A History of the Mahrattas v1.c17.130

v1.c17.130

A.D. 1687.—Whilst the Emperor advanced towards Kulburga, on pretence of paying his devotions at the tomb of a celebrated saint,¹ Ghazee-ud-deen was directed to move in a direction east and somewhat south of Beejapoor, intended probably to intercept any reinforcements that might be sent from Sugger, Adonee, or any part of the Carnatic, to the assistance of Golcondah. The emissaries of Aurungzebe were busily employed corrupting the troops of Hyderabad by bribes and promises; many of the officers were drawn over, and the envoy, Sadut Khan, by the lowest artifice, obtained possession of the jewels, even to the ornaments of the women, which the king stripped off, vainly hoping that this degrading compliance would satisfy the Emperor or excite his commiseration. But feelings of pity never swayed the conduct of Aurungzebe; he declared war against Abou Hoossein by a manifesto, in which the principal articles of accusation, after a general charge of profligacy, were the employment of a Bramin minister and an alliance with the idolater Sumbhajee. Roused at length to indignation against the merciless tyrant by whom he was thus persecuted, but deserted by many whose services he had a right to expect, Abou Hoossein retired to the fort of Golcondah, supported by a few brave troops and officers who still remained faithful. The gallant defence of the fort, the heroic devotion of some of his followers, and the dignified self-possession he maintained to the last, have preserved his memory in Deccan tradition as the brave and good Tannah Shah, a title of doubtful meaning by which he is known in Maharashtra, but said to have been the name of a Fuqeer with whom the king was in habits of intimacy previous to his elevation.