first to Waisati, then to Songarh (a fort 3 miles n. w. of Mahad in the Kolaba district), and finally to Raigarh. They were released after more than three years of captivity, about 5th February, 1663, (Orme
MSS., Vol. 155, pp. 1-21.)
In March 1663, Rustam-i-Zaman did another friendly turn to Shivaji. Netaji Palkar, Shiva's "lieutenant-general," had raided the imperial territory, but a large Mughal division of 7,000 cavalry pursued him so close as to force him to march 45 or 50 miles a day. Rustam met this army near Bijapur and persuaded the Mughal commander to give up the chase as "that country was dangerous for any strange army to march in, likewise promising them to go himself and follow him, by which deceit Netaji got escaped, though not without the loss of 300 horse and himself wounded." (Gyffard to Surat, 30th March and 8th April 1663, F. R. Surat 103.) This reverse defeated Shivajis plan of raiding North Kanara and penetrating to the rich port of Karwar. (F. R. Surat, Vol. 2, 9th October.)
On 1st March 1663, Ali Adil Shah II., with all his Court, left his capital for Bankapur.*[1] There they
- ↑ * F. R. Surat, Vol. 103, Gyffard to Surat, 20th July 1663. A letter from him to Surat, 30th March, says that the Adil-Shahi Court went there in fear of the Mughals who had come within five leagues of Bijapur in pursuit of Netaji. But Tarikh-i-Ali II., 160-164. (also B. S. 366) says that Ali went to Bankapur to direct the operations against the Rajah of Bednur in person.
