[Manucci says that just before the emperor died, he (Aurangzeb) said:] “I die happy for at least the world will be able to say that I have employed e… - Niccolao Manucci

Many Hindus who were unable to pay turned Muhammadan, to obtain relief from the insults of the collectors......Aurangzib rejoices that by such exactions these Hindus will be forced into embracing the Muhammadan faith. (Storia, 11. 234, iv. 117., cited in J Sarkar, History of Aurangzib III)

Ram Singh, fully carrying out his father’s instructions, and sufficiently acquainted with Aurangzeb’s character, had spent money without stint to obtain reports of any orders issued by the king, either in favour or against Shiva Ji. He thus heard of the royal order [to kill Shivaji]. Without any delay Shiva Ji was informed, and he sent out the large covered baskets of sweetmeats as usual. Then, concealing himself in one, he arranged to be carried away, he and his son, to a place of security…Thus it was carried out. At seven O’clock in the evening, having succeeded in getting away without anyone suspecting, Shiva Ji made use of the preparations made in the villages and woods, as arranged by Ram Singh, and escaped without detention into his own country… Aurangzeb was much put out by this event, and raising his hand to his head as if plunged in thought, he sent out orders throughout the realm for Shiva Ji to be traced. But Shiva Ji was already far on his road, traversing in one night what would take anyone else three days and three nights. In this way it was impossible to catch him, his way being through jungle and mountains, places through which it is very difficult to pass.

It seems from Manucci’s account that Aurangzeb had also re-imposed pilgrim tax on the Hindus, which had been abolished by Emperor Akbar in 1563 A.D. Discussing the main sources of revenue of Aurangzeb, he writes, ‚He also draws large sums from the bathings which the Hindus perform at various points of the empire.‛