The Dynasties of the Kanarese Districts of the Bombay Presidency from the Earliest Historical Times to the Musalman Conquest c10.62

c10.62

Shiváji now ventured to attack the territory of the Mughals, and in May 1657 he surprised the town of Junnar and carried off much plunder to Ráygad. The disturbances which took place in Hindustán through the rivalry of the sons of Sháh Jahán prevented his inroads from being punished. At last, in A.D. 1659 the Bijápur government determined to make an effort to suppress him, and sent a strong force under Afzul Khán against him. Afzul Khán proceeded as far as Wái, and then sent a Bráhman named Gopináth Pant to treat with Shiváji, who had made professions of submission. Shiváji won over the Bráhman, who in his turn persuaded Afzul Khán to have a personal interview with Shiváji, who was then at Pratápgad. The Musalmán army marched to Jávli, while Shiváji brought all his forces under Moro Pant Pingle and Netáji Pálkar and surrounded them. He then, attended by Tánáji Málasra, one of his oldest friends, met Afzul Khán who was accompanied by a single armed follower, stabbed him, and gave the signal for the assault to his troops. The Musalmán army, bewildered at the loss of its chief, gave way, and was utterly dispersed. Shiváji followed up his success with vigour. Panhála and Pávangad surrendered to Annáji Dattu, one of his officers, while he himself took Vasantgad, Rangna, Kelna (Vishálgad), and all the neighbouring forts. A force was sent against him, but he routed it and plundered the country as far as Bijápur. Next year (A.D. 1660) another army was sent against him under Sidí Johár, when he retired to Panhála; where he was closely besieged for some months, and at last, despairing of holding out, he escaped by stratagem to Rangna. The Mughals, disheartened by their want of success, made no further progress until early in A.D. 1661, when Ali A'dil Sháh marched in person to Karad, and thence to Panhála, which he reduced. Many other forts were surrendered to him, but he was called off by a rebellion in the Karnátak, and directed Báji Ghorpade and a Musalmán noble to prosecute the war. Shiváji took this opportunity of revenging himself on Báji Ghorpade for his father's capture, surprised and killed him at Mudhol; and the expedition was stopped. It was soon after this (A.D. 1662) that Shiváji changed his head-quarters from Rájgad to Ráiri, which he called Ráygad. He had public offices built there by Abáji Sondev, and Ráygad remained the capital of the Maráthás for nearly forty years.