History of Aurangzib, Based on Original Sources v4.c61.s1.5

v4.c61.s1.5

The truth of the matter is that never since the reign of Akbar did the Mughal Government once abandon the ambition of annexing the Deccan, and the Sultans of Bijapur and Golkonda could never forget this cardinal fact of 17th century Indian politics. They, therefore, naturally looked round for allies, and after 1663 found in Shivaji their only efficient bulwark against the Mughals. It was impossible for them to enter heartily into any plan for "rooting Shiva out."