Treaty of Purandar (1665) and Shivaji’s Visit to Agra
Medieval History › Mughal Period · Topic 6.29
Raja Jai Singh besieged Purandar in 1665 and forced Shivaji to surrender 23 of his 35 forts, keeping 12 on condition of loyalty, while Sambhaji received a mansab of 5000. The planned joint attack on Bijapur failed, and Shivaji's visit to Agra ended in an insult and his escape in 1666. Aurangzeb's rigid reading of the treaty drove Shivaji back to war and the second sack of Surat in 1670.
5 min read · UPSC Prelims · History · Mughal Period
At a Glance
- Mughal general Raja Jai Singh of Amber
- Siege Purandar, 1665
- Forts 23 surrendered; 12 retained
- Agra visit Insulted; escaped in 1666
- Renewed war Second sack of Surat, 1670
- Exam link UPSC Prelims, Medieval History: Mughal Period
Where Does It Fit?
This is the twenty-ninth topic of the category on the Mughal period. The previous topic described Shivaji’s administration, and this topic describes his encounter with the Mughal state. The next topic covers Aurangzeb’s Deccan policy. Previous topic: Shivaji’s Administration (Ashtapradhan Council of Eight Ministers).
Why Was Jai Singh Sent?
In short: after Shaista Khan’s failure, Aurangzeb gave Raja Jai Singh full powers to deal with Shivaji.
After Shaista Khan’s failure, Aurangzeb deputed Raja Jai Singh of Amber, one of his most trusted advisers. Jai Singh got full military and administrative authority, independent of the Mughal viceroy in the Deccan, and dealt directly with the emperor. Unlike his predecessors, he did not underestimate the Marathas and made careful diplomatic and military preparations. He appealed to Shivaji’s rivals, tried to win the sultan of Bijapur and, marching to Poona, struck at the heart of Shivaji’s territory, Fort Purandar, where Shivaji had lodged his family and treasure. The earlier phase is in Rise of the Marathas – Early Career of Shivaji.
What Were the Terms of Purandar?
| Term | Detail |
|---|---|
| Siege | Jai Singh closely besieged Purandar in 1665 and beat off all attempts at relief; with no help likely, Shivaji negotiated |
| Forts | Of 35 forts, 23 with territory yielding four lakh huns a year were surrendered; the remaining 12, yielding one lakh huns, were left on condition of service and loyalty to the throne |
| Bijapur territory | Shivaji got territory worth four lakh huns a year in the Bijapuri Konkan he already held, plus Bijapuri uplands (Balaghat) worth five lakh huns a year that he was to conquer |
| Payment | Forty lakh huns in instalments to the Mughals |
| Service | Shivaji asked to be excused personal service; his minor son Sambhaji got a mansab of 5000; Shivaji promised to join any Mughal campaign in the Deccan |
Jai Singh thus threw a bone of contention between Shivaji and Bijapur. The scheme depended on Mughal support for Shivaji in making up from Bijapur the territory he had yielded, and this proved the fatal flaw. Aurangzeb still had reservations about Shivaji and doubted the wisdom of a joint attack on Bijapur. Jai Singh had larger ideas: he saw the alliance as the starting point for conquering Bijapur and the whole Deccan, writing that they would hem Shivaji in like the centre of a circle.
What Happened at Agra?
The Mughal-Maratha expedition against Bijapur failed, and Shivaji, deputed to take Panhala, was unsuccessful too. Seeing his scheme collapse, Jai Singh persuaded Shivaji to visit Aurangzeb at Agra, hoping reconciliation would bring greater resources for renewed invasion. The visit was a disaster. Shivaji felt insulted at being placed among mansabdars of 5000, the rank given to his minor son, and the emperor, whose birthday was being celebrated, did not find time to speak to him. Shivaji walked off angrily and refused imperial service. A strong group at court argued for exemplary punishment, but Jai Singh, to whose assurance Shivaji had come, argued for leniency. Before a decision was taken, Shivaji escaped from detention in 1666.
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 1665 | Siege of Purandar and treaty |
| 1665 to 1666 | Failed Bijapur expedition; Panhala not taken |
| 1666 | Visit to Agra; Shivaji escapes |
| Two years | Shivaji keeps quiet |
| 1670 | Second sack of Surat |
What Was the Result?
