Shri Shiv Chatrapati Caritr 1.5.1

1.5.1

"I am at Pratapgad, you should go there, see me, and fulfil your vows." So said the goddess. It became [known] as the shrine of a living deity. Afterwards, realising that Afzal Khan, who was one of the principal wazirs of Bijapur, had been overthrown and that kingdom consequently weakened, the Raje captured all the forts belonging to the Bijapur state in Talkonkan. Fifty to sixty [27] were taken. Talkonkan was conquered. Varghat also was occupied. Then a mighty force of seven thousand Paga and eight thousand Siledars, fifteen thousand in all, and 12,000 militia (hasm) was mobilised. With the whole of the assembled army Netaji Palkar Sarnobat led an expedition to the Mughal dominions and plundered Baleghat, Parande, Haveli [of] Kalyan, Kulbarga, Avsa, Udgir and territories as far as the valley of the Godavery. Contribution was levied. Lands were confiscated. The suburbs of Aurangabad were plundered. The Mughal Faujdar of Aurangabad advanced and there took place a battle with him. Horses and elephants were captured. The Mughal territory was utterly disturbed. He (Netaji) went on performing such heroic deeds. The Raje appointed officers and framed the following regulations for the management of the forts that had been captured. In every fort there should be a Havaldar, a Sabnis, (and) a Sarnobat, (and) these three officers should be of the same status. These three should conjointly carry on the administration. There should be kept a store of grain and war material in the fort.