The Cambridge History of India, Vol. IV: The Mughul Period v4.c19.186

v4.c19.186

Thus did Shivājī obtain possession of the tract between Chākan and the Nīra: and the manner in which he established himself, watching and crouching like the wily tiger of his own mountain valleys, until he had stolen into a situation from whence he could spring on his prey, accounts for the difficulty found in tracing his early rise, and the astonishing rapidity with which he extended his power when his progress had attracted notice and longer concealment was impossible.²