A History of the Mahrattas v1.c15.32

v1.c15.32

During these extraordinary successes of Sivajee, the inactivity of the Moghuls is chiefly to be ascribed to their want of troops. Whilst the Peishwa was besieging Maholy there was a considerable force at Joonere, and five thousand spare troops at Surat; but Sivajee could at that time collect at least forty thousand men to dispute their advance, or intercept their retreat. A deficiency of force, however, on the part of the Moghuls was not the only cause which operated in Sivajee’s favour. Common report represented Sultan Mauzum as in league with him; and we have seen that a good understanding did exist between them. Jeswunt Sing was certainly no enemy to Sivajee; at his recommendation frequent applications were made for reinforcements, which he well knew Aurungzebe was too jealous to grant. There is, as we have already observed, no satisfactory evidence of Sultan Mauzum’s intended rebellion; but, in desiring reinforcements and in not doing his utmost against Sivajee, he may have been influenced by the natural desire of all the sons of the Moghul Emperors, to strengthen their own party, as at the death of their father they had no alternative between them and the grave, excepting a prison or a throne. The same reason may have made him regard the increasing depredations of Sivajee without regret, as they afforded a pretext for enlisting followers, and a prospect of compelling Aurungzebe to accede to his views. But in this hope he was disappointed. Jeswunt Sing was recalled, and forty thousand men were sent into the Deccan under the command of Mohabet Khan,¹ who was so completely independent of Sultan Mauzum that he scarcely allowed one thousand horse to remain with the prince at Aurungabad.