Page:History of Aurangzib (based on original sources) Vol 1.djvu/55

CHAP. II.] of the elephants were rubbed out; treasure- laden elephants were sent by another path to lure the Mughals away from the road taken by the Bundela chief. But the Imperialists were too astute ; they neglected everything else and steadily pursued the rebel himself. They also bribed the local landowners, who showed them the way and kept them regularly informed of the movements of Jhujhar, so that the jungle was now a hindrance rather than a shelter to him. And from the thievish Gonds no Bundela could expect mercy.

Jhujhar's party was now divided, but all to no purpose. His sons were overtaken, and got no time to slay their women, as was the Rajput custom when death was to be preferred to dishon- our. A few of the ladies had been stabbed, when the Mughals fell upon them, slew the guards, and captured the Bundela royal family.

The rebel chief and his eldest son Vikramajit had fled into the heart of the jungle, where their doom overtook them. The moved by their instinct of plunder and hope of reward from the Mughals, surprised the exhausted princes