S6k Ahistory of the Maratha People

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f the the va st store of orig in al Ma m Ma ra tha pa pers which Rao B a h a dur D B Pa ras n i s wa s a ble to pla ce a t m y dispos a l I h a ve a lso st udied deeply the poetry of Tu kar a m R a m da s Na m d ev a n d Mahi pati a n d the life of R am da s by Ha n m a n t Swa m i This fi rst vol um e en ds with the de a th of Shiv a p The secon d volu m e will if I a m sp a red to co n ti n u e the wo rk en d with the e c ou d t 7 i r d vo lu m e will b i n g the t a of 1 5 0 The th D A p r n a rra tive do wn to A D 1 81 8 It will a lso con ta in a ppen dices givin g a short a ccoun t of the M a ra th a Sta tes between 1 81 8 an d the pr esen t d a y I ha ve do n e m y u tm ost to a void givi n g offe n ce to m y I n di a n re a d er s If by i n a dverte n ce I h a ve don e so I tru st tha t theV will exte n d m e th eir forgive n ess Ba kka rs ,

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A H I ST O R Y TH E

MA RA TH A C HAP TE R

P E OPL E

I

I NT R ODU C T OR Y

IN

the en s u in g p a ges it will be the writer s a i m to tell the story of the coun try kn own a s M a h a ra shtra It lies on the western * r f o m n sho e iddle I di a a n d is i n sh a pe a tri a n gle Its b a se is the s ea fro m D a m a n to Ka r wa r The perpen dicul a r side is form ed by a li n e run n i n g fro m D a m a n bey on d Na gp ur The hypoten us e is form ed by a n irr egul a r li n e fro m beyo n d Na gpur to K a rwa r The a re a of thi s tra ct is ove r squ a r e m i les an d its popu la tion exceeds thi rty m illio n s The ra ce tha t i n h a bits it varies j u st a s Fren chm e n of d i fieren t provi n ces va ry Bu t it h a s disti n ct ch a ra cteristics whi ch di ffe r e n ti a te it fro m other I n di a n ra ces The people of M a h a ra shtra a s a rule la ck the regula r fe a tur es of the Northern I n di a n Thei r te m pe rs too a re u su a lly less un de r co n trol th a n those of the dwelle rs i n Bu t their co u ra ge is a t le a st a s hi gh a s tha t the Ga n getic pla in of a n y other I n di a n n a tion whi le their exquisitely kee n sen se of hum our the loft y i n telligen ce of their ed u ca ted cla sses their blun t speech a n d fra n k be a ri n g ra rely fa il to win the love a n d a d m i r a t i o n of those E n glish m e n whose lot it is to se rve a m o n g them the I n dia n Govern m e n t Ma ha ra shtra h a s three distin ct division s O f these the se a boa rd below the Sah y a d ri Moun ta i n s is kn own a s the Kon ka n the tra ct oc c u pied by the Sa h y ad ri s is kn own a s the Ma wa l ; whi le the wid e rollin g pla i n s to the e a st a re kn own a s the Dash Ma ha ra shtra r eceives fro m the m on soo n a ra in fa ll th a t v a ries ’

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20 .

A HIST O RY OF

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THE MARAT HA PEO PL E

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grea tly I n m a n y p arts of the Kon ka n 1 00 i n ches i n a sin gle yea r a re n ot u n u su a l I n the Sah y a d ris a s m a n y a s 400 in ches ha ve bee n r ecorded I n the e a stern p arts of the Des h a fa ll of 20i n ches is welco m ed with the u tm ost gra titu de The Kon kan is owin g to its low level hotte r tha n the other two division s It is however i n p a rts extrem ely fertile The Ma wa l is cool b u t except for its rice a n d e m in e n tly he a lthy for E u r ope a n s fields of little v alu e for c u ltiv a tio n The D esh is ba rre n to the west bu t grows richer t o the e a st where the deep bla ck soil n eeds o n ly r a i n to p r od u ce c r ops i n a b un d a n ce The cli m a te of the Desh whi le hotter th a n tha t of the Ma wa l is still ple a sa n t a n d s a lu brio u s I n the e arliest period of I n di a n Histo ry on whi ch light ha s yet bee n thr own we fin d the Ar ya n people esta blished o n ly i n e a stern A fgha n i sta n a n d the western Pun j a b To thi s tra ct they were lon g con fin ed either by the forests tha t grew a lon g the Ga n ges R iver or by the va lour of the tribes tha t dwelt close to their borde rs I n course of tim e howeve r they s u bd u ed the for ests a n d the tribes tha t blocked their p a th a n d by the 8th ce n tury B C wer e i n co m plete con trol of the vast te rritory between the Him a la ya s a n d the Vi n d hy a s Thi s i m m en s e tra ct wa tered by the Ga n ges the I n d u s the Ja m n a a n d a host of m i n o r rive rs a n d visited by the ye a rly m o n s oo n ra i n s should it m ight h a ve see m ed ha ve s u fficed for the n eeds of the con qu e r i n g ra ce Bu t the 7 th ce n tu ry B C s a w a gre a t a ctivity a m on g the n a tio n s a lon g the Medite rra n e a n se a boa rd The E te rn a l City ha d bee n foun ded on the b a n ks of the Tiber a n d the Wolves of Ita ly h a d begun to peep fro m their R o m a n stron ghold a t the world which i n the co urse of eight ce n turies they were to s u bdu e fr o m the highla n ds of B rita i n to the fa st n esses of J u de a I n Greece the old civiliz a tio n of Ho m e r h a d bee n foll owed by a n othe r far m ore d arin g a n d n ot less pi c tur esqu e Doria n s a n d Ion ia n s h a d p la n ted thei r colon i es fro m the Gulf of Tare n tu m to the so u th of Sicily Their tri re m es a n d * pe n tecon ters fou ght b a ttles for the tra de of the A dri a tic Their m e rce n ar y soldie rs helped Gyges a n d Ar dys of L ydi a to check .

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Greece

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I N TR O D U CT O RY

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then to d rive b a ck the Ci m m erian hosts to the Cr im e a I n r eturn they le a rn t the art of coi n a ge fro m the Lydia n s a n d letters fro m the Ph oen i ci a n s Bu t it wa s i n the va lley of the Nile th a t c iv ili z a ti on m a de h er gre a test a dva n ce The co n qu est o f E gypt i n 67 2 B C by Ki n g A ss ar h a ddo n wa s As syri a s pr o u dest exploit For twen ty fiv e ye ars the sla very of the E gyp tia n s e n dured The n Ps a m m eti chu s of S a is of the d ark Libya n stock r a ised the sta n d ar d of r evolt To hi s b a n n er flocked n ot o n ly n a tives of E gypt bu t m a il cla d m erce n aries fro m L ydi a a n d C ari a The A ssyr ia n troops were d rive n from the Nile va lley The old exclu s i ve policy of the a n cien t Pha ra ohs dis a ppe a red for ever Greek settlers br ou ght tra de a n d a r t t o the sho r es of E gy t ; A c a n a l c u t by Ps a m m eti ch u s p Necho a n ticip a ted the wor k of De L esseps by ove r 2000 s on ye ars a n d j oin ed the wa ters of the Medite rra n e a n to the Gulf Not m a n y ye ars a fterwa r ds a fleet of Ph oen ici a n of S u ez equi pped by Necho s a iled forth fr o m S u ez to cir cum s hi ps They pa ssed throu gh the R ed Sea with a skil l n a viga te Afric a whi ch showed lo n g a cqu a i n t a n ce with its i n hospit a ble co a sts They wa ited on the So m ali shore un til the m on soon sto rm s h a d pa ssed a wa y The n dou blin g the C a pe of Good Hope they r eturn ed tri um ph a n tly thr o u gh the Pilla r s of Hercules a n d w ithi n tw o ye a rs of their dep a rtu r e a n cho red a m id the a ppl au se of thr ee co n ti n e n ts off the m o u ths of the Nile It wa s ha rdly possible tha t s u ch a hum a n fe rm en t should pr od u ce n o e ffect i n I n di a A ctu ally the effect wa s i m m en se I n the 7 th ce n tu ry B C a gre a t forward m ove m e n t c a rr ied the Arya n ra ce over the Vi n d h y a s u n til it died a wa y a t the e xtre m e sou th of the Pe n i n sul a The progress of this m ove m en t m a y be disce rn ed fro m the two gre a t S a n skrit epics The first the R a m aya n a tells the story of Ki n g R a m a of A yodhya His fa ther Ki n g Da shara th a on e of a ra ce spru n g fro m the loi n s of the Su n God ru led over the cou n try n ow kn own a s O u dh When Ki n g Da sh ara th a s eldest s on R a m a grew to m a n hood the ki n g wa s i n d u ced by R a m a s stepm othe r Qu ee n Ka i key i to disin herit hi m i n fa vou r of h er own s on P rin ce Bha ra ta a n d I n obe d ie n ce to b an ish R a m a for fo u rtee n ye a r s i n to the fo r est

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A HIST O RY OF

TH E

M AR A THA PEO PLE

to this se n ten ce the prin ce hi s wife Sita a n d hi s brother La xm a n wa n dered so uthwards un til they rea ched the forest of D an da ka beyon d the Vi n d hy a s There Kin g R a va n a of Ceylon carried R a m a a n d L a xm a n followed off S ita to his isl a n d ki n gdo m to wi n her ba ck From thi s poi n t on wards the R a m a ya n a becom es a fa iry ta le The prin ces wan derin gs brou ght the m to the a bodes of m on keys a pes a n d be ars An d a ided by a h ost of wa rlike a n i m a ls Prin ce R am a crossed the Pa lk S tra its a n d r ecove red his bride It m a y thu s be s urm i sed th a t whe n the R a m a ya n a wa s wr itten the Arya n s h a d n ot yet gon e farther sou th than the Vi n d hy a s I n the M ah a bhara ta we fin d a di ffer en t sta te of thin s Its he r oes a r e the r a ce of the Bh ara t a s g spru n g from the loin s of the Moon God Their c a pita l wa s a t Ha s ti n ap ura n ot far fro m Delhi Bu t a qu arrel took pl a ce between two f a m ilies of Bha ra ta pri n ces the so n s of the de a d Ki n gPa n d u a n d those of his br other the bli n d Ki n g Dhrita ras htra The ga m bli n g i n s ti n cts of Ki n g Pa n d u s eldest s on Yu d hi s hthi ra ga ve for thirtee n ye ar s the victory to the son s of Ki n g Dhrita ra s h tra Bu t i n the en d Yu d hi s h thi ra a n d his b r othe rs tri um ph ed Now the youn gest of Yu d hi shthi r a s brothers S a ha deva is s a id i n the cour se of his a dve n tu res to h a ve su bdu ed the Pa n d y a s Kera la s a n d A n dhra s wh o a ll lived so u th of the Vi n d h y a s It see m s therefor e certa i n th a t whe n the Ma ha bhara ta h a d re a ched its prese n t form the A rya n s h a d explored the whole s ub co n ti n e n t from the Hi m a l a ya s to the Pa lk Stra its I n the e pics Ma h ara shtra bore the n am e of the Da n d a ka ra n y a or D a n d a k a F or est Tha t is cle a r fr om the m e n tio n of the God a va ri on e of the m ost i m porta n t rive rs i n Ma hara shtra I n deed eve n to d a y whe n the Mara thi — spe a ki n g Brahm a n s i n the cou rse of s a cr ifices r efer to their cou n try they c all it n ot Ma ha ra shtra bu t Da n d a kara n y a Stra n gely e n ou gh it was on e of the l a st p arts of In di a con qu ered by the Ar ya n i n va ders It wa s lo n g protected by the pe a ks a n d forests of the Vi n d h y a s a n d Sa t ur as a n s ove rra n the Ga n ges va lley fr o m we s t The y A r p to e a st a n d it wa s n ot u n til they re a ched the e a s te r n shor es of I n di a th a t they we r e a ble t o t urn the Vi n dhya Mo un ta i n s They the n con qu ered so u thern I n di a from e a st to west I n the ,

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I NT R O D U CT O R Y

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extrem e sou th the Ar ya n s we re u n a ble to i m pose thei r l a n gua ge o n the a lre a dy highl y civili zed Chola s Pa n d y as a n d Kerala s Bu t a ltho u gh the Da n d a ka ra n y a wa s on e of the la st of thei r con qu ests the triu m ph i n it of the Arya n s wa s a s com plete a s i n n o rthern In di a The R a ksh a s a s or a bori gi n a l tribes were soo n a bsorbed or d riven fro m the va lleys to the hills A ra ce sprun g fro m the un i o n of Ar ya n i n va der s a n d c a ptive wom en took thei r pla ce a n d M ara thi the ton gu e whi ch the descen da n ts of th a t ra ce spe a k to d a n cie n t i a s closely ll ed to the a s a i y S an skrit a s a n y of h er elder sisters i n the n orthern pla i n s An othe r qu estio n r e m a i n s to be solved How did the D a n d a ka rau ya co m e to be c alled Ma h a ra shtra " Its i n h a bitan ts p ro u d of their hi stor y a n d of the hun d red v i ctories of their forefa thers procla im th a t Ma h ara shtra m e a n s the gre a t coun try The e n s u in g p a ges will in deed show how gre a t it bec a m e Bu t it bor e the n a m e of M a h a ra shtra whe n it wa s still a n un kn ow n provi n ce Mr Molesworth the well kn own Ma ra thi scholar hin ted th a t the n a m e m ight m e a n the cou n tr y of the Mb a re ; bu t ther e a re n u m er o u s gro u n ds for r ej ectin g thi s s u rm i se The Mhars a re n ot a people They a re m erely a deb a sed sectio n Nor is their n a m e a n a n cie n t on e It is a co rru ptio n of the wo rd Mri t yuh a r or r e m ove r of the de a d It m u st therefore h a ve co m e in to existe n ce n ot before the Ar ya n i n va sion but a fte r the Mh a rs h a d been red u ced to their prese n t m ise ra ble co n dition Fro m so a bj ect a com m un ity n o co un try would ta ke its n a m e L a stly the words Mri tyuh a r Ra s htra wo uld n ot a ccordin g to the o rdi n a r y l a ws of li n guis tic co rru ptio n beco m e Ma h ara shtra To a scertain the tru e origi n of the n a m e let u s reve rt for a m o m e n t to the poli tic a l hi story of e a stern Eu rope an d n orthern In di a To the n or th west of the A ege a n Sea la y the coun try of Macedon i a Its ki n gs we re Hellen ic This circum s ta n ce pre g se rved for the M a cedon i a n kin gs the roya l dign i ties which i n Hom e r s tim e h a d bee n held by ki n gs i n eve ry Grecia n Sta te Bu t the stre n gth of the n on Helle n ic fe u d a tories a n d va ss a ls i n the western hi lls re n de red the ki n g powe rless to m eddle i n I n the Pe rsi a n Wa r the o utside his own ki n gdom a ffa irs ,

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A HIST O RY

6

OF TH E M ARAT HA PEO PL E

Ma cedon i a n kin g A lexa n de r h ad in trigu ed wi th both Greeks b arb ari an s I n the wa r betwee n Spa rt a a n d A the n s an d Kin g Perdic oes ha d followed sim il a r ta ctics Bu t i n the ye a r 3 5 9 B C the re c am e to thi s i m pote n t do m i n io n a m a n with a n ide a He wa s Phi lip the s on of A m yn ta s a n d un cle of the in fa n t kin g I n hi s boyhood he h a d been seized a s a hosta ge by the Theb an gove rn m e n t a n d h a d spe n t hi s you th i n the m i li tar y school of B oeoti a The r e he h a d wa tched the wo rk of E pa m in on da s a n d h a d see n how a fl a n k a tt a ck m a de by picked i n fa n try com bin ed wi th a fro n t a l a dva n ce wa s irresistible eve n to the Sp a rta n hoplite It occ urred to Phi lip th a t a n a tta ck on both fl a n ks by picked c a v a lry co m bi n ed with a fr o n ta l a dva n ce by i n f a n try wo u ld be m o r e decisive still This was his ide a a n d it wa s desti n ed to cha n ge the fa ce of the civilized globe A t the a ge of twe n ty— fou r he return ed to his n a tive co un try gove r n a n d a ssu m ed a s r ege n t for hi s n ephew the M a cedo n i a n m en t By the a i d of the gold m i n es of Mo u n t Pa n gaeus he equ ipped picked c a va lry a n d stim u la ted their pride by the n a m e of H et a i roi of the kin g The n ew m ilitary or co m p a n io n s ta ctics obtai n ed s u ccesses eve n gr e a ter tha n those of Ep a m i n on d as The a rm i es of the va ss a ls of Illyri a n s Theb a n s A the n i a n s a n d Sp a rt a n s pr oved a like un a ble to r esist them I n 336 B C Phi lip fell be n e a th a n a ss a ssi n s kn ife To Phi lip s u cceeded hi s s on A lexa n de r Bu t the ide a lived on a n d e a ch ye a r br o u ght it fresh su ccesses By 335 B C a ll Greece wa s hu m bled The fa te of As i a Min or wa s decided on the Gra n icu s tha t of Syri a an d E g yp t on the Issu s th a t of Pe rsi a on the pla i n of Gau ga m el a Y et a n othe r victory on the Jb elu m pla ced the M a cedon i a n ki n g i n the possessio n of the western Pun j a b To the con qu e ror s c a m p the re c a m e a bo u t thi s tim e on e Ch an d ra gupta Ma ur ya He wa s a hu m ble ki n sm a n of the Na n d a kin g who r uled a t Ma ga d h a For politic a l rea so n s he h a d fled hi s co un try a n d he n ow tried to te m pt Al exa n der t o the con qu est of Ma ga d ha The r evolt of hi s troops for ced the ki n g t o turn a de a f ea r to Cha n dra gupta Bu t if the exile h a d f a iled i n his chi ef a i m hi s vis it to A lexa n der s c a m p h a d n ot been frui tless His n a tura l a bilities h a d bee n im proved by tra vel a n d by co n ta ct .

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I NTR OD U OTORY

7

with a western people He ha d le arn t the va lu e of disciplin e o f t a ctics Wh e n the Ma cedon ia n kin g le ft a n d a n ew system In di a Cha n dra gu pta thrown on hi s own r esour ces orga n is ed a tt a cked the M a cedon i a n garrison s d rove the m ou t a r evolt a n d fix i n g hi s c a pit a l a t Pa t a li p u tra or Pa tn a fo un ded a dyn a sty whi ch wa s t o la st for 1 3 7 ye ars On Ch a n d ra gu pta s de a th hi s a n d he i n Bin d us ar a su cceeded hi m tur n wa s followed s on by the gre a t B u ddhist e m peror A soka In ste a d of a rm i es A soka se n t fo rth i n eve ry dir ectio n m in iste r s of r eligio n to pre a ch the tea chi n gs of B uddha These m i ssion s he r ecorded i n i n O s c ri ti on s c a r ved i n r ocks a ll ove r n o rthe rn I n di a n n o le s s p than fou r of those whi ch still s u rvive A soka i n scribed th a t he These Ra s ti ka s or h a d se n t m issio n aries to the R a sti ka s Pr o u d R a s htri ka s we r e the dwelle rs i n the D a n d a ka F o rest or for so m e ki n d red r e a so n they c a m e of thei r i n de pe n de n ce la ter ye ars t o c a ll the m selves Ma h ara shtri ka s a n d so the In coun try whi ch they occu pied c a m e to be kn own a s Ma h ara shtra * a n d its people a s M a ra th a s .

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B u t s ee t h e a rt icl e on t h e An ci en t G eogra phy B h a n d a rka r, Dec ca n , p 9 Civ il i z a t i on of a ha ra s htra by Mr Ka n e H e i n terprets a ha ra s htra an d ’ ‘ t o m ea n th e grea t c ou n t ry , t e , th e grea t fores t c oun t r y s ou t h of t h eVi n d h y a s ’ P er con tra s ee Mr R a jw a d e s M a ha ras htra cha Vas a ha t Ka l ( The Col on iz a t i on h e l a ys d own a h a ra s h tr a c om es from a h a r a s h tra ) , wh erei n th at of Ma h a ra s ht ri ka s R a s h tri ka s , t e , t he l ea din g m en of t h e ras htra or c ou n t r y m ea n t chie fs a m on g t h e lea di n g m e n .

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C H AP TER

II KI NGS

T HE SA TAVA H A NA OR A NDH R A

C IR C A 1 85 R C

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To

A D .

25 0

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e m pire foun ded by Cha n d ra gupta bega n to crum ble a wa y It term in a ted in 1 85 by the a fter the de a th of As oka of the la st Ma urya ki n g Brih a d ra tha by hi s a ss a ssin a tio n chi ef gen era l Pushp a m i tra the foun der of the S un ga lin e Like of t a le n ts a n d m ost I n di an u s urper s Push p a m i t ra wa s a m a n vigour He soon ext en ded the boun d a ries of the shru n ke n em pire un til i n the sou th they re a ched the Na rb ad a R iver a n d The S un ga dyn a sty i n the wes t the fro n tier s of the P un j a b en dured for 1 12 ye ars but of Pu shp a m itr a s su ccessors littl e is kn own His gra n dson Sum i tra wa s a ss a ssin a ted on the bo ards to whi ch he wa s i n ordin a tely a tta ched of the r oya l the a tr e The la st S un ga ki n g Dev a bhu ti or Dev a bhu m i lost hi s life whi le e n ga ged i n a licen tiou s in trigu e The m u rderer wa s the dissolu te kin g s prim e m in i ster His n a m e wa s Va su deva Ka n va a n d he a n d his descen d a n ts rul ed for 4 5 ye ars till they i n turn were swept a wa y by the rise of the An dhr a s Hithert o the p a ra m ou n t ru lers of I n d ia h ad bee n n orthern Bu t the n ew d yn a sty a s powerful a s a n y th a t preceded kin gs it c a m e fr o m the sou th On the shores of the Ba y of Ben ga l between the m ou ths of the Krishn a a n d God a v a ri R iver s dwelt the An dhra people O f the D ra vidi an ra ce they spoke the m u sic a l Telegu Their we a lth a n d power h a d bee n r en own ed fr om a n cien t tim es Megas then es a Greek e n voy a t the court of Chan d ra gu pta wrote wi th a d m ir a tion of thei r thi rt y wa lled cities their coun tless villa ges their foot soldiers their 2000 horse m en a n d their 1 000 war elepha n ts * They a ppe a r i n edicts d a ted 206 B C a s tribu taries of A soka TH E

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E a rly H i s tory

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f I n d ia p

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206

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In dia a n d m a de them selves m a sters of M a th u r a a n d T a xil a Ka thi a wa r a n d Ujj ai n Bu t i n e arlier ti m es the S a ka s h ad a ckn owledged the Pa r thi a n kin gs a s ove rlor ds a n d h a d them selves bo rn e the title n ot of ki n g bu t of s a tra p To thi s la tte r title they clu n g lo n g a fter they h a d becom e i n depen de n t Thu s Na h ap a n a the gre a t Ks h a tra p a wa s a desce n d a n t of so m e S a k a chief who h a d for ced his wa y i n to Mah ara shtra On ce s a tisfied tha t Na h a p a n a wa s a S a ka Dr Bh a n d a rka r m ade a n othe r surm ise The r ese m bla n ce betwee n the word S a ka a n d the Sa ke or Sh a k e* era whi ch preva ils so u th of the Na rm a d a co u ld ha rdly be fortui to u s Now if the Sh a k eera wa s foun ded by the S a ka s they did it i n a ll prob a bility to celebra te som e gre a t a chi eve m e n t Thu s the S a ka s prob a bly con qu ered the Decc a n whe n the Sh a k eera bega n th a t is to s a y i n A D 7 8 The do m i n ion howeve r of th ese foreign kin gs did n ot lon g vex Ma h a ra shtra A bo u t A D 1 5 0 a n A lexa n d ri a n Greek c a lled Ptole m y wrote a book on geogra phy The rei n he h a s r eco rded th a t a ce rt a i n Polem i os ru led a t Ba i th an Now Ba ith a n is cle a rly Pa itha n on the God a vari the n the c a pita l of the An dhra vice roya lty of M a h a ra shtra Sirios Polem i os c a n be ide n tified with Kin g Pulum a y i i n the thi rd set of i n scriptio n s Therefo re befor e A D 1 50 S a ka ru le i n M ah a ra shtra h a d va n ish ed I t is e a sy n ow to r eco n stru ct the stor y I n A D 7 8 the S a ka chi ef fo rced his wa y either thr o u gh the V i n d hy a s or a lo n g the Kon ka n se a bo a rd For som e fifty ye a rs he a n d hi s des c en d a n ts occ u pied M a h a r a shtra The An dhra s fell b a ck on their other prov in ces The n led by a c a p a ble a n d a ctive prin ce Kin g Ga u t am i pu tra they d rove out th e Sa ka s The third i n s criptio n however m e n tion s Pu lu m a y i a s kin g But the ,

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TH E SA TA V A HA NA

A N D H R A KI N G S

OR

11

P ura n a s Show th a t Pu lum a y i wa s the s on of Ki n g Ga u ta m i p u tra It seem s therefore prob a ble th a t a fter the re co n qu est of Maha ra s htra Ga u t a m i u tra m a de his s on Pu lu m a i eithe r V ice r oy or p y j oin t ki n g Nor wa s thi s the o n ly victo r y of Ga u ta m ipu tra I n the i n s criptio n qu oted a bove he is s a id to h a ve left n o tra ce of the r a ce of Kh a ga ra t a Dr Bh a n d arka r h a s con jectur ed th a t the S a ka ki n g of Uj j a in whose a n cestor wa s Kh a gara t a or Ks h a h a ra t a i n dign a n t a t the f a te of hi s sou thern brethre n tried to help the m He Sh ared their defe a t a n d lost his life This co n j ectu re fin d s su ppo rt i n a charm i n g lege n d still c u rren t i n Poo n a It is a s follows I n Pa ith a n on the b a n ks of the God a va ri the re dwelt i n the ho u se of a potte r a Bra hm a n girl who h a d two brothers On e d a y the B ra hm an girl we n t to b a the i n the God a vari Bu t a s she b a thed, h er be a u ty won the he a rt of n o less a love r th a n Shesh a the gre a t serp en t kin g u po n whose coils the god Vishn u t a kes his r est i n the ce n tre of the m ilky oce a n To refu se su ch a wooe r wa s i m possible The ser pe n t ki n g ch a n ged hi m self i n to a m a n a n d bec a m e the lover of the B ra hm a n girl The child born of this ro m an ce wa s bro u ght u p by its m other i n the ho u se of h er l a n dlord the potter A t thi s ti m e the r e reign ed i n Uj j a i n a m ighty kin g c alled To hi m on e d a y the sa ge Vikra m a d i ty a or the Su n of Va lo u r Nara d a fore told tha t de a th wo u ld co m e to h i m fro m the ha n ds of a boy a ged two whose m other wa s still u n wed It wa s n ow a m a t te r o f life a n d de a th to Vikra m a d i ty a to discove r the boy The r oya l m esse n gers a n d spies se a rched an d to destr oy hi m A t l a st Vi kra m a d it y a c a lled to his i n va i n for the ki n g s foe * On Vet a l s a rriva l Vi kra m a Vet l the g e t ghost ki g r a a id a n d i ty a told hi m of Na ra d a s prophecy a n d begged hi m to fin d A wa y on the se a rch ou t wher e the m u rde r o u s i n f a n t lived we n t Vet a l a n d his troope rs u n til a t la st the ghost ki n g s aw pla yin g a t Pa ith a n a boy p f two n e a r who m stood a n u n m a rried girl who see m ed to be his m othe r Veta l gu essed th a t this wa s the in fa n t for whom he sou ght a n d told Vikr a m a d i ty a The la tter led ou t his whole a rm y to destroy th e t wo ye a r old bo v .

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by which to m a ke th em liv e a n d v a st thou gh Vi kram a d i ty a s a rm y wa s it wa s soo n over wh elm ed by the sti ll gre a ter host tha t spran g f ro m th e cl a y to m eet it The chi ld a fterwa rd s be ca m e kin g a n d ru led with s u ch good fortun e tha t he foun ded the Sh ali v ah a n era to com m e m ora te his glor y Now Sh a li v a h a n i s m e rely a n othe r wa y of pr o n o un ci n g Sa ta v a h a n Therefore the kin g of the lege n d who defe a ted the lord of Ujja i n wa s n o dou bt the gre a t Sa ta v ah a n a ki n g G au ta m i p u tra Bu t the era which he is s a id to h a ve fo u n ded wa s the Sh a k e era which he i n herited fro m the co n qu ered Sa ka s The An dhra s did n ot lo n g r eta i n thei r co n qu ests n orth of the Vi n d hy a s A c a p a ble S a ka le a de r n am ed Ru d ra d am a n a r ose i n K a thi a wa r a n d dr ove the An dhra s ou t of the co u n tr y Ki n g Pulum a y i Ga u t a m i p u tra s s on took his d a u ghter i n m a rri a ge A bou t bu t the alli a n ce did n ot st a y the a rm s of Ru d ra d a m a n * A D 1 5 0 R u d ra d a m a n h a d r ecove r ed a ll the pr ovi n ces i n n o rthe rn I n di a which Ga u ta m i u tr a h a d t a ke n fr o m the S a k a s p Pulum a y i died a cco rdi n g to Dr Bh a n d a rka r i n A D 1 5 0 or a cc o rdi n g to Mr Vi n ce n t S m ith i n A D 1 63 His i m m edia te s u ccessor wa s his b rothe r Siv a sri Bu t the o n ly n ota ble A n dhra ln n g a fte r the de a th of Pu lu m a y i wa s Ga u ta m i pu tra Ya jn as ri He a ppe a rs p arti a lly to h a ve a ve n ged the defe a ts of Pulum a y i The dyn a sty fin a lly p a ssed a wa y i n the e a rly p a rt of the 3rd cen tury A D T Nevertheless i n S pite of our ign ora n ce of the person a l a chi eve m e n ts of m ost of the An dhr a ru lers ther e a re m a n y i n d ic at io n s th a t the dyn a sty syn chron ized with a ti m e of gre a t prosperity i n M a h ara shtra The hills of the Decca n a n d the Kon ka n a bo u n d with c a ves exc a va ted a bo u t this ti m e by rich m er ch a n ts golds m i ths c a rpe n ters corn de a lers a n d eve n by d ru ggists The fortun e of a sin gle b a n ker e n a bled hi m to m a ke the gre a t ce n tra l c a ve at K a rli I n terest a s on e of Ushv a d a ta s i n s c ri p ,

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Vi n cen t S m i th E a rly H i s tory of I n d za pp T A D 218 a cco r din g t o Dr Bh a n d a rka r '

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TH E SA TA VA HAN A

OR A ND HRA KI NG S

13

tio n s Show va ried form 5 to 7 p er ce n t ra tes whi ch co m pa re fa vourably wi th those of m odern tim es Nor is this a c a use for won de r The tre a tm e n t of E gypt by h er R o m a n co n qu eror s h a d bee n pecu li a r ly f a vo u ra ble t o the Helle n ic ge n i u s Ma ce d o n i a a n d Syri a we r e cru shed a n d plu n de red u n til they c a m e to rese m ble othe r pr ovi n ces of the em pir e Bu t the d a n ge r which R om e h a d in cu rred fro m A n ton y s i n fa t u a tion for Cleop a tra h a d led A u gu stu s to tre a t E gypt i n a differe n t wa y His cour t poet Virgil wr ote twelve books of i m m ort a l verse to wa rn hi s cou n trym e n a ga i n st the d a n gero u s be a u ties who h a u n ted the n orthern Shor es of A fric a The e m pe ror m a de the a d m i n i stra tio n hi s own pec u li a r c a r e a n d fo rb a de Ita li a n s of s en a tori a l ra n k to visit E gypt withou t his specia l le a ve Pro t ec t ed fro m i n tern a l distur b an ce a n d fo reign a tta ck yet n ot i n terfer ed with by the R o m a n a d m in i stra tors the t a len ted Greeks of Alex a n dri a Obta i n ed a fu ll scope for thei r develop m en t Syste m s of philosophy fo u n ded i n A ttica re a ched p er As tr o n o m y a n d m a the m a tics m a de a m a zin g fec ti on i n E gypt progress Bu t it wa s i n geo gra phy th a t hum a n kn owledge m a d e its gre a test a dva n ces Sea m a n ship wa s peculi a rly the gift of the Helle n e Fr o m eve ry villa ge on the Erythre a n co a st Greek s a ilors fitted ou t ships to explo r e the e a stern se a s The Gu lf of O m a n the Persi a n Gu lf the A ra bi a n Sea the western shor es of In di a beca m e i n ti m a tely kn own to the m They ve n tured a s fa r a s th e Ma la y Pe n i n su la a n d b rou ght ba ck s u ch stor es of preciou s m eta l th a t it a cqu ired the n a m e of the Golde n Cherso n ese O ther Gr eek fleets m or e a u da cio u s still di sda in ed th e co n fin es of the I n di a n Se a s He a din g r esolu tely e a st they e m erged i n to the Pa cific an d sold the prod u cts of E urope * n Nor wa s this a ll I n A D 1 16 i the e m poriu m s of Chi n a T ra j a n pu shed the R om a n fro n tier to t h e Persia n Gu lf The c a ra va n ro u tes of Ar a bia we re gu a rded b y R o m a n fortres ses a n d R o m a n legion s Thu s the m ighty e m pi re of E urope wa s a t severa l poin ts a lo n g its fro n tie r li n ked by s ea to the va st p e n i n su la of In di a Y e ar by ye a r ships f ro m E gypt b ro u ght to I n di a the co m m odities of the West I n excha n ge they too k ba ck ,

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See a r ticl e on

Ptolem y s geogra phy i n ’

the En

cyclop aed i a Bri ta n n i ca

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A HIST O RY OF

14

TH E M AR AT HA PEO PL E

on yx cotto n a n d m u sli n s The co a st lin e of Ma ha ra shtra the n a s n ow offe red the m ost con ve n i e n t a n chora ges t o foreign shi ps A n d it r equ ires n o gre a t flight of f a n cy to i m agin e h ow to the gre a t profit of the Mara th a people the tra de of sou thern In di a p a ssed throu gh the Western Gh a ts to be shipped to Meso pota m i a Ar abi a a n d E gypt j u st a s tod a y it r oa r s thro u gh the Bho r a n d Na sik Gh a ts on its wa y to B a sra a n d Ge n o a to Ma r seilles Liverpool a n d L on do n A lege n d exists which shows th a t the A n dh ra pe riod wa s on e n ot o n ly of m i lit ar y a n d m er c a n tile b u t a lso of litera ry a ctivity A certa i n ghost kn own a s Ka n a bh u ti bro u ght to on e Gu n a d hy a seve n volum es of stories a ll a m i n i ste r of Ki n g Sh a li v a h a n writte n i n blood Gu n a d h y a a ccepted the m a n d o ffer ed the m a s a gift to his r oya l m a ste r Disg u sted with the stra n ge la n gu a ge a n d the stra n ge r script Ki n g Sh a li v a h a n r etu rn ed the books to Gun a d hy a The l a tter furio u s a t the f a ilur e of his pr ese n t burn t six of the seven volu m es The r e m a i n i n g volu m e fell in to the ha n ds of Gun a d hy a s pu pils or clerks They wer e a cqu a in ted with the ghost lan gu a ge a n d pron ou n ced the book charm in g Their verdict c am e to Ki n g Sh ali v ah a n s ea r a n d he m a de a f urther e ffort to r e a d Ka n a bh u ti s stories ; a n d o n ce he h a d m a stered the di ffic u lties of Ka n a bh u ti s li tera r y m edi u m he wa s a s ch a rm ed with the t a les a s Gun a d h a s p u pil s Now the y ghost l a n gu a ge of Ka n a bhu ti wa s n o dou bt the Ma hara shtri dia lect bo rn of the a tte m pts of the R a s h tri ka s to spea k S a n skrit ; an d the reign of Shali v a h a n th a t is to s a y the ye a rs when the An dhra kin gs held s wa y firs t s a w the u s e for litera ry purposes of th a t vigoro u s s u pple gra cefu l a n d copio u s t on gu e M ara thi

h er

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C HAP TE R

III

TH E E A RL Y C H A L U K YA S A ND R A SH TR A KU TA S

C IR C A A D .

