Draft:Siege of Panhala (1673)

When Adil Shah of Bijapur died (1672) Shivaji sent Annaji Datto along with Kandoji in a fresh assualt against Sikandar Adil Shah (4 year old that time) and Regent Khawas Khan. They advance at Panhala mounted the wall at night time killing the commander and securing the fortress.

Background
Shivaji despatched an maratha army under Annaji Datto and another detachment under Kandoji to capture the Fort of Panhala. Before expendition Shivaji told the plan to both parties and bestowed them with garments of various kinds and two large gold bracelets. Later Ganaji and Motyaji Ravlekar also joined them in the expendition. Annaji went to Rajapur and advanced three stages.

Battle
Annaji Datto arrived at fort and at night with necessary equipment of escalade such as ropes, ladders etc. Kandoji and his band went ahead. At night of 6–7 March they started climbing the fort.

The Marathas attacked the grassion at night engaged with hand to hand fighting with Bijapur officers killing the combatants.

Word was sent to Shivaji who received it two days later about the success He himself gave orders to blew drums.He set out from Raigad and reached Panhala.Parali, according to Jedhe Chronology was captured soon afterwards on 1 April 1673 by Annaji Datto.

Aftermath
The capture of Panhala shocked the Bijapur government Bhalol Khan with 10000 soldiers marched to check the Marathas when Shivaji learnt about this he sent Prataprao Gujar along with Anandrao.

Both armies clashed at Umarrani(45 KM west of Bijapur) Marathas immediately cut off the water supply of Khan. Being at disadvantage Bhalol Khan fought with Marathas in which one Adilshahi officer was killed and one Elephant was captured.

Prataprao Gujar allowed him to retire as he promised that he will never raise a war against Shivaji tho Shivaji wasn't pleased with the decesion of Prataprao.