History of Aurangzib, Based on Original Sources v4.c69.s7: § 7. The war in 1689; capture of Raigarh and Shambhuji's entire family.
History of Aurangzib, Based on Original Sources v4.c69.s7
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§ 7. The war in 1689; capture of Raigarh and Shambhuji's entire family.
v4.c69.s7.1
When the campaigning season opened in November 1688, Firuz Jang was appointed against Shambhuji; but he was detained at Bijapur by the trouble in his eyes which ended, after a prolonged illness, in total blindness. Prince Azam was then given this task, about the middle of December. (M.A. 319.) He marched to the North Puna district and encamped near Chakan for some time (M.A. 326.) While the Mughal siege of Panhala was going on in a slack and slow manner, Shambhuji was captured (Feb. 1689.) After this event many of the Maratha forts quickly fell into the hands of the imperialists. But their enterprise was turned into a labour of Sisyphus by the escape of Rajaram.
v4.c69.s7.2
This Prince had been kept by Shambhuji in prison. After the downfall of the latter, he was crowned (8th Feb.) by the Maratha ministers in Raigarh, as Shambhuji's son Shahu (afterwards Shivaji II.) was too young to be the head of a State engaged in a life and death struggle with an enemy like Aurangzib. Soon afterwards an imperial army under Itiqad Khan laid siege to the Maratha capital, but Rajaram escaped from it (5th April) in the guise of a yogi. (Post, Ch. 50 § 2.) Sayyid Abdullah Khan (of Barha), the new subahdar of Bijapur, who was then besieging two forts in Bijapuri Karnatak, tried to intercept the fugitive. His spies reported that Rajaram with 300 of his high officers had entered the kingdom of Bednur. The Sayyid sent his son Hasan Ali Khan thither with his Van, while he brought up the rear by forced marches. In three days the enemy were overtaken "near the forts of Subhangarh and Jara* on the bank of the Tungabhadra." The Marathas who had taken refuge in an island, were attacked at night, surrounded and overpowered, after a bloody fight. Many were put to the sword, and a hundred of their chiefs,—including Hindu Rao, Ankoji "brother of Shambha" [? Shanta Ghorparé], Baharji and Mania Ghoreparé—were made prisoner. But Rajaram contrived to escape with his bare life while his comrades were carrying on the fight.
v4.c69.s7.3
For some time he hid himself in the territory of the Rani of Bednur (now the Shimoga district of Mysore.) But a Mughal force under Jan Nisar Khan having invaded her country to punish her for harbouring Rajaram, she let him escape to Jinji (1st Nov.) in Madras, and then made her peace with the Emperor by paying a small fine. The Maratha captives were confined in the citadel of Bijapur, but in a short time Hindu Rao, Baharji, and some twenty other chiefs escaped from the stronghold,—a feat "which was impossible except with the connivance of their guards." (M.A., 329.) At this the Emperor put the remaining 80 prisoners to death and removed Abdullah from the subahdar-ship of Bijapur.
v4.c69.s7.4
∗ Jara may be a copyist's error for Hirra, a place in the Bellary district due east of Bankapur, but some distance across and east of the Tungabhadra. Neither Subhangarh nor Jara is found in the maps.
v4.c69.s7.5
As early as December 1688, Itiqad Khan (a son of the prime minister Asad Khan) had been deputed to lay siege to Raigarh. After a long struggle he captured the fort* on 19th October 1689, and seized in it Shivaji's surviving widows, and Shambhuji's and Rajaram's wives, daughters and sons, including Shahu, a boy of seven. The captives were brought to the imperial camp at Koregaon on 23rd November. The ladies were lodged in separate tents with every respect and privacy. Shahu was given the rank of a 7-hazari and the title of Rajah.
v4.c69.s7.6
∗ Manucci (ii. 312) tells the absurd story that Yesu Bai surrendered Raigarh and 22 forts to the Mughals in order to vent her spite at Rajaram being crowned instead of her own son, and that she was afterwards poisoned with her sons by the Maratha garrison. Chitnis (ii. 22) and Ishwardas (153 b) both state what is more probable, that Yesu Bai and her counsellors felt that after the death of Shambhuji and the flight of Rajaram and many captains from the country, further resistance to the Mughals was hopeless and that the peaceful surrender of Raigarh was likely to serve Shahu's interests best.
