History of Aurangzib, Based on Original Sources v5.c84.s6.t1.23

v5.c84.s6.t1.23

In the general persecution of heretics, some Khojas had been arrested and imprisoned in Gujrat, and one of them revealed the secret practices of the sect. Aurangzib at once ordered the Sadr and Qazi of the province to arrest their spiritual head, Sayyid Shahji by name, and send him to Court. The man killed himself by poison on the way, but his son, a boy of twelve, was sent to Aurangzib. At this all his followers in Gujrat, old and young, set out for Ahmadabad, saying that the subahdar had killed their guide and they must secure the punishment of the murderer. Near Broach, as they were crossing the Narmada, the local faujdar opposed them; a battle was fought; they killed him and captured the walled city of Broach. They held it in a body 4,000 strong and set to improving its fortifications, without molesting the citizens in any way, (Oct. 1685.) At the news of their success, others came to join them. The imperial faujdar of Baroda arrived there for expelling them, but soon retired in fear of their superior strength.