History of Aurangzib, Based on Original Sources v4.c64.s4.1

v4.c64.s4.1

At the end of January next (1681) the raiders were back again, evidently emboldened by the news of Prince Akbar's rebellion, which rumour had exaggerated into the downfall of Aurangzib. One band under Hambir Rao (said to be 20,000 horsemen) sacked Dharangaon,[*] and other towns in North Khandesh, and, passing further east, fell on the suburbs of Burhanpur, (30th Jan.) after making a rapid dash for 70 miles from the place where they were last heard of. The garrison of the capital of Khandesh had been temporarily reduced to 250 men, and the deputy *subahdar* (then in charge of the town) was absolutely unprepared for defence and taken by surprise. Early in the morning, before their approach was even known, the Maratha cavalry rode into Bahadur-pura, a rich and populous suburb 3 miles from Burhanpur and the chief resort of the traders, and there gathered an immense quantity of booty from the numerous shops and houses in it. Seventeen other wards (*puras*) outside the city-walls were similarly plundered. The surprise was so complete that none could conceal or remove a penny worth of property, or save his wife and children. The smoke of the burning houses first informed the governor of the enemy's presence, but he was powerless to do anything and merely shut himself up in the fort. Lakhs of Rupees worth of booty was taken in every *pura*. Many respectable men slew their wives and daughters and then fell desperately fighting the brigands, rather than see their family honour outraged. Others sat down helplessly, leaving their Fate to work its will.