History of Aurangzib, Based on Original Sources v5.c74.s2.5

v5.c74.s2.5

The fall of Bijapur (12th Sep. 1686) and the impending siege of Golkonda (which actually began on 28th January 1687) roused Shambhuji to a full sense of the danger which now began to threaten his richest possession, the golden land of Karnatak, from the extension of Mughal dominion in that direction. In October 1686 he sent Kesho Trimbak Pinglé with 12,000 horse, outwardly to strengthen his garrisons in the Karnatak, but with secret instructions to seize and depose the refractory Harji Rajah and assume the government of Jinji in the king's name. There was even a popular belief that Harji was thinking of securing his position by disowning Shambhuji's authority and declaring himself a tributary vassal of the all-conquering Mughals on their arrival in the Karnatak. (Orme's Frag., 155.)