Shiah faith by
Burhan Nizam Shah led to the spread of the doctrine in the neighbouring kingdoms and Adil Shah
and Qutb Shah accepted the Shiah faith. As a matter of fact the Sultans of these two kingdoms
were staunch supporters of Shiah faith.
HISTORY – MEDIAEVAL PERIOD 91
Pir Muhammad. There was no fight as most of the adherents deserted Pir Muhammad. Plr
Muhammad was made a prisoner and confined to the fort of Pali.
The neighbouring states of Gujarat, Khandes and Bijapur1 naturally took an affront due to the
suppression of the Sunni sect in the Ahmadnagar kingdom. They decided to invade the kingdom of
Ahmadnagar and divide it among themselves. Burhan Nizam Sah, however, compromised with the
Sultans of Gujarat and Khandes. He employed in his service all the Siahs disbanded by Ibrahim Adil
Sah and invaded Bijapur. According to one account Burhan Nizam Sah captured one hundred
elephants and some pieces of cannon and returned to Ahmadnagar. This gave an opportunity to the
enemies of Asad Khan Lari to encompass his downfall by accusing him of complicity with Burhan
Nizam Sah. Asad Khan fled to Belganv. He was innocent of the charge of complicity levelled against
him. Taking advantage of these dissensions in the Bijapur court, Burhan Nizam Sah invited Amir Ali
Barid and both of them attacked the Bijapur territory, at the same time spreading a lie that Asad
Khan had invited them both.2 Solapur and its five and half districts were subjugated and made over
to Khvaja Jahan Dakhani. The allies then moved against Belganv and captured it. They then
marched towards Bijapur spreading devastation as far as the capital. Asad Khan had joined the
allies with 6,000 troops to save his territory from destruction. He tried to convince his master that his
joining the allies was a mere ruse. But Ibrahim Adil Sah refused to listen and fled to Gulburga. Asad
Khan now wrote to Darya Imad Sah of Berar explaining his position and appealing for help to repel
the aggression of Burhan and Amir Ali Barid 3. Darya Imad Sah sent considerable reinforcements.
Asad Khan now joined the Berar troops. He left the allied army. To prevent the junction of the army
led by Asad Khan and Ibrahim Adil Sah the allies raised the siege of Bijapur and marched to
Gulbarga. They were, however, defeated near Gulburga and forced to retreat. They were hotly
pursued by the Berar and Bijapur armies. Burhan Nizam San and Amir Ali Band fled to Daulatabad,
leaving Ahmadnagar to be invested by the Berar and Bijapur troops. Amir Ali Barid died at
Daulatabad. Burhan Nizam Sah purchased peace by the retrocession of Solapur and agreeing
never again to molest Bijapur.4A and 4B.
1 Ibrahim Adil Shah I on his accession followed the Sunni faith. He was the first of the Sultans
of Bijapur to do so.
2 Sayyad Alifalsely accuses Asad Khan of complicity with Burhan Nizam Shah.
3 Sayyad Aliinforms that Darya Imad Shah on the invitation of Burhan Nizam Shah joined the
latter in this campaign. But he did not like the aggressive policy of Burhan Nizam Shah and as soon
as he received the appeal for help from Asad Khan, he deserted the Ahmadnagar camp.
4 A. The following is the account given by Ferishta about the episode of Asad Khan:—In the
year 949, dissensions arose at the court of Beejapoor between Assud Khan of Belgam and his
master, Ibrahim Adil Shah. Boorhan Nizam
92 MAHARASHTRA STATE GAZETTEER
In 1543, Sultan Quli Qutb Sah of Golconda who was ninety years old was murdered by his
son Jamsid. Jamsid now ascended the throne. Burhan Nizam Sah sent his minister Sah Tahir to
congratulate Jamsid Qutb Sah but with the covert intention of forming an alliance between
Ahmadnagar, Golconda and Vijayanagar against the kingdom of Bijapur. The alliance was
concluded and in 1543 the allies marched against Bijapur. Ibrahim bought over Burhan Nizam Sah
and Sadasivraya of Vijayanagar and easily defeated Jamsid Qutb sah. The confederacy was
renewed next year and Burhan Nizam Sah again attacked Bijapur. Ibrahim Adil sah moved from
Bijapur to oppose him. Both the armies lay encamped on the opposite banks of the river Bhima.
The account of the confrontation between Ahmadnagar and Bijapur given by Sayyad Ali
differs considerably from the one given in this chapter. Sayyad Ali's account is obviously wrong. A
brief summary of that account is given below: 'Asad Khan was instrumental in creating enmity
between Burhan and Ibrahim. Both prepared for war. Burhan appealed for help to Malik Barid and
his brother Khan Jahan. Malik Barid joined Burhan at Kalamb. A battle was fought near Arjan in
which Ain-ul-Mulk Kanani, a former nobleman of Burhan but now in the
contd.
A. H. 949 A. D. 1542.
Shah, taking advantage of this circumstance, invited Ameer Bereed Shah of Bidur to a
coalition; at the same time he promulgated a report, that Assud Khan had, in conformity with his
religious feelings invited those two monarchs into the kingdom, and promised to give up Belgam to
Boorhan Nizam Shah. Although there was not the slightest truth in this story it was sedulously
spread by the enemies of Beejapoor, and so successfully as to poison the King's mind more than
ever against his minister. Boorhan Nizam Shah having marched to Sholapoor, he seized on and
made over to Khwaja. Jehan Deccany the five and a half districts, and then proceeding to Belgam,
took possession of it and plundered the towns that did not submit to his authority. Assud Khan used
all his exertions to induce the King to march against the enemy, but he was apprehensive of
treachery; and to such a height were their mutual jealousies carried that Assud Khan saw no
security but that of going over to Boorhan Nizam Shah. He joined him accordingly with six thousand
troops attached to his person, and Boorhan Nizam Shah marched direct to Beejapoor. Ibrahim Adil
Shah, deprived of his minister, and without confidence in those around him, deserted his capital,
and took shelter at Koolburga, till the arrival of a reinforcement under Imad Shah. The proximity of
the Berar army to that of Boorhan Nizam Shah, a short time afterwards enabled Assud Khan to quit
the side he had espoused, and to unite himself with the ally of his country. Assud Khan no sooner
joined the Berar army than Boorhan Nizam Shah retreated towards Ahmudnuggur, whither he was
pursued by the allied forces of Berar and Beejapoor; and being compelled, in his turn, to quit his
capital and to leave it a prey to the invaders, he took post in the strong fortress of Dowlutabad. At
this place Ameer Bereed Shah of Bidur dying, Boorhan Nizam Shah concluded a peace, and
restored to Ibrahim Adil Shah the five and a half districts of Sholapoor, (Briggs's Ferishta, Vol. III,
pp. 229-30.)] A and B Sayyad Ali conveniently avoids to give the account of the battle. He points out
that the war between Ahmadnagar and Bijapur came to a close due to the intercession of Darya
Imad Shah and Bijapur agreed to cede the peths of Parenda to Burhan Nizam Shah.
Sayyad Ali gives some other interesting details of the campaign. Burhan had in his employ
Sayyad Umadat-ul-Mulk, Khairat Khan sarnobat and his two younger brothers Hasan Khan and
Daulat Khan. Burhan suspected treachery in regard to Umadat-ul-Mulk and Khairat Khan who left
the camp on the pretext of attacking the Bijapuris. Khairat Khan was arrested and blinded whereas
Umadat-ul-Mulk took asylum with Darya Imad Shah. Sayyad Ali also informs that at this time
another noble of Burhan, Ain-ul-Mulk Kanani deserted to Imad-ul-Mulk with his troops. This forced
Burhan Nizam Shah to seek peace.
HISTORY – MEDIAEVAL PERIOD 93
service of Adil Sah, was killed. Burhan's officer Rama Sivdev was also killed in the battle of Arjan.
Burhan then marched towards Solapur, besieged and captured the fort. He then retired to
Ahmadnagar.
Ibrahim Adil Sah, now thought of recapturing the fort of Solapur. He collected his forces and
besieged the fort. Burhan Nizam dispatched his army to oppose the Bijapuris. Daily skirmishes used
to take place between the opposing armies. One day 40 nobles of Ahmadnagar army among whom
were Asraf Khan, Firoz Khan, Saikh Miyan Afghan, Saikh Khamis, Sayyad Muhammad Kasim,
Miyan Tund, Khilji Khan, Pashad Khan, Anvar Cita Khan, Aziz-ul-mulk, Sayyad Ibrahim and Sayyad
Ovis, while on a reconnaissance mission approached the Bijapur camp. They were attacked by
Kadam Khan and Mustafa Khan of the Bijapur army with a force of 3,000. In the thick of the battle
Ikhlas Khan of the Nizamsahi army with 50 troopers reached the scene of battle and attacking a,
Bijapuri contingent under Kabul Khan defeated it. Adil Sah now raised the siege and retired to
Bijapur. Sometime after this, Ibrahim Adil sah marched against Solapur and besieged it. To force
Ibrahim to raise the siege, Burhan collected an army, and marched to relieve Solapur. Every day
battles were fought between the opposing armies. Bahadur Khan and Pir Muhammad of the
Ahmadnagar army distinguished themselves in these battles. Pir Muhammad, however, fell into the
hands of Bijapuris. Burhan appointed Musir-ul-Mulk Afghan to attack the Bijapurls. Firoz Khan was
his second in command. However, on being told by the latter of laxity on the part of Musir-ul-Mulk
Burhan appointed Alladal Daulat Khan in his place. Daulat Khan later convinced Burhan of the
valour of Musir-ul-Mulk who was again reinstated to his former post. The Bijapuris under the
command of Nur Khan now attacked the Ahmadnagar forces but were signally defeated by Kamil
Khan, Sujat Khan, Ajdaha Khan and Daulat Khan. Once again disappointed, Ibrahim Adil raised the
siege and retired to Bijapur.
A few months after, Burhan decided to form an alliance with Imad Sah, Barid Sah and Qutb
Sah against Bijapur. He sent a message to Imad Sah to this effect and directed Sah Tahir to
proceed to Bidar to persuade Barid to join the projected alliance. Sah Tahir was insulted by Khan
Jahan, the brother of Barid Sah. Barid, however, promised to join hands with Burhan. Sah Tahir left
for Telangana (Golconda). He succeeded in bringing Qutb Sah to the side of his master. Burhan,
accompanied by Imad Sah and Barid Sah invaded the Bijapur territory and marched towards the
capital. The advanced train of artillery of the Ahmadnagar army was attacked by the Bijapurls. They
were repulsed. Burhan besieged Bijapur but was, however, informed of the futility of the siege. Asad
Khan promised to hand over the fort of Belganv to Burhan Nizam Sah. Accordingly, Burhan raised
the siege of Bijapur and marched towards Miraj. Here he got the news of the death of Asad Khan
and the occupation of
94 MAHARASHTRA STATE GAZETTEER
Belganv by Ibrahim Adil Sah. Burhan therefore, turned towards Panhala and laid siege to it. One of
the Nizamsahi officers, Rajan Mahaldar was killed in action. As reduction of the fort was found
impossible, Burhan raised the siege and marched against the fort of Payin which he subjugated. He
then moved towards Satara and invested it. In the meanwhile, news was received of the march of
Ibrahim with a large, force. In the battle fought in the neighbourhood of Satara the Nizamsahi troops
were routed. Burhan therefore retired to the Balaghat and camped there. A contingent of Bijapuris
sent to attack the camp, was defeated by Dilavar Khan and Danayya. Burhan now moved to the
banks of the Par river. A great battle was fought on the banks of this river. The Adilsahi troops were
defeated. Adil sah fled the battle-field leaving behind, his horses, elephants and treasure. Burhan
then returned to Ahmadnagar.
Soon after, Ibrahim Adil sah reorganised his army and decided to attack Solapur. He was
joined by Barid Sah. The allies marched and besieged the fort of Solapur. Burhan also marched
towards Solapur. He was joined by Imad Sah. The siege was continued with the utmost vigour.
There ensued a scarcity of grain and forage in the region. The approach of the rainy season put the
army of Ahmadnagar in difficult straits. Burhan therefore wrote to Barid Sah to desert the Bijapuri
camp. The request was bluntly refused. Barid Sah on the contrary, advised Burhan to hand over the
fort of Solapur to Ibrahim. He, however, promised that he would join Burhan Nizam Sah next year to
invest the fort. Imad Sah also was of the same view. Burhan, then, handed over the fort of Solapur
to Ibrahim Adil Sah and retired to Ahmadnagar.
After three months, when the rainy season was over, Ibrahim crossed the river and attacked
the Ahmadnagar troops at Arjan. He routed them completely, capturing 250 elephants and 170
cannons and tumbrils. Burhan now sent his trusted minister Sah Tahir to Barid Sah to appeal for
help. Sah Tahir was insulted and dismissed from the court by Ali Barid. Sah Tahir spat vengeance
when he left Bidar. Immediately after, Burhan invaded the kingdom of Bidar. He first invested the
fort of Ausa. Barid Sah sought the help of Bijapur and promised to cede the fort of Kalyani. With the
arrival of reinforcements from Bijapur, Ali Barid forced Burhan Nizam Sah to raise the siege. The
allies were, however, defeated in an engagement which took place about four miles from Kalyani.
Ausa now capitulated to Burhan. From Ausa, Burhan marched to Udgir and Kandhar both of which
fell to him. Burhan inflicted another defeat on the allies at Kandhar where they lost considerably in
the engagement. Burhan Nizam Sah then returned to the capital1.
1 Sayyad Ali states that throughout this Campaign Darya Imad Shah was with Burhan Nizam
Shah.
HISTORY – MEDIAEVAL PERIOD 95
At this time a conspiracy was formed in Bijapur. Its aim was to depose Ibrahim and put his
brother Abdullah on the throne. Discovering the plot, Ibrahim executed the conspirators. Suspicion
fell on Asad Khan also. He retired to Belganv. A few of the conspirators and Asad Khan had already
approached Burhan for his support in the plot to overthrow Ibrahim. Burhan now entered into a
league with Jamsid Qutb Sah. Both of them marched against the fort of Belganv. But Asad Khan
refused to join them in their expedition and stoutly defended the fort. Burhan Nizam Sah and Qutb
Sah were subsequently forced to retire. In about 1546-47 Sah Tahir died when on a mission to
Darya Imad Sah. Burhan Nizam Sah appointed, Kasim Beg Hakim and Bhopalrai in place of Sah
Tahir1.
Burhan Nizam Sah entered into a league with Sadasivraya of Vijayanagar, against Bijapur
and its ally Bidar. He, then invested and besieged Solapur. The fort was too strong to be captured.
Burhan, therefore, raised the siege and marched against Kalyani which was besieged. On hearing
of the news, Ibrahim Adil marched to relieve it. While encamped near Kalyani, he was attacked by
Burhan and fled towards Bid and Parenda leaving his tents, baggage and artillery in Burhan's
hands. Kalyani capitulated without further opposition. Ibrahim, who had fled the field of battle
suddenly appeared before Parenda and captured it. Putting one of his officers in command he
devastated the surrounding territory and levied heavy contribution. On hearing of the approach of
Burhan Nizam Sah who was within 40 miles from Parenda, Ibrahim Adil retired to Bijapur. The new
commandant of the fortress of Parenda mistook the buzzing of a gnat for the sound of Burhan's
trumpets and fled. The fort was occupied by Ahmadnagar troops three days after his flight. As
stated earlier the fort was handed over to Khvaja Jahan whose daughter was married to Miran Sah
Haider, the son of Burhan Nizam sah.
In the year 1552 Burhan, once again in league with Sadasivraya of Vijayanagar, attacked the
Bijapur territory. The Raicur doab was subjugated by the allies and then as arranged Burhan Nizam
Sah marched to the siege of the fort of Solapur. The fort capitulated after a siege of three months2.
Both Sadasivraya and Burhan Nizam Sah then retired to their respective territories. In 1553 the
allies again invaded the Bijapur territory and besieged Bijapur. Ibrahim unable to withstand the
aggressors,
1 Sayyad Ali states that Bhopalrai was in the employ of Ali Barid. He visited the court of
Burhan Nizam Shah on some assignment. Burhan Nizam Shah enlisted him in his service and
appointed him to the command of the fort of Kalyani.
2 At the time of the siege, the fort was bombarded by the Ahmadnagar artillery but with no
effect. Burhan Nizam Shah thought of punishing the officer in command of artillery, Rumi Khan, but
was prevented from doing so by prince Miran Abdul Kadir and other nobles. Subsequently Rumi
Khan vowed to capture the fort within 12 days and by strenuous efforts succeeded in reducing the
fort. During the siege, a nobleman of Burhan Nizam Shah, Saif Ain-ul-Mulk defected to Adil Shah.
96 MAHARASHTRA STATE GAZETTEER
retired to Panhala1. While the siege was in progress Burhan Nizam Sah fell sick. He returned to
Ahmadnagar where he died on 30th December 1553.
The whole reign of Burhan Nizam Sah was full of wars with the neighbouring kingdoms. The
territorial aspirations of the succession states of the Bahamani kingdom brought them into conflicts
with each other. The numerous alliances made and broken, speaks of lack of foresight and unity of
purpose amongst these succession states. The Portuguese chronicles of the time speak very highly
of Burhan Nizam and praise his great political sagacity. Yet, in fact the country suffered and vast
regions were laid waste, time and again. The kingdom of Ahmadnagar expanded its territory during
the long reign of Burhan Nizam sah, but at a heavy cost in men and material. Sayyad Ali gives very
interesting statistics of the forts in possession of Burhan Nizam Sah which may prove of great value
in demarcating the boundaries of the kingdom of Ahmadnagar. They were Rola Chola, Kanchtan,
Katra, Anki, Kondana 2, Purandar 3, Rohida, Kheddurg, Alang Karang 4, Ramsej,
1 Sayyad Ali says that Ibrahim Adil Shah was besieged in the fort of Bijapur.
2 A brief description of the fort is given below.—
Sinhagad or Kondhana Fort (18° 22' N., 73° 46' E.; ht. 4,320 ft.), about fifteen miles southwest
of Poona, stands on one of the prominent points of the Sinhagada-Bhuleshwar range nearly
2,300 ft. above the Poona plain. The fort is approached irregularly by difficult pathways and
regularly by two gates on the north-east and south-east. The north-gast or Poona gate is at the end
of a winding ascent up the profile of a steep rocky spur; the easier Kalyan or Kondana gate of a less
difficult ascent is guarded by three gateways all strongly fortified and each commanding the other.
The fortifications, which consist of a strong stone wall flanked with towers, enclose a nearly
triangular space about two miles round. The north face of the fort is naturally very strong; the south
one is the weakest. The triangular plateau within the walls commands a splendid view on all sides,
has several bungalows and is used as a health resort. It is being developed into a national park.
3 A brief description of the fort is given below—
Purandar (18° 17' N., 73° 52' E.; ht. 4,545 ft.), is a famous fortified hill about 25 miles south of
Poona and about six miles south-west of Sasvad from where a very fair road leads to the foot of the
Purandar hill. Adjoining Purandar on the east and connected by the Bhairav Khind, is Vajragad or
Rudramala (4,422 ft.), a minor fort.
The formation of Purandar is varied by two risings. The higher one, which is crowned by the
Kedaresvar temple, forms the upper fort of Purandar, while on its northern face, 300 ft. below the
temple and more than 1,000 ft. above the plain, runs a level terrace on which stands the military
cantonment, flanked on the east by the barracks and on the west by the hospital. The northern edge
of the terrace is defended by a low wall with several semicircular bastions and a gate flanked by two
towers. This is called the Machi (terrace fort). From the foot of the hill the ascent is led by an easy
wide road, which, passing by the cantonment and hospital, runs towards the upper fort and ends in
a flight of rude stone steps reaching the Delhi Gate, the entrance to the main fort. Now there is a
regular motorable road winding up the fort. The inner citadel or the bale killa is reached by a
footpath. Both forts have a number of tanks cut into the rock, some of them half sub-terranean
cisterns, with rock-cut steps leading down.
4 Kulang and Alang on the Ahmadnagar frontier about 16 km. (ten miles) southeast of Igatpuri
station, are two miles (3.21 km.) distant from each other; Alang being almost entirely in the
Ahmadnagar district. Their tops are inaccessible, the old way of approach having been destroyed.
The two blocks are separated by the smaller mass of Madangad. Though Alang can be climbed, the
path is not only difficult but dangerous at places. The crags in this range are perhaps the steepest
and hardly afford foothold for any but the smallest brushwood.
HISTORY – MEDIAEVAL PERIOD 97
Aundhatya, Markoda, Kohij, Bola, Haholi, Trimbak 1, Anjir, Bhorap, Karkara, Haris, Jivdhan, Antur,
Galna, Chander, Rajder, Pali, Ratnagir, Dhorapwanki 2 , Vanjarai, Alahwant, Sholapur,
1 A brief description of the fort is given below—
Trimbak fort, which is 4,248 feet (1,294.80 metres) above the sea, is described in 1818 as on
a scarp so high and inaccessible as to be impregnable by any army or artillery, however numerous
or well served. The hill was ten miles (16 km.) round the base and about four miles (6.43 km.) round
the top. The scarp, which varied in height from two to four hundred feet (60.96 to 121.92 metres) of
perpendicular rock, surrounded the hill in every part, leaving no points except two gateways. The
chief gateway through which the garrison received their stores and provisions was on the south. The
north gateway was only a single gate, the passage to which was by narrow steps cut out of the rock,
and wide enough for only one person at a time. This passage was cut four to six feet (1.21 to 1.82
metres) in the rock, and had nearly 300 steps, each furnished with side grooves or niches. These
grooves were required to hold on by, as at half way up and after, it was hazardous to look back
down the cliff which had 600 to 700 feet (182.88 to 213.36 metres) of a sheer drop. The top was
surmounted by a building through which a six feet (1.82 metres) wide passage wound about twenty
feet (6 metres) in the rock. The mouth was protected by a double gateway, from which the further
ascent was through a hatchway. These winding stairs were covered by the building whose beams
crossed the stairs overhead, and which, if knocked down, would only add strength to the place by
burying the passage gateway. The head of this passage was defended by two towers connected by
a curtain, in which was the gateway. The height of the hill was not so great on the north as on the
south side, but it rose more abruptly and the ascent was steeper. Besides the gateways there were
a few towers and works on different parts of the hill, but their position did not seem to have been
chosen with a view to increase the strength of the fortress. The magazines and almost all the
houses of the garrison were cut in the rock.
At the foot of the scarp, and at a short distance from the passage leading to the north gate,
was an old village in ruins. The fort has now broad rock cut steps leading up the top.
2 A brief description of the fort is given below—
Dhodap fort, (4,741 feet = 1,445 metres) about fifteen miles (24 km.) north-west of Chandor,
is the highest and most prominent hill in the Ajanta or Chandor range. It stands out from the rest,
distinguished by its deeply-cleft level top and lofty towerlike peak at the eastern corner. It has also
this peculiarity that its shape is the same whether viewed from the north or the south side, and it
forms a conspicuous feature in the distant landscape both from Nasik and Sinnar on the one side,
from Kalvan and Satana on the other. It is approached by two paths, one from the south leading
straight from the Chandor to the Machi, a little village below the defensible works of the fort, and the
other from Otur, a large village on the north or Kalvan side, at the foot of one of the lower spurs of
the system which culminates in Dhodap peak. The latter is the easier, but has the disadvantage of
being considerably the longer, Leaving Otur to the west, the path winds up along gentle grassy
slope and after a short distance the first scarp is reached. Continuing the path along the north slope
of the hill, the bed of a small torrent is reached, across which there seems once to have been
thrown a rough outwork, the first trace of fortifications. At the top of the scarp, which is ill-defined
towards the north and north-east, is a large level space of rocky ground covered with a thin coating
of soil. Following the path southwards for about half a mile the outer gate of the lower fortified
portion is reached, a strong building flanked by walls running on each side to the upper and lower
scarp, respectively. From this point the upper scarp presents the appearance of a smooth wall of
basalt, the south-eastern corner alone being somewhat jagged and broken. The path follows the line
of the hill southwards under some very fair mango trees, with an undergrowth of corinda, and after
about three quarters of a mile or rather more, the second gate of the outer line of defence is
reached, of more solid construction than the first. Within this is the little village of about 170
inhabitants.
To ascend the fort, the entrance to which is imperceptible from the village, a path is followed
which zigzags up a steep slope to a bare wall of black rock cut into steps in two places. These being
surmounted, a double gate is reached in a series of bastions and walls called the khandari or
outworks. The actual fort is still at a considerable height above, and way re-commences its tortuous
course up a second slope, variied with projecting slabs of bare rock. At last the real entrance to the
fort is attained. This is a completely hidden passage cut in the living rock with two towers in it, and
concealed by an outer wall of solid rock and in its upper portion, by passing through a tunnel. Two
illegible inscriptions in Persian character are cut on the rock near the doorway, one of them is
recording the name of the builder of the fort.
98 MAHARASHTRA STATE GAZETTEER
Parenda 1, Kandhar, Ausa 2 , Kalyani, Manikpunj, Kodeval, Ketra, Wodhera, Erka, Satonda, Talmal,
Tanker, Lohogad, Moranjan, Kawani, Berwadi, Karnala, Sanksa, Morkel, Anus, Hatka, Tawakya,
Talamwat Vetala, Koldevhir, Rajdevhir, Bhaisagir and Trimbak Vanesa.
contd.
