The Cambridge History of India, Vol. IV: The Mughul Period v4.c20.124

v4.c20.124

The attack on the Rājputs begun by Aurangzīb inflicted on the Mūghul empire a deep and draining wound which was never healed though superficially covered at times. On hearing of this emperor's death Ajīt Singh had recovered his ancestral capital Jodhpur and expelled its Mughul commandant Mihrāb Khān. Bahādur Shāh marched out for Rājputāna in November, 1707, and reached Amber in January, 1708. The dispute for the succession to this state was decided by giving it to Bijay Singh, and the imperialists then advanced towards Jodhpur. Mihrāb Khān defeated Ajīt Singh and occupied Merta (February). Ajīt Singh now made his submission, waited on the emperor like a penitent rebel, and received a command of 3500 and the title of Mahārājā. The emperor returned to Ajmer, but while he was on his way to the Deccan to punish Kām Bakhsh, Ajīt Singh, Durgā Dās and Rāja Jay Singh Kachhwāhā fled from his camp (30 April, 1708). These two rajas joined the Mahārānā Amar Singh of Mewār in a joint resistance to the Mughuls. The Rājputs expelled the commandant of Jodhpur, defeated the commandant of Hindaun-Bayāna, and recovered Amber by a night attack (August). They next killed Sayyid Husain Khān Bārha, the commandant of Mewāt, and many other officers (September, 1708). The emperor, then in the Deccan, had to patch up a truce by restoring Ajīt Singh and Jay Singh to the Mughul service.