Page:History of Aurangzib (based on original sources) Vol 1.djvu/382

352 even in the life-time of Khan Muhammad (who was in our interest). There is no hope that the affair (of peace) will be accomplished.... No good waiting in vain near the fort of Parenda."

Mir Jumla, however, persisted in his own view. At his request Aurangzib sent

him solemn written promises of high favours addressed to the qiladar of Parenda to induce him to give up the fort. But the attempt failed. Then Mir Jumla tried a show of force. To please him, Aurangzib reluctantly sent Muhammad Sultan with a part of the army from his side at Pathri (4th Nov.) to join the Mir near Parenda. The young prince was told to place himself under Mir Jumla's orders, and "to be guided entirely by his judgment."

Mir Jumla had hoped that the force accom- panying Sultan would be exaggerated by popular report and this would cow down the Bijapuri qiladar. Aurangzib even made a public declaration that he was himself going to Ahmadnagar to coerce the Bijapuris, and ordered the palace there to be got ready for his use. But all these tricks failed. The news of Shah Jahan's