History of Aurangzib, Based on Original Sources v4.c62.s6.8

v4.c62.s6.8

Bahlol died on 23rd Dec. 1677. Masaud, escorted by a Golkonda army, was installed as Regent in February next. Soon afterwards, he sent 11 lakhs of Rupees as tribute to the Emperor, middle of 1678 (M.A. 167), and this drained his treasury dry. He had undertaken to pay up the arrears of the Afghan mercenaries, only on the strength of a promise from Qutb Shah to lend him six lakhs. But the latter delayed or refused payment, and then the exasperated Afghans broke out in lawless fury. They seized the houses of Bahlol Khan's orphans, widows and other relatives, publicly insulting them to compel payment of their dues, attached their very beds and cooking pots, and even tore away the ornaments from the persons of the ladies of the harem. "If they could treat their own clansmen thus, one can imagine how they oppressed other people." (Dil. 155.) All citizens believed to be rich were caught and tortured by them. Masaud sent a force to besiege the Afghan mutineers in possession of Bahlol's house. A free fight now deluged that suburb of Bijapur with blood. "Chintu Chimna, a Brahman robber, oppressed the people of the city, while the Afghans oppressed those outside the fort-walls......All the time Masaud sat down in helplessness, shutting the doors of his own house......Many people emigrated to the Karnatak in fear." (B.S. 462.)