New History of the Marathas v1.c15.34

v1.c15.34

During Shivaji’s absence in the Karnatak the Pathan Bahlol Khan of Bijapur died on 23 December 1677 and Siddi Mas’ud took up the control of that Government. Dilir Khan at once directed his attack upon Bijapur, when in his sore need Siddi Mas’ud applied to Shivaji for help in a pathetic letter, which ran thus: “We have been neighbours eating out of the same dish. You have doubtless as great a concern for the preservation of this State as I have. Let us join hands and in mutual co-operation destroy our common enemy the Mughals.” Shivaji was touched by this appeal and at once prepared for an attack upon the Mughals. It can thus be realized how the two Muslim States were practically coming under Shivaji’s heels and would have been easily absorbed by him, if his sudden death had not changed the course of events.