History of Aurangzib, Based on Original Sources v5.c73.s4.2

v5.c73.s4.2

Sharza Khan (son of Sayyid Iliyas), a former Bijapuri general, who had come over to the Emperor's side in 1686 and been created Rustam Khan, was roving in the neighbourhood of Satara with his family and troops, planning how to capture that fort for the Emperor. The Maratha leaders,—Ramchandra, Shankaraji, Santa, and Dhana,—fell upon him in concert. The Khan sent his son Ghalib to the front to oppose them. The youth was hopelessly outnumbered and outclassed in weapons.* Karnataki foot-musketeers (probably Berads) formed the enemy's vanguard and fired their pieces with deadly accuracy, wounding the elephants in the Mughal front line, which turned and fled away trampling down their own men. Rustam Khan hurried up to the spot to restore the fight, but a charge of the enemy's elephants caused the Mughal horses to shy and stampede. Rustam, however, made a stand and fought for some time, and on being gradually rejoined by his runaway followers he delivered a counter-attack on the enemy's advanced reserve, then led by Santa and Dhana. These two, following the usual Maratha tactics, pretended to give way and the Khan pressed impetuously on, driving his own elephant onwards accompanied by a few troopers. Just then the skirt of his dress was set ablaze by the enemy's fire. The Berad musketeers took advantage of the confusion by falling upon the imperialists' baggage and rear-guard and plundering them. The Mughal troops were distracted, and they dispersed, abandoning the fight.