History of Aurangzib, Based on Original Sources v2.c32.s1.t2.5

v2.c32.s1.t2.5

10. *Nuskha-i-Dilkasha*, by Bhimsen, a Kayeth born at Burhanpur and the son of Raghunandan whose brother was Bhagwan-das surnamed Dianat Rai, officiating diwan of the Deccan. Our author, therefore, lived in friendly intercourse with the highest officers, Hindu and Muslim, of Mughal Deccan. He spent most of his life as the agent of Dalpat Rao, the Bundela chief of Datia, who long fought in Aurangzib's wars in the Deccan with a contingent of his clansmen, usually as the lieutenant of Nusrat Jang. Bhimsen had to travel from Delhi to Cape Comorin and has left short but interesting accounts of the places he saw, besides recording many autobiographical touches and throwing much light on the manners of the age and the character of the administration. His book is of the highest importance to the historian, especially for Deccan affairs. An abridged and incorrect translation of a portion of it has been published as "the Journal of a Boondelah Officer" in Jonathan Scott's *History of the Dekkan* (Shrewsbury, 1794.) I have used I. O. L. MS. No. 94 (Ethe 445) as far as it goes, *viz.* to the fall of Golkonda (pp. 1—208) and thereafter the British Museum copy (Or. 23), folios 94*b*—174*a*. The work begins with Aurangzib's raid on Haidarabad in 1656 and ends with the death of Kam Bakhsh.