History of Aurangzib, Based on Original Sources v4.c61.s5: § 11. Jai Singh's campaign in the Bhima-Manjira region, Feb—June, 1666.
History of Aurangzib, Based on Original Sources v4.c61.s5
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§ 11. Jai Singh's campaign in the Bhima-Manjira region, Feb—June, 1666.
v4.c61.s5.1
The third stage of the war now began, which was to end with his retreat to Bhum, 18 m. n. e. of Parenda, early in June next. During these three months and a half Jai Singh moved about* in the small quadrilateral formed by the Bhima on the west and the Manjira on the east, the cities of Dharur in the north and Tuljapur in the south. In the course of this campaign, he fought four more bloody but fruitless battle like those described before; each time the Bijapuris were repulsed in the field and driven some distance off, but they were not crushed, and continued as before to hover round the Mughal camp, cut off stragglers and weak foraging parties, and stop the arrival of supplies. During this period, the forts of Dhoki (44 m. e. of Parenda), Gunjoti (20 m. e. of Naldurg), and Nilang (23 m. further north), were captured by the Mughals,—no very important gains, and Netaji returned to the Mughal side. A new plan of war was adopted in the middle of May: "As the elusive enemy could not be caught in one body, nor crushed once for all, but they scattered like quicksilver, and the imperialists who were encumbered with a camp and heavy baggage could not pursue them for any long distance,—therefore, Jai Singh decided to make his army more light and mobile, so as to be capable of following the enemy till a crushing blow could be inflicted. He took with himself only small tents and light kit and urged his officers to do the same and send all the baggage of the soldiers and camp-followers to Dharur (31 m. n. of Dhoki), where a strong garrison was left to guard them." (A.N., 1018.)
v4.c61.s5.2
On 16th May this light division started from the bank of the Manjira near Dharur, marched due south by Dharashev (13 m. s. of Dhoki), and after crossing the Sina encamped on the bank of the Bhima (probably at Sonda). But at this point the imperial army completely broke down and the campaign had to be abandoned. "The soldiers were exhausted by privation, long marches, and heavy loss of horses and transport animals. The rainy season was near, and the Emperor wrote to Jai Singh to return to Aurangabad, canton there for the monsoons, and send a part of his army to the jagirs of his officers, where they could live in (greater) comfort." (A.N. 1020.) So, a retreat was decided upon.
v4.c61.s5.3
Mangalvide was too far from the Mughal frontier and too isolated a post to be held easily; nor was it sufficiently strong to be defended in the absence of a protecting field army. Jai Singh, therefore, detached (24th May) Dilir Khan to remove the guns and material from the fort, distribute the grain and other property, burn whatever could not be carried away, and dismantle the fortifications. This was done, and the party rejoined him on the 30th. Phaltan had been deemed untenable and its Mughal garrison withdrawn as early as February last. It was then presented to Mahadji Nimbalkar, a son-in-law of Shivaji, and an officer of the imperialists. (A.N. 1020-21, 1007.) So, not a single place remained to the Mughals out of the gains of the first campaign.
v4.c61.s5.4
The return march northwards began on 31st May. Reaching Bhum (about 10th June), Jai Singh halted there for 3½ months, and then, on 28th September, started for the environs of Bir (37 m. n. of Bhum) where he stayed till 17th November, finally reaching Aurangabad on the 26th of that month. By the end of May when the Mughals began this final retreat, the Bijapuris too were exhausted. Their provisions had run short, their weapons were worn out, their country had been reduced to a wilderness, and their soldiers were at death's door. The Sultan of Golkonda also recalled his troops. Both the combatants were sick of the war, and longed for peace; and negotiations were reopened. The Bijapuris retired within their own frontiers when the Mughals did the same. (A.N. 1019.)