.

5 00

To

973

efforts of Orie n ta l schola rs to peep i n to the history of Ma hara shtra betwee n the de a th of the la st A n dhra ki n g * P ulu m a yi IV a bo u t A D 21 8 a n d the r ise of the Ch a lu kya s h a s n ot hitherto bee n cr own ed with a n y gre a t s u ccess It see m s howeve r th a t for a bo u t seve n ty ye a rs a dyn a sty of A bhi ra s or cowhe rds were i n power a n d th a t they wer e d rive n ou t by the people to who m Ma ha ra shtra a b ra n ch of the R a s ht ri ka s owed its n a m e A kn la or f a m ily of the Ra s ht ri ka s m a de the m s elves m a sters of the Decca n a n d a re kn own i n history I n the six th ce n tu r y they wer e d riven f ro m a s R a s ht ra ku t a s q powe r by a n ew d yn a sty tha t of the Cha lu kya s Severa l gracefu l lege n ds h a ve bee n wove n r ou n d the origin of these vigor ou s prin ces On e tells h ow on a certa in m orn i n g the god The god I n d ra Bra h m a d ev a w a s e n ga ged i n hi s devotio n s No a n d bewa iled the S i n fu l n ess of the e a rth a ppr o a ched h i m livin g m a n so s a id In d ra ever perform ed s a crifices or o ffered lib a tio n s to the gods Brah m a d ev a looked a n grily a t his h an d whi ch wa s th en hollowed th a t it m ight hold the w a te r n eeded I n sta n tly ther e spra n g fro m the gre a t god s i n his cer e m o n i a l h a n d t wo he roes by n a m e Hari ta a n d Ma n a v y a They fo u n ded an d bec a u se they a f a m i ly desti n ed to a chieve gr e a t glo r y we re sprun g f ro m Brah m a d ev a s hollow h a n d or Cha luka they bec a m e kn own a s Cha lu kya s A n other ta le i rela tes th a t Ha rita On e d a y H a ri ta a n d Ma n a v y a we r e the so n s of the s a ge M a n u § wa s po uri n g ou t a lib a tio n to the gods whe n fr o m the spra y TH E

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B h an d a rka r, Decca n

T Bh a n d a rka r , Decca n 3:

E lec t , D ecca n

M §1

an u

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w a s th e

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s on

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29

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Vi n c en t S m i t h gi v es th e da te a s A

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a d ev a

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D 225 .

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A HIST O RY OF

16

TH E MARAT HA PEO PL E

of his wa te rpot spra n g the fou n der of the n ew dyn a sty A ll the legen ds a gre eth a t the Cha lukya kin gs first ru led a t A yodhya the c a pita l of the divi n e R a m ch a n dra The god Vishn u ga ve them a b a n n er on which was displa yed a wi ld bo a r Thi s de n oted n ot o n ly the i m petu ou s va lo u r Of the Cha lukya a rm ies bu t i n dic a ted th a t they we r e un de r the god Vi shn u s speci a l protection * Nor wa s the god Vishn u the o n ly di v i n e frie n d The god K artikeya or Ka rti ks wa m i born of the Ch a l ukya s hi m self led t o Shiva by the d a u ghter s of the F i r e god A gn i to b a ttle the he ro ki n gs of A yodhya A n d with hi s a n d Vishn u s help they forced their triu m pha n t wa y to the so u thern shor es of I n dia The firs t prin ce whose n a m e survives in the i n s criptio n s is whi ch bein g i n terpreted m e a n s th e li o n of on e J a y a s in h a victory It see m s p rob a ble tha t he wa s a m i litary a dve n tur e r f ro m the n orth who con qu e red Ma h ara shtra fro m its n a tive prin ces the Ra s htraku t a s His gra n dson Pula kes i I m a de Va t a pi p ur a the m odern B a d a m i hi s c a pita l a n d a ss um ed the titles of Prithvi Vallabha or Hu sb a n d of the E a rth a n d S a tya Ki rti v a rm a n the s on a n d Su pport of Tru th s ra y a or the su cc esso r of Pula kes i I wa s a lso a c a p a ble pri n ce Hea dded to hi s f a ther s ki n gdo m the n o rthe rn Ko n ka n a n d n orthe rn C a n a ra A n i n sc riptio n i n a c a ve te m ple a t B a d a m i h a s e n a bled Si r R Bha n d arka rj to fix the d a te of his a c c essio n i n A D 5 66 or 5 67 After a r ei gn of twe n ty fo u r ye a rs Ki rt i v a rm a n died le a vi n g three you n g so n s a n d a brother Ma n g a lis a It wa s the con ti n u ou s a im of Man ga lis a to sec ure for hi m s elf a n d hi s s on the thr on e of Va tapi pura Bu t the t a len ts a n d vigou r of Ki rti verm en e eldest s on Pula kesi II re n dered Ma n ga li s a s e fforts va i n I n A D 6 11 Pula kes i II defe a ted decisively his u n cle Ma n ga lis a who with his s on fell on the field of b a ttle These civil tro u bles led the Ra shtraku t a s un der a chi ef c a lled Govin da to a tte m pt the recovery of their form er power A rebellion too b roke ou t i n the provin ces s ubd u ed by Pulakes i s fa ther But n o d itfi Vis hn i hi s t hi d i ca tion t ook th e fo of bo ar to r a is e th e a th from the bo tto of th a whi t her a dem on c lled Hi ran y a ks h a h a d dra gged .

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38

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e r

TH E MARAT HA PEO PL E

A HIST O R Y OF

8

He grew to m a n hood a n d whe n n i n etee n ye ar s old wa s m arried to his c Ou si n Ya s od h ara He a t first ga ve hi m self wholly t o Bu t i n hi s twe n ty n i n th ye a r s u ch a life a life of ple a s u r e bega n to pa ll A s he on e d a y d r ove thr ou gh his ple a sur e gro un d the Sight of a br oke n down old m a n tur n ed his m i n d t o serio u s tho u ghts These thou ghts bec am e gra ver still whe n he s a w on e d a y a lepe r a n d a n othe r d a y a de a d body On e n ight a s the well kn own story tells u s he left hi s wi fe a n d chi ld a n d wen t ou t in to the wi ldern ess a pen n i less wa n derer He sou ght a t first so we a re told to le a rn wisdo m fro m the B ra h m a n s a ges b u t they did A t la st pr olon ged m edit a tio n un der the Bod hi n ot s a tisfy hi m t ree led hi m to fo un d a f a ith kn own a s Bu ddhis m I n m ost Bu t it de n ied the essen tia ls it differed li ttle fr o m Hin dui s m existen ce of the gods a n d the exi sten ce of c a ste The n ew doctrin es m a de a t first slow p rogr ess bu t the con version of Fr om I n dia they exte n ded A soka spre a d them a ll ove r I n di a the r eign of the Ku shan kin g Ka n i shka to Chi n a in The Hun i n va sion br oke o ff in ter cour se between Chi n a a n d I n dia a n d certa in religiou s difficu lties i n du ced i n A D 400 Two Fa Hie n a n d five com p a n io n s to visit I n dia on e ce n turies l a ter a n other pilgrim n am ed Hi u en T sa n g m ad e the a rd u ou s pilgrim a ge He tra velled widely throu gh I n di a n otes on a d m i ra ble a n d m a de wh a t he he a rd a n d s a w i n A n d n o p ar t of hi s book is so i n ter esti n g hi s tra vels a s th a t i n which he h a s r el a ted hi s visit to the M a h a ra shtra I qu ote the followi n g c o un t ry a n d the co ur t of Pu la kes i II p a ss a ge : h ola t ch a ( Ma h a ra shtra ) ha s a ci r The kin gdo m of MO To the west of the c a pita l ru n s a c u m feren ce of 6000 li big r iver the circum fer en ce of the town is thi rty li The soil is r ich a n d fertile a n d yield s a gre a t h arv est Of co rn The cli m a te is hot The m a n n ers of the people a re Sim ple They a re t a ll a n d pro u d a n d dista n t Wh oever a n d ho n est does them a ki n dn ess c a n coun t on their gra titu de Bu t he wh o does the m a n i n j ury n ever esc a pes their ven ge an ce If a n yo n e i n su lts the m they risk their life to wa sh ou t the a ffro n t If a n yo n e i n distress begs their help they forget ,

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S KE T C H M A P

TO I

LLU S T RA T E

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LY

P ERIO D

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TH E

EARLY

CHALU KYA S

RA SH TRAR UTA S

A ND

21

thei r own s a fety i n their e fforts to help hi m Whe n they h a ve a n i n su lt to a ve n ge they n ever f a il to warn thei r e n e m y befo reh a n d This don e they d on thei r arm our I n b a ttle they pursu e the f u gitives a n d fight lan ce i n h a n d When a ge n era l h a s bu t n e v e r la ll those wh o s urre n der lost a b a ttle they do n ot i n fl ict on hi m cor pora l pun ishm en t They m a ke h i m d ress i n wo m e n s clothes a n d thu s force The sta te keeps a body of severa l hi m to co m m it s u icide h un dred fe arless ch a m pio n s E very tim e they get re ady for a fight they get d ru n k a n d o n ce d run k a sin gle ch am pion l an ce i n h a n d will ch a lle n ge t en thou s a n d foes If h e kills a n yo n e a s he goes to b a ttle the la w does n ot pun i sh h im E ve ry ti m e the a rm y sets ou t on a c a m pa ign thi s c hose n body le a ds the wa y with d rum s be a tin g Besides these picked troops ther e a re hun dr eds of fier ce war ele h n ts a a a s Whe the b ttle is bo t to ope the eleph t a u n n n p a re give n str o n g liqu o r t o d ri n k They the n ru sh forwa rd a n d tra m ple everythi n g u n derfoot The ki n g pro u d of his s oldier s a n d hi s war eleph a n ts despises a n d i n s ults the n eighbo ur i n g ki n gdom s He is of Ts a ti li ( Ksha triya ) His v i ews a re s to ck ; his n a m e is P oul oki c h e ( Pu la kes i ) bro a d a n d pr ofou n d a n d he dispen ses a s far a s the m ost d ist a n t spots hi s ki n dlin ess a n d hi s fa vou r s Hi s s u bj ects serve hi m with a bsolu te devotio n To d a y the gre a t ki n g Silad it y a ( Ha rsh a ) be a r s fro m the e a st to the west hi s victoriou s a rm s ; he con qu er s dista n t ra ces a n d m a kes the n a tio n s n e ar hi m tre m ble Bu t those of hi s ( Pula kes i s ) kin gdom a re the on ly m en wh o h a ve n ever yielded to hi m Al tho u gh severa l ti m es he h a s p u t hi m self a t the he a d of a ll the forces of the fiv e I n di es a lthou gh he h a s c a lled to his a i d the bra vest ge n er a ls of a ll co un tries a ltho u gh he h as hi m self m a rched to pun i sh the m en of Ma h a ra shtra he h a s Fro m this fa ct a lon e n ot yet ove r co m e their r esist a n ce it is possible t o j u dge their warlike ha bits a n d c us to m s The m en love stu dy a n d pra ctise a t the s a m e tim e he resy There a re a hun dred m on a steries which co n ta in a n d tru th There are a hun d red te m ples a bo u t fiv e tho us a n d m o n ks .

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A HIST O RY

22

OF

TH E M AR AT HA PEO PL E

to the gods The heretics of the di ffere n t sects a re v ery ” n um er o us The fa m e of Pul a kes i wa s n ot con fin ed to I n dia It re a ch ed the e ars of Chosroes II kin g of Persia I n A D 625 he n ot on ly received bu t r eturn ed a com plim e n tar y e m b a ssy fro m the Cha lu kya kin g An d a l a rge fr esco p a in tin g a t Aj a n ta still portra ys for the ben e fit of the le arn ed the receptio n of the Pe rsi a n e n voys by the gre a t Pula kes i Un h a ppily the Ch a lu ky a kin g ou tli ved his good fortun e To we m us t turn to the u n de rst a n d how dis a ste r overtook hi m e arly hi story of sou the rn I n dia When the Arya n s pe n etra ted the extrem e sou th they fo un d there three highly ci vili zed Dra vi dia n n a tion s the Chera s ( or Kera la s ) the Chola s a n d the Pa n d y a s O f these the Chera s lived on the sou th west co a st fr om C a n n a n ore to Tri v en d ra m The Chola s occu pied the Ma dra s districts to the sou th of the Mysor e Sta te The Pa n d y a s dwelt i n the extrem e sou th fro m Tr a va n core to R a m n a d The gove rn m e n ts of these n a tio n s the Ar ya n s hum bled bu t did n ot destroy They i m posed on the m their religion but n ot their la n gu a ge n or their script Thu s the Chera s the Chola s a n d the Pa n d y a s recovered fr o m the Ar ya n i n va sio n a n d i n cour se of tim e bega n to prosper D ur in g the An dhra do m in a tio n they a ctively helped th a t w a r like people to s u bstit u te a S O u th ern for a n orthe rn over lordshi p From ti m e to tim e a ls othey fou ght a m o n g them s elves Whe n hi stor y begin s the Chola s a re the m ost powerful of the three n a tio n s A bo u t the en d of the seco n d cen tur y A D the Chera s are the stron gest D ur in g the d arkn ess whi ch fell ove r In dia a fter the fa ll of the An dhra s they a llowed a fo ur th power to do m i n a te the m Thi s power wa s tha t of the Pa llav as They li ved a t first betwee n the Ca v eri a n d the S ou th Pe un ar R ivers on the sou th e a st co a st They exten ded their possession s n orthwards a cross the Sou th Pen n a r a n d m ad e Ka n chi the m odern Kan jev eram their ca pita l A further m ove m e n t c a rried the m a cr oss the No rth P en n a r R iver to the sou thern b an ks of the Krishn a Thi s brou ght them i n to collision .

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Ts a n g s t ra ve

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Fren

ch

t ra n

l i

s a t on

of

Hin

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EAR L Y

TH E

C HA LU K YA S

A ND

RA SH TRAKU TA S

23

with the Cha lukya s A lo n g a n d i n decisive wa rfa re followed Bu t a t la st K i n g Na rs in h a v a rm an th e gre a test of the Fa lla v a m o n archs m o u n ted the th r o n e He d rove the Cha lu kya forces b a ck a lon g the Krishn a Fi n a lly he storm ed the Cha lukya c a pita l B a d a m i a n d i n this overwhel m in g ca la m ity Pula kes i perished For thi rtee n ye a r s a fter Pula kes i s de a th the Cha lu kya powe r r e m a i n ed b r oke n His eldest s on Ch a n d ra d i ty a fell b a ck on Ve n gi the a n cien t ho m e of the An dhra s between the Kr i shn a a n d the God a va ri Nevertheless Pu la kesi s seco n d s on Vikra m a ditya I s u cceeded a fte r a lo n g stru ggl e i n r esto ri n g the gr e a t n ess of the Ch a lu kya e m pi re D A ( The Ch a lu kya dyn a sty e n du red for a bo u t seven ty ye a rs a fter the dea th of Vi kra m a d ity a I whe n it wa s overthrow n by two su cces sive ki n gs of the i n dige n ou s R a shtra ku ta stock D a n ti d u rga a n d Kr i s hn a ra ja ( cir ca A D A s I h a ve a lre a dy m e n tio n ed the R a s h tra ku t a s we r e a powe r fu l f a m i ly of R a s h trika s wh o befo r e the co m i n g of the Ch a lu kya s fro m the n o rth ru led ove r Ma h a ra shtra D ur in g the e arly trou bles of the r eign of Pu la kesi II they sou ght va in l y to re cove r thei r i n depe n den ce The va st a bilities of tha t m on a rch r e n de r ed the effo rt v a i n Bu t wh a t wa s i m possible i n the seve n th cen tur y A D bec a m e possible i n the eighth The n ew R a s h tra kuta dyn a sty bega n w ith Kin g Dan tid urga He wa s the gre a t gra n dso n of Govi n d a the Ra sh tra ku ta chief wh o h a d rebelled a ga in st Pula kes i II Be a te n a n d p ardon ed he bec am e on e of the gre a t kin g s tru sted a llies His s on K a rka a n d hi s gra n ds o n I n dra i n herited i n tu rn Gov i n d a s fief Bu t a ltho u gh v a ss a ls their power wa s con tin u a lly on the i n c re a se a n d fr o m ti m e to tim e the Ch a lu kya s deign ed to give to the R as h tra ku t a s thei r own da u ghte rs i n wedlock In d ra received the h a n d of a Ch a lu kya prin cess who wa s her self desce n ded f ro m a pr eviou s u n i on betwee n the two fa m ilies From thi s s pran g Da n tid u rga He r ebelled a ga i n st Ki rti v a rm a n u n io n II the la st Ch a lukya ki n g of the e a rly d yn a sty So m ewhere i n so u thern I n di a Da n tid ur ga defe a ted the Cha lukya a rm y o f .

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See A i y a n ga r, A n ci en t I n d i a

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Ch a p ter I

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A HIST O RY OF

24

Occu pa tio n

TH E M ARAT HA PEO PL E

Swiftly followi n g u p his su ccess Da n ti d ur ga a tta cked a n d took B a d am i He died childless a n d wa s s u cceeded a bo u t A D 7 53 by his p a te rn a l un cle Kr i s hn ar a a Th s p i ce i r n j co m pleted the work of Da n ti d urga a n d u tterly destroyed the Cha lu kya power To u se the picturesqu e l a n gu a ge of the i n scriptio n s He ch urn ed the O ce a n of the Cha lu ky a ra ce a n d ” d rew from it the L a xm i of p aram o un t sove rei gn ty H avi n g t hu s ri d hi m self of his f erm er overlor d he c a u sed to be m a de a than k offerin g to the god Shi va He h a d c a rv ed ou t of the solid r ock a te m ple so be a u tifu l tha t the gods so it is a ffirm ed could h ardly believe it to be the pr od u ct of hum a n ha n ds A n d eve n the a rchi tect who design e d it a sked hi m self how he h a d b een a ble to do it For m or e tha n a tho us a n d ye a r s thi s wor k h a s a ttra cted pilgri m s fro m a ll p a rts of I n di a a n d to d a y En glish an d Am e rica n to ur ists to who m the ve r y n a m e of R a s h tra ku t a is u n kn own ga pe a t it eve ry wi n ter with a wed won der For the wor k of Kri s hn a ra ja is n o n e other th a n the m a tchl ess te m ple of K a ila s a t E llora Kri s hn ara ja d eign ed som e tim e between A D : 7 53 a n d 7 7 5 Hi s eldest s on Govi n d a II su cceeded hi m but his thron e wa s soo n usu rped by hi s youn ge r brothe r Thi s wa rlike pri n ce bore the n a m e of D hru v a tha t of the lege n d a ry child who worshipped the god Krishn a with s u ch fe rvou r tha t he a t la st won a n i m m orta l thron e i n heaV en whe n ce he still flo c ks down a s the pole st a r on the e a rth Bu t the n ew m o n arch s Ni ru p a m a or the I n co m pa ra ble a d m i ri n g s u bj ects c a lled h i m .

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The r ise of the R a sh tra ku ta s h a d bee n a lm ost a s f a ta l to the P a lla v a s a s to the Ch a lu kya s The Pa lla va e m pire wa s n ow * d ivided i n to thr ee p a rts On e bra n ch kn own a s the Ga n ga s ru led ove r the western portio n An other bra n ch kn own a s the Ga n ga B a n a s rul ed the cen tre The ki n gdom of the m a in bra n ch of the Pa lla v a s wa s red u ced to the districts on t h e e a stern co a st Upon thi s disorga n i sed dom i n i on D hr u v a fell He led i n to c a ptivity the G a n ga pri n ce a n d c a pturi n g Ka n chi f ro m t he Pa lla v a s fo rced the m to p a y a ye ar ly tribu te of elepha n ts .

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Ga n ga s c oun t ry wa s c a lled Ga n ga v a s i t h e G a n ga B a n a s wa s kn own a s B a n a v a s i Th e

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A HIST O RY

26

OF TH E M AR AT HA PEO PL E

discovered tha t they thereby m e a n t the Ra s htra ku ta Ma n ki r wa s a corru ption of Ma lkhed or Ma n ya s ove r eign s kheta their c a pita l B a lhara wa s a corru ptio n of Valla bhara i well beloved sovereign a title they h ad borrowed from the e a rly Ch a lukya s kar

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C HAP TER

IV

TH E L A T ER C H AL UKYA S

C IR C A A D .

9 73

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fi rst d u ty of Ta ila p a a fter his overthrow of the Ra shtra kut a s wa s to secu re his n o rthe rn fro n tie r fro m the Pa rm a ra d a n ge r He co n cili a ted his n ew s u bj ects by m arr yi n g J a kka ba the d a u ghter of Ka kka la a n d the n set fo rth to a ttac k Ma lwa For a n um be r of ye ar s the ho n o u r s of wa r we r e fa irly di vided I n deed Ki n g Mu n j a s i n scriptio n s cla im for h im victory i n n o less tha n six c am p a ign s Bu t i n A D 99 5 fo rtu n e a t la st i n cli n ed deci n g Mun j a c r ossed the God a v ari s i v el f a vo u r of Ta i la a Ki n i y p hopi n g n o dou bt to r epe a t hi s s u ccessfu l i n va sio n in the reign of th e la st R a sh tra kut a Bu t Ta i la pa a tta cked the Pa rm a ra s w ith thei r b a cks to the gre a t r iver Un a ble to recross it they were a ll bu t exterm i n a ted Ki n g Mun j a wa s ta ken priso n er A t fir st Ta ila p a tre a ted wi th co n sidera tio n his roya l c a ptive Bu t Mu n j a r eturn ed Ta i la pa s co u rtesy by a n a ttem pt to esc a pe It fa iled a n d Mun j a felt the full weight of t h eCha lukya s dis ple a s ur e He wa s pu t in prison a n d t a ke n Ou t d a ily to beg the food den ied hi m by hi s j a ilo r A t l a st prob a bly to hi s r elief he wa s behe a ded I n A D 9 9 7 Ta i la p a s eldest s on Sa t y a s ra y a s u cceeded hi s fa the r The n o rthern fro n tie r h a d bee n p a cified by the vigoro u s a ctio n of Ta i la a B t d a n ge r n o less gr e a t n ow thr e a te n ed u a p Ma ha ra shtra from the so u th A s I h a ve m e n tio n ed Ga n d a ra ditta n the brother of R a ja d ity a s a ved a fter h is brothe r s defe a t a n d de a th the Chola co un tr y D u ri n g the decli n e of the B a shtra ku ta s the Chola s recovered their power a n d a fte r co n qu eri n g the extr e m e s o u th r esolved to c a rry thro u gh R aja d ity a s pla n a n d d rive fro m the Ga n ga coun try the fa m ily of Perum an a d i Sa ty as ra y a m a rched so u th to m eet the m bu t wa s co m pletely TH E

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A HIST O R Y OF

28

TH E M AR AT HA PE OPL E

defe a ted by the gre a t Chola kin g Ra jra ja I the gre a t n ephew The Chola s the n overra n Ma ha ra shtra of Ga n d ara d i tta n pilla ged it a n d sp ared n eithe r wo m en chi ldre n n or B rahm a n s -

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died a n d left hi s sh a ttered ki n gdo m to his n ephew Vikra m a d i ty a I The la tter e n j oyed power for o n ly a few m o n ths whe n Ki n g Mun j a s n ephew Ki n g Bhoj a the lege n d a ry hero of Cen tra l I n di a a ven ged hi s u n cle s dea th by defe a ti n g a n d killi n g Vikr am a d ity a I ( A D The la tter s brother Ja y a si n h a i n turn a ven ged Vikra m a d i ty a s de a th For to u se the pictur esqu e words of an i n s criptio n ” he wa s the m oon Tof the lotus whi ch wa s Kin g Bh oja or i n other words hum bled hi m Ja y a sin h a wa s less su ccessfu l a gain st the Chola s then i n the ze n ith of their power Rajra ja the Grea t a fter overr un n i n g Ma ha ra shtra a n n exed Gan gav a d i or the Gan ga co un t ry a n d esta blis hed hi s fr on tier a lon g the Tun ga bh a d ra a n d the Krishn a All I n di a so u th of those river s was hi s Between the Krishn a a n d the God a va ri the E a stern Cha lukya s still ruled i n Ve n gi Bu t by con qu est a n d the m a rri a ge of hi s d a u ghte r Kun d a v v a i ar to the E a stern Ch a lu kya y ki n g Vi m a la d i ty a I he h a d bu lli ed a n d bribed the la tter to be his su bordin a te va ssa l To the n orth of Ven gi a s far as the An d he Ma han a di R iver Ra jra ja had con qu ered a ll Kali n ga m wa s m a ster a lso of the Ma ldives a n d the L a cc a dives In A D 1 01 2 R a j e n d ra Ra jra ja s c a pa ble s on su cceeded hi s fa ther He m a de a n expedition i n to Oriss a a n d brou ght b a ck a s ca ptives the kin g a n d hi s youn ger brother Whi le R a j e n dra was a bsen t J a y a sin ha tho u ght the ti m e fa vour a ble for a n a tta ck on hi s lin e of co m m un i ca tio n He wa s however severely defea ted a n d R a j e n d ra c a rried hi s victo rio u s a rm i es a s fa r a s the Ga n ges a n d his i n scriptio n s r el a t eth a t he m a de hi s su bj ect kin gs c a rry its s a cred wa ters b a ck with their own ha n ds to Ka n chi § I n A D 1 040J a y a s i n h a died a n d his s on Som es h wa ra I s u c The n ew ki n g better kn own perha ps b y hi s title c eed ed hi m .

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E a rly H i s tory of I n d i a , p 4 3 1 ’ 1 hi s i s Dr Bh a n d a rka r s s u rm i s e ( Decca n , p it Ai ya n gar , A n c i en t I n d i a , p 1 14 To c om m em ora t e t hi s fea t h e a ss u m ed t h e t i t le of

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TH E L A TE R CHALUKYA S A ha v a m

a la ,

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the gre a t i n wa r spe n t his reign i n a ce a se less a ga i n s t s tru ggle Chola a ggressio n The Chola e m pire n ow exte n ded i n a h a lf ci rcle r ou n d the Ch a lu ky a ki n gd o m Aha va m a la the refo r e m oved his c a pit a l fr o m Ya ta i ri ( 3 0 m i les so uth g of M a lkhed ) to Ka lya n the m odern K a lya n i i n the Niza m s do m in io n s K a lya n wa s a m ore ce n tra l spot a n d the cha n ge on the whole w a s j u stified by s u ccess I n A D 1 05 2 he fo u ght a ga i n st R a j e n d r a s s on a n d s u ccessor R a ja d hi ra ja the grea t ba ttle of Kop pa m Both sides cla i m ed the v ictory Bu t R a ja d hi ra ja fell i n the b a ttle A n d a s we fin d l a te r Ah a v a m a la s son s viceroys of B a n a va si ( the coun try of the G a n ga B a n a s ) a n d of Ga n ga v a d i ( the co un try of the G a n ga s ) it is o n ly f a i r to a ssum e tha t the fru its of the b a ttle we re the co n qu est of these t wo p r ovin ces fro m the Chola s The close of Ah a v a m ala s r eign w a s n ot so fo rtun a te I n A D 1 052 on the de a th o f Ra ja d hi ra ja his brothe r R a j e n d ra II wa s c r own ed ki n g of th e Chola s Ten ye a r s l a te r he died a n d wa s s u cceeded by a third brother Virara jen d ra The chro n i c hostilities betwee n the Chola s a n d Cha lu kya s bec a m e o n ce m ore a cu te on a ccou n t of a dispu ted su ccessio n The s on of Vim a la d i ty a the E a stern Cha lukya i n Ve n gi R a jra ja the Gre a t s d a u ghter Kun d a v v a iya r an d of took i n m a rr i a ge A m m a n ga D evi the d a u ghter of R a j e n dra I Rajraja s s on The ofl s prin g of thi s m a rria ge wa s P rin ce Kullottun ga j He cla im ed to su cceed his f a the r on the E a ste rn Ch a lu kya thr on e It s u ited his ove rlord the Chola ki n g to set a side Kullottun ga s cla im s i n fa vo u r The boy a ppe a led to Ah a v a of the l a tter s u n cle Vi ja y a d i ty a who we n t to hi s help bu t wa s defe a ted first a t Bejwa d a m a la the j un ctio n of the Krishn a a n d a fte rwa rds a t Ku d a l S a n ga m the Tun ga bh a d ra Ah av a m ala wou ld n ot a ccept eithe r an d defe a t a s fin a l I n A D 1 069 he s e n t a n au to gra ph letter to the Chola kin g i n viti n g hi m to m eet hi m a ga i n a t Ku d a l Sa n ga m n t h e tru e spirit Of I o a n d tr n ce m o r e the fo r tu n e of b a ttle y or

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A n ci en t I n d i a , 1 A n ci en t I n d i a , I s ha ll thr ou ghou t bered '

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p 1 13 p 1 15 Th e Pri n c e s ea l n a m e wa s a ls o R a j en dr a c a ll h i m by hi s ti tle K u llo t tu n ga by which he i s rem .

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30

H I ST ORY

or

T H E MA RA TH A

PE O PL E

chiva lry Vi ra ra jen d ra a ccepted the cha llen ge He ga thered his a rm y on the sou thern b a n ks of the Tun ga bh a d ra a n d Krishn a wa ited Bu t Ah av a m ala n eve r c a m e to m a ke good hi s an d ch alle n ge He h a d bee n a tta cked by a m a lign a n t feve r a n d He c a us ed hi m self to be i n despa ir r esolved to d rown hi m se lf c arried on a thro n e to the b a n ks of the Tun ga bh ad ra a t som e distan ce from the spot where he h a d m ea n t to m eet Kin g Vira There i n the pr ese n ce of a va st m ultitu de he b a thed r a j e n d ra He distrib u ted a lthou gh fa in t i n the r iver s s a cr ed wa te rs with a ge a n d sickn ess a lar ge s um of m o n ey i n ch a rity His life work n ow do n e he wa lked b a ck i n to the wa ter un til it The roya l b a n ds the n cra shed ou t a fa rewell r e a ched his lips s a lu te Ere the m u sic h a d e n ded the Cha lu kya ki n g h a d sun k be n e a th the wa ves On Ah a v a m ala s de a th his eldest s on Som esh wa ra II suc The story of the prin ce s reign a n d of his depositio n c eed ed by hi s youn ger brother Vi kr am ad ity a II h a s bee n told by a K a shm i ria n cour t poet n a m ed Bi lh a n a This story h as bee n It r equi res a c c epted by both Dr Bh a n d a rkar a n d Mr F leet however to be m odified in the li ght of the la ter i n form a tion collected by Mr Ai yan ga r Bilh an a h a s sa id n othin g bu t good of Vi kr a m ad i ty a Bu t he re a lly wa s by n o m e a n s the D urin g Ah a v a m ala s m odel prin ce por tra yed by hi s biogra pher li fetim e Vikra m a d itya s co ur a ge a n d c a p a city h a d a ll bu t in du ced the ki n g to n om i n a te h im a n d n ot Som esh wa ra He however fo rbore fr om doi n g so On his de a th a bitter r iva lry broke ou t betwee n the two brothers a n d Vi kra m a d ity a repa ired to Vira r a j en d ra s c am p a t Ku d a l S a n ga m obta i n ed hi s pro m ise an d of help a ga in st Som esh wara To se a l the p ro m ise Vi ra ra jen d ra ga ve Vikra m ad i ty a his d au ghter i n m arri a ge A t the s a m e ti m e he i n va ded the Ch a lu kya c ou n try a n d b urn t Ka m pi li Bu t befo r e he co u ld a chieve a n y decisive s u ccess Vi ra ra jen d ra fell ill a n d died Prin ce Vi kra m a d ity a ha vin g lost hi s fa ther i n la w coun ted on the su ppo rt of Vi ra ra jen d ra s s on A d h ira ja his own brother i n la w Bu t ther e n ow a ppe ared a s the la tter s riva l Pri n ce Ku llottun a He h a d a s I h a ve s a id been forced g by Virara jen d ra to give u p his thro n e to his un cle Vija yad itya .

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TH E

L AT ER C H AL UKYA S

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the hou r of hi s reven ge h a d n ow stru ck a n d he prete n ded t o the Chola thron e a s the gra n dso n of Ra jra ja the Gre a t He h a d behi n d h im a n a rm y with whi ch he h a d r ece n tly h a rried Ma lwa With its help a n d i n spite of Vikra m a d ity a Ku llot t un ga deposed his co u sin Ad h ira ja A t the s a m e tim e he deposed Vija y a d it y a a n d a t on e ti m e beca m e ki n g both of the Vi kr a m a d it y a w a s Chola s a n d of the E a stern Cha lu kya s dire p eril He extrica ted hi m self w ith skill He n ow i n to be r eco n ciled to hi s b rothe r Som esh wa ra II a n d a ffected on the best of te rm s for so m e ti m e he lived with him Bu t Som esh wara s i n c a p a city a lien a ted the gove rn ors of severa l provi n ces a n d these Vikr a m ad itya w on over to hi s of his side we r e Sen n a Cha n d ra Ya da va the Am on g the m govern or of n orth west Mah ara shtra A chu gi II the Sin d a chi ef of Yelbur ga a n d Erey a n ga Hoy sa la the Viceroy of B ut

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1 07 6 Ku llottu n ga i n va ded es h wara II m a r ched to m

the Cha lukya kin gdo m When Som eet hi m the Cha lu ky a a rm y r evolted to Vikram a d i t a r the n The l a tte deposed hi s y eld er brother a n d a s Vi kra m a d i ty a II bec a m e kin g i n his ste a d He proved a m ost c a p a ble m on arch a n d a t o n ce took steps to r epulse Ku ll ottun n va sio n a s r i The w a la sted for four ye a rs g withou t a n y decisive resu lt I n A D 1 080 the two ki n gs m a de pea ce but so m e ye a rs la ter the su ccessfu l tr e a so n of Vikra m a d i t y a I I te m pted hi s yo un ge r b rothe r J a y a s i n ha to r ebel i n hi s J a y a si n h a wa s a t the tim e V ice roy of B a n a va si a n d tu rn r eceived s u pport f r o m the Chola ki n g Bu t Vi kra m a d i ty a II a tt a cked a n d defe a ted J a a s i n h a on the b a n ks of the Kr ishn a y J a y a s i n h a fled b u t wa s a fterwa rds c a u ght sku lki n g i n a fo rest He wa s b rou ght to Vi kra m a d i ty a II who sp a red his life bu t n o do u bt i m pr iso n ed h i m Vi kra m a d i ty a II h a d the re a fte r a lo n g a n d prospe ro u s r eign which i n a ll la sted fifty ye a rs At hi s co ur t lived the r e n o w n ed Vi d n y a n es h wa ra the a u tho r s ha m still the chief a u tho rity on Hin d u la w i n o f the M i ta k Ma hara shtra Whe n he h a d co m pleted his wo r k he s a n g i n severa l sta n z a s the sple n dou r o f the town whe r e he ha d wo rked the glo ry of the ki n g whose bo un ty ha d fed hi m a n d a bove a ll .

