History of Aurangzib, Based on Original Sources v4.c69.s6.3

v4.c69.s6.3

Muqarrab Khan, on hearing of Shambhuji's unguarded life of debauchery at Sangameshwar, lost no time. Taking with himself only 2,000 picked troopers and 1,000 infantry, he made a forced march from his camp at Kolhapur. Very great hardship was undergone in crossing the jungles, broken ground and lofty passes of the Western Ghats, at such a rapid pace. At every stage he had to leave many stragglers behind. But with his officers and some 300 troopers he arrived at Sangameshwar "with the speed of lightning and wind," covering the intervening 90 miles in two or three days. Shambhuji had been warned of the approach of an enemy force, but had rebuked his spies for their pains, saying, "You careless fellows, you are mad. Can any Mughal troops reach here?"* (M.A. 321.)