A History of the Mahrattas v1.c15.2

v1.c15.2

The temporizing measures, for a time adopted by Aurungzebe, having thus assumed a character decidedly hostile, Sivajee soon displayed his wonted energy ; and those who had prognosticated his future insignificance or his fall, were this year astonished by a career of enterprises, exceeding, if possible, all he had yet done. His first object was to endeavour to get possession of the important fortresses of Singurh and Poorundhur, which completely obstructed his communication with Poona and Chakun, and were strongly garrisoned by Rajpoots. Singurh Sivajee justly considered one of the strongest forts in the country; and as the commandant, Ooday Bawn, was a very celebrated soldier and had a choice body of men, it was supposed impregnable. This fancied security of the garrison, however, had rendered them negligent; and Sivajee laid a plan for surprising the place. Tannajee Maloosray, whom he consulted on the occasion, offered to take it, on condition of being permitted to have his younger brother along with him and to choose one thousand Mawulees for the purpose. None of the Mawulee attacks are given so consistently and distinctly in different Mahratta manuscripts as the account of this interesting and daring enterprise.