History of Aurangzib, Based on Original Sources v5.c74.s3.9

v5.c74.s3.9

On Kesho Trimbak's return from Mysore, he openly quarrelled with Harji and demanded the delivery of Jinji in obedience to their master's order. A civil war between the partisans of the two rivals for the viceroyalty was expected. Harji, in preparation for the worst, secured a retreat for himself in the fort of Tevenapatam (near Cuddalore). Then he sent out a detachment of his army under Gopal Pandit and Vital Pillai (Vital Pildev Garud?), to plunder and conquer on his own account the late territory of Golkonda north of the Palar river, which had recently submitted to Mughal ownership without having as yet received adequate Mughal garrisons. Marching with 2,000 horse, 5,000 foot, and great numbers of pioneers and scaling ladders, these two officers took easy possession of several forts and a hundred towns in this region. On 24th December Arcot was captured by assault and its governor with most of his infantry killed. The Marathas spread over the country plundering and torturing without regard for sex or creed. Several great Brahmans of Conjeveram with their wives and children took refuge in Madras (27th Dec. 1687—10th Jan. 1688), to save their persons and property from Maratha outrage. On 10th January, Madana Ananta, the governor of that holy city, himself fled to Madras. On the 11th the Marathas burst into Conjeveram plundering the city, killing about 500 men, destroying the houses, and putting the terror-stricken inhabitants to flight. Kesho Trimbak took to the same profitable business with his own contingent: after capturing Chitpat and Kaveripak, he established his camp at Conjeveram and plundered the country around (January 1688). (Madras Diary).