History of Aurangzib, Based on Original Sources v4.c64.s2.3

v4.c64.s2.3

While his enemies at Raigarh were planning to imprison him, he guessed out the fact of Shivaji's death from the long cessation of news about him after the first reports of his illness; he then very promptly anticipated his enemies by taking possession of the fort of Panhala and confining its former governor. The letters he sent out to all the important personages and officers, appealing to them to support his rights as the eldest born, had effect. Every day large parties of soldiers proceeded to Panhala to join him. He next took charge of the Government of the neighbouring district through his own men. He ordered all the corn in Karwar city to be seized (about 15th April) and sent to Panhala, intending to make himself secure there. A week later, he sent down Ravji Pandit to summon all the governors of the Kanara coast to Panhala for delivering their accounts and cash balances to him. The same thing was done in South Konkan; as the Rajapur factors wrote on 27th April: "Shambhuji has taken upon him to govern and title of king. He has sent for all persons that were in command as subahdars, havladars etc. Some he imprisoned, and some he discharged of their employs."*