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but kept a prisoner near the imperial tent, while his brothers Madan Singh and Adhu (? Madhu) Singh were permitted to live with their mothers and grandmothers, with proper allowances and establishments of officers. (M.A. 331-332.)
v4.c69.s7.8
Thus, by the end of the year 1689, Aurangzib was the unrivalled lord paramount of Northern India and the Deccan alike. Adil Shah, Qutb Shah, and Rajah Shambhuji had all fallen and their dominions had been annexed to his empire.
v4.c69.s7.9
"All seemed to have been gained by Aurangzib now; but in reality all was lost. It was the beginning of his end. The saddest and most hopeless chapter of his life now opened. The Mughal empire had become too large to be ruled by one man or from one centre...His enemies rose on all sides; he could defeat but not crush them for ever. Lawlessness reigned in many parts of Northern and Central India. The administration grew slack and corrupt. The endless war in the Deccan exhausted his treasury. Napoleon I. used to say, 'It was the Spanish ulcer which ruined me.' The Deccan ulcer ruined Aurangzib." (My Studies in Mughal India, 50.)
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Ishwardas Nagar's Narrative of Events, 1685-'90.
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[The correct dates are given within square brackets]
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Capitulation of Golkonda [21 Sep 1687]
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Siege of Bijapur—surrender of Sikandar Adil Shah [12 Sep. 1686] Marriage of Bidar Bakht to the daughter of Mukhtar Khan [21 Nov 1686] Turgal captured by Qasim Kh and Ibrahimgarh by Firuz Jang [Jan 1687]
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Emperor goes to Kulbarga [Dec 1686 and again on 25 Feb 1688] and thence to the tank of Kamtan [7 Feb 1688]
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Despatch from Ruhullah Khan "When the Khan had gone to the further side of the Krishna, Anand Rao a general of Shambhu, had entered the imperial dominion to collect chauth, but was defeated and dispersed by a force under Khanahzad Kh detached by Ruhullah"
v4.c69.s7.16
Emperor goes towards Bidar [Jan 1688]
v4.c69.s7.17
Azam, in hunting Akbar, reaches Kandapur, Akbar flees to the neighbourhood of Salhir, while Azam arrives near Ahivantgarh and bars the road Akbar next goes to Mahuli, and thence to Kalian Bhivandi (where he halts for 2 or 3 days) and then reaches the environs of Panhala, where a severe battle is fought with the imperialists after which Akbar retires to the hills again
v4.c69.s7.18
Emperor enters Bidar, [Dec 1686 and again on 7 Feb 1688]
v4.c69.s7.19
Mughals capture fort of Sangola, [May 1687] Zinat un nisa writes to Akbar to come back and receive the Emperor's pardon, Akbar replies agreeing But one month afterwards, spies bring the news that Akbar has gone to Shambhu, made war preparations in fort Mahuli then advanced to Shahpur, 20 kos from the ocean, and wished to pass by way of Jawhar 5 kos from the imperial frontier, leaving Daman on his right (? or left) hand
v4.c69.s7.20
A despatch from Qasim Kh "The imperialists have captured 20 forts belonging to Bijapur"
v4.c69.s7.21
Emperor sends Qalich Khan with a large army to chastise the enemy [i.e., Marathas] who making Mahuli their base used to attack the imperialists and seize the parganahs of Bijapur. Severe battle, many slain on both sides. Battle renewed next day. Emperor, on hearing of it, sends up reinforcements under Bahramand Khan and Firuz Jang. Battle for two days more. Rustam Khan wounded, his elephant killed. Enemy repulsed.
v4.c69.s7.22
Habibullah, qiladar of Shahpur, made captive and his fort seized by Shambhuji's men.
v4.c69.s7.23
Akbar, under the guidance of Khande, the brother of Tukaram Trimbak, zamindar of Jawhar, arrives near the Feringi [Portuguese] frontier and wishes to march to Hindustan. Azam sent to bar his path.
v4.c69.s7.24
Nur Muhammad, thanahdar of Sangola, made prisoner by the Marathas.
v4.c69.s7.25
Shah Alam's misconduct—is imprisoned, [21 Feb. 1687.]
v4.c69.s7.26
Ramsej conquered by the imperialists.
v4.c69.s7.27
Neknam Khan, qiladar of Mulhir, induces Krishnaji, the Maratha qiladar of Salhir, to sell the fort to the imperialists. [May, 1687.]
v4.c69.s7.28
Battle with the Marathas, 4 kos from the imperial camp—Kishore Singh Hada, Muhakam Singh, Ram Singh, Harnath Singh and many other Rajputs slain. Firuz Jang brings up reinforcements and repulses the enemy.
v4.c69.s7.29
News that Durgadas had embarked Akbar in a ship and had himself returned to Rajputana, (Badhnaur and Ratlam). Azam captures fort Harichandan, belonging to Shambhuji. News, Akbar arrived at Masqat. (Feb. 1687.)
