New History of the Marathas v1.c14.7

v1.c14.7

Madanpant or Mādannā was a respectable Hindu politician, who had recently organized the power and resources of the Kutbshahi kingdom in a satisfactory manner. The fertility of the east coast regions, the wealth of its famous diamond mines, the rich alluvial plains watered by several bountiful rivers, naturally attracted Shivaji towards the eastern belt of the Peninsula. The Muslims in the past had often devastated this soft Hindu land. Srirang Rai, the last prince of the old Vijaynagar dynasty, had long in vain exerted himself to save the old Hindu empire. But no substantial advance had been made in constructing a good orderly government in this part of the country. Shivaji decided to try his hand. The work belonged to the category of Hindu resurgence, which Shivaji had long ago undertaken and in which he now secured the ready help of Madan Pant of Golkanda and Raghunāth Nārāyan Hanumante of Tanjore.