The Cambridge History of India, Vol. IV: The Mughul Period v4.c20.36

v4.c20.36

The Marāthā light horse now dominated the country and stopped the coming of provisions and letters to the Mughul camp, which lived in a state of siege. Alarming rumours spread that Aurangzīb was already dead and that Shāh ‘Ālam had gained the throne. Kām Bakhsh in fear and despair opened a secret correspondence with Rājā Rām, and planned to escape to Gingee with his family and then make an attempt on the throne of Delhi with Marāthā aid. This foolish plot was betrayed to Zu-’l-Fiqār and Asad Khān. They consulted the leading officers, who urged that the safety of the army required that the prince should be kept under guard, the siege trenches abandoned and all the troops concentrated in the rear lines after bursting the big guns. The retreat was effected only after a severe fight with the surrounding enemy and heavy losses. The prince, who had conspired to arrest the two generals, was himself detained a prisoner in Asad Khān’s tent and was later sent back to his father under escort.