History of Aurangzib, Based on Original Sources v5.c78.s6.6

v5.c78.s6.6

As difficulties thickened around Aurangzib and the Deccan tangle seemed insoluble, he began to form plans for settling the contest with the Maratha generals through Shahu. First, on 9th May 1703, he sent Hamid-ud-din Khan to urge Shahu to become a Muslim,† as the heirs to some other Hindu thrones had already been tempted to do in this reign. [*Akh.*] But Shahu refused to apostatize. Next, the Emperor tried to create a division among the Marathas by releasing Shahu. The terms of his release were to be settled by treaty with the leading Maratha generals, through the mediation of Prince Kam Bakhsh. For approaching the national leaders and winning them over, Raibhan, the son of Vyankoji Bhonsle of Tanjore, was taken into the Emperor's service, created a 6-hazari, and sent to visit Shahu (10th July 1703.)