HYDRABAD AND BIDUR. 
185 
thousand meandering streams, extending on all sides 
into the extreme distance, and only intercepted in 
rear of the town by the towering ruins of the ancient 
palaces, bounds the horizon. 
The spot whence this scene first bursts upon the 
view of the traveller, is memorable as that whereon, 
four hundred years ago, was perpetrated a deed of 
sacrilegious violence, to which, according to pious 
notions of 
THE SANCTITY OP A MOSLEM PRIEST, 
a truly devout follower of the Prophet cannot allude, 
without an awe-inspired thrill ; albeit the Prophet is 
represented as having executed an ample vengeance 
upon the malefactor. The facts, as gathered from 
Ferishta, are these - 
During the battle of Tumbola, wherein the army 
of Ahmud Shah Wulli Bahmuni, king of Bidur, 
had been engaged from the dawn of day until night- 
fall, in uninterrupted conflict with the doubly- 
numerous forces of Ahmud Shah Guzeratti, king of 
Gazerat, the day -was repeatedly saved to the king 
of Bidur by the favour of one Saiud Nazur-ud -Been 
Kurbali, a most holy man ; who, having the spirit 
of prophecy, continually foretold the designs and 
manoeuvres of Ahmud Shah Guzeratti, and thus 
enabled his prince to counteract them. After the 
close of night, both parties retreated towards their 
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