History of Aurangzib, Based on Original Sources v5.c77.s1.1

v5.c77.s1.1

On 19th October, 1699, Aurangzib started from Islampuri on that campaign against the great Maratha strongholds which was to occupy the next six years of his life. One by one the famous hill-forts of Satara, Parli, Panhala, Vishalgarh (Khelna), Kondana (Singhgarh), Rajgarh, and Torna were captured by him, besides five places of lesser note. But it should be remembered that with the sole exception of Torna, none of these was taken by assault; all capitulated after a time and for a price; their garrisons were permitted to march out with their personal effects, and their commandants were given costly rewards for ceasing resistance. The first, namely Satara, was long and obstinately defended. And so also was the last, the Berad capital Wagingera (1705.) The capture of Wagingera forms a chapter by itself (ch. lvi.) A minute account of the siege of Satara, based on the details supplied by the daily Court-bulletins, has been published by me in the Proceedings of the Indian Historical Records Commission, 1922, and may serve as an example of Mughal sieges at the end of the 17th century. It is, therefore, unnecessary to describe here the sieges of the Maratha forts except in outline.