Muntakhab al-lubab 60.1

60.1

[vol. ii. p. 220.] Sundry forts which had belonged to the Kutb-Shahi kings had passed into the hands of the 'Adil-Shahis. Sivaji had a great reputation for skill in the reduction of forts, and he swore to 'Abdu-lla Shah, that if he would supply him with forces and the means for conducting sieges, he would in a short time wrest these forts from the Bijapuris, and hand them over to the officers appointed to accompany him; he would not even accept some forts which had belonged to himself, and were in the possession of the officers of Aurangzeb, if he recovered them by the means supplied him. He vowed also that for the remainder of his life he would remain the devoted servant and adherent of 'Abdu-lla Shah. The ultimate objects of the arch deceiver never entered into the consideration of 'Abdu-llah Shah. He provided a sufficient force and a suitable siege train, and he appointed to it several officers acquainted with siege operations, whom he enjoined to serve heartily in obedience to and in accord with Sivaji.