History of Aurangzib, Based on Original Sources v5.c77.s9.2

v5.c77.s9.2

The siege dragged on for five months (January-June 1702). During this year Nusrat Jang with his mobile division marched in pursuit of the Maratha field forces* nearly 6,000 miles and fought 19 great battles with them, besides numberless skirmishes. The details of his doings fill ten pages in the memoirs of his eulogist, Bhimsen. [Dil. 129a—138b, 141a.] It will be enough to say here that he passed fighting and chasing all the time, by way of Parenda, Charthanah, the lake of Lonar (in pargana Mehkar, Berar), to 20 miles from Elichpur, Nander, Maloni, Kaulas (in Haidarabad territory), Bidar, Maloni again, Mudgal (on the Bānganga), Maluni and Nander† again. No wonder that Bhimsen, a sharer in these campaigns should write of the result as, "This year much forced marching was done. All the troops became worn out and distracted in mind." And again, "The enemy were kept in rapid movement for eight successive months......The horses of the imperialists were so worn out as to be unable to walk, and many of our troopers had to march on foot....The elephants became lame and weak...I too lost my horses and camels." [Dil. 135b, 132b.]