5. Into the Konkan ...

Shivaji’s eyes thus turned towards the coastal belt of Konkan, the northern part of which had been held by Shahaji Raje during struggle with the Mughals from 1632 – 1636. The 483 km. long & 90-95 km. wide Konkan, the coastline is broken into innumerable creeks, rivers & streams. The creeks in many places reach the hill ranges. The rainfall is heavy & communications difficult. The coastline boasts of a number of ports, small & big such as Bassein (Vasai), Bombay (Mumbai), Chaul (Revdanda), Dabhol, Rajapuri, Vengurla, besides the trading places like sangameshwar, Mahad, Thane. The north Konkan area of Kalyan-Bhiwandi was under Mughals, Thane & above was under Portuguese. Centrel Konkan was under Siddis & further south was under Vijapur.