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his

H IS T ORY

TH E M A RA THA PEO PLE

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tra n scen den t m erits I quote the followi n g s ta n za a s a s a m ple On the surf a ce of the E arth ther e wa s n ot the re is n ot n eve r wa s a a n d ther e n eve r will be a town like Ka lya n a m o n a r ch li ke the prospe ro u s Vi kra m arka ( Vi kram a d i ty a ) see n or he a rd o f a n d wh a t m or e " Vid n y a n esh wa ra the Pa n dit does n ot be ar com pa rison with a n y other Ma y thi s tri a d which is like a celestia l creeper exist to the en d ” of this Ka lp a It is prob a ble th a t hi s en d Kullottun ga died i n A D 1 1 1 8 wa s h a ste n ed by the severe defe a t of hi s a rm y by the Cha lu kya V i c e r oy o f Ga n gav a d i B itti Deva Hoy s ala D uri n g the e arly trou bles of Vikr a m a d ity a s reign the Chola s h a d ga i n ed a firm Bu t i n A D 11 16 Bitti Deva Hoy sa la footin g i n Ga n ga v a d i them to the e a st of the K a veri a n d d r ove a tt a cked the m Vi kr a m a d ity a II s urv i v ed hi s gre a t riva l m o re th a n eight ye ars dyin g i n A D 1 1 27 He wa s su cceeded by hi s s on Som eshwara III who a ssum ed the title of Bhuloka m a la or L o rd of the dwelle rs u pon the e a rth He r eign ed o n ly eleven ye ars bu t i n th a t tim e he won a r epu ta tio n for le a rn in g n ot wholly u n deserved A work of the r oya l a u thor A bki la s ki ta rtka Chi n ta m a n i h as s ur vived to the prese n t d a y I n five p a rts a re desc ribed the ta sks a n d du ties of kin gship The first p a rt i n s tru cts the preten der how to a cqui r e a kin gdo m The seco n d p art te a ches The thi rd fo urth a n d fifth p a rts i n dic a te h im how to keep it the ple a su r es i n which a kin g m a y i n dulge withou t detrim en t to hi m self or hi s kin gdo m Un der cover of these the m es the le arn ed a u thor t ou ched on a stro n o m y a strology rheto ric poetry m u sic p a in tin g a rchi tectur e a n d m edici n e A n d his won derin g su bj ects ga ve hi m yet a n other title th a t of Sa rv a d n y a Bhu pa or the kin g who kn ows ev erythin g His s on J a ga d eka m a la Som eshwa ra III died i n A D 1 1 3 8 su cceeded hi m a n d reign ed for twelve ye ars He wa s followed on the thr o n e by hi s br othe r Ta i la p a II I n the reign o f this kin g the power of the la ter Cha lu kya s fell to pieces The c a u se of the deca y c an be tra ced to the tre a son of Vikr a m a d ity a II Ha vin g m a de the viceroys of Som eshwa ra II his fellow c on s pi own

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CHA PT ER

V

YA DA VA S OF DE VA GI RI

TH E

A D

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1 189 T O 1 29 4

Ya da va s a n d H oy s a la s cl a i m ed m ost a n cien t pedi grees Ya da va s a sse rted their desce n t fro m n o less a n a n c es to r

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th an Vishn u s eighth i n c a rn a tio n Ki n g Krishn a of Dwarka The Hoy sa las m a in ta i n ed tha t the fo un der of their li n e wa s on e The Ja in was sittin g Sela who s a ved a Ja i n s a i n t f ro m a tige r I n despa ir i n a villa ge tem ple whe n a tige r ru shed a t hi m the s a in t c a lled to S a la who wa s sta n din g by Poy Sa la ( Strike S a la ) Sa la ran t o hi s help a n d killi n g the m on s ter with a si n gle blow of hi s wa lki n g stick a ssum ed the n a m e of I n co ur se of tim e Poy s a la Poy s a la to co m m em ora te the eve n t * The hi stori a n howeve r will be wa s corr upted i n to Hoy s a la c o n ten t to t ra ce both f a m i li es to the two gre a t vice r oys who t A a ssi sted Vi kr a m a d i t a I I to u s u rp the Ch a lu kya thr o n e y th a t tim e the govern o r of the districts between the u pper r ea ches of the Krishn a a n d the lowe r co urse of the Ta p ti wa s Sen n a Cha n dra Ya da va The govern or of Ga n ga v a d i ta ken by Ah a v a m a la f rom the Chola s wa s E rey a n ga Hoy sa la Thei r defection e n s ur ed Vi kra m a d i ty a s s uccess D ur in g the lon g r eign o f Vikram a d it a II the H l r ose ra pidly to powe r o s a a s y y a n d Ere a n y ga s gra n dso n Bitti Dev a Ta ctua lly rebelled a g a in s t Vikra m a d i ty a II He su ffered defe a t bu t foun d com pe n s a tion i n the victorio u s c a m pa ign a ga in st Ku llottun ga a lr e a dy m en tio n By A D l 1 3 0 h e h a d m a de hi m s elf m a ster of a ll m ode rn ed Mysor e a n d of Han ga l a n d L a kshm eshwa r in the Dharwa r I n A D 1 1 3 8 u pon the de a th of Som es hwar a II I he d i stri ct a gai n r ebelled bu t wa s foiled by the loya lty of the other gre a t I n A D 1 1 4 1 Bitti Deva died a n d wa s su c c e ed ed vi ceroys ’

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A n c i en t I n d i a , p 228 He i s als o kn own a s Vis hn .

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23 5

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YA D A VA S

TH E

by hi s

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DEVA GI RI

35

Na rs i n h a ,

who held his own a ga in st the us urper Nars i n h a died i n A D 1 1 7 3 a n d wa s followed by hi s Vi jja la Thi s vi gorou s prin ce ru led un til A D 1 220 s on Vi ra Ba lla la He wa s a t first defe a ted by Bo m m a when th a t gen era l i n A D 1 1 83 r esto red Som es h wa ra IV to the Ch a lu ky a thr o n e But w he n the r evol u tio n of A D 1 1 89 b roke ou t Vira Ba lla la h a d his reven ge He defe a ted Bo m m a a n d d rove his a rm y a cross the Krishn a Whi le the power of the Hoy s ala s wa s growin g i n the sou th th a t of th e Ya da va s wa s risin g with equ a l ra pidity in the n orth Sen n a C ha n d ra Y a d a va wa s the life lo n g a n d trus ted fr ie n d of Vi kram a d ity a II a n d left to hi s s on Pa ra m m a d ev a a n her editary viceroya lty Pa ra m m a d ev a a n d hi s Su ccessors r em a i n ed loya l to th e Ch a lukya kin gs u n til the u surp a tio n of Vi jja la ( A D They then bega n to r egard them selves a s i n depen de n t a n d whe n Som es h wa ra IV tried to r ecove r the Ch a lu kya kin gdo m Billa m a Ya d a va the then chief of the Ya d a va s su ccessfully opposed hi m Whe n Vira Ba llala fin a lly defe a ted the Cha luky a ge n era l Bom m a Billa m a Ya da va seized the whole coun try n orth of the Krishn a a n d h a d him self fo rm a lly c rown ed kin g in hi s Ca pit a l town Dev a gi ri ( A D The f ron tier s of the riva l viceroys n ow m et a n d a struggle between them wa s in e vita ble At fir st the Hoy s ala s were s u ccessf ul I n A D 1 1 92 Vira Ba llala won a decisive victory a t L a kh un d i in Dh ar wa r Billa m a wa s s u cceeded by his s on J a i tra pa la who won so m e petty c a m pa ign s a g a i n s t the Ka ka ti y a s * i l Bu t it wa s Sin gh a n a J a t ra p a a s s on an d o f Wa ra n ga l s u cces sor who ra ised the Ya da va dyn a sty to its gre a test power He s u ccessfully in va ded Ma lwa a n d Guzara t a n d (A D co n qu er ed a ll the lower Ko n ka n a n d the Sou th M ara tha coun try fro m the Hoy s a la chiefs a n d Europe a n officia ls wi ll re a d with i n teres t tha t he wa s on e of th e first p a t ro n s of their he a lth reso rt Ma h a bles h wa r Sin gh a n a S j lo n g a n d s u ccessf ul r eign s on '

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firs t M a ra thi poet li v ed i n t h e reign of J a i tra p a la I a o us s h ri n e o f M a h a dev a Si gh f d d S g p f a m n a r t h e n hi u n un a n a o e T f a m ily god o f th e Bh os les In hi s reig n S a ra n gd h a r Wrote th e S a n s kri t work on m us ic S a n gi tra tn a ka r Th e c oun try of t h e Ya d a v a s wa s kn own a s Sen n a Des h f ro m th e foun der of t h e dyn a s t y Sen n a Ch a n d r a Mn ka n d r a j

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H IS T O R Y OF TH E M AR ATH A PEO P LE

A

36

la sted un til A D 1 24 7 whe n he wa s followed by his gra n dso n Krishn a I I The i n s c riptio n s cla i m for h im tha t he defe a ted the Hoy s a las the G urj a ra s a n d the ki n g of Ma lwa He died i n The A D 1 260 l e a vi n g the thr o n e to h is b rother Ma h a deva la tter s gr ea test s u ccess wa s his r edu ctio n Of th e n orthern Kon ka n where a chief n a m ed Som es hwa ra h a d m a de him self i n depen den t Ma h a deva i n va ded his coun tr y wi th a l arge force of eleph a n ts His ta ctics we r e su ccessf u l a n d Som eshwa ra d riven f rom the la n d sou ght r efuge i n hi s fleet But M a ha deva s a n d dest r oyed hi s shi ps I n this d is a stro u s n a vy p ur su ed hi m n a va l a ctio n Som es h wa ra wa s d r own ed I n A D 1 27 1 ther e a sce n ded to the Ya d a va thr o n e R a m a dev the s on of Krishn a a n d the n ephewOf Ma h a deva A m ela n i n te r est a tt a ches to his n am e a s the l a st gr e a t c hief of the c h ol y Ya d a va dyn a sty His e arly ye a r s wer e p rospero u s e n o u gh His a rm ies i n va ded both Ma lwa a n d Myso r e a n d he wa s u n qu estion a bly the gr e a test ki n g i n Pe n i n su la r In dia A hectic sple n do ur t oo illu m i n a ted hi s reign I n it flourished the I n it a lso a p p e a r ed Dn y a n m i n i ste r H em a d ri or H em a d p a n t dev the fi rst of the gre a t M ara tha poets of the Pa n dha rpu r school The form er Of these is the her o of m a n y s tories still cur ren t a m on g the Ma ra th a s On e lege n d rela tes tha t Bibh is h a n a de m o n s u bj ect Of Ki n g Ha v a n a o f Ceylo n the r a visher of Sita I n o rde r to r est hi m s elf he took off h a d flow n ove r to In di a his tu rb a n a n d pla ced it by his side Soo n a fterwa rds He m ad p a n t cha n ced to pa ss by He s a w the dem on s giga n tic turba n it a n d wa s soo n a n d thi n ki n g it a cou ch flu n g hi m self u po n The de m o n r ose fir st a n d withou t n oticin g the a sleep a lso slu m ber in g H em a d p a n t r epla ced the tu rb a n on his own hea d Then so a rin g i n the a i r he flew b a ck to Ceylon to r epo rt hi s Observa tio n s to hi s r oya l m a ste r When the un ha ppy He m a d pa n t a woke he fo u n d him self tra vellin g thro u gh the a i r a t a prodigiou s speed He W i sely held hi s ton gu e a n d ti ghte n ed When the dem on r e a ched the shor e hi s grip on the tu rb a n of the gre a t so u thern isl a n d he a ga in r e m oved hi s tur b a n to cool hi m self a fter his lo n g flight A s he la id it down he n oticed the cowerin g H em a d p an t The de m o n a sked his un willi n g pri so n er ,

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TH E YA DA VA s

DE VA G I R I

OF

37

h ow

he h ad co m e ther e Hem ad p a n t explai n ed a n d pra yed f or m e rcy The de m on gra n ted H em a d p a n t hi s life He m a d an t p gro wi n g bolder a sked for a p a rtin g pr ese n t The de m o n a g ve hi m a seed of j owa ri or I n dian co rn Fro m this on e seed we re to spri n g the m ighty j owa ri h a rvests th a t a re ga thered by m il lio n s Of pe a s a n ts eve r y I n di a n wi n te r H em a d pa n t however did n ot a pprecia te its v a lu e a n d a sked for f urther gifts The d e m o n ga ve hi m two m ore The first wa s a bu g the proge n i to r of the co u n tless m yria ds tha t ha ve eve r sin ce been the pl a gue Of In dia n beds The secon d wa s the Modi a lpha bet F ro m this lege n d we c a n I thi n k s u rm ise tha t H em a d pa n t en cour a ged to the u t m os t o f hi s powers Decca n a gricu ltu re He m a y pos s i bl We y h a v e cle a r ed tra cts o f fo r est la n d to wide n i ts a re a m a a y ls o perh a ps gu ess tha t a bo u t thi s tim e Modi wr itin g bega n t o be u sed i n Ma ra thi co rrespo n de n ce Hem a d p an t s f a m e d oes n ot r est on t hi s si n gle voya ge He is s u pposed to h a ve i n ve n ted the style of a rchitectu r e kn own a s the H em ad a n ti ; p a n d m a n y a ru i n ed tem ple i n co un try villa ges is s a id to h a ve been b u ilt u n der the gre a t m i n ister s s n p erin ten d en c e A rchi t ect tr a velle r a n d co u n sellor of Ki n g R a m a d ev a * Hem a d a n t p still fo un d tim e to r ed u ce to writin g the a n cien t reli giou s pra ctices an d ce re m o n i a ls tha t h a d bee n ha n ded down by co un tless ge n e ra tio n s a n d the prin ciples o f m edici n e a s the n u n der sto od The Cka tn rva rga chi n ta m a n i a n d the A yurved a ra s a ya n a s u rvive to d a y to p r ove how the b usiest of m en occu pied hi s .

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twe n ty thr ee ye a rs R a m a d ev a had ru led prosperou sly The v a lour of hi s a rm ies gu a rded his fa r flun g fro n tier The w isdo m of H em a d p a n t secu r ed the p rospe rity of hi s s u bj ects a n d filled the tre a sury of the m o n a rch The poet Dn y a n d ev wrote of Ki n g R a m a d ev a a s the dispe n se r of j u stice a n d the a bode of a ll a rts Bu t the ti m e wa s a t h a n d whe n he a n d hi s people w e r e to d ri n k to the d regs the c u p of defe a t a n d h u m i li a tio n For

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I n A D 1 27 1 R a m a d ev a g a v e 3 o f t h e gif t w ere t h a t t h e B r a h m a n s m

illa ges t o 7 1 Bra hm a n s Th e c on di tion s u s t li v e i n t h e v i lla g es m u s t n o t m or tg a ge t hem c on c u b in es n or ga m ble n or c a rr y a r m s They m u s t n o t en t er t a i n s ho u ld s pen d t h ei r wh ol e t i m e i n religi o u s d u t i es T H em a d ri a ls o wrote th e Raj a p ra s ha s hti a hi s tory of th e Ya d a v a f a m ily .

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S a rd es a i ,

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the ye ar A D 1294 a m i d a pr ofoun d pe a ce a m ob of t errified p ea s a n ts bro u ght wo rd to the ki n g a s he s a t in h is doom e d city th a t a n A fgh a n a rm y wa s a dva n ci n g towards A t its he a d r od e Ala u d d i n m a rches Ja la l ud d i n F iroz Kh ilji em pero r of Delhi In

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CHA PT ER VI CO NQU E S T

TH E AF G H A N

A CCO R D I N G t o Feris h ta,

the Khil

OF TH E DE CCA N

Afgha n

s w e r e desce n ded frO m Ka lij Kha n the s on — i n la w o f J en ghi z Kh a n th e MoglIu 1 con qu e ro r The a u tho r Of the Seiju kn a m a tra ces their descen t from on e Kh uli ch the s on of T ur k the gra n dso n of J a phet a n d the gre a t gra n dso n of No a h Wh a tev er hi s des ce n t Ja la l ud — d in Fi roz wa s e a r ly i n the E m per o r Ka ikob a d s r eign m a de govern or Of S a m a n a Sum m o n ed by Ka ikob a d to help hi m overthr ow hi s m i n i ster Ja la l n d d in by a su ccessi o n of skilfu l villa in ies m a de hi m self su pr em e ; he h a d Ka ikob a d r em oved a n d in A I ) 1 288 m ou n ted i n hi s m a ste r s ste a d the thr o n e o f Delhi The n ew e m peror h a d two so n s a n d two n ephews Bu t the a blest a n d the m ost d a ri n g Al l we r e a ble d a rin g m en wa s the e m pe r o r s elde r n ephew Al a u d d i n A n d Ja l a l u d d i n s u ppo rt of the n ew r egarded this r esol u te p r in ce a s the m a i n He bestowed on Ala u d d in the h a n d of hi s d a u ght e r m o n a r chy a n d the gove rn m en ts Of Be n g a l a n d o f O u dh Bu t if Ala u d d in won the f a vo u r of hi s un cle he f a iled co m pletely to wi n the love The qu arrels Of the prin cess with h er hu sb a n d o f his wife we re a rtfully fo m e n ted by the E m press Ma lika Jeha n who h a d gu essed the tre a chero us a n d a m bition s a i m s Of h er n ephew At l a st Ala n d d in r esolved to rid hi m self by on e stroke Of a ll hi s e n e m i es He a sked for a n d obta in ed le a ve to a tta ck Ch a n de ri a n d a bo u t 1 00 a Ra j pu t fo rt r ess to the west of Cen tra l I n di a His r e a l design was to m iles n o rth Of the Vin dhya Mo un t a i n s atta ck R a m a d ev a Ya da va I n the course of a Ce n tra l I n di a n c am pa ign Ala n d d in h a d hea rd stories Of the gre a t we a lth u ld If he co he co u ld bu t seize it a ccum a ted a t Dev a gi ri l u With r eturn to Delhi a s a pr ete n de r to his un cle s thro n e -

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H IS T ORY OF TH E M A RA THA PE OPLE

A

8000 ho rse A la

first m arched west towa rds Cha n de ri When he h a d n e a rly re a ched it he su dde n ly ch a n ged his direction a n d m a rched so u thwa rds thr o u gh the Vi n d h y a s a n d the Sa t pn ra s E llichpu r the l a rgest n o rthern town in the un til he r e a ched Ya d a va do m in io n The re he lu lled a ll s u spicion s by decla rin g tha t he h a d qu a rrelled with his u n cle a n d m e a n t to O ffer his sword to the R a j a Of R a j a m a n d ri tha t is to s a y to the E as tern Cha lu kya pri n ce who still r u led a t Ven gi a s a va ss a l of the Ya da va kin gs The credu lo u s Hi n d u s believed Ala u d — d in a n d let hi m r est hi s tr oops close to thei r c ity Aft er a few d a ys Al a n d d i n stru ck his te n ts a n d p r essed on by fo rced m ar ches towa rds Dev a gi ri i It was the n ews of thi s a dva n ce tha t the terrified peas a n ts a n n ou n ced to R a m a d ev a The Ya da v a kin g w a s ta ken co m pletely by s u rprise Sh a n ka rd ev a wa s with his m othe r on a however did n ot desp a ir He ga the red m en a n d occ u pied a positio n fou r m ile He re he wa s defe a ted a n d d rive i n s ide the t own Ala u d — Delighte d d i n n ow e n ter ed Dev a gi ri i n t r a th s ccess Of his st st t ge he t ied seco d on e H e h e r ra a m u fi w h a d o n ly 8000 m en he s a id bu t close behi n d hi m w a s foll owi n g the m ai n a rm y o f Ja la l u d d i n It wa s stro n g a n d woul d ove rwhelm the whole co u n try The M a ra th a s wer e a ga in deceived The ki n g s va ss a ls i n ste a d o f obeyi n g Ra m a d ev a s s um m o n s for help fled to fo rtify thei r own stron gholds a ga in s t Ja l a l — u d di n s a rriv a l R a m a d ev a i n despa i r Offer ed Ala — ud — d in fifty m a u n ds of gold a n d a qu an tity Of pe arls a n d j ewels if he w o ul d r etu rn to Delhi The prin ce a wa r e th a t hi s com m un i c a tion s we re lo n g a n d perilou s a greed to the ra n s om a n d pre pa r ed to r etra ce hi s steps Bu t the ki n g s s on Sh a n kard ev a He c ol a dded to hi s m isfo r tu n es a n xio us to help his f a the r A b a ttle lec t ed a l ar ge Ma ra th a for ce a n d led it to Dev a gi ri t oO k pla ce a few m iles f rom the city The Hin dus o u tn um bered the A fgha n s by three to on e bu t Al a u d din s stra ta gem won hi m the d a y He h a d left 1 000 tr oops u n der on e M a lik N a sra t to a tt a ck R am a d ev a if he s a llied f ro m Dev a giri A t a c ritica l -

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A

2

HI S TO RY OF T HE M A RA THA PEO PL E

'

i n hi s prov i n brother, Al m

O u dh a n d Ben ga l Next he se n t his yo un ger a s Beg to r e m o v e if he c ou ld a ll do u bts fro m h i s A lm a s Beg ha d t a len ts bu t li ttle i n fe ri or to un cle s m i n d those of A la u d d i n He depicted hi s br other a s torn by r em orse He ha d been guilty of d isobedien ce Withou t the e m peror s le a ve he h a d ra ided Deva giri An d n othin g less th a n the si ght of h i s un cle s f a ce a n d the soun d Of his beloved voice co n fe rrin g pardo n wo u ld s a ve A la u d d in fro m the crim e Of s eh d es tm c d in to c our t tion The em pe ro r b a de Alm a s Beg in vite Al a u d — with eve r y a ssu ra n ce Of his fo rgive n ess A lm a s Beg ple a ded tha t his brother d ar ed n ot go t o Delhi His e n em ies a t cour t h a d his un cle s ea r a n d his a rriva l wo u ld be followed a t o n ce by hi s execu tion L et the e m peror com e hi m self to Ka rr a the c a pita l of the O u dh p r ovin ce an d there co m fo rt a n d fo rgive his un worthy n ephew The e m peror s hou sehold wa rn ed hi m aga i n s t the folly o f su ch a co urse Bu t the re a dy wi t a n d the silver speech of A lm a s Beg b a ffled the f rie n ds of Ja la l u d d i n The credu lous old m an we n t with A lm a s Beg to the O u dh fron ti e r There he wa s i n d u ced to go un a rm ed a n d un esco rted to m eet A la u d — The u n cle e m bra ced his n ephew a n d d in freely p a rdo n ed hi m A m o m e n t la te r Ja la l n d d i n was sta bbed a n d his he a d stru ck Off Ma lika Jeh a n On the n ews of her hus b an d s de a th t ried to Oppose the a ccessio n of hi s m ur dere r But Al a n d d in distrib u ted a sh a r e of hi s tre a s ures a m o n g his soldiers a n d slun g gold b a lls a m on g the villa gers a s he a dva n ced on Delhi A few weeks l a te r Al a u d d in wa s e m pero r a n d with the exceptio n Of Al m a s Beg the whole hou sehold Of Ja la l n d — d in Khi lj i h a d bee n co n fin ed or a ss a ssin a ted Upo n the retre a t Of A la n d d in B a m a d ev a set hi m self t o res t o re a s best he co u ld p r ospe rity to hi s ru i n ed c a pit a l It wa s n ot however likely th a t the n ew e m per o r wo u ld fo rget th e ad v en tur e of the pri n ce I n A D 1 3 06 t en ye a rs a fte r hi s a ccess ion he determ i n ed to redu ce Dev a giri t o va ss a la ge The osten sible m otive of the expeditio n wa s the f a ilu r e of R a m a d ev a to pa y tribute But to it wa s a dded a n othe r a n d a m ore ro m a n tic A t the begi n n in g Of Ala u d di n s reign the re ruled i n on e Guz era t a Wa ghela R a j pu t c alled Kara n bu t n i ckn a m ed Ghelo c es of

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TH E A F G H AN

C O N Q U E S T OF TH E D E CCAN

43

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the Ra s h He h a d a pri m e m i n ister c a lled Ma d h a v a whose ta le n ts in deed h a d ra ised K a ra n to the thro n e Un h a ppil y for both ki n g a n d people Ma d h a v a h a d a be a utifu l wife B u p s un d a ri K a ran fell i n love wi th h er a n d ta ki n g a dvan ta ge of Ma d h av a s m om e n ta ry a bsen ce fro m An hi lwa d Pa ta n the ca pita l Se n t an a rm ed fo rce to seize her 1 A fight e n s u ed a n d i n it the m i n ister s b r othe r fell His widow there u po n r esolved to die a s a ti Befor e she e n tered the fla m es she c a lled do wn a fe arf ul c u rse city The ki n g so o n the kin g a n d on the prophesied the s a ti would be d rive n f rom hi s ki n gdom by the b a rb a ria n His wife a n d his d a u ghter wou ld be torn from hi m a n d he hi m self wo u ld die a ho m eless wa n de re r Whe n Ma d h av a c a m e ba ck to An hilwa d P a t a n he foun d his ho m e r ui n ed He a ri n g of the s a ti s curse he fled to Delhi tha t he m i ght sec ur e its f u lfilm e n t He Obta i n ed a n i n te rview wi th A la n d — The e m per or delighted with th e d i n a n d told his t a le pretext se n t hi s br other Al m a s Beg n ow exa lted by the title o f A l a f Kh a n to su bd u e Guz a ra t The du ty wa s well perform ed Ka ra n Gh elo was defe a ted An hi lwa d P a t an fell The chi ef qu ee n Ka m a lad ev i wa s ta ken a n d wa s sen t to Delhi to be the con cu bi n e Of Al a u d d i n Ka ra n Gh elo fled with hi s da u ghte r to the co ur t of R a m a d ev a Ya da va wh o ga ve him for hi s r esi d en ce B a gla n a fo rt i n the Na sik district The be au ty a n d birth Of Ka m a la d ev i won h er the f a vo u r of Ala n d d i n a n d i n co ur se o f t i m e she gr ew reco n ciled to h er lot On e thi n g ho weve r wa s n eeded t o m a ke h er h a ppi n ess co m plete a n d th a t wa s the com p a n y Of her d a u ghte r She told this to the e m pe ro r who h ad a lso le a rn t with i n dign a tio n th a t B a m a d ev a h a d shelter ed m en Ka ran Gh elo He equi pped a n a rm y of ove r whi ch he pla ced a fa vour ite e un u ch n a m ed Ma lik Ka fir A t the s am e tim e he issu ed o rders to A la f Kha n to a dva n ce on Dev a giri fr o m Gu z a ra t On the wa y he wa s to t a ke B a gl a n a n d to sec ure if possible K a ra n The la tte r Ch elo s d au ghte r Dev a ld ev i by n a m e wa s fo u r ye a rs Old a t the ti m e of h er fa ther s *

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Th e f u ll s t ory i s a d m i ra bly t old i n t h e t h e la te Mr Na n d a Sh a n ka r

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H IS T ORY OF TH E MARATH A PEO P LE

A

44 fl ight

grown i n to a be a u tifu l m a id Of fo urtee n R a m a d ev a h a d a sked K a ra n Gh elo to g ive h er i n m a rri a ge Bu t the R a j p u t kin g a lthou gh i n to Sh a n ka rd ev a his s on e xile h a d yet deem ed hi s li n e a ge too hi gh to give his d au ghte r to a Ya d a va Of Dev a giri A n e n voy se n t by A la f Kh a n who de m a n ded the su rre n der Of Dev ald ev i for Ala u d d in s h a re m c a us ed Ka ra n to ch a n ge hi s m i n d A n d he r esolved to m arry h er to a M a ra th a pri n ce ra the r th a n pr ostitu te h er to a ba rb ari a n e m pe ro r He r ef u sed A la f Kha n s dem an d a n d held B a gla n a s lo n g as he co u ld a g a i n st the A fgh a n a rm y For t wo m o n ths h is r esis ta n ce wa s s u ccessf u l F a m i n e a t l a st fo rced hi m to le a ve hi s stro n ghold He fell ba ck with his troops on Dev a gi ri followed by A la f Kh a n A s he r etre a ted K aran se n t a body o f ho rs e by a sep a r a te r o u te to co n vey Dev a ld ev i to the a rm s o f the yo un g M a ra th a The pla n wo u ld h a ve su c c eeded b u t for u n fo resee n ill fo rtu n e A l a f Kh a n pu rs u ed Ka ra n s troops to a d a y s m a r ch fro m Dev a giri whe n i n desp a ir a t Dev a ld ev i s esca pe he c a lled a two da ys h a lt D u rin g the h a lt three hu n dred Afgh a n s un kn own to A l a f Kh a n slipped ou t of c a m p to visit the E llo ra ca ves A s they sta rted ho m ewa rds they s a w som e Hi n d u c a va lry a cross their wa y The A fgh a n s flu shed with s u ccess a tta cked a n d soo n disper sed the m A S the co n qu e ro r s fo u ght ove r the wo m e n who m the fu gitives h a d left behi n d they le a rn t th a t on e wa s n o othe r tha n the be a u tiful Dev a ld ev i O verj oyed th ey t ook h er to Al a f Kh a n who a t o n ce took h er to Delh i A few weeks a fte r h er a rriva l the e m pero r s s on Khiz r Kh a n won by h er be au ty Obt a i n ed h er i n m a rri a ge a n d the devotio n of h er hu sb a n d a n d the triu m ph Of h er o wn ch a rm s led her to for get the a bse n ce of h er f a the r a n d the m ise ries of h er co un try d had

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M a lik Ka fir with the m a in A fgh an a rm y d rove ba ck the Ma ra th a forces u n til he re a ched Deva giri R a m a d ev a s a w tha t f ur the r r esista n ce w a s hopeless He be a t a p a rley a n d presen t i n g hi m self a t Ma li k Ka fir s c a m p offe red to a ful l a rre a r s p y o f t ribu te a n d a n a m ple i n de m n ity The O ffe r wa s a ccepted a n d R a m a d ev a n ot lo n g a fte r wa r ds v isited A la n d d i n a t De lhi The r e the n ew va ss a l wa s received with gr e a t ho n ou r The .

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TH E A F G H AN

Ra y i

title of

45

Hin d u Ki n g of Ki n gs wa s con fe rred on hi m a n d i n return for his ho m a ge he wa s pe rm itted n ot o n l y to reta in Dev a giri bu t to govern Na va s a ri a district on the se a co a st Of Gu z a ra t ( A D The followin g ye a r Ma lik Ka fir p a ssed by Dev a gi ri to plu n der the Ka ka ti y a s of Wa ra n ga l Ala u d d i n h a d a l re a dy tried to r ed u ce the m fro m a b a se i n Be n ga l Bu t the expeditio n h a d f a iled a n d to Ma lik Ka fir wa s com m i tted the t a sk of r etrievi n g the glory of the Delhi a rm s R a m a d ev a r ece i ved a n d obeyed the co m m a n d to a id M a lik Ka fir a s a s u bor di n a te a lly A tt a cked both by the Mu s ulm a n gen e ra l a n d the Y a d a v a ki n g the B a j a of Wa ra n ga l yet m a de a stou t defe n ce It wa s o n ly a fte r a siege of seve ra l m on ths tha t he Ope n ed n egoti a tio n s M a lik Ka fir wa s n ot un wi lli n g t o a ccept te rm s His losses h a d bee n seve re Ra m a d ev a s loya lty hun g on eve n t s a n d a cceptin g 3 00 eleph an ts 7 000horses a n d j e wels M a lik Ka fir retur n ed i n a l a r ge sto r e of m o n ey a n d tri u m ph to Delhi The ye a r A D 13 10 s a w the down fa ll of the Hoy s a la s They h a d bee n pressed so uthw ards by the l a te r Ya d a va ki n gs b u t they still ruled the l a r ge r portio n Of the presen t Mysore Sta te an d their c a pita l w a s D wa ra S am u d ra * L ege n ds of thei r we a lth we r e c urr e n t i n Delhi a n d Al a u d d i n b a de M ali k Ka fir plu n de r the m a s he h a d pl u n de r ed t h e Ya dava s On the wa y fro m Delhi M a lik Ka fir a ga i n h a lted a t Dev a gi ri Bu t i n the co ur se o f the precedi n g ye a r ( A D 1 309 ) R a m a d ev a h a d died The a n d hi s s on Sh a n ka rd ev a s a t on the th ro n e Of the Y a d a v a s m e m o r y of Dev a ld ev i m a de hi m less pli a n t tha n hi s fa the r He r efu sed eithe r help or s u ppli es Neve rtheless he did n ot Ope n ly a tta ck M a lik Ka fir The la tte r le a vi n g a fo rce to wa tch Dev a gi ri a tta cked w ith his m a i n a rm y the H oy s a las They O ffe red a poor resista n ce a n d with a v a st sto re Of fresh booty M a lik Ka fir r etu r n ed n o rthwa rds The n e ws howeve r of Sh a n ka rd ev a s co n d u ct ki n dled rese n tm e n t i n Ala u d d i n which wa s heighte n ed by his s u bsequ e n t beh a vio u r A ft e r the Delhi a rm y h a d r eti red Sh a n ka r d ev a withheld hi s trib u te M a lik Ka fir O n ce m o re i n va ded the Decc a n storm ed Dev a giri -

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R a ya n

C O N Q UE S T OF TH E D E CCAN

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H IS TO RY OF TH E M AR ATH A PE OPLE

A

46

d behe a ded Sh a n ka rd ev a ( A D

The n

la yi n g wa st e Ma ha ra shtra he swept thr ou gh the whole of s ou the rn I n dia la s Al l t h e Old so u the rn thr o n es those Of the Pa lla v as Ch o Pa n d yas a n d Che ra s toppled ove r on e a fter the othe r un til a t la st the t rium ph a n t ge n e ra l rested to e rect a m osqu e a t R a m esh wa ra m With the booty of the con qu e red peoples Ma lik Ka fir was r etur n i n g to Delhi whe n he r eceived a n ur gen t s um m o n s fr om Ala u d d in D ri n k a n d lus t wa r a n d i n trigu e h a d worn con stitu tion of the gre a t e m pe ror Khizr Kh a n o ut the i r o n n eglected hi s f a ther In o n who m he h a d bestowed Dev a ld ev i the lon elin ess of a ge a n d ill he a lth Al a u d d i n sum m on ed Ma li k Ka fir t o his side H e wa s the on e per so n who m t h e e m per o r trus t ed a n d he betra yed the tru st wi th the ba sest i n gra titu de On r e a chi n g Delhi he a t o n ce beg a n to plot the exte rm i n a tio n bf the whole Khi l ho us e Al a f Kh a n the b r othe r wh o h a d helped Ala u d d i n to the thro n e wa s lo n g de a d ; a n d the a rts Of Ma li k Ka fir led Ala u d — d i n to believe th a t hi s so n s Khi z r Kh an a n d Sha di Kh a n wer e co n cern ed with the qu ee n s rela ti v es i n a tr e a son a ble sche m e A t the s a m e ti m e n ews c a m e th a t Gu zera t R a j pu ta n a a n d the Decc a n h a d r evolted Ma lik Ka fir la id the bl a m e on the con spira tors The qu ee n a n d h er son s were a rrested H er kin s m e n we r e behe a ded a n d the e m pe ror isola ted from hi s kin sm e n soo n died of a poison ed m e a l prep ared by Ma lik Ka fir ( A D On the e m peror s de a th fo r hi m Mali k Ka fir p u t ou t the eyes of Khi zr Kha n a n d Sha di Kh a n Mu b a ra k Kha n a n d pla cin g a rrest ed Al a n d di n s fo ur th s on Al a u d di n s yo un gest s on Um a r Kh a n the n a ged seve n on the thr on e bega n to gove rn i n hi s n a m e It n ow see m ed tha t the hi s R o m a n pr ototype h a d n ew Sej an us m o r e fo rt un a te th a n brou ght hi s sche m es t o a ha ppy iss u e Bu t a t the ve ry m om en t On e n ight he se n t a b a n d o f s u ccess hi s good fo rtun e left hi m The la tter ha ppen ed to o f a ss a ss i n s to kill M u b a ra k Kh a n we ar r oun d hi s n eck a stri n g of j ewels With it he ran s om ed The a ss a ssin s fe a ri n g pun ishm en t for their n eglect hi s life Of d uty s o u ght ou t Ma lik Ma shir the c a pta i n of the guards a n d d e m pe r or P rom pt i n a ction a devo ted se rv a n t of the de a Mali k Ma shir rushed wi th his m en i n to M a li k Ka fir s r oom a n d an

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TH E A EG HA N

C O N QU E S T OF TH E D E CCA N

47

killi n g him togethe r with a n u m ber of other e u n u chs privy to hi s sche m es pl a ced M u b a ra k Kh a n on the thr o n e of Delhi The n ew e m per o r who wa s n ot witho u t a bility a t o n ce pla n n ed the s u bj u g a tio n of the r evolted p ro vi n ces I n A D 13 17 Mu b a ra k s gen e ra l Ai n ul Mu lk r ed u ced R a j pu ta n a a n d G u zera t I n A D 1 3 1 8 Mu b a ra k hi m self un de rtook the recove ry of the Decca n Upo n M a lik Ka fir s dep a rture Ha rp a ld ev a a Yad a va n oble who h a d m a rried B a m a d ev a s d a n gh t er led on h er beh a lf With the a id of the n eighbo u rin g chiefs he ove r a r ebellio n ga rriso n s a n d for ove r a ye ar ruled c a m e m ost o f the M u s u l m a n Ma ha ras htra Bu t on Mu ba ra k s a dva n ce H a r pald ev a s alli es He hi m s elf fled p an ic stricke n towa rds the d eserted h im w es te Before he co uld re a ch the m a body of Mus ulm an rn hills ho rs e ove rtook him a n d b ro u ght hi m i n to Mu b a ra k s pr esen ce He o rde r ed Ha rp a ld ev a to be fl a yed a live A fte r de a th his he a d Wa s cu t off a n d fixed ove r the m a in ga te Of Dev a giri Th e r ebelli o n o n ce c rus hed the em pe ror took steps to pr eve n t its r ecurr e n ce He b ui lt a cha in of forts fro m the Vin dh ya Mo un ta i n s to Dwa ra S a m u d ra A n d for m or e than thr ee hun d r ed r s the M a ra th a people dwelt be n e a th the rule of Mus ul a e y m an ki n gs .

