Indian Antiquary Vol 49

Author(s): Richard Carnac Temple, Devadatta Ramkrishna Bhandarkar
Publisher: Swati Publications

Page 77

APRIL, 1920)
HISTORY OF THE NIZAM SHAHI KINGS OF AHMADNAGAR
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The garrison of Marabdes, who had heard of the fate of Bhorap and all other forts, profited by the example which had been given to them, and showed consideration for their wives and children by opening the gates of the fort and appearing submissively before the prince with shroude round their necks. The prince had mercy on them and ordered his troops to molest neither their persons nor their property, but to destroy all temples and idols and to build mosques in their place. The prince collected an indemnity from them, and ordered a commandant for that fort, and officers to assist him, to be chosen, and a body of troops to be stationed there for its proteetion, and for the propagation of the holy law of Muhammad. These orders were carried out, and the mind of the prince was set at ease with respect to that fort.
The prince next marched to JQdhan, 13 and the army besieged that fort and attacked it with great spirit. The garrison at first defended that place bravely, but could not long endure the assaults of the prince's valorous troops, and at length came forth and humbly ofered to surrender the fort. Their lives were spared, but the place was sacked, and the property of its inhabitants plundered and their houses destroyed. The prince appointed a trusty officer to the command of that fort, and the army then marched to the fortress of Khaj, and encamped before it.
The fortress of Khaj, like all other forts, was captured with very little trouble, all outward signs of idolatry were overthrown, and much spoil fell into the hands of the victors. The army then marched towards Kher Drug.
When the army arrived before Kher Drug the inhabitants were much alarmed, and submitted with great humility to the prince, who mercifully spared their lives and appointed one of his officers to the command of the fort.
The prince next marched on the fort of Moranjan, 15 and cleared that fortress also of the base existence of evil men, uprooting the foundations of polytheism and infidelity, and thence marched for the fort of Tungi and Taroni.
Those forts were very soon captured and much spoil, both in money and kind, was taken by the troops.
Thence the prince marched to Maholî, and, having encamped before the fort, issued orders for an assault. His troops attacked the place with great valour, and at the first assault overcame the garrison and captured the fort, and many of the polytheists were slaughtered. Much plunder fell to the lot of the army of Islâm, and the idol temples were levelled with the ground. The prince appointed one of his servants to the command of the fort, and marched on Påli. 18
18 About thirteen miles north-west of Junnar.
14 About twelve miles south of Poona. 1 A fort about forty-seven miles south-west of Junnar. 16 A fort about forty-five miles west by north of Poona.