The Cambridge History of India, Vol. IV: The Mughul Period v4.c17.39

v4.c17.39

A greater triumph was the conquest of Kāngra, a state protected by many strong forts and containing the ancient shrine of Jwālāmukhi with its natural fire. The temple, enriched by many precious gifts from its devotees, had been plundered by Mahmūd of Ghaznī in 1009, but in spite of many attempts by the later rulers of Delhi, including Akbar, the fort of Kāngra had still held out, though the hill-country round it had been largely subdued. Efforts made under the orders of Jahāngīr himself to subdue this stronghold had failed, in some cases owing to the omission to press an attack by the commander, who really sympathised with the holders and finally broke into rebellion. Rājā Bikramājīt, who was then sent to command, crushed the revolt and after a close siege for more than a year during which the garrison was nearly starved, the fort surrendered towards the end of 1620, just after the emperor had started for the plains. Apart from the booty secured the capture had no political value, but it gave Jahāngīr exquisite pleasure that his forces had succeeded where so many of his predecessors had failed.