On emerging from the passage, the first sight that presents itself is the peak, still towering
perpendicularly at a height of three to four hundred feet (91.44 to 141.92 metres) above the
gateway. To the right of the gateway facing east, is the sadar, or masonry apartment for the captain
or killedar from the top of which a fine view of the Chandor range is obtained. To the south is a
bastion on which was mounted a ten-pound gun, now lying on the ground. Between the court and
the foot of the peak lies a grassy slope after crossing which are found remains of chambers formerly
used by the residents of the fort for various purposes. These are cut in the living rock of the highest
part of the hills. Beyond, to the west, are the provision chambers. Between these and the next cave,
that of Devi, are a few small recesses, walled in with rough stone work, apparently modern, which
now serve as rest-houses for mendicants and pilgrims. Immediately to the west of the Devi's cave is
a rock-cut reservoir said to be unfathomable, containing excellent water. It is a peculiarity of this
south face of the rocky peak that the base of the scarp inclines outwards a little from the point where
it springs from the grassy slope, a formation which has been taken advantage of in building up these
chambers. On the north side of the peak the strip of grass-covered and slippery ground between the
base and the vertical scarp is much Earrower than on the south, and the cave chambers on the
former side appear to have been for the gunners and soldiers. The summit which consists of a huge
mass of rock nearly precipitous for half its height and then conical, rises about 400 feet (121.92
metres) above the level plateau on which the main portion of the fort was situated, and is all but
inaccessible. Leaving the peak, the western side is perhaps the most extraordinary feature of the
fort. A wall of basalt juts for some 300 to 400 yards (274.32 to 365.76 metres) from the base of the
peak. Its top is fairly level, and its sides, some 200 to 300 feet (60.96 to 91.44 metres) high, appear
to be sheer precipices presenting scarcely a crack or inequality. The wall is in no place more than
perhaps thirty feet (9.14 metres) wide and is inaccessible from every side except the fort. Wherever
the precipice below the peak is a little less perpendicular than usual, or presents irregularities which
might be taken advantage of by an escalading force, there are built walls with loopholes and
bastions, which extend along a considerable portion of the east, north-east, and north sides of the
fort. The height of the peak is 4,741 feet (1,445 metres) above the sea level. There is a
trigonometrical base-mark just at the starting point of the basaltic wall, from which observations
were taken a few years ago connecting this hill with the fort of Ankai-Tankai to the south-east,
Ramsej and Anjaneri to the south and south-west, and the huge mass of Salher (5,263) to the north.
1 A brief description of the fort is given below:—
The only object of attraction of the town is the fort of Parenda known to have been built by
Mahmud Gawan the prime minister of Muhammad Shah Bahamani II. The fort is a solid construction
of the mediaeval age, its rampart walls being fortified by 26 strong rounded bastions, two of which
flank the main entrance on the northern side. Further it has a protective moat or khandak around
connected with the fort by a cement bridge. Now the khandak for the most part is filled up with silt. It
is curious that some of the stones employed in the construction of the fort bear Hindu carvings and
art. Some of the bastions in strategic places are mounted with huge cannons which can even be
seen today, their names being Malik Maidan (Ranarajni), Ajadahapaikar (Sarprupa), Lande
Kashyachi tof and the like. These svere mostly cast by Dutch craftsmen. The fortifications for the
most part as also the guard rooms and a mosque are in good order but the old town is in ruins.
2 A brief description of the fort is given below :—
The fort of Ausa is situated in a depression surrounded by high ground on all the sides so that
from its highest point one can have a view of the approaching armies even at a great distance while
the main parts of the fort remain hidden from the latter. It occupies nearly 13 acres of area and lies
two miles due south of the town. Almost square in shape, the fort has a moat or khandak (ditch)
around, nearly 36.58 metres (120 ft.) in width, now almost dry. As in the case of Kandhar fort in
Nanded district, it has a glacis, a retaining wall, a covered way, a double rampart fortified Further
with massive bastions, which are mostly semi-circular mounted with huge cannons. At present there
are no buildings of any note except for a recent Baradari constructed by Colonel Meadows Taylor
on a circular bastion of the fortification adjoining the first inner gateway of the fort. It commands an
excellent view of the
HISTORY – MEDIAEVAL PERIOD 99
Burhan Nizam Sah had six sons—Husain, Abdul Qadir, Sah Ali, Sah Haider, Miran
Muhammad Baqar and Muhammad Khudabanda.
HUSAIN NIZAM SHAH.
On the death of Burhan, Husain succeeded him under the title of Husain Nizam Sah. He was
thirteen years old. Abdul Qadir fled to his father-in-law, Darya Imad Sah of Berar. Husain Nizam Sah
wrote to the Sultan of Berar reminding him of the friendly relations existing between the two
kingdoms and requested him not to lend support to Abdul Qadir. Darya Imad sah agreed and Abdul
Qadir was asked to quit Berar. Abdul Qadir took asylum at Bijapur where he died shortly after. Saif
Ain-ul-Mulk too deserted to Ibrahim Adil Sah. The latter conferred on him the Jagirs of Asad Khan
Lari. In the meanwhile news was received that Nasir-ul-Mulk, who had been kept in confinement in
the fort of Kondana had fled. A force was sent under Sah Muhammad against Nasir-ul-Mulk. In the
action that took place Nasir-ul-Mulk was killed.
It will be recalled that the daughter of Khvaja Jahan of Parenda was married to Miran Sah
Haider. He fled to his father-in-law and with his support claimed the throne. Husain Nizam Sah
marched against him. Khvaja Jahan fled to Bijapur. Husain Nizam Sah besieged Parenda and
reduced it. He then returned to Ahmadnagar.
Prince Miran Sah Ali was in the fort of Pali in confinement. On the death of his father he fled
to Ibrahim Adil sah, his maternal grandfather. Ibrahim supported Khvaja Jahan of Parenda and
enforced the claim of Miran Sah Ali to the throne of Ahmadnagar. He sent a small force under the
command of Ali to invade the kingdom of Ahmadnagar. He himself marched against Solapur which
he besieged. It appears that Ibrahim Adil tried to seduce some of the nobles of the Ahmadnagar
court. When Husain Nizam Sah heard of this he arrested the nobles and blinded them1. He then
sent his minister Visvasrai to Darya Imad Sah to secure his assistance against Bijapur2. This
mission succeeded and a contingent of 7,000 cavalry was sent by Darya Imad Sah to the
assistance of Husain
contd.
fort buildings and the surrounding areas. It also affords a dim view of Latur town. There are some
badly abraded Nagari inscriptions fitted into the stone masonry of the guard rooms. Besides the
other buildings, there is the usual Pani mahal in a ruined conditions, quite a few large wells now
unused, a mosque and a dargah of one Sayyad Sadat. It is also believed that there is an
underground passage, big enough to allow an elephant to pass, leading from the fort to a
commanding hillock named Sultan tekadi, only 3.21 km. (2 miles) off. To-day the fort for the most
part is in dilapidated condition, its inside overgrown with grass and wild bushy growth infested with
snakes.
1 They were Farhad Khan, Shujat Khan and Khurshid Khan. These nobles followed the Sunni
sect and supported the Sunni prince Abdul Kadir.
2 Sayyad Ali states that Husain first sent Shah Rafiuddin Husain, son of Shah Tahir, to Berar
to persuade Imad Shah to help him in his war against Bijapur. But Rafiuddin forgot his mission and
maintained illicit relations with a lady of Imad Shah's harem. He was asked to quit the Imadshahi
kingdom by Darya Imad Shah.
100 MAHARASHTRA STATE GAZETTEER
Nizam Sah1. Husain Nizam Sah now marched to relieve the siege of Solapur. Saif Ain-ul-Mulk was
sent by Adil Sah to oppose the force. He badly mauled the Ahmadnagar army. It was falsely
reported to Ibrahim Adil that Ain-ul-Mulk had rejoined the services of Ahmadnagar. This news
unnerved Ibrahim and he fled the battlefield. Victory thus declared for Husain Nizam Sah. Ain-ul-
Mulk too withdrew from the field to join his master. Ibrahim hastened his retreat thinking that Ain-ul-
Mulk was pursuing him. All assurances by Ain-ul-Mulk failed to satisfy Ibrahim Adil Sah who told him
that his services were no longer required. Ain-ul-Mulk now turned rebel, but was defeated and took
refuge with Husain Nizam. Husain Nizam Sah had Saif Ain-ul-Mulk and most of his followers
assassinated.
In the year 1558, Husain Nizam Sah and Ibrahim Qutb Sah entered into a league and
conspired to capture Gulburga and Bidar. Their combined forces invaded the kingdom of Bijapur
and laid siege to Gulburga. The siege operations were conducted by Rumi Khan, Madhoram, Sah
Hasan Anju, Gajnafar Khan, Daulat Khan, Nizam Khan, Miyan Makhdum and others. The garrison,
however, fought stubbornly and withstood the siege. In the meanwhile, Ali Adil Sah who had
succeeded his father on the latter's death in 1558 appealed to Sadasivraya of Vijayanagar for help.
Sadasivraya persuaded Qutb Sah who was a Siah to desist from attacking Ali Adil Sah who was
also a Siah and succeeded in separating him from his alliance with Husain Nizam Sah. Qutb Sah
agreed and retired to his kingdom. Husain Nizam Sah was forced to raise the siege. He retired to
Ahmadnagar. Suspecting Kasim Beg of complicity in the whole affair, Husain imprisoned him in the
fort of Parenda. Inayatullah Nayati, a colleague of Kasim Beg, fled to Qutb Sah for fear of his life.
Husain Nizam Sah now appointed Ali Majindarani as Vakil or prime minister and Bhopalrai as
minister.
In the same year Husain Nizam Sah was embroiled in a conflict with the Portuguese. The
Portuguese had sent an envoy to the Ahmadnagar court seeking permission to build a fort at Caul.
The permission was refused and the envoy was imprisoned. Husain Nizam dispatched Muhammad
Ustad Nisapuri and Rumi Khan with 3,000 troops to blockade the construction. He himself followed
them. Francisco Berreto, the governor of Goa, arrived with a force of 4,000 Portuguese, aided by
native troops. On this, Nizam Sah sued for peace which was agreed to. One condition was that
neither party fortified either Caul of Revdanda2.
1 Sayyad Ali informs us that before the campaign against Bijapur, there was a revolt in Berar,
by Tufal Khan, a noble of that court. Darya Imad Shah, unable to suppress him appealed to Husain
Nizam Shah for help. Husain Nizam Shah sent a force accompanied by Farhad Khan, Ranyabahar
Khan, Miyan Salar, Daulat Khan and others. With their help Darya Imad Shah succeeded in
breaking the rebellion of Tufal Khan who fled to Burhanpur.
2 Sayyad Ali states that shortly before this campaign Husain Nizam Shah captured the forts of
Galna and Antur by defeating their chiefs, Danayya Rui Rai and Baharji, respectively. It was also in
this year that Saif Ain-ul-Mulk was treacherously murdered by Husain Nizam Shah.
HISTORY – MEDIAEVAL PERIOD 101
When the conflict with the Portuguese was in progress, Ali Adil Sah pressed for the cession of
Solapur and Kalyani. But Husain Nizam Sah steadfastly refused to handover the fortresses. Ali Adil
Sah then formed an alliance with Sadasivraya of Vijayanagar and Ibrahim Qutb Sah of Golconda.
Husain Nizam Sah made overtures to Darya Imad Sah. Both the Sultans met at Sonpet (later
named Isratabad) and signed a treaty of friendship which was further cemented by the marriage of
the daughter of Darya Imad Sah, Daulat Sah Begam with Husain Nizam Sah.
The allies now sent a peremptory communication to Husain Nizam Sah demanding the
cession of Solapur and Kalyani. On the refusal of Husain Nizam Sah, the allies marched with a huge
army against Ahmadnagar. Husain fled to Paithan and appealed to the Sultans of Khandes, Berar
and Bidar for assistance. Khan Jahan, the brother of Barid Sah, who was in the service of Imad Sah
persuaded the latter against sending any help to Husain Nizam. He himself marched with 6,000
troops towards the Ahmadnagar frontier. He was, however, defeated by the Ahmadnagar general
Mulla Muhammad Nisapuri. He later joined the Bijapuris. Upon this, Darya Imad Sah, sent his
minister Jahahgir Khan to the succour of Husain Nizam Sah. The allies, in the meanwhile, laid
waste the territory of Ahmadnagar. The rainy season was now approaching and Jahangir Khan had
succeeded in cutting of the supplies of the allies. Dissensions began to appear among the allies.
Qutb Sah, jealous of the Bijapur king's powers, established contacts with the garrison of
Ahmadnagar fort and supplied it with provision. When Sadasivraya asked for an explanation he
deserted the allied camp one night and retired to Golconda. One of his generals stayed back and
joined Husain Nizam at Paithan. The allies, now hard pressed, raised the siege and retreated to
Asti. They sent forces to besiege Parenda. It was at this time that Bhopalrai the commandant of the
fort of Kalyani handed over the fort to Adilsahi officers. Husain Nizam Sah s position was none too
happy and he sued for peace with Sadasivraya. It was granted on three conditions viz., the
surrender of Kalyani to Ali Adil Sah, the execution of Jahahgir Khan who had considerably harassed
the allies, and the personal submission of Husain. These humiliating conditions were accepted by
Husain Nizam. He ordered the execution of Jahahgir Khan without hesitation. His master could do
nothing to prevent the murder of his minister and sullenly retired to Berar 1.
The fort of Kalyani was handed over to Ali Adil Sah. Husain paid a visit to Sadasivraya when
he was made to stand and forced to kiss the hand of Sadasivraya. The account says that after
kissing the hand of Sadasivraya, to insult him, Husain asked for water to wash his hands. The
Vijayanagar king is reported to have said that had he (Husain Nizam Sah) not been his guest
1 The account of these events leading to the murder of Jahangir Khan as given by Ferishta is
as follows:—
Hoossein Nizam Shah, unable to cope with these forces, fled from Ahmudnuggur to Peitun,
whence he deputed embassies to Imad-ool-Moolk in Berar, to Meeran.
102 MAHARASHTRA STATE GAZETTEER
he would have been cut to pieces1. Husain Nizam sah then returned to Ahmadnagar. He now
dismantled the old mud fort of Ahmadnagar and constructed a stronger and more spacious structure
in stone in its stead. Husain Nizam Sah had been perturbed at the loss of Kalyani. On the advice of
his ministers Mir Kasim Beg and Maulana Inayat (who had re-entered the services of Husain Nizam
Sah) he decided to enter into an alliance with Ibrahim Qutb Sah who had rendered him considerable
help in his last war with Vijayanagar and Bijapur. Both the Sultans met near Kalyani where Husain
Nizam Sah's daughter Bibi Jamil was married to Ibrahim Qutb Sah. Both the Sultans then led an
contd.
Moobarik Shah Farooky of Kandeish, and to Ally Bereed Shah at Bidur, soliciting each of
them to march to his assistance. Khan Jehan, the brother of Ally Bereed Shah, having left Bidur
some time before, had entered the service of Duria Imad-ool-Moolk, whom he now not only
dissuaded from rendering any assistance to the king of Ahmudnuggur, but even prevailed on him to
allow him to take the command of six thousand horse, and march to the frontier to attack him. This
measure was, however, anticipated, and Khan Jehan was so completely defeated by a small
detachment of Nizam Shahy horse, that he was ashamed to return to Imad-ool-Moolk, and came
over to the Adil Shahy army. The allies now laid siege to Ahmudnuggur ; but Ibrahim Kootb Shah,
unwilling that Ally Adil Shah should add this fort to his dominions, connived at supplies passing
through his camp to the garrison. At the same time, also, Moolla Inayut Oolla Nevayut, then in the
Kootb Shahy service, kept up communication both with Hoossein Nizam Shah at Peitun and with
the besieged. As these proceedings could not long remain secret, Ally Adil Shah and Ramraj
demanded an explanation of Ibrahim Kootb Shah, who, without affording it, decamped during the
night and marched to Golconda, while Moolla Inayut Oolla finding his way first into the fort,
afterwards joined Hoossein Nizam Shah at Peitun. Duria Imad-ool-Moolk, after the defeat of Khan
Jehan, by way of reparation to Hoossein Nizam Shah, sent a large force under Jehangeer Khan to
join him. This division was employed to cut off the supplies of the besiegers, which soon produced a
famine; and all circumstances combined to compel the allies to raise the siege and to encamp at
Ashty, where it was determined to send one division of the army to Purenda, and another to Ousa
and that after having secured supplies, to return to the siege of Ahmudnuggur.
Hoossein Nizam Shah, however, having deputed Kasim Beg and Moolla Inayut Oolla to
Ramraj to sue for peace, it was granted on the following conditions—
First, that he should cede the fortress of Kulliany to Ally Adil Shah.
Secondly, that he should put. to death Jehangeer Khan, who commanded the auxiliary troops
of Duria Imad-ool-Moolk who had been extremely active against the enemy.
Thirdly, that Hoossein Nizam Shah should submit to pay Ramraj a visit, and to receive a pan
from his hands.
Hoossein Nizam Shah, to save his kingddm, accepted the terms, and fulfilled the second
article, by employing a band of assassins to put to death the gallant Jehangeer Khan in his tent.
After having thus, at the instigation of an infidel, murdered one of the faithful, and verified the
proverb, that "there is no faith in princes," he proceeded to the camp of Ramraj, who rose on his
entering his tent, and took him by the hand. Hoossein Nizam Shah, who possessed great pride,
called for a basin and ewer, and washed his hands, as if they had been polluted by the touch of
Ramraj, who said, in his own language, "If he were not my guest I would cut "off his hands and hang
them round his neck;" then calling for water, he also washed; and such were the bad feelings which
prevailed, that a tumult nearly occurred on the spot. Hoossein Nizam Shah, on giving the keys of
Kulliany to Ramraj, said "I give them to you as a present." Ramraj immediately sent them to Ally Adil
Shah, and gave Hoossein Nizam Shah pan, when he returned to Ahmudnuggur without visiting Ally
Adil Shah. On his arrival, he caused the fort, which was originally built of mud only, to be rebuilt with
stone, and a deep ditch to be excavated around it. The treaty of peace was concluded by Kasim
Beg and Moolla Inayut Oolla on the part of Hoossein Nizam Shah, and by Venkatadry and Yeltumraj
on the part of Ramraj.
(Briggs's Ferishta, Vol. III, pp. 240-42).
1 Sayyad Ali conveniently avoids to mention the humiliating treatment meted out to Husain
Nizam Shah by Sadashivraya of Vijayanagar.
HISTORY – MEDIAEVAL PERIOD 103
attack against Kalyani and besieged it. Ali Adil San and Sadasivraya marched to the relief of the fort
and were joined by Barid Sah and Tufal Khan of Berar. Husain and Qutb sah marched to oppose
the allied forces. Ibrahim Qutb Sah retreated under the heavy attack from the Adilsahi, Baridsahi
and Imadsahi forces, while, Husain, attacked by Vijayanagar forces, lost his whole train of artillery
composed of 700 guns. Both Husain and Qutb sah retreated to Ahmadnagar leaving their camps to
be plundered by the allies1. Ibrahim parted company with Husain at Ausa and retired to Golconda.
Husain threw up provisions at Ahmadnagar and retreated to Junnar. Ahmadnagar was now
besieged. Ala Adil Sah, however, advised Sadasivraya to march against Husain who was camping
at Junnar. The allies, therefore, attacked Junnar and Husain fled to the neighbouring hills of the
western ghats. By their harassing tactics Husain Rustam Khan Dakhani, Adham Khan Habsi and
Sabaji Koli, and other Ahmadnagar officers made further pursuit impossible. At Kanhur Husain
Rustam Khan made a sudden dash upon the Adilsahi camp but was killed in action along with his
contingent of 2,000 troops. Thinking that pursuit was impossible with the approach of rainy season
the allies retired again to the siege of Ahmadnagar. Sadasivraya encamped in the dry bed of the
Sina river. A sudden outburst of rain and consequent heavy floods caused considerable damage to
Vijayanagar camp. The allies therefore raised the siege and retired to their respective territories. In
the following year the Bijapuris made numerous incursions in the Solapur region. Murtaza Khan, a
Bijapuri officer, plundered a convoy of provisions headed for Solapur and defeated a contingent of
Ahmadnagar troops between Parenda and Solapur. A force of 2,000 was sent against Murtaza
Khan who had retired to Naldurg. He was attacked, taken prisoner and sent to Ahmadnagar. Husain
Nizam Sah himself marched at the head of a huge force to Solapur, His army carried with it 30,000
loads of grain. During all these years, the kingdom of Vijayanagar under Sadasivraya had gained in
strength and had benefited by the quarrels among the succession states of the
1 A.H. 970 A.D. 1562
In the year 970, Hoossein Nizam Shah and Ibrahim Kootb Shah met in the neighbourhood of
Kulliany, where they celebrated the marriage of Beeby Jumally, the eldest daughter of the former,
with the latter sovereign, and immediately after laid siege to that fortress. In this situation they were
attacked by Ramraj and Ally Adil Shah, who were also joined by Ally Bereed Shah from Bidur, and
Boorhan Imad Shah from Berar, who had lately succeeded his father, Duria Imad Shah, in the
government. The latter prince was particularly incensed against Hoossein Nizam Shah for his
shameful assassination of Jehangeer Khan. On the approach of these forces Hoossein Nizam Shah
sent his family into the fort of Ousa, and accompanied by Ibrahim Kootb Shah marched with seven
hundred pieces of ordnance of different calibres, and five hundred elephants, to within twelve miles
of the enemy. It happened that he had scarcely encamped, when a violent storm came on, which
blew down all the tents, and the rain pouring in torrents, his cattle, and his guns in particular, were
rendered almost useless, the latter being immoveable in the heavy black clay in which he was
encamped,. Oh the following morning the enemy's Bergy horse cut in upon Ibrahim Kootb Shah's
lines, whose army fled without making resistance; and Hoossein Nizam Shah, finding himself
deserted, commenced his retreat also, taking with him only forty out of seven hundred pieces of
ordnance, which he had brought into the field.
(Briggs's Ferishta, Vol. III, pp. 242-43).
104 MAHARASHTRA STATE GAZETTEER
Bahamani kingdom. The danger of the rising power of Vijayanagar to their own safety was now
realised, though very late, by these states. They decided to form an alliance against Vijayanagar.
Husain Nizam sah first sent his envoy Sayyad Mustafa Khan to Ibrahim Qutb Sah. The envoy
succeeded in winning over Qutb Sah to the proposed alliance. Mustafa Khan then went to Bijapur
and conveyed the request of his master to Ali Adil Sah. Adil Sah agreed. The alliance was
strengthened by the marriage of Candbibi, the daughter of Husain Nizam Sah, with Ali Adil Sah and
that of Falahbibi Hadia, the sister of Ali Adil Sab, with Murtaza Nizam Sah, the son of Husain Nizam
Sah. The fort of Solapur was ceded to Bijapur as dowry for the marriage of Candbibi with Ali Adil
Sah. Barid Sah was drawn into the alliance. Overtures were made to Berar, but Tufal Khan refused
to join as the Beraris had not yet forgotten the cruel execution of Jahangir Khan by Husain Nizam
Sah.
In December 1564 the allied armies which had assembled near Solapur marched against
Vijayanagar and reached Talikota in the vicinity of the river Krsna.
Ramraja, the prime minister of Sadasivraya, on receiving the news of the march of allied
forces decided to fight out the issue with the Sultans. He sent his brother Venkatadri with 20,000
horse, 1,000 elephants and 1,00,000 infantry. He dispatched another force composed of 12,000
horse, 1,000 elephants, and 200,000 infantry under Eltamraj. He himself followed them immediately
with a large force1. The Vijayanagar army blocked all the fords across the river. Husain now advised
that the allies should move by the bank of the river to find a convenient ford where the river could be
crossed. The allies started moving accordingly. The Vijayangaris also followed suit on the opposite
bank but in doing so left the principal crossings unprotected. This continued for three days when the
allies suddenly returned, covered the distance to the principal ford in a day, crossed the river and
encamped at a distance of about 10 miles from the Vijayanagar camp. The left of the allied forces
was commanded by Ibrahim Qutb Sah, the right by Ali Adil sah and the centre by Husain Nizam
Sah. Thus deployed, the allied armies marched against the army of Vijayanagar. Venkatadri, who
commanded the right flank of the Vijayanagar army, defeated and dispersed the left flank of the
allies under Qutb Sah. Ali Adil who was on the right flank also met with a similar fate. Only Husain
Nizam Sah withstood his ground. His artillery commander Rumi Khan who had taken up position in
the front of the army with 600 guns attacked the enemy ranks with his heavy guns filled with copper
coins. At the same time 2,000 foreign archers kept up a constant attack. In the thick of the battle
Husain Nizam Sah ordered his tent to be pitched in front of the Vijayanagar formations. The battle
1 Ferishta places the strength of the Vijayanagar army at 82,000 horse, 9,00,000 infantry and
2,000 elephants.
