There, the division left to besiege Salhir was attacked by Shiva himself with a large force. After an obstinate battle, Ikhlas Khan and Muhakam Singh (the son of Rao Amar Singh Chandawat) were wounded and captured, with 30 of their principal officers,*[1] while Rao Amar Singh and many other commanders as well as several thousand common
soldiers were slain, and the entire siege-camp was taken by the enemy. Shortly afterwards Shivaji captured Mulhir, and then putting fresh men, munitions and provisions in the two forts, he hurried back to Konkan unmolested. This took place in the second half of January 1672. Shivaji's prestige and confidence in his own power were immensely increased by these successes. Surat was now in, constant terror of him, as he entirely dominated Baglana. (Dil. 107; Ishwardas, 60b; F. R. Surat 87, M. Gray to Bombay, 15 Feb. Vol. 106, Bombay to Surat, 16 Feb., 1672; Sabh. 74; K. K. ii. 249.)
From the English records we learn that Shiva now "forced the two generals (viz., Bahadur and Dilir), who with their armies had entered into his country, to retreat with shame and loss." †[2] But the
- ↑ * They were released after a time and returned to Ahmadnagar (Dil. 115.) On the Maratha side also many soldiers were slain and only one chief of note, Surya Rao Kakre, a comrade of Shivaji's youth.
- ↑ † O. C. 3633, Surat to Co.. 6 April. 1672. Ramaji Pangre's heroic battle with Dilir near fort Kanera (Sabh. 73) must be placed here.
