Muntakhab al-lubab 60.10

60.10

At this time Sivaji's forces had gone to attack the neighbourhood of Surat. Within the space of four or five kos from Rajpuri there were six or seven Nizamu-l Mulki forts which had fallen into the hands of Sivaji, but he was unable at this time to render them any assistance. So Sidi Yakut seized the opportunity to attack them. Six forts surrendered after two or three days' resistance, but the commandant of one fort held out for a week in the hope of relief from Sivaji. The Abyssinians pushed forward their approaches, and kept up such a fire that he was obliged to surrender. Sidi Yakut granted quarter to the garrison, and seven hundred persons came out. But notwithstanding his word, he made the children and pretty women slaves, and forcibly converted them to Islam. The old and ugly women he set free, but the men he put to death. This struck such terror into the hearts of Sivaji and his followers that he was obliged to confine himself to securing Rahiri. Sidi Yakut sent an account of his victory to Prince Muhammad Mu'azzam, Subahdar of the Dakhin, and to Khan-Jahan. His mansab was raised, a robe of honour was sent to him, and he received the title of Khan. Similar honours were also given to Sidi Khairiyat. [Text, vol. ii. p. 229.] A report reached Sivaji that his son Sambha, whom he had left at Allahabad with the Brahman, was dead, and Sambhaji's wife wanted to become a sati, * * but a few months afterwards the Brahman arrived, bringing Sambhaji with him.