The failure of Aurangzeb’s uncle Shayista Khan to defeat Shivaji and capture his Forts caused the utmost consternation in Delhi and Agra. The Emperor Aurangzeb wrote coldly to his uncle Shayista Khan relieving him of his command and transferring him to the Governorship of Bengal, an inferior appointment. Prince Muazzam, the Emperor’s son who was idle and comfortably fond of hunting and Polo, succeeded Shayista Khan.
This done, Aurangzeb’s favourite sister Roshanara, who was known for Palace intrigues set her heart on a visit to Kashmir. Roshanara was perhaps the only person whom Aurangzeb cared for and as such did not want to disappoint her. The cortege of the Emperor began its journey towards Kashmir while Prince Muazzam, the newly-appointed Chief of the Deccan, was busy playing Polo and giving parties. Incidentally, the name of the late Field Marshal K.M. Cariappa’s bungalow in Madikeri, Kodagu, is Roshanara.
In the meanwhile, Shivaji in revenge for the occupation of Pune was preparing for an attack on Surat where pilgrim fleets were carrying devout Muslims going to Mecca. Therefore, Surat was also the most important port city for Mughals, as also a city of factories for the foreign traders from China, France, England, Denmark and Portugal. It made a natural port because Surat is on the banks of river Tapti. It was a rich city where rich merchants and business-persons lived.
In December 1663, Shivaji went to the city disguising as a beggar looking very ragged and dirty with a bamboo staff and a begging bowl to conduct a recce of the roads and important houses of Surat. A few days later, Shivaji reappeared in
