The Dynasties of the Kanarese Districts of the Bombay Presidency from the Earliest Historical Times to the Musalman Conquest c7.s6.32

c7.s6.32

Prime Minister Mahmúd Khwája Gawán took a force into the Konkan large enough to overcome all opposition, and being joined by troops from Dábhol and Chaul set to work systematically to reduce the country. He soon found that his cavalry was useless in the Konkan, and sent them back, but advancing slowly and steadily through the jungles he gradually reduced a great part of the country. Vishálgad, however, after a siege of five months still held out, when the rains forced the Musalmán army to retreat above the Gháts. At the commencement of the fine season Vishálgad was again besieged, and shortly afterwards taken by treachery, and this Ferishta distinctly states was the first time the Musalmáns got possession of this famous fortress.¹ But the conquest of the Vishálgad district was still a work of time, and was not completed till after the second rains. The army then proceeded towards Goa, and the conquest of the Konkan was considered so important that on his return to the capital Mahmúd Khwája Gawán was received with the greatest distinction.² Though this conquest of the Konkan, or at all events of the southern part, must have been tolerably complete, it is not said to have been formed into a separate government, but from subsequent proceedings it would appear that the governor of Dábhol had very extensive authority.