24. Battle Of Salher

Shivaji had his eyes on the capture of Salher fort which could provide immediate access to Gujarat. He had already seized forts of east to west of Nashik region. This was 1st time that he decided to occupy & hold permanently a slice of Mughal empire. The Marathas approached Burhanpur, capital of Khandesh & plundered Burhanpura. They promptly moved to Salher & laid siege to it. General of Khandesh Daud khan hurried after them. When he was at 22km from Salher, got the news that Marathas had captured the fort & commandant Fatehulla khan had lost his life fighting. The date was 5 jan 1671.

Daud khan tried to fight stiff battles with Marathas but they did not loosen their grip on Baglana area. Sooner Aurangzeb decided to appoint Mahabat khan as general for campaign against Shivaji. He was previously on the province of Kabul. In june 1671 he took charge from Daud khan. Mahabat khan showed a great unwillingness to campaign in rainy season here. With base a Parner, he was spending his days in luxury & indulgence. Every day there use to be entertainment in the camps. The emperor got the news that Mahabat khan is not exerting himself to put Marathas down. He was immediately removed from Deccan & Bahadur khan was appointed as next general. This happened in sept 1671.

Bahadur khan began his fight energetically. He also carried out many raids in Maratha territories & fought many battles. Now they laid siege to fort Salher. Its capture became point of prestige for Mughals. In this battle Mughal forces suffered a great disaster. Marathas army consists of veterans like Peshwa Moropant Pingle, commander-in-chief Prataprao Gujar & others. It was a great battle. Ikhalas khan Miyana & Muhkam singh were wounded & captured by Prataprao. The entire equipment of Mughals was captured by Marathas. This battle of Salher figures promptly in Marathi chronicles & ballads. Kavi Bushan has also devoted more than one full forceful stanza on description of this battle. Aurangzeb was facing difficult time in all around. In Deccan in Jat region & in Assam as well.

This was correct time for Shivaji to take a big nationwide political move.