in power. In the year 918, Kootb-ool-Mook assuming independence, ejected the King's name from the Khootba, not­withstanding which he continued to send to Mah-mood Shah privately, every year, a present in

A. H. 920.
A. D. 1514.

money. In 920, Ameer Bereed having levied a great army with the royal trea­sures, marched with the King, and took Koolburga from the garrison of Ismael Adil Shah, conferring it on Jehangeer Khan, the son of the late Dustoor Deenar, for whom he procured the title of Dustoor-ool-Moolk. This chief having col­lected troops recovered all the forts on the east of the Beema river, from Sagur to Nuldroog, which had been held by his father; and Ameer Bereed receiving reinforcements from Mullik Ahmud Bheiry and Kootb-ool-Moolk crossed the river with twenty thousand men, and proceeded by regular marches to Beejapoor. Ismael Adil Khan gave him battle near the city, and totally defeated him, so that he fled in the greatest confusion; while Mahmood Shah (who had fallen from his horse and received a severe bruise), together with his son Ahmud Khan, were left defenceless on the field, and taken prisoners. Ismael Adil Shah, observing the respect due to crowned heads, treated the King with attention, and provided him with every con­venience becoming his high rank.

Mahmood Shah, shortly after, went with Ismael Adil Khan to Koolburga, where the ceremony of the nuptials between the Prince Ahmud and Beeby Musseety, sister to Ismael Adil Shah, were cele­brated with great magnificence. The King having obtained five thousand foreign horse as an escort, marched to Ahmudabad Bidur, which Ameer Be-reed evacuated on his approach, and retired to the fort of Ousa. Mahmood Shah now took pos­session of his capital; but soon after, the officers of Ismael Adil Shah, on hearing that Ameer Be-reed had received aid from Boorhan Nizam-ool-Moolk, the son of the late Mullik Ahmud, deserted the King, and the minister returning, put him under greater restraint than before. Weary of his situation, the unfortunate Mahmood Shah found means to effect his escape to Gavul, in Berar, where he procured assistance from Imad-ool-Moolk, who marched with him towards the capital. Ameer Bereed, shutting himself up in the citadel, applied for relief to Boorhan Nizam-ool-Moolk, who des­patched Khwaja Jehan to join him with a con­siderable force.

Ameer Bereed and his ally now sallied forth against the troops of Imad-ool-Moolk, who pre­pared to receive them, and drew up his army for action. It happened that the King was bathing at the time; and the messenger sent by Imad-ool-Moolk to inform him of the enemy's approach insolently remarked, within his hearing, that it was no wonder a prince who could be so employed at such a critical moment should be the derision of his nobles. The King, stung with the reproof, and enraged at what he thought proceeded from the insolence of Imad-ool-Moolk, joined the line as soon as possible; but suddenly spurring his horse, galloped over to Ameer Bereed's army. Imad-ool-Moolk immediately retreated with pre­cipitation towards his own country, and the mi­nister returned triumphantly into the city with the King.

Ameer Bereed now put the King into such close confinement, that he could not possibly escape again. Mahmood Shah, wearied with disappointments, grown old, and become weak in intellect, gave up his authority without a struggle, and contented himself with the pleasures of wine, women, and the external

A. H. 923.
A. D. 1517.

pageantry of royalty. In the year 923, Ameer Bereed found it necessary to march with him to Mahoor against Basheer Khan, who with his son was slain in battle, and Mahoor was conferred on Ghalib Khan; after

Zilhuj 4.
A. H. 928.
October 21.
A. D. 1518.

which Mahmood Shah II. returned to his capital, where he died on the 4th of Zilhuj, after a reign of thirty-seven years and twenty days of constant vicis­situde and trouble.