Kudal about four hours [journey] from here [=Vingurla], one of Shivaji's generals called Annaji came with 3,000 soldiers to surprise the fortress Ponda, but Mamet Khan who was there armed himself, so that the aforesaid pandit accomplished nothing." (Dutch Rec, Vol. 34, No. 841.)
At Bijapur everything was in confusion, "the great Khans were at difference." The worthless wazir Khawas Khan was driven to hard straits by the Afghan faction in the State. Rustam-i-Zaman II. after his visit to the capital evidently lost his vice- royalty. This was Shivaji's opportunity and he now conquered Kanara for good. First, he befooled the Mughal viceroy Bahadur Khan by sending him a pretended offer of peace, asking for the pardon of the Mughal Government through the Khan's mediation and promising to cede the imperial forts he had recently conquered as well as the twenty-three forts of his own that he had once before yielded in Jai Singh's time. By these insincere negotiations Shivaji for the time being averted the risk of a Mughal attack on his territory and began his invasion of Bijapuri Kanara*[1] with composure of mind.
- ↑ * Invasion of Kanara and capture of Ponda (1675), F. R.Surat 88, Karwar to Surat, 14th and 22nd April, 8th and 25th May; Rajapur to Surat, 1st and 20th April; 3rd, 21st and 31st May; 3rd and 14th June; B. 5. 401 ; Orme Frag., 38, 40. Sabh. 70 (scanty.) Delusive peace offer to Mughals, B. 5. 401; O. C. 4077.