HISTORY – MEDIAEVAL PERIOD 105
became general now. The Vijayanagar army which had become confused due to the artillery attack
was attacked by Husain who charged them with his cavalry. Ramraja, seeing the general trend in
the battle going against him, dismounted and sat in a palanquin. He was attacked by an elephant
belonging to Husain Nizam Sah. The palanquin bearers left the palanquin, leaving Ramraja alone
on the field of battle. The elephant guard was informed1 that the person was none else than
Ramraja himself. Ramraja was captured and taken to Rumi Khan. Rumi Khan escorted him to
Husain Nizam Sah. Before Ali Adil Sah could intercede in his behalf, Husain, who had not forgotten
the previous insult, ordered him to be beheaded. His head was hung on a spear and displayed high
on an elephant's back on the field of battle. The Vijayanagar army was struck with terror at this
ghastly sight and fled the battlefield. Thousands of its men were killed by the pursuing army. Huge
booty fell into the hands of the allies. The allies camped on the battlefield for 10 days and then
proceeded to Vijayanagar. They occupied the city for six months, looting and plundering the city.
They then retired to their respective kingdoms. The battle of Talikota broke the power of the
Vijayanagar empire which had barred the expansion of the Deccan powers for two centuries. The
unity among the Deccan states, however, did not last long and the old bickerings among them
started all over, as subsequent events will show.
Soon after his return to Ahmadnagar, Husain Nizam Sah died on June 6, 1565 leaving behind
him four sons and four daughters. He was succeeded by his son Murtaza Nizam Sah 2.
MURTAZA NIZAM SHAH.
On his accession, Murtaza Nizam Sah gave himself up to debauchery and dissipation. He left
the management of the kingdom in the hands of his mother Khunja Humayun. She continued Kasim
Beg in the post of the Pesva. Due to old age he retired after some time. His place was taken by
Maulana Inayatullah. He also retired shortly after and Sayyad Sah Rafiuddin Hasan, son of Sah
Tahir was appointed in his place. He too, was removed. Shortly after, Khunja, the regent raised to
nobility her three brothers Ain-ul-Mulk, Taj Khan and Etibar Khan. This caused much discontent. At
this time Timma Raja and Venkatadri of Vijayanagar were disputing the succession to power in
Vijayanagar. Timma Raja (Eltamraj) was backed by Ali Adil Sah. Venkatadri appealed to
Ahmadnagar for help. Khunja wrote to Tufal Khan and Ibrahim Qutb Sah to form an alliance against
Bijapur and march to the help of Venkatadri. Tufal Khan and Qutb Sah agreeing, the allies marched
against Bijapur with Khunja and her young son
1 According to Sayyad Ali by Dalpatray a minister of Sadashivraya.
2 Husain Nizam Shah had four sons and four daughters viz., Murtaza, Burhan, Shah Kasim
and Shah Mansur and Chandbibi, Bibi Khadija, Aka Bibi and Bibi Jamal. Murtaza and Burhan
succeeded to the Ahmadnagar throne. Chandbibi was married to Ali Adil Shah, Bibi Khadija to
Jamal-ud-Din Husain Inju, Aka Bibi to Mir Abdul Wahab and Bibi Jamal to Ibrahim Qutb Shah.
106 MAHARASHTRA STATE GAZETTEER
at the head of the army. Ali Adil sah thinking himself illequipped to face the alliance, retreated from
the Vijayanagar territory to his own kingdom.
MURTAZA NIZAM SHAH.
When these events were taking place in the south, the political situation had worsened in
Berar. Tufal Khan, who was the frgent for Burhan Imad Sah had usurped all power. Ali Adil Sah,
therefore, invited Murtaza Nizam Sah to form an alliance against Tufal Khan. Both the Sultans met
in the fort of Ausa and decided to punish Tufal Khan. Accordingly, Farhad Khan of Ahmadnagar and
Dilavar Khan of Bijapur were sent to Berar with a force. They were soon followed by Murtaza and Ali
Adil Sah. They advanced as far as Ellicpur laying waste the country. Tufal Khan retired to Gavilgad
which was besieged by the allies. Tufal Khan then opened negotiations with Ali Adil and sent him a
present of 50 elephants and 1 lakh hons. Ali Adil lost all interest in the campaign and started his
retreat towards Bijapur. Murtaza was also forced to raise the siege and to withdraw to Ahmadnagar.
On the way the Maratha troops of Adil Sah attacked the Ahmadnagar army and in the engagement
Mansur Khan, a noble of Ahmadnagar, was killed. Only tact avoided an outbreak of hostilities
between the two and both the armies returned to their respective countries1. During his return Ali
Adil Sah tried to seize the young king of Ahmadnagar but his mother, being warned, fled with her
son through the night and escaped to Ahmadnagar. In 1567 Ali Adil Sah, provoked by Murtaza's
persistent hostility, invaded Ahmadnagar and captured serveral places including the fort of
Kondana. A force was sent under Kisvar Khan towards Bid. Kisvar Khan defeated Murtaza's officers
at Kaij and built the fort of Dharur2.
It was at this time that Murtaza Nizam Sah thought of doing away with the power and
influence his mother wielded over him and the administration of the kingdom. Sayyad Ali says that
Murtaza was invited by his teacher Maulana Husain Tabriji, who aspired to the prime ministership of
the kingdom. A plot
1 Sayyad Ali informs that soon after Ahmadnagar and Berar troops invaded Bijapur. Maulana
Inayat, Farhad Khan, Kamil Khan and Galib Khan laid siege to Bijapur. But the garrison attacked the
allied forces killing many troopers and capturing a number of elephants. The besiegers raised the
siege and withdrew to Ahmadnagar. Ferishta does not mention this event but states that Kishwar
Khan Bijapuri attacked the Ahmadnagar kingdom and captured a few frontier districts and forts.
2 Burhan-i-Masir gives the succession of events that preceded the removal from power of
Khunja Humayun and assumption of royalty by Murtaza Nizam Shah as under : Qutb Shah who had
now become aware of the hostility between Bijapur and Ahmadnagar made overtures to Murtaza
Shah. He proposed an alliance against Bijapur between Ahmadnagar, Vijayanagar, Golconda and
Berar. This was agreed to and the forces of Ahmadnagar, Golconda and Vijayanagar assembled on
the banks of Krishna. They marched against Bijapur. Ali Adil Shah, unable to face the allies,
seduced Qubt Shah who deserted the allied army and marched to Golconda. Khunja now consulted
her officers and it was decided that the Ahmadnagar forces should withdraw. On their way back they
were attacked by the Bijapur and Golconda troops and suffered considerably. In one of the severely
fought engagements, the Qutbshahi army was defeated. Ahmadnagar lost Motmat Khan Sarnobat,
and Golconda, Mukrab Khan, both killed in action.
HISTORY – MEDIAEVAL PERIOD 107
was formed to imprison Khunja Humayun, but she received the news of the plot from Murtaza
himself. The conspirators among whom were Khvaja Mirak Dabir, Sayyad Murtaza (according to
Sayyad Ali) and Jamaluddin Husain Inju, Kasim Beg Hakim, Sah Ahmad and Murtaza Khan
(according to Ferishta) fled to Bijapur. Murtaza, however, succeeded later in imprisoning Khunja
when he went on a hunting expedition1. He was then accompanied by a large number of followers.
Khunja suspected treachery and followed her son. But she returned to the camp sooner than
Murtaza. Murtaza sent Habas Khan, Farhad Khan and Ikhlas Khan to arrest her. She, however,
defied the arrest before she could be overcome. Her brothers fled without making any efforts to
assist their sister. Ain-ul-Mulk took refuge with Qutb Sah and Taj Khan with Raja Baharji of Baglana.
Khunja was sent to the fort of Daulatabad in confinement. She was later transferred to Sivneri2.
Murtaza's younger brother Burhan who had been in prison at Sivneri was transferred to Lohogad.
Relieved thus of the influence of his mother, Murtaza took over charge of the administration and
appointed Maulana Husain as his Vazir, creating him Khan Khanan.
Murtaza now decided to march against Kisvar Khan of Bijapur who had built a fort at Dharur3.
He set out with a force of 5,000 troopers. With unusual energy and spirit he arrived in the
neighbourhood of the fort. He received an insulting letter from Kisvar Khan informing him that he
was no match for the commandant of the fort of Dharur and hence should withdraw. Murtaza now
swore that he would not retire till the fort capitulated, and attacked the fort. He reached the gate
inspite of the showers of shots, arrows and rockets which poured from the fort. His army suffered
heavy losses. In the thick of the battle a
1 Sayyad Ali informs that the seizure was effected when Murtaza, Khunja Humayun and the
nobles of the kingdom had marched against Kishwar Khan of Bijapur. Habash Khan seized Khunja
when she was resting in her tent. Her brothers were defeated by Khwaja Mirak Dabir who was later
given the title of Changiz Khan.
2 A. H. 977. A. D. 1569.
In the year 977 the Dowager-queen marched, with her son, to oppose the encroachments of
Kishwur Khan, the Beejapoor general. Upon their arrival at Dhamungam, Moortuza Nizam Shah,
now able to judge for himself, and resolving to become free from his mother's trammels, gained over
the principal nobles, and sent Hubbush Khan to inform the Queen that it was his pleasure she
should no longer engage in public affairs, but live retired, like the other princesses. Enraged at this
message, she summoned her creatures, and throwing a veil over her face, came from the palace on
horseback, armed with a bow, a sword, and dagger. She was, however, seized, after a short
resistance, and her attendants fled. The King now assumed charge of the affairs of his government;
and having levied forces, marched towards Dharoor, with the intention of attacking Kishwur Khan,
the Beejapoor general. (Briggs's Ferishta, Vol. III, pp. 252-53).
3 A brief description of the fort is given below :—
The hill fort of Dharur is about 500 years old. The fort is located at a distance of, about a
furlong (.201 km.) to the west of Dharur on a hill range with an average height of about 753.47
metres (2,472'). The fort ramparts are of masonry and have a height of nearly 30.48 to 38.10 metres
(100 to 125 ft.). There are, what appear to be, the remains of old gates of which only the frames are
now in existence. The fort also contains a tank and three big wells. In the centre of this tank is a
bore of 152.4 m (6") diameter and it appears to be the source of water to the tank.
108 MAHARASHTRA STATE GAZETTEER
chance arrow released by Cangiz Khan of the besieging army hit Kisvar Khan, wounding him
mortally. The fire from the fort suddenly stopped and Murtaza's forces entered the fort finding it
empty of garrison. Kisvar Khan was dead. His head was cut off and presented to Murtaza. The
fleeing Bijapurls were pursued with heavy slaughter and much booty fell into the hands of the
victors1. Murtaza Nizam Sah in the flush of his victory insulted his ally, Qutb Sah who fled from the
Ahmadnagar camp leaving his baggage to be plundered by his ally.
Taking advantage of the absence of Murtaza from his capital and with the object of relieving
Kisvar Khan, Ali Adil Sah had dispatched a force of 10 to 12 thousand men under the command of
Nur Khan, Ain-ul-Mulk and Zariful-Mulk to invade the Ahmadnagar territory. This diversionary move
of Adil Sah did not succeed and the Bijapurls were defeated by Ahmadnagar troops led by Farhad
Khan, Cangiz Khan and Ikhlas Khan. Nur Khan was taken prisoner and the other two Bijapuri
officers were killed. Murtaza renamed Dharur as Fatehbad and concluded a treaty with Bijapur. He
then returned to his kingdom. The peace was shortlived, for, in the following year Ibrahim Qutb Sah
again approached Murtaza Nizam Sah for an alliance against Bijapur. Murtaza, on the advice of
Khan Khanan marched with a large army. Qutb Sah also left his capital and marched to meet
Murtazia Nizam Sah. Both the armies met at Waghdari. What could have been a grand invasion
against Bijapur ended in fiasco and the alliance between Ahmadnagar and Golconda was broken.
The reason was a friendly letter by Ibrahim Qutb Sah to Ali Adil Sah immediately after the meeting
between him and Murtaza.
contd.
The fort of Dharur presents an interesting phenomenon both from the point of view of human
ingenuity and natural landscape. Situated as it is to the west of the town, it has only one entrance
and that is to the east facing the city, so that viewed from the city the fort appears to be a land fort.
As one enters the fort, this illusion is lost on the mind and one gets a wide expanse of the hilly
region stretching beyond. On the descending hill-slopes to the north are built the powerful fort walls
and bastions, probably with a view to prevent any attack upon the city from that side. The hills are
gradual in their slopes and are easy of descent as well as ascent. The builder must have realised
this drawback in the defence armoury of the fort and therefore to make the fort impregnable and
thus secure the town against the enemy attacks a solid wall with bastions was built on the slopes of
the hills. All the bastions except the two at the main gate are in bad repairs. The fort walls to the
east have an approximate height of about 4.57 metres (15 feet) and above them could be seen
residential quarters and observation posts mainly for the party in reconnaissance. The walls of the
fort on the east are in rows of three and in-between the sunken space of the walls, particularly on
the south side, there is a pond probably used as a source of water supply to the active garrison.
Outside the fort walls to the south there must have been a big tank at one time for remains of the
arrangement to lift up water from the tank over the wall with the help of moat could still be seen.
Exactly in front of the main gate could be seen a wall built in a zigzag fashion. What the purpose of
the builder was cannot be fathomed but if conjecture is permissible one may say that the closeness
of the wall to the main gate must have prevented many an enemy from making use of elephants to
break open the doors.]
1 Sayyad Ali again informs us that Tufal Khan of Berar sent a contingent of 1,000 cavalry to
help Murtaza carry on the siege under the command of his son Samsher-ul-mulk. This appears to
be improbable taking into consideration the enmity that existed between Berar and Ahmadnagar
after the cruel execution of Jahangir Khan by Husain Nizam Shah which the Beraris had not
forgotten. It may also be noted that it was at this time that Murtaza Nizam Shah sought the
assistance of Ibrahim Qutb Shah.
HISTORY – MEDIAEVAL PERIOD 109
Perhaps treachery had become second nature with Ibrahim and he had to pay the penalty for his
duplicity. The details are as follows: At that time Abul Hasan, a son of Sah Tahir, was minister of Ali
Adil Sah. Ali Adil Sah suspected him of inviting this invasion by Murtaza Sah and threatened him.
Abul Hasan now requested Sayyad Murtaza Sabzavari to intercede in his behalf with Murtaza
Nizam Sah by going to the Ahmadnagar camp and beg Murtaza Nizam Sah to retire in view of the
compromising position in which he had been placed. He placed in the hands of Sayyad Murtaza a
copy of the letter which Ibrahim Qutb Sah had sent to Ali Adil Sah. Sayyad Murtaza accordingly
went to the Ahmadnagar camp and placed all the facts before Murtaza Nizam Sah. Murtaza who
was convinced of the treachery of Ibrahim Qutb Sah consulted his officers and decided to attack his
ally's camp. On the next day, the camp of Qutb Sah was encircled by Ahmadnagar troops and
plundered and sacked. Qutb Sah led to Golconda, hotly pursued by a contingent of his erstwhile
ally. The account, however, says that Murtaza feared that Qutb Sah would ally himself with Ali Adil
Sah. Murtaza, therefore, decided to conciliate him. He was informed that Qutb believed that the
attack on his camp by the Ahmadnagar army was due to the advice of Mulla Husain Tabrizi alias
Khan Khanan. Murtaza did nothing to allay Qutb Sah's suspicion of Khan Khanan. He, however,
dismissed and imprisoned Khan Khanan in the fort of Jond (Cavand). In his place Sah Haider, the
son of Sah Tahir, was appointed to the post of Pesva and Vakil. Sah Jamal Husain Inju was ordered
to work as an associate of the new prime minister (1569). After this, Murtaza Nizam visited Junnar
and Sivneri and from thence proceeded to visit the fort of Jond. From Jond he went to Nandganv,
the Jagir place of Farhad Khan and from that place returned to Ahmadnagar1.
In 1569, Murtazia Nizam Sah, Ali Adil Sah, the Zamorin of Calicut and the king of Achin in
Sumatra formed an alliance with a view to expel the Portuguese from their possessions in India. Ali
Adil was to attack Goa and Murtaza was to attack Caul Revdanda in Kolaba district. Murtaza
appointed Jalal-ud-Din Husain, his prime minister and marched to Revdanda with all the available
forces under his command which numbered 1,50,000 men2. The commandant of Caul was Louis
Ferrira Da Adred.
1 An interesting episode is related by Sayyad Ali. He says that the wife of Shah Haider had
arrived at Ahmadnagar at this time. She invited Murtaza to pay her a visit. Accordingly Murtaza
visited her and was lavishly entertained. On the next day when Shah Haider arrived in the camp he
came to know of the visit of Murtaza to his wife. He did not like the fact of his wife entertaining
Murtaza. He practically withdrew from public life. When Murtaza retired to the capital he visited
Shah Haider but was not reconciled to him. In his place he appointed Shah Jama-luddin Husain.
Murtaza there upon invited Shah Haider's wife to Junnar and conferred upon her a pension
amounting to 1 lakh tankas. The rift between the husband and wife perpetuated and subsequently
the wife of Shah Haider left for Irak. This was perhaps the sign of the events to follow in the life of
Murtaza which earned for him the nickname of ' Divana'.
2 Danvers gives the strength as 34,000 cavalry, 1,00,000 infantry, 2,000 sappers and miners
and a huge train of artillery and elephants.
110 MAHARASHTRA STATE GAZETTEER
He had under his command a force of 50 horses and infantry not exceeding 3,000 men. He was
also short of ammunition and provisions. The governor of Goa who himself was hard pressed by the
besieging Bijapuri army sent 600 troops and an ample supply of provisions. The fort garrison grimly
held on defeating all attempts of the Ahmadnagar army to storm the fort. The besiegers lost heavily
with 12,000 men, 300 elephants, 4,000 horse and 6,000 oxen killed during the siege operations.
The Portuguese succeeded in seducing many nobles of Ahmadnagar such as Farhad Khan, and
Ikhlas Khan by heavily bribing them. The siege operations, grew slack and the officer in command
of the siege operations Sah Jamaluddin Husain became negligent and careless. Provisions were
allowed to reach the fort garrison and details about the deployment of the Ahmadnagar troops were
secretly conveyed to the commandant of the fort. The Portuguese pounded the besiegers and on
one day, Murtaza lost 3,000 men killed. Cangiz Khan, therefore, advised Murtaza to raise the siege
and enter into a compact with the Portuguese. Murtaza agreed and concluding an agreement with
the Portuguese, returned, defeated and humiliated to Ahmadnagar. He imprisoned Farhad Khan
and Ikhlas Khan for their treachery and expelled Jamaluddin Husain from the kingdom. He then
appointed Canglz Khan to the post of Vakil and Pesva. At this time Sayyad Murtaza, who had gone
over to Bijapur, returned to Ahmadnagar and entered the services of Murtaza Nizam Sah. Murtaza
appointed him to the post of Sar Siledar, a charge equivalent to that of a Vazir or an Umrav. It was
at this time that he conferred nobility upon Khudavand Khan, Jamsid Khan Siraji and others.
Some time after this, Ali Adil Sah formed an alliance with Ibrahim Qutb Sah. Before the
alliance could materialise into an invasion of Ahmadnagar, Cangiz Khan advised Murtaza to invade
the kingdom of Bijapur. Ali Adil also marched with his army to meet the aggressor. The object of
Cangiz Khan was to break the alliance between Golconda and Bijapur and hence he now
intervened to prevent a war between Bijapur and Ahmadnagar. He personally led the mission and
met Sayyad Ali Motbar Khan, the prime minister of Bijapur at Naldurg. It was agreed that a meeting
should be arranged between the two Sultans. Accordingly both the Sultans met at Rata Cabutra. It
was decided that Murtaza should conquer Berar, Bidar and Telangana with the help of Ali Adil and
Ali Adil should annex an equivalent territory from the kingdom of Vijayanagar. Accordingly, the
armies of the allies advanced towards Bidar, plundering the whole territory on their way. But
subsequently Cangiz Khan advised Murtaza to turn towards the conquest of Berar first and then
subjugate Bidar and Telangana. Murtaza agreed and informed Ali Adil accordingly. He sent a
detachment of his army under the command of Amin Khan to devastate the territory of Golconda
and help Ali Adil during his march towards Vijayanagar. Ali Adil too sent a contingent of his army
under Dilavar Khan to assist Murtaza in his conquest of Berar Murtaza marched towards
HISTORY – MEDIAEVAL PERIOD 111
Berar but on the approach of the rainy season halted at Kaulas. Here he was joined by the
detachment under Amin Khan.
In the meanwhile developments were taking place in Berar. Tufal Khan who was acting as the
regent of the kingdom due to the minority of Burhan Imad Sah had usurped all power and was
contemplating the assumption of royal titles. Murtaza sent letter with' his minister Sah Haider to
Tufal Khan demanding removal of all restrictions placed on Burhan Imad Sah (who had now come
of age) and restoration of all the powers of the government of Berar to him. On the advice of his son
Samser-ul-Mulk, Tufal Khan dismissed Sah Haider without a reply. On this, after the end of the rainy
season Murtaza left Kaulas and invaded the kingdom of Berar. He halted at Pathri and sent
advance detachments of his army under the command of Khudavand Khan, Rustam Khan and
others. The invasion of Murtaza had made the people of the region panicky, and they fled to the
jungles. Murtaza issued a declaration inviting the people to return to their normal business. He
distributed the territory of Berar in Jagir and Inams among his noblemen. In the meanwhile, news
was received of the march of Tufal Khan towards Kandhar. An engagement took place between a
contingent of the Berar army under Samser-ul-Mulk and a contingent of Ahmadnaear troops near
Bidar in which the Beraris were defeated. Next day when Murtaza moved forward with his main
army, news was brought that Tufal Khan had fled towards Mahur without risking a battle. Murtaza
detailed Haider Sultan Ali Quli Sarkhel, now created Sar Laskar, Mirza Yadgar, Canda Khan, Kamil
Khan and others in the province of Kandhar to prevent an attack from that side while he himself
marched to pursue Tufal Khan. When Murtaza was camping at Metapur, news was received that
Tufal Khan was also camping in the neighbourhood. Cangiz Khan thereupon dispatched a force
under Ahmadbeg Qijalbas Khan to attack Tufal Khan. Tufal Khan also marched forward and a
general engagement took place. It continued for the whole day and late into the night also, when the
armies retired to their respective camps. However, Tufal Khan fled overnight. Murtaza now deputed
Bahiri Khan, Jamal Khan and Kadam Khan to reduce the fort of Mahur. He himself advanced to
subjugate the kingdom of Berar. At this time the Emperor Akbar was busy in Gujarat, suppressing
the rebellion of the Mirzas. The rebellion of the Mirzas was put down and they fled to Murtaza to
seek refuge. Murtaza took them under his protection and entertained them in his service.
In the meanwhile, Tufal Khan, was pursued by Khudavand Khan and Rustam Khan. When
these nobles were camping in Berar, Samser-ul-Mulk surprised them, inflicting heavy casualties
upon the Ahmadnagar troops. Rustam Khan was killed and the entire camp was plundered by the
Beraris. Murtaza reached the place where this disaster had taken place and started in pursuit of
Tufal Khan. Cugtai Khan, one of the nobles of Berar, at this time defected to Murtaza Nizam Sah.
Tufal Khan now reached the
112 MAHARASHTRA STATE GAZETTEER
borders of the kingdom of Khandes. Fearing that Tufal Khan might seek refuge with Miran
Muhammad Sah Faruqi. the Khandes Ruler, Murtaza wrote to Miran Sah dissuading him from
granting Tufal Khan any asylum. Sayyad Ali states that Murtaza and Miran Muhammad met on the
hanks of the river Parandi (probably Purna) where Miran Sah promised Murtaza that he would
refrain from granting asylum to Tufal Khan. Disappointed, Tufal Khan fled to Narnala. His son
Samser-ul-Mulk took refuge in the fort of Gavil. Murtaza advanced to besiege the fort of Narnala and
Khan Zaman, Rustam Khan, Mali Khan, Bahrain Khan and Bahadur Khan to besiege the fort of
Gavil. Bahadur Khan, and, later, Bahram Khan were put in charge of the siege operations of Gavil,
whereas Asad Khan was put in charge of the siege operations of Narnala.
In the meanwhile, news was received that Qutb Sah had attacked and defeated the
Nizamsahi troops at Kandhar. Murtaza, therefore, ordered the nobles besieging Mahur to proceed to
Kandhar and oppose the Qutbsahi army. Accordingly, these nobles reached Kandhar and joined the
army there which was now under the command of Sayyad Mirza Yadgar. The Qutbsahi army was
camping at Tamarni. When they received the news that reinforcements had arrived at Kandhar they
marched to Kaulas. Here they received an order from Quth Sah to move from Kaulas, But before
they could make any considerable advance, the Ahmadnagar army swooped upon them and routed
them (11th May, 1573) and returned to Kandhar. The siege of Narnala was, in the meanwhile, being
vigorously prosecuted. The garrison stoutly resisted. Ultimately, by a ruse, one of the officers of
Ahmadnagar, Khvaja Muhammad Lari, got entrance into the fort by pretending to be a dealer in
horses. He seduced the Naikvadis in charge of the defence of the fort by bribing them. When Tufal
Khan became aware of treachery he executed many of the Naikvadis. At this time Asad Khan
heavily bombarded the fort but the fort held out grimly. In April 1574 Murtaza Nizam Sah ordered an
all out attack on the fort. The Ahmadnagar troops, under cover of heavy artillery fire rushed through
the gates of the fort and in the face of the counter attacks of Tufal Khan captured it. Tufal Khan fled
the fort leaving considerable treasure in the hands of Murtaza Nizam Sah. Cangiz Khan sent
Sayyad Husain Jarjani, Sarnobat in pursuit of Tufal Khan. Jarjani captured Tufal Khan in a village,
and brought him as a prisoner before Murtaza Nizam Sah1.
