90 
THE ORIENTAL ANNUAL. 
familiars, among whom the vizier was pre-eminent. 
Presently in the midst of their mirth a cow com- 
menced lowing and making a great noise, imme- 
diately beneath the terrace ; when one of the 
assembly laughingly inquired, “ 0 vizier, being 
undoubtedly an oracle of wisdom, you will certainly 
be able to inform us what that cow is talking about.” 
To which the vizier immediately replied : “ The 
cow was addressing herself to me only ; but, as you 
desire to know the meaning of her discourse, I will 
not withhold it, since it may be found instructive. 
She spoke in terms of remonstrance, saying, c O 
vizier ! wherefore, being one of my species, do you 
degrade yourself and your kind, by holding com- 
munion with asses V ” All present trembled for the 
presumption of the minister, but Mohammed Shah, 
as the vizier had foreseen, was too well amused by 
the readiness of his wit to be angry, and only 
imposed upon him the cognomen of Gawan, to com- 
memorate the circumstance. 
The fortress of Gawilghur experienced many 
reverses of fortune during the short-lived dynasty 
of the Imad Shahi kings of Berar, who threw off 
their allegiance to the princes of Bidur in a.d. 
1484. It was in this place that the usurper Toofal 
Kahn took refuge with his young son and a little 
band of faithful adherents, after his army had been 
routed and literally annihilated by the king of 
Ahmednuggur. Pursued to the very walls of the 
