As soon as Aurangzeb was firmly seated on the throne of Delhi, he sent his maternal uncle Shaista Khan, the viceroy of Deccan to chastize Shivaji who carried on incursions in the Mughal territory. At the same time, Siddhi Jauhar now entitled Salabat Khan launched another offensive on behalf of Bijapur and invested Panhalgad. The siege continued for over four months.

Shivaji planned to escape to Vishalgad, on the night of July 12, 1660. The enemy came to know and pursued him but his brave general Baji Prabhu held the entire Bijapur army at the pass of Gajapurkhind and fought till his last when to his great satisfaction he heard the gunfire at Vishalgad signalling the safe arrival of Shivaji at the fort (13 July, 1660).

Meanwhile Shaista Khan pursued his campaign relentlessly. He captured Pima, Chakan and after two years’ struggle was able to capture North Konkan and Kalayan. After these victories, Shaista Khan located himself at Poona.

In April 1663, Shivaji entered Poona in disguise with a few followers and at night entered Lai Mahal, where Shaista Khan was staying. There was panic and the Khan hid himself in the ‘zenana’. Groping in the dark, Shivaji struck a blow with his sword on Shaista who was trying to escape from the balcony. The blow did not kill him but he lost three fingers of his right hand.

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Shivaji’s prestige was now greatly enhanced. He now sacked Surat, the richest port on the west coast and carried away a rich booty, gold, jewels, diamonds, etc. amounting to over one crore of rupees. Surat was again plundered in October 1672. His plunder amounted to over sixty five lakhs of rupees.