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 Chap. IV.] REIGN OF AURUNGZEBE. 30 j

While Aurungzebe was thus pursuing his victorious career, Sambajee seemed ad. leso. to be almost forgotten. Under the guidance of the despicable Calusha, he had been pursuing a shameless coui'se of di'unkenness and debauchery. The wiiole of the open country belonging to the Mahrattas was in consetjuence overrun, and a systematic attempt was about to be made on the forts, when a still more important object was gained by the capture of Sambajee himself He was snmbajee living in security at a favourite pleasure iiouse in the Concan, when lokari-ab sonei ami Khan, the Mogul officer at Kolapoor, acting on a i)]an which is said to have originated with Aurungzebe himself, set off with a small body of troops, crossed the Ghauts, and, after a journey of nearly sixty mile.s, made his sudden appear- ance. An alarm was immediately spread, and escape was still })racticable, but Sambajee was in such a state of intoxication as to be unable to attempt it, and was carried off in triumph, together with Calusha, to the Mogul head- quarters. Aiu'ungzebe, deeming it possible to use him as a tool, offered him his life on condition of turning Mussulman; but he rejected the offer with scorn, and spoke barbarously

executed.

of Mahometanism in such contemptuous terms that an ordinary death was deemed an insufficient punishment, and he was subjected to horrid barbarities bsfore being beheaded.

This execution, which took place in August, 1689, spread universal indigna- tion among the Mahrattas. Sambajee's worthless character was overlooked, and the heroism with which he had courted death sooner than abjure his faith, made him be regarded somewliat in the light of a martyr. The principal chiefs, immediately on receiving tidings of his death, assembled at Ryeghur, and al-knowledged his infant son, Saho, as rajah. Rajah Ram, Sambajee's brother, saho, his was appointed regent. The task thus assigned him was extremely difficult, ackuow- A "ungzebe in person was at the head of an overwhelming force, and it seemed ^-f^^ '^^^-^ as if the Mahrattas, more especiallv after the capital, and with it the yount; '^'U'l'i Kam rajah himself, fell into his hand.s, would have no alternative but to throw them- selves on the victor's mercy. In this extremity Rajah Ram fled to the strong fortress of Gingee, in the Caraatic, after putting the foists of the Deccan in a good state of defence, and ordering the troops to disperse in their villages and wait for better times. The leadino- chiefs, who.se lands miuht have been for- feited, made no scru])le of making a feigned submission to the Mogul, while they still kept up an imdei-standing ^vith their countrymen, and watched for the first opportunity of joining any rebellion which promised to be succes.sful.

The subjugatioTi of the Deccan being apparently complete, Aunnigzebe Mabratta despatched a general of the name of Zulfikar Khan to reduce Gingee. Rajah Ram. who had now begim to govern in his own name in conse([uence of the captivity of his nejihew, prepai-ed for a vigorous defence ; and Zulfikar Khan had no sooner reconnoitred the place than he saw that success was hopeless without strong reinforcement.s. While applying for these, he sent part of his army into Tanjore and other southern comtries to levy contributions They Vol. I. _ 39