v4.c69.s7.30
Bogus Akbar set up by Gangaram, rebel, in Kalpi. Mujahid Khan conquers fort Udgir from Abdul Aziz's followers. Muqarrab Khan captures forts Kularas and Nalgonda in the Karnatak.
v4.c69.s7.31
News from Bijapur, "Rahim-dad, a servant of Shambhu, arrived near Panchamgarh and began to oppress and conquer; was defeated and captured by Ihtisham Kh. and Naroji Raghu, after 2000 men had been slain on the two sides together."
v4.c69.s7.32
Mughals capture Karnul, Audhla and Thikir (? Thanknir.) Akbar at Masqat and lastly at the Persian Court. [Jan. 1688.]
v4.c69.s7.33
Emperor revisits Bijapur [15 March 1688] removes water scarcity there Adoni captured [16 Aug 1688] also Sanchuli and Harkumar close to Adoni
v4.c69.s7.34
Six months campaign against Rani of Bednur who at last submits Prince Azam conquers Belgaum [text reads Banglur] from Sayyid Muhammad after 3½ months of campaigning [May 1688]
v4.c69.s7.35
Rising of Raja Ram Jat near Agra—he plunders the tomb of Akbar at Sikandra—is killed [4 July 1688]
v4.c69.s7.36
Rising of Gopal Singh Gaur grandson of Pahar Singh Gaur near Gwalior
v4.c69.s7.37
Fort Trimbak captured by Mutamad Kh
v4.c69.s7.38
Shah Alam's ladies removed to Delhi [June 1689]
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Marathas defeat and capture Khidmat talab Kh thanahdar of Pain ghat
v4.c69.s7.40
The brothers of Hambir Rao set out with Shambhuji's captain to plunder imperial territory—severe battle with Itiqad Kh near Malkapur heavy slaughter on both sides—Marathas flee towards Nasik abandoning the booty they had brought away from other places
v4.c69.s7.41
Sayyid Abdullah Kh arrives near Rahiri (Raigarh) intending to besiege it Madhaji the son of Shambhuji makes a wax model of the fort assisted by the son of Kavi kalash Siege postponed by order
v4.c69.s7.42
Shambhuji's qiladar of Panhala sells it to the Mughals
v4.c69.s7.43
Khan i Zaman Fath Jang Kh fights an obstinate battle with the Marathas near Kolhapur—is severely wounded with his son—Emperor sends Dr Sebastian to treat him
v4.c69.s7.44
Near Satara Rustam Khan [Sharza] Bijapuri is defeated and captured by Santa Ghorpare Jadon Phadke [? Dhana Jadav] and Manaji More—his family carried off into Satara fort by Hambir Rao [May 1690]
v4.c69.s7.45
Rupa Bhonsle wounds Siddi Abdul Qadir when travelling from his fief Lakhsir [? Lakshmishwar]
v4.c69.s7.46
Turkish envoy arrives [July—Sep 1690] Emperor at Bijapur Muhammadi Raj dies [Nov 1688]
v4.c69.s7.47
Son born to Kam Bakhsh and Manoharpuri Mahal [17 May 1684?]
v4.c69.s7.48
Firuz Jang loses his eye-sight [Dec 1688]
v4.c69.s7.49
Shambhuji and Hambir raid Berar, Khandesh and Baglana repeatedly. Emperor marches from Bijapur [14 Dec. 1688] towards Junnar to extirpate Shambhuji. Firuz Jang appointed to capture Raigarh. Azam and Zulfiqar Kh. ordered to invade Maharashtra. Death of Siddi Masaud. Shambhuji captured [February 1689] and beheaded [11 March.] Janoji [=Changoji] and Keshoji [=Yesaji], two generals of Shambhuji, place the Rajah's family in Raigarh and defend the fort. Zulfiqar Kh. captures forts Mahab (?) and Sadad (?)—is sent against Raigarh, long fight, Hambir Rao opposes with a large army, is defeated—Raigarh blockaded, capitulates, [19 Oct. 1689.] Bahramand Kh. captures fort Premgarh after a siege of 2 months and 20 days. Emperor captures Satara from Krishnaji, the brother of Hambir Rao, [Satara was captured on 21 Apr. 1700 from Subhanji.] [Satara in Ishwardas is a mistake for Salhir.] Emperor sends Rajah Kishore Singh to capture Raigarh where Rajaram had taken shelter. But at night Rajaram escapes with Hambir Rao and other generals, and the Mughals capture Raigarh. Sayyid Abdullah pursues Rajaram into Bednur, but the latter escapes, while Rupa Bhonslé and 70 other officers are captured. Bednur invaded by the Mughals. Rani of Bednur agrees to pay a fine.