Shivaji and His Times c11.s2.30

c11.s2.30

Shivaji was anything but crushed. He had turned back to settle scores with an old enemy. Baji Ghorpare, jagirdar of Mudhol, was a faithful vassal of Bijapur. At the siege-camp before Jinji he had carried out his commander-in-chief's orders by arresting the refractory Shahji (1648), without, however, resorting to treachery as alleged in later Maratha stories. He used to co-operate loyally with the Adil-Shahi generals sent out to restore the lawful king's authority over the Konkan territory usurped by Shivaji. His energy, honesty and devotion to his master made him a dangerous enemy to Shivaji. When Khawas Khan was marching to Kudal to expel Shivaji, Ghorpare came from Bijapur with his contingent of 1,500 horse to join him. But Shivaji struck the first blow and prevented the junction of his enemies. He suddenly invaded Mudhol. Baji Ghorpare, who had hurried to the defence of his jagir, was defeated and slain and 1,200 of his horses were captured. Mudhol itself was taken, and so many members of the Ghorpare family were put to death that the incident is known as "the massacre of the Ghorpares."*