is elevated, rocky, and forest-clad. Its safety
lay in the great difficulty which an invader
found in crossing the Ghats and penetrating into
the country from the land side. A line of Rajahs
of the Koli tribe, founded early in the 14th century, ruled the State, and was at this time engaged in a long but successful struggle with the
Portuguese power in Northern Konkan. The
Rajah, named Sripat, paid no tribute nor owned
the overlordship of the Emperor. So, at Aurangzib's suggestion, Shah Jahan sanctioned a war
against him. Rao Karan, the chief of Bikanir,
had long served in the Mughal wars of the Deccan. He now promised to conquer Jawhar with
his own men, if it were granted to him as a fief
on a tribute of Rs. 50,000. The Rajput general
started from Aurangabad on 3rd October, 1655,
threaded his way through a difficult pass in the
Western Ghats and approached the frontier of
Jawhar. At this Sripat offered submission (5th
January, 1656), and bought safety by paying anits success.
indemnity, promising to alienate a certain portion of his territory for the payment of tribute in future, and sending his son with Rao Karan as a hostage. The expedition returned to Aurangzib on 20th January.[1]
- ↑ Imp. Gazetteer, xiv. 87 and 88, Waris, 106a, Adab, 37b, 39b, 47a.