A History of the Mahrattas v1.c18.102

v1.c18.102

The Emperor’s preparations being completed, the cantonment at Brimhapooree was evacuated, much to the regret of the indolent Moghul officers, many of whom had built excellent houses at that station. A depôt was formed under the protection of the Gurhee of Machnoor, which was within the line of the cantonment, and a strong guard was left for its protection. Aurungzebe’s march was nearly due west, and he encamped under the fort of Wussuntgurh, on the twentieth day after quitting the Beema. Batteries were erected, and in three days the garrison surrendered. The Emperor named the fort Kuleed-i-futih, or the key of victory, and was much pleased by the event. As Panalla had been unsuccessfully attacked by Moiz-ud-deen, the son of Sultan Mauzum, some years before, the Mahrattas were impressed with an idea of its being about to be besieged, and directed all their preparations towards its defence. But Aurungzebe marched for Satara, a movement wholly unexpected, as the fort was not provisioned for above two months. This neglect was considered a great misfortune, and gave rise to a suspicion that Ramchunder had purposely left it unprovided; of this suspicion Aurungzebe afterwards took advantage; and when Ramchundur, during the siege, was called away to Singurh in consequence of the illness of Raja Ram, Aurungzebe wrote a letter¹ which fell into the hands of Pureshram Trimbuck, and widened a breach that had for some time existed between him and Ramchundur Punt.²