A History of the Mahrattas v1.c11.43

v1.c11.43

A.D. 1651 and 1652.—During the four years Shahjee was detained at Beejapoor, Sivajee, apprehensive perhaps for his father’s safety, committed few aggressions, and the king was probably deterred from sending a force against him, lest it should induce Sivajee to give up the country to the Moghuls, which the Emperor had sufficient excuse for receiving, on account of arrears of tribute. In this interval, a feeble attempt was made to seize Sivajee’s person. It was undertaken by a Hindoo named Bajee Shamraje. Sivajee frequently resided at the town of Mhar in the Concan; and the party of Shamraje, passing through the territory of Chunder Rao Moray, lurked about the Phar Ghaut until an opportunity should offer; but Sivajee anticipated the surprise, attacked the party near the bottom of the Ghaut, and drove them in great panic to seek safety in the jungles.¹