The Cambridge History of India, Vol. IV: The Mughul Period v4.c19.105

v4.c19.105

During the first half of Aurangzīb’s reign affairs in the Deccan did not assume engrossing importance; the emperor’s personal attention was engaged elsewhere and he felt that he could safely leave the south to his viceroys, because Bījāpur and Golconda were hopelessly decadent and the full significance of the rise of the Marāthā people under Shivājī was not realised till near the close of that hero’s career (1680). Qutb Shāh remained throughout a quiescent vassal, except for armed assistance rendered to ‘Ādil Shāh against Mughul attacks in 1666 and 1679; but these acts of disloyalty to his suzerain were compounded for by the payment of fines. A vigorous forward policy was pursued by the imperialists against Bījāpur only under Jay Singh (1666), Bahādur Khān (1676–77) and Dilīr Khān (1679–80). Military operations against Shivājī were actively carried on by Shāyista Khān (1660–62), Jay Singh (1665), Mahābat Khān (1671–72), Bahādur Khān (1673–75), and by Dilīr Khān for a short while in 1678–79, though a state of war continued languidly between the two powers for the entire period, except the four years of peace 1666–69.