In spite of periods of official coldness between Shivaji and the Company, the English were increasingly impressed by Shivaji’s qualities. When Aurangzeb turned his attention to crushing the Marathas, most observers predicted an early collapse of the new state; but the English governor of Bombay considered Mogul success improbable. “’Tis well known,” he wrote, “that Sevagy is a second Sertorious and comes not short of Hannibal for Stratagems.” And presently “that Grand Rebell” is referred to with half-amused admiration as “our old and dear friend Sevajy.”
