History of Aurangzib, Based on Original Sources v4.c69.s6.1

v4.c69.s6.1

After the conspiracies against Shambhuji in June 1680 and October 1681 had been crushed, there was a fresh plot in October 1684, in consequence of which he threw Manaji Moré, Gangadhar and Vasudev Pandit, and Sahuji Somnath into prison, where they remained confined till his death. Things then continued quiet at his Court for four years. But in October 1688, the Shirké family again rose against him; they attacked Kavi-kalash and drove him into Khelna for refuge. Shambhuji marched from Raigarh to the rescue of his favourite, defeated and routed the rebels at Sangameshwar, and then went to Khelna. He arrested Prahlad Niraji and many other ministers and leading people on suspicion of complicity in the late rising, and after provisioning Khelna fort, started with Kavi-kalash for returning to his capital. On the way he arrived at Sangameshwar, 22 miles n. e. of Ratnagiri city, and the sacred junction of the Alak-nanda and Varuna rivers, where Kavi-kalash had laid out fine gardens and built nicely-decorated mansions for his master. Here, after sending his army and family back to Raigarh, Shambhuji plunged into drinking and merry-making, with a small escort and in utter carelessness. All vigilance was abandoned, as he believed the place to be impenetrable to Mughal arms.