After the capture of Narnala, Murtaza Nizam Sah marched towards the fort of Gavil. The fort
garrison put Samser-ul-Mulk
1 Sayyad Ali informs us that Adil Shah had instructed his envoy with Ahmadnagar, Itibar
Khan, to communicate to him the details of the campaign and caution him if the campaign aimed at
the imprisonment of Tufal Khan and subjugation of Berar. The news reports were not dispatched
properly and Berar was conquered by Murtaza. The envoy of Ahmadnagar in the court of Bijapur
was Khwaja Muhammad Amin, the brother of Itibar Khan. Murtaza Khan, a Bijapuri noble,
represented to Adil Shah that the delay in the dispatch of news by Itibar Khan was due to the
interference of Amin Khan. Adil Shah, therefore, ordered the execution of Khwaja Muhammad Amin
Khan.
HISTORY – MEDIAEVAL PERIOD 113
under arrest and handed over the keys of the fort to Murtaza Nizam Sah. A great booty fell into the
hands of Murtaza Nizam Sah. Murtaza now ordered Cangiz Khan to send Tufal Khan, Samser-ul-
Mulk, the other sons of Tufal Khan and all the members belonging to the royal family of Imad Sah in
confinement to the fort of Lohogad. Thus was annexed the kingdom of Berar. It remained a part of
the Ahmadnagar kingdom till its cession to the Moghals by Ahmadnagar in 1596. Murtaza
distributed the kingdom of Berar among the following nobles of Ahmadnagar-Jamsid Khan,
Khudavand Khan, Rustam Khan, Canda Khan, Babi Khan, Mirza Ali Khan, Ser Khan, Makhsud Aqa
and others. He appointed Khatta Khan Kasi as the Sarlaskar of Berar and put Bahram Khan Gilani
and Sayyad Ali Zahir in charge of the forts of Gavilgad and Narnala, respectively1.
After the conclusion of the Berar campaign, Murtaza Nizam Sah marched to invest the fort of
Bidar. When Qutb Sah heard of the march of the Nizamsahi troops, he dispatched his envoy Mir
Jainal to Murtaza. He feared that Telangana would be the next, to be attacked and wanted to
prevent such an eventuality. Cangiz Khan brought about a meeting between Murtaza and Mir Jainal
and the envoy was given leave to depart. In the meanwhile news was received that rebellion had
broken out in Berar and that Mirza Quli had killed Khatta Khan, the commander-in-chief of the Berar
army. Murtaza, thereupon, appointed Khursid Khan Sarnobat as the commander-in-chief of Berar
with orders to suppress the rebellion there. Murtaza himself moved with his troops and halted at
Udgir. Taking advantage of the disorder prevailing in Berar, Miran Muhammad Sah of Khandes, on
the pretext of supporting a pretender to the throne of Berar, sent his general Sayyad Jainul Abidin
with a force of
1 A short account of the invasion of Berar by Murtaza Nizam Shah given by Ferishta is as
under :—
A. H. 980. A. D. 1572. In the year 980 Moortuza Nizam Shah marched to Berar ; and by the
gallantry and good conduct of his general Changiz Khan drove Toofal Khan from Elichpoor,
compelling him and his son, Shum-sheer-ool-Moolk, to fly to the hills, taking from them two hundred
elephants, besides all their heavy baggage. Toofal Khan was driven from jungle to jungle for six
months, at the end of which time, being forced into a narrow defile blocked up by the King's troops,
he would certainly have been taken, had not the King been delayed by religious superstition for
some time on his march by a mad devotee, Meer Moosa Mazinderany, who, meeting him on the
road, conjured him by the love he bore to the twelve Imams not to move further till he had given him
the sum of 12,000 hoons. The King waited on the spot till he could comply with his request, though
the minister entreated him todefer giving themoney till the camp was pitched. The delay which
ensued enabled Toofal Khan to make his escape, and fly to Boorhanpoor, where he sought
protection with the ruler of Kandeish, who was, however, afraid to grant it, for fear of the vengeance
of Moortuza Nizam Shah. Thence Toofal Khan returned to Berar, and took refuge in the hill-fort of
Nurnala, from which place he applied for assistance to Akbur Badshah, Emperor of Dehly. Akbur
sent an envoy to Moortuza Nizam Shah, requiring him immediately to desist from his invasion of
Berar; but no attention was paid to the communication, so that Nurnala, and all the other principal
forts in Berar, fell into the hands of Moortuza Nizam Shah ; and Toofal Khan, with his sovereign,
Boorhan Imad-ool-Moolk, and all his family, being caotured, were confined in one of them ; where
they shortly after died suddenly, and, it is conjectured, by poison.
(Briggs's Ferishta, Vol. III, pp. 255-56).
114 MAHARASHTRA STATE GAZETTEER
20,000 to invade Berar. The Nizamsahi officers who had not as yet settled in their respective
charges, assembled at Ellicpur, the headquarters of Khursld Khan to devise ways and means to
counter the movements of the Khandes army1. Khursid Khan feeling himself unable to cope up with
the strength of the Khandes army withdrew to Gavilgad. The Khandes army invested and besieged
the fort of Narnala. In the action which was fought between the two armies at the foot of the fort the
Nizamsahis were completely routed. They were pursued to the banks of the river Parandi where
they suffered another reverse. The remnant of the Nizamsahi army, with difficulty, reached the
Nizamsahi camp at Udgir.
On receipt of the news of this disaster Murtaza at once left his camp at Udgir and entered
Berar through Rohankhed. He put Sayyad Murtaza in command of the troops. The Khandes army,
instead of taking the field, retreated towards Khandes, hotly pursued by the army of Ahmadnagar.
Murtaza crossed the river Tapi. Miran Muhammad took refuge in the fort of Asir. Murtaza advanced
and sacked the city of Burhanpur. From thence he marched to besiege the fort of Asir. An advance
contingent of Nizamsahi troops under Cangiz Khan was engaged by Jainul Abidin of Khandes. The
latter was, however, repulsed after heavy fighting. The fort of Asir was invested and besieged. Miran
Muhammad now offered to submit and sent his minister Khan Khanan, who was formerly in the
employ of Ahmadnagar to negotiate peace. Murtaza agreed to withdraw on condition that Miran
Muhammad would pay a million Muzaffari rupees as indemnity of war. Accordingly, the amount was
paid when the Nizamsahl forces crossed the river at Burhanpur on their way to the South.
It was at this time that Cangiz Khan, the Ahmadnagar minister, came into the disfavour of
Murtaza Nizam Sah. It may be recalled here that Qutb Sah had sent an envoy to Ahmadnagar when
Murtaza was contemplating an attack on Bidar. He offered Cangiz Khan 2 lakh hons to dissuade
Murtaza from undertaking the invasion of Bidar. Cangiz Khan refused. This envoy, Sah Mirza
Isahani, now conspired to destroy Cangiz Khan with the help of a low born person, Husain Khan, a
favourite of Murtaza Nizam Sah. Husain Khan told Murtaza all kinds of lies about Cangiz Khan.
Coming as they did from his favourite, Murtaza Nizam Sah believed in them. Husain Khan informed
his master that Cangiz Khan contemplated the seizure of Berar and desired to become the master
of the country. Murtaza decided to verify the truth or otherwise of this charge and invited Sah Mirza
secretly to give his opinion in the matter. Sah Mirza confirmed the charge. Murtaza now feigned that
he was tired of the campaign and expressed his eagerness to return to Ahmadnagar. Unwillingly,
Cangiz Khan advised Murtaza to prolong his stay in Berar for six months to settle the country.
Murtaza
1 Sayyad Ali states that Qutb Shah of Golconda instigated Miran Muhammad to invade Berar.
HISTORY – MEDIAEVAL PERIOD 115
was now convinced of the ill intentions of Cangiz Khan towards him and openly expressed
disapproval of Cangiz Khan. Cangiz Khan, fearing danger to his life, stopped attending court under
the pretext of sickness. This further embittered the relations between the master and the servant.
Murtaza now plotted the death of his faithful minister. He sent his physician Muhammad Misri to
Cangiz Khan with specific instructions to poison the minister. This was faithfully carried out. The
dying minister wrote a letter to Murtaza expressing his innocence. In the effects of Cangiz Khan
were also found a few letters completely absolving the minister from any complicity in the alleged
plot against Murtaza. The foolish Sultan repented vainly of his rash action and turned out Sah Mirza,
the Golconda envoy, from his camp1.
Murtaza now appointed Muhammad Misri as his Vazir and Sayyad Murtaza as Sarnobat. He
then returned to Ahmadnagar where he came under the influence of one Maulana Saduddin Talkin.
He ceased taking any active interest in the administrative affairs of the kingdom and remained in
complete seclusion. He instructed Qazi Beg Tihrani, the prime minister, to look after the affairs of
the state with the assistance of Amin-ul-Mulk, Mirza Muhammad Taqi and Kasim Beg. A sort of
perversion now developed in the character of Murtaza Nizam Sah. Only Husain Khan, now entitled
Sahib Khan, was allowed to trespass his privacy. Sahib Khan took undue advantage of the love and
affection bestowed upon him by Murtaza and started terrorising the people. Even the ministers were
plagued by him. At this time news was received of a rebellion in Berar. One Firoz Sah who claimed
to be a son of Imad Sah collected troops under his banner and defeated Khan Zaman, the governor
of Berar. When the news was conveyed to Murtaza he appointed Sayyad Murtaza to the
governorship of Berar and sent him there to put down the rebellion. When Sayyad Murtaza reached
Janatapur, Jamsid Khan and other Nizamsahi officers in Berar joined him. Sayyad Murtaza reached
Balapur and was informed that Firoz Sah had taken refuge at Ellicpur. Sayyad Murtaza marched
towards Ellicpur when Firoz Sah moved into the fort of Amnercarvi. The rebellion of Firoz Sah
encouraged the Gonds in Berar to rise in revolt. Sayyad Murtaza now detailed Mirza Yadgar, Canda
Khan and other nobles to invest Amnercarvi and dispatched the rest of the forces to suppress the
Gonds. Accordingly, Amnercarvi was invested. In the action fought, Firoz Sah was killed. Similarly,
the entire country of the Gonds was plundered and sacked. The Nizamsahi troops then returned to
Ahmadnagar. Sayyad Murtaza made Ellicpur his headquarters and retired to that place.
It was at this time that the Emperor Akbar contemplated an invasion of Khandes because of
the failure of Raja Ali Khan,
1 It was at this time that Tufal Khan died at the fort of Lohogad. He was buried at Ellichpur.
116 MAHARASHTRA STATE GAZETTEER
the Sultan of Khandes, to pay the stipulated amount of tribute. He sent his general Qutubuddin
Khan on 27 February, 1577 to Khandes to collect arrears of tribute. Raja Ali Khan submitted and
paid the tribute. Akbar who had marched up to Diyalpur then returned to Fattehpur Sikri1. The news
of the advance of the Moghal army unnerved Murtaza Nizam Sah who took precautionary measures
against a possible Moghal attack by alerting his army in Berar and by personally marching towards
Daulatabad with a small contingent of troops. After Akbar retired, Sayyad Murtaza waited upon
Murtaza Nizam Sah and left for Ellicpur. Murtaza Nizam Sah also retired to Ahmadnagar.
Another rebellion now rocked Berar. Muzaffar Husain Mirza fled from Daryapur to the frontiers
of Gujarat and collected an army of five to six thousand, consisting of Moghals and Beraris. With
this force he marched towards Berar. On the way he reinforced his army with elephants and horses
from the estates of Mirza Yadgar. At this news, the Nizamsahi officers in Berar got panicky and
assembled at Ellicpur. Sayyad Murtaza made preparations to meet Husain Mirza and marched from
Ellicpur. Sayyad Murtaza won over a contingent from the army of Husain Mirzia. It changed sides
when the opposing forces met at Anjanganv. Husain Mirza thereupon fled without offering
resistance. He reached Burhanpur where he was made prisoner by Raja Ali Khan Faruqi and sent
to Akbar. Murtaza Nizam Sah expressed his appreciation of Sayyad Murtaza and other officers of
Berar by conferring upon them dresses of honour.
In the same year there was committed great slaughter in Ahmadnagar at the express orders
of Murtaza Nizam Sah. It so happened that one night Murtaza detected one of his personal
attendants in his harem dressed as a sais2. Murtaza got annoyed and decreed that all his personal
servants known as Divate3, Dang4 and Khavas5 should be executed. The order was
1 Sayad Ali gives an exaggerated account of the so called confrontation between the Moghals
and Ahmadnagar. He informs that when the news of Akbar's advance and halt on the banks of
Narmada was received by Murtaza Nizam Shah, Murtaza dispatched his forces on the borders, with
orders to oppose the Moghals, if they attacked. Asad Khan was put in command of the army and
took position along with Sayyad Murtaza on the banks of the river Parand. The presence of
Muzaffar Husain Mirza the rebel cousin of Akbar was regarded as dangerous and he was ordered to
be sent to Daryapur. Murtaza Nizam Shah himself moved to Daulatabad. Sayyad Ali further says
that Akbar was really astonished at these movements of the Ahmadnagar army and consulted his
officers about the steps to be taken. They opined that if the Moghals attacked Ahmadnagar and
defeated them it would not do any credit to them, because of their obvious superior strength. If on
the other hand the Moghals attacked and were themselves defeated it would be most increditable to
them and do them much harm in the eyes of the world. Upon this Akbar retired to Fattehpur Shikri.
Murtaza realising the gravity of the situation sent many valuable presents to Emperor Akbar with his
envoy Vafa Khan. Except the contents of the last sentence of this episode the rest of it is pure
fantasy and imagination. Akbar never contemplated an invasion of the Deccan at that time and no
other historical narrative of the time corroborates this. What Sayyad Ali says is entirely fictitious.]
2 A servant who looks after the royal horses.
3 Also known as machalis or oil-lamp bearers.
4 Sais were also called Dang.
5 Personal attendants of Murtaza Nizam Shah also called Khidmatgar.
HISTORY – MEDIAEVAL PERIOD 117
conveyed to Qazi Beg who issued instructions accordingly to Siyasat Khan, the Kotval of
Ahmadnagar. Siyasat Khan arrested nearly all the personal servants of Murtaza. Some of them
were killed in Ahmadnagar and the rest dispatched to Daulatabad where they were executed1.
The death of Cangiz Khan and the seclusion of Murtaza Nizam Sah were regarded as
splendid opportunities by Adil Sah to invade the kingdom of Ahmadnagar. He sent an army to
plunder the territory of Ahmadnagar. The news of this development was conveyed to Murtaza
Nizam Sah by Qazi Beg. He issued orders to take counter measures. Accordingly, Babi Khan,
Muhammad Husain Mirza, Adil Khan Begi, Sahavardi Khan Kurd and Malik Muhammad Khan were
dispatched to devastate the Bijapur territory. Adil Sah took refuge in the fort of Bijapur. The
Nizamsahi troops reached the suburbs of Bijapur without opposition and carried much loot and
plunder. They then returned to Ahmadnagar2.
It was at this time that relations between Qazi Beg, the prime minister of Ahmadnagar, and
Sayyad Murtaza Sabzavari became strained. Sayyad Murtaza took Sahib Khan, the favourite of
Murtaza Nizam Sah in his confidence and with his help brought about Qazi Beg's dismissal3. In his
place Asad Khan was now appointed the Vakil and Pesva of the kingdom. As stated earlier, Sahib
Khan had, by his wicked nature, severally harassed the nobles of the kingdom, especially the
foreigners. Some of them complained to Murtaza about the atrocities perpetrated by Sahib Khan.
However, Sahib Khan, with whom Murtaza Nizam Sah was extremely infatuated, represented to his
master that the foreigners in the kingdom were plotting to depose him and place Husain on the
throne. For their treason and treachery they should be punished. Murtaza Nizam Sab. was easily
persuaded and he passed orders for punishing the rebels. Sahib Khan, with his associates, now let
loose a reign of terror in the capital. Many fled to Bijapur and Galconda. Wanton crimes were
committed by the Deccani Muslim associates of Sahib Khan. Children were forced from their
parents for evil purposes. Mir Mehdi was killed in defending the honour of his family. Sahib Khan
became so insolent that he even ordered a nobleman, his namesake, to change his name and on
his refusal, nearly succeeded in destroying him. Murtaza Nizam Sah now shifted to the residence of
Sahib Khan. One day when he was alone with Sahib Khan, the latter represented that the foreigners
were against him and hence there should be a wholesale massacre of foreigners. On
1 The account of this massacre is given by Sayyad Ali and finds no place in Ferishta.
2 Ferishta does not refer to any such conflict between Ahmadnagar and Bijapur at this time.
This account given by Sayyad Ali may perhaps be an exaggerated version of some minor
skirmishes between the forces of the two kingdoms.
3 Ferishta says that Kazi Beg's dismissal was due to the defalcation of accounts of the
Government and the royal treasury by Kazi Beg.
118 MAHARASHTRA STATE GAZETTEER
Murtaza Nizam Sah's refusal, Sahib Khan ran away from his residence in Ahmadnagar. Murtaza
Nizam Sah had now really become mad after Sahib Khan. He left Ahmadnagar to find his object of
affection. He overtook Sahib Khan at Parenda and both of them stayed together at Parenda for a
few days. Sahib Khan now insistently demanded the massacre of all foreigners to which Murtaza
compromised by promising him the fort of Bidar and creating him Sahib Khan Barid-ul-Mulk-
Accordingly Murtaza Nizam Sah, now joined by Sayyad Murtaza, invested and besieged the fort of
Bidar. Barid Sah offered to submit. The siege of Bidar was only a pretext by Murtaza Nizam Sah to
keep his favourite's company. Murtaza, therefore, decided to convince Sahib Khan and dissuade
him from his foolish demand. Sahib Khan refused to listen but ultimately agreed on receiving from
his master a valuable jewel-decked Kamarband. The Ahmadnagar troops now raised the siege and
moved towards Udgir. Sahib Khan now again deserted the camp and marched in the opposite
direction terrorising the subjects wherever he went. He issued grants as if he were the Sultan
himself. Murtaza now moved from Udglr to Kandhar when he received the shocking news of the
rebellion of his brother Burhan. Burhan had been kept in confinement by Murtaza in the fort of
Lohogad. When Murtaza left Ahmadnagar after his favourite Sahib Khan, many nobles of the court
wrote to Burhan to depose Murtaza and ascend the throne. Burhan persuaded Jujar Khan, the
commandant of Lohogad to release him. From Lohogad he marched towards Junnar with five to six
thousand troops, Murtaza now commanded Asad Khan to proceed to Ahmadnagar. He himself
moved towards Ahmadnagar from Kandhar Asad Khan persuaded the discontented foreigners to
join him and prepared to face Burhan who had encamped at Kanur (Parner). In the meanwhile
Murtaza reached Ahmadnagar and marched against Burhan. After a short engagement, Burhan was
defeated and fled the battlefield (27th May 1580). Murtaza Nizam Sah was now free to deal with his
favourite Sahib Khan against whom many representations had been received. He sent orders to
Sayyad Murtaza to march against Sahib Khan and either imprison him and bring him to
Ahmadnagar or drive him out of the kingdom of Ahmadnagar. Sahib Khan was now at Ranjani
which he had captured from its commandant Bahri Khan. Sayyad Murtazi sent Khudavand Khan
and other nobles to Ranjani with instructions to take him to Ahmadnagar or kill him. Khudavand
Khan was joined by Jamsid Khan Sirazi and Bahri Khan at Jalna. As they approached Ranjani they
sent messages to Sahib Khan asking for an interview. Sahib Khan, without knowing the real
intentions of these noblemen, and under the influence of liquor, agreed. In the interview Khudavand
Khan killed Sahib Khan with a stroke of his dagger. Sayyad Murtaza informed Murtaza Nizam Sah
of the happening. Murtaza Nizam Sah could not tolerate the death of his favourite and withdrew
entirely from the affairs of
HISTORY – MEDIAEVAL PERIOD 119
the state. He expressed his intention of proceeding on a pilgrimage to Mecca and Medina. One day
he secretly left for Humayunpur. The nobles of the kingdom, Sah Haider and other Maulavis,
however, persuaded him to drop his plans. Murtaza then retired to Ahmadnagar. He appointed Sah
Haider as his prime minister. The latter soon incurred the disfavour of Murtaza Nizam Sah by his
arrogant and disobedient nature and was dismissed by Murtaza. Murtaza had now again a fit of
remorse and left for Daulatabad. He now decided to retire from the world. Once again he was
persuaded to give up his intention by his nobles who went to Daulatabad. He now appointed Asad
Khan as his Vakil and Pesva and on the latter's insistence appointed Salabat Khan as his copartner1.
Sah Haider was ordered to go to Daulatabad where he was kept under house arrest. Later
he was allowed to go and stay in his mokasa place of Danda Rajpuri. Sometime afterwards Murtaza
returned to Ahmadnagar and took up his residence in the garden of Hast-i-Behist. He remained in
complete seclusion. The only contact which Salabat Khan and Asad Khan maintained with Murtaza
was through a young eunuch who now seemed to have become the favourite of Murtaza2. It was at
this time that Salabat Khan gradually gained ascendency over Asad Khan in the affairs of the state.
He even desired the subordination of Sayyad Murtaza, the Amir-ul-Umra of Berar to him. He wrote
to him in an insulting tone which Sayyad Murtaza did not like. The attitude of Salabat Khan brought
together the nobles of Berar. Asad Khan also joined hands with them. However, Asad Khan, by his
sober attitude, avoided any direct confrontation with Salabat Khan. Murtaza now expressed his
intention to invade the kingdom of Bidar and occupy the city of Bidar. An alliance was formed with
Qutb Sah and preparations were made for the proposed expedition. About twenty thousand troops
commanded by Asad Khan, Salabat Khan, Mirza Yadgar alias Khan Jahan, Cugtai Khan,
Muhammad Khan Turkman, Sahawardi Khan, Candraraj, Tamtya and Satya marched towards Bidar
and besieged the fort. Malik Barid offered stubborn resistance. On being hard pressed, he appealed
to Ali Adil Sah for help. Ali Adil agreed to help Malik Barid, on condition that the latter would dispatch
one of his beautiful slaves to the former. Malik Barid agreed to the condition. Adil Sah dispatched
10,000 troops to the succour of Bidar3. Murtaza got annoyed at this posture of Bijapur and decided
to invade that kingdom. Circumstances favoured an
1 Salabat Khan was a slave of Sultan Shah Tahmasp of Iran and was sent by him as a
present to Murtaza Nizam Shah. His cleverness and wisdom took him to a position of distinction in
the kingdom of Ahmadnagar.
2 It was at this time (1580) that Sayyad Ali, the author of Burhan-i-Masir, came to
Ahmadnagar from Irak.
3 Among many of the Sultans of the Deccan this trait of perversion was apparent.
Unfortunately for Ali Adil, the eunuch could not tolerate the advances of Ali Adil Shah and stabbed
him to death with a dagger (9th April 1580). Ali was succeeded by his nephew Ibrahim under the
title of Ibrahim Adil Shah.
120 MAHARASHTRA STATE GAZETTEER
expedition against Bijapur1. Murtaza formed an alliance with Ibrahim Qutb Sah and a plan was
envisaged for an expedition against Bijapur, the first object of attack being Solapur. An army was
prepared and its command was entrusted to Bahizad-ul-Mulk Turk2. Bahizad-ul-Mulk marched in the
direction of Solapur laying waste the territory on his way. Adil Sah was informed of this invasion.
Kisvar Khan prepared to meet the aggressor by assembling a force of 20,000 and put it under the
command of Afzal Khan, Moghal Khan and Miyan Buddu. They were ordered to proceed to Bidar
and join hands with the contingent sent there for the succour of that city. They were then to oppose
a force of 8,000 Qutbsahi troops marching towards Solapur, before it joined the Nizamsahi troops
there. Accordingly the Bijapuris marched towards the Qutbsahi troops and defeated them. They
were pursued up to Tandur. The Bija-puris then returned and marched against the Nizamsahi troops
which had invaded their kingdom. The Ahmadnagar troops under Bahijad-ul-Mulk were ill prepared
for war and hence Salabat Khan sent additional reinforcements, under Sayyad Murtaza. Sayyad
Murtaza sent an urgent message to Bahijad-ul-Mulk to join forces with him. Bahijad-ul-Mulk paid no
attention to this call. He camped in a leisurely fashion at Osmanabad. While in camp he was
surprised by the Adilsahi army. He fled from the battle leaving his camp and equipage in the hands
of the Bijapuris. The news of the rout of Bahijad unsettled the camp of Sayyad Murtaza and he too
left his camp destroying all the heavy baggage. The Bijapuris did not pursue the defeated army and
marched towards Bidar. Sayyad Murtaza halted on the banks of a river in his retreat where the
nobles of Berar and Bahijad-ul-Mulk joined him with the remnants of their army. When the
Nizamsahi forces besieging Bidar received the news of the advance of Bijapuris towards Bidar, they
raised the siege and retired to Ahmadnagar. Murtaza Nizam Sah now issued orders to all the nobles
of Ahmadnagar to take their forces and join Sayyad Murtaza. In a short time a large army
assembled under Murtaza who now moved towards the Bijapuris who were camping near Naldurg.
