History of Aurangzib, Based on Original Sources v5.c77.s7: § 10. Panhala gained by bribery.
History of Aurangzib, Based on Original Sources v5.c77.s7
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§ 10. Panhala gained by bribery.
v5.c77.s7.1
The terrible loss caused by the exploded mine at Satara and in the failure of the assault on that fort, had effectually damped the spirit of the Mughal army. Two mines had been completed at Panhala, but the generals shrank from firing them, as no soldier could be depended upon to rush to the breach and face the enemy's fire or even show himself in the open within range of the fort guns. So, the Emperor, after this heavy loss of money time and labour in mining and bombardment, was at last driven to bribery for gaining the fort before the rains began. Through Tarbiyat Khan secret negotiations were opened, a large bribe was paid to Trimbak, the qiladar, and he delivered the two forts on 28th May, 1701, the garrison being allowed to depart with their lives and property. Sir William Norris, the English ambassador, witnessed the scene.
v5.c77.s7.2
When its defeated commandant Trimbakji went to the royal minister Ramchandra in Vishalgarh, the latter charged him with treachery, saying "You turned faithless to your master's salt and gave the fort up to the Mughals." Trimbak retorted, "My artillery munitions ran short, and yet you did not care to inquire about my state. I had therefore to give up the fort." For this he was put in prison. [Akhbarat, 7th June.]
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§ 11. Maratha activities during the siege of Panhala.
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We shall now describe the efforts of the Marathas to relieve the siege of Panhala. On 23rd January, Dhana Jadav appeared two miles from the imperial camp, and a fierce battle raged all the day, the entire imperial army being engaged. There were heavy losses, and the Mughals had to entrench their position at night. Two days later, on hearing that Nusrat Jang was coming up from Panhala, Dhana Jadav fell back four miles; Hamid-ud-din followed him, but the Marathas fought while fleeing, inflicting a heavy slaughter and drawing this Mughal force 22 miles away from its camp. Next day there was another pitched battle towards Raibagh (in the east), and yet another battle on the day following. Then Dhana rapidly retreated and the Mughal general returned to the Emperor's side (29th January). [Akhbarat and Dil. 134b.]
v5.c77.s7.5
The pursuit of Dhana was continued by Nusrat Jang, who drove him back after an attack on him 12 miles beyond Chikodi (40 m. s. e. of Panhala), and then fell back on Panhala. Dhana then resumed his activity and sent Krishna Malhar with 10,000 horsemen to raid the highway near Panhala,—evidently to cut off the grain supply and communications of the besiegers (4th Feb.) Dhana himself tried to intercept some Mughal heavy guns which had reached Kararabad, while Krishna Malhar attacked the outpost of Khatau, and Ramchandra and Dado Malhar descended into Konkan to fight Siddi Yaqut of Danda-Rajpuri (4th Feb.) A little later, while Ramchandra was trying to convey provisions under escort of 2,000 foot-musketeers to beleaguered Panhala, Nusrat Jang came upon him, slew many of his men and looted most of the provisions. Ramchandra, however, succeeded in entering the fort, (24th Feb.)* Before the fall of Panhala, the elusive Dhana Jadav was roving here and there, vainly pursued by Nusrat Jang, who could not keep pace with him and constantly lost troopers and horses through forced marches. On 20th April Raṇuji was reported as coming towards the fort at the head of 20,000 men, and Baharji as having been captured by the imperialists. Dhana now halted for some time in Singhgarh, with only 400 men, while the main division of his army (15,000 strong) was sent under Dado Malhar to raid Mughal territory.
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∗ Nusrat Jang also rescued and safely escorted to the siege camp a party of *banjaras* whom Ramchandra had invested in Kolhapur, 10 miles from Panhala. [Dil. 135a.]
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The day after the fall of Panhala, Aurangzib began his return from it (29th May, 1701), wishing to encamp in the safer and more fertile region of Khatau (25 miles east of Satara and on the left bank of the Yerla river). Quick as the departure was, it had not been made soon enough. A cyclone passed over the camp "blowing away tents and sheds like paper. Kings and beggars had to sit down in the sun. Veiled ladies became exposed to the public gaze." [K. K. 490 ; Akh. has 17 May 1703.]
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Fathullah Khan, highly promoted and created a Bahadur, was sent ahead to take Wardhangarh (8 m. n. w. of Khatau) and three other forts in the neighbourhood. Wardhan was vacated by the enemy on 6th June; it was renamed Sadiq-garh after Fathullah's original name of Md. Sadiq. The Khan Bahadur next took Nandgir (6th July), Chandan, and Wandan (6th Oct.).
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The wazir Asad Khan was recalled to the Emperor's side, arriving there on 28th August, while Firuz Jang, who had been recalled from Berar, took his place as defender of the Base Camp at Islampuri.