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CHA PT ER VII T H E DE

CC A N U NDE R

R IS E

DEL H I A ND TH E A D .

1 3 16

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To

VIJA YA NA GA R

OF

1 35 1

of Ma ha ra shtra f ro m the ti m e Of i ts con qu est to tha t of the Bahrn a n i revol u tion is the hi stor y of e m pire Of whi ch it form ed a p a rt The Em pe ror Mu b ara k a fter he h a d r ed u ced the Decc a n believed th a t hi s du ties we re over a n d th a t he m i ght p a ss the r est o f hi s life i n vice a n d ple a s ure His n a t ura l a bility wa s soon exti n gu ished a n d m isgove rn m e n t pr od u ced rebellio n His c ous i n Ma lik A s a d Uddin wa s the The plot wa s discovered a n d firs t t o plot a ga i n st the thr o n e As a d Uddi n exec u ted With hi m per ished the e m peror s bli n d b rothe rs Khizr Kh a n a n d Sh a di Kha n a s well a s Um a r Kha n the un ha ppy child on whose he a d M a lik Ka fir s tre a son ha d for a m o m e n t pl a ced a c r own The be a u tif ul Dev a ld ev i wa s torn f ro m Khiz r Kh a n a n d c a rried to Mu b a ra k s h a r e m Disguste d w ith the tr e a c he r y of his r ela tives Mu b ara k ga ve his e n ti r e con fide n ce to on e Ha s a n a co n ve rted sweepe r on who m he bestowed the title of Ma lik Khu sru The n ew f a vo urite re ea ted the t a ctics of M a lik Ka fir a n d pe n etra tin g to the extr e m e p sou th br ou ght b a ck 1 20 eleph a n ts a n d a gre a t store of j e w el s a n d gold His su ccess led M a lik Khu sru to pla n a rebellion i n the Decca n F a ilin g to wm ove r the othe r i m pe ri a l O fficers he tried to destr oy the m The sche m e f a iled a n d Malik Kh us ru wa s se n t i n ch ai n s to Delhi Bu t s u ch w a s the dexte rity of the low born a dven tu r er th a t he tu rn ed the t a ble s on his a ccu se r s a n d i n d u ced the e m pe r o r to believe th a t they a n d n ot he we r e gu ilty The i m peri a l O fficers were disgra ce d a n d thei r esta tes con fis c a ted The gra celess low c a ste n ow pe rsu a ded Mu b a r a k th a t the sweeper c a ste wa s the o n ly on e i n whi ch t rus t cou ld be m pe r o r s le a ve he s u m m o n ed twe n ty th o l With the e a ced u s an d p TH E hi stor y

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H I S TO RY O F

A

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THE

M A RA THA PEO PLE

worthy t o s u cceed a n d I swe a r tha t I sha ll a bide by your choice The m ob thun dered i n a n s we r the n a m e of Gha zi B eg Tu ghla k a n d lifti n g hi m i n thei r arm s they ha iled h i m a s Sh a h J eh a n Of the u n i ve rse Ghazi Beg a ccepted the cr o wn or sove r eig n Cu stom howeve r requi r ed som e chan ge but re fused the title Of n am e I n m e m ory possibly of hi s fa ther s m a ste r Ghya s u d d i n Ba lb azn he c a lled hi m self Ghya s n d d i n Tu ghla k An d on A u gu st 23 A D 1 3 21 he bec a m e e m pero r Oi Delhi The n ew m on a rch s vigour soon restored o rde r i n Hi n du sta n Ne ar K a bul he b u ilt a ch a i n of for ts whi ch d ur in g hi s reign closed fir m ly the n orthern p a sses He sen t hi s eldest s on A l a f Kha n to s u bdu e the R a j a of Wa ra n ga l who i n the recen t tum u lts ha d withheld hi s tribu te Al a f Kha n a tta cked Wa ra n ga l — f rom Dev a giri Bu t the c a m pa ign fa iled The Ka kati y a R a j a Pra ta p Ru d ra d ev a II defen ded his town with s pirit The hot w i n ds destr oyed the he a lth of the besiege rs At l a st a r epo rt spre a d tha t the e m per o r wa s de a d a n d tha t a r evolu tio n h a d broke n ou t a t the c a pit a l Believi n g the r eport tru e severa l O fficers deserted with thei r com m an ds The prin ce took a la rm But so seve re We r e the losses a n d r etre a ted with a ll h a ste i n the a tta ck a n d r etre a t th a t Of the W hole a rm y o n ly 3000 r etur n ed to Dev a i ri The r e Al a f Kh a n fo u n d the repo r t to be g fa ls e a n d e n qu ired i n to the co n du ct Of his f a ithless Officers Two a lo n e s urvived The rest h a d bee n killed or ta ke n by the Hin du s a n d the two s urvivors h a d soo n re a so n to e n vy the f a te of thei r co m ra des The pri n ce se n t the m to Delhi There Ghya s u d d i n h a d the m b u ried a live Observi n g with gri m wit tha t a s they h a d b u ried hi m a live i n j est he wo uld bur y the m a live i n e a r n est The e m pe ror pla ced A la f Kha n i n com m a n d of a fresh a rm y Thi s ti m e the pri n ce took gr e a t p a i n s to secure hi s co m m u n i c a tio n s Crossin g the God a va ri a t Ra kshasa bhu v a n he a dva n ced so u th— sou th — e a st to Beda r T a ki n g it by storm he m a de it hi s b a se a n d the n m a rched d u e e a st on Wa ra n ga l A fte r a prolo n ged defe n ce Pra ta p Ru d ra d ev a s urre n de red He a n d his f a m i ly we r e se n t a s priso n e rs to the e m per o r a n d the Ka ka ti y a cou n try wa s a dded to the pr ovi n ces of Delhi Ghya s u d d in Tu ghla k n ow m arched i n pe rso n to s u bd u e Be n ga l .

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TH E

DE CCA N UND ER D EL HI

51

The re Ka n a Kha n the n o m i n a l Viceroy bu t a ctu a l ruler ha s te n ed to s u bm it a n d a fte r a short c am pa ign i n Ti rh ut to the sou th of Nep a l Ghya s n d d i n turn e d hi s f a ce ho m ewa rds As he n e a red the c a pita l he m et A la f Kha n who s urrou n ded by a b rilli a n t a rra y of n obles wa ited to con gra tu la te his fa ther I n a h a n dso m e woode n stru ctu re speci a lly erected by the pri n ce Ghya s u d d i n held a reception a n d received the felicita tion s Whe n the ce re m on y wa s over the e m pe ror of his co u rtie rs s en t for his c a rri a ge The pri n ce a n d the n obles ha sten ed to le a ve the b ui ldin g for it wa s thei r du ty to gu a rd on horse b a ck Ghya s u d d i n a s he e n tered hi s ve hi cle A t la st o n l y Ghya s u d d i n Tu ghla k hi s in fa n t s on a n d five a tte n d an ts re m a i n ed i n s ide the te m pora ry p a l a ce The r oof s u dde n ly colla psed destroyin g i n its f a ll every on e be n e a th it The e m peror died a s bec am e the form e r warden Of the m arches His body w a s foun d a r ched a cross hi s so n s body W hose life he h a d v a i n ly tried to s a ve The vul gar i n ve n ted m a n y c au ses E leph a n ts so so m e s a id h a d pu shed down for the c a l a m ity the b uildin g fro m witho ut O thers a sserted tha t the lightn i n g O the rs m ore i n ge n io u s still m a i n tai n ed tha t h a d stru ck it A l a f Kh a n h a d e rected the b uildi n g by m a gic a n d th a t W he n he left it the m a gic th a t h a d s u pported it left a lso an d thu s it colla psed Bu t a ll s a ve a ve ry few believed th a t wha teve r the i m m edi a te c a u se the m i sha p h a d bee n con trived by the t re a che ry of A la f Kh a n A t on e stroke he thu s re m oved the A n d a s M a ho m ed o cc u p a n t o f the thr o n e a n d hi s f a vo u rite s on Tu ghla k the pri n ce i n A D 1 3 25 bec a m e e m pe r o r of Delhi Upo n the n ew sove reign n a tu re ha d showered with both ha n ds h er choicest gifts I n the co urse of a lo n g rei gn he m et Bu t ge n e ra lshi p wa s b u t n o equ a l a s a c a pt a i n i n the field He wa s deeply o n e Of the v a ried t a le n ts Of M a ho m ed Tu ghl a k ve rsed i n Greek logic a n d Greek philosophy He ha d stu died p rofou n dly a stro n o m y a n d m a the m a tics He kn ew i n ti m a tely t he A ra bic a n d Pe rsi a n l an gu a ges His speeches a n d letters we re for ce n tur ies the wo n de r a n d the m odel of the Del hi secreta ri a t His Pe rsi a n ve rses ha ve bee n prese rved a n d a re still re a d with ple a su re by Pe rsi a n schol ars A n ticipa ti n g by 500 ye a rs the ,

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A

52

H IS TO RY

OF

TH E MAR A THA PE OPLE

British Govern m e n t he bui lt hospita ls for the sick a n d a lm s ho us es for widows a n d orphan s Whe n he m oun ted the thr on e the highest hopes we re form ed of this m ost eloqu e n t a n d Bu t whe n he died he h a d f ully e a rn ed the a cco m pli shed p rin ce n a m e of t h e m ost blood thi rsty despot i n I n di a n hi sto r y he wa s I n the seco n d ye a r of M a ho m ed Tu ghla k s reign thre a te n ed by a Moghu l i n va sion Bu t b u yin git Off he devoted An d to hi s a tten tion to the s u bj u ga tion of so u thern I n di a us e Feri s h t a s phra se he so s u bd u ed Ta i lan gan a ( a n othe r n a m e for Wa ran ga l ) the so u thern Ko n ka n a n d Dwa ra S a m u d ra Af te r or Myso re th a t they m ight h a ve bee n vill a ges n e a r Delhi thi s c a m pa ign the e m peror s u bdu ed e a stern Ben ga l to its fa rthe s t fro n tie rs a n d O u dh to the foot hi lls of the Hi m a la ya s Bu t the cost of these wa r s a n d the la vish gifts which Ma ho m ed Tu ghla k bestowed on the le a rn ed m en of hi s ti m e e xh a u sted hi s trea su ry a l re a d y depleted by the ra n som p a id t o the Moghu l i n va ders The fertile m i n d of the e m per or the n con ceived a s che m e a s i n ge n i o u s a n d di s a str o u s a s a n r oj ected by L a w or p y P a tterson He ha d he ard tha t the Chi n ese gove rn m e n t h ad from e a rly ti m es issu ed p a per m on ey He resolved i n s te a d of b a n k n otes to issu e copper coi n s wi th the n om i n a l va lu e Of gold pieces Bu t he f a iled to gra sp tha t the Chi n ese b a n k— n ote s were issu ed o n ly by the e m peror a n d we re re a lly bu t pro m i ssory n otes sign ed by hi m Ma hom ed Tu ghla k a llowed or a t a n y ra te f a iled to preve n t the b a n kers of a ll I n di a fro m issuin g copper toke n s a s f a st a s the Delhi m i n t The res u lt m a y e a sily be i m a gi n ed Eve ry ta x— p a ye r ha ste n ed to p a y ta xes i n the n ew coi n a ge F oreign m erch a n ts p a id their debts with toke n s bu t de m a n ded their d u es i n gold A t l a st W he n the co u n tr y wa s exh a u sted by this a bsu r d sche m e the e m pe ror co n ceived a n othe r h a r dly less so Chi n a wa s a rich co un tr y Its over flowin g tre a suri es wou ld soon refill hi s He m u st the refore con qu e r it To re a lize thi s wi ld proj ect horse u n de r Khus ru M ali k the e m pe ror s n ephew a dva n ced i n to Nepa l The h ardy Nepa lese resisted their progress step by step Never th eles s a fte r despe ra te fighti n g Khu sru M alik r e a ched the fr on tie rs Of Chi n a The re a m ighty Chi n ese force a wa ited the ,

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TH E

DE CCA N UN DER DELH I

53

tta ck of hi s a tten u a ted squ a d ro n s The ge n e ra l i n despa i r ordered hi s troops to retre a t Bu t n eithe r i n a tta ck n or i n flight was there a n y s a fety The ra i n y se a son bega n The m o u n ta i n p a ths bec a m e torr e n ts a n d swept a wa y the I n di a n s s u pplies a n d b a gga ge tra i n s The Chin ese ha rried their re a r gu a rds The m ou n ta i n eers r e n ewed their a tta cks a n d a t la st of a ll tha t host b u t a few stra ggle rs fro m the li n es Of com m u n i c a tio n r et urn ed to tell M a ho m ed Tu ghla k the fa te of his a rm y He a t on ce ordered thei r execu tio n Dis gusted with Delhi a s the sce n e Of hi s f a ilu res Ma ho m ed Tu ghla k r esolved to m ove the c a pita l the n ce to Dev a gi ri F ro m thi s n ew m etropoli s he hoped to s u bd u e I n di a a s fa r a s C a pe Co m ori n a n d with the spoils of his foes to restore hi s own ba n k ru pt fin a n ces The m igra tion of the co urt a n d of the pu blic did n ot co n te n t hi m He or dered the whole Delhi ofli c es popu la tion to m ove to Dev a gi ri Nor wa s on e si n gle perso n pe rm i tted to eva de the co m m a n d A ccordi n g to the gra phic s to r y of I bn B a tu t a the I m pe ri a l poli ce fo u n d o u se a r chi n g Delhi b u t two solita r y recu s a n ts The on e wa s bli n d a n d the other bed ridde n M a ho m ed Tu ghla k di rected tha t the form e r sho u ld be shot t o Dev a giri by a c a ta pu lt a n d tha t the bed ridden m a n s ho u ld be d ra gged thithe r by the leg A few pieces Of the bli n d m a n s flesh a n d on e leg of the bed ridde n m a n eve n tu a lly re a ched the n ew c a pita l The e m pe ro r built a r o a d fro m Delhi to Deva giri an d e n de a vo ured to distribu te food to the tra velle rs on the wa y Y et eve n so h a lf the pop u la tio n died on the r o a d a n d m an y m o re died on re a chi n g Dev a i ri N or did the M a ra th a s ga i n g wh a t the i n h a bita n ts of Delhi lost The tyr a n t r esolved to m a ke Dev a gi ri wo rthy Of a n e m pero r s reside n ce a n d a s he ha d n o f u n ds with whi ch to pa y wo rkm en he a chieved his a i m by forced l a bou r By the we a ry a rm s of s u ffe rin g Ma ra tha s he b u ilt the fort of D a u la ta b a d on a m a ss Of r ock n ot fa r f ro m the city The peri m ete r of the fo rt wa s 5 000 ya rds Ga lleries ra n in side the stron ghold It wa s a b u n d a n tly s u pplied with wa te r A n d the e n gi n ee rs Of the ti m e decla red it i m pregn a ble The n ew c a pita l co m pleted M a ho m ed Tu ghla k set ou t to e n sla ve wha t still re m a i n ed f ree i n so uthe rn I n di a Befo re he co u ld do so he a

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54

A

H IS T ORY

OF THE

M A RA THA PE O PLE

to occ upy the gre a t fortress of Kon d a n a twelve m iles fro m Poon a of whi ch a r o m a n tic ta le wi ll be told here a fte r It wa s defe n ded for eight m on ths by a Koli chi ef n a m ed Na gn a k wh o rep u ls ed a ll the a ss a u lts of the i m peri a l troops Whe n fa m i n e overc am e hi s resista n ce he skilfully eva cu a ted the stron ghold The e m pe ro r retur n ed to Dev a gi ri to recru it hi s wa r worn a rm y Whi le they rested he received n ews tha t Ma lik B a ira m Viceroy o f the Pun j a b h a d r ebelled The e m peror ha d co m e to see tha t whi le Dev a giri wa s a good b a se for the con qu est Of so u the rn In d ia it wa s d an ge ro us ly fa r from hi s n orthe rn possessio n s : He therefore b a de a ll his chi ef Office rs se n d a s hosta ges their fa m ilies to Dev a giri M ali k B a iram hesita ted The i m peri a l m esse n ge r ch a r ged hi m with tre a son The i n dign a n t Viceroy stru ck Off his a ccu se r s he a d a n d the n so u ght s a fety i n the cri m e which he h a d so hotly rep u di a ted The e m peror h a sten ed to the Pun j a b a n d soon defe a ted a n d slew his tur bul en t serva n t He n ow tried fresh m e a n s to r eple n ish hi s co ffers He i n cm a s ed s o l a r gely the ta xes on the fe rtile tra ct betwee n the Gan ges a n d the Jam n a tha t the rui n ed popu la tio n bur n t their hou ses a n d fled i n to the woods E n ra ged a t yet a n other fin a n ci a l failur e Ma hom ed Tughla k organ i z ed a hun tin g p a rty Surroun din g the woods he a n d hi s gu ests shot d o wn i n hun dreds the wr etched t a x p a ye rs a s hi s be a ter s d rove the m ou t Of the cove rts Un i ve rs a l terr or n ow led to un ive rsa l rebelli on The viceroys of e a stern Ben ga l a n d the sou the rn Kon kan revolted The em peror return ed to Dev a giri a n d im posed so l a rge a le vy on the surroun din g provin ces that it a lso rebelled Hi s a rm y how ever soon redu ced Dev a giIi to its form er sla ve ry a n d he set out to resto re order i n the sou the rn Kon ka n On the ro a d a pesti le n ce a tta cked hi s troops Num bers perished a n d the e m peror On hi s recove r y he ga ve u p the expeditio n hi m s elf a lm ost died he au thorised the city s form er i n a n d on retur n i n g t o D elhi ha bita n ts to return there als o A gre a t m i gra tio n from Dev a gi ri e n s u ed But very few of the e m i gran ts re a ched the la n d of their desire A fa m i n e broke out i n Cen tra l I n di a a n d a s they p a ssed thr ou gh the stri cke n provin ce they a ls o su ffered a n d fell by the wa y side ha d

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DE CCAN UND ER DELHI

TH E

55

Ma ho m ed Tn ghla k s m in d n ow con ceived a stra n ge explan a tio n of the co n ti n u a l tro u bles of hi s reign They were n ot a s on e or two presum ptu ou s a dvisers ha d i n sin u a ted d u e to hi s fin a n ci a l sche m es or to hi s cru elties The re a l c a u se wa s the wra th Of Altho u gh a ssidu o u s i n hi s pra ye r s a n d the b uil de r of God m an y m osqu es Ma hom ed Tu gh la k ha d n ot h a d hi s a ccession con firm ed by the Ar a bi a n Ca liph A sta tely e m ba ssy la den with prese n ts m a de its wa y t o Ar a bi a a n d begged tha t the C a liph would Oo n descen d to forgive the p a st a n d n ow procla im the e m pe ror s a cce s sion a s l a wfu l a n d prope r The C a liph gra ciou sly con se n ted a n d sen t a n e n voy with a letter con ferri n g Ma hom ed Tu ghla k on the e m pe ro r wh a t he a lre a dy possessed m et the e n voy on foot twelve m il es fr o m Delhi pl a ced the C a liph s letter on hi s he a d a n d h a d it Ope n ed a n d re a d with the gre a test sole m n i ty He ordered hi s m osqu es pu blicly to degra de a ll previous e m pe r ors ( i n clu din g hi s own fa ther) who ha d n ot r eceived the co n fir m a tio n Of the C a li ph The n he a wa ited wi th con fide n ce the da wn of ha ppier ti m es His hopes wer e va i n a n d hi s c a l a m i ties grew m ore n um e ro u s th a n eve r A bo u t thi s tim e Kri shn a d ev a a rela tive of Pra ta p Ru d ra d ev a II the i m priso n ed R aja Of Waran ga l esc a ped c a ptivity a n d plotted r ebellio n TO his plot he won ove r the R a j a of Vij a yan a ga r The rise of thi s kin gdom is the m ost i n teresti n g a n d i m porta n t eve n t of the fourtee n th ce n tury TO the n orth of the Tun ga bha dra R i ver stood the fort of An egun d i Its rule rs were the petty chi efs a Ka m pila or Ka m pili eight m iles to the e a st who wer e va ss a ls fir st of the C ha lu kya s a n d the n of the Ya da va s I n A D 1 3 3 6 Ma ho m ed Tn ghla k s n ephew B a ha u ddi n rebelled bei n g defe a ted fled from the terrible e m peror to the an d court Of Ka m pila The Hi n du chief received the hi gh born fu gitive W ith chi va lrou s cour tesy He e n te rta i n ed hi m hospi ta bly a n d refus ed to surre n der hi m This bro u ght on the c hi ef the Delhi arm y Un daun ted the chi ef se n t B a hau ddi n un de r an escort to a n eighbo ur in g ki n gdo m a n d took r efuge i n hi s i stron ghold a t An egun d i S urrou n ded a n d f a m n e stricke n the R a j a r esolved to die like a R ajpu t ki n g He c a u sed a hu ge fire to be lit I n it hi s wives a n d those of his garriso n thr ew ’

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H I ST ORY

A

56

TH E M A RAT HA PEO P LE

OF

the m selves Their hon our s a fe the R a j a a n d hi s n obles ope n ed The wide the ga tes a n d r u shi n g on the besiegers died fightin g e m peror pla ced a s Viceroy ove r An egun d i a Mu su lm a n n oble n a m ed M a lik B u t a ltho u gh the pri n ce a n d hi s ki n s m e n h a d perished their spirit h a d s urvived Two brothers n am ed Harihar B u kka who h a d served Pra ta p Ru d ra d ev a II fled an d whe n Wa ra n ga l fell i n A D 1 3 23 a n d e n te red the Ka m pil a service Their ta le n ts a ttra cted the n otice of the pri n ce a n d they respectively rose to be hi s m i n ister a n d his tre a sure r They s urvived the s a ck of An egu n d i a n d a fte rwa rds fo m e n ted the oppositio n to M alik s rule while a rtfu lly prete n d Throu gh their i n ge n ui ty Ma li k wa s de i n g to be his f rie n ds gra ded f ro m the vicerega l thro n e a n d i n hi s ste a d Ma ho m ed * Tu ghla k ra i sed H ari h a r to be R a j a of K am pila Wisely he with d rew hi s c a pita l to the s o u thern b a n k of the Tun ga bha d ra a n d fo u n ded a n ew city t o whi ch he g a ve the i n s pi ri n g n a m e of Vij a ya n a gar or the city of vi ctor y To it flocked a ll the bra ve or b r oke n m en of th e Decc a n ra j a s who h a d lost thei r ki n gdo m s ba ro n s who h a d lost thei r fiefs devou t m en who fled from the pollution of the foreign e r fightin g m en who wished t o c ross swords o n ce a ga i n with the ha ted i n va de r The a n cie n t ki n g dom s Of the Chola s a n d the Pa n d y a s of the Che ra s a n d Of the Pa lla v a s a ckn owledged the n ewki n g a s thei r s u ze ra i n a n d soo n beca m e a bsorbed i n his do m i n i o n Withi n its fro n tiers the Hi n du ra ces of so u thern I n di a stood for two an d a h a lf ce n turies heroic a lly a t ba y I n A D 1 3 42 Ha rihar died Hi s reign h a d bee n pe a cefu l But his brother a n d s u ccessor B u kka he n ce forth kn own a s B u kka R a ya wa s of a m ore wa rlike m o uld He seized the chan ce Of u sin g the resources of Vij a yan a gar on beha lf of a ki n s m an of hi s form er m a ste r He e n tr us ted a force to Kri shn a d ev a who r etook Wara n ga l Upon this su ccess the r ebellio n spre a d thr o u gh the e n tir e Decc a n a n d i n a few m o n ths the e m peror s sole possession so u th of the Vi n d hy a s wa s Dev a giri overa wed by the gre a t stron ghold of D a ula ta ba d He se n t Ku tln gh Kh a n hi s on e ti m e tu to r to recover the D ecc a n ,

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H IST ORY OF TH E M A RA TH A PEO PLE

A

58

whe re revolted The first to rise were those Of Gu z a rat where Ma khil the sla ve ha d bee n a ppoi n ted V iceroy A ziz we n t to The e m pe ror ha st Ma khi l s help but wa s defe a ted a n d sla in a s u su a l hi s t a le n t s a n d vigo ur c ru shed en ed to Gu z ara t a n d the r ebelli o n He n ow resolved to a ss a ssin a te all the le a din g Mu sulm a n s i n Dev a giri Ma khi l the sla ve wa s se n t to seize the m He did s o On the wa y n orthwa rds they gues s ed the fa te tha t a wa ited the m a n d ove rpowered their guards R eturn i n g to The e m peror Dev a giri they re n o un ced thei r fe a lty to Delhi ce n tre He defe a ted the m a r ched a s was hi s wo n t to the sto rm But in the a bse n ce n obles a n d besieged the m i n D aula ta ba d of M a ho m ed Tu ghla k the Guza ra t n obles on ce m ore took u p a rm s Alm os t i n s a n e with ra ge he ra ised the siege of Da ula t a A s he did so the pe a s a n tr y a n d ba d a n d return ed to Gu z a ra t hillm e n h arassed seve rely hi s retre at Nothin g however dau n ted the cour a ge of the furiou s e m peror He forced hi s wa y i n to Guz ara t defe a ted the n obles a n d drove the m i n to S i n d He followed the m a cross the I n du s determ i n ed to extirpa te their whole ra ce eve n if his a bse n ce from I n di a cost hi m his e m pire On the wa y a he a vy m e a l of I n du s fish bro u ght on a n a tt a ck Of feve r Bu t eve n feve r f a iled to sta y M a ho m ed Tu ghla k He still pressed on i n p ursui t of hi s e n e m ies But the very viole n ce of hi s pur sui t proved their s a lva tio n The — r feve which c arefu l tre a t m e n t m ight h ave cur ed rose with n eglect A n d on M ar ch 20 A D 1 3 5 1 Ma hom ed Tu ghlak die d som e 3 0 m iles from Tha tta i n S i n d On the e m peror s reti re m e n t fro m the Decc an the rebellion Of the n obles spre a d un til its repr essio n wo uld ha ve t a xed the e n tire stren gth of the Delhi e m pire Join ed b y the forces of Wara n ga l a n d Vij a yan a gar they defe a ted a t Beda r the i m peria l troops m archi n g un der I m a d n l m ul k hi s son i n la w to restor e order Im a d ul m ulk perished on the field The i m pe ri a l au thority go n e a n d the e m peror s arm y destroyed it on ly re m a i n ed for the Decc an n obles t o choose a kin g to reign ove r the m Their first le a der was on e Ism a il A fgh an who m oun ted the thro n e u n der the title of Na s aru ddin But i n the defe a t of I m a d ul m ulk a ce rta i n Ha s an ha d gre a tly distin guished .

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DE CCAN UN D ER D ELH I

TH E

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hi m self Seei n g th a t his cour tiers turn ed to H a s a n ra the r tha n to hi m s elf Na saru ddin pru de n tly a bdica ted i n hi s fa vour The a s the serv a n t of on e Ga n ga dha r or life n ew ki n g h a d be un g Ga n gu a B ra hm a n by c a ste a n d a n a str ologer by p rofessio n The story run s tha t whe n Ha s a n wa s on e d a y plo u ghi n g a piece of l a n d le n t to hi m a s a rewa r d for good se rvice by hi s m a ste r he u n e a rthed a copper vessel co n ta i n i n g som e gold coin s He took the m to Gan ga dhar who delighted wi th hi s se rva n t s hon esty brou ght it to the n otice of Ma hom ed Tu ghlak the n still Pri n ce Al a f Kha n The la tter told hi s fa ther who s um m o n ed Ha s an to his prese n ce a n d ga ve hi m the co m m a n d of 100 horse Ga n ga dhar then drew Ha s a n s hor oscope a n d le arn i n g f rom it his fu tur e rise to gre a tn ess m a de hi m pr om i se tha t if ever he beca m e a ki n g he would a ss um e the n a m e of Ga n gu a n d e m ploy hi s f orm er m a ster a s hi s m i n i ster of fin a n ce Whe n Ma ho m ed Tu ghla k se n t Kn tln gh Khan to be V ice r oy Of the Decc a n the la tte r took Ha s a n a s a n Ofli cer of his s u ite At Dev a giri he won the vicer oy s con fide n ce a n d wa s on e Of the le a din g Decca n n oble s when they re n oun ced their loya lty to Delhi Whe n I m a d ul m u lk tried to recover the Decc a n Na s aru ddi n a ppoi n ted Ha s a n to co m m a n d the rebel forces They won the d a y but the Vi ctory Of hi s co m m a n der proved Na s arn d d i n s rui n On hi s abdic a tio n Ha s a n m o un ted the va c a n t thr o n e I n the hour of hi s prospe rity he re m e m be re d hi s pro m ise to Ga n ga dha r He se n t for hi m a n d ga ve hi m the keys of hi s tre a sur y a n d he h a d hi m s elf cr own ed un de r the title of Al a n d d i n Ha s a n Ga n g u B ahm a n i thu s foun din g wh a t is kn own i n hi story as the B a hm a n i em pire .

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C HA PT ER TH E B A H

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VIII

MANI KINGDOM

134 7

To

15 26

kin g Of the Decca n wa s a s a ble a m on arch a s he h a d His vigorou s ru le soon restored Mu sulm a n bee n a s u bj ect fin di n g Dev a giri a u tho rity i n the co u n try ro u n d Dev a gi ri The n n ot s ufli c i en tl ce n tra l he r e m oved hi s c a pit a l to Gu lb a r ga y fr o m tha t b a se a town so m e 20 m iles n o rth of the Bhi m a an d he redu ced the whole cou n try fro m the Bhi m a R iver i n the rt of ro m the so th f the fo n o r th to the Tu n a b h a d ra i n u a n d g Ga n ga dha r Choul i n the west to the town of Bed a r i n the e a st the form er m a ster of the n ew ki n g proved a s c a pa ble a tre a surer a s H a s a n pr oved a sove reign a n d a t n o previo u s ti m e wa s the Mu sul m a n yoke m ore fir m ly fa ste n ed on Ma hara shtra tha n d urin g the reign of this fortun a te sla ve The la tter however did n ot live lon g to e n j oy the fru its of his skill a n d pru den ce I n A u gu st 13 57 he r eceived a n i n vit a tio n fro m Pre m R a i a desce n da n t of Karan Ghelo to help hi m con qu er Gu z arat Ha s a n He se n t a he a d the va n gu ar d of hi s a ccepted the i n vit a tio n a rm y u n der his eldest s on Pri n ce Ma hom ed The pri n ce a d v a n c c d w ith expeditio n u n til he r e a ched the be a u tifu l wooded va lley thr ou gh which wi n ds the Ta pti R iver An a rde n t sportsm a n he soo n forgot i n the pur su it of tiger the Obj ect Of his ca m pa ign He se n t s u ch glowi n g a ccou n ts of hi s trophies tha t the ki n g pressed forwa rd to j oi n hi m i n the cha se But its fa tigu es proved t oo gre a t for a fram e exh a u sted by wa r i n tri gu e a n d gove rn m en t He co n tra cted m a lari a a n d return ed to Gulb arga where he li n gered for six m on ths At la st on the poin t of de a th he sen t for hi s yo un gest s on Ma hm u d a n d a sked hi m to re a d a p as s a ge f ro m the book before hi m It wa s the Bosta n a n d witho u t

TH E

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TH E

B A H MA N I KI N GD O M

61

design the boy re a d fro m it the words wr itte n by S a di of the Persi an Ki n g Ja m sh ed I co n qu e red the world by va lou r a n d i n depe n de n ce bu t ” wa s un a ble to su bd u e the po we r of the gra ve The dyin g ki n g recogn ized i n the wor ds Of the de a d poet his a ppr o a chi n g en d own He n om i n a ted his eldest s on a s his s u ccessor b a de his child re n fa rewell a n d a few m i n u tes la te r died He left behi n d hi m the n a m e Of a loya l frie n d a n d a ge n e rou s en em y j a n d the lon g e n du ra n ce Of Mu su lm a n ru le i n sou thern I n di a wa s d u e to the c a r e with whi ch Ha sa n Gan gu la id its fou n da tion s ( A D TO Ha s a n s u cceeded hi s eldest s on M a ho m ed who a ss um ed the title of M ahom ed S ha h B ahm a n i I The begin n in g of the n ew ki n g s r eign wa s tr o u bled by the thre a ts of the R a j a s of Wa ran ga l a n d Vij a yan a gar Kri shn a d ev a a n d B u kka R a ya They de m an ded u po n pa i n of wa r the restitu tio n of a ll la n ds ta ke n fro m the m by Ha s a n Gan gu M a ho m ed Sha h a cted with pru de n ce For eightee n m o n ths he a m us ed the Hi n d u a m b a s an d secretly prepared s a d ors with pr o m i ses a n d n egoti a tio n s his a rm y Whe n it wa s re a dy he dis m i ssed the e n voys a tta cked the a llies a n d defe a ti n g them forced B u kka R a ya to fa ll b a ck withi n his fro n tie rs a n d Kr i shn a d ev a to p a y a la rge ra n so m A pe a ce e n su ed which l a sted for twelve i n gold a n d j ewels ye ars whe n it wa s a ga i n distur bed by the Hi n du s Vi n a ya k deva the s on of Kri sh n a d ev a seized so m e horses desti n ed for the B a hm a n i ki n g The l a tter with 4000 ca va lr y ha sten ed * l towards Vai am Pi lla m the sce n e of the Offe n ce He se n t on a few of hi s troope rs dis guised a s tra ders who decla red tha t they h a d bee n pilla ged by r obbe rs The town gu a rds ga the red r o u n d the m a n d bec a m e so a b éb ed i n the t a le th a t they did n ot observe u n til t oo l a te the a dva n ce of the r est of the a rm y They then i n va i n tried to shu t the ga tes They we re c u t do wn an d in the e n s u in g con fu sio n the B a hm a n i troope rs took the town The s a m e Vi n a y a kd ev a r etre a ted i n to the cita del n ight he fled bu t w a s ove rt a ke n a n d br o u ght befo re M a ho m ed Sh a h The ki n g ple a sed w ith his s u ccess ha d n o wish to kill ,

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H a ig , H i s tor i ca l L a n d m

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HI S TO RY

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62

TH E M A RA TH A PE O P LE

OF

the pri n ce But the la tter a bused hi s c a ptor with s u ch Ob He ha d s c en i ty th a t M a hom ed Sha h s good hum o ur va n ished Vi n a y a kd ev a s to n gu e out out a n d ha d hi m shot fr om a c a ta pul t i n to a va st bon fire wherei n he wa s i n stan tly con s um ed The n u n a ble For two ye ars Kri shn a d ev a co n ti n u ed the wa r further to r esist he m a de a hu m ili a tin g pe a ce He ceded Golco n d a a n d a n um ber of elepha n ts a n d horses a n d pa id a Whe n the tre a ty wa s sign ed ra n so m of 3 3 l a khs of ru pees the Hi n du a m b a ss a dors i n form ed the con qu e ror tha t if he would bi n d him self a n d his su ccessors to respect for ever the fron tiers of W ara n ga l the R a j a cou ld m a ke M a hom ed Sha h a presen t w orthy n ot o n ly of a kin g b u t of a n e m peror Ma hom ed Sha h devour ed with cu riosity a greed to a per petua l pe a ce a n d Pra ta p Ru d ra d ev a II h a d prep a red for r eceived hi s rewa r d Ma hom ed Tu ghlak a be a u tifu l thr o n e kn own a s the T a khti Firoz or the thro n e of a zure It was Of solid gold stu dded with preciou s ge m s Pra ta p Ru d ra d ev a h a d died before its com ple tion His ki n sm a n Kri shn a d ev a a rebel a ga i n st the e m peror He n ow presen ted it with a ll hu m i li ty to the h a d ret a i n ed it n e w s uz e ra i n of the sou th The kin g s n ext c a m pa ign wa s a gai n st Vij a yan a gar On e eve n i n g he s at i n hi s ple a sure garde n s listen i n g to a b a n d Of Ple a sed m u sici an s a s they s a n g the co u plets of Am i r Khu sru wi th the so n g a n d i n toxica ted with forbidde n liqu or he ordered his m i n ister to prep a re for the sin ge rs a d ra ft on the Vij a ya n a gar tre as ury The m i n i ste r, thi n ki n g the order bu t a dru n ke n wr ote the d ra ft bu t did n ot se n d it Next m orn in g m a n s whi m however the kin g com pelled hi m to do so The Ra j a Of Vij a ya n a ga r se a ted the m ess e n ge r who brou ght the d ra ft on hom e Kn owin g tha t wa r wa s n ow i m a n a s s a n d se n t hi m m i n e n t B u kka R a ya m a de a s ur prise a tt a ck on the fortress of Mu d ka l i n the Do a b the l a n d betwee n the Krishn a a n d Tun ga b ha d ra R ivers a n d pu t the ga rrison to the sword The B a hm a n i kin g on he a rin g the n ews vowed th a t he wo u ld a ve n ge the disa ster by killin g Hin du s Nor did he f a il to keep hi s vow The R a j a fell b a ck on A do n i a fortress sou th Of the Tun ga bh a d ra Ne ar tha t stron ghold a b a ttle took pla ce i n .

