After years of failed attempts, Emperor Aurangzeb finally lost patience with the endless siege of Gingee fortress. In November 1697, he sent clear orders to Zulfikar Khan to begin serious attack operations and capture the fort within days, not months or years.
The emperor’s frustration was understandable. The siege had been going on for so long that it had become an embarrassment to the mighty Mughal Empire. Local spies reported that the Nawab had recalled Rajaram’s son to Gingee and delivered the emperor’s ultimatum directly, making it clear that previous peace proposals were no longer acceptable.
The Title of Nasrat Jang
To motivate his commander, Emperor Aurangzeb granted Zulfikar Khan the prestigious title of “Nasrat Jang,” which means “Victor in War.” This honor came with significant prestige and likely increased financial rewards for successful military campaigns.
Zulfikar Khan celebrated this recognition with great ceremony while his army was stationed at Wandiwash during the monsoon season. He organized elaborate feasts and distributed expensive gifts to his officers and soldiers, creating an atmosphere of confidence and anticipation for the coming assault.
These celebrations served multiple purposes beyond just recognition. They boosted morale among troops who had endured years of difficult campaigning, demonstrated the commander’s wealth and status, and created expectations of victory that would be difficult to ignore.
Surrounding the Gingee Fortress
Zulfikar Khan organized his forces in a coordinated assault pattern around Gingee’s multiple defensive positions. The fortress complex was not a single structure but a series of connected hilltop forts that required simultaneous attacks to prevent defenders from reinforcing weak points.
Zulfikar Khan personally took command of forces facing the northern gate, positioned toward Singavaram hill. This was traditionally considered the main approach to the fortress and represented the most direct path to the central stronghold.
Western Assault Under Ram Singh Hada
Ram Singh Hada received orders to attack the western side of the fort, specifically targeting an area known as Shaitan Dari, which the French called “Port-du-Diable” or “Devil’s Gate.” The name itself suggests this was considered a particularly dangerous or difficult approach to the fortress.
The western position was strategically important because it could cut off potential escape routes and prevent supplies from reaching the defenders through less obvious paths up the mountainside.
Daud Khan’s Southern Success
Daud Khan Panni was assigned the southern approach, initially facing a position called Chakkili Durg. Despite having insufficient siege equipment, Khan Panni managed to capture this outer fortification in a single day through what historical records describe as a “reckless assault at close quarters.”
This quick victory was significant because it gave the Mughal forces a foothold within the fortress complex. After securing Chakkili Durg, Daud Khan moved his troops closer to the main fort and established new positions opposite Chandrayandrug, the southern fortress section.
The speed of this capture showed that determined assault could overcome defensive positions, even without proper siege equipment. It also demonstrated that the fortress, while strong, was not impregnable when attacked with sufficient force and determination.
The Siege Drags On Despite Success
Despite the initial success and clear imperial orders for quick resolution, the siege continued for another two months. Daily reports sent to the emperor’s camp described constant attacks and repulses, creating the impression of intense fighting and determined resistance.
However, the reality of the situation was far more complex than these official reports suggested. The prolonged nature of the siege, despite having achieved breakthrough positions, began to raise questions about the true intentions of the commanding officers.
Frequent Attacks and Tactical Stalemate
The pattern of “almost daily attacks and repulses” suggests a type of warfare that was more theatrical than truly decisive. Professional military campaigns typically involve periods of preparation followed by concentrated assaults designed to achieve breakthrough results.
The fact that attacks were happening almost every day but without decisive results indicates that something was fundamentally wrong with either the strategy or the execution of the siege operations.
The Truth Behind the Prolonged Siege
Historical analysis by Sir Jadunath Narayan Sarkar revealed a startling truth about Zulfikar Khan’s conduct during the final assault period. According to Sarkar’s research, Khan could have captured the entire fortress complex within a single day if he had genuinely wanted to do so.
Instead, Zulfikar Khan was deliberately prolonging the siege for personal and political reasons. By maintaining active military operations without achieving final victory, he could keep his army intact, continue receiving substantial military payments, and avoid being assigned to new and potentially more dangerous campaigns elsewhere.
Secret Communication with the Enemy
Even more shocking was the revelation that Zulfikar Khan was secretly communicating with Maratha defenders, informing them that his attacks were primarily for demonstration purposes rather than serious attempts at conquest.
According to historical sources, Khan actually provided advance warning to Rajaram about when real attacks might occur, giving the Maratha leader sufficient time to escape before any genuine capture attempt took place. This level of coordination with the supposed enemy suggests a completely different understanding of the military situation than what was being reported to the emperor.
Daud Khan’s Wine-Fueled Campaigns
Daud Khan Panni, serving as second in command, had developed a habit of consuming large quantities of European alcoholic beverages. When under the influence of these expensive imported liquors, he would become extremely enthusiastic about launching attacks against what he called “the infidels.”
This behavior created a peculiar dynamic within the command structure. Daud Khan’s alcohol-induced enthusiasm for military action contrasted sharply with Zulfikar Khan’s secret policy of avoiding decisive engagement.
The Cycle of Doomed Attacks
The historical record describes a repetitive pattern where Daud Khan would volunteer for aggressive operations while intoxicated, Zulfikar Khan would appear to agree with these proposals, but then secretly warn the enemy about the timing and location of the planned attacks.
This advance warning system meant that Daud Khan’s forces were consistently met with prepared defenses and suffered regular defeats “with slaughter.” The men under Daud Khan’s command were paying the price for their commander’s drinking habits and their superior’s secret agreements with the enemy.
The Human Cost of Military Theater
The soldiers who participated in these predetermined failures had no knowledge of the secret communications between their commanders and the enemy. They fought bravely, believing they were serving the empire’s interests, while actually participating in elaborate military theater designed to maintain the appearance of active campaigning.
This situation represents one of the most cynical examples of military leadership in recorded history, where soldiers’ lives were sacrificed not for strategic objectives, but to maintain personal convenience and financial advantage for senior commanders.
Related Posts
- The Siege of Gingee Continues: Internal Betrayal and Maratha Reinforcements (1694-1696)
- The Siege of Gingee: Zulfikar Khan’s Secret Deal with the Marathas
- The Treachery of Zulfikar Khan: The Murder of Yachama Nayak
- Zulfikar Khan’s Coastal Campaign for Power and Plunder
- Yachama Nayak: The Local Chief Who Switched Sides and Paid the Price
- When a Mughal Prince Kambaksh Failed: The Story of Punishment and Forgiveness
- The Great Retreat from Gingee: When Starvation Defeated a Mighty Mughal Army
- Dalpat Rao of Gingee: The Trusted Lieutenant of Zulfikar Khan