The Cambridge History of India, Vol. IV: The Mughul Period v4.c18.79

v4.c18.79

For many years the Marāthās had not been dangerous to the Mughul administration, but while Aurangzīb had been occupied with Golconda and Bījāpur Shivājī the son of Shāhjī had begun a career which was before long to shake the Muslim power and finally exhaust it. His father had been forced to enter the service of Bījāpur, and he himself offered to assist the Mughuls in their enterprise against that kingdom in return for part of the territory to be wrested from it, but he was put off with vague replies. When Aurangzīb was fully occupied with his invasion Shivājī surprised Junnar and organised raids through Mughul territory west of Ahmadnagar. Memories of the difficulties forced on the imperial arms by Shāhjī impelled Aurangzīb to make careful plans to ward off these dangers on his western flank. While he was occupied in the siege of Kalyānī one of his officers defeated Shivājī and nearly captured him. The rainy season, however, made campaigning more difficult in the Konkan than on the plateau and operations had to cease, and when the treaty with Bījāpur was made Shivājī thought it wise to submit also.