Moortuza Nizam Shah would now have returned to Ahmudnuggur; but Chungiz Khan representing that as Ally Adil Shah was aggrandising himself by the reduction of the country of Beejanuggur, it was desirable for him, also, to prosecute his pro­ject against Ahmudabad Bidur, to which place he accordingly marched. In the mean time, Meeran Mahomed Shah, the ruler of Kandeish, taking advantage of the absence of Moortuza Nizam Shah from Berar, sent a force of three thousand horse, and seven or eight thousand infantry, to support a person who pretended to be a son of the late Duria Imad-ool-Moolk, ruler of Berar. This force succeeded in expelling several of the Nizam Shahy posts, and in retaining a great portion of the country. On hearing this, Moortuza Nizam Shah returned with the greatest expedition, accom­panied by a light force only, directing Chungiz Khan to follow with the main army. Syud Moortuza, a Nizam Shahy general, who pre­ceded the King, having come up with the Berar pretender, at the head of eight thousand horse, obliged him to fly, and his adherents to disperse. Meanwhile, Moortuza Nizam Shah entering Kan-deish by the Rohunkehra Ghat, ravaged the country to the very gates of Boorhanpoor.

Chungiz Khan, desirous of seeing the fortress of Aseer, to which Meeran Mahomed Shah Farooky had retired, went with eight thousand horse in order to reconnoitre it. Meeran Mahomed Shah employed a detachment to endeavour to cut off his retreat; but it was repulsed with loss, and some officers even were taken prisoners. Moortuza Nizam Shah now marched in person to Aseer, from whence he sent out parties who left not a vestige of population in the surrounding country, so that Meeran Mahomed Shah was in the end compelled to purchase the retreat of the Nizam Shahies by the payment of a large sum of money.

Shortly after this Mirza Khan Isfahany reached the Nizam Shahy camp, as ambassador on the part of Ibrahim Kootb Shah, in order to prevent the meditated attack on Bidur. To effect this object he offered a large sum of money to Chungiz Khan, who refused it with indignation, telling him that the treasures of the Nizam Shahy kingdom were at his disposal. He said, however, that after the reduc­tion of Bidur, it would be prudent for Moortuza Nizam Shah, Ibrahim Kootb Shah, and Ally Adil Shah, to unite against the encroachments likely to be made on their power by the Emperor Akbur. The ambassador failing in bribing the minister, endeavoured to effect his purpose by bringing over to his design Sahib Khan, a favourite minion of the King, who had been ill treated by Chungiz Khan; insinuating that that minister intended to as­sume the royal titles in Berar. Sahib Khan will­ingly received the accusation, and informed the King, who at first did not believe it, ascribing it to the effect of malice on the part of Sahib Khan towards the minister. Sahib Khan, however, per­sisting in his assertion, pretended to weep; entreat­ing the King, if he did not believe him, to send for Mirza Khan Isfahany, who was a townsman of the minister, to hear what he knew. The in­telligence being confirmed by Mirza Khan, made some impression on the King's mind, though he resolved to wait for further proof. At length, one day having sent for Chungiz Khan, he signified his wish to return to Ahmudnuggur, as he was tired of the field. The minister observed, that in a newly-conquered province it was advisable for his Ma­jesty to remain five or six months, in order to gain the good will of the inhabitants; but in case that did not suit him, at all events to leave him with an army for that purpose. This suggestion convinced Moortuza Nizam Shah of the truth of the accu­sations against the minister, and the King imme­diately altered his behaviour towards him. Chungiz Khan perceiving this became alarmed for his safety, and staid away some days from court on the plea of indisposition. This conduct only tended the more to confirm the King's suspicions; who having re­solved to put him to death, directed his physician to administer a poisoned draught to the minister as medicine. Chungiz Khan discovered the device, and at first refused to take it; but knowing it would be of no avail, he at last resolved on the sacrifice, and drank the potion. During his last moments he wrote the following address to the King: —

“The faithful servant Meeruk, the sun of whose “age has passed through sixty mansions, and was “hastening to the seventieth, having bowed the “head of submission on the threshold of devotion, “represents, that he has quaffed the draught mixed “with the water of life. In obedience to the “duty and loyalty he owes to the King (by whose “bounty he was cherished), he has shut his eyes “from all other considerations. Had he his wish, “it would be that the life and reign of the King “should be as permanent as the grave will be to “his servant; and he solicits that the King will “esteem him after life as he did during its ex-“istence, and classing him among the most loyal “and devoted of his subjects, will act according “to the wishes now expressed, written in his own “hand. Firstly, That he will send his body for “interment to Kurbela. Secondly, That he will “show favour to the under-mentioned officers, * as “worthy of his distinction, and that he will enter-“tain his foreign servants among his own guards.”

