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156 the whole of the northern Konkan. A few years later he caused the governor of the more southern region of the Gháts to be assassinated, annexed the whole territory, captured the existing forts, and built new strongholds. Like Albuquerque, but with better reason, he posed as the protector of the Hindús against the Musalmáns, whom he really hated with a righteous hatred; and his policy and his superstitious piety alike recommended him to the people, and, in spite of his heavy blackmail, secured their adhesion.

So far Sivají had confined his depredations to the dominions of the King of Bijápúr. The Mughal territory had been uniformly respected, and in 1649 the Maráthá had shown his political sagacity, and prevented active retaliation on the part of the 'Ádil Shah, by actually offering his services to Sháh-Jahán, who had been pleased to appoint him to the rank of a 'Mansabdár of 5000.' The freebooter fell indeed under the temptation set before him by the war between Aurangzíb and the Deccan Kings in 1656, and profited by the preoccupation of both sides to make a raid upon Junír. But Aurangzíb's successes soon convinced him that he had made a false move, and he hastened to offer his apologies, which were accepted. Aurangzíb was then marching north to secure his crown, and could not pause to chastise a ridiculously insignificant marauder.

During the years of civil war and ensuing reorganization in Hindústán, Sivají made the best of his opportunities. The young king Sikandar, who had