Maharashtra Board Class 7 History Chapter 6 Conflict with the Mughals PDF Download

Conflict With The Mughals

So far, Shivaji Maharaj had successfully fought the Adilshahi; but for expanding the Swaraj, conflict with the Mughals was inevitable. The Mughals posed a great threat to the Swaraj even as it began to expand. Maharaj triumphed over this threat too. He regained his forts and territories from the Mughals. He got himself crowned. He took up a campaign of the South. We shall learn about all these events in this chapter.

Shaistakhan's Invasion

In February 1660, Shaistakhan left from Ahmadnagar and entered the Pune province. He ravaged the territory of the Swaraj by sending small units of his army to the neighbouring areas. He encamped at Chakan. Firangoji Narsala, the Killedar of the fort of Chakan offered a strong resistance to Shaistakhan's army. Finally, the Mughals captured the fort of Chakan.

Shaistakhan set up his camp at Lal Mahal in Pune where Shivaji Maharaj had lived in his childhood. Khan sent his forces in the regions around Pune. These forces looted the people. Two years passed, but he would not think of leaving Pune. Naturally, this had an adverse effect on the people's morale. In these circumstances, Maharaj drew up a bold plan.

Shivaji Maharaj decided to raid Lal Mahal secretly under his own leadership. On 5 April 1663, Maharaj raided Lal Mahal at night with a select band of soldiers. In this raid, Shaistakhan lost his fingers. He suffered great humiliation. He left Pune and shifted his camp to Aurangabad. Due to this episode, he incurred the displeasure of Aurangzeb. Aurangzeb transferred him to the province of Bengal. The successful attack on Shaistakhan had an impact on the people and their faith in the capability of Maharaj was strengthened even further.

Teacher's Note

Shaistakhan was a Mughal general. He attacked Pune but Shivaji Maharaj fought him bravely. It is like when a local leader stands up against a big power.

Exam Trick

Remember: Shaistakhan lost his fingers in the raid on Lal Mahal in 1663. This date and the finger loss are easy to remember together.

Points to Remember

Shaistakhan invaded Pune in 1660.
He camped at Lal Mahal for two years.
Shivaji Maharaj raided Lal Mahal on 5 April 1663.
Shaistakhan lost his fingers and left Pune.
The people's faith in Maharaj became even stronger.

The Surat Campaign

In three years' time, Shaistakhan had ravaged large territories of the Swaraj. It was necessary to make good this loss. For this, Shivaji Maharaj devised a plan for teaching the Mughals a lesson. Surat was a big trade centre and port under Mughal control. The British, Dutch and French had their factories there. Maximum revenue was being generated by this city for the Emperor. It was a rich city. Maharaj marched on Surat. Inayat Khan, the Subhedar of Surat could not put up any resistance. Maharaj obtained plenty of wealth from Surat without bothering the common people. His campaign of Surat was completely successful. This campaign was a stunning blow to Emperor Aurangzeb's prestige.

Teacher's Note

Surat was a rich trading city. Shivaji Maharaj attacked it and took wealth. This is like how a small business can challenge a big business through smart planning.

Exam Trick

Remember: Surat = trade centre + port + foreign factories. Shivaji Maharaj took wealth but did not harm common people. This shows he was a smart leader.

Points to Remember

Surat was a big trade centre under Mughal control.
British, Dutch and French had factories there.
Maharaj attacked Surat and got plenty of wealth.
He did not trouble the common people.
This was a blow to Aurangzeb's prestige.

Jaisingh's Invasion

With a view to curbing the increasing activities of Shivaji Maharaj, Aurangzeb sent Mirzaraja Jaisingh, an experienced and powerful Rajput Sardar. Jaisingh came to Pune. He started rallying all the forces against Shivaji Maharaj. To the Portuguese of Goa and Vasai, the Dutch of Vengurla, the British of Surat and the Siddis of Janjira, Jaisingh suggested that they should start a naval campaign against Maharaj.

Jaisingh drew up a plan of capturing the forts in possession of Maharaj. Mughal forces were sent to various parts of the Swaraj. They ravaged the territories of the Swaraj. Maharaj endeavoured to resist the Mughals. Jaisingh and Dilerkhan laid siege to the fort of Purandar. When the Mughals put the fort of Purandar under siege, Murarbaji Deshpande fought with the greatest of courage. He died a hero's death. Considering the seriousness of the situation, Maharaj began talks for a treaty with Jaisingh. He met Jaisingh personally. A treaty between Jaisingh and Maharaj was signed in June 1665. It is known as the 'Treaty of Purandar'. In accordance with the terms of the treaty, Maharaj gave to the Mughals, twenty-three of his forts and the adjoining territories yielding an annual revenue of four lakh hons. He also assured the Mughals of help against the Adilshahi. The Treaty was ratified by Aurangzeb.

