The Cambridge History of India, Vol. IV: The Mughul Period v4.c19.200

v4.c19.200

Aurangzīb set out from Aurangābād in March, 1657, and on 12 April took Bīdar, one of ‘Alī ‘Ādil Shāh's strongest fortresses, after a siege of one day, the capture of the place being facilitated by the explosion of the principal powder magazine. Kalyānī, thirty-five miles west of Bīdar, was the next fortress attacked, but did not surrender until 10 August. Gulbarga was carried by assault and Aurangzīb marched on Bījāpur. He was much harassed at first by the army of ‘Alī ‘Ādil Shāh and might have been effectively held at one strong position which he had to pass had not ‘Alī's prime minister and commander-in-chief treacherously allowed him to pass unmolested, though pressed by the other officers of the army to pursue the prince. When the commander-in-chief returned to the capital he was assassinated by his master's order.