15.2 Shivaji (1627–1680) · Part 3

of the Deccan, was weak and indolent. Raja Jaswant Singh was friendly towards Shivaji. Sambhaji was also made a mansabdar of . Conflict with the Mughals ( ) Aurangzeb took back a part of the jagir in Berar which was once given to Shivaji. Shivaji got annoyed and recalled his troops from Mughal service. He recovered almost all the forts he had ceded to the Mughals by the treaty of Purandar. In , he again sacked Surat, the most important port on the western coast. In , the Marathas imposed chauth or one fourth of the revenue as annual tribute on Surat. Aurangzeb boasted that he would bring the “mountain- rat” in chains. But, he found fighting in the mountainous country extremely difficult. So, he planned to trick Shivaji but he was outwitted. The Maratha forces ravaged South Konkan and Kolhapur district and captured the fort of Panhala. The Sultan of Bijapur himself led the army and the war dragged on for more than a year. Nothing substantial was gained. Finally, after negotiations, Shivaji was recognised as the ruler of the territories in his possession. Shivaji and the Mughals In July , Aurangzeb ascended the throne as the Emperor. Shaista Khan was appointed the Governor of the Deccan in with the main purpose of crushing Shivaji. Shivaji hit upon a bold plan. He entered Poona at night with soldiers in the form of a marriage party and attacked the home of Shaista Khan. Aurangzeb was forced to recall Shaista Khan from the Deccan in December . Shivaji and Jaisingh In , Shivaji attacked Surat, the major Mughal port in Arabian Sea and his soldiers plundered the city. Aurangzeb despatched an army under the command of the Rajput general Raja Jai Singh to defeat Shivaji and annex Bijapur. At that time, Prince Muazzam, (known as Bahadur Shah I), was the Governor of the Deccan. Jai Singh made elaborate plans to encircle Shivaji on all sides. Even Raigarh was under threat. Purandar was besieged in Shivaji and Jai Singh XI History - Lesson - - The Marathas He