Teacher's Note

Jaisingh was a powerful Mughal general. The Treaty of Purandar was signed when Shivaji Maharaj had to give some forts. Like when you have to compromise in a difficult situation.

Exam Trick

Remember: Treaty of Purandar = June 1665 = Maharaj gave 23 forts to Mughals. This was a temporary peace, not a permanent one.

Points to Remember

Jaisingh was sent by Aurangzeb to fight Shivaji Maharaj.
Murarbaji Deshpande died fighting at Purandar fort.
Treaty of Purandar was signed in June 1665.
Maharaj gave 23 forts to the Mughals.
The treaty gave Maharaj time to become stronger.

Agra Visit And Escape

After the Treaty of Purandar, Jaisingh launched a campaign against the Adilshahi. Maharaj helped Jaisingh but this campaign of Jaisingh was not successful. Jaisingh and Aurangzeb felt that Shivaji Maharaj ought to be kept away, at least for some time, from the Deccan politics. Jaisingh proposed to Shivaji Maharaj that he should visit Agra and meet the Emperor. He guaranteed the safety of Shivaji Maharaj. Shivaji Maharaj set out for Agra. He was accompanied by Prince Sambhaji and a few of his trusted people who were ready to risk their lives for him.

Shivaji Maharaj reached Agra. Aurangzeb did not treat him with due honour at his court. Maharaj gave vent to his rage. The Emperor then put him under house arrest. Undeterred by this action of the Emperor, Maharaj devised a plan of escaping from this house arrest. He adroitly escaped from Agra and reached Maharashtra safely after a few days. He reached Rajgad. While returning from Agra, he had left Sambhaji Raje at Mathura. Later, Prince Sambhaji was brought safely to Rajgad. While Maharaj was away from Swaraj, Veermata Jijabai and the associates of Shivaji Maharaj looked after the administration of Swaraj.

Teacher's Note

Shivaji Maharaj was put in jail at Agra but he escaped using his wisdom. This shows that bravery is not just about fighting, it is also about using your mind.

Exam Trick

Remember: Agra visit = house arrest = secret escape. This is one of the most famous stories of Shivaji Maharaj's cleverness.

Points to Remember

Jaisingh asked Maharaj to visit Agra to meet Aurangzeb.
Aurangzeb did not treat Maharaj with honour.
Maharaj was put under house arrest.
He escaped secretly and reached Maharashtra safely.
Veermata Jijabai managed the Swaraj while he was away.

On The Offensive Against Mughals

Immediately after returning from Agra, Maharaj did not want any conflict with the Mughals. However, he wanted to recapture the forts and territories given to the Mughals as per the Purandar treaty. For this, he prepared a comprehensive and bold plan. It was his strategy to capture the forts by sending a well-equipped army on the one hand, and on the other hand, to keep the Mughals unstable by invading the territories of the Deccan under their control. Maharaj attacked the Mughal territories of Ahmadnagar and Junnar. Then, he recaptured several forts such as Sinhgad, Purandar, Lohagad, Mahuli, Karnala, and Rohida, one after the other. Then Maharaj attacked Surat for a second time. While returning from Surat, he fought a great battle with the Mughals at Vani-Dindori in Nashik district. Maharaj defeated the Mughal Sardar Daudkhan in the great battle. After that, Moropant Pingale captured Triambakgad near Nashik.

Teacher's Note

After escaping from Agra, Shivaji Maharaj started fighting back smartly. He attacked the Mughals on many sides. This is like a student who comes back after failure and works harder to succeed.

Exam Trick

Remember: Vani-Dindori battle = Maharaj defeated Daudkhan. After Agra escape, Maharaj got 27 forts in 4 months. Count them!

Points to Remember

Maharaj attacked Ahmadnagar and Junnar territories.
He recaptured six important forts quickly.
He attacked Surat for the second time.
He defeated Daudkhan at Vani-Dindori.
Moropant Pingale captured Triambakgad near Nashik.

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