History of Aurangzib, Based on Original Sources v5.c84.s3.t2.2

v5.c84.s3.t2.2

It seemed to all that Chhatra Sal, without troops treasure stronghold or even country, could not attack the mighty Mughal empire with success. But just at this time Aurangzib's blind fanaticism played into the hands of the young Bundela patriot. The policy of temple destruction on which Aurangzib launched in 1670, created an opening which Chhatra Sal at once improved. The Hindu population of Bundelkhand and the adjoining province of Malwa took up arms in defence of the altars of their gods. An attempt of Fidai Khan, the governor of Gwalior (1670) to demolish the famous temple of Urchha led to his defeat and repulse by the Bundelas under Dharmangad. The feelings of the entire clan were outraged by this wanton attack on their religion, and even those Bundela chiefs who had been so long loyally serving the ungrateful Mughal Government, now gave their secret sympathies to their rebel brethren, and could not be ordered out against them.