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BAH MA NI K I NGD O M

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which the Hi n du s we re co m pletely defe a ted The M us ulm a n s ra va ged the co un try S ide killi n g its e n ti re popu l a tio n B ukka R a ya retre a ted to Vij a ya n a gar M a ho m ed Sha h la id siege to it But the m a i n Hi n d u a rm y so ha ra ssed his force a n d its co m m u n i c a tio n s tha t he h a d reco u rse to a stra ta ge m He feign ed a se rio u s illn ess a n d stru ck hi s c a m p Bukka R a ya ove rj oyed followed hi m hara ssed hi s retre a t a n d fell i n to the B a hm a n i kin g s tra p The la tte r recrossed the Tun ga bh a d ra The s a m e n i ght he m a de a a n d h a lted i n a Sp a cio u s pl a i n d arin g a tta ck on B u kka R a ya s c am p a n d ki lled of the R a j a s troops The l a tte r the n s u ed for pe a ce It wa s gra n ted b u t by on e of the a rticles the R a j a h a d to ho n o ur the ki n g s d ra ft a n d p a y the m u sici a n s E xcept for the revolt of a ce rta i n B a i ra m Kh a n whi ch M a ho m ed Sha h s u ppressed witho u t d iffic u l t y the r est o f the ki n g s reign p a ssed i n pe a ce He died i n A D 1 375 a n d left be hi n d hi m the n a m e of a v a li an t soldie r * r r B u t u m an d to the M su l a n hi stori a n a vigo ro u s a d m i n ist a to his chief glory la y i n his ha vi n g killed withi n 1 7 ye a rs n o less tha n Hi n d u s Ma ho m ed Sha h s s on Mu j a hi d Sha h followed hi s f a the r on the thr o n e Of Gulb a rga The n ew ki n g ha d a ll the qu alities of a gre a t pri n ce except the power to co n trol hi s te m pe r His highly c u ltiva ted His person was m i n d wa s vigor o u s a n d m a j estic An d s u ch wa s hi s stre n gth tha t whe n bu t fo ur tee n ye a r s old he overc a m e the gre a test wr estle rs i n hi s fa the r s do m i n io n s A t hi s a ccession he wa s o n ly n i n etee n ye ars old a n d n ot u n n a t u ra lly looked to wi n glo r y a t the expe n se of his The Do a b ser ved a s a pretext The b u lk Of it n eighbo u r s ha d bee n a n n exed by M a ho m ed Sha h B a hm a n i Bu t a few town s he re a n d there r e m a i n ed i n the j oi n t possessio n of Hi n d u s a n d Mu su lm a n s Mu j a hid Sha h se n t a n e n voy to Vij a ya n a ga r ” with a h au ghty m ess a ge Joi n t possessio n s a id the Mu s ul m a n e n voy is the fru itfu l ca u se of dispu te L et the R a j a of Vij a ya n a ga r withd ra w hi s troops to the so u th of the Tu n ga b ” ha d ra a n d the two po we rs will i n f u tur e live togethe r i n a m ity The whole Do a b replied the i n dign a n t chief is the co u n try .

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H IS T ORY OF TH E M A RA TH A PEO P LE

A

64

ra w cesto If the b ithd a rb a ri a n wa n ts pe a ce let hi m W rs y his prete n sion s to a ll la n ds sou th of the Krishn a The e n voy B u kka R a ya c a m ped ret urn ed to G ul b a rg a a n d wa r e n s u ed on the so u thern b a n k of the Tun ga bh a d ra i n te n di n g to a wa it there the a tt a ck of Mu j ahi d Sha h Su dde n ly a p a n ic spre a d They le arn t tha t Mu j a hi d Shah h a d i n a a m on g the Hi n du s B ukka R a ya withd r ew rece n t hu n t sl a i n si n gle h a n ded a tige r Mu j a hid Sha h pu rsu ed hi s arm y i n to the woods for six m o n ths hi m a n d gu erilla wa rf ar e r a ged thr o u gh the Weste rn Gh a ts a n d K an a ra j un gles At la st B ukka R a ya s hea lth s u ffered so m u ch th a t he fell b a ck on Vij a ya n a gar A b a ttle took pl a ce n e a r the city Mu j ahid Sha h wa s victorio u s bu t his losses h a d bee n s o he a vy tha t he r esolved to r etre a t He the n le a rn t tha t his who m he h a d posted on a n arr ow n eck to un cle D a u d Sh a h gu a rd his r e a r h a d left his post to j oi n i n the b a ttle The s a fety Of the Mu sulm a n a rm y wa s n ow gra vely i m perilled Nev erthe less the discipli n e Of the B a hm an i troop s a n d the coura ge a n d the e n dura n ce of Mu j a hi d Sha h e n a bled hi m to w ithd ra w withou t dis a ste r He ve n ted however so v eh em en tly hi s wr a th on D a u d Shah th a t the la tter broodi n g ove r the reprim a n d plotted the kin g s m ur der A ye a r la ter cha n ce f a voured hi m The ki n g ha d bee n fishi n g a n d h a d go n e to r est with o n ly a si n gle sla ve to gu ard hi m Whi le the ki n g slept D a u d Sha h a n d thr ee a ss a ssi n s Th e gla r e on the wa te r h a d hu rt the ki n g s e n tered his r oom eyes so tha t he co uld n ot see hi s e n e m ies D a u d Sha h sta bbed his n ephew thr ou gh the body His com p a n io n s killed the sla ve a n d the n c u t i n pieces the dyi n g m o n a r ch D a u d Sha h his reve n ge gra tified a spired to m oun t the thro n e Of hi s m ur de red n ephew But his a im s we re b affled by the co ur a ge of Ru h Pa rva A gh a the de a d kin g s sister On e m o n th a n d five d a ys a fter M u j a h id Sh a h s de a th a n a ss a ssi n pr oc ur ed by her sta bbed D a u d Sha h a s he pra yed i n the gre a t m osqu e at Gulb arga D au d Sha h re m oved the pri n cess procla i m e d tha t n on e of the tra itor s stock sho uld profit by hi s villa i n y Bli n di n g his s on Ma hom ed S a n ga m she pla ced on the thro n e Ma hm u d Shah the you n gest s on Of Ha s a n Ga n gu the boy who h a d r e a d the li n es of S a di to his dyi n g fa the r ( A D In of m

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H IS T ORY OF

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M A RA TH A PEO P LE

THE

brothe r on the thro n e hoped to govern the Decc a n i n hi s n am e The da u ghte rs however of Ma hm u d Sha h we re m arried to F ir oz Kh a n a n d A hm a d Kha n the two you n ge r so n s of D a u d Sha h ; a n d they i n stiga ted thei r hu sb a n ds t o a ven ge their brothe r L a lc hi n t ried to sei ze the m bu t they fled to S a ga r The re they ga thered roun d the m a co n side ra ble force a n d risked Defe a ted, they disgu ised thei r a b a ttle with th e r oya l a rm y a i m s by t re a che r y They affected su bm i ss ion pra yed for a n d obta in ed p a rdon A fortn i ght la te r they skilfully seized the person s of L a lchi n a n d Sh a m s u ddi n L a lchi n they h a n ded ove r to the ve n ge an ce of Ghya s u d d i n who a ltho u gh bli n d c ut hi m to pieces with a s a bre Sh a m su d d i n s eyes we re p ut ou t a n d he p a ssed fro m a thron e to a d u n geon An d Fi roz Kha n un de r the title Of Fi roz Sha h B a hm an i a ss um ed the c rown which his f a ther D a u d Sha h h a d va in ly sou ght to we ar ( Nove m be r 1 5 The ta len ts of the n ew ki n g distin guished hi m eve n a m on g the gifted pri n ce s of the B a hm an i lin e He wa s a co n sum m ate li n gui st He h a d stu died deeply s u ch va ried scie n ces a s bota n y n d u cted n ty fo u r m etry eo logic He co twe c an d am p a i n s g g a g a i n st the Hi n d u s a n d exte n ded t h e fr o n tier s Of t h e B a h m a n i e m pi re fu rthe r th an an y previo u s kin g Bu t hi s m ost extra ordin a ry qu a lity wa s his love of fe m a le be a u ty In thi s he equ a lled if he did n ot s u rp a ss Ki n g A u gu stu s I of Pol a n d a n d S a xon y A t first he felt so m e dou bts whethe r Isla m pe rm itted m o re th an fou r wives But co n vi n ced by the Shi a doctors tha t the Prophet h a d a pproved tem porary un ion s he on a sin gle d a y received 3 00 wom e n i n to hi s z a n a n a Fro m tha t d a y o n wa rds his a ge n ts con ti n u a lly brou ght to hi s se ra gli o the f a irest fa ces of Greece an d Ita ly R us si a a n d Tibet A fghan ista n a n d I n di a Withi n its wa lls the polyglot ki n g con ve rsed with eve ry i n m a te i n h er own la n gu a ge a n d a ccordin g to Feri s h ta he bestowed on e a ch of his m i stresses s u ch a tte n tion tha t she thou ght herself the sole obj ect of the r oya l a ffection s The re see m s howeve r n o dou bt tha t i n the en d hi s excesses we aken ed hi s m i n d a n d led to hi s down fa ll Of F iroz Sh a h s twe n ty fo ur c a m pa ign s two dese rve speci a l m e n tio n In A D 1 3 79 B ukka R a ya of Vij a ya n a ga r h a d ,

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B A H MA N I KIN GD O M

67

p a ssed a wa y le a vi n g to hi s s on a m ighty ki n gdom d efe n ded b y a l a rge a n d well discipli n ed a rm y His s on H a rihar II wa s as pe a cefu l a s his M u su lm a n co n te m po ra ry Ma hm u d Sha h I n A D 13 98 he wa s a dva n ced i n ye a rs a n d his s on a fte rwa rds B ukka II ha d a lre a dy u surped m ost of his f a the r s powe rs With or w itho u t the kin g s le a ve the p rin ce set i n m otio n the a rm ies of Vij a ya n a g a r a n d ove rra n the Do a b He r e a ched the so u the rn b a n ks of the K ris hn a befo r e the B a h m a n i forces ha d ti m e to m obili ze The Krishn a wa s i n high flood a n d F i roz Sh a h s a w n o wa r oss it to c A t this m o m e n t on e y K a zi Shi ra z offe red h i s services to the kin g He wo uld as s a s s i n a te Pri n ce B u kk a or his son the reby c a used a n d i n the a l arm Fi roz Sha h co u ld cross the Krishn a a n d destroy the e n e m y F i roz Sh a h a greed a n d collected a n u m be r of ra fts for his a rm y K a zi Shi ra z with seve n frie n ds we n t disgu ised a s b egga rs to the h arlots q u arte r s of the Hin d u c a m p The re the Kozi a ffected to f a ll i n love with a pretty cou rtez a n Wh o a ccepted his a tte n tio n s On e eve n in g howeve r his m istress told hi m th a t she wa s e n ga ged to d a n ce a n d sin g before the pri n ce s s on The K a zi like a distra cted love r begged h er to t a ke hi m with h er The gi rl obj ected th a t the pri n ce wo u ld o n ly a d m it m u sici a n s Bu t I too a m a m u sici an ple a ded the Ka zi a n d t a ki n g f r o m his m istress h er r eb ek he pl a yed a n d s a n g a n d c a lli n g hi s co m p an io n s d an ced with su ch skill tha t she gla dly took with h er the whole p a rty A fter the d a n ci n g girl h a d displa yed h er a rt a n d cha rm s she begged the pri n ce to let the K a zi a n d his co m p a n ion s d a n ce a lso L e a ve wa s given a n d the K a zi a n d hi s f rie n ds began a d a gger d a n ce SO b rilli a n t wa s their execu tion tha t the prin ce let the m d ra w close r a n d close r S u dde n ly they plu n ged thei r d a gge rs i n to the he a rts of the prin ce a n d his co u rtie rs The a ss a ssin s the n ra n ou t a n d c u t the ropes of the te n t so th a t it fell u pon the p arty i n side M in glin g with the c rowd they sp re a d eve ry ki n d of a l a rm i n g repo rt I n the e n sui n g co n f u sio n 4000 M u su l m an s c rossed the r ive r a n d sl a u ghtered the Vij a ya n a ga r troops like Sheep P rin ce B u kka distra cted by the loss of his s on a n d the defe a t c a pita l whe re the a ged o f his a rm y fell b a ck on his f a the r s ,

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68

HI S T ORY OF TH E M A RA TH A PE OPLE

loved pe a ce gla dly p a id Fi ro z S hah i n orde r a ga i n to obta i n i t An othe r of F i r oz Sh a h s c a m pa ign s con ta i n ed a n equa lly I n Mu d ka l on e of t wo gre a t stro n ghold s ro m an tic episode Her fa m ily i n the Do a b dwelt a be au tiful gi rl n a m ed Nih a l were s on ars or gold s rn iths a n d her p a re n ts wished to wed h er Bu t sh e ple a ded so e arn estly for a to a boy of h er own c a ste A n Old B ra hm a n wh o r es pite th a t the m a rri a ge wa s postpo n ed h a ppe n ed to vi sit her p are n ts wa s so stru ck with her be a uty tha t he spen t eightee n m on ths i n te a chi n g her to d an ce an d si n g The te a cher wa s a n expert bu t s o a pt wa s the pu pil tha t she The delighted B ra hm a n wen t a t le n gth s ur p a ssed h er m a ste r There Hariha r II h a d died the ye a r a fte r th e to Vij a ya n a ga r l oss of hi s g ra n dson His s on B u kka II h a d s u cceeded a n d h a d died e a rly i n A D 1 406 I n his pl a ce the re n ow reign ed hi s youn ge r brothe r Deva R a ya I To hi m the B ra hm a n sa n g s o ferve n tly the pra i ses of the m ai d Ni h al tha t a t la st the ki n g felt tha t life would be worthless u n less he possessed her He sen t b a ck by the Bra hm a n rich presen ts for t h e girl s pa re n ts a n d Bu t a ga i n Nih a l begged th a t pro m ised to m a ke h er hi s qu ee n The Bra hm a n h er p a re n ts woul d n ot p art her f ro m the m r eturn ed to Vij a ya n a gar a n d told the R a a the fa ilur e of hi s j m issio n Deva R a ya I f uriou s with disa ppoi n tm e n t se n t Bu t ign ora n t of their Obj ect th e 5000 c a va lr y to t a ke h er p are n ts a n d thei r d a u ghter fled A t the s a m e tim e Firoz Shah i n dign an t a t the u n pr ovoked i n va sion a tta cked the c a va lry The R a j a s troops ren ted it a n d i n tu rn i n va d ed Vij a ya n a ga r wer e eve r ywhe r e defe a ted His gre a t fortress of B a n ka pur fell a n d i n the en d he wa s fo rced to give hi s own d a u ghte r i n m a rri a ge to F i r oz Sh a h with the tow n Of B a n ka p ur as h er Wed din g dowr y I t then tra n spired tha t the golds m i th s d a u ghte r h a d fro m the first believed th a t h er f a ted hu sb a n d was a M u s ul For this r e a son she h a d rej ected a m arria ge with m a n pri n ce On le a rn a so n a r boy a n d the e m br a ces of a Hi n d u soverei gn i n g this Fir oz Sh a h h a d her b ro u ght to c o urt a n d fin di n g th a t her be au ty exceeded a ll descriptio n he ga ve her i n m arri a ge t o his eldest son Ha s a n Kha n a ll

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B A H MANI KI NG D OM

TH E

69

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I n A D l 417 .

F iroz Shah i n spite of Ma hom ed Sh a h s tre a ty ’

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perpetu a l pe a ce with Wa ra n ga l tried to seize Pa n ga l a stron g hold to the n orth of the Krishn a a n d wi thi n the fr on tiers of the Waran ga l R a j a Now for the first tim e good fort un e left hi m The garriso n defe n ded the fortress so resolu tely tha t a fter two ye ars their defe n ce wa s u n sh a ke n whi le the besieger s arm y h ad d wi n dled to a l m ost n othi n g Cha n ges too ha d occurred a t Vij a ya n a g a r Deva R a ya I h a d died i n A D 1 4 1 2 His ra n d so n Dev a R aya II wa s n ow on the thr o n e The n ew kin g g was i n th e flowe r of his a ge Vigorou s i n body a m bitiou s o f glo r y s u rro un ded by the fie ry chi va lr y o f the so u th he led his a rm y n o rthwa rds to help hi s Hi n d u brothe r Firoz Sha h s ho uld h a ve r a ised the siege a n d fa lle n b a ck on G ul b a rga His p ride forb a de hi m He fa ced the en e m y a n d lost hi s e n tire a rm y He hi m s elf esc a ped with the gre a test di fficu lty fr o m th e b a ttle field Deva R a ya II overran the Do a b b u t he wa s e ve n tu a lly d ri ve n ou t b y the vigo u r of F i roz S h a h s b r other A h m a d Kh a n His br othe r s victory wa s m ore fa ta l to the ki n g th a n his o wn defe a t The ki n g s s on Ha s an Kha n n a tura lly a we a k pri n ce h a d beco m e so e n a m o ur ed of the lovely Nih a l tha t a b a n do n i n g a ll b u sin ess he h a d given u p his e n tir e tim e t o hi s wi fe The disgu sted n obles tu rn ed their eyes to Ahm a d Kha n Civil wa r broke ou t The roya l forces were ove rthrown a n d the ki n g wa s besieged i n Bed a r I n desp a ir he ope n ed the ga te of the town a n d a bdic a ted i n hi s br other s fa vou r Ten d a ys later Firoz Sha h died a n d hi s br other u n der the title of A h m a d Sh a h B a h m a n i reign ed i n his ste a d ( Ma rch The n ew ki n g s a bilities were equ a l to those of Fi roz Sh a h He a n d he h a d n ot dissip a ted his vigo u r i n the r oya l z an a n a tr e a ted Pri n ce Ha s a n with gre a t ki n d n ess a n d ga ve hi m a be auti fu l p a l a ce i n whi ch to e n j oy the co m p a n y a n d the ch a rm s of He a ls o took steps to m eet the t h e golds m ith s d au ghter R a j a s of Waran ga l a n d Vij a ya n a ga r wh o h a d a tta cks of the r ces The hostile fo a i n ed co n fide n ce d u ri n g the civil strife g n e a red e a ch othe r u n til they we r e o n ly divided by the T un g a bhad ra Ala rm ed by the sight of the Mus u lm a n a rm y the R a j a Neve rtheless Deva R a ya held o f Wara n ga l dese rted his a lly ,

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A

H IST O RY OF T HE MARA TH A PEO P LE

groun d a n d defied Ahm a d Sha h to cross the river Un der cover of a d a r k n i ght Ahm a d Sha h d i d so an d on e of his p a trols s ur p rised Dev a R a ya a s he la y a sle ep i n a s u gar c an e pla n ta tio n He wa s cla d i n sca n ty a ttire a n d th e Mus ulm an soldiers took the ha lf n a ked m an to be a com m on villager They m ade him c a rry for the m a b u n dle of s u ga r c a n e A s the fight devel oped the p a tr ol left Dev a R a ya to j oi n th eii co m ra des a n d un wo u n ded the R a j a r etur n ed s a fely to h i s a rm y His n a rrow esca pe however a ffected his n erves a n d with a ll h a ste he b roke ofi the a ctio n a n d r et re a ted to Vij a ya n a g a r A h m a d S h a h n ow overra n the co u n try r ou n d the c a pita l sla u ghtered the wr etched villa gers with thei r wo m e n a n d chi ld re n a n d d efiled their m ost s a cred te m ples E xa spera te d a t the ki n g s i n hu m a n ity five thou s a n d Hi n d u s s wor e to kill hi m Closely their spies wa tched hi s m ove m e n ts On e d a y they br o u ght word th a t t h e ki n g a cco m p a n ied by o n ly two h un d red gu a rds m e n was hun tin g twelve m iles from hi s c a m p The five thou sa n d Hin d u s ga lloped with a ll ha ste to the spot F ortu n a tely for the ki n g a bod y of a r che r s j oi n ed hi m a t this m o m e n t a n d by s a c rifici n g th em selves e n a bled their m a ster to r e a ch a m u d fort n ot fa r a wa y There the a rriva l of a l a rge body of troops d rove off the Hin du s The ki n g n ow blocka ded Vij a ya n a g ar so closely tha t Deva R a ya wa s gl a d to Offe r pe a ce The kin g sobered by hi s rec en t da n ge r wa s gla d to a ccept it The R a j a p a id a la rge s u m a s tribu te a n d the ki n g m arched n o rthw a rds to p un ish the R a j a of Wa ra n a l Tha t un lu cky pri n ce p a id to th e full the pe n a lty of his g fa ithlessn ess His a rm y wa s d estroyed His c a pita l w a s storm ed He lost a t o n ce his cou n try a n d his life He n ceforth Wa ra n ga l u n der the n a m e of Teli n gan a or Ta ila n ga n a b ec a m e a pr ovi n ce Of the B a h m a n i ki n gdo m I n 1 4 29 A h m a d Sh a h a fter a s u c cessf u l c a m p a ign i n Ma lwa s uffered a severe r everse a t the h an ds of the Mu sulm an m on arch of Gu za ra t A h m a d Sh a h h a d sen t his ge n e ra l M a lik— u l— Tu j ar a Persi a n a dve n turer to redu ce the lowe r Kon ka n Whe n this fe a t h a d been a ccom plished the gen era l i n a n exces s of ze a l took the isl a n d of Bo m b a y n ow the c a pita l of the E n gli sh t he n the property of the ki n g of Gu za r a t The latter p rotested hi s

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b ut A h m

B A H MA NI K I NG D O M

71

d S ha h en dorsed hi s ge n e ra l s a ct A b a ttle followed i n whi ch the Decc a n a rm y s uffe red a co m plete defe a t An d Bo m b a y Isla n d wa s a ga in Occu pied by t h e troops of Gu z ara t A fte r a r eign of 1 2 ye ars a n d 1 1 m o n ths Ah m a d Sh ah died : His r eign wa s on the wh ole s u ccessfu l He le ft his kin gdo m larger tha n he h a d fo un d it Bu t a deep sta i n of cru elty r ests u po n his fa m e Y et i n spite of it he is the o n ly Mu sul m a n kin g of ” I n di a on who m h i s people co n ferred the title of Wa li or s a in t A n d if th e ta le be tru e it m u st be con ceded th at he f u lly e arn ed it For on ce a fte r a two ye ar s fa m in e he obta in ed by his pra yers a n d in tercessi on s a bo un tifu l m o n soo n ( F eb ru ary ’

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The e a rly r ei gn of the n ew ki n g Ala u d d i n Sha h the s on of Ahm a d Sh a h wa s tro u bled by do m estic distu rb a n ces I n sp ite o f hi s ki n d n ess to his yo u n ge r b r othe r Ma ho m ed Khan , the la tte r a tte m pted with the a i d of Vij a ya n a ga r to u s urp the thr o n e A fter a fier cely co n tested a ction n e ar Be d ar the r oya l troop s w on the d a y a n d M a hom ed Kh a n fled The gen ero u s ki n g howeve r fo rgave his brother a n d r ec a llin g hi m to the c a pita l m a de hi m govern or of R a ich u r His n ext trou ble ca m e from his wife He h a d been m arried i n you th t o Ma lika J eh a n d a ughter of Na ssir Kha n Ki n g of Khan desh She h a d reta in ed h er hu sb a n d s a ffection un til h i s ge n era l Dil av a r Kh a n bro u ght h im fr o m a wes t ern c a m p a ign the lovely d a u ghte r of a Ko n ka n b aron Skilled i n m u sic witty a m i a ble a n d be au tifu l she a t o n ce e ffa ced fro m the ki n g s he a rt the pictur e o f Ma lik a Jeha n The n eglected wife a ppe a led to h er f a ther He ra ised a l ar ge a rm y a n d a llied hi m self to the Ki n g of Gu z a ra t a n d a Ala u d d in Sh a h n obles i n v a ded Be ra r n u m be r of Decc a n fe arin g tre a son d a r ed n either le a ve his c a pita l n or e n tru st A t l a st he tho u ght of M alik u l hi s a rm y to a n y Of his n obles Tu j a r whose c a ptu re Of Bo m b a y h a d led to his severe defe a t Ma lik u l Tu j ar a ccepted the co m m a n d of his a rm y but dism issed a ll the Decc a n o ffice r s a llegi n g th a t his fo rm e r dis a ste r h a d bee n S u ccess j u stified his a c t With a d u e to their tre a cher y force on ly 7 000 str o n g he defe a ted Na ssir Kha n ra va ged Kha n desh a n d e ffectu a lly cru shed both the rebels within a n d th e -

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72

HI S T ORY

TH E MARATHA PE OPLE

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i n va d ers without R eturn in g i n trium ph to B eda r n ew the c a pi ta l of the B a hm an is Mali k u l Tu j ar wa s re c ei ved ou t side th e city by tlTe ki n g s eldest s on Hon ours were n ow showered on hi m by hi s gra tefu l m a ster who wen t s o far as to * give to a ll Pers i a n an d forei gn offic ers pre c eden ce over a ll Thi s un fortun a te a c t cre a ted a n Dec c a n i s a n d A byssin i a n s e n m i ty betwee n the two cla sses of O ffici als whi ch i n the en d destroyed the Mu sulm an power i n the Decc an A bo ut this ti m e Deva R a ya II of V ij a ya n a ga r depresse d by c on tin u a l defeat c alled u pon hi s priests an d n obles to expla i n ” the fr equ en t s u ccesses of the B a hm an i kin gs Their terr ito ry s a id Deva R a ya is s m a ller tha n m y own ; their co ura ge is n o ” grea ter th a n o u rs a n d their religion is b arb a rou s The B ra hm a n s replied th a t he a ve n h a d o rd a i n ed tha t for ye a rs the Mus ulm a n s sho u ld oppress the Hi n d u s The n obles ga ve a m or e m an ly The Mu s u lm a n s they r epli ed an swe r a re better m o un ted a n d m o r e s ki lled a s a r cher s L et the R a j a keep a l arge force of tra i n ed bowm en a n d victory wi ll on ce ” m ore r et u rn to his b a n n e r s Deva R a ya a ccepted the a d vice of his n obles a n d e n listed n ot o n l y Hin d u ar che rs bu t a ls o seve ra l tho u s a n d Mus ulm a n m ercen a ries A fte r tra i n i n g the n ew levies Deva Ra ya set forth to con qu e r tli e B a hm a n i ki n gdo m He a t first m et with so m e s u ccess He s u rprised Ma d ka l a n d a dvan ced to the so u thern b a n k of the Krishn a There howe ve r he m et the fa te whi ch a waits m ere i m ita to rs I n a series of a ctio n s the copy proved u n equ a l to the o rigi n a l The B a j a s troops wer e defe a ted The R a j a hi m self wa s In vested I n Mud ka l Now con vi n ced tha t to ove rthrow the B a hm a n i ki n gdo m wa s beyo n d hi s power he for the r est of hi s life a ckn owledged the B a h m a n i ki n g a s hi s ove rlo rd a n d p a id hi m tribu te A fte r the defe a t of Vl ja y a n a ga r Al a u d d i n Sha h r esolved to seize a n d ga rrison a ll the Kon ka n fortresses The Ko n ka n pla i n s h a d lon g been i n the ha n ds Of the B a hm a n is B u t the gi a n t stron ghold s of the Western Gha ts were still the refuge of r obbe r b a r o n s They p a id or withheld tribu te a s it s ui ted M li k u l T j r w s a Pers i a ,

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H IS T ORY

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T H E M A RA THA PEO P LE

Sikan d a r Kha n s u bm itted a n d Al a u d d in Sha h r eturn ed Beda r where he died h a ppy i n his fin a l triu m ph ( Ap ri l "

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To the d c a p ble Sha h s u cceeded hi s s on Prin ce Hum a yun to whom his s u bj ects ri ghtly ga ve the n a m e of Z a lim or the Tyra n t His a ccessio n wa s followed by a fresh r evolt of Sik a n d a r Kh a n who n ow a s the k in g s cou sin cla i m ed A t the s a m e ti m e the ki n g s yo un ge r a sh a r e i n the ki n gdo m brother Ha ss a n Khan tried to u su r p the thron e R esolu tely Hum a yu n m et both d a n ge rs He cru shed the p a l a ce con spira cy He defe a ted a n d slew Sika n d a r Kha n i n a a n d bli n ded Ha ss an ha rd fo u ght b a ttle Bu t while Hu m a yu n wa s a bse n t fr o m hi s c a pita l he r eceived n ews of a f resh distu rb a n ce Ha ss a n Kh a n s f rien ds m a n a ged by a forged o rde r to en ter his priso n a n d t o r ele a se hi m Th e a n d a n u m be r of those i m pr is o n ed with hi m blin d prin ce the n ra ised a n arm y a n d a t first defe a ted the roya l troops Bu t whe n Hu m a yu n r etu rn ed w ith his m a i n fo rces h e ga in ed a co m plete victory Ha ss a n Kh a n fled b ut w a s seized by the gove rn or Of Bij a pu r a nd h an ded over to the r oya l m er cy Bu t the a n xieties which he h a d u n de rgo n e h a d u n settled th e ki n g s m i n d Fro m the da t e of his victory to the en d of his reign hi s co n d u ct wa s th a t of a ra vi n g m a d m a n He prepa r ed an a re n a i n Bed a r A n d there i n the presen ce of the whol e city he ga ve a f ree rei n to his cru el te m per First Ha ss a n Kha n wa s thrown to a n d devour ed by a m a n e a tin g tiger H is com p an io n s were behe a ded on e a fter the other a n d the n th e un h a ppy wo m e n o f thei r ho u seholds were pu blicly viola ted by the lowest scum fro m the Bed a r prison s The specta cl e e n ded with the tortur e a n d m a ss a cre Oi 7 000 p ers d n s m os t of whom h a d little or n o con cern with the prin ce s rebelli o n Nor did this r eve n ge s a tisfy the ki n g The n ceforwa rd h e a cted towa rds his loya l s u bj ects a s he h a d a cted towa rd s the rebels To gra tify a p a ssi n g whi m he wo u ld execu t e or to r tur e the m or viol a te thei r wo m e n A t l a st a fte r a reign His of three a n d a ha lf ye ars a j u st fa te ove rtook h i m serva n ts fell u po n hi m when d ru n k a n d tore bi rri to piece s ( Septe m ber 4 wise

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B A H MAN I K I N GD O M

TH E

75

The tyra n t left a s on Niz am Sha h bu t n i n e yea rs old t o s u c ceed hi m ; bu t the kin g s i n fa n cy ga ve a m ple scope to the a bilities o f th e qu ee n m othe r They were a t o n ce fully tested The Hin d u chi ef of Oriss a desce n ded from the a n cie n t ho u se of Wa ra n ga l m a rched so u thwa rds to pla ce a ki n sm a n on its thro n e The i n va sio n was checked a n d the Hin d u a rm y retre a t ed A seco n d a tte m pt i n the follo w in g ye a r wa s eve n m or e disa strou s The O riss a chief s whole a rm y perished a n d he him self b a rely e s c a ped with his life To celebra te the victory the qu ee n m othe r resolved to m a rry h er s on a n d chose for his bride on e of h er ow n rela tives Un ha ppily the excite m e n t of the cere m on i a l proved too m u ch for the boy ki n g His he a d s udde n ly s a n k forwa rd on his bre a st His body fell to on e side ; a n d when th e co u rtie rs ru shed to s u pport h i m he wa s a lr e a dy de a d of he a r t f a ilu r e ( J u ly 3 0 To the de a d ki n g s u cceeded his still youn ge r b rother Ma ho m ed Sha h B a h m a n i II The twe n ty yea rs d u rin g which the pri n ce r eign ed s a w the B a h m a n i powe r r e a ch its gre a test height a n d the n cru m ble a lm ost to pieces Its rise a n d its coll a pse h a d a co m m on c a u se i n Khwa j a Ma hm u d Ga wa n the ki n g s m i n iste r This loya l a n d gifted m a n wa s co n n ected with the roya l hous e Of Pe rsi a His a n cestors h a d for severa l gen era tio n s be en heredita ry Va zi rs to the Pe rsi a n prin ces of J hi la n The e n m ity of Sha h Ta m a s p forced the yo u n g Ma hm u d to le a ve his coun try He beca m e a m erch a n t a n d i n the cou rse of hi s tra ve ls c a m e to Bed a r in ten di n g to j ou rn ey the n ce to Delhi A la u d d in m et hi m wa s a ttra cted by hi s qu a lities a n d m a de hi m a n oble of his cou rt I n the reign of Hum a yun Sha h he rose t o be fir st m i n iste r Thi s ofli ce he filled with gre a t disti n ction d urin g the n n n ori ti es of Niz a m Sha h a n d Ma ho m ed Sh a h II a n d a fte r the la tter c a m e of a ge he yet re m a in ed i n fa vou r So lon g a s hi s m a ste r ha n d gu ided the B ahm a n i a ffa i rs the sta te prospered He first dicta ted pe a ce to the kin g of M a l wa a n d then m a rched a ga in st Sha n ka r Ra i Of Kh eln a A f te r t wo c am pa ign s he c a ptu red the gre a t Ma ra th a stro n ghold a n d thu s a ven gin g the defe a t o f ra v a ged a ll Sh a n ka r R a i s l a n ds Ma lik ul Tu j a r He then m a de a su rprise a tta ck both by lan d ,