On the way he was joined by Sayyad Sah Mir, a Qutb Sahi officer with 10,000 troops. A great battle
was fought in which as Sayyad Ali claims, the Nizamsahi troops inflicted defeat upon the Adilsahi
troops, forcing them to take refuge in the fortress of Naldurg (1580 A.D.). The fortress was invested
and besieged by the Nizamsahi troops. The besieging army was heavily
1 After the death of Ali Adil Shah, Kamil Khan the principal noble of Bijapur put on the throne,
Ibrahim, the nephew of Ali Adil. Kamil Khan usurped all the power and thereby antagonised the
nobility of the kingdom. As a result Kamil Khan was shorn of all power, by a confederacy of nobles
headed by Kishwar Khan who now became the chief administrator of the kingdom. Kishwar Khan
had to face another rival in the person of Sayyad Mustafa Khan. Kishwar Khan eliminated Mustafa
Khan with the help of Ahmad Mirza, Nuruddin Muhammad Nishaburi and other nobles. This caused
confusion in the affairs of that kingdom and made it vulnerable to attack.
2 Ferishta says that he was a Circasian by birth.
HISTORY – MEDIAEVAL PERIOD 121
attacked from the fort with a shower of artillery, guns and arrows and forced to retreat. The siege
dragged on. The besiegers could not make any impact upon the defences of the fort. In the
meanwhile, the Nizamsahi army was reinforced by a contingent from Golconda, commanded by
Prince Muhammad Quli. Muhammad Quli soon got tired of the stalemate. Sayyad Murtaza, fearing
that Sultan Quli might march back to Golconda decided to raise the siege of Naldurg and proceed to
attack Bijapur as a diversionary move. The Bijapuri garrison was, however, alerted by their spies
about the movements of the Nizamsahi army. They left the fort and marched posthaste to Bijapur
reaching it long before the Nizamsahi troops reached its environs. The Bijapuris were now
reinforced by the return of the contingent of troops sent by Haji Kisvar Khan, son of Kamal Khan, to
eliminate Mustafa Khan. However, in the power struggle at Bijapur Kisvar Khan lost his hold upon
the nobility and was expelled from the kingdom1. The attempts of Ain-ul-Mulk Kanani to seize power
at Bijapur were also frustrated and he had to flee to his Jagir estates. At this time the Nizamsahi
troops were camping at Solapur. They now marched towards Bijapur. A few miles away from
Bijapur, a general engagement took place between the combined forces of Ahmadnagar and
Golconda and Bijapur in which the latter were worsted. The Bijapuris were pursued right up to the
gates of Bijapur by the victorious army.
In the meanwhile news was received of the capture of the fortress of Kaltur by the Qutbsahi
general, Mir Zainal Astrabadi and his march to join hands with the Nizamsahi troops which had
invested Bijapur. Adil Sah now decided to attack the Qutbsahi forces before their junction with the
Nizamsahi troops and sent his general, Mirza Nuruddin Muhammad Nisaburi, to counter his
movements. Nisaburi, however, did not succeed in checking the advance of Mir Zainal and had to
retire to Bijapur. The Nizamsahi troops were now reinforced
1 The details about the fall of Kishwar Khan are as under: After Kishwar Khan conspired the
death of Mustafa Khan, his relations with Chandbibi took a bad turn. Kishwar Khan arrested her and
sent her in confinement to the fort of Satara. He then sent a message with Miyan Buddu to the
nobles of Naldurg to offer stiff resistance, threatening them with dire consequences in case of their
failure to do so. Miyan Buddu was confined by Ikhlas Khan, Dilawar Khan and Hamid Khan at
Naldurg who now marched towards Bijapur to depose Kishwar Khan. There was already discontent
in Bijapur due to the highhandedness of Kishwar Khan. Kishwar Khan who came to know of the
movements of the nobles left the capital with Adil Shah on the pretext of going on a hunting
expedition. After covering a distance of one march he thought himself incapable to oppose the
confederacy of nobles and decided to flee the kingdom. He first went to Ahmadnagar and then to
Golconda where he was subsequently assassinated by an Ardistani. Ikhlas Khan then assumed the
reigns of administration and was appointed the prime minister of Bijapur. He recalled Chandbibi but
she contrived the dismissal of Ikhlas Khan and appointed Afzal Khan Shirazi in his place. Ikhlas
Khan, however, plotted the murder of Afzal Khan and took charge of the administration. He detested
the partiality of Chandbibi towards the foreigners, and forced Shah Fathulla Shirazi, Shah Abdul
Qasim, Murtaza Khan Inju and other foreigners out of the capital. The Habshi Muslims thereupon
invited Ain-ul-Mulk Kanani back from his jagirs but to their surprise when they approached to
welcome him, he chained them and proceeded towards Bijapur. But when he was informed of the
hot reception that awaited him from the royal bodyguards, he released his prisoners and fled
towards his Jagirs. The Habshi nobles were again reinstated to their former posts.
122 MAHARASHTRA STATE GAZETTEER
by the arrival of Mir Zainal in their camp. Kisvar Khan who had fled Bijapur had taken refuge with
Murtaza Nizam Sah. He was ordered to join the Nizamsahi troops which had invested Bijapur. The
Bijapuris could not face the combined opposition of Sayyad Murtaza, Kisvar Khan and Mir Zainal.
Their former general Ain-ul-Mulk now visited Sayyad Murtaza in the Nizamsahi camp and stayed in
the camp for eight days, The Habsi nobles of Bijapur sent him secret messages to come to the
succour of Bijapur. He responded quickly and deserted the Nizamsahi camp in spite of the attacks
of the Nizamsahi troops upon him. The Bijapuris, thus reinforced, prepared to defend the fort of
Bijapur1.
The Nizamsahi troops now attacked the fort of Bijapur. The Bijapuris counter attacked them
under Mustafa Khan, Ser Khan, Ankris Khan and Jamsid Khan. The counterattack was beaten back
and the Bijapuris took refuge in the fort. From the fort they heavily bombarded the besieging army.
The stalemate continued for sometime. The Bijapuris opened negotiations through Abul Hasan who
had friendly relations with Sayyad Murtaza. The negotiations, however, failed and hostilities started
again with severity. The Bijapuris now collected a large contingent of Maratha light cavalry and used
it to harass the besieging army. They cut off the supplies and provisions of the combined troops of
Ahmadnagar and Golconda and reduced them to severe straits. It was now the turn of the allies to
sue for peace. Ibrabim Adil Sah rejected the peace offer. The allies therefore decided to raise the
siege and withdraw. However, an attack upon Gulburga by the Qutbsahis and on Naldurg by the
Nizamsahis was planned. The plan however, failed as the Nizamsahi troops retired to Ahmadnagar
by way of Kolhapur, Miraj and Qutbsahi troops sent under Sayyad Zainal Astrabadi, now created
Mustafa Khan by Qutb Sah, were heavily defeated by Dilavar Khan at Gulburga2.
1 The prime minister of Bijapur at this time was Shah Abul Hasan. He requested Murtaza to
persuade Baizad-ul-Mulk and Muhammad Quli Qutb Shah to raise the siege. Sayyad Murtaza
Sabzavari who was at logger-heads with Baizad-ul-Mulk and Salabat Khan did not want the
besiegers to succeed. He upbraided Ain-ul-Mulk and Ankus Khan, the Bijapuri generals who had
defected to Murtaza Nizam Shah for their disloyalty to their Sultan. On this they left the Nizamshahi
camp and retired to Bijapur. Ferishta has nothing to say about the attack upon them by the troops of
Ahmadnagar.
2 Sayyad Ali, however, states that the retreating Ahmadnagar army sacked Sholapur and then
proceeded to Karhad which they plundered. From thence they marched to Raibag and passed Miraj,
devastating the Adilshahi territory in their progress. From thence they advanced to invest the fort of
Naldurg. The account of the siege of Naldurg is omitted by Ferishta but given by Sayyad Ali which,
briefly, is as under: The fort was besieged in October, 1581. Sayyad Murtaza surveyed the
surroundings of the fort and ordered the battery positions to be raised on one side of the fort which
had no water filled ditches. On this side was the entrance to the fort. The fort was heavily
bombarded from artillery positions which included heavy guns such as Vaha gaji, Laila, Majnu and
Hawai from Ahmadnagar and Haidari from Golconda. (Sayyad Ali does not, however, state where
the junction of Ahmadnagar and Golconda troops took place after they separated from Bijapur.).
The fort was commanded by Wajir-ul-Mulk and was well supplied with provisions and ammunitions.
The siege of the fort continued for two months but the garrison fought stubbornly and repulsed the
attacks of the besieging army. The attempt of Sayyad Murtaza to win over Wajir-ul-Mulk failed.
Sayyad Ali the author of Burhan-i-Masir who had
HISTORY – MEDIAEVAL PERIOD 123
The rivalry between Sayyad Murtaza of Berar and Salabat Khan, the Ahmadnagar Vazir,
came to the fore at this time. Salabat Khan assumed so much power that he eclipsed Asad Khan,
the prime minister of the kingdom of Ahmadnagar. To check the growing power of Salabat Khan,
Asad Khan invited Sayyad Murtaza from Berar with his officers and the army of Berar. Sayyad
Murtaza arrived at Ahmadnagar when Salabat Khan again took Asad Khan in his confidence and
avoided the danger of immediate confrontation with Sayyad Murtaza through his intercession.
Sayyad Murtaza then retired to Berar1.
The truce between the two was, however, shortlived. Salabat Khan now sought an
opportunity to destroy Sayyad Murtaza. Sometime after, he sent collectors of revenue to the king's
domains in Berar. Sayyad Murtaza refused to co-operate and did not respect the Sultan's
commands. On this ground Salabat Khan secured an order from Murtaza Nizam Sah for the arrest
of Sayyad Murtaza. In this dispute Asad Khan naturally sided with Sayyad Murtaza but Salabat
Khan had so poisoned Murtaza Nizam Sah's mind about Asad Khan that he refused to listen to him.
It was of course difficult to execute the arrest of Sayyad Murtaza. Salabat Khan, therefore, had
recourse to a stratagem to divide the nobles of Berar and unite them against Sayyad Murtaza. It
was the system in the kingdom to send every year to Sayyad Murtaza dresses of honour for
distribution to the nobles of Berar. This time Salabat Khan sent them individually to Berar nobles
thinking that this would undermine the influence Sayyad Murtaza wielded over them2. It had
however exactly the opposite effect and the nobles of Berar stood solidly behind Sayyad Murtaza.
Sayyad Murtaza now decided to move against Salabat Khan after the rainy season of 1584. In
October, the army of Berar under Sayyad Murtaza collected at Citapur. Sayyad Murtaza entrusted
the defence of Berar to Mirza Husain and Cugtai Khan. He himself marched towards Ahmadnagar.
Salabat Khan too, made preparations to meet Sayyad Murtaza. Many of his nobles, the chief among
them being Mirza Yadgar and Sahavardi Khan, defected to Sayyad Murtaza who had now
contd.
then arrived from Irak informs that he was present when the besieging armies of Ahmadnagar and
Golconda came to grips with the fort garrison which wrought heavy destruction among the
besiegers, by its accurate fire and killed many from among them. In the meanwhile news was
received that, Hindia, an officer of Bijapur was advancing towards Naldurg with reinforcement of
Maratha cavalry. Sayyad Murtaza now decided to raise the siege and advanced towards Bijapur.
Accordingly, the allies withdrew and arrived on the banks of the Bhima. Here Quli Qutb Shah
expressed his weariness of the campaign and his desire to retire to his own country. Qutb Shah
then left the camp for his capital. Sayyad Murtaza was also tired of the campaign and retired to
Berar, his fief. On their way the Qutbshahis were attacked by the Bijapuris and heavily defeated.
From this account it appears that Sayyad Ali got confused in his narrative and perhaps repeats the
description of the second siege of Naldurg when Irahim Qutb Shah was still living.
1 It was at this time that Ahmadnagar was visited by an envoy from Emperor Akbar, Khwaja
Fathullah Kashi.
2 It was at this time that Murtaza Nizam Shah who was residing in Bag-i Hasht-Bihisht left the
place and shifted to Bag-i-Farahbaksh. From here he left for a place called Manjreshan
(Manjarsumbha) and from there shifted to Ahmadnagar fort. After the return of Murtaza, Salabat
Khan secured from him orders dismissing Asad Khan from the post of the Wakil of the kingdom.
124 MAHARASHTRA STATE GAZETTEER
camped in the Jeur pass (8th December 1584). Salabat Khan attacked the army of Berar on the
following day and in the hard fought battle completely routed them. Jamsid Khan, a noble of Berar,
was made a prisoner and Sayyad Murtaza and Khudavand Khan were forced to flee the battlefield.
A contingent of Kolis was sent in their pursuit. Mirza Husain who was detailed along with Cugtai
Khan by Sayyad Murtaza for the defence of Berar was attacked by the commandant of the Gavilgad
fort and defeated. Both of them thereupon fled to Burhanpur where they were imprisoned by the
Sultan of Khandes. Sayyad Murtaza now halted at Paithan and soon a force of 10,000 gathered
round him. The Koli contingent was on his heels. Sayyad Murtaza could do nothing against them
and fled towards Burhanpur. Sayyad Murtaza now camped on the borders of the Khandes kingdom.
He tried to seek refuge with the Sultan of Khandes but was refused asylum. On the contrary the
Sultan of Khandes sent an army against him. With no alternative left, Sayyad Murtaza, now a man
well over eighty years, marched north and entered the services of Emperor Akbar1.
The arrival of Sayyad Murtaza gave the emperor Akbar another opportunity to interfere in the
affairs of the Deccan. He appointed Mirzia Aziz Koka, the governor of Malva, to command the
expedition against the Deccan and placed under him Sayyad Murtaza and other nobles who had
defected to the Moghals. Murtaza Nizam Sah's brother, Burhan, was also dispatched with the
Moghal army which now moved from Malva and reached Handia2. On receipt of the news of this
movement of the Moghal army, Salabat Khan alerted the Nizamsahi army
1 There is every reason to believe that the opposition of Sayyad Murtaza was directed not
only against Salabat Khan but also against the Nizamshahi rule over Berar. With his growing power
and the hold he had over the nobles of Berar, it was not difficult for Sayyad Murtaza to aspire for an
independent Berar. Unfortunately for him he did not succeed.]
2 Details of this event are given below.—Burhanu-l Mulk was the younger brother of Murtaza
Nizamu-l Mulk. When Husain Nizamu-l Mulk died, the Nizamu-l Mulk Kingdom descended to his
eldest son, but in reality the government fell into the hands of the young prince's mother. He, like his
father before him, preferred Burhan to all his friends. In course of time, designing persons stirred up
strife between him and his relations, so that he seized and sent to a fortress both his mother and his
brother. His ignorance and vicious propensities kept him aloof from the loyal and good, and threw
him into the company of evil persons, whose bad advice quite perverted his mind. He raised a low
fellow, a cock-fighter named Husain, to be his companion, and foolishly gave him the title of Asaf
Khan. **This lowborn fellow stirred up a war against Bidar, and a fierce struggle went on in Kandhar.
The news of these foolish proceedings soon spread abroad, and Burhan, having escaped from
prison by the aid of his keeper, began to raise disturbances; but his mind was in fetters, and his
fortune asleep. He cast his eyes upon the wealth of others, and began to oppress them. When
Nizamu-l Mulk was informed of this outbreak, he hastened back, and reached Ahmadnagar on the
day he desired. **Numbers of men deserted Burhan, and he was obliged to fly without fighting. He
then went to Adil Khan at Bijanagar (sic). Not being able to effect anything there, he went in the
disguise of a jogi to Ahmadnagar. There he lived in secret, and endeavoured to raise a party among
the evil-disposed. Being discovered, he hastened to the governor of Bagalana, and not being able
to effect anything there, he went to Kutbu-ddin Khan, at Bidar. From thence he proceeded to the
Imperial Court, where he met with a gracious reception. (Akbar-Nama in Elliot and Dowson, Vol. VI,
pp. 70-71.)
HISTORY – MEDIAEVAL PERIOD 125
and putting it under the command of Mirza Muhammad Taqi dispatched it towards the frontiers of
Berar. The army camped on the banks of the river Tapi. It was joined by the nobles of the Sultan of
Khandes. They had decided to side with Ahmadnagar against the Moghals. The combined armies
moved towards Handia. However, Mirza Aziz Koka, thinking himself incapable of facing the strong
opposition, took a long detour via Gondvana and attacked and plundered Ellicpur. In retaliation
Mirza Taqi, sacked Handia and the neighbourhood and marched back towards Berar. In a quick
encounter, the Moghals suffered a reverse and Mirza Aziz Koka, without risking a further trial of
strength, retired towards Malva1.
In the same year the marriage of prince Miran Husain with the sister of the Sultan of Bijapur
was arranged. The princess was brought to Ahmadnagar. The marriage was, however, postponed
due to the refusal of Adil Sah to cede the fort of Solapur as dowry. At this time Murtaza developed
an obsession for a dancer named Fatteh Sah2. This person began to abuse his power by obtaining
large grants of lands and gifts of the palace jewels. Murtaza ordered that Fatteh Sah be presented
with the two most valuable necklaces obtained in the plunder of Vijayanagar after the battle of
Talikota. Salabat Khan did not like the transfer of the priceless palace treasure to a worthless
dancer and substituted the two necklaces by equally beautiful, but artificial ones. When this news
was conveyed to Murtaza by Fatteh Sah, Murtaza ordered all the palace jewels to be brought before
him for inspection and seeing the two necklaces missing threw them all into a large fire. The palace
servants with great difficulty saved the jewellery from total destruction. From this time Murtaza
Nizam Sah was considered mad. Murtaza now got into his head that his son Miran Husain desired
to dethrone him. He, therefore, attempted to put him to death. Salabat Khan watched over the safety
of prince Miran Husain. At this time, irked at the refusal of Salabat Khan to celebrate the marriage of
Miran Husain with his sister or to return her to Bijapur unless Solapur was surrendered, Ibrahim Adil
Sah declared war on Ahmadnagar and laid siege to the fort of Ausa. Murtaza, upset at the conduct
of Salabat Khan, now called his minister and charged him with treachery. He declared that he had
got weary of the minister's control over him. Salabat Khan, without any remonstrance, offered his
resignation and begged Murtaza Nizam Sah to appoint any place for his confinement. Murtaza
named Danda Rajapuri. Salabat Khan was immediately put under guard and carried to the prison at
Danda Rajapuri3 Murtaza Nizam Sah now appointed Mirza
1 Sayyad Ali gives the name of the dancer as Tulji. According to him Fattu or Fatteh Shah was
an other dancer who became Murtaza's favourite subsequently.
2 This account is entirely based upon the narrative of Sayyad Ali in Burhan-i-Masir.
3 Sayyad Ali states that Murtaza first ordered Salabat Khan to proceed to the fort of Darb and
not to return from that place without specific orders. Salabat Khan, however, shortly returned to
Ahmadnagar. Secondly Murtaza sent Salabat Khan towards junnstr to make arrangements for his
visit there. Salabat Khan left
126 MAHARASHTRA STATE GAZETTEER
Sadiq and Bahizad-ul-Mulk jointly to the post of Pesva and Vakil-i-Mutalaq of the kingdom.
However, soon after, Bahizad-ul-Mulk incurred the displeasure of Murtaza. He was dismissed and
imprisoned at Parenda (February 1587) and Mirza Sadiq appointed as the prime minister of the
kingdom.
Ibrahim Adil now invaded the Ahmadnagar kingdom. When this was conveyed to Murtaza he
ordered the recall of Salabat Khan and Bahizad-ul-Mulk and restoration of their respective Jagirs to
them. He also instructed the army to march towards the Bijapur frontier. However, thinking that the
recall of Salahat Khan would be construed as weakness on his part, Murtaza rescinded his orders.
Salahat Khan, however, disobeyed and reached Ahmadnagar. Bahizad-ul-Mulk now aspired to work
jointly with Mirza Sadiq as prime minister. The latter complained to Murtaza about it. Murtaza
thereupon instructed Mirza Sadiq to put Bahizad-ul-Mulk under arrest. Mirza Sadiq advised that
when the Bijapuris had invaded the kingdom it would be improper to arrest Bahizad-ul-Mulk.
Murtaza lost his patience with Mirza Sadiq and now ordered Bahizad-ul-Mulk to confine both
Salabat Khan and Mirza Sadiq in the fort of Rajuri. These orders were carried out. Bahizad now
requested Murtaza to appoint him as the Pesva and Vakil of the kingdom. But Murtaza refused and
appointed Kasim Beg Hakim to that post on 13th February. 1587. Kasim Beg now opened
negotiations with Ibrahim Adil Sah who had attacked Parenda and persuaded him to withdraw,
convincing him that Salabat Khan who was the cause of all this had been imprisoned. The marriage
between Miran Husain and the sister of Ibrahim Adil Sah was now celebrated at Patori. Murtaza
now invited Prince Miran Husain to stay with him but becoming suspicious of him decided to destroy
the Prince. He set fire to the bed clothes of Miran Husain when he was asleep and fastened the
door of the bedchamber. Fatteh Sah who heard the cries of the prince for help rescued him and
carried him safely to Daulatabad. When Murtaza failed to find the remains of the prince's corpse he
enquired of Fatteh Sah who disclosed the truth of the matter. Murtaza then sent Ahmad Khan as
commandant of the fort of Daulatabad in place of Muhib Khan, secretly ordering the former to
murder Miran Husain. But Ahmad Khan, who had an affection for the prince, did not carry out the
orders. Under instructions from Kasim Beg he sent the severed head of a person similar in looks to
Miran Husain. When ultimately the truth was discovered, Murtaza dismissed Kasim Beg as prime
minister and appointed Habih Khan, a former finance minister as prime minister. He too, soon
incurred the disfavour of
contd.
for Junnar but returned again to Ahmadnagar without Murtaza's orders. Thirdly Murtaza declared his
intention to visit Patori. Again Salabat Khan was sent to make adequate preparations for the visit. At
that place Murtaza fell sick and was treated by Hakim Kasim Beg and Hakim Kashi. They poisoned
Murtaza's mind about Salabat Khan. This time also he had returned to Ahmadnagar without
Murtaza's orders. Murtaza now called Salabat Khan to his presence and thought of killing him but
on Salabat Khan's submission pardoned him. He was ordered to be confined to the fort of Parenda.
Later he was transferred to the fort of Ausa.
HISTORY – MEDIAEVAL PERIOD 127
Murtaza and was dismissed. Murtaza now formed a council of ministers composed of Habibullah.
Sultan Husain alias Mirza Khan and other noblemen. Habibullah was appointed as prime minister1.
When these events were taking place at Ahmadnagar a letter was received from Raja Baharji
of Baglana soliciting help against his brother Narayan. Murtaza agreed and sent Nur Khan, Saif
Khan. Abhang Khan, Jahangir Khan and Saif-ul-Mulk under the command of Farhad Khan. In the
meanwhile Narayan had defeated Baharji and usurped the throne. The Nizamsahi troops halted on
the borders of Baglana and conveyed the news of the happening to Murtaza Nizam Sah. A serious
rivalry now developed between Habibullah and Mirza Khan which ultimately led to the dismissal of
the former. Murtaza now enjoined upon Mirza Khan to destroy Miran Husain. Mirza Khan outwardly
showed his acquiescence. He had decided to espouse the cause of the prince. He recalled the
officers who had proceeded to Baglana and persuaded them to join him in the conspiracy against
Murtaza. He also secretly corresponded with Adil Sah, requesting him to send a detachment to
support the cause of Miran Husain. Adil Sah agreed to send a force. Mirza Khan moved from
Ahmadnagar and camped at Ranuri. Ferishta, the noted historian had command of a platoon of
guards. He was sent to enquire about the movements of Mirza Khan by Murtaza Nizam. Mirza
Khan, however, bribed Fatteh Sals to persuade Murtaza to recall Ferishta. He thought that his
movements and his conspiracy would be conveyed to Murtaza by Ferishta as the latter was greatly
attached to Murtaza Nizam Sah. Mirza Khan now wanted to prevent Ferishta's return from the
camp. Suspecting foul play Ferishta made good his escape. Mirza Khan now marched to
Daulatabad to bring back Miran Husain and seat him on the throne. Getting panicky. Murtaza sent
orders for the release of Salabat Khan on the advice of Ferishta. Murtaza, however, did not leave
the palace for fear of being imprisoned by the guards. Perceiving the imbecility of the Sultan, the
troops marched to Daulatabad. Mirza Khan also hastened towards Ahmadnagar so as to reach it
before the arrival of Salabat Khan from the fort of Rajuri2. When Mirza Khan
1 Ferishta states that Murtaza appointed Mirza Muhammad Sadiq Urdubadi to succeed Kasim
Beg. But when Sadiq refused to destroy prince Miran Husain, he was dismissed and Sultan Husain
Sabzavari alias Mirza Khan was appointed as Wakil and Peshwa of the kingdom.
2 Sayyad Ali states that when Murtaza received the news of the invasion of Adil Shah, he sent
his officers to oppose the invader. They camped at Patori (Pathardi). Murtaza also left Ahmadnagar
and moved towards Patori when the officers moved their camp and marched to Dhanora. Most of
the officers in the army were against Murtaza Nizam Shah. Murtaza contrived to arrest Mirza Khan
with the help of Ismail Khan, who was one of the favourites of Murtaza Nizam Shah. Mirza Khan,
however, secured his release by deceiving Ismail Khan. He marched with other officers to
Daulatabad where Miran Husain was kept in confinement. Murtaza then marched from Patori to
Malakasi and from thence to Ahmadnagar. The commandant of the fort of Daulatabad now declared
for Miran when Mirza Khan reached Daulatabad. Miran appointed Mirza Khan as the prime minister
128 MAHARASHTRA STATE GAZETTEER
arrived at Ahmadnagar the palace guards under the command of Ferishta deserted him. He was left
with Fatteh Sah and a few domestics to protect Murtaza Nizam Sah. Mirza Khan and Miran Husain
surrounded the palace with 40,000 troops and put many to death. Ferishta escaped, as he had,
once been a tutor to prince Miran Husain. Miran Husain now approached the wretched Murtaza and
insulted him in every conceivable manner. Murtaza gazed at his son with silent contempt and sighed
when Miran drew the naked sword across the breast of his helpless father. Miran put his father in a
bath and closing the doors and windows lighted a great fire underneath. Murtaza was speedily
suffocated and died a horrible death (14th June 1588).
