History of Aurangzib, Based on Original Sources v5.c74.s2.2

v5.c74.s2.2

Shambhuji, soon after his accession, dismissed and imprisoned Raghunath* (early in January 1681), and sent his own sister's husband Harji Mahadik to govern Jinji with Shamji Nayak Pundé as his lieutenant or partner in power. The two arrived there with their troops in March 1681 and took charge of the government. Five months afterwards, Shamji was thrown into prison, evidently on suspicion of complicity in the plots formed against Shambhuji in Maharashtra by Annaji Datto and his party. Henceforth Harji Mahadik ruled the Eastern Karnatak with undivided power, and circumstances soon afterwards made him practically independent of his master. The Maratha king's absorption in vice, the baneful predominance of the favourite Kavi-kalas in his council, the consequent disorder in the kingdom, and the increasing Mughal pressure on Maharashtra under the personal direction of Aurangzib, all tended to extinguish Shambhuji's authority in the far-off province of Jinji and to make the local viceroy his own master. Harji extended his power over the neighbourhood,* gave himself the airs of a king, assumed (at least in popular speech) the title of Maharajah, and neglected to send the surplus revenue to his sovereign at Raigarh.