The Cambridge History of India, Vol. IV: The Mughul Period v4.c20.39

v4.c20.39

Early in 1697 he collected tribute from Tanjore and other places in the south and then returned to Wandiwāsh for the rainy season. A bitter quarrel between Santā and Dhana weakened the Marāthās, and Zu-’l-Fiqār renewed the siege of Gingee in earnest, in November. Dāūd Khān Pānī, his lieutenant, captured Chikkali-drug (the detached southern fort) by assault in one day and then entrenched opposite the south face of Gingee itself, but his further efforts were thwarted by Zu-’l-Fiqār, who gave the Marāthās secret intelligence of his intended attacks. At last Zu-’l-Fiqār had to take Gingee in order to save his credit with the emperor. He sent timely warning to Rājā Rām, who escaped first to Vellore with his chief officers but left his family behind. The three forts within Gingee were successfully stormed in gallant style by the Rājputs and Afghāns (18 January, 1698). A vast amount of booty was captured, and among the prisoners were four wives and five children of Rājā Rām. But the raja succeeded in arriving at Vishālgarh; the work of the long siege of Gingee was undone; the war was merely transferred to the western theatre.