Padshah-namah 25: Surrender of the Fort of Galna.

25

[Text, vol. i. p. 442.] After Fath Khan, son of Malik 'Ambar, had put Nizam Shah to death, Mahmud Khan, the commandant of the fort of Galna, repudiated his authority, and put the fortress in a state of defence, intending to deliver it over to Sahu-ji Bhonsla, who, unmindful of the favours he had received from the Imperial throne, had strayed from the path of obedience, and had possessed himself of Nasik, Trimbak, Sangamnir and Junir, as far as the country of the Kokan. He had got into his power one of the relatives of the late Nizam Shah, who had been confined in one of the strongest fortresses in the kingdom, and raised the banner of independence. He (Mahmud Khan) wished to deliver the fort over to him. Khan-zaman, who was acting as deputy of his father in the government of the Dakhin, Birar and Khandesh, when he was informed of Mahmud Khan's proceedings, wrote to Mir Kasim Khan Harawi, commandant of the fort of Alang, which is near to Galna. He directed him to endeavour by promises of Imperial favour to win him over, and prevent the surrender of the fortress to Sahu-ji Bhonsla. Mir Kasim communicated with Mahmud Khan on the subject, and the latter invited the Mir to come to him. After a good deal of talk, Mahmud Khan assented to the proposition, and in the hope of a great reward delivered over the fort to the representatives of the Emperor.