The Cambridge History of India, Vol. IV: The Mughul Period v4.c20.70

v4.c20.70

Even at Ahmadnagar, Aurangzīb’s camp was threatened by a vast horde of Marāthās in May, 1706, and it was only after a long and severe contest that they could be repulsed. In Gujarāt a terrible disaster befell the imperialists. Inū Mand, a former brewer of Khāndesh, who had taken to highway robbery, invited Dhana Jādav and his army and sacked the large and rich trading centre of Barodā (March, 1706), the imperial commandant of the place being captured with his men. Similarly, the province of Aurangābād was frequently ravaged by raiding bands under different leaders. In July Marāthā activity near Wāgingerā forced the emperor to detach a strong force there. Pidiā Berad, in alliance with Hindu Rāo, gained Penukondā by bribing its starving Mughul commandant. Then they turned to Serā, the capital of the Bījāpur Carnatic uplands, the district around which had been plundered once before (in 1704). Dāūd Khān recovered Penukondā; but Siādat Khān, a high officer of the court, was wounded and held to ransom by the enemy. They also recovered Basantgarh. When the rainy season of 1706 ended in September, Marāthā activity was renewed with tenfold intensity. Dhana Jādav made a dash for Berār and Khāndesh, but was headed off by Nusrat Jang into Bījāpur and beyond the Krishnā. A long train of caravans coming from Aurangābād to the imperial camp in Ahmadnagar was plundered of everything on the way.