A History of the Mahrattas v1.c17.198

v1.c17.198

Some of the Moghul nobility suggested the propriety of sparing the life of Sumbhajee, as a means of inducing his troops to surrender the forts; and Aurungzebe also, with this view perhaps, did intend to spare him conditionally. But Sumbhajee, roused to a sense of his situation, stung with shame and remorse, expected and wished for nothing but death, and made use of every epithet of abuse to induce some rash soldier to kill him. When in this frame of mind, Aurungzebe sent a message offering him life on condition of his becoming a Mussulman. ‘Tell the Emperor,’ said Sumbhajee, ‘that if he will give me his daughter I will become a Mussulman,’ and concluded his reply by an invective on the Prophet.