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 Chap. VI.] KEIGN OF AKBER. lo7

at the same time, while he kept his own commimications open, so interrupted ad. 1594.

those of the Moguls, that they were unable to obtain the necessary supplies. In these ciremnstances, Mirza Khan had no alternative but to divide his army, taking part (^f it to Tatta, while the remainder cojitiimed the siege. Mirza Jany Beg, thus tempted to assume the offensive, lost the advantages of his ])sition, and was finally caught in a trap, which compelled him to accept of any terms of peace that the Moguls chose to dictate. His kingdom became a Mogul province, and he himself exchanged his position as a king for that of 'i'i>f fii-st an officer in the Mogul service. In this war he is said to have employed some Portuguese soldiers, and to have had 200 natives dressed as Eui'opeans. These may be regarded as the first Sepoys in India.

It has been mentioned how Hoomayoon, Akber's father, after obtaining Kand.ihar military aid from the vSliah of Persia, on condition of making the compiest from Persia, of Kandahar, and ceding it to that monarch, refused to fulfil his agreement, and kept the contjuest to himself Internal troubles prevented the shah from resenting the injustice at the time ; but the circumstances afterwards became favom'able, and Kandahar passed to Persia shortly after Akber's accession. It remained in this position till loy-t, when Akl)er, turning the Pei-sian dissensions to account, was able to make himself master both of the town and temtory without being obliged to strike a blow, the Persian prince who held the fort being contented to exchange his possession for the government of Mooltan and a command in the Mogul ai'my.

In the whole of India north of the Nerbudda, Mogul supremacy was now Akbercinims completely established. It was otherwise m the Deccan ; and to it, therefore, in the Akber's attention was now earnestly turned. In 1586 he had availed himself of '"^^"" an opportunity to interfere in the internal concerns of Ahmednuggur ; and had endeavoiu'ed, though without success, to aid a claimant in obtaining the throne. In 151)0 he had recourse to a much more formal proceeding, and sent aml)assa- dors to four different courts — Asseer and Boorhanpoor, Ahmednuggur, Bejajjoor, and Bhagnagur, the modern Hyderabad — demanding an acknowledgment of his supremacy. When a common refusal was given, he only received the answer which he had anticipated, and for which he was })repared. For the avowed purpose of reducing them to subjection, Mirza Khan was immediately sent south with an army. He proceeded fii-st to Mando. Meanwhile a messenger had arrived from Boorhan, King of Ahmednuggur, who had lived for some time in exile at Akber's court, announcing his entire submission. His death having taken place shortly after, in 15f)4. and his son and successor having fallen in battle, a disputed succession took place, and the minister, who favoured the claim of a boy of the name of Ahmed, ap])lied for assistance to Akber's son. Prince jMurad Mirza, then in Gujerat. The ]>rince, by his father's orders, immediately put his army in motion and marched for the Deccfin, taking the direction of Ahmednuixonir.

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