New History of the Marathas v1.c6.31

v1.c6.31

The death of Burhan Nizam Shah of Ahmadnagar in 1594 gave rise to murders and intrigues in rapid succession and the confusion that ensued in the fortunes of that state was taken advantage of by Akbar, who at once sent an army for its conquest. At this critical hour the famous Chand Bibi stood forth boldly, organised a strong opposition, and heroically defended Ahmadnagar for some years. Eventually about the middle of 1599 Akbar himself marched southwards at the invitation of his trusted general Abul Fazl and occupied Burhanpur without opposition. His son Daniyal and the Khan Khanan were charged with the duty of taking Ahmadnagar at a time when internal dissensions precluded the effective defence of the place, and Chand Bibi the only capable leader was either murdered or constrained to take poison by her own servants. The town was stormed without much difficulty in August 1600 and formally surrendered on the 19th of that month. The young King Bahadur Shah and his family paid the penalty for their crime of independence by life-long imprisonment in the fortress of Gwalior. At this moment of success Akbar received the news of his son Salim being in open rebellion and was compelled to return hastily to the north.¹ Thereafter his fortunes rapidly declined and he died in 1605 without leaving a worthy successor.