Page:The Nizam.djvu/33

THE BAHMANEE DYNASTY. 7 dynasty extended through 171 years, and thirteen gene- rations; and from this period it is admitted that foreign mercenaries were largely received into the service of the General. Hindoo monarchs around, by FERISHTA'S account com- prising Persians, Turks, Calmucs, et hoc genus omne, as well as Abyssinians from the neighbouring seaboard on the west.

With the extinction of the Bahmanee family in 1512 - sprang the separate Mahommedan governments in the Deccan respectively of Beejapoor, Ahmednugger, Beder, Ellichpoor, and Golconda. To employ the language of MILL, "after plotting and struggling for several years, four of the great Oomrahs declared themselves independent in their several governments; and a fifth, who remained at the court, reduced the power of the sovereign to a shadow and ruled in his name. Mahmood's nominal sovereignty lasted for thirty-seven years, during which the Deccanee empire was divided into five several kingdoms that of Beejapoor, or Viziapoor, founded by Eusof Adeel Khan; that of Ahmednugger, founded by Ahmed Nizam Beheree; that of Berar, founded by Ahmed-ool-Moolk; that of Golconda, founded by Kootub-ool-Moolk, their respective governors; and that of Ahmedabad Beder, founded by Ameer Bereed, who rendered himself master of the person and throne of his master, and retained the provinces which had not been grasped by the other usurpers. This revolution, after being several years in progress, was con- summated about the year 1526. . . . A temporary union the Deccan, where his merit marked him out among his equals to be their leader in their revolt. He had be- fore assumed the name of Ganga, in gratitude to his benefactor; and now, from a similar motive, added that of Bahmanee (Brahmin), by which his dynasty was afterwards distinguished.- ELPHINSTONE'S In- dia, ii. App. n4