<b>20 November 1665</b>: Maratha-Mughal Invasion of Bijapur
Shivaji begins invasion of Bijapur from the fort of Purandar in collaboration with elderly Mughal general Jai Singh as per the agreement reached in the Maratha-Mughal treaty of Purandar inked a few weeks earlier.
The Maratha contingent, 9000 strong, marching under Shivaji himself and Netaji Palkar, who was regarded as a second Shivaji by both his followers and opponents, formed the left centre of Jai Singh's configuration. During the first month of the campaign, the march was an uninterrupted triumph. From Purandar to Mangalbirah (Mangalvedhe), a fort 52 miles north of Bijapur, the invaders advanced without meeting with any opposition; the Bijapuri forts on the way were either evacuated in terror or surrendered at call to Shiva's troops, who were followed by a larger Mughal army behind them under Jai Singh. Phaltan, about forty miles south-east of Purandar, was entered on 7th December; Thathora, 14 miles south-west of Phaltan, on the 8th ; Khawan about a week later; and Mangalbirah itself on the 18th. (Shivaji received on the occasion a letter of praise, a robe of honour, and a jewelled dagger from Jai Singh, sent by Awrangzib). The invaders marched on until December 24th, when they came into touch with the enemy for the first time, the opposition being led by the famous Bijapuri generals Sharza Khan and Khawas Khan and their Maratha auxiliaries under Jadu Rao Ghorpare of Kalian and Vyankoji, the half-brother of Shivaji.
Shivaji begins invasion of Bijapur from the fort of Purandar in collaboration with elderly Mughal general Jai Singh as per the agreement reached in the Maratha-Mughal treaty of Purandar inked a few weeks earlier.
The Maratha contingent, 9000 strong, marching under Shivaji himself and Netaji Palkar, who was regarded as a second Shivaji by both his followers and opponents, formed the left centre of Jai Singh's configuration. During the first month of the campaign, the march was an uninterrupted triumph. From Purandar to Mangalbirah (Mangalvedhe), a fort 52 miles north of Bijapur, the invaders advanced without meeting with any opposition; the Bijapuri forts on the way were either evacuated in terror or surrendered at call to Shiva's troops, who were followed by a larger Mughal army behind them under Jai Singh. Phaltan, about forty miles south-east of Purandar, was entered on 7th December; Thathora, 14 miles south-west of Phaltan, on the 8th ; Khawan about a week later; and Mangalbirah itself on the 18th. (Shivaji received on the occasion a letter of praise, a robe of honour, and a jewelled dagger from Jai Singh, sent by Awrangzib). The invaders marched on until December 24th, when they came into touch with the enemy for the first time, the opposition being led by the famous Bijapuri generals Sharza Khan and Khawas Khan and their Maratha auxiliaries under Jadu Rao Ghorpare of Kalian and Vyankoji, the half-brother of Shivaji.