A History of the Mahrattas v1.c9.167

v1.c9.167

After the fall of Doulutabad, Mohabet Khan left Khan Dowran to protect that neighbourhood, and marched in pursuit of the Beejapoor troops. They retired before him, but maintained their usual desultory mode of warfare, and several sharp skirmishes took place, in one of which, Nagojee,³ a Mahratta officer of distinction, was killed: some overtures for peace were made by Morar Punt; probably with a view of throwing the Moghul general off his guard; for when Mohabet Khan had advanced a considerable distance into the Beejapoor territory, a large detachment set off secretly and by forced marches endeavoured to surprise Doulutabad, but the attempt was unsuccessful. Towards the end of the year, Mohabet Khan was superseded by the appointment of Sultan Shuja, the Emperor's second son, to the government of the Deccan. Mohabet Khan remained as his director in the management of affairs; but still he was only second in command, and the war, from that time, did not prosper under this administration. Both Mohabet Khan and Sultan Shuja were recalled in the ensuing year, in consequence of their having failed to reduce the fortress of Purinda; where they were not only repulsed, but, after raising the siege, they were compelled to retreat to Burhanpoor.