History of Aurangzib, Based on Original Sources v4.c65.s6: § 7. Famine among Mughal besiegers.
History of Aurangzib, Based on Original Sources v4.c65.s6
- Language
- English
§ 7. Famine among Mughal besiegers.
v4.c65.s6.1
Nor were the Bijapuris the only enemy that Azam had to face. A famine broke out in his camp; the oft-ravaged neighbourhood of Bijapur could yield no food supply, the roads from the north were closed by the activity of the Marathas and the flooded streams, as the rainy season had now set in. "Grain sold at Rs. 15 a seer, and that too in small quantities." (Dil. 198.) The hungry soldiers ate up their draught cattle and camels, and then began to pine away through lack of food and sleep, because they had to be ever on the alert to repel the daily sorties of the garrison and the attacks of the Bijapuri field army roving in the open. "No food came from any side. The soldiers were greatly weakened and many of them died." (B.S. 536; M.A. 263).
v4.c65.s6.2
∗ *Dilkasha*, 201, says that the explosion took place after Aurangzib's arrival at Bijapur, and that the sound of it was heard distinctly at Naldurg, 38 *kos* off. The miserable condition of Azam's army in September (before relief arrived under Firuz Jang) gave rise to strange rumours. Thus the Karwar factors write on 2nd Oct: "It is here reported that the king of Bijapur with the assistance lately received from Golkonda &c., hath given the Mughal forces a battle near Bijapur, and killed them a great many men and taken Prince Sultan Azam prisoner, who hath since taken poison and is dead"!!! (F.R. Surat, 109.)
v4.c65.s6.3
For lack of men the Mughal outpost at Indi, midway between Sholapur and Bijapur, had been withdrawn, and thus the road from the base to the siege-camp was closed. (Dil 198; M.A. 266.) Aurangzib saw no other means of saving his son than by ordering him to retire from Bijapur with his army. The Prince held a council of war, and told his chief officer, Ali Khan, "The work of the campaign depends upon the co-operation of my officers. I have received this order from the Emperor. Your advice on the question of war or peace, haste or delay, is a weighty thing. What is your opinion in the present case?" They all voted for a retreat. But the Prince's spirit had been roused; he would not reduce himself to the level of his rival Shah Alam, who had recently come back from Konkan covered with dismal failure. Turning to his officers, Azam exclaimed, "You have spoken for yourselves. Now listen to me. Muhammad Azam with his two sons and Begam will not retreat from this post of danger so long as he has life. After my death, His Majesty may come and order my corpse to be removed for burial. You, my followers, may stay or go away as you like." Then the council of war cried out with one voice, "Our opinion is the same as your Highness's!" (M.A. 263-264.)