The First Phase (1658-1668): Aurangzeb's Relations with Deccani States & Rise of Shivaji Maharaj

On coming to the throne, Aurangzeb faced two problems in the Deccan: the rising power of Shivaji and persuading Bijapur to part with the territories ceded by the treaty of 1636.
Kalyani and Bidar had been secured in 1657, Parenda by bribe in 1660, but Sholapur remained.

Aurangzeb asked Jai Singh to punish both Shivaji and Adil Shah, showing his confidence in the superiority of Mughal arms and underestimation of his opponents.
Jai Singh, an astute politician, advised against attacking both at the same time, highlighting the impracticality of Aurangzeb’s plan.

Jai Singh was the only Mughal politician advocating an all-out forward policy in the Deccan during this period.
He believed the Maratha problem could not be solved without this approach, a conclusion Aurangzeb reached 20 years later.
Jai Singh's view: "The conquest of Bijapur is the preface to the conquest of all Deccan and Karnataka."

Aurangzeb hesitated to adopt Jai Singh's bold policy due to multiple reasons: a threatening attitude from the ruler of Iran in the northwest, the long and arduous nature of the Deccan campaign, and the need for the emperor's presence in such campaigns.
As long as Shah Jahan was alive, Aurangzeb could not afford to leave on a distant campaign.

Jai Singh's campaign, with limited resources, was bound to fail. It recreated a united front of the Deccani states against the Mughals.
The Qutb Shah sent a large force to aid Bijapur, and the Deccanis adopted guerrilla tactics, devastating the countryside to deprive the Mughals of supplies.
Jai Singh found it impossible to assault or invest the city without siege guns, leading to a costly retreat and no territorial gains.
Disappointment and Aurangzeb's censures hastened Jai Singh's death in 1667.

In 1668, the Mughals secured the surrender of Sholapur by bribery, marking the end of the first phase.

The First Phase (1658-68): Aurangzeb's Deccan Policy