The Prince Bahadur returns from Dehly, and ascends the throne. — A feeble effort is made to create an insurrection by the Prince Luteef Khan, who is severely wounded, and dies. — Imad-ool-Moolk, and the regicides of Sikundur Shah, all suffer death. — Great efforts made by the Portuguese to occupy the island of Diù, in which they are repulsed. — Bahadur Shah is invited to aid the King of Berar against the King of Ah-mudnuggur — he proceeds to the south, and causes himself to be recognised King of Ahmudnuggur — makes war with the King of Malwa — conquers his country, and puts the King to death — provokes a war with Hoomayoon, the Great Mogul — is defeated, and loses all his dominions, with the exception of a small portion of Guzerat — is supported by the Portuguese — recovers his kingdom — is killed by the Portuguese in an affray in the harbour of Diù.

ON the first day of the following month Bahadur Shah marched to Champanere, at which place Imad-ool-Moolk still continued. He was, however, much impeded by the heavy rain which fell at that season, and was obliged to halt on the Saburmutty; but very soon after continuing his march, he arrived on the banks of the Mehindry, at the Khanpoor ferry. Imad-ool-Moolk, hearing of the King's approach, dispersed his force over the Baroda dis­trict, to distract his attention; but this manœuvre had not the effect of diverting Bahadur Shah from his march on Champanere, where Imad-ool-Moolk and the confederates were eventually seized by Taj Khan. Imad-ool-Moolk, his son, and Seif Khan, together with the other regicides taken, were hanged, and their property confiscated; while Rufut-ool-Moolk, an old servant of Moozuffur Shah, received the title of Imad-ool-Moolk. Azd-ool-Moolk, hearing of the fate of his party, fled from Baroda, leaving his property to be plun­dered by a party of Kolies. Shumsheer-ool-Moolk was despatched in pursuit of Azd-ool-Moolk, and Ni­zam-ool-Moolk in pursuit of Mohafiz Khan. Both these chiefs sought refuge with Oody Sing, Raja of Poloh; but they were so closely followed, that the little property they had with them fell into the hands of the King's troops. Most of the officers who adhered to the fortunes of Imad-ool-Moolk were in the end seized, and suffered death: some were hanged, and others blown from guns, while the property of all was confiscated. The Prince Luteef Khan, after having remained for some time concealed in the city of Champanere, fled to the country of Poloh, and Azd-ool-Moolk and Mohafiz Khan to Mutwar.* Zeekad 15.
A. H. 932.
August 20.
A. D. 1526. After having gotten rid of all his enemies, Bahadur Shah, on the 15th of Zeekad, went through the form of being again crowned at Champanere, that city having been considered, during the few last reigns, the capital of the kingdom. The Prince Luteef Khan, who had taken post in the Ahwas hills, was joined by several of the discontented nobles; and Alugh Khan was appointed to the command of an army sent against him. Shortly after the departure of these troops, Alugh Khan was represented as being one of the assassins of the late Sikundur Shah. Bahadur Shah was no less enraged than astonished at this information; and having made strict enquiries, and ascertaining that the accus­ation was false, he ordered the calumniators to be severely punished. In the commencement of

A. H. 933.
A. D. 1526.

the following year, 933, a very serious mutiny broke out among the cavalry; and a large party, headed by nearly two thousand officers, marched to the mosque, and prevented the performance of public worship till they received their arrears of pay. Baha­dur Shah, though he could ill brook this conduct, was induced, from motives of policy, to com­ply with their demands, having good reason for supposing that violent measures would induce them to join the Prince Luteef Khan. Shortly after this event, information arrived, that, in con­sequence of the advance of the Prince towards Sooltanpoor, the governor Ghazy Khan had marched, attacked, and defeated him, and that although his friends Azd-ool-Moolk and Mohafiz Khan had made their escape, Ray Bheem and his brothers had fallen in the action, and the Prince, being severely wounded, had been taken prisoner. On this news the King deputed Mo-hib-ool-Moolk and some other noblemen to wait on his brother, in order to see that his wounds were properly attended to, and to administer every comfort to him, till he could be removed to the capital. The Prince Luteef, however, never recovered; but shortly after died, and was buried at Halole, near Champanere, by the side of the late Sikundur Shah. During this year, Nuseer Khan, who had formerly assumed the title of Mahmood Shah, also died; and a suitable establishment of holy men was maintained to say daily prayers for the souls of these departed princes.

