# Hussain Nizam Shah II

Hussain Nizam Shah II was the 5th sultan of Ahmadnagar Sultanate his reign was barely of a year, he was imprisoned and executed in 1589 at Balaghat Palace. He was succeeded by Ismail Nizam Shah.

## Regin

Prince Husain, who was only 16 years old, was declared king on August 6, 1588 AD. Mirza Khan was appointed Wakil or Prime Minister and was also appointed as Commander-in-Chief. He had been appointed to this post after the dismissal of Saif Khan. This enhanced his power and influence greatly. The young king promoted several men, such as Akbar Khan and Yaqut Khan, to high ranks and made them his boon companions in all kinds of vices. Unchecked by any moral bounds, Miran Husain soon became a man of vice and debauchery. Often drunk, he would ride through the city streets with his drunken companions, trampling innocent people, committing acts of violence and immorality.
The control of the government naturally passed to Wakil, who set out with great determination to pursue his own ambitions. He consolidated his position by taking decisive action against foreign influences within the administration. Ismail Khan, leader of the Foreign Party, attempted several times to challenge the minister's authoritarian actions but failed. Salabat Khan II was again imprisoned, and Habib Khan was exiled from the capital.

## Deccani–Foreigner Conflicts

As expected, bitter rivalry developed between the two factions opposing Mirza Khan. The Deccanis started to influence the king's court against him, and the king started to resent Mirza Khan. Mirza Khan started plotting the overthrow of King Husain Nizam Shah II. The king, in turn, sought the support of Ankas Khan and Ambar Khan, trusted allies within his circle. This brought in a string of covert schemes and sly moves, wherein Khan Khanan emerged as the very instrument that was going to push Mirza Khan's antagonistic moves against the Deccanis and other foreign groups. After the assassination plan against Ankas Khan was foiled, the latter began plotting against Mirza Khan. Ankas Khan had almost captured Mirza Khan when the latter was given a timely warning to save his life. Mirza Khan left the dinner party that was hosted by Ankas Khan. The king and several nobles were attending this dinner party when Mirza Khan suddenly left with the pretext of having a stomachache. Before leaving, Mirza Khan secretly let Khan Khanan and Sayyid Murtaza know about the plot Ankas Khan had in mind.
When Khan Khanan learned of the conspiracy, he sharply rebuked Ankas Khan. With Sayyid Murtaza by his side, he went to the fort and waited outside for Mirza Khan, who was called out of his house. After Mirza Khan arrived, a messenger was sent to tell the king of the events that had occurred.

## Imprisonment and Death

On a visit to Ankas Khan's place, Murtaza Nizam Shah II was told that Prince Murtaza was dying. Unknowing of foul play, the king entered the fort. But he was kept under close surveillance and soon was shifted to the Baghdad Palace and confined to solitary imprisonment for some reflection on his actions and the alleged misconduct.
He simultaneously recalled the most important leaders of Deccan clique, such as Jamshed Khan Amir-ul-Mulk, Shah Ibrahim, and Mustafa Khan and sent them into the fortress Lohgarh to take up the two sons of Burhan Nizam Shah II with whom his deceased uncle had the two princes was to be sent to the court to decide the one of these princes should reign. Three or four days after Hussain Nizam Shah II's imprisonment, Mir Tahu returned from Lohgarh with the two princes, named Ismail and Ibrahim. Hussian Nizam Shah II was executed in the Balghad Palace on 1589 A.D his head was put on a spear and planted on one of the bastions of the Fort.