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324 zamindar of Tanjore, who is worthless (be-asal) and a grandson of Shahji, the father of Shivaji now in hell, is possessed of the country by usurpation. His kingdom is not very strong. Its revenue, according to the late Siddi Masaud Khan, is between 70 and 80 lakhs of hurt. Why should it be left in his possession? Inquire into the state of the country and the means of wresting it from his hands." (Ruqat, No. 163.) To this real land of gold Shivaji's eyes were now turned. An attack on this frontier province would scarcely rouse the Government of Bijapur, as the Karnatak formed the fiefs of certain semi independent nobles who alone were interested in its defence. Moreover, Shiva had a plausible claim to a portion of it.

Shahji had died in 1664, leaving to his younger son Vyankoji his vast jagirs in the south and east of the Bijapur State. They practically formed a kingdom with Tanjore for its capital, though their Rajah was nominally a vassal of Adil Shah. All the personal property of Shahji had passed into Vyankojfs hands. His eldest son, Shivaji, had merely got the few small jagirs in the Puna district, which he had usurped in his father's life-time, but no part of Shahji's legacy. Whether Shiva would, of himself, have cared to demand his legal share of his patrimony, is very doubtful. He certainly did not need