The Cambridge History of India, Vol. IV: The Mughul Period v4.c18.71

v4.c18.71

The king of Golconda, who remained submissive during the earlier wars in the Deccan, was now the cause of fresh warfare. His minister Mīr Muhammad Sa‘īd, better known by the title of Mīr Jumla, had extended the authority of Golconda over a tract of country in the Carnatic where diamonds were found. For these services he received no reward owing to the jealous intrigues of other courtiers and he offered himself to the Mughuls. Aurangzīb, who had maintained touch with affairs in Golconda, and had been reappointed governor of the Deccan on his return from Qandahār, had had to press for arrears of payment under the existing treaty.¹ He recommended the acceptance of Mīr Jumla’s offer and when the king, towards the close of 1655, imprisoned the minister and his son Aurangzīb claimed his release on the ground that he had been appointed to office under the emperor. To enforce this demand, and also with a view to recovering the arrears and securing the marriage of his own son Muhammad with the king’s daughter, Aurangzīb assembled a force. For a time the king remained obdurate, but when Aurangzīb’s army advanced within his territory he made professions of obedience and released Mīr Jumla’s son and mother. As he still retained their property the Mughuls marched on Hyderābād. In alarm the king removed his treasures to the strong fortress of Golconda a few miles away and attempted to bribe Muhammad while allowing his own troops to oppose the Mughuls. Muhammad’s forces quickly put the men of Golconda to flight and pursued them up to the walls of the city, while he executed the bearer of the bribe for his treachery. Hyderābād was taken and the king renewed his attempts to buy off the invaders. Grudgingly he parted with some of Mīr Jumla’s property and while making protestations of his loyalty continued to strengthen the fortress of Golconda and to seek aid from the king of Bījāpur.