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1668] It was, therefore, the Emperor's interest not to molest Shivaji at such a time.

The Maratha chief, on his part, was not eager for a war with the imperialists. For some years after his return home from Agra, he lived very quietly,! and avoided giving any fresh provocation to the I Mughals. He wanted peace * for a time to organise his Government, repair and provision his forts, and  consolidate and extend his power on the western coast  at the expense of Bijapur and the Siddis of Janjira. As early as April 1667 he had sent a letter to the Emperor professing terror of the imperial army which was reported to have been despatched against him, and offering to make his submission again and send a contingent of 400 men under his son to fight under the Mughal banners. (Akhbarat, 10-9.)

Aurangzib had taken no notice of this letter. Some months later Shivaji made another attempt. He entreated Jaswant Singh to be his intermediary in making peace with the empire. He wrote to the