The Cambridge History of India, Vol. IV: The Mughul Period v4.c20.4

v4.c20.4

Shambhūjī had gained his father’s throne on 28 June, 1680, ten weeks after the death of the latter and in the teeth of strong opposition. His succession had been disputed, a hostile faction at the capital having crowned his step-brother Rājā Rām, a boy of ten, who was too weak to maintain himself when Shambhūjī appeared in force at the capital. But for more than a year afterwards Shambhūjī’s position continued to be insecure and it was only in October, 1681, after ruthlessly crushing a second plot by Annājī Datto against his life and liberty, that he could gain undisputed supremacy in the state. Under him the Marāthā army continued Shivājī’s policy of setting out on plundering expeditions every year on the Dasahra day (October) at the end of the rainy season. In the winter of 1680–81 they raided north Khāndesh, and then passing farther east looted the suburbs of Burhānpur for three days unmolested (9–11 February, 1681), taking an enormous amount of booty. The surprise was complete and none of the people could conceal or remove their property. Many respectable men slew their wives and children to save them from outrage and slavery; many houses were set on fire after being ransacked. The governor was powerless. In November, 1681, an attempt to surprise the fort of Ahmadnagar was defeated.