The Cambridge History of India, Vol. IV: The Mughul Period v4.c19.193

v4.c19.193

Aurangzīb induced his father to sanction offensive action and sent his eldest son, Muhammad Sultān, at the head of a considerable force towards Golconda, announcing that the prince was on his way to Bengal to espouse his cousin, the daughter of Shujā‘. The device succeeded, and the prince encamped within a few miles of Hyderābād, before ‘Abdullah understood his hostile intent. Muhammad acting under his father’s instructions neglected no means of provoking ‘Abdullah to hostile action. The unfortified city of Hyderābād was sacked, some quarters were burnt, and neither the royal palace nor the dwellings of the nobles and the wealthier merchants escaped pillage. The king was in the fortress of Golconda and could not restrain his troops, some of whom slew some of the ruffians of the Mughul army. Aurangzīb was stealthily following Muhammad Sultān with the remainder of his army. Those who had attempted to stay the marauders were put to flight and Aurangzīb joined his son. ‘Abdullah was now in an agony of terror. He had already promised to obey the imperial commands by surrendering Mīr Jumla and his son, and he sent one envoy after another, with gifts and promises, to Aurangzīb’s camp, but it was discovered that he had, in this extremity, summoned to his aid the troops serving in other districts of his kingdom. This was made a pretext for opening the siege of Golconda, which was carried on though negotiations were also in train. Offerings tendered by ‘Abdullah’s envoys were insultingly rejected, but instead of being returned were thriftily retained pending the conclusion of a treaty.