The Cambridge History of India, Vol. IV: The Mughul Period v4.c20.157

v4.c20.157

On hearing of the recall of Mīr Jumla, the minister had written to his brother to come back from the Deccan. Husain ‘Alī left Burhānpur on 14 December, 1718, pretending that he was escorting to the capital an alleged son of Muhammad Akbar (the fourth son of Aurangzīb) delivered to him by the Marāthā Rājā Shāhū. His army numbered 25,000 cavalry, besides 10,000 foot-musketeers and artillery. Some 11,000 Marāthās under the Peshwā Bālājī Vishvanāth and Khande Rāo Dābhāde accompanied him. Their help was secured by promising to Rājā Shāhū (*a*) the *chauth* or one-fourth of the revenue of the Deccan, (*b*) the *sardeshmukhī* or 10 per cent. on the collections, (*c*) the confirmation of Shivājī’s hereditary dominions, and (*d*) the release of Shāhū’s mother and half-brother from captivity in Delhi, besides a cash salary to each Marāthā soldier. The Sayyid marched rapidly on, the province of Mālwā, lying in his way, having been vacated by its viceroy, and he arrived outside Delhi on 16 February, 1719.