History of Aurangzib, Based on Original Sources v4.c64.s15.3

v4.c64.s15.3

Shambhuji's profligacy capriciousness and violence and the decline and disorder in his Government created a general discontent among his officers and vassals. Aurangzib's bribes aggravated the evil, and there were frequent desertions from the Maratha service. Early in 1682 (or probably late in 1681) Avji Pandit* was dismissed by the Maratha king and was then engaged by the Portuguese. From Gorbandar he went to Bombay in April 1682 and thence by way of Surat to the Mughal Emperor's Court (in June.) (F.R. Surat 90, Surat to Bomb. 24th April and 1 June, 1682.) On 6th April, Chimnaji, zamindar of Kharg-garh, who had deserted Shambhu, had audience of the Emperor. (M.A. 218.) On 26th July 1683, Qazi Haidar, Shivaji's munshi, did the same, (M.A. 234), and was created a 2-hazari and a Khan, and later on (1706) rose to be chief Qazi of the Empire. In Nov. 1684, a Rajah under Shambhuji, intending to desert, went away to Nasik with his permission on a pretended pilgrimage; but Shambhu, detecting his real object, at once sent a large force after him which cut off the unsuspecting Rajah and most of his 2,000 retainers. [Dharangaon to Surat, 18 Nov.] In 1683 he had also a dispute with the Rajah of Sunda, who had evidently withheld tribute, so that Shambhuji had to threaten him through a Brahman envoy. (Surat to Karwar, 19th May 1683, in F.R. Surat 91.)