THIS humble individual, Mahomed Kasim Fe-rishta, desires it to be understood by those reflect­ing persons who peruse his work, that as the object of his labours, in the preceding part, has been to give a true account of the sovereigns of Dehly, and of the Bahmuny Kings of the Deccan, so shall his care be, in the remaining portion of it, to write a detail of the histories of all the other Mahomedan princes who have held independent sway in India. He proposes, therefore, to con­tinue the narrative by commemorating, in the first place, the deeds of the illustrious monarchs who have reigned over Beejapoor; for the prosperity of which dynasty he constantly prays to Almighty God.

Situated as the author is, under the protection of this family, it may be supposed that he would be disposed to lavish encomiums on its ancestors, and either suppress or misrepresent facts for the purpose of obtaining pecuniary rewards; but his object is to write truth in simple and unadorned language. He has fortunately been already placed, by the bounty of his sovereign, Ibrahim Adil Shah II., above all pecuniary wishes, so that he is able to spurn gold beneath his feet. On that score, therefore, having nothing to desire, he is left free to indulge his own inclination, in fulfilling the commands of his King, by the honest performance of the task which he has undertaken.