New History of the Marathas v1.c18.76

v1.c18.76

11. Rajaram escapes, Jinji falls.—The death of Santāji at once transferred the scene of hostile activities from the Karnatak to Mahārāshtra. The Emperor was vehemently urging Zulfiqar Khan to make a rapid conclusion of the siege of Jinji and sent him severe reprimands against his dilatory methods. In December 1697 Rājārām managed to escape from the besieging forces, reached Vellore and returned to Mahārāshtra, the news of which made the Emperor furious against Zulfiqar Khan, who would certainly have been degraded and punished if the Emperor had been on the spot. The Khan at last reported that Jinji had been captured on 7 February 1698, after allowing the ladies of Rājārām unmolested exit to their home. They returned to Vishālgad in due course. Pralhād Nirāji's son Nāro Pralhād was taken captive and put to death, in order to satisfy the Emperor that some persons were captured as prisoners and put to death. Zulfiqar Khan was rewarded with the title of Nusrat Jung. Historians compare this long siege of Jinji to the siege of Troy of Grecian antiquity. The possession of Jinji did not avail the Mughals much. They transferred their seat of government from Jinji to Arcot.