Shivaji and His Times c13.s9.3

c13.s9.3

From Jinji, Shivaji turned back northwards to Vellore, where he arrived about 23rd May. This fort was held for Bijapur by a brave Abyssinian officer named Abdullah Khan, who put up an obstinate defence. Vellore is one of the strongest fortresses in Southern India. A deep wet ditch, swarming with crocodiles, surrounds it. The outer ramparts are wide enough for two carts to be driven abreast. Four concentric lines of circumvallation protect it. [Sabh. 91.] Shivaji had, therefore, to begin a regular siege, for which he was not properly equipped. Occupying two neighbouring hillocks, which he named Sajira and Gojira, he mounted batteries there and opened the attack. The fort defied the Marathas for fourteen months.* Leaving Narahari Rudra (sabnis), with 2,000 horse and 5,000 Mavle infantry, to conduct the protracted siege, Shivaji himself marched southwards (about 20th June) to fight Sher Khan Lodi.