MIRAN HUSAIN NIZAM SHAH.
Miran Husain, a headstrong and cruel youth, succeeded Murtaza Niziam Sah. When the news
of the revolt in Ahmadnagar had reached Ibrahim Adil, he had proceeded towards Ahmadnagar to
support the cause of Miran Husain, his brother-in-law. When he was informed in his camp at
Pathardi, of the terrible events that had shaken Ahmadnagar, he wrote a strong letter to Miran
Husain condemning him for murdering Murtaza and left for Bijapur without congratulating Miran
Husain on his accession to the throne1.
Miran Husain now confirmed Mirza Khan in the post of prime minister. He was also appointed
as the commander-in-chief of the army. Miran, however, rarely paid any heed to his advice. He
promoted several youths to high ranks and made them the companions of his pleasures and
excesses. Mirza Khan had, however, his enemies among the ranks of foreigners. They conspired
against Mirza Khan, informing Miran Husain Sah that Mirza Khan proposed to put on the throne
Miran Qasim whom he had brought to Junnar2. Miran Husain immediately imprisoned Mirza Khan.
After enquiry, finding the minister innocent, he restored him to his post of prime minister 3 Mirza
Khan, however, resigned and advised Miran Husain to entrust the office to Kasim Beg, Sayyad Mir
Sarif Jilani and
contd.
and Mir Muhammad Saleh Nishaburi as sarnobat creating him Khan Khanan. Then he moved to
Ahmadnagar. Confusion prevailed at Ahmadnagar where all the officers had deserted Murtaza
Nizam Shah. Finding the situation beyond his control Ismail Khan sent the royal canopy to Miran
Husain and himself went over to him. Miran Husain who had now arrived in Ahmadnagar transferred
Murtaza from Bagdad Palace to the Hamamkhana of Haidar Khan. He then ordered the execution of
his father which was carried out by Mirza Khan.
1 Sayyad Ali states that Ibrahim Adil had left Bijapur and camped at Pathardi with the object of
invading Ahmadnagar. Miran Husain also prepared to meet him. When Ibrahim Adil came to know
of this he wrote to Miran that he (Miran) had misunderstood his (Adil Shah's) movements. Actually
he (Adil Shah) had arrived at Jayachand to participate in the death rites of Murtaza Nizam Shah. But
now he (Adil Shah) had no desire to take part in the proceedings and was therefore retiring to
Bijapur. Sayyad Ali also blatantly tells that Ibrahim Adil on his way suffered heavily when the flooded
Bhima swept away his camp equipage, horses, elephants and men.
2 Sayyad Ali gives the name of the place as Sinnar.
3 Ferishta informs that Mirza Khan advised Miran Husain to execute Miran Qasim. Miran
agreed and accordingly Miran Qasim, his sons and brothers were executed at Sinnar on a single
day.
HISTORY – MEDIAEVAL PERIOD 129
Sayyad Muhammad Samnani. However, these three always consulted Mirza Khan who raised many
of his friends such as Sayyad Murtaza, Khan Khanan, Jamsid Khan, Sayyad Hasan, Farhad Khan,
Bahadur Khan Gilani, Amin-ul-Mulk and others to high posts. Miran Husain spent his time in the
company of his depraved friends and as Sayyad Ali states, wandered through the streets of
Ahmadnagar in search of pleasure. Among his friends were Ankus Khan, Ambar Khan and Yakut
Khan. An enmity developed between Mirza Khan and Ankus Khan. Ankus Khan, who had the
backing of Miran Husain decided to destroy Mirza Khan. Miran Husain in one of his drunken bouts
declared that he would behead Mirza Khan or have him trod to death by elephants. A party was
arranged at the residence of Ankus Khan to which Mirza Khan and his associates were invited. At
this party, Miran Husain conspired to kill them. Mirza Khan who suspected treachery did not attend.
He managed to bring out safely his associates Khan Khanan, Jamsid Khan, Sayyad Murtaza and
others who had gone to the party. All of them then went to the fort of Ahamadnagar. Sayyad
Murtaza feigned sickness and Mirza Khan sent a message to Miran Husain that Sayyad Murtaza
was dying and wanted to see him1. Miran Husain believed in the message. He went to the fort with a
few attendants. He was arrested and thrown into prison. The noblemen conferred among
themselves and decided to bring to Ahmadnagar, Sah Ibrahim and Sah Ismail, the two sons of
Burhan Nizam Sah, who had been confined at Lohogad. When the princes were brought into the
palace by Mustafa Khan, Mirza Khan called the assembly of the nobles of the kingdom and declared
that Miran Husain was deposed and Sah Ismail was appointed his successor. This was not to the
liking of the Deccani and Abyssinian noblemen headed by Jamal Khan. They assembled at the
gates of the fort and demanded to see Miran Husain, their lawful sovereign. Jamal Khan proclaimed
to the citizens of Ahmadnagar the story of what had happened and warned them that if Mirza Khan
was allowed to get away with what he had done, the native nobles and people of the country would
soon be slaves to foreign adventurers. A crowd of 5,000 armed people soon gathered round Jamal
Khan. Mirza Khan sent Jamsid Khan and Sayyad Hasan to negotiate with Jamal Khan but to no
effect. Mirza Khan even beheaded the Kotval of the city, Inayat Khan, and appointed his own
confidant Bulbul Khan. The mob surrounding the fort now grew furious and hurled stones and
arrows in the direction of the fort. Mirza Khan now decided to assassinate Miran Husain. After this
deed, the head of Miran Husain was placed on a pole and planted on one of the bastions. This
infuriated the besiegers still more who collected piles of wood and straw at the fort gates and set
them on fire. The gates were burnt down and the mob rushed into the fort,
1 Ferishta says that Mirza Khan sent his friend Agha Mir in his place to the party. On the
dinner table he pretended to be seized with violent pains and declaring that he was poisoned left the
house.
130 MAHARASHTRA STATE GAZETTEER
in spite of the resistance offered by Mirza Khan. A horrible massacre followed. Mirza Khan escaped
to Junnar where shortly afterwards he was arrested and brought back to Ahmadnagar. He was
carried through the city on an ass. His body was mangled. The massacre of the foreigners
continued for a whole week in which thousands, both guilty and innocent, were killed1. After the
gloom of death had settled over the city, Jamal Khan placed Ismail Nizam Sah on the throne. He
appointed Yakut Khan as commander of the army and gave him the title of Khudavand Khan. He
also raised to high ranks Sah Abu Turab, Amjad-ul-Mulk Mehedvi, Khanmalik, Nizam Khan Nisaburi,
Basunat Khan, Kamil Khan, Aminullah Bur hanpuri and Etimad Khan.
ISMAIL NIZAM SHAH.
At this time Muhammad Khan Sarnobat was the Amir-ul-Umra of Berar. Most of the foreigners
who had escaped the massacre took refuge with Muhammad Khan, or entered the service of
Bijapur. Ferishta, the noted Persian historian, migrated to Bijapur and entered the service of Adil
Sah. Jamal Khan now confiscated the property of all the foreigners who had quitted the
Ahmadnagar kingdom. The foreigners who had assembled in Berar decided to release. Salabat
Khan who had been confined in the fort of Khedla and march against Jamal Khan and his Mehedvi
followers under his leadership. An approach was made to Muzaffar Khan Mazindarani, the
commandant of the fort of Khedla, to release Salabat Khan. He agreed. Accordingly Salabat Khan
moved from the fort and marched along with the foreign nobles towards Ahmadnagar. Jamal Khan
also moved from Ahmadnagar and reached Paithan. He succeeded in seducing many officers of
Salabat Khan over to his side by promising them rewards. He then engaged Salabat Khan in battle
and inflicted a crushing defeat upon him. Salabat Khan, Bahiri Khan and Mazindarani fled to Raja
Ali Khan, the Sultan of Khandes. Taking advantage of the factions prevailing in Ahmadnagar,
Ibrahim Adil Sab sent his general Dilavar Khan to invade Ahmadnagar. Jamal Khan marched to
meet him. Both armies halted at Asta without making any hostile movement. Ultimately Jamal Khan
thought himself incapable of offering resistance to Dilavar Khan and sued for peace. Dilavar Khan
agreed on condition that Khadija Sultana, the wife of Miran Husain should be surrendered and war
indemnity of 75,000 hons be paid. Jamal Khan then returned to Ahmadnagar2
1 Sayyad Ali gives the names of those killed in this massacre as follows :-Kaj Nuruddin
Ispahani, Mir Muhammad Husain Tabataba, Mir Husain Gilani, Maulana Najmuddin Shustari, Kasim
Beg, Mir Muhammad Taki, Mir Sharif, Mir Sadiq, Mir Ijuddin Astrabadi, Mirza Khan, Khan Khanan,
Amin-ul-Mulk, Sayyad Murtaza, Bahadur Khan Gilani, Babu Khan, Sayyad Muhammad Samnani,
and Aka Malik Mazindarani. Ferishta adds the following names to the list:- Baini Khan, Nustahir
Alavi, Aka Mir, Shahabaj Khan Dakhani and Ismail Khan.
2 Sayyad Ali says that Jamal Khan called back Salabat Khan from Burhanpur and on his
arrival treated him respectfully. Salabat Khan expressed his desire to retire to Tisgaon which Jamal
Khan now gave him in Jagir. He built nalaces and gardens at that place. Shortly after he fell sick
and returned to Ahmadnagar
HISTORY – MEDIAEVAL PERIOD 131
The commotions in the kingdoms of the Deccan invited the attention of emperor Akbar. He
decided to take advantage of the troubles. Burhan, the father of Ismail Nizam Sah, had fled from the
wrath of his brother Murtaza Nizam Sah and been given a Jagir by Akbar at Handia1. Akbar now
encouraged him to invade the kingdom of Ahmadnagar and wrest it from his son Ismail Nizam Sah.
Akbar also offered to support Burhan with material help. Burhan wisely refused the assistance
offered by Akbar fearing that it would antagonise the Deccan nobility. Akbar finally permitted him to
proceed to the Deccan along with a few of his followers. He also wrote to Raja Ali Khan to support
Burhan. Burhan proceeded to the Deccan. He was convinced of strong support as he had received
overtures of assistance from many of the Deccan nobility. When he received the news of the march
of Burhan in Berar, Jamal Khan made preparations to oppose him. However, Burhan was defeated
by Jahangir Khan Habsi, an officer of the Berar army2, A Moghal officer, Cugtai Khan, who had
accompanied Burhan died of a bullet wound. Burhan fled the battlefield and retired to Handia. From
Handia he took refuge with Raja Ali Khan of Khandes, and camped at Kandoha (Khandava)3.
Burhan now renewed his attempts to wrest the throne from his son Ismail Nizam Sah4. When
he approached Raja Ali
contd.
for medical treatment. He, however, could not survive and died soon. Some say that he was
poisoned by Jamal Khan. Ferishta states that Salabat Khan retired to Yankapur where he died in
1590.
1 Ferishta gives the following antecedents of Burhan Nizam Shah II:
Boorhan Nizam Shah II, during the reign of his brother, Moortaza Nizam Shah, was confined
in the fort of Lohgur, but had a large estate allowed him for his support, so that he passed his days
not without many comforts. At the time when Sahib Khan, disgusted with Moortaza Nizam Shah, left
the capital, and the King followed him to Bidur to induce him to return, a party at the court besought
Boorhan Nizam Shah to put forth his claim to the throne, on the plea that his brother was mad, and
unfit to reign. Allured by promises of support, Boorhan Nizam Shah gained over the governor of
Lohgur, and appeared in arms at the head of six thousand horse, with which force he moved
towards Ahmudnuggur. Moortaza Nizam Shah, upon intelligence of this insurrection, hastened back
from Bidur to Ahmudnuggur. On passing through the streets to the palace, he stopped his elephant
at the shop of a druggist, and asked him if he had any medicine that would cure madness, saying,
that he did not know who required it most, himself, who wished to live the life of a recluse, and yet to
rule a kingdom, or his brother, who with the enjoyment of ease, was plunging himself into the cares
of public life. The man replied, that his brother was the mad-man, who could ungratefully rebel
against so kind a protector, and would not prosper in his treason. The next day, Boorhan Nizam
Shah was defeated, and fled to Beejapoor. Two years afterwards, he made another attempt, but
with no better success, and sought protection with the Emperor Akbur, with whom he continued till
the accession of his son to the throne, of which he dispossessed him as above related. (Brigg's
Ferishta, Vol. III, pp. 282-83).]
2 Burhan had made overtures to Jahangir Khan and had succeeded in winning him over to his
side. When, however, Burhan entered Berar, Jahangir Khan shifted his position and attacked him.
3 Sayyad Ali states that Burhan sent orders to Jamal Khan declaring his arrival and offering
him promises of favour. He also wrote to Salabat Khan who was then at Burhanpur. Both however,
disregarded the overtures made by Burhan.
4 The details of this are as follows : When Burhan-ul-Mulk made his first attempt on the
territory of the South, and was unsuccessful, he returned to his estates. Now that Khan-i-Azam had
gone to Gujarat, and Shahbaz Khan was dead, he be took himself to Raja Ali Khan the ruler of
Khandesh, who, in compliance with the Imperial commands, was eager to assist him. He had also
agreed with Adil Khan
132 MAHARASHTRA STATE GAZETTEER
Khan, the latter advised Burhan against seeking the help of the Moghals. He informed him that his
purpose would be better served if he appealed to the Sultans of the Deccan. Accordingly Burhan
Nizam Sah wrote to Ibrahim Adil Sah. Adil Sah consented and sent a large force from the south to
invade the kingdom of Ahmadnagar. Jamal Khan had instructed Sayyad Ajmad-ul-Mulk of Berar to
oppose Raja Ali Khan and Burhan Nizam on the northern frontier. He himself marched to counter
Ibrahim Adil Sah. He was accompanied by 10,000 Mehedvis. He reached the village of Karinari
where he learnt of the defection of the Berar nobles to Burhan Nizam. His own second in command
Abhang Khan also deserted him and joined Burhan Nizam. Jamal Khan was now attacked by
Dilavar Khan, the Bijapuri commandant, who had led the main Bijapuri army under Ibrahim Adil Sah.
A hand to hand battle was fought in which Jamal Khan's artillery positions were destroyed. The
other two Bijapuri generals Ankus Khan and Ain-ul-Mulk broke the rear of Jamal Khan. Dilavar
Khan's army now fell upon the camp of Jamal Khan and started looting it, leaving their commandant
with only a few soldiers. Dilavar Khan fled the field and with him his army, leaving the entire
baggage in the hands,' of Jamal Khan. This included 300 elephants1. Flushed with this victory,
Jamal Khan marched towards Berar. Burhan and Raja Ali Khan urged Ibrahim Adil Sah to attack
constantly the rear of Jamal Khan's army. Ibrahim detached
contd.
of Bijapur, that a force should be sent from thence when they approached Ahmadnagar ; and
accordingly a contingent was sent to the frontier, to await the arrival of Raja Ali's army. Jamal Khan,
the governor of Ahmadnagar, resolved to prevent the junction of the two forces. Before Burhan-ul-
Mulk came near, Jamal Khan defeated his son Ismail, and then hastened to a tack the forces of
Bijapur, and defeated them with little difficulty. When, after this, Burhan ul-Mulk entered Berar,
Muhammad-ul-Mulk and ** other chiefs joined him. Jamal Khan, inflated with his previous victory,
marched out rashly to oppose him. ** Raja Ali Khan placed Burhan-ul-Mulk in charge of the amirs of
Birar, and gave battle to Jamal Khan. A sharp fight ensued; but Jamal Khan was killed by a
musketshot, and his army was broken up. A great victory was gained. Soon after, Ismail Khan, the
son, was brought in a prisoner, and was placed in confinement. The ruler of Khandesb then led a
detachment to Ahmadnagar, and soon made himself master of the whole country.
When Burhan-ul Mulk got possession of Ahmadnagar, he had a fine opportunity of showing
his gratitude and fidelity, and of making himself an example to other rulers. But the intoxication of
success got the mastery over him. He forgot the many and great favours he had received,
oppressed the people under him, and sought his own advantage in the wrongs of others. The
Emperor determined to send first an envoy to Raja Ali Khan, who had raised Burhan to the position
he held, to consult with him and the other rulers of that quarter, as to whether they would invade his
territories. If they agreed, the ambassador was to return ; if not, an Imperial army was to be sent.
Shaikh Abul Faiz Faizi, "the prince of poets," was accordingly sent to Raja Ali Khan and Burhan-ul
Mulk.—Akbar-Nama in Elliot and Dowson, Vol. VI, p. 87-88.
1 This account is based on Burhan-i-Mansir. Ferishta gives a slightly different version. He
informs that the Bijapuris marched upto Naldurg and Dharashiv. Jamal Khan encamped a few miles
to the north of Dharashiv with Ismail Nizam Shah. It was then that Dilawar Khan who had detached
himself for Ibrahim Adil Shah approached Jamal Khan's encampment. He, however, received a
message from Ibrahim Adil instructing him not to attack Jamal Khan. Dilawar Khan with 30,000
troops under his command was confident of victory over Jamal Khan. He sent his Maratha cavlry to
cut off the supplies of Jamal Khan. The other Adil Shahi nobles including Ankus Khan and Ain-ul-
Mulk, thinking that Dilawar Khan had incurred the displeasure of Ibrahim Adil Shah and was fighting
against his
HISTORY – MEDIAEVAL PERIOD 133
his Maratha cavalry to follow Jamal Khan. It cut off his supplies from his camp at Pathri. Jamal Khan
was now deserted by most of his troops. He relied on his Mehedvl followers to win the day for him.
In the meanwhile Burhan had occupied the Rohan Khed pass and was advancing further. Jamal
Khan was now thoroughly exhausted by his long march. He decided to attack Burhan near the
frontiers. Both the troops faced each other and a general action soon ensued. Sayyad Ali says that
most of the army of Jamal Khan got stuck up in the mud and was repulsed by the accurate artillery
fire from Burhan Nizam's army. Jamal Khan, however, fought grimly. The battle would have ended
in his favour when he was killed by a chance shot. The fall of Jamal Khan signalled the victory of
Burhan over his son Ismail Nizam Sah. The army of Jamal Khan led by Dastur Khan fled the field of
battle. They took Ismail with them. Ismail was, however, captured in a village and confined by his
father. He had reigned for a short period of two years.
BURHAN NIZAM SHAH II.
Burhan now ascended the throne under the title of Burhan Nizam Sah II. His first act was to
annul all orders favouring the doctrines of the Mehedvi sect and by threatening with death those
who persisted in the heresy. Thus, he practically banished the sect out of his dominions. The Siah
religion was restored and many of the foreigners who had left the kingdom due to the persecution of
Mirza Khan returned. In his war of succession with his son Ismail, Burhan was assisted by Ibrahim
Adil Sah. Ibrahim's general Dilavar Khan had been defeated by Jamal Khan. He incurred the
displeasure of his master and now entered the service of Burhan Nizam Sah. Ibrahim Adil protested
against the employment of his ex-general to which Burhan sent a cool and insulting reply. This
brought on war with Bijapur, when at the instigation of Dilavar Khan, Burhan invaded that kingdom.
He advanced as far as Mangalvedha without opposition. Fearing some sort of stratagem by the
Bijapuris to ambush him he declined to move further. But Dilavar Khan allayed his fears and Burhan
continued to advance. He arrived as far as Bhima. Finding a ruined fortification there, Burhan
ordered its repairs. Ibrahim Adil Sah who uptill now had not taken any cognizance of Burhan's
movements decided to intervene. He sent a message to Dilavar Khan to return and take charge of
his former post. Dilavar Khan easily fell into the trap and inspite of the advice of Burhan took his
leave to rejoin his former master. No sooner had Dilavar Khan reached Bijapur, than he was blinded
by Ibrahim Adil Sah and sent as a prisoner to the fort of Satara. Ibrahim now sent 10,000 horse
under Rumi Khan Dakhani and 3,000 household troops under Elias Khan to oppose Burhan
contd.
orders, marched towards Ibrahim Adil Shah's camp. Dilawar Khan thus became an easy target for
Jamal Khan. When Dilawar Khan attacked him, he inflicted a crushing defeat upon him and forced
him t6 flee the battlefield. Dilawar Khan fed to Naldurg. Ferishta was one of those who fled the field
of battle. He was severely wounded and left behind at Dharashiv. He was made a prisoner by Jamal
Khan but made good his escape.
134 MAHARASHTRA STATE GAZETTEER
Nizam Sah. Burhan's forces were several times defeated by the Bijapur army. Burhan then
personally took the field against them and drove them across the Bhima. They could not be pursued
due to the river being in flood. Burhan was, however, reduced to miserable straits due to lack of
supplies. A terrible pestilence now broke out. He therefore withdrew a few marches towards
Ahmadnagar. He replenished his exhausted army and moved towards Solapur. The pestilence had
slightly abated. He was, however, routed by the Bijapurls and lost some 100 elephants and 400
horse. His troops had gone weary and started deserting him. There was also a rumour that his
officers were conspiring to depose him and put his son on the throne. His retreating army was
constantly harassed by the pursuing Bijapurls. This forced Burhan Nizam Sah to sue for peace.
Ibrahim Adil Sah agreed. Peace was concluded only after protracted negotiations lasting well over a
month. Under the terms of the treaty Burhan Nizam Sah agreed to demolish all constructions raised
by him on the Bijapur territory. He then retired mortified and frustrated to Ahmadnagar.
After his return from the unsuccessful campaign against Bijapur, Burhan marched against the
Portuguese possessions of Revdanda. He had received a report that a ship belonging to
Ahmadnagar and carrying pilgrims from Mecca which had sunk near Bassein, was held by the
Portuguese. The Portuguese took possession of all the goods in the sunken ship with the help of
divers1. Burhan now wrote to Fahim Khan, the Subhedar of Caul2 district, to recover the goods
appropriated by the Portugese.
1 In this connection Danvers says that Burhan attacked Revdanda in spite of an agreement
reached between him and the Portuguese. Burhan pointed out that some complaints were received
against Mathias Da Albuquerque, the Governor of Revdanda. He made it a pretext to attack that
port.
2 A brief description of the fort is given below :—
Ceul lies about seven miles to the south-east on Alibag-Revdanda road. Nearing the Roha
river, on the left, two lines of high stone walls mark the north and west faces of the great fort of
Portuguese, which is also known as the Agar Kot or Palm garden fort. The space enclosed by the
walls is a mass of green palms. Near the north-west corner of the walls a grey mound of sea sand is
heaped to the battlements by the strong northerly breezes of the dry season. The west wall is
breached by the sea at many places. At the mouth of the river the channel keeps to the right close
under the Korle, which with steep bare sides rises to the south, its narrow northern slope being
flanked with walls and crossed by three lines of fortifications between the sea and the central
fortified top. Near the centre at the Seat Gate rise the massive ruins of the citadel or Ceul castle.
The walls of the Portuguese or Agar Fort had a circuit of one and a half miles and an average
height of about twenty feet, with a parapet about twelve feet broad and a curtain wall about six feet
high. They enclosed a fifteen-sided space about 220 yards from north to south and 330 yards from
east to west. There were two double gateways, the Land Gate on the north and the Sea Gate on the
south. A third gate was added later by opening a passage for the Alibag road through the north wall.
All of these but the sea gate to the south are in dilapidated condition. Besides the curtain wall which
was pierced for musketry, there are the remains of nine semicircular towers. On the north or land
face there were two large corner towers and two great outworks about thirty feet high which flank
the north or Land Gateway.
As rulers of the sea the Portuguese had little to fear from an attack from the west or the south.
The walls and towers along those two sides, except at the south entrance gate, were therefore of no
great strength. The east being sheltered by the salt marsh, very massive fortifications were required.
It was from the north that
HISTORY – MEDIAEVAL PERIOD 135
He wrote to Burhan Nizam Sah detailing the atrocities of the Portuguese and their policy of
harassment and persecution. He was called to Ahmadnagar. Burhan Nizam Sah asked for the
details about the territory over there and ordered his officers to prepare precise maps of Revdanda,
Caul and Korla1. He then decided that a fort should be built at Korla with battery positions to block
the way of passage to Portuguese ships going to Revdanda. The army was put under the command
of Farhad Khan2 Habsi. Etimad Khan Sarnobat was appointed his second in command. The army
was accompanied by the following officers: Sujat Khan, Taj Khan, Bijli Khan, Bahadur Khan, Nasirul-
Mulk, Annerav, Kamil Khan, Susataba Khan and Saikh Farid Raja. The army marched towards
Revdanda on 4th May, 1593. Farhad Khan arrived before Korla and put Bahadur Gilani in command
of all the foreign troops. He appointed him governor of Korla. He was ordered to blockade
Revdanda. The Portuguese, however, received reinforcement of 300 men from Bassein and 200
men from Surat under Dom Alvaro Da Abranches. The Portuguese had now an overall force of over
3,000 composed of both Europeans and Natives. On July 17, 1593 they made an attack on Korla
with a contingent of over 1,000 soldiers. Bahadur Gilani was alert. The attack was beaten off, the
Portuguese suffering 300 casualties in the fighting3.
contd.
an enemy must attack. To protect the north side a great moat, about seven feet deep and
seventeen paces wide, was dug across from the sea to the north-west corner of the Ceul creek; two
massive corner towers strengthened the east and west ends of the north wall; and two great works,
parallel to the north wall, flanked the north or Land Gateway.
