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 294

HISTORY OF INDIA.

[Book XL

A.D 1055.

Other con- quests of Sevajee.

five of the principal hill-forts in the Ghauts. New successes attended his arms, and the whole of the Northern Concan fell into hi.s hands.

The King of Bejapoor naturally suspected that Sevajee's conduct was con- nived at by his father, and therefore endeavoured to strike at the root of the evil by making Sliahjee prisoner. He asserted his innocence, but was notwith- standing thrown into a dungeon, and told that if his son did not submit witiiin a certain time, the entrance would be built up. This threat, savage as it was, would probably have been executed, had not Sevajee, who had hitherto kept on friendly terms with Shah Jehan, obtained his interposition in his father s behalf

Havinf; no lonj^er any fears for his father, Sevajee gave full scope to his ambition ; and not being restrained by any scruples of honour and justice, procured theas.sassi- nation of a Hindoo rajah and seized upon his ten-itoiy, which comprehend- ed the whole of the hilly country south of Poonah from the Ghauts to the Up- per Kistna. While Aiirungzebe he was thus extending liis authority, Aurungzebe arrived in the Deccan in

arrives '° ^,. . . ^ .,.

tiie Deccan. 1655. This cvcut, which might have seemed fatal to Sevajee s projects, was in the first instance rather made subservient to them, as he had previously been recognized as a commander of 5000 horse in the Mogil service ; and on pre- senting a submissive address to Aurungzebe was confirmed in all his acquisitions. As yet, however, he was by no means satisfied; and on seeing Aurungzebe occupied in carrying on war with the King of Golconda, could not resist the opportunity of tm-ning his absence to account. For the first time, therefore, he made an im'oad on the Mogul territories. His success fell far short of his expectations ; and when Aurungzebe suddenly returned after a rapid and success- ful campaign, it required all Sevajee's address to save himself from the full weight of his vengeance. Very opportunely for him. Shah Jehan was seized with the sudden illness already mentioned, and Aurungzebe hastened off to prosecute his own ambitious schemes. Sevajee thus relieved from apprehension, renewed his attacks on Bejapoor, the throne of which was now occupied by a minor.

Sevajee on Horseback. — Laugles, Monumens Aiiciens et Modemt-s de I'Hindoustan.