The Agra visit was the turning point in Mughal relations with the Marathas. It showed that, unlike Jai Singh, Aurangzeb attached little value to an alliance with Shivaji; for him Shivaji was just a petty bhumia, or landholder. Aurangzeb always blamed himself for allowing the escape. His stubborn reservations about Shivaji, refusal to recognise his importance and the low price he put on his friendship were among his biggest political mistakes. After the treaty collapsed with the failure of the Bijapur expedition, Aurangzeb insisted on a narrow interpretation of it, though Shivaji could not accept losing 23 forts and four lakh huns of territory without compensation from Bijapur. Shivaji resumed war, sacking Surat a second time in 1670 and recovering many forts including Purandar. The following events are in Aurangzeb’s Deccan Policy and Conflicts with the Marathas. As an analytical point, the settlement failed because it depended on a joint Mughal-Maratha attack on Bijapur that the emperor himself did not fully back.
Why Is This Topic Important?
- Terms asked 23 and 12 forts
- Turning point Agra visit and Aurangzeb’s error
- Diplomacy Jai Singh’s strategy
What Came Next?
The next topic describes Aurangzeb’s Deccan policy and conflicts with the Marathas. Next topic: Aurangzeb’s Deccan Policy and Conflicts with the Marathas.
Key People and Terms
- Purandar Fort where Shivaji kept his family and treasure
- Jai Singh Mughal general and Amber ruler
- Huns Gold coin
- Sambhaji Shivaji’s minor son
- Balaghat Bijapuri uplands
- Bhumia Petty landholder
Exam Corner
Points to Remember
- 23 forts surrendered; 12 kept.
- Sambhaji given 5000 mansab.
- Payment 40 lakh huns.
- Shivaji escaped in 1666.
- Surat sacked again in 1670.
Do Not Confuse With
- Purandar fort and treaty Place of the siege versus its settlement
- Jai Singh and Shaista Khan Amber general with full powers versus the governor who failed
- Konkan and Balaghat Coast versus uplands
Memory Hook
Purandar besieged, 23 forts yielded, Agra insults, Shivaji escapes, war again.
Mains Angle
Questions here ask why the settlement failed. These points add depth.
- Terms Forts, territory and service
- Flaw Dependence on a Bijapur campaign
- Mistake Aurangzeb’s treatment of Shivaji
A Question You May Face
An original practice question, not a past paper question.
“Why did the treaty of Purandar fail to bring peace between Shivaji and the Mughals?”
How to Answer
- Siege Jai Singh at Purandar.
- Terms Forts, territory, mansab.
- Agra Visit and escape.
- Result Renewed war in 1670.
GS Relevance
Frequently Asked Questions
What were the terms of the Treaty of Purandar?
Shivaji surrendered 23 of his 35 forts to the Mughals, kept 12 on condition of loyalty, got Bijapuri territory worth nine lakh huns a year to conquer, and agreed to pay 40 lakh huns. Sambhaji was given a mansab of 5000.
Who negotiated for the Mughals at Purandar?
Raja Jai Singh of Amber negotiated for the Mughals. He had full military and administrative authority from Aurangzeb, independent of the Deccan viceroy, and besieged Purandar in 1665 until Shivaji, finding no relief likely from any quarter, opened negotiations with him.
Why did Shivaji visit Agra?
Jai Singh persuaded Shivaji to visit Aurangzeb at Agra after the Bijapur expedition failed, hoping that a reconciliation between the two would persuade the emperor to give more Mughal resources for a renewed attack on Bijapur.
What went wrong at Agra?
Shivaji felt insulted when he was placed among mansabdars of 5000, a rank given to his minor son, and the emperor did not speak to him. He walked out, refused service and escaped from detention in 1666.
What was the effect of the Agra visit?
The visit became the turning point in Mughal relations with the Marathas. Aurangzeb showed he valued Shivaji's friendship little, and after a narrow reading of the treaty Shivaji resumed war and sacked Surat again in 1670.
PYQ Practice — Statement Analysis
1 The Treaty of Purandar was signed with Raja Jai Singh in 1665.
Shivaji gave up 23 forts.
2 Shivaji accepted a mansab of 5000 for himself at Agra.
He felt insulted and refused service.
3 Sambhaji was granted a mansab of 5000 in the treaty.
He was a minor.
4 Shivaji escaped from detention at Agra in 1666.
Aurangzeb blamed himself.
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