[3][4] The blazon of the Arni Coat of Arms is Per Deum et ferrum obtinui which means By God and my sword I have obtained.

Shivaji having failed in his negotiation, Sultanate of Bijapur took Arni and various other forts, and forcibly occupied the whole of Shahji's jagir in the Mysore.

He met Kootab Shah and negotiated a secret pact for a division of his intended conquests in the Carnatic ( excluding those that earlier belonged to his father, Shahaji).

With the agreement concluded and with Kootab Shah giving him money, horses and artillery, Shivaji set out in March 1677 for his invasions via Kurnool, Cuddapah and Madras.

Vedaji Bhaskar Pant who was in charge of Arni since the time of Shahaji, brought the keys of the Fort and tendered his services to Shivaji.

[14] The first palace, is a two-storey building known as Diwan Khane, which was originally meant as a guest house for women and children of the royal family.

It is spread over 35 acres, the palace had circular brick pillars, Indian motifs, arches, gothic columns and Madras terrace built with the lime and mortar method.

It is a single-storey structure, which had separate loft for pigeons, four chimneys (despite the town experiencing generally hot climate).

The rulers of the Arni belonged to Marathi-Deshastha Madhva Brahmin family[17][18] and were devout followers of Uttaradi Math.