History of Aurangzib, Based on Original Sources v3.c42.s7: §10. Conquest of Sondip as a base.
History of Aurangzib, Based on Original Sources v3.c42.s7
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§10. Conquest of Sondip as a base.
v3.c42.s7.1
A navy having been created, the next step was to secure bases for the coming expedition against Chatgaon. At Dhapa, six miles s. e. of Dacca town, a hundred war-vessels were stationed and 200 more at Sangramgarh* 30 miles further south, the two posts being connected by a military road raised above the flood level. The island of Sondip is a very convenient half-way house between Sangramgarh and Chatgaon, being only six hours' sail of the latter town. It had hitherto been a no-man's land, which the Portuguese pirates and Arrakanese troops had successively occupied and deluged in blood. Its present master was Dilawwar, a run-away captain of the Mughal navy, but a warrior and ruler of remarkable ability.
v3.c42.s7.2
∗ Sangramgarh, "18 kos from Dacca" (Cont. 140 a), and "21 kos from Sripur" (A.N. 944), which last was opposite Chandpur (Cont. 164 a). Daapeka Kella in Rennell's Atlas, Sh. XII.
v3.c42.s7.3
The first Mughal attack on the island was made on 9th November, 1665 by admiral Abul Hasan. Dilawwar, now an old man of eighty, fought with the valour of a youth and the skill of a veteran, but was defeated and driven with two wounds into the jungle in the interior. The Mughals, who had brought no horses with them, withdrew after dismantling both his forts and removing the artillery. Nine days later they returned in full strength. Dilawwar, who had repaired his forts, fought with the same heroism as before, but was vanquished and taken away in chains to Dacca with his family of 92 men women and children, as prisoners of war. There the wounded lion died in his cage in a few days. His grown up sons were kept in confinement, but land was granted for the support of the younger members of his family. A Mughal garrison of a thousand men was put in the island, and it was brought under the imperial civil administration.*