A History of the Mahrattas v1.c15.47

v1.c15.47

In the meantime, a change had taken place in the government of the Moghul provinces. Both Mohabet Khan and Sultan Mauzum were recalled, and Khan Jehan Buhadur,² governor of Guzerat, was appointed viceroy of the Deccan. Khan Jehan, under a supposition that his force was not adequate to offensive operations, adopted a scheme of blocking up the Ghauts, to prevent Mahratta incursion, and defend the passes left open with artillery; but this plan was disapproved by Dilere Khan, his second in command. That officer had been successful in his attack on Chakun the preceding season; he exposed the fallacy of a defensive system, and recommended a vigorous attack on the principal forts with the force at their disposal, however inadequate. But his arguments had no effect on the new viceroy; and the Mahratta horse, as might have been expected, instead of entering Candeish by the passes where Khan Jehan posted himself, appeared in different parties about Aurungabad and Ahmednugur.³ The viceroy went in pursuit of them in various directions, but without success, and at last cantoned for the rains at Pairgaom on the Beema, where he erected a fortification and gave it the name of Buhadurgurh.⁴