The Dynasties of the Kanarese Districts of the Bombay Presidency from the Earliest Historical Times to the Musalman Conquest c11.73

c11.73

Left to itself the city became a prey to factions, and the position of the youthful prince, surrounded by intriguing adherents, many of whom were also traitors, was most difficult.¹ Khán Muhammad was assassinated, and an army was sent under Afzúl Khán against Shiváji, who, after treacherously killing the leader, destroyed the force in the jungles under Mahábaleshvar. A more detailed account of the proceedings of Shiváji at this period will be found in the historical account of the state of Kolhápur. Suffice it to say here, that aided probably by the treachery of Rustum Zamán, an officer of the Bijápur government in charge of the Miraj and Panhála districts, the Marátha leader was enabled to plunder to the gates of Bijápur; and when the approach of the Bijápur troops forced him to take refuge in the fort of Panhála, he escaped. The king then took the field in person, and after capturing Panhála and Pávangad proceeded south to restore order in the Karnátak. On the way he had to take the forts of Raichur and Torgal, and when encamped on the Tungbhadra he was attacked by the rebel Sidi Johár, formerly an officer in his service. He remained two years in the Karnátak with his army, leaving the northern part of his kingdom at the mercy of Shiváji, who did not fail to take advantage of the opportunity thus afforded. Such was the condition of the once proud Bijápur monarchy that Ali Adil Sháh was obliged to consent to a peace which left Shiváji in possession of the Konkan from Kalyán to Goa, and of a strip of country above the Sahyádris extending from the north of Poona to the south of Miraj (A.D. 1662).