named Pratapgarh, and here he set up an image of his patron goddess Bhavani, as the more ancient Bhavani of Tuljapur was beyond his reach. On her he lavished his wealth in costly ornaments and trappings and to this shrine he made repeated pilgrimages. (Sabh. 26; Chit. 42; Hih. Sang. Sfuta lekh, ii. 11; Dig. 132.)
West of Javli, in the Konkan plain, near the centre of the Ratnagiri district, lay the principality of Shringarpur,*[1] owned by a chieftain named Surve, but virtually ruled by his minister, a Shirke. As Shiva entered the country, the chief fled away and the minister surrendered it and was taken into Shivaji's pay. (Sabh. 11.) Other petty chiefs of the neighbourhood were reduced to submission and their lands annexed. Thus, the eastern half of Ratnagiri became Shiva's, while Rajapur and the ports continued under Bijapur till 1660, and in some cases even later.
The greatly expanded Maratha kingdom was now organised on a stronger and more elaborate plan: Moro Trimbak Pingle was appointed as Chancellor (Peshwa) vice the incompetent Shyamraj
- ↑ * A letter written by the English prisoners at Songarh in June 1661 says, "Shivaji hath lately enlarged his country by overcoming the two Rajahs of Dulvice (? Dalve) and the Rajah of Singapur (sic), by which means he commands all the coast from Danda Rajpuri castle to Kharepatan." (Orme MSS. Vol. 155, pp. 1-21.) "Singapur, 7 gav to the northward of Rajapur." (F. R. Surat, 104.)
