A History of the Mahrattas v1.c18.138

v1.c18.138

Overtures were first begun by proposals for releasing Shao, the son of Sumbhajee. The negotiation proceeded, and Aurungzebe had, for a few days, been brought to consent to the payment of ten per cent. of the whole revenue of the six Soobhehs of the Deccan as Surdeshmookhee, for which the Mahrattas were to engage to maintain order with a body of horse. On the news of this concession, the Mahrattas, who notwithstanding their predatory character are at all times exceedingly eager to have any right formally recognised, flocked to Dhunnajee's camp. Their expectations rose with their assembled numbers; but their increasing insolence; their tone changed from supplication to demand; their near approach to the camp, and their stipulating for honorary dresses to seventy principal officers among them, entitled to that distinction from the Emperor, led Aurungzebe to suspect treachery as well as insult. He therefore broke off the negotiation, and recalled his ambassador, who was attacked soon after he left the Mahratta camp, a circumstance which confirmed the Emperor in his opinion.² Aurungzebe seems to