Storia do Mogor 193.1

193.1

When the King of Gulkandah heard the above news, he recognised at once that his affairs were in a bad way. He attempted through his envoys to placate Aurangzeb, and requested him not to make war, for he was ready to obey orders and look on himself as in the position of any other governor, and would hold Gulkandah in that way only. Aurangzeb sent him a message that he might take his ease; his territory would be spared. Aurangzeb only meant to march to Calbargue (Kulbargah), a burial-place of saints, to offer up prayers and implore their protection. The King of Gulkandah assumed that Aurangzeb was telling the truth, and sent him five lakhs of rupees to be distributed to the poor present at the said shrines. Aurangzeb took the money, and instead of moving in the direction of the shrines, came straight at Gulkandah. The king might have come forth with the thirty thousand horsemen he had, and taking the field, could have blocked the roads and contended for victory. But such was his fear and dread that he retired [242] into the fortress with such soldiers as chose to follow him. Aurangzeb was informed of this retreat, and at once felt happy in having got the rat in a trap. He ordered Shahab-ud-din Khan to march with all haste before the king could adopt any other plan ; and after him was sent A'zam Tara to invest the fortress, Aurangzeb advancing behind that prince more leisurely himself.