Moortuza, the son of Shah Ally, proclaims himself King — is supported by some of the Nizam Shahy chiefs. — Mullik Ambur and Meean Rajoo, two Deccany leaders, occupy the whole of the Nizam Shahy territories. — Unsuccessful efforts made by Khan Khanan, the Mogul governor of Ahmudnuggur, to dispossess them — he at length forms a treaty with Mullik Ambur. — The King joins Mullik Ambur, and holds his court at Dowlutabad. — The Prince Daniel Mirza arrives at Ah-mudnuggur, and receives homage from Mullik Ambur — he espouses the daughter of Ibrahim Adil Shah. — Moortuza Nizam Shah invites Meean Rajoo to assist him against Mullik Ambur. — War between the rival chiefs. — Mullik Ambur conciliates the King. — Removes the seat of government to Joo-nere. — Meean Rajoo is eventually defeated by Mullik Ambur, and almost the whole of the Nizam Shahy dominions fall under the control of the latter.

AFTER the return of Akbur Padshah, two persons of the late Nizam Shahy government distinguished themselves by their enterprise and conduct. The one, Mullik Ambur an Abyssinian, and the other, Meean Rajoo Deccany, * who have, in spite of the Mogul forces, down to the present period, retained almost the whole of the Nizam Shahy dominions.

The former, Mullik Ambur, possesses the country from the Kootb-Shahy and Adil Shahy boundaries, as far north as within one coss of Beer, and four of Ahmudnuggur, and from eight coss west of Dowlutabad to within the same distance of the port of Choul.

The latter, Meean Rajoo, possesses Dowlutabad as far north and south as from the Guzerat frontier to within six coss of Ahmudnuggur: both officers profess the semblance of allegiance to Moortuza Nizam Shah II. In the first instance they gave up the fort of Owsa for the King's residence, and the revenues of a few of the surrounding villages for his subsistence. But as these partisans were extremely envious of each other, frequent disputes arose between them; and Khan Khanan, the Mogul governor of the fort of Ahmudnug-gur, having intimation of their mutual jealousy, directed a party from Berar to march and occupy a small district belonging to Mullik Ambur, on the Tulingana boundaries. Upon intimation of which that chief proceeded to its relief with a detach­ment of between six and seven thousand horse, and succeeded in defeating the Moguls and re­covering the district. Khan Khanan immediately despatched his son, Mirza Eeritch, with a select force of five thousand horse to attack him, and wipe off the stain from the Mogul arms. Mirza Eeritch encountered Mullik Ambur at the town of Nandere, where a severe action took place, in which many soldiers were slain on both sides, and the Deccanies were eventually defeated. Mullik Am-bur, who lay wounded on the field, was only saved by the devoted gallantry of his attendants from fall­ing a prisoner into the enemy's hands; an object they effected after losing a number of men. Mullik Ambur no sooner recovered from his wounds than he began to collect more troops; and Khan Khanan, well aware of his enterprising character and of his popularity in the country, feared the Moguls might be eventually overpowered by numbers under so active a leader, and for these reasons made overtures for peace: while Mullik Ambur, on the other hand, aware of the enmity of Meean Rajoo, and not without suspicions even of his having urged the late attack, gladly accepted the offer, and a treaty was concluded which marked out their respective future boundaries. From that period to the present day Mullik Ambur and Khan Kha-nan continue on the most friendly terms.

At this period, Venkut Row Coly, Furhad Khan Movullid, and Mullik Sundul, an eunuch, with other officers, deserted Mullik Ambur, and joined Moortuza Nizam Shah II. at Owsa, where they col­lected a force. Mullik Ambur, marching against this faction, dispersed it under the very walls of the place. In this action Venkut Row was taken prisoner; but the other chiefs, flying with the King into the fort, made terms on the following day. As Mul-lik Ambur had long wished to obtain possession of Purenda, he took the King with him to that fortress; the governor of which, Mittun Khan, an Abyssinian, who had been nearly twenty years in the situation, intimated to the King that he was willing to re­ceive and admit him as his liege lord; but that Mullik Ambur, having made peace with the Mogul general, had in fact become one of that party, and he therefore refused to receive him within the walls. Mullik Ambur replied, that it was true he had been compelled, on account of the late conspiracy against him, to be on friendly terms with Khan Khanan, but that he was a true and loyal servant of the Nizam Shahy family, and was ready to sup­port it with his last breath. The governor was not moved by these arguments; and Mullik Ambur, to prevent the King uniting with Mittun Khan, kept him for the present a state-prisoner. The moment that Furhad Khan and Mullik Sundul heard of the King's confinement, they flew to Purenda, and threw themselves into the fort, which was defended for upwards of a month against Mullik Ambur; but the governor's son having committed some cruelty on the inhabitants of the place, they rebelled and slew him, and his father was himself compelled to fly, accompanied by Furhad Khan and Mullik Sun-dul, to Beejapoor, where they entered into the service of the Adil Shahy monarch. The garrison of Purenda held out for some time longer, till at length Mullik Ambur having removed all restraint from Moortuza Nizam Shah II., he was permitted to introduce the King into it, while himself remained encamped without.

