Battle of Kolhapur Battle of Kolhapur was a land battle that took place on December 28 , 1659 near the city of Kolhapur , Maharashtra , India between the Maratha " Chhatrapati " Shivaji and the Rustam Zaman of Adilshah . The Marathas defeated the Adilshahi forces . Adilshahi forces were 10000 strong against 5000 light maratha cavalry . The battle is known for brilliant movement of flanks by Shivaji similar to Uzbek tactics of Babur against Rana Sangha . Background . Shivaji had killed Afzal Khan and routed his army in the battle of Pratapgarh ( 10 November 1659 ) . He took advantage of this victory and in a great offensive took a large hilly tract running about 200 km under his command . A number of forts like Vasota fell to Marathas . By December , 1659 Shivaji appeared near Panhala fort . Rustam Zaman was directed from Bijapur . He arrived near Miraj in the vicinity of Kolhapur on 27 December 1659 . Battle . Composition of Adilshahi forces . Rustam Zaman was assisted by other chieftains Fazal Khan , Malik Itbar , Sadat Khan , Yakub Khan , Aankush Khan , Hasan Khan , Mulla Yahya , Santaji Ghatage . It consists of selected cavalry of Adilshahi which was well known . In addition elephants were deployed as first line of defense . The centre was commanded by Rustam Zaman himself , left flank by Fazal Khan , right flank by Malik Itbar . Fateh Khan and Mullah Yahya were on the rear guard . Composition of Maratha forces . Shivaji was assisted by Maratha Cavalry leader Netaji Palkar , SARDAR GODAJIRAJE JAGTAP , Hiroji Ingale , Bhimaji Wagh , Sidhoji Pawar Jadhavrao , Hanmantrao Kharate , Pandhare , Siddi Hllal , and Mahadik . Center was commanded by Shivaji Maharaj himself . Siddi Hilal and Jadhavrao were on left flank . Ingale and Sidhoji Pawar on right flank . Mahadik and Wagh on the rear guard . Netaji Palkar was off the centre . Movement and clash of forces . Rustam Zaman was planning to move towards Panhala fort . Shivaji anticipated this movement and in a quick dash appeared before Adilshahi forces in the early morning of 28 December 1659 . And attacked the enemy . Shivaji charged the center . Other Maratha commanders attacked respective flanks . In a hard battle , Adilshahi forces were scuttled . By afternoon Rustam Zaman had fled the field . Outcome . Shivaji gained a large territory and secured front of his emerging empire . Adilshahi forces lost about 2000 horses and 12 elephants to the Marathas . The Marathas under Shivaji Maharaj continued to harass and conquer more Adilshahi territory . In one of the incidences , Shivaji tried to conquer an Adilshahi fort named " Khelna " but the terrain of the fort was difficult ; conquering the fort was easier said than done . The Adilshahi garrison at the fort was also defending the fort valiantly . Then , Shivaji came up with a plan . Accordingly , a group of Marathas went up to the fort and convinced the Adilshahi chief ( " killedar " ) at the fort that they were not content with the rule of Shivaji and thus , had come to serve the Adilshah . The Marathas were successful and the next day , they revolted and caused total chaos inside the fort . Simultaneously , Shivaji attacked the fort from outside and in no time captured the fort . Shivaji renamed the fort as Vishalgad . Casualties . The total casualties of this battle and also battle of Pratapgarh was 7000 on Adilshahi side and 2000 on Maratha side .