Storia do Mogor 354.8.2

354.8.2

In spite of all these losses, the mind of Aurangzeb remains intent on these operations, and in spite of his recognising that his strength produces no result, he still relies on his astuteness. He brought out of prison the son of Sambhã Jī, of whom I have spoken (II. 246), and made him over to the general Zu,lfiqãr Khãn. Then he wrote letters to several Mahrattah officers, inviting them to appear and take service under their legitimate prince, to whom liberty had been granted. He promised to give them for their maintenance the tenth part of the revenues from the Dakhin province and its territories. These men replied to the king's letters that they had already a prince, Shivã Ji, son of Rãm Rãj, whom they had acknowledged [163] as their legitimate lord and ruler. They had pledged themselves to obey him, and were dependent upon his orders. On no terms would they recognise the released prisoner. As for the promised tenth, they would excuse his Majesty from troubling, since they meant to collect it by their own armed force.