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76

A

H I STORY O F TH E MARATHA P EO P LE

the Vi j a yan a gar fortress of Goa The Hi n d u ki n gdom h ad r ecen tly p as sed thro u gh tro u bled ti m es D eva Ra y a ha d di ed of woun ds i n fli cted by his own brother To hi m s ucceeded hi s s on Deva R aya III a n d the n his gra n dso n Vir upa ks h a I E ver s i n ce the r eign of Deva R a ya II the Vij a ya n a gar ca va lr y h a d been m o un ted on i m po rted horses The i m porters we re the Mu sulm a n tra ders of Bh a tka l I n A D 1 469 ei ther on r eli gio u s or co m m erci a l gro u n ds they bega n to sell th ei r a n i m a ls to the B ahm an i m on arch Vi rupa ksh a I furi O u s with the ordere d their m as s a cre Ten thou sa n d Mus ulm ai n s m er ch a n ts pe rished The rest fled to Goa where they fo un ded a city which n ow yielded gla dly to the a rm s Of Ma hm u d Ga wa n Two ye a rs la ter Viru p a ks h a I tried to reta ke it He was a ided by Bu t the B a hm a n i ki n g Vi kra m a B a i t h e chi ef of Belga u m A n d soo n a ll foresta lled their o ffen sive by storm i n g Belgaum Vi kr a m a R a i s lan ds we re a dded to the B a hm a n i do m in io n I n A D 1 4 7 5 a gr e at f a m i n e deva sta ted the Decca n This te m pted the Ra j a of Oriss a o n ce a ga in to i n va de Teli n ga n a Bu t a good m o n soo n r esto red M a ho m ed Sha h s pr osperity a n d his m in i s ter equ ipped so efficien t an a rm y tha t n ot on ly wa s the R a j a drive n from Teli n ga n a bu t he soon h a d lost Oriss a a lso F orced to s u e for pe a ce he obta i n ed it by s u rren deri n g hi s elephan ts a n d a b an don i n g a ll cl a i m s to Teli n gan a Severa l howeve r of the Hin d u b a ron s h a d r evolted to ai d the R a j a The le a de r of these wa s on e Bhi m R a j a the feu da l lord o f Ko n da pa lli a la rge town so m e 20 m iles from the m ou th of the Kri shn a On the defe a t of the Ori ss a forc es the u n fort un a te chief was c u t off fr o m a ll hope of su ccess A fter six m on ths s ie ge he pra yed for a n d obta i n ed p a rdon Bu t a lthou gh the ki n g forga ve the n oble he ven ted hi s a n ger on the pri ests A n d to wi n the title of Gh a zi or holy on e he destroyed the la rgest te m ple i n the town a n d with hi s o wn ha n d slau ghtered the a tte n d a n ts The s a crilege a lien a ted his Hin du su bj ects a n d m us t m i n d ed ha ve d isgusted the broa der— a m on g hi s Mu sulm a n followers Both rem em ber ed tha t throu gh a B ra hm an s ki n d n ess Ha s an Ga n gu h a d rise n to a thron e a n d i n the c a lam ities tha t followed both s a w divin e retribu tion for the cru el deed an

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B A H MAN I K I N GD O M

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77

Nevertheles s so lon g a s Ma hm u d Ga wan r em a in ed the kin g s n o evil m in is te r befell hi s m a s te r Shortly a fte r the fa ll of Ko n da pa lli Ma hm u d Ga wa n r edu ced M a sulip a ta m held for Vij a ya n a ga r by the R a j a s rela tive Na rsin ha R a ya wh o s o m e ye a r s la ter wa s to u s ur p the sou thern thr o n e Bu t the co n ti n ua l s u ccesses of M a h m u d Ga wan excited the e n v y of hi s f ellow n obl es They forged a letter purportin g to be wr itte n by the gre a t m i n iste r to the R a j a of O riss a o fferi n g to share wi th hi m the B a hm a n i kin gdom They n ext i n du ced a d run ken s la ve t o se a l this p a pe r with Ma hm u d s se a l Then they showed it to th e kin g Th e la tter i n toxic a ted a t the ti m e would h ea r n o expla n a tion n or hold a n y i n qu iry An Ab y ss i n i a n s la v e c u t off M a h m u d G a wa n s he a d i n hi s m as ter s presen ce a n d th e sa m e b low seve r ed the si n ews of the B a h m a n i e m pi re On e Yus uf A dil Kh a n h a d bee n a dopte d a s a s on by M a hm u d G a wa n The r om a n ce of hi s c a reer m i ght h a ve been a ta le told by Shaha ra z a d i He was the youn ger br other of M ahom ed II the s ulta n who storm ed Con sta n tin ople While Yus uf wa s still a chi ld the s u lta n ha d o rdered hi s execu tion His m other s ubstituted for h er s on a Georgia n sla ve a n d se n t Yus u f to Wh en he wa s sixteen ye a rs old his n urse divu lged Al exa n d ri a To esc a pe his b rother s ve n ge a n ce he fled to Shi ra z hi s secret There he d re a m t th a t a divi n e form b a de hi m go to I n di a where He r e a ched In di a i n 1 459 wa s e n tra pped a thr o n e a wa ited hi m by a m erch an t a n d sold a t Bed a r a s a Georgi a n sla ve The p ur ch as e r wa s Ma hm u d Ga wa n The sla ve of the gre a t m in i ster On the m u rde r of his p a tro n he a n d two s oon r ose to powe r — m l othe r high ofli c ers I a d u m u lk a n d Khu d a v a n d Kha n re the ki n g the govern m e n t of Bij a pu r v olted a n d exto rted fr o m for Yu s uf A dil Kh a n a n d the two vice roya lties of Be ra r for his two co n fede ra tes The B a hm a n i kin g then e n qu i red i n to the ch a rge a ga in st M a hm u d Ga wa n a n d fin din g th a t he ha d bee n d u ped did hi s u tm ost to rep a i r the wro n g Bu t the rebel n obles They refu sed to a ppe a r h a d go n e too far to r et ra ce thei r steps court a n d bec a m e i n depen de n t i n a ll bu t n a m e Thei r at con du ct so preyed on the kin g s m in d th a t he beca m e a sla ve t o d ri n k A t las tlon M a rch 26 1 4 82 he died i n a fit of deli ri um ’

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H IS T ORY OF TH E M ARATH A PEO P LE

A

78

trem e n s excla i m in g th a t the ghost of Ma h m u d Ga vVa n wa s te a rin g ou t his e n tra ils Aft e r the m ur de r Of M a h m u d Ga wa n the de a d ki n g ha d — l z n i N i a u Mu lk a s his m in iste r He wa s by birth a ppoin ted on e a B ra h m a n a n d the s on of on e B a hi ra of the Ku lkarn i fam ily of Pa thri i n Be ra r Ca ptu red i n i n fa n cy by som e troopers of Niz am Sh a h B a hm an i he wa s b rou ght u p a s a Mu sulm a n a n d His kee n m a de the co m p a n i o n of the yo u thfu l M a ho m ed Sh a h B ra hm a n bra i n soon m a stered Pe rsi an a n d A ra bic a n d wi n n i n g the fa vo ur of M ahm u d Ga wa n he bec a m e Viceroy of Teli n gan a A s a co n ve rted Hin d u hi s i n cli n a tion led hi m to j oi n the Decca n p arty who h a ted M a hm u d Ga wa n a s a Pe rsi an a n d a foreign e r With his own h a n d he forged the lette r which c au sed the m in is ter s r uin Whe n M ahom ed Sha h s twelve ye a r old s on Mah m ud Sha h s u cceeded hi s fa the r Niza m u l Mu lk con ti nu ed to be his m i n ister He a t first so u ght to destroy Yu s u f A dil Khan he i nd u ced hi m to e n ter Bedar with a s m a ll esco rt a n d then fell with the r oya l forces Bu t the ga lla n t Tu r k defe n ded u po n hi m — him self lon g e n ou gh for his own troops a n d those of his a lly Im a d ul Mu lk to b re a k ope n the g a tes a n d en ter th e city A street fight e n su ed i n whi ch 8000 m en lost thei r lives A t la st Yu s u f A dil Kh a n a n d I m a d ul— Mu lk extric a ted them selves a n d Niz am ul r etr e a ted the fo rm e r to Bij a p u r the la tter to Be ra r Mulk n ow fores a w the bre a k up of the e m pi re a n d bestowed a ll the weste rn pr ovin ces i n fief to his s on M a lik A hm a d The ki n g r et a li a ted by plotti n g his a ss a ssin a tio n The m in iste r fled a n d so u ght to seize the r oya l tre a su re The a ttem pt fa iled a n d Niz a m u l Mu lk perished But on hi s de a th the B a hm a n i e m pire sh a ttered by Ma hm u d G a wa n s m u rder fell to pieces M a li k Ah m a d decla r ed hi m self i n depen den t a s Ahm a d Niza m Sh ah ki n g Of A hm a dn a ga r Su bdui n g the whole co un try fro m Bid to the s ea co a st a n d fr o m the Khan desh fr on tie r to the so uth of Poon a he esta blished wha t is kn own i n hi sto ry a s the Niz a m Sh ahi dyn a sty A bou t the s a m e ti m e Yu su f A dil Kh an h a d hi m s elf crown ed i n Bij a pu r a s Yu su f A dil Sha h thu s foun di n g the A dil Sha hi dyn a sty His a ction wa s copied by I m a d u l Mulk on e of the two viceroys of Be ra r M a ki n g hi m ,

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B A H MA N I K IN G DO M

TH E

79

elf m a ste r of the whole provi n ce a n d ren o u n cin g hi s a llegia n ce he fo un ded the d yn a sty kn own a s Im a d Sha hi To the B a hm an i ki n g ther e n ow re m a in ed m erely th e te rrito ry r ou n d Bed a r an d the provin ce of Teli n ga n a Soon on e o f the re m a in i n g pieces fell a wa y The govern or of Telin ga n a Ku tb ui M ulk a Pe rsi a n a dve n tu r e r u s urped his tru st a n d fo un ded the K u th S h a hi li n e of Golco n d a On ly Beda r n ow re m a i n ed Bu t eve n a t the c a pit a l the ki n g s we a kn ess e n a bled h i s m in iste r K a si m B a rid to beco m e a ll powerfu l a n d to bequ e a th hi s p ower to hi s s on A m i r B a rid The l a tte r I m prl s on ed his un fortu n a te m a ste r who died on Dece m be r 26 1 5 1 8 a fter a n i n glorio u s r eign of 3 7 ye a rs A h m a d Sh a h M a h m u d Sh a h s s on died of wa n t t wo ye a rs a fte r his n o m i n a l a ccession His co u sin Al a u d d in II w as a ss a ssin a te d i n A D 1 5 21 by A m i r B a rid who sho rtly the Secon d s s u ccesso r Wa li a fte rwa rds poison ed A la u d d i n Ulla A hm a d Sh a h s s on K a li m Ulla wa s n ow the sole s u rvivo r o f the B a h m a n i ho u se He m o u n ted the p a ge a n t thron e I n A D: 1 5 26 the ye a r i n which the E m pe ro r B a ba r won the field of Pa n ip a t He i n va in begged the con qu ero r to pity his f a te Bu t B a b a r s ta sk wa s a lre a dy gre a t e n ou gh for hi s K a lim Ulla the n fled from Bed a r to Bij a pu r But s tr e n gth fi n di n g tha t he h a d exch a n ged bu t on e sta te prison for a n other he fled to Ah m a d n a ga r There the Niz a m Sh a hi ki n g tre a ted h i m with the respect d u e to f a lle n gr e a tn ess An d i n so m e m e a s u r e of dign ity a n d co m fo r t the l a st B a h m a n i ki n g p a ssed the re m a in de r of hi s life His de a th left the thron e of Beda r va ca n t A m ir Ba ri d s s on Ali B a rid a scen ded it a n d fo un ded the B a rid Sha hi dyn a sty of Beda r ( A D

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CHA PT ER IX MOG H U LS

A ND

PO RTU GUE S E

feren ce has been m ad e to the We m u st therefore return for a m o m en t to E m peror B a b a r Afte r the d e a th of Mahom ed th e his tory of n orthe rn In di a A D 13 5 1 the Delhi em pi re fell slowly to pieces Tughla k in I n 13 54 on e Ha j i E li a s foun ded wha t is kn own a s the Purbhi a dyn a sty of ea stern Ben ga l I n 1387 Dila var Kh an the i m peri a l Vi cer oy m a de hi m self kin g of Ma lwa I n 1388 Ma lik R a j a on ce a trooper decla red hi m s elf kin g of Kh an desh I n 1 3 90 a m en i a l foun ded the of the i m p eri a l hou sehold n a m ed Muz a ffa r Kh an F our ye ars l a te r a fifth p rovi n ce fell kin gdo m of Guz a ra t a wa y a n d bec a m e the prey of a e un u ch c a lled Ma li k Survu r A t la st Delhi bec a m e the sce n e of diso rde rs a s viole n t as a n y tha t had ra ged i n its depen den cies Whi le the streets of the c a pita l ra n with the blood of con te n din g pa rtis a n s the n ews spre a d th a t the Am ir Tim u r with m en h a d c r oss ed the I n dus an d wa s a dva n cin g by forced m arches through u pper I n di a Altho u gh Ti m ur cla i m ed to be the desce n d a n t of J en ghi z Kh an he wa s a ctu a lly a Berlas Tur k He h a d however a fter e rs of h a rd fighti n g s u bd u ed the in he rita n ce of J a at a i j a y g on e of J en ghi z Kh a n s so n s a n d i n 1 3 69 he h a d hi m se lf c rown ed i n S a m a rka n d as sole ki n g of the Ja ga ta i Moghu ls The n ext 3 0ye a rs he spen t i n r ed u ci n g the Mogh u ls of the C a spi a n a n d the vas t lan ds betwee n the Ura l a n d the Volga To the sou th he con qu ered Persi a from Khora s a n to Ke rbela An d i n 1 3 9 8 w he n i n hi s sixtieth ye a r the tro u bles a t De lhi d rew his r es t les s I N th e precedin g ch a pte r

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T hi as

1 4 01

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d a te gi v en by Feri s h ta

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Th e I m p eri a l Ga zetteer

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T he wor d i s s o m et i m Chaka ty ac h i bad s ha h i

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A

82

H ISTO RY

TH E M AR A THA PE OPLE

OF

Ibra hi m L odi wa s sl a i n a n d B a b a r pr ocl a im ed him self E m pero r of I n di a His n ext gr e a t b a ttle wa s with the R a n a S a n ga of Chi tor whom he decisively defe a ted a t Sii ; But n othi n g i n B a b a r s li fe be ca m e hi m like the le a vin g of it His eldest s on Hu m a yun was stricken with a vi olen t fever The cour t doctors h a d pro n o un ced hi s c a se hopeless when fBa ba r resolved to o ffer his life to the Most High i n ste a d Of th a t of hi s child Three ti m es the e m pero r wa lked rou n d the prostra te pri n ce hi s lips m o vi n g i n sile n t p ra ye r Then sta gge rin g b a ckwa rds he cried ” I h a ve born e it a wa y I n s t an tly the i n a lo u d firm voice feve r left Hum a yu n a n d stru ck down B a b a r i n hi s pla ce F a ith h a d m a de the on e whole a n d h a d ki lled the othe r The wa r wo rn foun de r o f the Moghu l e m pire d i ed on Decem ber 26 1 5 3 0 a n d hi s body wa s born e fa r a wa y to the n orth a n d bur ied a m i d the flowers a n d the cool ru n n in g stre a m s of K a bul He wa s followed on the thron e by the s on whose life he h ad s a ved Tw e n ty ye a rs a fte rwa rds Hu m a yu n fell a s he wa lked down the sta i r s of his libra ry ah d died a few ho urs la ter His s on A kb a r the gre a test pr i n ce bu t on e who eve r occu pied a n In di a n thron e s u cceeded hi m I n the co ur se of hi s r ei gn he r e un ited to the Delhi e m pi r e m ost of the ki n gdo m s w hich h ad co m e i n to bein g a fte r the dea th of M a ho m ed Tu ghla k I n 15 64 he a n n exed M a lwa I n 1 5 7 2 he con qu e red Gu z a ra t In 1 5 9 9 he r ed u ced Kh a n desh The sovereign ties of Ja un pur a n d Be n ga l h a d a lre a dy va n ished I n them A kb a r firm ly esta b lis hed the im pe ri a l a u thority An d n ow m a ster of a ll n orthe rn I n di a A kb a r bega n to m edita te the con qu est of the Decc a n A t thi s poi n t the hi story of M a h a ra shtra fro m the f a ll Of the B a hm a n i kin gdo m dem a n ds ou r a tte n tion Bu t before retur n i n g to it I wish to sketch sho rtly a n eve n t of the fir st i m port a n ce the a rri va l of the Portu gu ese For n ot o n ly did they con quer a po rtio n of M a h a ra shtra bu t they showed the w a o d the r un y C a pe to othe r Europe a n peoples An d to d a y the sovereign of on e of the m bea rs the pro u d title n ot on ly of Kin g of En gla n d bu t of E m pero r of I n di a The fo un de r of the Portu gu ese ki n gdom was a Fren chm a n I n A : D 1 086 A lfo n so the S p a n ish ki n g of L eon s u ffe red a .

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MO G HUL S

A ND

P ORTU G U E S E

83

co m plete reverse i n the b a ttle Of Z a la c a a n d lost a ll Sp a in I n d es p a i r Kin g A lfo n so s u m m o n ed to the so ut h of the E b r o Am o n g the ga ll a n t to hi s a i d the chi v a lry of n orthe rn E ur ope kn i ghts wh o flocked to hi s b an n ers wa s on e Hen ry Coun t of B u rgun dy To h im Ki n g Alfo n so ga ve i n m a rria ge hi s illegit i m a te d a u ghte r The r es a wi th the co un ties oi Coi m b ra a n d O porto a n d the title of Co un t of Portu g a l Their s on was the f a m o u s A lfo n so En riqu ez the fo un de r of Portu gu ese in d epen den ce Hi s gr e atn ess so the legen d run s displ a yed itself fro m i n fa n cy F ire pl a yed ro un d hi s cra dle witho u t h ur tin g the god like child A tta cked when a b oy by a p a ck of m oun ta in wolves he Sle w the m a ll si n gle h an ded a n d r etu rn ed ho m e withou t a scra tch He p a ssed hi s m a n hood in fights a ga i n st the Moors The fo rm er he ro u ted on the field of O u riqu e a n d the S p a n i a rds a n d by the w a lls o f S a n t a r e m Th e la tte r he ove rc a m e i n the f a m ou s To u rn ey of Va ldevez a n d thu s secu red the i n depen den ce Ni n th i n descen t fro m Al fon so En riqu ez wa s Kin g of Po rt u g a l John the Gr e a t ren ow n ed both a s soldie r a n d a d m in istra to r bu t gr e a te r still a s t h e f a the r of Pri n ce Hen ry the N a vig a to r Thi s pr e e m in en t p r1n c e is the co m m o n glory of Po rtu ga l a n d E n gl a n d He wa s the thi rd s on of Kin g John a n d of Qu een Phi li pp a d a u ghter of John of Ga u n t the fou n de r of the Ho u se A t the siege of Ce u t a hi s b ra ve ry h a d bee n c on of L a n c a ste r s p i c u ou s eve n a m o n g the ga ll a n t n obles of Po rt u ga l A t the dis a ste r of T a n gie r hi s fo rtitu de wa s proof a ga in st the d a rkest frown s of fo rtu n e Bu t hi s m in d tu rn ed ra ther to stu dy th a n to wa r I n He rodotu s he r e a d th a t Necho s fleet h a d c i rc u m n a v i ga ted A fric a He too he tho u ght wo u ld circ u m n a viga te it a n d brin gin g b a ck fro m In di a bo un dless we a lth w o u ld m ake Po rtu ga l firs t a m o n g the n a tio n s Prin ce He n r y settled a t S a gr e n e a r C a pe St Vin ce n t a n d then ce se n t fo rth eve ry ye a r Po rtu gu ese w est sho r es of A fric a ca pta in s to explor e the n o rth — Y e a r by ye a r the d a ri n g se a m e n c rept fu rthe r a n d fu rthe r a lo n g the c o a st of the gr e a t co n ti n en t A s they we n t they fo u n d the A zo res S t Mich a el M ad ei ra the C a n a ries a n d the C a p e Ve rd e Isl a n ds The p rin ce ho w eve r n eve r let hi s tho u ghts wa n d e r fr o m t he In di an rou te On e by on e C a pe Boj a do r Ca pe Bla n co C a pe ~

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84

HIS T ORY OF TH E MARA THA PEO PLE

A

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the R io de Oro yielded their secrets to the bold explo rers Prin ce Hen ry died i n 1 4 60 thi rty— six ye a rs before the fin a l tri M ph Bu t his spi rit n eve r ce ased to fire his cou n trym en I n 1 47 1 F ern a n do Bom crossed the equ a tor a n d discove red C a pe C a therin e Next Diego Ca m discovered the Con go a n d i n 1 486 B a rtholo m ew Di a z dou bled the sou the rn poin t Of Afr ic a To it he ga ve the n a m e of Ca bo Torm en toso or the C a pe of S torm s But Ki n g John I , m or e fa r seein g th a n his c a pta in s aw i n the discovery the d a wn of s u ccess He the refo re n a m ed it the C a pe of Good Hope Thr ee ye a rs la ter the d re a m s of Prin ce Hen ry beca m e re alities I n the ho u sehold of Kin g Em m an u el was a gen tle m an c a lled Va sco Da Ga m a who wa s the s on of a n experi en c ed s a ilo r n a m ed Es t a v a o Da G a m a a n d h a d hi m self served Hi m Ki n g E m m an u el chose for the a t s ea with distin ctio n His b rother P au l Da Ga m a a n d on e Nichola s fin a l effo rt Coelho both tried c a pta in s volun tee red to go With hi m a n d on the J uly 3 1 49 7 a fleet of fo u r sh ips weighed a n chor on the m ost m e m o ra ble e n ter prise th a t the wo rld h a d seen O f these on e wa s a sto r e shi p a n d the tota l equi p a ge of the fleet n um ber ed but 1 60 The voya ge h a s been described by C a m oen s i n a n epic poem b a sed on the E n eid a n d equ a l if n ot s u perior to its m odel A cco rdin g to the a u tho r Of the L us za d the old gods fo u ght for B a cchu s j e a lo u s of hi s a n cien t ren own a n d a g a in st Da G a m a a s the co n qu e ro r of I n di a did hi s best to th wa r t the he roes who wo uld eclipse hi s fa m e Ven u s who s a w i n them the qu ali ties th a t h a d m a de the son s of h er d a rli n g fEn ea s m a sters of the world wo rked for them a n d a t l a st brou ght them s a fe to their Verde

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fir st f a ir we a the r s m iled on the Portu gu ese They p a ssed with a f a vo urin g win d the Ca n a ry a n d C a pe Verde Isla n ds The n they en co un tered he a vy storm s an d were d riven a s fa r west a s St Helen a A t l a st a ble to he a d o n ce m ore for Af ri c a they tou ched a t St Helen a s Ba y on the western co a st of Ca pe Colon y They la n ded bu t un a ble to con verse wi th the n egro es they a ga in weighed a n chor a n d he a ded for the Ca pe A storm which wa s to try to the u tm ost Da Gam a s n ow ove r took the m The s a ilors m u tin i ed a n d dem an ded the retu rn of r esolu tio n At

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M O G HUL S

PORTU G UE S E

A ND

85

the fleet Da G a m a an d his b rother P au l p u t the m i n i ro n s a n d sto od by the helm n ight a n d d a y A t la st a fter m a n y d a ys of little food a n d less sleep they gu ided the fleet s a fely to T a ble Ba y With d a n ger p a ssed a wa y the m u ti n o u s spirit of the c rews a n d i n deli ghtfu l we a the r they co a sted a lon g the so u th ern an d the n the e a stern sho res Of A fric a Bu t their tri a ls we re by n o m e a n s ove r A violen t c u rren t c a rried the m sou th w a rds fro m C a pe Co rrie n tes whi ch the reby e arn ed its n a m e Bu t the te m pests a ga i n c a u ght the m a n d d rove the m ou t of the c urre n t On Ja n u a ry 1 0 1 498 they n e a red the shore a n d fin din g the n a tives frien dly they christen ed the co un try Terra di Na ta l On Ma rch 1 they s a w fo ur isla n ds off the co a st of Moz a m biqu e Sho rtly a fterwa rds seven ships s a iled ou t to m eet t he m A t first a ll we n t well The stra n ge squ a dron wa s th a t of the viceroy Of the A ra b kin g of Quilo n The c a ptain s ha iled Da Ga m a i n Ar a bic to which the in terpreter ta ke n by hi m on bo a r d befo r e he left the T a gu s r eplied Fa n cyin g the stra n gers to be Mus u lm a n s from Morocco the Moz am biqu e s hi ps s u pplied a ll thei r wa n ts Bu t the vice roy soon le a rn t th a t Da G a m a a n d hi s m en we re Christi a n s a n d he plotted their destru ction Their s u perio r a rtille ry s a ved the m a n d still he a din g n o rthwa rds they r e a ched Mo m b a s a It a lso belo n ged to the ki n g of Qui lo n a n d he re a tre a cher o u s pilot tried to run them a groun d Bu t with Ven u s help a n d their own a d roitn ess they o n ce m or e esc a ped a n d a d a y or two la te r re a ched Meli n d a Her e the ki n g i n the m ode rn pr ovi n ce of B ritish E a st A fric a wa s a s kin d a s the Ar a bs of Moz a m biqu e a n d Mo m b a s a h a d bee n i n hospita ble On A pril 22 with a tru sty pilot a n d a fa vourin g wi n d the Portu gu ese s a iled n o rth un til they c rossed the lin e a n d wi th a p a ssio n of j oy s a w O rio n a n d the G re a t Be a r shi n e on the m shi n e i n thei r fa r Off ho m es in a s they h a d see n the m Po rtu ga l The fleet he a ded n ow e a stwards a n d three weeks la te r the s a ilo rs s a w on the e a stern sky the m ou n ta i n s a bove C a licu t Two le a gu es fro m sho re the Portu gu ese squ a d ro n a n cho red a n d was soo n s urr o un ded by a g re a t n u m be r of bo a ts A v a st I n on e of the m Da Ga m a se n t a m esse n ge r a sho re “

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86

A

H IS TORY OF TH E M A RA THA PE O P LE

c ro wd welco m ed hi m i n the m ost frien dly wa y Bu t un a ble t o t a lk t o the m the m essen ger wa s a t a loss wha t to do At la st a voice greeted hi m i n excellen t Spa n ish By a n i n credible cha n ce a T un i s Moor who ha d Often un derta ke n con tra cts for the Po rtu gu ese gove rn m en t ha pp en ed to be a t C a licu t a n d he glad ly O ffe red hi m self a s i n te rprete r The ru le r of Ca licu t wa s a Hi n d u p ri n ce c a lled the S a m uri a n d hi s chief reve n u es we r e derived fr o m the Mopla or Ar a b tra de rs esta blished on hi s co a sts A ctin g on their coun sel he in d u ced Da Ga m a to la n d i m pri son ed hi m a n d then tri ed to destroy hi s fleet But the be a ri n g of Da Ga m a a n d the vi gila n ce of hi s ofli c ers defe a ted the Ar a b i n trigu e The S a m u ri stru ck with Da Ga m a s co ura ge o rdered his rele a se He return ed to his shi ps bu t the Ar a bs furio u s a t hi s esc a pe a tta cked his li ttle squ a dron wi th twen ty b a rges filled wi th a rm ed m en The Po rtu gu ese c a n n o n a n d a fortun a te storm dispersed hi s a ss a il a n ts a n d Vas co D a Ga m a he a ded o n ce m ore for the T a gu s Bu t f urthe r tr o u bles a n d A ra bs a n d pi ra tes a tta cked hi m d an ge rs a wa ited hi m On e a s an d b a n k Hi s heroic b rother o f hi s s hi ps gr o un ded on Pa u l Da Ga m a died on the ho m e wa rd j ourn ey Neve rtheless the d a un tless cour a ge of the A dm i ra l bore hi m thro ugh every tria l a n d a t la st a m id the fra n tic e n thu si a sm of th e Portu gu ese Va sco Da Ga m a la n ded a t Lisb on He h a d bro u ght n a tio n ho m e n either gold n or spices n either c a rgoes n or plun de r O f hi s Bu t he h a d discove red 160 m en o n ly 55 lived to r eturn a sec r et by whi ch the Po rtu gu ese we r e to re a ch the height of glo ry After Da Ga m a we n t ou t Ca bra l a n d a fte r C a b ra l the A lm eid a s a n d the Alb u qu erqu es ; Da G a m a a ga i n bu t they w e n t n o lo n ge r a s c ur io u s explo rers or pe a cefu l tra ders Thei r w a rshi ps d a rke n ed the se a s ; their tra n s po rts c a rried b a tta lion s a cr oss h a lf a w o rld They bu ilt fortresses i n Cochi n a n d C a n n a n or e Qu ilo n a n d Div A t la st i n 1 5 10 A lfo n so Da A lb u qu e rq u e took lost a n d r etook Goa fr o m the kin g of Bij a pur a n d m a de it the c a pit a l of the e a ste rn e m pi re of the Po rtu gu ese Th u s a ga in a fte r 1800 ye a rs Eur Op e forced O p e n on e of the ga tes of In di a .

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CHA PT ER TH E A H

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MA DNA GA R KI NGD O M

A D .

1 4 90

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TO

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a pte r r y Of the eighth ch I sketched the hi sto B a hm an i y e m pire un til the de a th in A D 1 5 49 Of K a lim Ulla } Tha t e m pire h a d i n re a lity ce a sed t o exist sin ce A D 1490 when A h m a d Niz a m Sh a h fir st decl a r ed hi s i n depe n de n ce O f the five pri n cipa lities fo rm ed from the B a hm a n i e m pir e tha t of Golcon d a wa s the a n cien t Wa ra n ga l peopled by Telegu s The kin gdom of Bij a pur wa s i n the m a in peopled by C a n a rese Berar a n d Bed a r were peopled p artly by M ara thi a n d p artly by Hin di spe a ki n g On the othe r h a n d Ah m a d n a ga r st a te wa s a p a rt from ra ces the Mu s u lm a n s peopled en ti rely by M ara tha s Withi n its fron tier the gre a t M a ra th a r evolu tion h a d its birth At Jun n a r Shi v a ji wa s bo rn A t Poon a on e of its on e of its fo rt resses town s Shi v a ji p a ssed hi s boyhood His gra n dfa ther Ma loji the Ah m a dn a gar ki n g s a n d hi s f a ther Sh a h a ji we r e n obles in e m ploym en t I sha ll the refo re con tin u e a t thi s st a ge the hi s tory of the M a ra th a s by r el a tin g the rise a n d t h e f a ll of the Ahm a d n a g a r ki n gdo m The first ki n g of Ah m a dn a ga r Ah m a d Niz am Sha h was the s on of the m i n i ste r Niz a m u l Mu lk whose de a th h as bee n de scri bed towa rds the close of Ch a pter VIII Niz am ul Mulk to pr ep a r e for hi m self eithe r a secu re retre a t or a n in depen den t bestowed the co u n try from the fort of Shi vn er to kin gdo m D a u la ta b a d a s a fief on his s on The l a tter was on e of the first soldiers of the a ge Un de r cover of hi s fa ther s a u thority he s u bd u ed n ot o n ly the fief bestowed on hi m bu t the whole li n e The n ce he desce n ded of the Sa h y a d ri s fr o m Shivn e r to Pura n d a r i n to the Ko n ka n a n d wa s e n ga ged in r ed u ci n g it when he he a rd He a t o n ce return ed to Shi vn e r o f hi s fa the r s a ss a ssi n a tio n

IN

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A

88

H IS T ORY OF TH E M A RA T HA PEO PLE

e oun ced hi s a llegi a n ce to the B a hm a n i kin gdom a n d prepa red S uch to r esist to the u tm ost the a tta cks of the r oya l tr oops wa s the r ebel s repu te a s a soldier th a t M a hm u d Sh a h B ahm an i foun d n o Officer willin g to m eet hi m M a hm u d Sha h first o ffered the com m an d to Yu s u f A dil Kh a n ; b ut th a t a spirin g Turk wa s i n n o m ood t o fight on e whose con du ct wa s si m ila r to his own A t l a st on e Sheikh Mu wa lid a n A ra b volun tee r ed to ove rthrow Ah m a d Niz a m Sha h At the s a m e tim e he won o ver to the roya l c a u se on e Z a in u d d in the j a ghi rd ar of Cha kan a n office r on whose help A h m a d Niz a m Sh a h h a d coun ted The la tter showe d hi m self equ a l to the d an ge r I n a s ur prise a tta ck on C h a ka n h e dest royed the en ti r e fo r ce of Z a i n u d d i n Then re t urn in g wi th hi s victoriou s troops he fell u pon Sheikh Muwa lid s a rm y slew the gen e ra l a n d c a ptu red hi s c a m p a n d ba gga ge If it h ad bee n d iflficu lt before to fin d a co m m a n der to fa ce Ah m a d Ni za m S h ah it beca m e still m ore so n ow A t l a st Ma hm u d Sha h foun d i n on e Jeh a n gir Kha n a n obedie n t if n ot a n e fficien t Office r With eight tho u s an d m en he set forth to redu ce the r edo u bt a ble in s u rge n t Ahm a d Niz a m Sh a h fell ba ck i n to the wes te rn hills securin g hi s s u ppli es throu gh the Kon kan p a sses There fortifyi n g hi m s elf he a wa ited Jeh a n gir Khan s a tta ck The roya list ge n era l wa s loth to risk su ch repu ta tion a s he ha d gain ed fr om Ah m a d Sh a h s retre a t He did n ot a ss ault the rebel positio n Not lon g but e n c a m ped twelve m iles a wa y a fterwa rds the rain s b r oke Jcha n gi r Kh an s vigilan ce a n d the d i sciplin e of hi s troops i n sen sibly rela xed Bu t i n Ah m a d Niz am Sha h s c a m p the qua lities of the gen era l s u sta in ed those of th e soldiers ; a n d everywhe r e r eign ed good o rde r a n d p ru den ce On the n i ght of the Ma y 28 149 0 Ah m a d Niz am S ha h wi th a picked force set ou t towa rds Jeh a n gi r Kha n s c a m p The sodden ro a ds de a den ed the n oise of the a dva n ce a n d the he a v y clo u ds hi d eve rythi n g i n d a rkn ess As Jeh a n gi r Kh a n s s e n tries slept they were sta bbed silen tly a t their posts ; a n d a few m in u tes la te r A h m a d Niz a m Sh a h ove rwhel m ed the r oya l forces Jch an gir Khan a n d hi s sta ff fell fightin g S uch ofli cers m o un ted on b u ffa loes a n d pa ra ded i n a s s urr en de r ed were derision before the a rm y Freed by thi s la st victory from fur r n

