Storia do Mogor 294.4.5

294.4.5

Aurangzeb had no sooner heard the news that Da,ud Khan had cleared the Karnatik of the Mahrattahs than he forwarded orders to that general to force payment from the Rajah of Tanjor, the Queen of Trichinopoly, and some other neighbouring princes of the tribute they had hitherto paid to the Mahrattahs. These sums were to be in addition to the existing tribute previously collected by him from these princes. In these orders he set forth his reasons for making such a demand. Of these, the principal was that he had disbursed enormous sums in carrying on the war against this prince (i.e., Shiva Ji, or the Mahrattahs). The Mahrattahs had continuously harassed these (local) princes by their raids and never-ending pillage. At present they had been delivered from those plunderers, and were enjoying the fruit of the Mogul victories. It was only fair that they should undertake a share of the expense that all these things had put him to. He also enjoined on Da,ud Khan in express terms that he must declare war against these princes, and constrain them to comply by force of arms.