New History of the Marathas v1.c12.9

v1.c12.9

2. Shivaji’s heroic reply, Sinhagad recaptured.—Of all the forts surrendered to Jay Sinh the most important was doubtless Sinhagad, for it was looked upon as the capital of the western regions and a key in the hands of those who had to govern them. Purandar ranked next to it. That is why Jay Sinh had insisted that Sinhagad should be the first to be handed over by Shivaji personally. He had after his visit to Jay Sinh in June 1665 personally delivered the fort to Kirat-Sinh. The fort was now most strongly held by a trusted and valiant Mughal commander named Uday Bhān Rāthod. No other fort was so well protected both by man and nature and now strongly guarded by the Mughals. He who possessed Sinhagad was the master of Poona.