A History of the Mahrattas v1.c18.124

v1.c18.124

Chundun, Wundun, and Pandoogurh were also surrendered to his officers. But in the meantime the Mahrattas multiplied. In 1702 they levied contributions from Surat and Burhanpoor, and extended their operations every year. Wherever the demands of Chouth and Surdeshmookhee were promptly acknowledged, they carefully refrained from plundering. In 1705 the Emperor received accounts, almost at the same time, of their having crossed the Nerbuddah in great force and extended their ravages to the heart of Malwa; that the whole of Candeish and Berar were overrun; and that fifteen thousand Mahrattas had broken into Guzerat,² defeated the troops of the assembled Foujdars, and that nothing appeared but slaughtered soldiers, houseless ryots, and the ripened fields in devastation or flames.