New History of the Marathas v1.c9.60

v1.c9.60

Afzal Khan’s movements were being closely watched by Shivaji from Rajgad. He soon decided to give him battle in the surroundings of Wāi and Jāvli, which were full of lofty hills and impenetrable valleys, and took up his residence along with his mother at Pratāpgad above the mountain pass of Parghat west of Mahabaleshvar. When the Khan learned that Shivaji was at Pratāpgad, he came straight against him to Wāi and there formed his camp in October, this place being about 16 miles due east of Pratāpgad, with the high plateau of Mahabaleshvar between. The Khan’s vandalism and wanton atrocities had roused such strong feelings of hatred and wrath against him in the minds of the common people, that he lost all local sympathy and help. By the middle of October the two opponents stood facing each other, the one to the east at Wāi, the other to the west at Pratāpgad, each meditating upon the best means of overcoming the other.