The Dynasties of the Kanarese Districts of the Bombay Presidency from the Earliest Historical Times to the Musalman Conquest c7.s9.130

c7.s9.130

In 1777 the Málvan district was overrun by the Kolhápur troops after an insurrection by the chief of Vishálgad and others, and in 1782 there was another expedition in which the chiefs of Vádi were for a time subdued. In 1786 however disturbances again took place, and the Rája of Kolhápur himself took a large army into the Konkan. He stormed Bharatgad, the fort which commands the beautiful and very fertile valley of Masura, Nivti a well-known fort on the coast between Málvan and Vengurla, and Vishálgad which commands the most level part of the Southern Konkan.² On account, however, of the Sávants getting assistance from Goa he evacuated Nivti and Vengurla, but appointed mámlatdárs and other officials to the rest of the newly-conquered territory. Khem Sávant, instead of going on fighting as was usual to him, negotiated with Sindia, and eventually the district was restored to Vádi in 1793. Málvan was however retained by Kolhápur³ and for a few years this part of the Konkan enjoyed peace. In 1792 while these events were in progress the Bombay Government had prepared an armament against Kolhápur, but this was not despatched, as a treaty was made by which the English were allowed to have a factory at the island of Málvan (Sindhudurg) and to hoist their flag there till all claims were paid.⁴