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q

A HI STORY

90

TH E MAR ATH A PE OPL E

or

tra cted a m arria ge with Bibi Miri a m the da u ghter of Yus uf A dil S h a h th e fo un de r of the Bij a pu r dyn a sty a n d sister of the r eign Th e Bij a pu r en voy prom ised to give in g kin g Is m a il A dil Sh a h a s h er dowr y the town of Shola p u r a n d five a n d a h a lf d i stricts The prom ise howeve r wa s repu di a ted by Ism a il A dil Sha h a n d p roved a co n stan t source of e n m i ty betwee n the two kin gdo m s B ur ha n Niz a m Sh a h reve n ged hi m self for the loss of Mi ri a m s dowr y by n eglecti n g h er a n d by reta in in g Am i n a a s his chi ef qu een The prin cess co m pla in ed to h er b rothe r whose a m b as s a d or rem on s tra t ed st ro n gly with the kin g of Ah m a dn a ga r The la tte r s fury the n kn ew n o boun ds He decla red wa r a ga i n st Bij a pu r Bu t i n the a bse n ce of Mu ka m i l Kha n the Ah m a d n a ga r troops pr oved un equ a l to their foes ; B ur h a n Niz am Sha h wa s co m pletely defe a ted a n d su fferi n g fr o m sun stroke wa s c a rried i n se n sible fr o m the field ( A D I n 1 53 7 on e Sh a h T a hi r i n d u ced B u rh a n Niz a m Sha h to beco m e His ch a n ge of r eligio n n e a rly lost h i m his ki n gdo m a S hi a With diffic u lty he qu elled a furio u s Sun n i tu m ul t i n Ah m a d n a gar o n ly to le a rn th a t the kin gs of Gu z a ra t Bij a pu r a n d Kh a n desh B urhan h a d decided to divide hi s ki n gdo m bet wee n the m Niz am Sh a h extric a ted hi m s elf ski lfully fro m the d a n ger He bo u ght o ff the ki n gs of Kh a n desh a n d Gu z a ra t by so m e trifli n g co n c essio n s a n d then d rew to his sta n d a rd 3 n um ber of Shi a soldie rs who m the kin g of Bij a pu r a f a n a tic a l Sun n i h a d d is He n ext in du ced the ki n gs of Be ra r Golcon d a a n d m i ssed Bed ar t o j oin wi th Ra m ra j kin g of Vij a ya n a ga r a n d hi m s elf i n a n a tte m pt to destr oy Bij a pu r Sin ce I l a st m en tion ed Vij a ya n a ga r th a t sta te h ad pas sed thr o u gh m a n y vicissitu des I n 1 4 90 on e Na rsin h a R a ya a kin sm a n of the reign i n g ho u se h a d u su rped the thr on e He wa s a m a n of a bility an d he a n d hi s s u ccesso r s in c re a sed the gre a t They we re m u ch helped by n ess of the Vi j a ya n a ga r ki n gdo m the diss olu tion of the B a hm an i e m pire a n d by the com in g of the Portu gu ese The l a tte r a t en m i ty wi th the Mus ulrha n s gl a dly a ccep ted the fr ien dship of Vij a yan a ga r They sold to i ts ki n g ho rses fr o m Persi a a n d powde r fr om Po rtu ga l an d fro m ti m e to tim e a ided hi m i n b a ttle With their help Kin g ,

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TH E A H MA D N A GA R KIN G D O M

91

Krishn a Deva R a ya recove red from B i j a pur in the ye ar 1 5 20 the fo rtresses of R a ichur a n d Mu d kal together wi th the Do a b or the la n ds between the Kri shn a an d the Tun ga bh a d ra At thi s ti m e Vij a ya n a ga r re a ched the s um m it of i ts glory The Portu gu ese chro n i clers ha ve exh a u s ted their voca bul aries in describ in g the sple n dour s of the c a pita l The streets a cco rd in g * a to P es we re a s wide a s a tourn a m e n t a r en a Wa ll within wa ll gua rded the cita del from hostile a tta ck Nu m ero us la kes s u pplied the garriso n wi th wa te r The shops overflowed with di am on ds s a pphi res a n d ru bies Its stores of provi sion s exceeded those of a n y othe r town i n the world a n d its exte n t riva lled th a t of the city of the se ve n hills i n the da ys of the Juli a n C aes ars Upon Krishn a Deva s de a th the roya l po w er wa s us urped by the ki n g s m in ister Ti m m a who rul ed the co un try for forty ye ars On Ti m m a s de a th hi s s on R a m a R a ya co m m on ly kn own a s R am r a j m a rried the d a u ghter of Kri shn a Dev a im pris o n ed the la wful hei r Sa d a s hi v a a n d i n his ste a d procla im ed hi m self kin g of Vij a ya n a ga r It wa s thi s sovereign whom the kin g of Ahm a d n a ga r c a lled to hi s a i d I n 15 4 8 B urh a n Niza m Sh a h a t the he a d of a n a llied a rm y a dv a n ced to besiege K a ly a n i A s he besieged it gr e a t bodies of Bij a p ur c a v a lry so h a ras sed hi s co m m u n i c a tio n s th a t i n the q ua i n t words of Feris h ta tru e beli eve rs a n d Hin du s a like f a sted i n the m o n th of Ra m za n I n desp a ir B urha n Niz a m Sha h m a de a d a wn a tta ck on the m a in Bij a p ur force The h a z ard su cceeded The Bij a pur a rm y were so co m pletely s ur prised th a t they los t a ll thei r gun s whi le thei r kin g wh o wa s a t the ti m e e n j oyi n g a wa rm ba th h a d to flee n a ked fro m the sce n e of hi s defe a t K a lya n i a fterwa rds c a pitu la ted a n d so gre a t wa s the dem ora li z a tion of the Bij a pur o ffice rs th a t the ge n e ra l who held Pa ren d a s u dden ly des e rted it He h a d m i sta ke n the b u zzin g of a m osqui to i n his bedroom for the tru m pets of the A hm a dn a g a r tr oops who we re still fo rty B ur ha n Niz am Sh a h recove red Shola pur a n d its m iles dis t a n t fiv e a n d a h a lf districts The a lli es the n besieged Bi ] a p ur ; wo uld be a n d it see m ed likely th a t the A dil Sh a hi ki n gdo m divided between Ahm a dn a ga r a n d Vij a ya n a ga r whe n B ur h a n ,

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98

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A

92

H IS T ORY OF TH E M A RATHA PE O P LE

Sha h fell serio u sly ill He withdrew with hi s troops to hi s w c a i ta l wh ere he d ied His body a s em b a li n ed a n d se n t for p buria l to Karbela the holy pl a ce of the fa ith to whi ch he h a d been con ve rted ( A D Hus sein Niz am Sh a h the eldest s on of the d a n cin g gir l Am i n a su c ceeded his f a ther B u rha n Ni z am Sha h a t the a ge of o n ly thirteen The chief eve n t of his reign wa s the destru ction of Vij a yan a gar by a co n federa cy of fo ur of the Mu su lm an ki n gs of the Decc an B urh an Sh a h h ad left by hi s qu een Miri a m Bi bi prin cess of Bij a p u r two son s Ali a n d Mira n Ma hom ed On their f a ther s de a th they fled to their un cle Ib ra hi m A dil Sha h ki n g of Bij a pu r He espo u sed their c au se b ut su ffered two revers es He then im plo red the ai d of Ki n g R am r a j of Vij a yan aga r The Hin du kin g sen t a large a rm y un de r hi s b rother Ven kat ad ri who soon severely defe a ted the e n em y Un h a ppily Ibra hi m A dil S h a h celebra te d the victory with so m an t r A n d a s he p u t b pe s th t he fell ill um r o f c oun a l i u c r y y q to de a th a ll the co urt physici a n s whose prescription s did n ot i n s tan tly c u re hi m the s u rvivo rs fled the coun try a n d left H is I bra hi m A dil Sh a h to die witho u t thei r a ssista n ce s on Ali A dil S h a h r e n ewed the tre a ty with R a m ra j The two a llies i n duced the ki n g of Golco n d a to j oi n the m a n d i n v a di n g Ah m a d n a ga r la id siege to the c a pit a l A t la st Hu ssei n Niz a m Sha h wa s r edu ced to s uch stra its th a t he wa s forced to order the exec ution of his b est gen era l J ch an gir Kha n to cede the fortre s s of K a lya n i to Bij a pu r a n d to receive p a n a s an in ferior from the h an d of R am ra j Hu s sein Niza m Sha h s pride especi a lly r ese n ted t his l a st clau se A fte r Ra m ra j h a d to u ched hi s h a n d Hus sein Niza m Sha h c a lled ou t i n a lou d voice for a b a si n of wa ter He then wa shed hi s h a n dsi n the m ost offe n s ive m a n n er possible The gen ero u s Hin d u wou ld n ot a ve n ge hi m s elf on o n e who wa s i n hi s power Bu t the i n ciden t m a de a n y la ter recon cili a tio n between the two i m possible Five ye ars l a te r H u ssein Niz a m Sha h a llyin g hi m self to the ki n g of Golcon da tried to r eta ke K a lya n i But Ram ra j a n d Ali A dil Sh ah j oin ed by the kin gs o f Bed a r a n d Bera r a tta cked the besiegers defe a ted them a n d a ga in besieged Ah m a dn a gar .

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K I N GD O M

93

It wo u ld certa in ly h a ve fa llen h a d n ot a qu a rrel broken out The Hin d us fin din g the m selves i n Mu sulm a n a m o n g the a llies territo ry threw do wn the m osqu es a n d d efiled the holy pla ces Ali A dil Sh a h sc a n d a lized a t the i n s u lt to hi s f a ith begged R a m ra i to ra ise the siege R a m ra j co m plied b u t ven ted hi s ill will u po n a ll the Mu s u lm a n ki n gs a like He forced Ali A dil Sh a h to cede hi m the districts Of Etgi r a n d Ba gr a kot He took Kowi lcon d a Pa n ga l a n d Gu n tu r from the ki n g of Golcon d a An d he showed his con tem pt for the kin gs of Bed a r an d Bera r by p ubli cly slightin g them a n d en co u ra gin g hi s Officers to do the s a m e Ali A dil Sha h who h a d lo n g fretted a t the i n solen ce of his Hin d u a lly resolved to la y a side his qu arrel with A hm a dn a gar a n d destroy R a m ra j Hu ssein Niz a m Sha h s h a tred Of Ra m ra j proved stron ger tha n hi s rival ry with Bij a pu r He g a ve hi s d au ghter Ch an d Bi bi i n m a rria ge to Ali A dil Sha h with Shola pu r Ali A dil Sh a h a n d its five a n d a h a lf dist ricts a s h er dowr y ga ve his d au ghte r Hu d d ea S u lta n a to Hu ssei n s s on Mu rta z a The r eco n ciled r iv a ls a llied the m selves to the ki n gs of Golco n d a Bed a r a n d a ll fo u r decl a red wa r u pon R a m ra j an d The la tter rega rded the hostile a lli a n ce with con te m pt He posted his a rm y on the so u the rn b an k of the Krishn a an d defied his en e m i es to e n te r the Do a b On e n ight however the a lli es skilfu lly crossed the gre a t r ive r Next m orn in g the a rm i es e n ga ged R a m ra j who wa s over seven ty wo uld n ot ride b u t co m m an ded the ce n tr e of his a rm y fro m a ra ised thron e His b rothe r Ven ka ta d ri wh o co m m an ded the left win g drove b a ck the Bij a pu r fo rces His other b rother Ti ru m a l com m a n de r of the right win g a lso d rove b a ck the a rm y Of Golcon d a Bu t H u ssein Niz a m Sh a h i m pelled by a fu rio u s h a tred of the kin g to who m he h a d hu m bled hi m self ou t his wa y throu gh the Vij a ya n a ga r cen tre un til he re a ched Ra m ra j s thron e a n d took With m a lign a n t j oy he ha d hi s c a ptive s he a d c ut hi m priso n e r Ra m r a j s A p a n i c seized the Hin d u s o ff a n d pl a ced on a spe a r br other Ven ka t a d ri fell on the field Ti ru m a l m a de n o e ffort to hold Vij a yan a ga r bu t reti red sou th to the gre a t fortress of Then a la s for the g re a t city with its m ighty wa lls Pen n a kon d a its a n d its sp a rkli n g l a kes ; with its sto n e p a ved st reets a n d ,

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94

H IS T ORY OF TH E M A RAT HA PEO PLE

kets glitterin g with j ewels a n d preciou s ston es "Hordes of robbe r cla n s rus hed i n to the city to p luhd er the shops the store On the thi rd d a y the h c us es the dwelli n gs a n d the p a la ces Mus ulm an a rm ies a rrived a n d co m pleted the ru in Street by s treet they slau ghtered the i n h a bit a n ts br oke i n pieces the idols a n d desecra ted t h e t em ples When thei r w ork w a s do n e Vij a ya n a ga r was a scen e of u tter desol a tio n a n d s u ch it h as r em a i n ed to this d a y Hu ssein Niz a m Sh a h did n ot lon g s u rvive the victory of Ta likota the n a m e by which the gre a t b a ttle is kn own R etu rn i n g to Ah m a dn a ga r he a s Ibra hi m A dil Sh a h h a d do n e killed hi m self by the excesses wi th which he celeb ra ted hi s tri um ph m ar

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(A D The rei gn of his s on Mur t a z a Niz a m Sha h is fa m ous for hi s con qu est of Bera r E a rly i n his r eign a tr e a ty wa s co n cl u ded betw een Ah m a dn a ga r a n d Bij a pu r The prin cip a l a rticles were tha t Ali A dil Sha h sho u ld be free to co m plete the con qu est of Vij a ya n a ga r a n d th a t Murt a z a Niz a m Sha h sho u ld be a t li be rty to con qu er Be r a r r ecen tly u sur p ed by on e Tu f a l Kh a n fro m the i n fa n t ki n g B u rh a n I m a d Sha h Im m edi a tely u pon the con clu sion of the tr e a ty the Ah m a dn a gar a rm y i n va ded Bera r He d efe a ted Tu fa l un de r the co m m a n d of on e J en ghi z Kh a n Kh an a n d took hi m a n d B urh a n I m a d Sh a h priso n ers I n ste a d an d of pla cin g the l a tte r on the thr o n e M ur t a z a co n fin ed h i m T ufa l Kh a n a n d their fa m i lies a n d depen d a n ts i n a fo rt Bu t the prison s of prin ces a re n igh to their gra ves Sho rtly a fte r wa rds a ll the c a ptives died s u dden ly a n d Berar beca m e a p ro vin ce of Ah m a dn a ga r ( A D The la st ye ars of Mur ta z a Niza m Sha h were d a rke n ed by m a dn ess He a ttem pted the li fe His brother B u rha n co n spi red a ga in st of hi s s on Mir a n Hu ssei n A t l a st Pri n ce Mir a n hi m a n d the n fled to Akb a r s co urt Hus sein who h a d hi dde n i n D a ul a ta b a d wa s r ec a lled to He m urde red hi s fa the r a n d se a ted Ah m a dn a ga r by the n obles hi m self u po n the thr on e ( A D Thi s p a rricide profite d the n ew ki n g bu t little His chief con federa te i n the l a te revolu tio n h a d bee n the first m i n i ste r a Persi an by n a m e Mirz a Kh an A con flict soo n broke ou t .

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H IS T ORY OF TH E

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96

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PEO P LE

hi A BA TH A -

m en Will y ou he c ried of A hm a d n a ga r p a rdo n yo ur The m ob n ki n g s m urder when y ou r esen ted his depositi o Mi rza ra llied a n d set fire to the g a tes of Ah m a d n a ga r fo rt Kh a n sou ght to esc a pe but wa s t a ken H e wa s m ou n ted on a n a s s p ara ded th r o u gh Ahm a d n a g a r city a n d the n behe a ded Ja m a l Kh a n n ext o rdered a gen e ra l m a ss a c re of the for eign soldiers of whom a tho u s an d we re m u rdered i n seven d a ys The r est fled to Bij a pu r ( A D The con fu sion i n to whi ch the Ahm a dn a ga r kin gdom h a d f allen ga ve A kb ar the ch an ce of i n terferen ce which he h a d lon g desired He h ad shelte red B u rh a n Niz a m Sh a h the exiled brother of Mur ta z a Niz am Sh ah He n ow helped B u rh a n Niz am Sha h to defe a t a n d sla y J a m a l Kh an depose his own s on Ism a il Sh a h II a n d m o un t the thr o n e with the title of B u rh a n Niz a m The n ew m on ar ch s reign wa s sho rt bu t i n it he su ffered two r eve rses He tried to redu ce the Po rtu gu ese fortress of R ev a d a n da The a tta ck wa s skilfu lly pla n n ed The h a rbou r wa s blocked to preven t a n y help f ro m the s ea while the siege wa s pressed from the l a n d side The m u t in o u s s pirit however of the Decc a n O fficers who si n ce the n ew ki n g s r ei n h a d b ee n g a ided the besieged ; a n d when ou t of f a vo ur the Portu gu ese we r e a t the l a st extr e m ity sixty P o rtu g u ese shi ps a rriso n g forcin g by n i ght the boo m a cross the h a rbo ur l a n ded fou r tho u s an d m en with a b un d an t a rm s a n d su pplies Next m orn i n g the in iti a tive p a ssed to the besieged They a tta cked the besiegers a n d a ltho u gh o n ly h a lf thei r n u m be r killed twelve thou s an d of them a n d pu t the rest to flight The kin g con soled hi m self by the thou ght tha t the f a llen we re m ostly Decc a n Mu su lm a n s a n d so u ght to r e est a blish his pr estige by r ecoveri n g Shol a p ur Thi s a dven tur e a lso f a iled a n d r etirin g to Ah m a dn a ga r he died soon a fterwa rds Of dysen tery ( A pril 3 0 B urhan Niz a m Sh a h s eldest s on Ibra him Niz am Sha h s u cceed ed to the thron e a n d a ppoin ted hi s f a the r s form er tu tor Mi a Man j u hi s m i n i ster The choice wa s wise for the m i n iste r h a d c a p a city bu t the diso rde r i n to which the s ta te h a d f a lle n A turb u le n t Decc a n n oble n a m ed Yekla s n ulli fied hi s effo rts Kh an sou ght to r evive the Decc an p arty a n d ga thered roun d ,

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K I NGD O M

97

the n a tive born Mu su lm a n soldiery The m in iste r reta li a t ed by fo rm i n g a body guard of fo reign m ercen a ries Fact ion fights br oke ou t i n a ll pa rts of the city a n d the un h a ppy ki n g s a u tho rity v an i shed The Bij a pur kin g on the pretext of resto r in g o rder i n va ded the Ah m a d n a ga r te rrito ry Mi a Ma n j u e n de a vour ed to persu a de the Bij a pu r gen era l H a m id Kha n th a t the tim e h a d co m e to m a ke u p the qu a rrels of the two sta tes th a t they m ight bette r wa rd Off the Moghu l d a n ger Bu t Mi a Man ju s wise e n de a vo u rs we re f rustra ted by his own kin g The wretched boy h a d fo un d co n sola tio n for the loss of hi s power i n a rden t spi rits an d i n a d run ke n fit c a lled on his His troops obeyed A s he a rm y to a tt a ck H a m id Kh a n ch arged a t thei r he a d he fell stru ck by a c a n n o n b a ll Thus of o n ly fo u r m o n ths the thr o n e of A hm a d n a ga r a fter a r eign a g a i n bec a m e va c a n t ( Septe m be r Mi a Ma n j u Yekla s Kh a n a n d so m e othe r le a din g n obles n ow held co un cil how the govern m e n t of Ah m a d n a ga r sho u ld be c arried on It wa s a t first s u ggested th a t the la te ki n g s i n fa n t s on B a h a du r sho u ld be crown ed a n d his a un t Cha n d Bibi decla red rege n t Thi s illu strio u s la dy wa s the dau ghter of Hu ssein Niz am Sh a h a n d h a d , whi le still a c hi ld bee n m a rried to Ali A dil Sha h ki n g of Bij a pu r The d a u ghte r wife a n d sister of ki n gs she un ited i n h er person the hi ghest qu a lities When her the Bij a pu r a n d Ah m a d n a ga r hou ses of both hu sb an d wa s killed i n 1 5 80 his n ephew Ib ra hi m A dil Sha h wa s To Ch a n d Bibi wa s e n tru sted ra ised to the thr o n e of Bij a p u r the c a re Of hi s person The c a r e of the sta te wa s e n trusted to Ka m il Kha n I n n o lo n g tim e Ka m il Kha n a spired a ce rt a in to u s ur p the thron e a n d to sedu ce Ch a n d Bibi She sco rn fu lly With rej ected h er wooe r s s u it a n d pl a n n ed hi s destru ctio n the a id of a certa in Kishwa r Kh a n she ove rthrew the regen cy of K a m il Kh an Bu t Kishwa r Kh a n h a d n o soo n e r displ a ced Ka m i l Kh an tha n he bega n to follow hi s exa m ple He a ssu m ed the govern m en t of the sta te ; a n d when Cha n d Bibi opposed hi s a m bitio n he h a d h er d riven f ro m the roya l h a re m a n d c on fi n ed i n the fortress of S a ta ra destin ed lo n g a fte rwa rds to be Bu t the powe r th e heredita ry priso n of Sh i v a ji s desce n d a n ts -

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7

H I ST ORY

A

98

OF

T H E M AR ATHA PE OPLE

Ch an d Bibi m a de itself felt throu gh the ston e wa lls of a d is tan t stron ghold The m ob rose a ga in st Kishwa r Kh an a s th e j a ile r of their beloved qu een a n d drove hi m from the city They then r ele as ed Oha n d Bibi brou ght her ba ck in tMM ph a n d o n c e m or e en tru sted to h er c a r e the perso n of the yo un g ki n g In 1 584 the widowed qu een disgu s ted a t the turbu len ce of the Bij a pu r n obles left tha t city to vi sit h er brother Murta z a Niz a m Sha h For t en ye a rs she resided a t Ah m a d n a ga r a n d h er n a m e wa s n ow pu t fo rwa rd to co n du ct the a d m in istra tio n Mi a Man j u however desired s u pre m e power a n d in sisted tha t a certa in Ah m a d the s on of a n i m postor n a m ed Sh a h Ta hir Yekla s Kh an m et this i n s hou ld be pla ced u po n the thr o n e trigu e by ta kin g a begga r boy n a m ed Moti from the streets a n d decla rin g hi m to be the s on of the la te ki n g A fight en su ed n the d a y Mi a Ma n j u in which the begga r boy s a dhe ren ts wO then a ppe a led to Prin ce Mura d the s on of A kb a r to in va de the co un try On the a ppe a ra n ce however of the Moghu l va n gu a rd a ll Ah m a d n a ga r c a lled with on e voice for Ch a n d Bibi to defen d them Mi a Ma n j u fled a n d Ch an d Bibi declarin g h er n ephew B a h a dur ki n g a ss u m ed the govern m en t on hi s beha lf Order been diso rder The m a sculi n e n ow a ppe a red whe r e a ll h a d qu een with vei led f a ce bu t sword i n h a n d a ppe a red everywhere Prin ce Mu ra d so u ght to to direct a n d to cheer the ga rr iso n Ch an d Bibi showed h er troops how to coun ter m in e the wa lls f two m i n e a n d wi th h er own h a n ds re m oved the powde ro m r A t l a st a thi rd m i n e exploded a n d severa l ya rds of the m i n es The chi ef Officers sou ght to flee but Cha n d of the fo rt w a ll fell Bibi t alfl n g their pla ce sh am ed h er gen era ls in to resolu tion Fro m fo u r i n the a ftern oo n Moghu l sto rm in g p a rties tried to for ce their wa y throu gh the bre a ch But fired by the spiri t wa s i n vi n cible of the g a ll a n t l a dy the Ah m a d n a gar g a rriso n A t la st the bre a ch wa s choked wi th the co r ps es of the a ss a il Night fell The Moghu l a rm y withdrew to thei r c a m p a n ts a n d n ext m o rn in g s a w to thei r wo n de r a n ew wa ll whi ch th e The ga lla n try un c o n qu e ra ble qu ee n h a d b u ilt d u ri n g the n ight of Ch an d Bibi wa s n ow the the m e of Pri n ce Mura d s c a m p a n d the chi va lrou s Moghul con ferred on h er the title of Ch an d of

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pa la ce an d killed her whose on ly wish wa s to serv e their in teres ts With the heroic qu een died the spirit of her soldiers A few d a ys la ter the Moghul a rm y storm ed the fo rt p ut its defen ders to the swo rd a n d c arried Off B a h a d ur Sha h to Gwa lior fo rt where he died i n c a ptivity ( A D 1600 Khan desh which h a d f a lle n i n 1 5 99 wa s wi th Ah m a d n a ga r m a de i n to a gov em or shi p for A kba r s yo un gest s on Prin ce D an iya l A lthou gh a s we shall see i n a la te r ch a pter the e n ti re pro vi n ce did n ot su bm it un til 1 63 6 yet the f a ll of the Ah m a dn a ga r fo rt m a y be deem ed to m a rk the en d of the Ahm a d n a ga r ki n gdo m ists whi ch shows how deep wa s the A p a thetic sto ry still e x love whi ch Cha n d Su ltan a in spired The pe a s an ts of the western She hi lls refu sed for m a n y ye a rs to believe th a t she wa s de a d h ad esc a ped they s a id thr o u gh a n un dergr oun d p a s s a ge a n d wa s hidin g i n so m e deep fold of the Sa hy a d ri Moun ta in s Wh en the tim e c a m e sh e wc u ld a ga in reve a l herself drive the Moghuls an d brin g b a ck on ce m o re the golden a c ross the Vi n d h y a s yea rs of Ah m a dn a gar .

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H I STO RY

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H IST ORY O F TH E M A RA THA PEO PLE

A

104

we re soiled becau se of the sin s of whi ch the pi lgrim s wa shed them selves cle an They then turn ed on Pun d ali k a n d told hi m tha t beca use of hi s tre a tm en t of his p a ren ts he wa s the wor st sin n er of the m a ll They ra ted hi m so s o un dly tha t they e ffected a co m plete c ur e Fro m the m ost cru el he beca m e the m ost devoted o f son s He m a de hi s wife wa lk by hi s side whi le hi s p aren ts rode By his filia l con du ct he i n du ced the m to give There n o pa ren ts u p the pilgri m a ge a n d r et urn to Da n d i rv a n were eve r better served th a n Ja n u d ev a n d Sa t ya v a ti we re served by Pun d a li k a n d his wife On e d a y it fell ou t th a t the god Krish n a the n ki n g of Dwarka s a t thin ki n g of his e a rly d a ys on the b a n ks of the Ya m un a He r e m e m ber ed his spo rts with the m i lkm a ids a n d how they a n d especi a lly R a dh a h a d wept whe n he h a d left Ma thu ra He so lon ged to see R a dha a gai n th a t a lthou gh she wa s de a d he by his divi n e powe rs b rou ght h er b a ck to sit u po n his la p Ju st then his qu ee n the sta tely Ru kh m i n i e n tered the room R a dha shou ld a t on ce h a ve rise n to do h er hon ou r She r em a in ed se a ted Ru khm in i i n a fu ry left a n d fleei n g to the Decc a n hid herself i n the Da n d irv a n fo rest A s she did n ot r etu rn to Dwa rka Ki n g d thi the r Krishn a wen t to Ma thu ra thi n ki n g th a t she ha d fl e Fr om Ma thura he wen t t o Goku la There he on ce m ore a ssum ed the form of a child a n d ro un d hi m bega n to pl a y on ce m ore the cows a n d the he rdboys the ca lves a n d the m ilkm a ids They t oo j oin ed i n the se a rch a n d eve n Moun t Gova rdh a n freed itself fro m its fo un d a tion s a n d set forth with the ga y com pa n y to look for Ru khm in i A t l a st they re a ched the b an ks of the Bhi m a Krishn a left his a tte n da n ts a t a spot ou tside the Dan d irv a n forest lm own a s Gop a lpura Wa n deri n g a lon e throu gh the woods he a t la st fo un d Ru khm i n i The qu een s celesti a l a n ger yielded to the e n de a rm en ts of the ki n g R eco n ciled they wa lked togethe r u n til they c a m e to Pun d ali k s herm i ta ge A t this ti m e Pun d a li k wa s bu sily en ga ged i n a tten d i n g to hi s p a re n t s wa n ts A ltho u gh he le a rn t th a t Kr ishn a h a d co m e to see hi m he refu sed to do the god ho m a ge un til his fili a l t a sk was don e Bu t he threw a brick o u tside for hi s visitor to stan d u po n Krishn a ple a sed with Pun d ali k s ‘

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TH E

PAN D H ARP UR M O V EME NT

1 05

devotion to his p a ren ts ove rlooked the slight to hi m s elf a n d stan din g on the brick a wa ited Pu n d ali k s leis ure When Pun d a li k wa s free he exc u sed hi m self to the god The la tte r r eplied th a t so fa r fro m bein g a n gr y he wa s ple a sed wi th Pun d a li k ; a n d he o rdered hi m to wo rshi p hi m a s Vi th oba or hi m who stood u po n a b rick A sta tely fa n e a rose a t the scen e of the m eetin g of Krishn a a n d Pun d a li k ( A D I n its holiest recess the god Krishn a s i m a ge sta n ds on the brick thrown to hi m by Pun d a lik Close to his Side stan ds a n i m a ge of Ru kh m in i whose flight wa s the c a u se of hi s visit to Pa n dha rpu r It wa s a t this s a c red pla ce th a t the poet Dn y a n d ev the first of a lo n g lin e of f a m o u s s a i n ts took u p hi s a bode A cco rdin g to the poet Ma hi p a ti the wo rld h a d beco m e so sin fu l tha t the gods Bra hm a d ev a a n d Shi va so u ght out Vi shn u t o devise so m e pl a n by whi ch to pu rify it They decided tha t a ll th r ee r wi th Vishn u s L a xm i ods togethe q ee shou ld u n g ta ke hum an form s The pa re n ts who m they hon our ed by be co m in g their chi ldren we re Vi th oba a B ra hm a n fro m A p ega on a n d his wi fe Ra kh m a i the d a u ghter of a B ra h m a n of Ala n di a s m a ll to wn on the I n d ra a n i R ive r a bo u t twelve m iles n o rth y Bu t of Poo n a Vi th oba a n d Ra kh m a i settled a t Al a n di a ltho u gh the u n i o n wa s i n othe r respects h a ppy e n o u gh it wa s n ot bless e d with child re n I n a fit of m ela n choly c au sed by the de a th of his pa re n ts Vi thoba wen t to Be n a r es an d bec a m e Thi s wa s a s in on his p art for n o on e a s a n y ass i or a n cho rite who h a s a chi ldless wife sho u ld ta ke s a n y us E ven tu a lly his precepto r R a m a n a n d h a ppen ed to go to Ala n di a n d m et the Fro m h er lips he le a rn t the tru e fa cts He un h a ppy R a kh m a i d rove Vi th oba ou t of his herm ita ge a n d return ed to Ben a r es fo rce d hi m to live with hi s wife a t A la n di Ra kh m a i welco m ed hi m ho m e a n d thei r re un io n w a s blessed with the bi rth of fo u r chi ld ren — Ni v ra tti Dn y an d ev Sopa n a a n d Mu kt a ba i who were Vishn u Bra h m a d ev a respectively the i n c arn a tio n s of S hi va ,

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The retu rn of Vi th oba to a m a rried ho u seholde r s life a fte r he h a d ta ke n a vow of a sceticis m deeply offe n ded the B ra hm a n s

106

A

Al a n

H IS TO RY OF

MARA TH A P E OP L E

THE

A n d whe n he wi s hed to h a ve di They o u tca sted hi m hi s eldest s on i n vested with the s a c r ed thre a d they re fused to perform the ce rem on y un less he cou ld get the B ra hm a n s o f Pa itha n a holy pla ce on the God a va ri to give hi m a letter of purifica tion Ni v ra tti wi th hi s two brothers a n d hi s siste r wen t to Pa ith an There the B ra hm an s he ard their c as e a n d decided th a t there wa s o n ly on e pen a n ce for s u ch a c rim e a s the return of the a n cho r ite to m a r ried life The pe n iten t m u st prostra te hi m s elf before every dog pig h a re a s s or c ow th a t he m et thi n ki n g a ll the ti m e of the god Bra h m a d ev a Ni vr a tti a n d hi s br others a n n oyed the B ra h m a n s by receivi n g the sen ten ce chee rfu lly The B ra hm a n s a sked Dn y a n d ev wh a t right he h a d to a n a m e which bein g i n terpreted m e a n t the god of wisdo m Ju st then a bu ffa lo p a ssed c a rryin g a skin of wa ter L et us ” c a ll thi s bu fl a lo Dn y a n d ev s ai d the B ra hm a n s ; he is every Dn y a n d ev r eplied bit a s wise a s the r e al o wn er of the n am e re a dily th a t they we r e welco m e to c a ll i t by hi s n a m e For i n the sight of Krishn a m en a n d a n im a ls wer e a like The B ra hm an s r eto rted If the b u ffa lo is yo ur equ a l a n d y ou a re re a lly a ” Dn y a n d ev rose a n d pl a ced le arn ed m an let it recite the Veda s his h a n d on the b u ffa lo s he a d Stra ightwa y it r ecited a ll fou r Ved a s wi tho u t a n e rror This m ira cle followed by other s co n vi n ced the B ra hm a n s of the s a i n tly ch ara cte r of Ni v ra tt i a n d his f a m ily They ga ve Ni v ra tti a letter of pu rific a tio n a n d the B ra h m a n s o f Al a n d i h a d pe rfo rce to a ccept it In vesti n g Ni v ra tti a n d hi s two br others with the s a cred th re a d they a dm itted hi m i n to the B ra h m an c a ste A t A l a n di Dn y an d ev wr o u ght m a n y othe r m i ra cles A t Newa s a he wr ote the Dn ya n es hwa ri or M a ra thi co m m e n t ary on the Bhagwa t Gi te thu s disclosin g the te a chin g of Krishn a to the hum blest of the Ma ra th a people Besides the Dn y a n es h wa r t Dn y a n d ev wr ote the A m ri ta n u bka u an d the Dn ya n es hwa r

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When hi s li fe work wa s don e he wished to ta ke s a m a d hi * or i n other words be b uried a live a t Pa n d h a rpur The poet Na m d ev h as told the story of Dn y an d ev s en d i n be a u ti fu l a n d -

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Na m d ev

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Char i tm

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198

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‘

A

1 08

HI S TO RY OF

T HE

MA RA THA PE OPL E

where Dn y an d ev a n d his brothers a n d siste r died bec a m e c en tres fr om whi ch the Pa n dhar pur ten ets we re pro m ulga ted fro m the Bhi m a to the Ta pti a n d from Al a n di to Sa s wa d Men who to e a ch other m a de pilgri m a ges to these shr in es wer e d ra wn by thei r co m m on kn owledge of the Mara thi speech a n d of the I n thi s wa y ther e c am e d octrin es of the Pa n dh a rp ur s a i n ts i n to existen ce the begi n n in gs of a n a tion a l feeli n g I n course Of ti m e the Decc a n govern m en ts c u t o ff fro m the recruitin g gr oun ds of Afgha n i sta n a n d Cen tra l As i a bega n to e m ploy Mara th a clerks Ma ra tha soldiers a n d Ma ra tha fin a n ciers The Ma ra thi la n gu a ge c a m e t o be the la n gu a ge n ot o n ly of the Bu t whi le Ah m a d n a ga r offiees bu t of the Ah m a d n a ga r co urt the Mus u lm an Offici a ls dissip a ted their vigou r i n vice a n d riot the Hin du s o win g to the te a chi n gs of the s a in ts of Pa n dh a rpu r led cle an a n d m an ly lives So i t c a m e a bou t th a t the religio m ove m e n t m a de r e a dy the p a th for the n a tio n a l he r o who wa s to fr ee Mah a ra shtra from the foreign yoke Whe n he a ppe a red gre a t beyo n d hu m an a n ticip a tion reli gion ga ve to hi s gen i u s a fe rvou r which he wa s a ble to i m pa rt to the co m ra des of hi s yo u th a n d the pe a s an ts of hi s fa the r s villa ges Thu s i n spired his h a lf tra in ed levies fou ght with the va lo ur of Cortez c om p a n ion s or of Crom well s cui ra ssiers .

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CHA PT ER XII TH E

R IS E A D .

OF TH E B H OSL E S 1 600

.

