History of Aurangzib, Based on Original Sources v4.c64.s12.12

v4.c64.s12.12

When Shah Alam's expedition to South Konkan ended in disaster through famine and pestilence (March 1684), the Maratha king* prepared for a second encounter with the Portuguese, wishing "ere long to be master of all their country." He could never forgive the atrocities committed by the Portuguese, such as "burning men alive and destroying pagodas" (mentioned in an English letter, Karwar to Surat, 4 Sep. 1683.) On 10th March his armada brought into Karwar several Portuguese rice-boats they had seized, while his army was gathering near Phonda to make a sudden attack upon Goa. (F.R. Surat 109, Karwar to Surat.) In June the Viceroy visited all his forts, as he was unable to pay the tribute Shambhuji demanded, and a Maratha incursion was to be apprehended. On 19th September the Portuguese attacked and recovered the high hill in Karinja island (crowned with a church) that had been occupied by Shambhuji nine months earlier, and they made prisoners of the entire Maratha garrison in the island. And for some time afterwards Shambhuji and the Portuguese continued to "snarl and snap at each other." (Karwar to Surat, 15 Sep.) However, by October next, a sort of peace was at last patched up, and Karinja island was formally restored to the Portuguese, to the immense relief of the English at Bombay. But languid hostilities with the Portuguese continued till the end of Shambhuji's reign.