History of Aurangzib, Based on Original Sources v4.c64.s10.32

v4.c64.s10.32

The Viceroy of Goa planned to make a diversion by laying siege to Phonda,* though his forces were utterly inadequate for an offensive campaign, in number, valour, and material resources. On 17th October he set out from the town with 800 white troops and 8,000 Kanarese, and five pieces of heavy artillery, disembarked at Durbata and arrived (on the 22nd) in the vicinity of Phonda without meeting with any opposition. Mounting his artillery upon a hill a short distance from the fort, he opened fire immediately. "Our guns for the first few days were occupied in dismounting the only three guns which the enemy had mounted, (one of which was 40 calibre), and also in breaking a huge beam which supported a large machine like a watch-tower, which after many shots and much trouble was broken . . . After three days' firing the [enemy] artillery was dismounted, and the [Portuguese] guns were then placed at the mouth of a street near the fortress, from whence they began to batter the walls . . . A breach was made in the barbican after long battering. Then the Viceroy sent three companies of Portuguese soldiers with some Kanarese to carry a fascine and raise a palisade at the mouth of the breach, and that this might be accomplished with less loss, the General Dom Rodrigo da Costa attacked the enemy upon the other side of the fortress.'' But the feint failed, and the Portuguese had to retreat with 8 dead and some 27 wounded. ''The Viceroy was sunk in deep depression . . . . . But he ordered the battery to continue and a breach was made in the very strong interior wall.''