History of Aurangzib, Based on Original Sources v4.c59.s9.15

v4.c59.s9.15

Then came Afzal's envoy, Krishnaji Bhaskar, with the invitation to a parley. Shivaji treated him with respect, and at night met him in secrecy and solemnly appealed to him as a Hindu and a priest to tell him of the Khan's real intentions. It was well known that when Afzal was besieging the fort of Sera, he had put to death Kasturi Ranga, the Rajah of the place, who had come to the Khan to make his submission. Krishnaji yielded so far as to hint that the Khan seemed to harbour some plan of mischief. Shivaji then sent the envoy back with Pantaji Gopinath, his own agent, agreeing to Afzal's proposal of an interview, provided that the Khan gave him a solemn assurance of safety. Pantaji learnt by a liberal use of bribes that Afzal's officers were convinced that "he had so arranged matters that Shivaji would be arrested at the interview, as he was too cunning to be caught by open fight." On his return, Pantaji told it all to Shivaji and urged him to anticipate the treacherous attack on himself by murdering Afzal at a lonely meeting and then surprising his army.