Storia do Mogor 193.8

193.8

In this way, before Aurangzeb could inflict any harm, he himself was much injured, these soldiers stopping the supplies for the royal camp, seizing camels, horses, and mules, killing everybody they came across, and sparing only those horses which could be of use to them in war. If by chance they captured any grandee, they kept him till they could extract from him a handsome ransom, and then they liberated him. So abundant were the goods they seized that they set up markets, where the owners came to redeem their property. Thus these plunderers acquired pay enough, and were able to continue the campaign. In spite of all his huge army, Aurangzeb found that he could not by force of arms accomplish his purpose; for Sambha Ji continuously evaded giving battle in the field, and was satisfied with plundering everywhere, never remaining many days in the same place. Relying on the activity of his horses, already trained to go long distances and eat little, he wore out and incommoded the Mogul commanders and soldiers. Aurangzeb became aware that he would never succeed in this campaign, except by his usual intrigues. He therefore set to work, and wrote letters to Cabcales (Kab Kalish), the chief minister of Sambha Ji, and by large bribes and presents so far succeeded, that this minister undertook to make over Sambha Ji to him alive.