214 
SCENES IN INDIA. 
terror of the neighbouring princes, in whose territories 
his depredations were committed. From heading a 
few profligate adventurers, he rose to be the leader of 
a small but formidable army. Fortresses and cities 
submitted to his arms, and he finally became master 
of a considerable extent of territory, with an army of 
fifty thousand foot and seven thousand horse. 
This prodigious and rapid accession of power alarmed 
the jealousy of Aurungzebe, who was by this time 
securely seated upon the throne of the Moguls and 
seemed resolved to extend his conquests to the very 
farthest limits of his means. He therefore sent a 
large body of troops under an experienced leader to 
crush the rising power of the Mahrattas, but the wary 
conduct of Sevajee, who was prolific in decoit* stra- 
tagems, baffled the military skill, and defeated the 
enterprises of the Mogul ; after which the Mahratta 
chief entered 4he city of Surat and made himself 
master of treasure to the amount of a million sterling. 
The Mogul potentate was so exasperated at this daring 
act of aggression that he was determined to crush 
the audacious robber, and, sending a formidable army 
under an able and experienced leader, finally suc- 
ceeded in making him prisoner. The Mahratta, how- 
ever, soon contrived to effect his escape, and, recom- 
mencing his favourite mode of predatory warfare, ex- 
tended his ravages to the walls of Surat, which he 
again plundered, and, finally assuming the ensigns 
of royalty, caused himself to be crowned, and de- 
* Decoit gangs are organized bands of robbers, among the 
most remarkable of which are the Thuggs or Phansigars, of 
whom I hope to give some account in a future volume. 