Meanwhile, Oody Sing, Ray of Poloh, with a band of marauders, marched and laid waste the country of Dohud; and most of the public property fell into their hands. This inroad so much incensed the King, that he ordered Taj Khan, with all the cavalry, consisting of nearly one hundred thousand men, to attack and annihilate these bands. The devastation committed by Taj Khan's army induced the Ray to send ambassadors to sue for mercy on any terms. Taj Khan resolved to act up strictly to his orders, and seemed determined to destroy the whole race. Driven to desperation, the Ray at last took up a strong position, and bore the brunt of an action, in which his troops were de­feated and himself killed; but it is a remarkable fact, that on this occasion only one Mahomedan of Taj Khan's army is said to have fallen. His force was shortly after recalled, and himself deputed to Cam-bay, in order to assume the government of that district, as the inhabitants had frequently made complaints against the present governor.

A. H. 934.
A. D. 1528. On the following year, 934, Bahadur Shah marched towards the countries of Idur and Wagur, from whence he re­turned by Champanere to Baroach, for the purpose of superintending the repairs of that fortress; after which he went in person to Cambay, where having heard that a European vessel had been taken and the crew made prisoners off Diù, he repaired to that place, and was met by Kowam-ool-Moolk. All the Europeans taken on this occasion were circumcised, and became Mahomedans. * On his return to his capital, Bahadur Shah re­ceived a letter from his nephew, Meeran Ma-homed Khan, ruler of Kandeish, stating that Ameer Bereed Shah of Bidur and Boorhan Ni­zam Shah Bheiry of Ahmudnuggur, having en­tered into a confederacy, had marched to attack Berar; that in consequence Meeran Mahomed Khan had lent his aid to Imad Shah, King of Berar, and opposed them. He stated also that a severe engagement took place, in which the latter had been drawn into an ambuscade by Boorhan Nizam Shah, and his troops defeated; and, more­over, that a number of Meeran Mahomed Khan's elephants had fallen into the hands of the Dec-canies on this occasion; and, lastly, that they had taken the fort of Mahoor by assault, from Imad Shah, so that he begged the aid of Bahadur Shah. Upon this Bahadur Shah desired an answer to be written, stating that during the last year he had sent the governor of Nehrwala to the Dec-can, in order to accommodate the differences which existed, in conformity with the wishes of Imad Shah, in which he happily succeeded; but that as it now appeared the Deccanies had become the aggressors, he should proceed to that quarter in person.

Mohurrum,
A. H. 935.
September,
A. D. 1528. In conformity with the intention ex­pressed in this letter, Bahadur Shah moved, in the month of Mohurrum, of the year 935, with a large force towards the Deccan. On reaching Baroda he was over­taken by Jam Feroze, ruler of Tutta, in Sind, who stated that the Arghoons had made a descent upon his country, and taken it. Bahadur Shah gave to the Jam twelve lacks of rupees * for the present, pledging himself to march hereafter and recover his territory from the Arghoons.

The fame of Bahadur Shah by this act of gene­rosity spread far and near. He was welcomed by the inhabitants of all the countries through which he passed in proceeding to the Deccan; and he was joined by the nephew† * of the Raja of Gualiar with a body of Rajpoots, as also by Sreeputty Ray, the nephew of Rana Sanka, with many chiefs of distinction, as well as by some of the nobles of the Deccan. The movements of this immense army being very slow, and a large portion having halted for some time at Champanere, Imad Shah, King of Berar, became impatient of the delay, and sent his son Jafur Khan to Bahadur Shah, informing him that Boorhan Nizam Shah had shut the doors of negotiation, and that nothing could be effected without the King's presence. Bahadur Shah therefore instantly marched on to the Nerbudda, on the banks of which river he was met by Meeran Mahomed Khan, who en­treated him to visit Boorhanpoor, where he enter­tained him in a sumptuous manner, presenting him with elephants, horses, &c. At this place he was joined by Imad Shah, from Gavulgur. The combined armies of Guzerat, Kandeish, and Berar, under Bahadur Shah, now commenced their march through Berar towards Mahoor, against Boorhan Nizam Shah, who gradually retreating, drew the allies after him as far as Jalna, where the King having manifested intentions of occupy­ing the country of Berar for himself, a secret communication was opened with the enemy, and Boorhan Nizam Shah agreed to restore some of the captured elephants, and also consented to read the Khootba in the name of the King of Gu­zerat, and even promised to pay tribute, if he would return to his own country. Bahadur Shah con­tinued his march till he reached Dowlutabad, and encamped at the Howz Kootloo, where he halted for some time, in order to refresh his army. The enemy, however, contrived to intercept the sup­plies from the northward and westward, which caused great distress to his followers and cattle, and occasioned a famine in his camp. Notwith­standing which, Bahadur Shah compelled Boorhan Nizam Shah to acknowledge him King of Ahmud-nuggur and Guzerat; in the former of which places proclamations were made, and public prayers read in his name. In the beginning of the year