These walls meant to defend the fort from the attacks of enemy have fallen down at many
places. The damage done is so extensive that looking to the heaps of stones, one is liable to
overlook the work they have done of braving the attacks of Muhammedans.
Though the dates of the building of the different parts of the fortifications of Ceul are not all
known, inscriptions and other records show that the buildings extended over more than 200 years,
from about 1520 to 1721. The earliest piece of work was the fortifying of the factory or citadel
between 1521 and 1524.
1 A brief description of the fort is given below:
Korlai (Murud Peta; 18° 30' N, 72° 50' E ; p. 1,494 ; RS Khopoli 96 m.) lies opposite
Revdanda, at the west point of the left or south bank of the Roha creek. It is almost an island, a
narrow rocky ridge about 300 feet high which stretches northwest half across the river. Inside of the
ridge, hid in a grove of coco-palms, lies the large village of Korlai. From the top of Korlai hill, which
is 271 feet high, to the level of the beach in the extreme north, the crest of the ridge is flanked by
walls, defences strengthened by an outwork on the rocks just above sea level, and by three cross
walls and towers between the outwork on the sea and the main fortifications on the top of the hill.
These walls are almost dilapidated at present. Mr. Nairne considered it the most interesting
Portuguese fortification in British Konkan.
2 As in Burhan-i-Masir : Portuguese accounts give the month of the siege of Chaul as April,
1592. From this it appears that even before the appointment of Farhad Khan to lead the expedition
against the Portuguese, hostilities must have started between the Portuguese and Ahmadnagar.
According to Ferishta, before Farhad Khan took command, the Portuguese had launched night
attacks twice or thrice upon the Ahmadnagar troops besieging Chaul and killed two to three
thousand Deccani troops of Ahmadnagar every time. The siege operations were first in charge of
Toldar, an eunuch. He was killed in action. Another Turki Officer, was then put in command. He too
was killed. It was then that Farhad Khan was sent with 10,000 troops to carry on the siege. Ferishta
remarks that Burhan Nizam Shah privately, expressed joy when he heard of the massacre of the
Deccanis at the hands of the Portuguese in the initial stages of the siege of Chaul.
3 The Portuguese account makes no mention of this defeat.
136 MAHARASHTRA STATE GAZETTEER
The fort of Revdanda was now closely besieged and all attempts to reach reinforcements to it
were stopped. The Portuguese were on the point of capitulating' when the tyranny of Burhan Nizam
Sah at Ahmadnagar induced many of the officers to quit the camp and proceed to Ahmadnagar. At
this critical juncture the Portuguese received unexpected reinforcements. A fleet of sixty vessels full
of men and stores passed close to Korla. Under cover of darkness the fleet anchored at the harbour
of Revdanda and landed a force of 4,000 men under arms. On the following morning (13th
September 1593) the Portuguese moved on Korla with 4,000 men. They attacked the Nizamsahi
troops outside the fort under the command of Taj Khan and Annerav. They fled to the fort to seek
refuge, and were closely pursued by the Portuguese. In the confusion the Portuguese entered the
fort through the gates that were opened to take the fleeing Nizamsahi army inside. The Nizamsahi
Officers Farhad Khan, Asad Khan and others were all asleep and were surprised to find the
Portuguese rushing in upon them when they awoke to the situation. The portuguese now started a
wholesale massacre and killed upwards of 12,000 soldiers, losing only 21 men in the process1.
Farhad Khan and his daughter were imprisoned, converted to Christianity and sent to Portugal. The
Portuguese collected heavy booty. Surprisingly enough Burhan Nizam Sah was happy over the
shattering defeat the Deccani Muslims had suffered at the hands of the Portuguese. He was not
sorry at the loss of his prestige in the Deccan. Free from the influence of the Deccanis who had
suffered martyrdom at Korla, he raised many foreigners to high posts in the administration of the
State2.
1 Some accounts place the figure of Muslim soldiers killed at well over 60,000.
2 Following is the account of Burhan Nizam Shah's campaign against the Portuguese as given
by Ferishta:—
A.H. 1001. A.D. 1592. In the year 1001, Boorhan Nizam Shah marched his army against the
Portuguese of Reevadunda; and despatching a large force to the sea-port of Choul, ordered that a
fort should be built to prevent the entrance of the Portuguese into the harbour of Reevadunda, arid
this fort he called Korla. The Portuguese sailing during the night effected their escape, but they
returned with reinforcements from many other ports which had also fallen into their hands; after
which, they made two night-attacks on the Mahomedans, and on each occasion killed between
three and four thousand Deccanies. Boorhan Nizam Shah now sent a body of about four thousand
men, under Furhad Khan, to reinforce Korla ; and as other troops were expected from Duman and
Bassein, he appointed one Bahadur Khan Geelany, at the head of all the foreign troops, governor of
the fortress of Korla, to blockade Reevadunda. The Mahomedans were now so watchful, that they
could not again be surprised ; and in an attack which the Portuguese made on Reevadunda they
lost one hundred Europeans and two hundred native Portuguese. After this, Reevadunda was so
closely b esieged, and the harbour so commanded by the fort of Korla, that no assistance could
reach it by sea ; and the enemy was on the point of capitulating when the tyranny of the King at
Ahmudnuggur induced many of the officers to quit the camp and proceed to court. At this time, a
fleet of sixty vessels belonging to the Portuguese, full of men and military stores, passing close to
Korla, under cover of the night, anchored safely in the harbour of Reevadunda, where they landed
four thousand men, and on the following morning, at daylight, proceeded to attack Korla. Many of
the Mahomedans, on the approach of the Europeans, fled in confusion to the fort, whither they were
so closely followed by the Portuguese that they rushed in at the gates with them, arid commenced
an indiscriminate slaughter of the King's troops, who, though two to one, made little resistance, and
upwards of twelve thousand Mahomedans were put to the sword. The Portuguese subsequentl
reduced the fort to ashes. (Brigg's Ferishta, Vol. III, pp. 84—86).
HISTORY – MEDIAEVAL PERIOD 137
In the following year, in order to assist Ismail in deposing his brother Ibrahim Adil Sah, Burhan
marched from Ahmadnagar to Belganv. He had advanced to Parenda where he learnt that Ismail
had been defeated and put to death by Ibrahim Adil Sah. Covered with mortification, he returned to
Ahmadnagar where he was taken dangerously ill. Ibrahim Adil Sah now decided to take revenge
upon Ahmadnagar for the support Burhan had extended to his brother Ismail. He ordered his army
to lay waste the territory of Ahmadnagar. Burhan now entered into a compact with the Vijayanagar
ruler Venkatadri who had established himself at Penukonda. It was decided that Venkatadri should
invade Bijapur from the south and take the fortress of Bankapur, and Burhan should attack the
fortress of Solapur from the north, and reduce it. Accordingly, the Ahmadnagar forces marched
under Uzbek Bahadur and besieged the fortress of Solapur. In the action which took place, Uzbek
Bahadur was killed and his forces were defeated. This news increased Burhan's disorder and he
was confined to bed. He sent for his son Ibrahim and appointed him his successor, passing over the
claims of Ismail who was known to be a strict Mehedvi and an enemy of the Siahs. Shortly before
Burhan's death, a rumour spread that Ismail was to succeed his father. Out of fear, the foreigners
fled to Bijapur. Ikhlas Khan, one of the partisans of Ismail even raised a force in support of Ismail
and marched to Ahmadnagar along with Ismail. In spite of his serious illness Burhan Nizam Sah
marched at the head of his troops in a palanquin and defeated prince Ismail at Humayunpur. The
prince fled to Parenda. Completely exhausted, Burhan Nizam Sah returned to Ahmadnagar and
died on the following day after a reign of four years and sixteen days.
IBRAHIM NIZAM SHAH.
Ibrahim Nizam Sah succeeded his father. He appointed Miyan Manju Dakhani as his prime
minister as had been desired by his late father. Ikhlas Khan who had supported Ibrahim's brother,
Ismail, now sought pardon. This was granted to him by Ibrahim Nizjam Sah. But no sooner he had
arrived in Ahmadnagar, than he began to collect Abyssinians and Muvallids1 about him. Miyan
Mafiju too began to collect adherents. Within a short time there were two parties in Ahmadnagar,
one, headed by the prime minister and the other headed by Ikhlas Khan. There was utter confusion
and civil war appeared inevitable. The possibility of invading the kingdom of Bijapur was considered.
Mir Safvi, the Bijapur ambassador, who had come to condole and congratulate Ibrahim Nizam Sah
was insulted. When Ibrahim Adil Sah heard of these proceedings at Ahmadnagar he declared war
on Ahmadnagar and marched to Sahadurg. Opinion was divided on the question of the policy to be
adopted towards Bijapur. Ikhlas favoured war with Bijapur and made preparations accordingly.
Miyan Manju advocated peace with Bijapur. He proposed that the forces of
1 The term signified a foreigner born in India.
138 MAHARASHTRA STATE GAZETTEER
the two kingdoms should join together, to meet the threat posed by the proposed invasion of the
Deccan by the Emperor Akbar. Ikhlas Khan obtained the concurrence of Ibrahim Nizam Sah to his
proposal, while Miyan Manju maintained a discreet silence, Ibrahim sent his army to the
Ahmadnagar frontiers. As the Adilsahi forces had not as yet made any attack upon the territory of
Ahmadnagar any action against the Bijapuris was ruled out. Miyan Manju again suggested that
overtures for peace be made to Bijapur. Ibrahim who was engaged in a fit of debauchery, would not
hear of retreating. He crossed his frontiers into Bitjapur and levied contribution in the Bijapur
territory. Ibrahim Adil Sah sent his general Hamid Khan to counter Ibrahim Nizam Sah. Miyan Manju
again interceded and informed Hamid Khan that the conduct of the Sultan was the result of his
vicious habits and, the evil influence on him of designing and wicked men. He, therefore, prayed
Hamid Khan not to precipitate matters by attacking Ibrahim Nizam Sah. Hamid Khan agreed and
encamped at a distance of two miles from the Nizamsahi troops. Considering this manoeuvre as
proceeding from weakness, the young Nizamsah resolved to attack Hamid Khan on the following
day. In spite of the endeavour of Miyan Manju and other officers to restrain him, he attacked the
Adilsahi army on the following day1. He was shot in the head in the action that followed and his
troops fled to Ahmadnagar.
AHMAD NIZAM SHAH.
On arriving at Ahmadnagar Miyan Manju took possession of the treasury and fortress. He
invited Ikhlas Khan and other officers to the fortress to consider the best means for conducting the
Government. Most of the Abyssinians declared for Bahadur, the infant son of Ibrahim Nizam Sah
and proposed a regency to be constituted under Cand Bibi the aunt of the late Ibrahim Nizam Sah.
Miyan Manju, however, did not agree to the plan. It was, therefore, decided that Ahmad, the son of a
certain Sah Tahir who claimed to be the son of Muhammad Khudabanda should be placed on the
throne2. Ahmad was in
1 The account of this action as given by Ferishta is as under : The two armies consisted of
nearly fifty thousand cavalry, besides infantry. A severe action ensued but a most extraordinary
occurrence took place. The right wing of the Nizamshahis broke the left of the Adilshahis, while
those on the right wing compelled the enemy's left to give way pursuing them to a distance of six
miles from the field of action. Ibrahim Nizam Shah who was with the right wing still kept his ground
during the night which closed the action. On the morning, the opponents were mutually astonished
to find his enemy still on the ground, and Ibrahim Nizam Shah adding some strong doses of liquor to
the former's night debauch, ordered his troops under arms, many of whom were absent in pursuit of
the fugitives of the Adilshahi left wing, while others were employed in plunder. Suhail Khan, the
second in command in the camp, now took command of the Adilshahis and sustained the onset of
the Nizamshahis headed in person by their King, who receiving a shot in the head was killed and his
troops fled to Ahmadnagar with his body. (Briggs's Ferishta 111,290-91).
2 Muhammad Khudabanda was the brother of the late Husain Nizam Shah I. He had fled to
Bengal when Husain assumed royalty thinking that he would fall victim to the jealousy of the king. In
the latter half of Murtaza Nizam Shah's reign a person calling himself Shah Tahir arrived at
Daulatabad giving out that he was the son of Muhammad Khudabanda who had died in Bengal and
that being reduced to distress he had come into the Deccan. The facts were not then satisfactorily
HISTORY – MEDIAEVAL PERIOD 139
confinement at Daulatabad. He was brought to Ahmadnagar and crowned on August 6, 1594.
Prayers were read in the name of the twelve Imams1. The chiefs now divided almost the whole
kingdom among themselves and sent Bahadur to the fortress of Cavand after removing him forcibly
from the charge of Cand Bibi.
BAHADUR NIZAM SHAH.
Shortly afterwards, Ahmad Sah was proved to be an imposter. Hence Ikhlas Khan, along with
the Muvallids and Abyssinians deserted his cause. Miyan Manju, with his Deccanies, encamped in a
large body on the plain of the Kala Cabutra near the fort of Ahmadnagar. He sent his son Miyan
Hasan with 700 horse to disperse the troops under Ikhlas Khan. An action was fought between the
two parties. For long, the result seemed doubtful. A chance shot then hit the canopy raised over
Ahmad Niziam Sah causing great confusion in the fort. A report spread that Ahmad was dead.
Miyan Hasan took to flight and threw himself into the fort. This unexpected turn gave confidence to
Ikhlas Khan who advanced and laid siege to the place. He sent orders to the commandant of
Daulatabad to release Nehang Khan Habsi and Habas Khan Muvallid who had been confined since
the reign of Burhan Nizam Sah II. He also sent instructions to the commandant of the fort of Cavand
to deliver prince Bahadur unto him. The commandant, however, refused to comply without special
instructions from Miyan Manju. On this Ikhlas procured a child of the same age and proclaimed it as
the descendant and lawful heir of the late Ibrahim Nizam Sah. By this means he collected a force of
about ten to twelve thousand cavalry. Miyan Manju was alarmed at the growing strength of Ikhlas
Khan. He wrote in a fit of desperation, a letter to Sultan Murad, the son of Emperor Akbar, and
governor of Gujarat, to march to his assistance promising to give him the revenues of the kingdom
of Ahmadnagar2. Murad, who had been deputed by Emperor Akbar for the eventual purpose of
taking advantage of the first opportunity to invade the Deccan promptly accepted this invitation3. But
even before the letter could reach Murad, events had moved swiftly in Ahmadnagar. A large body of
Deccanies deserted
contd.
cleared owing to the distance of Bengal and the time which had passed. But as Shah Tahir claimed
royal descent arid might one day set up pretensions to the throne he was confined in a fortress.
Burhan Nizam Shah II who was for sometime at Agra before he came to the throne wrote refuting
Shah Tahir's story by stating that Khudabanda, his uncle, died in his house and that his family was
still living with him. Shah Tahir not to give cause for future trouble was imprisoned for life. He died
some years afterwards leaving a son whose name was Ahmad.
1 The account given by Abu Talib, the son of Sayyad Ali, as an appendix to Burhan-i-Masir,
does not differ substantially from Ferishta. More reliance is, however, placed in giving the details on
the narration of Ferishta.
2 Abu Talib, the son of Sayyad Ali, in his appendix to Burhan-i-Masir states that at this time
one of the principal nobles of the Ahmadnagar kingdom was Sadat Khan. Miyan Manju had sent him
towards the provinces of Kalna and Nasik which were given to him in mokasa. When the Moghals
descended into the Deccan at the invitation of Miyan Manju he found it extremely difficult to oppose
them. This gave easy passage to the Moghals.
3 Among the principal officers in the invading Moghal army were Mirza Shah-mulkh, Shahbaz
Khan, Sadiq Muhammad Khan and Sayyad Murtaza (AbuTalib).
140 MAHARASHTRA STATE GAZETTEER
Ikhlas Khan and went over to Miyan Manju. Gaining confidence, Miyan Manju issued out of the fort
and attacked Ikhlas Khan in the neighbourhood of the Idgah on 18th September, 1594 and
completely routed him. Among the prisoners was the boy whom Ikhlas Khan had created Sultan.
About a month after this, Sultan Murad, accompanied by Raja Ali Khan of Khandes and Khan
Khanan, the Moghal general, appeared to the north of Ahmadnagar with 30,000 Moghal and Rajput
horse. When Murad reached the Idgah a few shots passed between his lines and the fort. The
Moghal army encamped in the Hast-i-Behist garden, about four miles to the north-west of the fort1.
Miyan Manju who had gained in strength after the defeat of Ikhlas Khan and could have things his
own way now repented of having made overtures to Sultan Murad. He decided to resist any attack
by the Moghals on the capital. He supplied the fort with provisions required for a long siege and put
it under the command of one of his trusted lieutenants Ansar Khan2. He then appointed Cand Bibi
as regent. He himself took the route to Ausa to implore the assistance of Adil Sah and Qutb Sah3.
He took the young Sultan Ahmad along with him. After Miyan Manju left the fort, Cand Bibi took over
the siege operations and procured the assassination of Ansar Khan. She then proclaimed Bahadur
Sah, Sultan of Ahmadnagar. Aided by Muhammad Khan she took charge of the affairs of the
kingdom and induced Samser Khan, the Abyssinian and Afzal Khan Borisi with many of their
adherents to join her in the fort4. Sultan Murad sent off a strong guard to protect the inhabitants of
Burhanabad5 in the vicinity of Ahmadnagar with orders to treat them with consideration. He also
ordered the troops to proclaim protection to all the natives so that they could rely unhesitatingly on
the good disposition of
1 According to Abu Talib the deployment of the Moghal army was as follows : To the east of
Ahmadnagar fort at Bhingar, Shah Murad; to the south of fort in the Farahbakhsh garden at
Shaitanpura village, Khan Kharan; to the west of the fort towards Ahmadnagar town in front of the
main gate Shahbaz Khan and Mirza Shahmulkh and to the north of the fort near Burhanabad and
Namajgah, Raja Ali Khan of Khandesh.
2 Abu Talib says that Samsher Khan Habshi attempted to encourage Miyan Manju in his
determination to resist the Moghals. Miyan Manju, however, was not convinced and retreated
towards Bid. He appointed Samsher Khan as the Sarlashkar and Amir-ul-Umra of Ahmadnagar.
3 The officers who backed Chand Bibi were Shamsuddin Muhammad Lari, the Bijapur envoy,
Haji Muhammad Ispahani, the Golconda envoy, Habib Khan, the Home Minister of the kingdom, Mir
Muhammad Rajvi, and Sayyad Ali Tabataba, the author of Burhan i-Masir.
4 At this time besides the government in the fort headed by Chand Bibi, there were three other
parties who had put up their nominees as the claimants to the throne. The first was headed by
Miyan Manju and his nominee who were encamped on the borders of Bijapur, soliciting the help of
Ibrahim Adil Shah. The second was headed by Ikhlas Khan who had gone to Daulatabad after his
defeat by Miyan Manju and declared another child called Moti, as the rightful heir to the crown. He
was backed by Aziz-ul-Mulk and Bulbul Khan. The third was headed by Nehang Khan, the
Abyssinian who went to the Bijapur territories and induced Shah Ali, the son of Burhan Nizam Shah
I then upwards of seventy years of age, to leave his retirement and assume the royal canopy. Abu
Talib calls him Abhang Khan.
5 Founded by Burhan Nizam Shah II.
HISTORY – MEDIAEVAL PERIOD 141
the Moghals towards them. On the following day Murad personally supervised the operations of
marking out the ground for trenches against the fort and allotted to each division of the army its
separate post round the garrison. On 17th December, 1595 Sahbaz Khan, one of the Moghal
generals, under pretence of hunting, marched towards Burhanabad and encouraged his men to
plunder, himself setting the example. In consequence in the course of an hour, the towns of
Ahmadnagar and Burhanabad were completely sacked. When Murad heard of these happenings he
ordered several of those actually taken with plunder to be hanged in front of the lines. The
inhabitants now no longer trusted the promises of Murad. They deserted both the towns during the
night.
In the meanwhile Ikhlas Khan, who had marched from Daulatabad with a force of twelve
thousand men towards Ahmadnagar was engaged by Daulat Khan Lodi with 6,000 Moghal cavalry
on the banks of the Godavari. Daulat Khan defeated Ikhlas Khan. Following up his success, Daulat
Khan arrived at the flourishing town of Paithan and sacked it.
At this moment Cand Bibi thought it wise to make overtures to Nehang Khan and Sah Ali.
Bahadur, for whom she had declared, was still in confinement at the fort of Cavand. Miyan Manju,
with Sultan Ahmad, was still on the Bijapur frontier with a force. Nehang Khan responded and
arrived within twelve miles of Ahmadnagar with his force of 7,000 men. He sent messengers to find
out the deployment of Moghal forces about the fort and the Ways of possible entry into the fort. He
was informed that the eastern face of the fort was not invested and it was the only road by which he
could make his entry into the fort. Nehang Khan marched during the night and arrived within three
miles of the fort of Ahmadnagar. There he saw a part of the Moghal camp. This consisted of a
piquet of three thousand men under Khan Khanan sent there only the morning before as Murad, in
one of his reconnaissance visits had noticed this part of the fort to be uninvested. Nehang Khan
decided to force his way into the fort. He attacked the piquet unexpectedly and killed a number of
Moghals. And though reinforcement arrived for the piquet, Nehang Khan dashed into the fort with a
few of his followers. Sah Ali was less successful than Nehang Khan and had to retreat with a loss of
seven hundred of his men killed by Daulat Khan Lodi. When Ibrahim Adil Sah heard of this defeat
he sent his general Suhail Khan with 25,000 horse to Sahadurg on his frontiers to await further
orders. Here he was joined by Miyan Manju with Ahmad Sah. Ikhlas Khan joined Miyan Manju. They
decided to bury the hatchet of enmity to save the country from utter ruin. This force was soon joined
by Mehdi Qula Sultan Turkoman with a contingent of 6,000 horse dispatched by Qutb Sah of
Golconda1
1 Abu Talib states that the besieging Moghal army, was ceaselessly harassed by Venkoji Koli
and Sadat Khan who had returned from Nasik Chandor on 4th January, 1596. Sayyad Raju, a
Moghai officer, attacked Venkoji but was easily
142 MAHARASHTRA STATE GAZETTEER
When Sultan Murad came to know of the movement of the troops of Bijapur and Golconda, he
assembled a council of war. A decision was taken to attack the fort before the allies could relieve it.
In a few days five mines were carried under the bastions, on one side of the fort. They were all
charged with gunpowder and built with mortar and stones excepting where the train was to be laid. It
was resolved to explode them on the morning of February 20, 1596. During the night, however,
Khvaja Muhammad Khan Sirazi, admiring the courage of the garrison and loath to sacrifice them,
approached the walls and informed them of the danger they were faced with. The garrison got
alerted and at the instance of Cand Bibi started countermining operations1. By daylight two mines
were destroyed by the garrison. They were searching for the others when Murad, without
communicating with Khan Khanan ordered out the line and resolved to storm the fort. The garrison
had located the third and the biggest mine. They were in the process of uncharging it when Murad
ordered it to be exploded. The explosion killed many of the counterminers and a large breach was
made in the wall. Many of the besieged prepared for flight. Cand Bibi put on armour and with a
naked sword in her hand flew to the defence of the breach. Her exemplary behaviour brought back
the fugitives. They rallied round her. In the meanwhile the besiegers were waiting for the other
mines to explode. This gave the fort garrison an opportunity to throw rockets, powder and other
combustibles into the ditch and to bring guns to bear upon the breach. The Moghals now advanced
to storm the breach. They were obstinately opposed by the piquet at the foot of the breach. The
Moghals suffered heavy casualties due to continuous gun fire. The ditch was filled with the bodies of
the dead. The Moghals sent storming parties in waves from four O'clock till nightfall. They were
successfully repulsed. Both the camps were filled with admiration for the heroic defence put up by
Cand Bibi. The respite which the night gave was utilised by the fort garrison to repair the breach. By
morning, seven to eight feet of the wall was built up under the personal supervision of Cand Bibi.
Cand Bibi, now sent urgent messages to the allied armies which were then at Bid, to hasten to the
succour of the fort whose garrison, she wrote, had been reduced to miserable straits. These
dispatches fell into the hands of Murad. He sent the dispatches to
contd.
overwhelmed, defeated and killed by Venkoji Koli. On the other hand Sadat Khan attacked a Moghal
party under Sayyad Alam bringing treasure and ammunition from Gujarat. Sadat Khan defeated and
killed Sayyad and looted the treasure. Sadiq Muhammad Khan Ataliq, Raja Ali Khan, Sayyad
Murtaza and Jagannath were sent to counter him but they had to retreat in the face of strong
resistance by Sadat Khan. On their way back they plundered and sacked the pargana of
Sangamner.
