Shivaji and His Times c12.s5.1

c12.s5.1

In September 1675, we read of his making preparations for taking that fort by a land and sea attack. His fleet had by this time increased to 57 sail, of which 15 were ghurabs and the rest gallivats. The cruise of the Siddi fleet along Shiva's coast in January and February of this year had proved unsuccessful. But it returned in November with reinforcements, and sailed down the coast to Vingurla, plundering and burning that town. Maratha squadrons from Gheria (Vijay-durg) and Rajapur took the sea, seeking a fight, but the Siddi escaped to Janjira. (F. R. Surat 107, Bomb. to Surat, 7 Sep.; Orme; Frag., 49, 53.)