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strong force against him, Afazal Khan one of the formost nobles of Bijapur and an experienced general volunteered his services against the Maratha rebel. While proceeding to chastise Shivaji, Afazal Khan did not conceal his intolerance of Hinduism and desecrated the temples of Tuljapur and Pandharpur. His objects in doing so was more or less to draw Shivaji out from his stronghold into the open plains. Being foiled in this attempt he opened negotiations which resulted in a meeting of the adversaries and the ultimate result of which was the death of Afazal Khan. Bijapur, being infuriated at the death of Afazal Khan, poured its vast resources of army against the rebel and Shivaji was cornered in a way. With great difficulties he extricated himself from the dangerous situation in 1660,
18. While Shivaji was overcoming the difficulties placed in his way by Bijapur, unexpected danger came from the Mughal side. Shaista Khan was appointed Viceroy of Deccan by Aurangzeb with instructions to subdue Shivaji. Shaista Khan put all the resources at his command into motion and wrested Poona and Chakan from Shivaji. Secondly, he turned his attention towards Kalyan, and gradually cleared it of the Marathas. Intoxicated at his success Shaista Khan was enjoying in the citadel of Poona, but Shivaji surprised him by a night attack in 1663. Shivaji entered the Viceroy's apartments with a few of his companions and slew his son with forty of his attendants, cut off the thumb of Viceroy himself by the stroke of his Bhavani and returned safely to his stronghold of Singhagarh,
17. This daring exploit enhanced the prestige of Shivaji and totally demoralised the Imperial forces in the Deccan. Shivaji at once started to take full advantage of the demoralised state of the Imperial forces and he determined to avenge the wrongs done to Poona, his favourite city by the Mughal Viceroy. He resorted to plundering of prosperous cities belonging to the Mughals after their own fashion. While doing so, his attention was drawn by the prosperous condition of Surat in the Lat country. He deputed his trusted adherents to know the disposition of neighbouring Hindu Princes whcse territory he was to traverse in his march and also to secure informations about the defences of that city. His spies found the princes of Jawar. Ramnagar, Peth and Bansda favourably disposed, and willing to help him in his enterprise,
Shree Sudharmaswami Gyanbhandar-Umara, Surat
www.umaragyanbhandar.com