Page:Historic Landmarks of the Deccan.djvu/86

 Vinayaka Deva, called Nag Deo by Firishta, was in rebellion and demanded the government of the fort and district of Kaulas, and hinted that Muhammad Shah would be wise to surrender the fort and thus gain a friend and ally, for if he refused he would find Warangal leagued with Vijayanagar against him. Muhammad Shah received the envoys from Warangal and Vijayanagar with courtesy, and in return sent envoys with temporizing messages, for he was doubtful of his ability to cope with the allies at once. Having thus gained time he set his house in order, dismissing all officers who did not merit his confidence and replacing them by others more active and trustworthy. When his preparations were complete he summoned the Hindu envoys to an audience and in the presence of his whole court reproached the rajas of Vijayanagar and Warangal for not having sent him the complimentary tribute which fell due on his accession, and demanded all the elephants and valuables which they could collect. The envoys, dismayed at the turn which affairs had taken, communicated the Sultan's demands to their masters. The raja of Warangal at once sent his son Vinayaka Deva with a large army against Kaulas, and Bukka of Vijayanagar sent an army of 20,000 horse and foot in the same direction. The armies of the provinces of Bidar and Berar were sent against the invaders, defeated them, and pursued them as far as Warangal, where a heavy indemnity was levied from Kanhayya. The Muhammadan army then retired to Gulbarga, but further trouble was to be brought on Warangal by the head-strong Vinayaka Deva.

In 1361 a caravan of horse dealers visited Gulbarga, and Muhammad Shah, who was a lover of horses, sent for them and inspected their stock. He found no horse fit for the royal stable and upbraided the dealers for bringing sorry nags to the court of the king of the Deccan. They replied that they had brought to India a number of fine horses, but that Vinayaka Deva, who was then governor of Vailampallam,* had compelled them to sell the best of their horses to him at a low price. The king then asked them why they had not told Vinayaka Deva that the horses were intended for Muhammad Shah Bahmani, who had the