The Dynasties of the Kanarese Districts of the Bombay Presidency from the Earliest Historical Times to the Musalman Conquest c7.s8.149

c7.s8.149

In 1660, after the murder of Áfzul Khán, Shiváji carried the war into the oldest of the Bijápur possessions by plundering Rájápur and burning Dábhol; and the three powers of the Southern Konkan—Bijápur, the Sidi, and the Sávants—then united against the invader. Early in the following year, 1661, Shiváji again plundered Rájápur and captured Dánda-Rájápur, though neither now or at any subsequent period did he succeed against Janjira. He was however to a great extent successful during this campaign and the Sávants having submitted to him,³ that part of the Konkan south of Sálshi Mahál (that is the whole of the present Málvan sub-division and a part of the Vádi districts) was left under their exclusive management, and the revenue system there remained unchanged.³ At this time Shiváji caused a survey to be made of the coast, and having fixed on Málvan as the best protection for his vessels and the likeliest place for a stronghold, he built forts there, rebuilt and strengthened Suvarndurg, Ratnágiri, Jaygad, Anjanvel, Vijaydurg, and Kolába, and prepared vessels at all these places. But in the meantime the Moghals had taken Kalyán, and Shiváji did not then find it convenient to oppose them or to attempt to retake it. His position in the Southern Konkan was now however very strong, and he removed his capital to Ráiri, henceforward to be called Ráygad, and for some years after this bestowed much labour both on the fortifications and the public buildings of that mountain, which Grant Duff calls the Gibraltar of the East.⁴