History of Aurangzib, Based on Original Sources v1.c13.117

v1.c13.117

these negotiations with the Mughal viceroy, the Bijapuri generals pressed their attack, captured the fort of Vellore, “the best in the Karnatak,” and tried to seize the Rajah’s elephants. The helpless Sri Ranga importuned the Mughals for help before all was over with him. But Aurangzib played with the miserable suppliant as an angler does with a fish. Outwardly he appointed one of his officers, Muhammad Mumin, to go to the Karnatak, but wrote to Shah Jahan, “My real object in doing so is to secure a handsome present from Bijapur at this opportunity.” Both the Deccani Sultans, he exultingly adds, “are alarmed at the appointment of Muhammad Mumin. We shall use this posting as a screw to get out of them what they looted from the Karnatak and kept concealed. Please do not write to the Bijapur king before this business (of exacting a present) is brought to completion.” He had already instructed his envoy at Bijapur to give the Sultan to understand that if he offered a satisfactory present to the Emperor, Muhammad Mumin would be recalled, and Imperial help refused to the Rajah of the Karnatak.∗