History of Aurangzib, Based on Original Sources v5.c84.s6.t1.8

v5.c84.s6.t1.8

Surat was thoroughly sacked by Shivaji in 1664, and again in 1670; and the country of Kolvan, to within 60 miles of this city, was brought under Maratha sway in 1672 by their annexation of the Jawhar and Ramnagar (modern Dharampur) States. Thus a thorn was permanently planted in the side of the Mughal Government of Surat. Thereafter, from this safe and convenient base, Maratha bands used to harry or menace some part of Gujrat almost every year. These raids and alarms of raids, even when the latter were false, most effectually ruined the economic life of the province. The trade of Surat, the richest port of India, was practically destroyed by them, as has been shown in Ch. 43 § 5.