Page:History of Aurangzib (based on original sources) Vol 1.djvu/79

CHAP. III.] Khan-i-Dauran, after capturing Udgir and

Ausa, had extorted from the king of Golkonda a famous elephant named Gajmati, or “the Pearl among Elephants", priced one lakh of rupees, with another lakh of rupees for covering it with gold plates and hawda to make it worthy of presentation to the Emperor. He next marched into the Gond country, between the Wardha and the Wainganga, levying contributions. First he seized the forts of Ashta and Katanjhar (Katanjhiri) from the hands of some refractory Gond chiefs, and then besieged Nagpur, the stronghold of Kukia, the Gond Rajah of Deogarh, who had refused to pay contribution. Three mines were fired, overthrowing two towers and parts of the wall; the assault was delivered, and the commandant Deoji taken prisoner. Kukia now came down on his knees: he interviewed Khan-i-Dauran (16 January, 1637), and made peace by presenting one and a half lakhs of rupees in cash and all his elephants (170 in number) and promising an annual tribute of one and one-third lakhs of rupees. Nagpur was restored to him.

The victorious Khan-i-Dauran returned to the Emperor, with 8 lakhs of rupees levied from the