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 CHAP. II.

MOGUL SOVEREIGNTY OF THE DECCAN BY VICEROYS.__ INDEPENDENCY OF NIZAM-OOL-MOOLK AND HIS POLICY TOWARDS THE MAHRATTAS.

In the year 1683 Aurungzebe, now the occupier of his father's throne, advanced to Burhanpoor with a vast army for the purpose of subjugating the Deccan, which had almost wholly got under the control of Sumbhajee, the Mahratta monarch. During the halt Aurungzebe made at Burhanpoor, to regulate certain plans that he contemplated, he directed his son, Sultan Mauzum afterwards known as Shah Allum, to proceed from Ahmednuggur with his whole army and reduce Sumbhajee's southern territory, whilst another prince of the blood royal, variously called Sooltan Azeem or Azeem Shah, dealt with the northern forts. Sultan Azeem accordingly marched towards Salheir, where much resistance was expected, inasmuch as it was an important fortress, and its acquisition by the Mahrattas had afforded them facility for their inroads through Khandeish ; but Neknam Khan, the Mogul killidar of Molheir, who joined the prince on his advance, had obtained a previous promise from his neighbour, the Mahratta havildar, to surrender Salheir as soon as the army came before it. Such negotiations being always doubtful in their issue, Neknam Khan had prudently communicated the agreement to the emperor only. The place, however, was evacuated, and