Question

Shivaji’s Surat Campaign was a big blow to Aurangzeb’s prestige. Substantiate.

Answer 1

Explanation:

Why?
Shaistakhan had devastated huge portions of Shivaji’s Swaraj. This loss needed to be made up for. To remedy this, Shivaji Maharaj formulated a strategy to teach the Mughals a lesson.

What?
Under the Mughal rule, Surat served as a significant commercial hub and port. There were factories run by the French, British, and Dutch. This city was giving the emperor the most money possible. The city was wealthy.

How?
Maharaj entered Surat on foot. The Subhedar of Surat, Inayat Khan, was unable to resist the attack. Maharaj made a fortune from Surat without worrying the average citizen. His Surat campaign was a complete success.

Result:
The reputation of the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb was seriously damaged by this campaign.

Solution:

• Shivaji had to recover from the damage made by Shaista Khan’s army.
• He decided to attack Surat, a big trading centre and port under Mughal control.
• The British, the Dutch, and the French had their factories there.
• Shivaji marched towards Surat and defeated Inayat Khan,
• the Subhedar of Surat, and conquered the territory.
• This was a huge blow to Aurangzeb’s prestige.