Muntakhab al-lubab 93: The Mahrattas.

93

[Text, vol. ii. p. 414.] This year Aurangzeb stayed at Bairampúrí, the name of which was ordered to be changed to Islámpúrí. * * Forces were sent against the fort of Parnála and other forts in various places. * * After the execution of Sambhá, many of the Mahratta chieftains received instructions from Rám Rája to ravage the country. They hovered round the Imperial armies, and were exceedingly daring. * * Among them was Santa Ghorpura and Dahiná Jádú, two experienced warriors and leaders of from fifteen to twenty thousand horse. Other Mahratta chiefs submitted to their leadership, and great losses were inflicted on the Imperial forces.
Santá more especially distinguished himself in ravaging the cultivated districts, and in attacking the royal leaders. Every one who encountered him was either killed or wounded and made prisoner; or if any one did escape, it was with his mere life, with the loss of his army and baggage. Nothing could be done, for wherever the accursed dog went and threatened an attack, there was no Imperial amir bold enough to resist him, and every loss he inflicted on their forces made the boldest warriors quake. Ismá'íl Khán was accounted one of the bravest and most skilful warriors of the Dakhin, but he was defeated in the first action, his army was plundered, and he himself was wounded and made prisoner. After some months he obtained his release, on the payment of a large sum of money. So also Rustam Khán, otherwise called Sharza Khan, the Rustam of the time and as brave as a lion, was defeated by him in the district of Sattara, and after losing his baggage and all that he had with him, he was taken prisoner, and had to pay a large sum for his ransom. 'Alí Mardán Khán, otherwise called Husainí Beg Haidarábádí, * * was defeated and made prisoner with several others. After a detention of some days, they obtained their release on paying a ransom of two lacs of rupees. These evil tidings greatly troubled Aurangzeb. * * Further, news came that Santá had fought with Ján-nisár Khán and Tahawwur Khan, on the borders of the Karnátik, and had inflicted upon them a severe defeat and the loss of their artillery and baggage. Ján-nisár Khán was wounded, and escaped with difficulty. Tahawwur Khan was also wounded, and lay among the dead, but was restored to life. Many other renowned amirs met with similar defeats. Aurangzeb was greatly distressed, but in public he said that the creature could do nothing, for everything was in the hands of God.