1 Abu Talib says that when the siege operations were going on, Raja Ali Khan wrote to Chand
Bibi imploring her to surrender the fort of Ahmadnagar. She was promised any other fort in the
Deccan by Raja Ali Khan. To this Afzal Khan the Nizamshahi officer, wrote a spirited reply informing
Raja Ali Khan that the Sultans in the Deccan would never forget his (Raja Ali Khan's) treachery.
That by God's grace the Moghals would be forced to raise the siege and then the Sultans of the
Deccan would take their revenge upon him (Raja Ali Khan).
HISTORY – MEDIAEVAL PERIOD 143
their destination adding his personal note that they should hasten as he was most anxious to meet
them "the sooner", he said, "the better".
On receiving these letters the allies marched by the Manik-daund hills to Ahmadnagar. In
spite of their superiority in the field of war, the Moghals were much distressed by the scarcity of
provisions in their camp. The approach of the allies added to their worries, as they taxed the
resources of the besiegers. Murad, therefore, decided to make overtures to Cand Bibi. He informed
her that the Moghals would quit the country if Berar was ceded to them. At first Cand Bibi refused to
accept the terms. But considering that the position of the fort garrison was none too happy and that
if the allies were defeated, the terms would be far more exacting, she accepted the terms1. She
signed the peace treaty in the name of Bahadur Sah. The Moghals withdrew by the route of
Daulatabad and the Jaipur Kotli ghat2.
Within three days of the signing of the peace treaty, the allied forces arrived in the city. Miyan
Manju expected allegiance from all to his protege Ahmad Sah. The nobles in the fort disagreed.
Nehang Khan shut the gates of the fort and sent a force to bring back Bahadur Sah from the fort of
Cavand. Anticipating internal strife, Cand Bibi appealed to Ibrahim Adil Sah to come to her
assistance. In response to her appeal, Ibrahim sent a force of 4,000 horse under Mustafa Khan. At
the same time he implored Miyan Manju to desist from pressing the claims of Ahmad Sah and to
repair to Bijapur. Miyan Manju obeyed the summons and repaired to Bijapur with Mustafa Khan and
Suhail Khan. At Bijapur, Ibrahim duly ascertained that Ahmad was not a lineal descendant of the
Nizamsahi family. He, therefore, gave him a handsome estate for life and enrolled Miyan Manju
among the nobles of his kingdom.
In the meanwhile, Bahadur Sah had been brought from Cavand. He was proclaimed Sultan.
Cand Bibi appointed her friend and adviser Muhammad Khan to the office of the Pesva. In a short
time Muhammad Khan assumed full powers. He appointed his relatives and adherents to the
principal offices of the government. Thinking that his actions would be resisted by those who had
distinguished themselves in the war with the Moghals, he seized and confined Nehang Khan and
Samser Khan. The rest of the chiefs, fearing a similar fate fled the kingdom. This gave Muhammad
Khan unrestrained power and influence in the kingdom. Fearing for the worst, Cand Bibi again wrote
to Ibrahim Adil Sah to send a large force to her assistance to enable her to destroy the influence of
Muhammad
1 The Moghals deputed Bakshi Mir Hashim as their envoy to Ahmadnagar. Ghand Bibi sent
the following persons 'as her envoys: Umdat-ul-Mulk, Afzal Khan Kumi alias Chengiz Khan to Sultan
Murad; Mir Muhammad Jamal Rajvi Mashahadi to Khan Khanan and Shah Bahram Astrabadi to
Shahbaz Khan.
2 Briggs's Ferishta, III. p, 304.
144 MAHARASHTRA STATE GAZETTEER
Khan and restore her authority in the kingdom. Ibrahim Adil Sah responded with a large force under
Suhail Khan. He was ordered to act according to the wishes of Cand Bibi. Suhail Khan arrived in the
year 1596. His entry was however, blocked by Muhammad Khan. Suhail Khan, therefore, invested
the fort and blockaded it for well over four months. Muhammad Khan, finding a strong party against
him, wrote to Khan Khanan the commander-in-chief of the Moghal army, then in Berar, to join him.
He promised to hold the kingdom of Ahmadnagar in vassalage to the emperor of Delhi. When the
news of this treachery leaked out, the enraged garrison seized Muhammad Khan and made him
over to Cand Bibi. The downfall of Muhammad Khan restored her authority. She now released
Nehang Khan and appointed him to the post of the prime minister. She then granted audience to
Suhail Khan, and honouring him with a robe gave him leave to depart for Bijapur. On his way Suhail
Khan camped at Rajapur. There he heard that the Moghals, after occupying Berar, had laid hands
upon Pathri which was not included in the Berar cession. He, there fore, halted at Rajapur and wrote
to Ibrahim Adil Sah about these happenings. Cand Bibi also related the circumstances in her letters
to Ibrahim Adil Sah and Qutb Sah. Ibrahim Adil Sah ordered Suhail Khan to march toward Berar to
fight the invaders, Suhail Khan was joined by a contingent from Qutb Sah and a force of 20,000
from Ahmadnagar. The total force under his command now consisted of 60,000 men. He encamped
at Sonpet. Khan Khanan who was camping at Jalna also marched forward. He was joined by Raja
Ali Khan of Khandes, Raja Jagannath and several other officers of distinction. He encamped on the
banks of the Godavari taking up position close to the allies. For a fortnight only partial skirmishes
took place between the opposing armies. On January 26, 1597 the Moghals, deployed their forces
in battle order and at nine O'clock in the morning the battle commenced. The engagement became
general in the afternoon. Raja Ali Khan and Raja Jagannath were killed by gun fire from the Bijapur
artillery. But the allies were unable to withstand the onslaught of Moghal cavalry and fell back before
sunset. Suhail Khan, however, stood his ground and the Bijapur cavalry breaking through the
Moghal lines drove them as far back as Sahapur. Khan Khanan however, still fought desperately to
hold his line. The Deccanies thinking that they had won the battle started plundering. Suhail Khan
could not prevent the happenings. The Deccanies then retired. The true position was revealed when
some hours of the night had passed and Khan Khanan and Suhail Khan faced each other within a
musket shot distance. Both now started regrouping their forces. Khan Khanan made overtures for
peace but Suhail Khan refused and opened his artillery fire against the Moghals. The battle which
now began continued for the whole day resulting in the defeat of the Bijapuris. Suhail Khan was
compelled to retreat with a few retainers to Sahadurg1. After
1 As in Ferishta, III, pp. 308-09.
HISTORY – MEDIAEVAL PERIOD 145
this victory, Khan Khanan dispatched the greater part of his army to reduce the forts of Narnala and
Gavil in Berar. He himself encamped at Jalna. Differences now developed between Murad and
Khan Khanan. Whereas Murad insisted on the follow up of the victory by an invasion of
Ahmadnagar, Khan Khanan advised the conquest of the forts in Berar first to be followed by the
conquest of Ahmadnagar in the following year. Murad complained about Khan Khanan to Akbar who
in the end recalled Khan Khanan and deputed Saikh Abul Fazl in his place.
In the meanwhile, at Ahmadnagar, Nehang Khan had gained unlimited power. He decided to
seize Cand Bibi and to take upon himself the management of the Sultan and the government. Cand
Bibi came to know of these designs. She secured the possession of the Sultan and locked herself
along with him in the fort. She refused admittance to Nehang Khan informing him that he might
transact the public business in the town and not in the fort as hitherto. For a few days Nehang Khan
submitted quietly. He then threw off the mask and attacked the fort. Several skirmishes took place
between the royalists and the rebels. Ibrahim Adil Sah made overtures to effect a reconciliation. The
offer was rejected as nothing less than complete submission of their rivals would satisfy either party.
Nehang Khan now took advantage of the absence of Khan Khanan and also of the rainy season
which had made the river Godavari unfordable. He sent a detachment to retake the town of Bid from
the Moghals. Ser Khvaja, the governor of Bid, moved from Bid to a distance of twelve miles to
oppose this detachment. He was wounded in the action and defeated. He retreated towards Bid.
The town of Bid was now invested by the force sent by Nehang Khan. Ser Khvaja wrote to the
emperor to send reinforcements. The Emperor Akbar sent his youngest son Danial Mirza and Khan
Khanan to the governor's relief1.
1 Sultan Murad died of extreme dissipation. When Akbar received this news he appointed
Daniel Mirza to the Government of the Deccan.
The details of the Moghal invasion of the Deccan beginning from the year 1594 till the arrival
of Emperor Akbar at Asir are as follows :—
Preparations for the Invasion of the Dakhin
The expostulations and advice addressed to Burhanu-l Mulk made no impression upon him;
so the Emperor resolved to proceed to Agra to organize a force for service in the Dakhin. On the
25th Mihr, Prince Daniyal was directed to march thitherwards- Khan-khanan, Rai Singh, and many
other nobles, with treasure, artillery, and elephants, were ordered to accompany him. Shah Rukh
Mirza, Shahbaz Khan, and other chiefs of Malwa, were ordered to join with their forces. Raja Man
Singh was also directed to march from Bengal, if that province could be safely left. Prince Sultan
Murad was instructed to prepare to take part in the campaign. **At the town of Shaikhupur, Khankhanan
was summoned to an audience, and he then represented that the most favourable time for
an invasion of the Dakhin was after the end of the rains when grain and fodder might be procured in
abundance. So Prince Daniyal was recalled, and the Emperor resolved to head the expedition
himself at the conclusion of the rains. **Khan-khanan was directed to proceed to Agra, there to
collect and organize the forces, and the Emperor returned homewards.
War between Ahmadnagar and Bijapur.
Since the time when the Emperor withdrew his gracious attention from the Dakhin, fresh
misfortunes had fallen upon that country, and discontent grew rife. Nizamu-l Mulk Burhan was dead,
and his son Ibrahim, who succeeded him, took to evil courses.
146 MAHARASHTRA STATE GAZETTEER
However, on an earnest appeal from Abul Fazl, Akbar marched in person to the south. He arrived at
Burhanpur. He besieged the fort of Asir. When Nehang Khan received this news he immediately
raised the siege and marched with 15,000 horse and foot to occupy the Jaipur Kotli pass, to meet
the Moghals there. Danial was, however, alerted of this movement. He,
contd.
An army marched from Bijapur against him, and on the 16th Amurdda a battle was fought about
forty miles from Ahmadnagar, in which he was killed by an arrow. The Bijapur army returned
triumphant, and the Nizamul Mulki forces were scattered abroad.
Invasion of the Dakhin
Prince (Murad) in pursuance of orders, now "prepared for the invasion of the Dakhin ; but
Khan-khanan was delayed by the tardy gathering of his men. Before he joined, some little
dissension had sprung up between them. The Prince's desire was that the heads of the army should
all join him, and proceed by that road (from Gujarat) to the Dakhin. It was the opinion of the
commander-in-chief (Khan Khanan), that he should advance from Malwa. As their opinions did not
agree, the Prince, on the 20th Aban, marched from Ahmadabad, and rested a while at Broach, in
expectation of getting more men. On the 22nd Khurdad, he left Broach. Khan-khanan remained for
some time at Bhilsa, which was in his ikta, to assemble his forces. On the 9th Amurdad, he marched
for Ujjain. This greatly incensed the Prince, who sent him an angry message. He wrote in reply that
he would join the Prince's army as soon as he had received the promised contingent from the ruler
(marzban) of Khandesh ; the Prince might meanwhile enjoy the pleasures of the chase in Gujarat.
The Prince was enraged with this reply, and his flatterers fanned his anger. He marched with his
army towards Ahmadnagar.
The chief nobles, and Raja' Ali Khan, were inclined to the Prince, and when Khan-Khanan
became aware of this, he left his army, artillery, and elephants with Mirza Shah Rukh and other
amirs, while he started off express with Raja Ali Khan (to meet the Prince). On the 19th Azur, he
met the Prince at the fort of Chand, thirty kos from Ahmadnagar. The meeting was not cordial. After
a great deal of talk, a darbar was held. When the army moved, there was no unity of feeling. Khan-
Khanan, with his numerous force, was offended, and kept aloof from the management of the
business. Sadik Khan brought up an old grievance which he had against Shahbaz Khan, and rarely
went to the darbar. On the 8th De, the army encamped half a kos from the city, and on that day
Khan-khanan and Shahbaz Khan went to the city (ba shahr raftand). Through their negligence an
attack was made upon the baggage of the army, which was with difficulty repelled, and the people
of the city were encouraged by the evident signs of dissension. On the 8th, fortress was invested.
Chand Bibi, sister of Burhan, prepared for resistance. As they had carried off Ahmad, the son, Ikhlas
Khan came to Ahmadnagar with Moti, and being defeated, fled to Pattan.
When the royal army approached, Manjuh (the wazir) carried of Ahmad, with a portion of the
treasure and some of the elephants, to Bijapur ; but he was nearly taken prisoner. From want of
proper munitions, the siege was protracted. Chand Bibi was afraid of being taken prisoner; but being
informed of the condition of the assailants, she was encouraged to defend the city. On the 9th, Shah
Ali and Abhang Khan made a night attack in force upon the battery of Khan-Khanan; but the
defenders fought bravely, killed many of the assailants, and repelled the attack. If the repulse had
been followed up, the pursuers might have entered the fort with the fugitives, and the place would
have fallen.
The close blockade and scarcity of provisions were taking effect on the garrison. **On the
13th, an unsuccessful attack was made upon the camp. **On the 16th, a caravan from Gujarat
came near, and was plundered by Saadat Khan. **On the 19th, Sher Khwaja, Shaikh Daulat,
Kamran Beg, and Daulat Khan, were sent with a force towards Pattan. They inflicted a defeat on
Ikhlas Khan and secured great booty. Then eager for further plunder they pillaged the inhabitants of
Pattan, a city which had received letters of protection. On the 11th Isfandarmuz, a portion of the wall
was broken down. A mine was carried from the battery of the Prince and a hole cleared out under
the wall. It was filled with powder and exploded when it brought down about thirty gaz of the wall.
The troops were ready for the assault; but another mine which had been carried under the wall from
the battery of Shahbaz Khan was discovered by the garrison and emptied. From fear of a disaster
like that which occurred at Chitor, the storming party was held back, and such a delay occurred, that
the day light passed away, and during the night the garrison repaired the breach. But the garrison
was greatly disheartened by the activity of the besiegers, and now proposed an accommodation.
HISTORY – MEDIAEVAL PERIOD 147
therefore, marched round by the village of Manuri and avoided the pass. Nehang Khan finding
himself outmanoeuvred and unable to withstand the Moghal force, set fire to his heavy baggage and
retreated to Ahmadnagar. He now sought compromise with Cand Bibi. She refused. Nehang Khan
thereupon fled towards Junnar. The Moghals now moved forward
contd.
They offered to elevate Bahadur, son of the son of Burhanu-l-Mulk, to the throne with the title
of Nizamu-l-Mulk, and as a vassal of the Imperial throne. The territory of Ahmadnagar was to be
confirmed to him, and the province of Birar given up to the Emperor. Jewels, the pick of the
elephants, and other things were to be sent as tribute to the Emperor. Notwithstanding the
desperate state of the place, and the scarcity of provisions these unworthy terms were agreed to,
and a treaty was concluded on the 17th Isfandarmuz.
Famine
In this year there was little rain, and the price of rice rose high. Celestial influences were
unpropitious, and those learned in the stars announced dearth and scarcity. The kind-hearted
Emperor sent experienced officers in every direction, to supply food every day to the poor and
destitute. So, under the Imperial orders, the necessitous received daily assistance to their
satisfaction, and every class of the indigent was entrusted to the care of those who were able to
care for them.
Defeat of the Dakhin Confederates
The Ahmadnagar affair, and other unfortunate matters, had brought disgrace upon the armies
of the Dakhin, and made their leaders desirous of retrieving their fortunes, by contending against the
Imperial forces. Shah Murad was at the head of the royal army, and was desirous of giving battle,
but the experienced amirs objected, and continued their opposition, until Mirza Shah Rukh was
appointed commander-in-chief, and Khan-khanan and other distinguished officers were named for
different duties. The military chest, the elephants, and the artillery, were carefully looked after, and
everything properly arranged. Mirza Shah Rukh and Khan-khanan commanded the centre. **The
army marched from Shahpur, and took up a position twelve kos from Pathari.
The enemy also prepared for battle. The army of Nizamu-l-Mulk was in the centre; the 'Adil
Khanis were on the right, and the army of Kutbu-l Mulk on the left. On the 28th Bahman, after the
first watch of the day, the river Gang (Godavari) was passed, and the battle began by an attack on
the right wing of the enemy. But they held their ground firmly in a strong position, and kept up a
heavy fire. Great bravery was exhibited on both sides, and a long and desperate struggle was
maintained. The enemy was numerous, and the superiority of his fire checked the Imperial ranks
and made them waver. Jagannath and several other Rajputs drew rein, and did not move, while the
'Adil Khani troops made an onslaught upon Raja Ali Khan of Khandesh. He made a stubborn
resistance, and fell fighting bravely, with thirty-five distinguished officers and 500 devoted followers.
Mirza Shah Rukh and Khan-khanan had been successful in their part of the field, so also had
Saiyid Kasim and other leaders. The enemy was under the impression that the ruler of Khandesh
was in the centre, and thought that Mirza Shah Rukh and Khan-khanan were involved in his defeat.
During the darkness of the night, the opposing forces remained separate from each other, each
supposing that it had gained a victory. In the course of the night many, of the scattered troops
rejoined their standards. Under the impression that Raja Ali Khan, of Khandesh, had gone over to
the enemy, the Imperial troops plundered his baggage. Dwarka Das of the advance and Said Jalal
of the left, retired to Nilawi. Ram Chandar, who had fought bravely, and had received twenty
wounds with the forces under Raja Ali Khan, remained among the wounded during the night, and
died a few days after.
When morning came, the Imperial forces, 700 in number, found themselves in face of 25,000
of the enemy. They had all night suffered from thirst, and they now carried the river Sugam. The
enemy was only half-hearted, and being dismayed by this demonstration took to flight, and made
but little resistance. **Worn out by the protracted conflict, the Imperial forces were unable to pursue.
At the beginning of the canpaign, the Imperial forces numbered only 15,000, while the enemy were
60,000 in number. Still they had gained this great victory and had captured forty elephants and
much artillery.
Abu-l Fazl sent to the Dakhin
On His Majesty's return from the Panjab, he formed the design of marching direct to the south
without visiting his capital. But his mind was disturbed by the non-arrival of the Princes and many
idle stories were reported to him. On the 25th of the month, the author of this work received orders
to proceed to ths Dakhin, and to bring
148 MAHARASHTRA STATE GAZETTEER
and reached the fort of Ahmadnagar without opposition. They invested the fort and started mining it.
Fearing to place reliance upon any person about her Cand Bibi turned for advice to Hamid Khan, an
eunuch, and an officer of rank in the fort. Hamid Khan advised that they should fight and defend the
place against the Moghals. Cand Bibi, however, declared that from what she had seen of the
conduct of many officers about her during the last few years; she could place no reliance upon
them. She considered it most advisable to negotiate for the evacuation of the fort on condition of
obtaining security for the lives of the garrison and private property and then to retire to Junnar with
the young Sultan. On hearing this Hamid Khan went out into the street declaring that Cand Bibi was
intriguing with the Moghals for the surrender of the fort to them. In a short time a mob of Deccanies
gathered about Hamid Khan. Hamid Khan then rushed into Cand Bibi's private apartment and put
her to death. In the meanwhile, the Moghals who had started mining operations, exploded the mines
in a few days time and succeeded in breaching the walls at several places. They now stormed the
fort and carried it by assault on August 18, 1600. Bahadur Sah along with all the members of the
royal family was taken prisoner and sent to emperor Akbar at Burhanpur. He was sent to the
fortress of Gwalior for confinement. The fall of Ahmadnagar put an end to the second of the
succession states of the Bahamani kingdom. Berar, which Ahmadnagar had annexed in 1574, was
already ceded to the
contd.
Prince Sultan Murad to Court. If the amirs of the Dakhin were willing to undertake the
management of the country, the author was to leave it in their hands, and return with the Prince ; but
if otherwise, he was to send the Prince to Court, and to remain and associate himself with the other
officers in supporting Mirza Shah Rukh. A banner and kettle-drums were given to the Mirza, and the
province of Malwa was assigned to him, so that he might be able to raise and equip an army in his
own province, and return to the Dakhin when called upon.
Daulatabad
At the beginning of Isfandarmuz, the fort of Lohgarh, at Daulatabad in the Dakhin was taken.
Mirza Ali Beg Akbarshahi besieged it for a month, and want of provisions and water compelled the
garrison to surrender and give up the keys.
Kherla and Nasik
In this year the fort of Kherla, in Birar, lying between Birar and Gondwana, was obtained by
capitulation on the 13th Aban, the garrison being short of provisions. The fort of Nasik, near
Ahmadnagar, was taken soon after.
Death of Prince Sultan Murad
Alas, that wine should be burdened with suffering, and that its sweet nectar should be a
deadly poison. **On the 17th Urdibihisht, near Dihbari, on the banks of the Purta, twenty kos from
Daulatabad, Prince Sultan Murad's fits took a grave character and on the 22nd he became
insensible and died.
Asir
On the 22nd Isfandarmuz, Khan-i Azam, A'saf Khan, Shaikh Farid, and the writer of this work
were directed to invest the fortress of Asir, and to construct batteries round it. But the force which
was sent on this service under the command of Shaikh Farid, was very small compared with the
numbers of the enemy ; so it was deemed prudent to halt at three kos from the fortress. Some
inexperienced and mischievous persons excited the Emperor's anger at this resolution. But the
writer went to visit him, and explained the true state of affairs, and his anger was soon appeased.
On the same day the author was appointed to take charge of the province of Khandesh. Thereupon
he established twenty-two stations in the province, and to each he appointed a responsible officer.
To one he appointed his brother Shaikh Abu-l
HISTORY – MEDIAEVAL PERIOD 149
Moghals, in 1596. Now it was the turn of the Nizamsahi kingdom of Ahmadnagar to become the
prey of the expansionist designs of the Moghals. It was not that the Deccan Sultanates together
would not have been in a position to resist the Moghal onslaughts. But their internecine quarrels and
fratricidal wars had made them too weak to realise the danger with which they were faced. Perhaps
they realised it too late when the situation had become explosive and slipped out of their hands.
Though Ahmadnagar fell, the remnant of the nobility made a common cause to defend the kingdom
under the leadership of Malik Arhbar. The grit and determination with which Malik Ambar fought the
Moghals for well over a quarter of a century makes very interesting reading. But its only worth to a
historian is that perhaps it delayed the complete occupation of the territory of the Ahmadnagar
kingdom by the Moghals for a short while1.
contd.
Barakat, with some experienced subordinate officers ; to another his son Shaikh Abdu-r Rahman. In
a short time the refractory were brought to obedience, and many others gladly became subjects of
the Emperor. The soldiery submitted peacefully, and the peasantry applied themselves to the work
of cultivation. Akbar-Nama in Elliot and Dowson, Vol. VI, pp. 91-98.
1 A few more details of the Ahmadnagar campaign of the Moghals are as follows :—
The operations against Ahmadnagar were protracted, and the royal army was in difficulty
about supplies. Evil-disposed persons in all parts began to move. So, on the 4th of the month, Mirza
Rustam was sent to Prince (Daniyal) with a lac of mohurs. Nasik fell into the hands of the Imperial
officers about this time.
After the rains the Emperor set his heart upon the reduction of Ahmadnagar. He sent
directions for using every effort, and he himself proceeded to Burhanpur. Chand Bibi was for
keeping the treaty which she had made with the writer of this work ; but Abhang, at the head of a
large force of Abyssinians and Dakhinis, was fighting against her. On the 26th Farwardin, the royal
army arrived, and suspicion seized upon the Dakhini forces. One man whispered to another that
their leaders had made terms with the Imperial army; so this force of Abhang's lost heart, and
dispersed without making any resistance. On the 2nd Urdibihisht, the various intrenchments were
assigned to the various amirs. Chand Bibi was for abiding by the treaty. Several of the leading men
in the fortress then took matters into their own hands, and made several unsuccessful sorties.
Under the direction of the Prince, great efforts were made to form a khak-rez to fill the ditch and
reach to the walls. This was from thirty to forty gaz broad, and seven gaz deep (zharfa). The wall
was of bluish stone, and twenty-seven gaz high. Mines were formed from the trenches of the Prince
and Mirza Yusuf Khan; but the besieged broke into them and filled them up again. They even
formed a counter-mine from the inside, and exploded it; but it was smothered by the khak-rez and
did no damage there. The shock split a bastion of the fortress. When this was discovered, efforts
were made to clear out the chasm, and this being effected, 180 mans of gunpowder were placed
therein. On the 6th Shahryur, it was exploded. The bastion and thirty gaz of the wall was blown into
the air. The garrison suffered from the falling stones; but not a particle of stone fell on the besiegers.
Through the breach rushed the assailants, and another party made their way in from the
intrenchments of Mirza Yusuf Khan. Fifteen hundred of the garrison were put to the sword ; the rest
were saved by the solicitations of their friends. Bahadur, son of Ibrahim and grandson of Burhan,
who had been set up as Nizamu-l Mulk, was taken prisoner. Very valuable jewels, embossed arms,
a splendid library, fine silks, and twenty-five elephants, were among the booty. The guns and
ammunition exceeded all compute. The siege was carried on during the rainy season; but by great
good fortune there was no flooding to interrupt the construction of the khak-rez. The day after the
victory, heavy rain commenced. The siege lasted four months and four days. (Akbar-Nama in Elliot
and Dowson, Vol. VI. pp. 99—101.)
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