This last testament, with some instructions, he committed to the care of Syud Moortuza, and then reclined upon his bed till the next day, when his soul departed from his body — that temporary and perish­able tenement which is only borrowed for a while.

Moortuza Nizam Shah became, too late, con­vinced of the uprightness and the sincere attach­ment of his minister, whose death he regretted with unfeigned sorrow; and upon the King's return to Ahmudnuggur he resolved on retiring from the world. He called before him the principal in­habitants of Ahmudnuggur, and said to them, “Be it known that I am unfit to rule; for I find I “want the capacity to distinguish right from wrong, “so that I frequently am guilty of oppression, “under the cloak of justice, and when the truth “becomes apparent I am grieved at my want of “discretion. I now, therefore, call you to witness, “and require you to testify on the last day, that “I have appointed Meer Kazy Beg my Vakeel “Mootluk, * who is one of the descendants of “the Prophet, that he may act unto every one “agreeably to the law, and by not giving a prefer-“ence to the strong over the weak, he will disre-“gard all private considerations. Should any person “take even the needle of a weak old woman, and “I be questioned concerning it at the day of “judgment, I will answer, that I had no business “in such affairs, which depended on Kazy Beg, the “descendant of the Prophet.” Then, addressing himself to that minister, he said, “The government “is now in your hands: if thou canst not direct “it alone, let Ameer-ool-Moolk, Mirza Mahomed “Tuky, and Kasim Beg Hukeem, be your part-“ners in the administration; while I, who am “fearful and apprehensive of the anger and punish-“ment of the Almighty, sincerely repenting of “my conduct towards Chungiz Khan, seek retire-“ment, and employ my days in penitence and “prayer.” The King, after this, retired to an apartment in the palace of Ahmudnuggur, called Bagdad, where no one, male or female, was ad­mitted to his presence but Sahib Khan.

A. H. 984.
A. D. 1576. In the year 984, the Emperor Akbur advancing to the frontier of the Dec-can to hunt, the King moved to the north, with a few troops, but in a covered litter, to observe his motions, and to be in readiness to defend his dominions, and would have marched to attack the Emperor, had he not been prevented by the entreaties of his nobility. At their request, however, Moortuza Nizam Shah remained on the border, till Akbur returned to his own dominions, when the King again retired to his privacy in Ah-mudnuggur. In the rainy season the King went to Dowlutabad; and on visiting the tombs of the saints he was seized with religious enthusiasm. One day, unknown even to Sahib Khan, he withdrew from his apartment, and was going alone on foot towards the tomb of Imam Ruza, when he was recognised by a countryman, who gave information to the mi­nister, and it was with much difficulty they pre­vailed on him to return. After this, on coming back to Ahmudnuggur, he took up his residence in the garden of Husht Behist. * At this time the excesses of his favourite Sahib Khan and his associates knew no bounds. The latter consisted of about three thousand scoundrel Deccanies, who frequently forced children from their parents for the worst of purposes: among other instances was that of the daughter of Meer Mehdy, who was killed in defending the honour of his family. Although these injuries gave great disgust, the Regent was still afraid of the favourite's influence with the King, till at length Sahib Khan became so insolent as to order a nobleman to change his name because it happened to be the same as his own, and on his refusal he resolved to destroy him, but was prevented by Sulabut Khan, who informed the King of the circumstance. Sahib Khan, enraged, quitted the court; but the King, distressed at his absence, followed him in person, and overtaking him at Ahmudabad Bidur persuaded him to return, by agreeing to his two unreasonable requests; first, that of displacing Sulabut Khan from his office; and, secondly, that of taking for him the city of Ahmud-abad Bidur from Ally Bereed Shah, who, upon his besieging it, required and received assistance from Ally Adil Shah.