Shivaji and His Times c11.s2.49

c11.s2.49

The Bijapuri governor of Hubli fell into disfavour at Court and the governor of Mirjan rebelled. Muhammad Ikhlas Khan, the brother of Khawas Khan, recovered Dabhol and many other places in South Konkan from the Marathas, while the latter were busy fighting Jai Singh. But by November next Shivaji, now an ally of the Mughals, had reconquered all that country after slaying 2,000 soldiers of Muhammad Ikhlas, including several men of note. The Khan fell back on Kudal and waited for Sharza Khan to reinforce him. But no such aid came, as Jai Singh began his invasion of Bijapur that very month and Ikhlas Khan had to hasten from Kudal to the defence of the capital.* But Vingurla and Kudal continued in Bijapuri hands, while Shivaji held Rajapur and Kharepatan. The country about Karwar was at this time subjected to constant pillage by the soldiers of Shivaji's garrisons there, who used to leave their forts in a band of 200 men and raid the small towns. Murtaza Beg, who had lost his fort, also took to plunder with his 200 retainers. (*Ibid.*, 29th August, 21st September and 29th November 1665 and 15th January 1666.)