History of Aurangzib, Based on Original Sources v4.c64.s3: § 3. War with the Mughals renewed.
History of Aurangzib, Based on Original Sources v4.c64.s3
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§ 3. War with the Mughals renewed.
v4.c64.s3.1
The new monarch gained a long respite from foreign attacks. (All the military resources of the Mughal empire were then concentrated for the war with the Rajputs under the Emperor's own eyes.) His invasion of Mewar had failed, and immediately after Shivaji's death he had recalled his eldest son Shah Alam from the Deccan to his side. Khan-i-Jahan* was sent to the South for the second time as viceroy, but with inadequate forces, (end of May 1680). In July, he laid siege to Ahivant, a fort in the Chandor range which Shivaji had recovered some months earlier; but the "defenders made good resistance," and the Mughals gained no success. They encamped in the neighbourhood for the rains.
v4.c64.s3.2
proved false by the English records, in fact he has antedated the events of August-October 1681 by one year.
v4.c64.s3.3
∗ From this point onwards we shall designate Bahadur Khan by his new title of Khan-i-Jahan, and Muazzam as Shah Alam. Ranmast Khan, who was now created Bahadur Khan, will continue to bear his former title.
v4.c64.s3.4
(Dil. 167; Chopra to Bomb. 7 Aug. in *F.R. Surat* 108).
v4.c64.s3.5
The Marathas could make no immediate reprisal on account of the weather. But Shambhuji sent word of defiance to Khan-i-Jahan that he would "give him battle in the open field after the rains." At the end of October his armies were out, as usual, after Dashahara. One division, both horse and foot, was designed to march towards Surat and another towards Burhanpur, while a third kept Khan-i-Jahan in check by forming a screen before his encampment near Aurangabad. (Chopra to Surat, 20 Aug. and 10 Nov. *F.R. Surat* 108.) The news of the raids, however, quickly drew the Mughal general into Khandesh (about 25th Nov.) and the Marathas retreated from the province, but it was for a time only.