The Siege of Phonda[6] was a military conflict between the Bijapur Sultanate and the Marathas over the strategic fort of Phonda (Ponda), located at the borders of Goa[6] in the year 1666, led by Shivaji, the first Maratha ruler.[7] This was one of two sieges held in this location, with a second siege in 1675.
Shivaji made the decision to initiate the siege of Ponda fort. The fort was being held by a Bijapuri commander named Muhammad Khan.[10]
The Siege
In January 1666, Shivaji dispatched 2,000 soldiers under a Muslim general who laid siege on the Fort of Ponda under his command.[11][12] The garrison of the fort resisted for next two months killing 500 Marathas.[13] Meanwhile 5,000 cavalry and 1,000 infantry arrived under the command of Siddi Masud, Abdul Aziz and Rustam-i-Zaman to the Panhala region. The Bijapur army planned to attack Shivaji but failed to execute the assault, giving Shivaji the opportunity to flee.[14] Masud Siddi charged the retreating Marathas with 600 cavalry, killing 200 of them. While returning back he intercepted Shivaji's friendly letters to Rustam. The letters were immediately sent to Adil Shah who unwillingly, pardoned Rustam but threatened to dismiss him if he fails to lift the siege of Phonda.[15] Rustam communicated to Muhammad Khan to spare no effort in defending the fort. The Portuguese Viceroy of Goa provided ammunition and other assistance to the commander, aligning with the Adil Shahis of Bijapur.[16][17] Muhammad Khan carved a plan to attack the Maratha army under Shivaji's general. Moving down in a town off from Phonda with a small force, Muhammad Khan informed Shivaji's general that he had come to visit his country. As Shivaji and Rustam were friends, the general did not suspect. The Muslim general began offering prayers on top of the hill. Muhammad Khan ambushed and defeated the unprepared Maratha army, routing their siege-camp and overcoming the returning forces after a fierce battle. Despite the protracted siege, Shivaji failed[18] Despite the protracted siege, Shivaji now failed[19] to seize control of the fort[20] and ultimately retreated to his territory at Raigarh Fort.[21] The fort's commandant emerged triumphant in defending the fort and preventing it from falling under Shivaji's dominion.[22]
Aftermath
After an unsuccessful siege, Shivaji returned to Raigarh.[23] Rustam also took five towns viz. Phonda, Kudal, Banda, Sanquelim and Bicholim from Shivaji.[24] In May 1666, Shivaji was summoned by Aurangzeb to Agra (though some sources mention Delhi) along with his nine-year-old son Sambhaji.[25]
↑ Sarkar 1961, p.235 "they formed a plan for surprising Shivaji, who lay on the top of the hill over-looking Konkan. When their Van, under Rustam, approached, he beat his drums and sounded his trumpets and thus gave his friend Shivaji timely warning to escape."
↑ Sarkar 1961, p.235 "At this Adil Shah wrote to Rustam that though he reluctantly pardoned this act of disloyalty, he would dismiss him unless he raised the siege of Phonda. Rustam then wrote to his agent Muhammad Khan to save Phonda by all means"
↑ Sarkar 1961, p.235 "Muhammad Khan could get together only a small force, with which he went and sat down in a town of his master’s about three miles from Phonda, and sent word to the general of Shivaji that he had only come to look after his own country. The general suspected no stratagem, as his master and Rustam were friends. He went with his Muslim soldiery to a hill a mile off in order to say his prayers in public. Muhammad Khan seized this opportunity; he surprised and routed the soldiers left in the siege-camp, and after a long and well contested fight defeated the rest of the Maratha army who had hurried back from the hill."
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Maratha Empire [a] 
Portuguese Goa 
