His origin — of Toorkman descent — arrival in India — is appointed one of the secretaries to the government — volun­teers to tranquillise the district of Tulingana — is ennobled — assumes the title of King — introduces the Persian customs and religion into his government — is assassinated by order of his son.

IN the reign of Ibrahim Kootb Shah, a person named Shah Khoorsha, an inhabitant of Persia, wrote a work containing a history of the origin of the Kootb Shahy family; but as I have been unable to obtain a copy of it, I am obliged to content myself with such details of the history of that dy­nasty as have been procurable.

Sooltan Koolly is said to be descended from the tribe of Baharloo Toorkmans, of the Ally Shukur persuasion. Some of his courtiers have asserted that he was grandson to Meerza Jehan Shah of Persia; but I have no good authority for support­ing this opinion. It is related that he was born at Humadan, and that in the end of the reign of Mahomed Shah Bahmuny he arrived in the Dec-can, in the prime of youth. As that monarch retained a large train of Toorks in his body­guard, he was admitted as one of the number. Having received an excellent education, he was subsequently appointed to the situation of secretary in one of the public offices. Shortly after, com­plaints arriving at court that the inhabitants and petty land-holders of Tulingana refused to pay the revenues, and had rebelled, the King resolved to send an officer with a force into that country; but Sooltan Koolly volunteered to go without troops, and to bring matters to a favourable conclu­sion. He was accordingly appointed to the duty, and succeeded so completely, that in a short time he recovered many small districts which had been usurped by the Hindoos.

In the reign of Mahomed Shah Bahmuny, Sool-tan Koolly was ennobled, and received the title of Kootb-ool-Moolk; and when Yoosoof Adil Shah, Ahmud Nizam Shah, and Futteh Oolla Imad Shah, threw off their allegiance from the house of Bahmuny, and the former ordered public prayers to be read in the name of the twelve Imams, Sooltan Koolly also, as general and commander-in-chief of the reigning family, caused the names of those saints to be introduced into the public worship; but he did not declare his independence

A. H. 918.
A. D. 1512.

till the year 918, when the imbecility of Mahmood Shah Bahmuny's government was apparent to the whole world, and the ascendency of his ambitious minister completely established.

Contrary to the practice of India, he introduced the customs of Persia at his court; among which was that of beating the nobut, or imperial band, five times daily. He filled all the offices of his go­vernment with his own countrymen. After as­suming the regal state, he used to send annually magnificent presents to Mahmood Shah Bahmuny of Bidur.

Sooltan Koolly Kootb Shah remained at peace and friendship with all the other kings of the Deccan, excepting on the occasion when Bahadur Shah of Guzerat invaded that country, at the instance of Futteh Oolla Imad Shah, and laid waste great part of the Nizam Shahy territories. At that time Sooltan Koolly Kootb Shah sent an envoy, and made friendly overtures to the foreign invader. But when Bahadur Shah returned to Guzerat, Ismael Adil Shah, instigated by Boorhan Nizam Shah, laid siege to the fort of Kulliany,

A. H. 940.
A. D. 1533.

in the year 940. The King of Gol­conda, unable to cope with the Adil Shahy forces, only sent a detachment of cavalry to cut off their supplies. Fortunately, Ismael Adil Shah, being taken suddenly ill, died about this time; upon which Sooltan Koolly Kootb Shah sent an envoy to Boorhan Nizam Shah to mediate a peace, which was concluded.

Some years afterwards Jumsheed, the King's eldest son, who had long been wishing for his father's death, induced one of his slaves to under­take to assassinate him; and accordingly, when the King was one day examining some jewels, this slave drew his dagger and stabbed him to the heart.

A. H. 950.
A. D. 1543.

This event took place in the year 950. The slave flew to relate the news to Jumsheed, who, fearing lest the circum­stance of his connivance might become known, struck the assassin dead on the spot.

Sooltan Koolly Kootb Shah reigned for a period of nearly thirty-three years, and left three sons, Jumsheed, Heidur, and Ibrahim.