A. H. 1013.
A. D. 1604. In the year 1013, the Prince Daniel marched from Boorhanpoor towards Ah-mudnuggur, by the route of Dowlutabad and Nassuk, in order to receive the hand of the daughter of Ibrahim Adil Shah in marriage; and expected that Meean Rajoo would pay him the compliment to meet him, and acknowledge his authority in the Deccan, as Mullik Ambur had done. Meean Rajoo was invited to camp for the purpose; but having no faith in the Prince's pro­mises refused his attendance; and although he was not able to oppose him in the field he so harassed Daniel's army with eight thousand light cavalry that he was obliged to send to Khan Khanan for reinforcements from Jalna, who himself made a forced march with five thousand cavalry, and joined him, which obliged Meean Rajoo to with­draw. On the Prince's return from Ahmudnuggur, with his bride, he encamped at the town of Peitun, on the banks of the Godavery, and remained there some days, in order to celebrate his marriage; after which he proceeded to Boorhanpoor, and Khan Khanan returned to his cantonment at Jalna.

Moortuza Nizam Shah II., in the mean time, sent persons to Meean Rajoo, complaining of the treatment he experienced from Mullik Ambur. That active partisan reached Purenda without opposition, had a conference with the King, and promised to reduce his rival, who, when he heard of his approach, marched to oppose him. The two forces encamped near the fort walls of Purenda, and during a month several skirmishes took place, which generally terminated in favour of Meean Rajoo, while Mullik Ambur despatched letters to Khan Khanan, begging of him to send him as­sistance from Jalna.

The Mogul general despatched orders to Mirza Hoossein Ally Beg, commander and governor of the district of Beer, to proceed immediately with three thousand cavalry to the support of Mullik Ambur; and upon the arrival of this detachment it at­tacked and defeated Meean Rajoo, who fled to Dowlutabad.

At this period the death of the Prince Daniel and the absence of Khan Khanan from Jalna, who pro­ceeded to Boorhanpoor as his successor, gave Mul-lik Ambur an opportunity of aggrandisement. He accordingly collected his troops, and marched against Meean Rajoo to Dowlutabad, where he was again defeated, after which he sent petitions to Khan Khanan for aid; but that officer, seeing the state of affairs at Dowlutabad, marched thither, and for a period of six months prevented the rival chiefs from attacking each other. Mullik Ambur, now perceiving that Khan Khanan was rather well dis­posed towards his rival, deemed it politic to yield to his wishes, and make peace, after which Mullik Ambur returned to Purenda, and Khan Khanan to Jalna; but as Mullik Ambur saw that Moortuza Nizam Shah II. was constantly intriguing, and raising factions against him, he thought it ad­visable to depose him, and find some less trouble­some pageant to fill the throne.

Ibrahim Adil Shah of Beejapoor was consulted on this subject, but refused to countenance the mea­sure, and Mullik Ambur abandoned his intention.

A. H. 1016.
A. D. 1607.

In the year 1016 he made that monarch's situation easier, and began to treat him with more respect: the consequence was, that a mutual confidence grew up between them; and in the same year Moortuza Nizam Shah II., accompanied by his general, Mullik Ambur, marched at the head of ten thousand cavalry from Purenda against Joonere, which that monarch now again made the seat of the Nizam Shahy govern­ment, whence he despatched an army to Dowlu-tabad against Meean Rajoo. That chief, after a short time, was defeated and taken prisoner, and his country again reverted to the Nizam Shahy authority. Mullik Ambur * continues to add daily to his influence and power; and at the present day, Moortuza Nizam Shah II., the son of Shah Ally, fills the throne of the Nizam Shahy dynasty. The affairs of the state are conducted by his minister, though it appears that this kingdom is on the very verge of destruction, as the Emperor of Dehly seems to be only waiting for a favourable opportunity to conquer and annex it to that of his own. — The ways of God are known only to himself.

To face page 321. Vol. III.]

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