History of Aurangzib, Based on Original Sources v4.c64.s8.7

v4.c64.s8.7

In addition to meeting internal troubles, Shambhuji was busy during the winter of 1681-82 in attending to his navy and his maritime possessions, and spent the whole month of January 1682 in making a furious attack on Janjira under his own eyes. This was Aurangzib's opportunity. Hasan Ali Khan, who had distinguished himself in the Jat and Rajput wars and risen to high favour, was ordered (on 7th November 1681) to descend from Junnar into North Konkan at the head of 14,000 horse. The Maratha attempt to oppose him when coming down the Nanaghat pass was defeated, and he took possession of Kalian (about 30 Jan. 1682) burning all the Maratha villages on the way and also, by mistake, some nine villages in Portuguese territory. At Kalian he encamped and sent an agent to Bombay to buy some gunpowder and other munitions from the English. Many battles were fought with the Marathas in which the imperialists (especially the Bundela contingent under Dalpat Rao) distinguished themselves. (Dil. 172; Bomb. to Co. 4 Feb. in F.R. Surat 108; Surat to Bomb. 24 Feb. 1682, in Vol. 90.) In May next Hasan Ali withdrew from the province, in order to save his horses from the effect of the heavy rainfall of the west coast.