| Ponda formed part of the Novas Conquistas or the "New Conquests" of the Portuguese. It was ruled by the Sonde Rajas under the Vijaynagar Kingdom or the Bijapur Sultanate. Not under Portuguese rule in the 16th Century, the territory of Ponda was seen as a safe haven by Hindus fleeing persecution by the Jesuits and Portuguese.
Later Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj conquered it from Bijapur Sultanate in 1675. It remained in the hands of Marathas till 1764. Saundekar raja was the vassal of Maratha Chatrapati who ruled this territory.
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