History of Aurangzib, Based on Original Sources v4.c64.s8.5

v4.c64.s8.5

But nothing came of this long-cherished plan of invading the Mughal empire. Indeed, before the year 1681 closed, Akbar's sole chance of success was gone. The crisis of the Rajput war had ended in June, when the Maharana made a definite peace with the Emperor. The Mughal forces were now free to hunt Akbar down. On 31st July Prince Azam was sent off from Ajmir to the Deccan with a vast force, reaching Burhanpur in September and Aurangabad on 11th November. On 8th September the Emperor himself started from Rajputana for the South and took up his residence at Burhanpur on 13th November. Thus, by the middle of November all the military resources of the empire were concentrated in the Deccan under the Emperor himself, three of his sons and all his best generals, while a strong force under his grandson and the prime minister occupied Rajputana, across the road to Delhi. Aurangizib himself took post at the strategic centre Aurangabad (on 22nd March 1682), while he "secured all the frontiers with strong garrisons,...... the better to keep watch on the doings of Shambhuji Rajah and to give Akbar no opportunity of undertaking any notable enterprise." (Dutch letter from Surat, 31st Jan. 1682, D.R. Vol. 37.) At first he contented himself with following a watchful policy, waiting for Akbar and Shambhuji to show their hands, before choosing his own line of attack.