History of Aurangzib, Based on Original Sources v4.c64.s5: § 5. Maratha raid on Aurangabad fails.
History of Aurangzib, Based on Original Sources v4.c64.s5
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§ 5. Maratha raid on Aurangabad fails.
v4.c64.s5.1
After missing the Marathas, Khan-i-Jahan encamped near "the dargah of Shaikh Farid, 30 kos from Aurangabad," and subsequently moved on to Babulgaon, some 26 miles west of the city. Here he learnt that another Maratha band was coming up from the south, by way of Ahmadnagar and Mungi-Pattan to loot Aurangabad. He took horse immediately and set off with his cavalry at 3 o'clock in the morning, arriving near the city at noon, just in time to save it. The enemy were located at the Baipura suburb and the Satara hill, 6 miles southwards. The city was in the wildest terror. Rajah Anup Singh Rathor, who commanded the garrison, had too small a force to take the offensive and contented himself with standing ready near his own pura. All houses were closed, the men sitting armed and trembling and the women weeping within doors. The streets and bazars were entirely deserted; only three footmen guarded the Prefect's office (kotwali.) As soon as the Khan arrived, the enemy fled without fighting. (Dil. 169.)
v4.c64.s5.2
This relief of Aurangabad took place probably late in February 1681. At the approach of the rainy season, (April) the Khan took up his residence in the old quarter (Kuhna) of the city, built by the Mughal Government, as distinct from the suburbs (puras) built by the nobles, and began to raise a protective wall* round the city, as ordered by the Emperor. (Dil. 170.) But he was soon disturbed by the arrival of a new enemy, the rebel prince Muhammad Akbar.
v4.c64.s5.3
We get details of other Maratha activities in the Persian news-letters (Akhbarat.) In June 1681, Shambhuji's troops came plundering towards Indur, but they were driven back by Khan-i-Jahan's son Muzaffar and Ranmast, near the pass of Dharampur, and fled abandoning 8,000 heads of cattle and captives and many drums flags and weapons. Next month Netaji entered Baglana with 8,000 men. As usual, after the Dashahara day in October, the Maratha light horse set out to rove in different directions. There were rumours of their making a dash across the Ghats towards Ahmadabad, but Gujrat escaped this time. One division, 3,000 strong, came to raid Punagarh(?), but was routed by Ranmast Khan, who recovered much booty from the raiders. Another band, reported to be 25,000, moved towards Ahmadnagar, but Khan-i-Jahan intercepted it at a place some 22 miles north of Bijapur, and defeated it with heavy slaughter. An attack on Ahmadnagar was, however, actually attempted, as two Maratha princesses (a wife and a sister of Shambhuji) captured by Dilir Khan were lodged in that fort and the Marathas wished to rescue them. Some Maratha soldiers who had secretly entered the fort in disguise were detected and killed by the qiladar (Muqim Khan) and the rest driven away after a fight, (end of October.)
v4.c64.s5.4
∗ The wall was completed in four months, about April 1683, by Abdul Qadir, the son of Amanat Khan. (M.A. 224.)
v4.c64.s5.5
Shortly afterwards a band of 6,000 men threatened Sholapur, put the imperial qiladar, Manohardas Gaur, made a sortie and pushed them back; then the siege was raised on the arrival of Khan-i-Jahan's vanguard. Yet another Maratha force was out near Mulhir and Salhir, but Shihab-ud-din Khan, leaving his baggage at Galna, made a forced march, killed 900 of the enemy and cleared the Salhir region. (There is an unfortunate gap in the news-letters for the year 1682.)