The Dynasties of the Kanarese Districts of the Bombay Presidency from the Earliest Historical Times to the Musalman Conquest c10.63

c10.63

As Shiváji's incursions into the Mughal territory continued, Aurangzíb sent a force against him under Sháista Khán, who made Poona his head-quarters. He then besieged Chákan, but though a small fort, it held out under Phirangoji Narsala for nearly two months; and Sháista Khán, discouraged by the difficulty of his first undertaking, did little else. While he was at Poona Shiváji performed one of his best known feats. He descended with a few followers from Sinhgad, entered Poona unperceived, and surprised Sháista Khán, who was living in Shiváji's old house. Sháista Khán escaped with a wound, but most of his attendants and his son were killed. Shiváji then retired to Sinhgad in safety, and next day a body of Mughal horse, which rode out towards Sinhgad, was surprised and routed by Netáji Pálkar. The Mughals soon afterwards withdrew leaving strong garrisons in Chákan and Juńnar. Shiváji now extended his ravages from Surat in one direction to Bárcelor in the other, till at last Aurangzíb was roused, and in A.D. 1665 sent a large army under Rája Jáysing and Dilir Khán against him. They occupied Poona, and while Dilir Khán besieged Purandhar, Jaysing blockaded Sinhgad and pushed on to Ráygad. Purandhar made a gallant defence; but Shiváji feeling he was unable to resist longer, came into Jaysing's camp, and agreed to surrender all his forts but twelve, and to join the Mughal army in the war against Bijápur. His offer was accepted, and he accordingly accompanied the Mughal army on its march, and on the way the Phaltan district was overrun and the fort of Tátora stormed by Shiváji's troops. While the war was going on, Shiváji, in A.D. 1666, having given over charge of the territory that remained in his possession to Moro Paut Pingle, Abáji Sondev, and Annáji Dattu, went to Delhi to pay his respects to Aurangzíb, but being slighted, and treated as a prisoner, he escaped and returned to the Dakhan at the end of the year. The Mughal army, which had failed to take Bijápur, had in the meantime retired, leaving garrisons in Lohagad, Sinhgad, and Purandhar; the other forts were either dismantled or left in charge of a weak party, and they were all reoccupied by Moro Pant.