The Cambridge History of India, Vol. IV: The Mughul Period v4.c19.229

v4.c19.229

Mas‘ūd Khān was not permitted to evade his promise to send Pādishāh Bībī to Delhi and Dilīr Khān was ordered to march on Bījāpur to enforce the fulfilment of this condition. A mob assembled in the streets of Bījāpur to oppose the surrender of the popular princess, but she herself, believing that she could yet save her brother and his kingdom, insisted on leaving for Dilīr Khān’s camp. Her sacrifice came too late. Dilīr Khān sent an escort with her to Aurangābād, but continued his march on Bījāpur. Mas‘ūd Khān implored Shivājī's aid, and the Marāthā, while he hesitated to attack the imperial army in the field, attempted to create a diversion by harrying with fire and sword the imperial domains in the Deccan, from the Bhīmā to the Godāvarī, leaving the inhabitants homeless and the villages in ashes, and plundering even Jālna and Aurangābād, where the prince was residing.