TO

1 63

WE m u st n ow retu rn o n ce m o re to the u n ha ppy ki n gdo m of The fa ll of the city b u ilt r o un d the p a la ce of Ahm a dn a ga r the gre a t A h m a d Niz a m Sha h did n ot le a d to the e n ti re s ub A n A n i a n n a m ed M a lik A m b a r of the ki n gdo m byssi t i on ec j who h a d bee n a depe n d a n t of Jen ghiz Kh a n the co n qu eror ra r r a ised to the th ro n e a n othe r descen d a n t of A h m a d of Be Niza m Sh a h a n d co n fe rred on hi m the title of Murta z a Niz a m Sh a h II A s Ah m a d n a ga r co u ld n o lo n ge r serve a s a c a pita l Ma lik A m ba r m a de the he a d qua rters of his gove rn m en t a t Kha dki or the R ocky Town bu ilt by hi m un der the sha dow of the gre a t fo rtress of D a u la ta b a d The E m peror A ur a n gz i b i n a fte r y e a rs ch a n ged the n a m e of Kh a dki to A u ra n ga b a d by which a ppell a tio n it is kn own to d a y So m ewha t e a rlie r Prin ce S eli m the s on of A kb a r a n d a fterwa rds the E m per o r Jch a n gir r ebell ed a ga in st his fa ther Whe n the rebel h a d bee n won b a ck by his f a ther s cle m en cy a n d pa tien ce Pri n ce D an i ya l Akba r s thi rd s on to who m he h a d e n tru sted the gove rn m en t died of i n tem pe ra n ce These of Ah m a d n a ga r a n d Kh a n desh c a la m ities broke the he a lth of the gre a t e m pe ro r a n d on O ctobe r 5 1 605 A kb a r p a ssed a wa y le a vin g Prin ce Se li m to s u cceed hi m The n ew e m pero r m o un ted the thron e with less di ffic ulty tha n hi s su ccesso rs Neve rtheless his eldest son Kh u sr u rebelled a n d h a d to be defe a ted befo re Jch a n gi r co u ld feel hi m s elf m a ste r of u pper I n dia The Si x ye ars whi ch ha d p a ssed between the fa ll of Ah m a d m ost u sefu lly spe n t n a ga r an d the defe a t of Khu s ru h a d been by Ma lik A m b a r a m an of co n s um m a te ta len ts a n d e n e rgy He in trodu ced a n ew rev en ue syste m which m a de hi s gove rn m e n t .

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H I ST ORY OF TH E M ARA THA PE OPLE

A

1 10

pop ula r a n d a lthou gh he retain ed a ll the power i n hi s own han ds he yet won the love a n d esteem of the youn g kin g I n A D 1 61 0 he believed hi m s elf stron g e n ou gh to a ttem pt the con qu est of the e n tire Ahm a dn a ga r From 161 0 to 161 5 he wa s a lm ost con tin u ou sly s u ccessfu l s t a te H e r etook Ah m a d n a ga r fo rt a n d n ot o n ly r ecover ed a ll th e Ah m a dn a ga r kin gdo m except on e or two districts i n the extre m e n o rth bu t a ls o r etook a l a rge p a rt of Be ra r The loss of territory a n d the defe a ts of hi s gen era ls led * the e m per o r t o a ppoin t hi s eldest s on Sh a h J eh a n to con d u ct th e c a m p a ign a ga i n st Ma li k A m b a r Sh a h Jeh a n h a d a lr e a dy won gre a t distin ctio n by hi s r edu ctio n of Ud a ipur an d n owi n com m a n d of a n um ero us a rm y he soon in flicted a series of M a lik A m b a r a n d d rove hi m fro m Ah m a dn a ga r revers es on fort The victo riou s cour se of the Mogh ul arm ies was then checked by a c urious in trigu e a t Delhi ( A D Nur Jcha n the all powerful e m press h a d hi therto been a warm fri en d a n d Sh a h Jeh a n Bu t h a vin g m a rried s u ppo rte r of h er stepso n h er d augh ter by h er fo rm er h u sb a n d to Pri n ce Sh a hriya r th e e m peror s youn gest s on Sh e tra n sferr ed her su pport to h er s on i n la w 1 S he i n d u ced J c h a n gir to r ec a ll S h a h J c h a n fro m the Decc an a n d to e n trus t to h i m a n expedition a ga in st Ka n d a ha r by the Persia n s Sha h Jeha n s us pected a n recen tly t a ke n i n trigu e a n d refu sed to le a ve the Decc an un til s om e gu a ran tee of the e m pe ror s good f a ith wa s give n hi m Nur Jeh a n a rtfully i n fla m ed her hus b a n d s m i n d a ga in st the i n su bo rdin a te prin ce whose fiefs were con fisc a ted a n d given t o Shahr iyar At the s a m e ti m e severa l of Sh a h J eh an s frie n d s were exec u ted as his fellow con spira to rs Sh a h Jeh a n h a d n ow n o h Op e s a v e i n r ebelli o n He withdrew hi s arm y fro m the Deccan a n d m ar chi n g t owa rds A gra fo u ght a n i n decisive a ctio n wi th the roya l troops F a ilin g to Obta in the firs t victo ry essen ti a l i n Cen tra l I n di a to an i n surgen t Shah Jeh an retre a ted throu gh Gu z a ra t in to Kh a n desh from Kh an desh to Be n ga l a n d fr om Ben ga l ba ck There he threw hi m s elf on the m ercy of his i n to the Decc a n at

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Pr i n c e Kh a rra m H i s tory p 5 6 3

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A

12

H IS T ORY

TH E MARATH A

or

PE O PL E

by the prin ce for whom M a lik Am b ar h a d c re a ted a kin g Mur t a z a Niz a m Sha h II h a d re a ched m a n hood a n d d om a bilities on e whose were of the r ese n ted the a u tho rity of co m m on est order With the a id of a n o fficer c a lled Tukarri b But Khan he en ded the rege n cy a n d i m prison ed Fa teh Kha n the prin ce s a bilities wer e even feebler tha n those of the fa llen r ege n t a n d he wa s soo n i n volved i n t r o u bles whi ch l a sted un til Kha n Jeh a n L odi the Moghu l co m m an der with hi s de a th who m F a teh Kh a n h a d m a de pe a ce w a s a perso n a l foe o f Sh a h Jeh a n Shortly a fter the l a tter s a ccession ( A D 1628 ) he open ly r ebelled a n d a fter eva din g the roya l pursuit m a de hi s Mu rta z a Niz a m Sha h i n a n evil m o m en t wa y to D a u l a t a b a d m a de the fugitive s c a u se his own a n d th u s b r o u ght on hi m self Sh a h J eb a n took the field i n perso n , a n other Mogh u l Wa r defe a ted Mur ta z a Niz a m Sh a h s a rm y i n f ro n t of D a u la ta b a d a n d drivin g Kh a n Jeh a n L odi ou t o f the Decc a n defe a ted a n d slew hi m i n Cen tra l I n di a The de a th of Kha n Jeh a n L odi did n ot en d the tr ou bles of A hm a dn a ga r The Moghu ls co n tin u ed their efforts a ga in st Murta z a Niz a m Sha h a n d the ho rrors of wa r were dou bled by the a cciden t of a f a m i n e A t la st Mur t a z a Niz a m Sh a h i n des pa i r turn ed to hi s form er regen t Fa teh Kha n a n d r ele a sin g hi m fro m priso n pl a ced hi m o n ce m or e This a ct co m pleted the kin g s rui n F a teh i n a u thority Kha n on r e a ssu m i n g power thr ew his m a ste r i n to prison He then pu t hi m to de a th a n d pla cin g Mu rt a z a Niz am Sha h s * on the th ro n e decl a r ed hi m self to be o n ce i n fa n t s on Hu ssein m o r e r ege n t on the chi ld s beh a lf A t this poin t I m u st i n trod u ce to m y re a de r s a Ma ra th a m erits n oble n a m ed Sh a h a ji Bh os le fa m ou s b oth for hi s own to r of the Mara tha n a tion a n d a s the f a the r o f Sh i v a ji the libe ra His fa m ily cla im ed descen t fro m Sa ja n a Sin g the gra n dson of L a kshm an Sin g the a n cesto r of the ho u se of Ud a ipu r On e of the f a m ily Dev ra jji by n a m eq a fte r a qu a rrel with the R a n a There he a n d his descen d a n ts of Ud a ipur fled to the Decc a n .

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1 14

HI S TO RY

T H E M AR ATHA PE OPLE

or

the m e an ti m e Vi th op h a d return ed ho m e a n d m i ssin g Ma loji wen t to look for hi m a n d fo un d hi m i n a swoon Vi th oji r o u sed hi s br othe r fro m who m he le a rn t wh a t h a d occurred They wen t ho m e a n d n ext m orn i n g the two brothers wen t to the a n t he a p d ug there fo un d the tre a sur e a n d took it to Sh esh a ji N a ik a t Shrigo n d a To hi m a lso h a d been vo u chs a fed a vision of Bh a va n i She h a d reve a led herself to hi m a n d h a d bidden hi m keep f a ithfu lly the m o n ey en trus ted to hi m by Maloji With it Ma loji bu ilt a tem ple a t Veru l kn own In as Ghri s hn es h wa r a n d a te m ple a n d a t a n k a t S hi n gn a pur 1 5 7 7 Ma loji a n d Vi th op e n tered the se rvice of a M ara th a b a ro n th e an cesto r of n a m ed J a gp a tra o or Va n a n gp a l Ni m b a lkar the presen t chi ef of Ph a lta n They rose ra pidly to the com m an d with whi ch they ha rried Bij a pur of severa l tho u s a n d ho rse territo ry On e d a y a s they we r e b a thi n g they wer e surp rised by a Bij a pu r force But with cool da ri n g they ra llied thei r horsem en a n d rou ted their oppon en ts The fa m e of their s u ccess the n kin g of Ah m a d r e a ched the e a r s of M ur t a z a Niz a m Sh a h I rothe rs a n d g a ve the m m ploy r He s o ed the two b e a um m n g m en t i n hi s a rm y wher e they a ttra cted the n otice of the le a d i n g M ara tha n oble a t the Ahm a dn a ga r co ur t L a kh oji Ja d ha v ra o Thro u gh hi s in flu en ce Maloji obt a in ed a s a bride Di p a ba i the hi s fo rm e r m a ste r For s i ste r of Va n a n gp a l Ni m b a lka r m an y ye a r s the un ion wa s n ot blessed by a n y chi ldren Ma loji built ta n ks fo un ded te m ples to the gods a n d m a de pilgri m a ges to the f a m ous te m ple of Bh a va n i a t Tulj a pur He visited the shrin e of a Mu sulm a n bu t to n o purpose s a in t n a m ed S ha h Sh a rif T Then a t l a st his piety a n d p atien ce were rewa rded I n 1 5 9 4 Di p aba i bore her hus b a n d who m i n gra teful r ecollectio n of Sh a h Sha rif they a s on I n 15 9 7 a secon d s on was bo rn whom they n a m ed Sh a h a ji c a lled Sh a ri fji In

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T hi

gp a l N i m b a lkar h a d a grea t rep u t a t i on for bra v er y , a s R a o Va n b e g a t h ered fro m t h e a r a t hi pro v er b w hich i s s t ill c urr en t ” b a o Va n a n gp a l i s a m a t c h for 12 v a z i rs R l a ra V a z i r a n c h a ka l, a , p s

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Gran t Duff s a ys th a t Sh a h a n en ga ged t h e pra yers B a kha r B u t b o th th e S hi v d i gv zjuy rt a n d t h e S hed ga v ka r B a klza rs of Sh a h Sh a r if H e h a d lon g h i s Wife pra yed a t th e to m b of t h e s a i n t s a y t h a t Ma loji a n d been dea d a n d b uried TS hed ga v ka r

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TH E

R IS E

TH E BH OSL E S

or

1 15

Con n ected by m a rria ge with a n a n cie n t M a ra th a hou se fortun a te i n the possessio n of he a ve n sen t tre a s ur e a n d n ow fa the r of two son s M a lo p h a d re a so n to hope tha t Bha va n i s p rophecy to hi m m i ght be fu lfilled He co n ceived the design Sha ha ji to the d a u ghte r of L a kh oji of u n iti n g hi s eldest s on J a d h a v r a o hi s powe rfu l p a tro n : The desi gn see m ed a t fi rst hopeless La kho y Ja d h a v ra o cla i m ed desce n t from the a n cie n t Ya d a va ki n gs of Dev a gi ri He wa s d eskm ukk of Si n d khe d a n d co m m an d ed i n the Ah m a d n a g a r se rvice a d i v isio n of ho rse I n A D 1 5 9 9 fo rtun e fa vo ur ed the a spiri n g a dve n tur e r Sh a h ap wa s a very fin e little boy stur dy He bec a m e the i n sep ara ble a n d i n tellectu a l a bove the o rdi n a r y * r a co m pa n io n o f hi s f a the On e d y whi le still a chi ld he wen t with his f a ther to the hou se of his pa tro n L a kh oji to celebra te se n t a lso wa s J i ja ba i the d a u ghter of the H oli festiva l Pre L a kho y a little girl on e ye a r yo un ge r tha n Sha h a ji It is u s u a l a t the Holi festiv a l for g u ests a n d hosts to a m u se the m s elves by s qui rtin g red colo ur ed wa te r over e a ch other s clothes an d fa ces The chi ld re n m i m icked the a ctio n o f their p a ren ts L a kh op hi s he a rt soften ed by the ga y sce n e a n d a ttra c ted by Wh a t a fin e p a ir they wi ll Sh a h a ji s be a u ty excl a im ed ” Ma loji a t o n ce d rew the a tten tion of the gu ests to m a ke " the r em ark a n d c a lled u pon the m to n ote th a t L a kh oji h a d betrothed h i s d a u ghte r J i ja ba i to Sh a ha ji L a kh oji a ppe ars t a ken a b a ck Bu t pressed by the other a t fi rst to h a ve bee n gu ests he see m s a f te rwa rds to ha ve pro m i sed Ma loji tha t his s on Sh a h a j i sho u ld h a ve J i ja ba i a s hi s bride 1 The s a m e eve n i n g The prou d L a kh oji t old his wife Mh als a b a i wh a t he h a d don e wo m a n deeply resen ted the betroth a l of h er d a u ghter of on e who m she re m e m ber ed a s h er hus to the s on b a n d s clie n t She p ressed La kho u stro n gly to b re a k off the ,

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G ra n t D u ff wri tes t h a t Sh a h a j i wa s th m i n h i s 5 th yea r Th e S hi vd i gv ij y a B a kba r gi es h s a ge a s 9 o r 1 0 A cc ordi n g to M a r a t h a a u t h ori t ies J i ja ba i wa s b o rn i n 1 5 9 5 B t b oth t he 1 G ra n t D ff i n s i s ts t h a t L a kh o ii n ev er c on s en t d t hen n t d t he am e S h i v d i g j a /a a n d t h e S h ed y a v k r B kh s s a y t h i t h e c o O ther wi s e Ma loji wo ld h a rdly e v en i n g I th n k th i t h e m s t h a v e don e s o h a v e been a ble t o keep h i m t o h i s p ro m i s e a

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116

A

H IS T ORY OF TH E M AR ATH A PEO P LE

i ge Next d a y L a kh op i n vi ted MalOJI to a di n n er pa rty m a ki n g n o r efer e n ce to the e n g a ge m e n t o f thei r c hi ld re n Ma loji decli n ed the i n vita tion un less L a kh oji un dertook pu bli cly to recogn i ze Sh a h a p a s hi s f u tur e s on — la w L a kh oji s m a rti n g in — f rom Mh als a ba i s r epro a ches refused to do so M a lop the n left Ah m a dn a ga r on a pilgri m a ge to Tul j a pu r where prostra te a t the feet of Bh a v an i s i m a ge he i m plo r e d h er divi n e a ssista n ce The s a m e n i ght he ha d a dre a m i n whi ch she a ppe a red before hi m She pr om ised hi m h er con sta n t help a n d a ssur ed hi m tha t he woul d co m e by the desi re of hi s he a rt R etur n i n g to Ahm ad * a h a a a J d v r o a u he ch llen ged to d el Murt a z a Nizam n a ga r Sha h II he a rd of the dispu te a n d su m m on ed both t o a tten d hi s co u rt a n d expla i n thei r con d u ct Ma loji st a ted hi s c a s e plea d i n g th a t J a d h a v r ao h a d prom ised his d a u ghter Ji ja ba i to S ha ha ji L a kh OJI a d m itted tha t he b u t n ow r efu sed to keep his wo rd h a d s a id som ethi n g of the so rt bu t m a i n ta i n ed th a t he h a d spoke n i n j est on ly Mur t a z a Niz a m Sh a h II who liked Maloji a n d h a d n o wi sh to d rive a ga ll a n t soldie r to t a ke se rvice else where pr essed the m a tch On J a d h av ra o a n d to overcom e the obj ection s of his wife pro m oted Ma lo p to the co m m a n d of 5 000 horse ga ve hi m Poon a a n d Su pa i n fief t o su pport the m a n d further m a de hi m com m an d an t of the fortresses Of Shi vn er a n d Cha ka n with the title of Ra ja f i Ja d h a v ra o co uld n o lon ger wi thhold hi s co n sen t a n d the m a rri a ge of Sh a h a ji a n d Ji ja ba i i n 1 604 wa s celebra ted with gr e a t ce r e m on i a l a n d wa s ho n our ed F rom thi s ti m e un til b y the presen ce of the ki n g i n pe rson hi s de a th i n 1 61 9 Ma loji i n cr e a sed i n the f a vo ur of Ma lik A m b a r When he d ied hi s s on Sh a h a ji wh oh a d gr own u p a ga ll a n t a n d c a p a ble soldier su cceeded to hi s esta te The n ext ye a r Sha ha ji gre a tly disti n gu ished hi m self i n the fightin g a gai n st the Moghu ls L a kh oji Bu t i n spite of hi s ga ll an try M a li k Am b a r wa s defe a ted m arr a

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g a cc ordin g to Feri s h ta wa s extrem ely c om m on i n t h e A h m a dn a ga r [ h e s t ory of Ma loji s ch a llen ge to ki n gdo m from th e t i m e o f t h e firs t kin g h S h ed ga vka r B a kha r S i i i a y a B a kha r T e i n h e h v d v i l f d t oun b e l w o a a d h v r g a J j r owi n g t wo d ea d e ki n t a l h c d t h e tt e n t i on o f t h e g by h a t r i a t t a l o M a t s t a t e re j b oa rs in t o a m os qu e T here i s n ot hin g i m pos s ible i n t his ta le either I ha v e a a k in Ka thi awa r a n d ris k m y s elf kn own a m a n pl a c e a b oul der on a ra ilw y t r c dera ilin g a tra in s i m ply t o c a ll a tten ti on t o a pr iv a te griev a n ce n a m ly t ha t h i s w if e h a d run a wa y G n t Duff Vol 1 p 9 2 ra T *

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1 18

A

H IST ORY

M A RA THA PE O PLE

OF THE

Moghuls wh o were then fightin g a ga in st Murta z a Niza m Sha h II But a fte r m a ki n g extra va gan t de m an ds fro m their gen era l Az im Kha n Ra n d ulla Kh a n a ctin g on i n s tructio n s f ro m B ij a e S h a h II ur n ter ed i n to n egoti a tio n s with Mur t a z a Niz a m p Befo re the plot cou ld m a ture A zim Kha n he ard of it a n d m a kin g a surprise a tta ck on the B ij a pur a rm y severely defe a ted it It wa s hi s desp a ir a t thi s defe a t whi ch pro m pted Murt a z a Niz a m S ha h II t o c a ll Fa teh Kh a n to hi s ai d with the re sults tha t h a ve been a lre a dy rela ted Wh en Shah a p en tered the Bi ] a pu r ser vice th a t ki n gdo m wa s still a t wa r wi th the Moghu ls He pressed on Ma ho m ed Adil Sh ah a n i m m edi a te a tta ck on D au l a ta b a d The kin g a gr eed an d pla ced Sh a h a ji i n co m m a n d of a l a r ge B i j a pu r fo rce F a teh * Kh a n i n a larm wrote to Ma ha b a t Kh a n the Moghu l gen era l He i n return un derto o kto s u rren de r a n d begged for hi s help D a ul a ta b a d a n d hold the rest of the kin gdo m a s a va ss a l of Delhi Ma h a b a t Kha n willin gly a gr eed a n d sen t a picked force * to throw the m selves in to D a ula ta b a d un de r Kh a n J a m a n hi s s on while he c a m e a fterwa rds with the m a in a rm y Bu t qui ckly Sha h a ji i a n d hi s Bij a pur troops a s the Moghu l c a v a lry rode s u cceed ed i n rode f a ste r s till a n d rea c hi n g D a u l a t a b a d first con vi n cin g F a teh Kh an tha t hi s re a l in terest la y i n desertin g hi s Moghu l a llies a n d i n m a ki n g co m m o n c a us e wi th B i j a pur If Fa teh Khan resign ed a ll cla i m s to Shol a p ur a n d its five a n d a h alf districts Ma h o m ed Ad il Sha h would let hi m retai n Da u la ta Fa teh b a d a n d a ll th a t still re m a i n ed of the Ah m a dn a ga r sta te Kh a n a ttra cted by the offer a ccepted it An d S ha ha j i at on ce threw a garrison a n d provisio n s i n to the fo rtress When the Moghu l a dva n ce gua rd re a ched its wa lls they we re greet ed with a s a lvo of a rtille ry M a ha ba t Kha n wa s n a tur a lly e n ra ged a t the t re a che ry He a tta cked Sh a h a ji s tr oops d rove the m an d getti n g between them a n d D a u la ta ba d regula rly a wa y i n vested it E ver sin c e i ts con stru ction by Ma hom ed Tughla k ,

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B a d s ha h Na m

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B a d s ha h N a m e , p 3 8 Before s tart i n g on t his expedi t i on Sha ha ji a n d Mu ra t J a gd ev w eigh ed t hem s el v es a g a i n s t g old i n a v ill a ge c a lled Na g a rga on on th e b a n ks of t h e B hi m a hi s in ciden t ha s c a used i t to be kn own a s Tula p ur to t his d a y

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T

TH E R IS E

OF THE

BH OSL E S

it had

11 9

been regarded a s i m pregn a ble a n d Mali k Am bar h a d gre a tly i n cre a sed its stren gth Nevertheless the i m peri a l a rm y i n whi ch we re l a rge bodies of R a j pu ts storm ed its n i n e b a stion s on e a fte r the othe r a n m e ti m e r epu lsed a ll Sh a h a i s the s a t a d j effo rts to relieve it A t l a st Fa t eh Kh an for eseei n g the i m m i n e n t fa ll of his stron ghold su ed for a n d wa s gra n ted term s I n r eturn for a p a ym en t of t en l a khs of ru pees he s urre n der ed D a ula ta b a d a n d the person of Hus sein Niz a m Shah the s on of M urt a z a Niz a m Sha h II Both were sen t to Delhi The property of the un ha ppy Hu ssein wa s wholly con fis ca ted a n d he wa s i m prison ed with B a ha dur Sh a h i n Gwa lior fort The tra ito r Fa teh Kha n received a gra n t of l an d va lu ed a t RS ,

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de on e la st despera te a ttem pt to retrieve the fortun es of the c a m pa i gn When the Moghul gen era l Ma h a b a t Kha n withd rew with hi s spoils a n d c a ptives he left a garrison i n D a u la t a b a d The a rm y wa s n o soon e r ou t of sight than Sha ha ji s troops occu pied the besieger s e n tre n ch m en ts a n d tried to ta ke the fortress by sto rm But the com m a n d a n t * a wa s a vete ra n Kh n D a ura n soldier He fou ght severa l v i cto rio u s a ctio n s a ga i n st Sh a h a ji a n d d rivi n g hi m b a ck s u cceed ed i n sen din g m essen gers to M a ha b a t Khan The la tter a t o n ce r et urn ed with a ll speed to D a u la t a b a d a n d Sh a h a ji retre a t ed to wa rds Bij a pur He wa s howeve r n ot yet a t the en d of hi s r eso ur ces So m e where or other he discove re d a n other in fa n t descen d a n t of Ahm a d Niz a m Sh a h a n d proclai m i n g hi m kin g d ecla red hi m self r egen t d uri n g the child s m in ority A t fir st he m et with so m e s u ccess a n d with the help of the Bij a pur tr oops defe a ted the Moghu ls a t P a re n d a a n d d rove the m ou t of Ah m a d n a gar i n to Ther e Ma ha b a t Kh an d ied of fistul a a n d Sh a h J eh a n r esolved o n ce m o r e to t a ke the field i n pe rso n So lon g a s Bij a pur wa s n ot cru shed the re wo uld be s o the e m pe r o r felt co n ti n u ed i n sur r ectio n s i n the Ahm a dn a ga r provi n ces He therefore en tered on a c a m pa ign a gai n st both m a

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H IS T ORY OF TH E M A RA THA PE O PLE

A

m en Sha ha ji a n d the B i j a p ur kin g with a n a rm y of * 2 0 0 0 0 m en un de r Kh a n D a ura n O f these the la te co m m an d a n t of Da ula ta ba d w e re to a tt a ck a n d ove rru n the Bij a pu r ki n gdo m m en un de r Kh a n Z a m a n the s on o f Ma ha b a t Kha n w er e to ove rwhelm Sh ah a ji a n d the n j oin fo rces with Khan Da ur a n T Sh a h a ji howeve r p rbv ed too ski lfu l for hi s oppon en t Em ployi n g the s a m e t a ctics for whi ch Shi v a ji a fterwa rds bec a m e fam ou s Sha ha ji eva ded pitched b a ttles , bu t co n sta n tly out m a rch n g the i m peri a l tr oops i n fli cted repe a ted reve rses on i thei r re argu ard A t la st Sha h Jeh a n ordered Kh an Z a m a n to le a ve the purs uit of Sh a h a ji a n d to j oi n Kh a n D a ura n i n the a tta c k on Bij a pur Seve ra l i n de cisive en ga ge m e n ts followed between the Moghuls a n d the a rm y of Ma ho m ed Adil Shah At la st both sides we ar y Of the wa r c a m e to te rm s On Ma y 6 1 63 6 Ma hom ed A dil S h a h a greed to a b a n d o n Sh a h a ji a n d I n r eturn he r eceived Pa ren da to he lp i n his r ed u ctio n Shola pur with its fiv e an d a h a lf d i s tri cts i the Ahm a dn a ga r Kon ka n a s fa r n orth a s B a ssei n the co un try between the Bhi m a an d th e Ni ra R ive rs fa r n orth a s Ch a ka n a n d a lso the as dis tricts of Na ld urga Ka ly an i a n d Bed a r i n the Cen tra l Decc an § Shah a ji h a d n ow to fa ce both th e Moghuls a n d the Bij a p ur a rm y Nev erth eles s he co n d u cted a m ost ga lla n t defe n c e Kh a n Zam a n i n vested Jun n a r the fort wherei n Sha h a ji h a d m a de hi s c a pi ta l S ha ha ji le a vi n g a ga rri so n the re so ha ra ssed the c om m un ic a tion s of the Moghuls th a t h a d they been un a ided the wo uld h a ve h a d to ra ise the siege o Kh a n Z T a m a n s ai d y however wen t Ra n d ulla Kh an with the Bij a pur troops A tta cked both f ro m n o rth an d sou th Sh a h a ji retre a ted skilfu lly through the Sahy a d ri s i n to the Kon kan There do ubli n g on hi s tra ck he r eti red thr o u gh the s a m e p a sses a n d re a ched the Desh whi le hi s pur s u ers still sou ght for hi m to the west of the When they le a rn t of hi s esc a pe the com bin ed Sa hy a d ris with gre a t expedition a n d a t l a st brou ght a rm ies followed hi m .

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B ad s ha h N a/m a , p 5 2 15 1 G ff I p o l D u V ra n t , , I ’ Sh l een c ede d t o B i a pur a s Ch a n d Bibi s a n d 5 5 d i s tric ts h a d a pur o I a li k A m b a r reto ok t h em i n 1 624 dowr y on h er m a rr ia ge t o Ali A dil Sha h from Bij a pu r a fter h i s vi c tory of B h at v a d i ( Shi vd i gq ija ya B a khq r) For t ex t of t rea t y, s ee A ppen dix , p 1 22 .

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1 22

H I STO RY

A

OF

T H E MA R AT HA PEO PLE

A PP E N D I X

TE X T

R

OF T EA

TY

BE TWE E N DE L

HI

R

A ND B IJA P U

i n g o f Bi j a pu r m u s t a c kn owledge t he ov erlord s hi p of th e em peror a n d p rom i s e t o Ob ey h i s orders i n fu t u re ( 2) Th e p rete n c e of a Niza m Sha hi ki n gdom m u s t b e en ded a n d a ll i ts terri tori es di v ided b etween t h e em p eror a n d th e Bij a p u r ki n g A dil Sh a h m u s t n ot v i ola te th e n ew i m p er i a l fron t i er n or let h i s s erv a n t s hi n d er t he Moghu l Ofli eers i n occ u pyi n g a n d s ettli n g the n ewly a n n exed di s tric ts ( 3 ) Th e ki n g of Bij a pu r wa s t o ret a in a ll h i s a n ces tra l terri tory wi th th e followi n g a ddi t i on s from the Ahm a d n a ga r ki n gdom i n th e wes t th e Sh ola pur a n d Wa n gi Ma h a ls b etween th e B hi m a a n d t h e Si n a R i v ers i n clu di n g th e f orts of Sh ola pur a n d Pa ren d a ; i n th e n orth ea s t t h e p a r ga n a s of Bha lki a n d Ch i d gu p a ; a n d t h a t p ort i on of t h e K on ka n which h a d on c e b elon ged t o t he Niz a m Sh a hi s i n cl udi n g th e Poo n a a n d Ch a ka n di s t ric t s T hese a cqu i s i tion s c om pri s ed 5 9 p a rga n a s a n d yi elded a rev en u e of 20 la khs of hun s or 80 l a kh s of ru pees Th e res t of t h e Niza m Sha hi ki n gdom wa s t o b e rec ogn i s ed as a n n exed to t h e em pi re b eyon d qu es t i on o r d ou b t ( 4 ) A dil Sh a h m u s t p a y th e em peror a p ea c e o ffer i n g of twen ty la kh s of ru p ees i n c a s h a n d ki n d Bu t n o a n n u a l tr ibu te wa s i m p os ed ( 5 ) Golc on da bei n g n ew a s ta te u n der i m p eri a l protec t i on A dil Sh a h m u s t i n f u t ure trea t i t w i t h fri en d s hip res p ec t i t s f ron t ier a n d n ev er d em a n d c os tly pres en t s from the ki n g to Who m h e m u s t b eha v e li ke a n elder b ro ther ( 6 ) E a ch s ide u n derto ok n o t t o s ed u c e the offic ers of t h e o th er from t heir m a s ter s s erv ic e n or to en tert a i n des ert er s a n d Sha h Jeh a n p rom i s ed for h i m s elf a n d h i s s on s t h a t t h e B ij a p u r ki n g wou ld n ev er b e c a lled u p on to t ra n s fer a n y of h i s O ffic ers to t h e i m peri a l s erv i c e ( 7 ) Sh a h a j i Bh os le wh o h a d s et u p a p ri n c eli n g of the h ou s e of Niz am Sha h s ho u ld n ot be a d m i tted to o ffic e u n der Bij a pu r un les s h e c eded J un n a r Tri m b a k a n d the other fort s s t ill i n h i s ha n ds to Sha h Jeha n I f h e decli n ed h e wa s n ot to be h a r bou red i n Bij a pu r t erri tory n or ev en a ll owed to en ter i t A dil

( 1)

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CHA PT ER XIII SH I VA J I S B I ’

RTH

A D .

A ND B O Y H O O D

1 627

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1645

To

i ge of Sh a h a j i to J i ja ba i a ppe ars i n spite of the differe n ces betw ee n Ma loji Bh os le a n d L a kh op J a dh a v ra o to h a ve bee n for the first few ye ars h a ppy e n o u gh I n 1 623 Ji ja ba i bor e h er lo rd a s on three ye a rs a fter thei r m a rri a ge He was c a lled Sa m bh a ji a n d bec a m e a gre a t fa vo urite of his f a ther a fte r j u st a s Sh ah a ji h a d bee n of Ma loji On A pril 1 0 a n i n te r v a l of fo u r ye ar s she bo r e Sh a h a ji a seco n d s on S evera l stories a re told i n s u pport of the gen e ra l belief tha t the b a by boy wa s a n i n c a rn a tion of the god Shi va A cha rm i n g on e is to be fo u n d i n the Skedga vka r Ba kha r D urin g the storm y ye ars th a t follo wed the bi rth of Sa m bh a ji Sha h aji e n ga ged i n the warlike e n te rprises en tru sted to hi m by M alik Am b a r foun d n o ti m e to p a y hi s wife co n j u g a l a tten tio n s On e n ight he d re a m t tha t he s a w a Gos a v i or Hi n du a n chorite clad i n ra gs a n d s m e a red with yellow a shes st a n d by hi s bedside a n d p u t a m a n go i n hi s h a n d Sh a re the fru it with yo ur wi fe s a id the a n chorite a n d y ou will beco m e the fa the r of a s on wh o will be a n i n c a rn a tio n of the god Shi va You m us t n eve r force hi m to s a l u te a Mus ul m a n a n d a fte r hi s twelfth ye a r y ou m us t le a ve ” When Sha ha ji a woke fr o m hi s hi m free to a c t a s he ple a ses d re a m he foun d a m a n go i n his h a n d vi sited hi s wife a n d sh a red it with h er The offspri n g of thi s r e un io n wa s the boy Shi v a ji bo rn on A pril 1 0 1627 Con vi n ced tha t the a n chorite who m he h a d seen i n his d re a m wa s the god Shi va Sh a h a ji ga ve the n ew b o rn chi ld the n a m e of Shi v a ji j u st a s Ma loji h a d c a lled Sha h a ji a fter the M u s ulm a n s a in t Sh a h Sha rif A cco rdi n g to a n other s to ry Sh a h a ji h a d a visio n of S hi v a a fter Shi v a ji s bi rth a n d wa s TH E

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M a ra thi

I ti luwa n c hi S ad ha

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4 2-4 3

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124

H IS TORY OF TH E MARATH A PEO PLE

A

then told by the god th a t the n ew bo rn boy wa s his Own i n * c a rn a tion When Shi v a ji w a s bo rn his m other J i ja b a i wa s li vin g A i n a hous e on the top of the Shi vn er fort close to Jun n a r ite whe r e the ho u se stood a n d a rui n ed wa ll still sta n ds on the S m a rble t a blet i n se rted i n it un de r the o rde rs of the Bo m b a y Gove rn m e n t by the la te Mr A M T Ja ckson keeps a live the m e m o ry of the gr e a test of I n di a n ki n gs a n d of on e of the wisest a n d best of m ode rn E n glishm e n E ven Shi v a ji s e a rly d a ys wer e n ot free from peril a n d a dve n tu r e Befo re hi s bi rth his gran dfa the r L a kh oji Ja d h a v ra o h a d j oin ed the Moghuls a n d Sh a h a j i by refu si n g to follow hi s exa m ple h a d i n curred his bitter en m ity The qu a rrel wa s ta ken u An d a lthou gh p by the othe r n obles i n the Moghu l se rvice L a kh oji J ad h av ra o died i n 1629 tre a che r ou sly a ss a ssin a ted a t D a u la ta ba d by Murta z a Niz a m Sha h II the h a tred born e by the Moghu ls to Sh ah a ji s urvived L a kh oji Ja d hav ra o s de a th A certa in M h a ld a r Kh a n o ri gi n a lly a ppoi n ted by Mur ta z a Niz a m Sha h II to be govern or of Tri m ba k deserted to Sha h Jeh an Wishi n g to secure the f a vou r of the e m pero r he a rr ested Sh ah aji s wife ( A D J i ja b ai s u cceeded i n hi di n g Shi v a ji bu t she herself was con fin ed i n the fort of Kon d an a D ur in g the three ye ars 1 633 to 1 636 i n whi ch Sha ha ji defied the Moghuls they m a de every e ffo rt to fin d ou t Shi v a i s hi di n g pla ce th a t they j Bu t J i ja b a i s wi t m ight hold hi m a s a host a ge for his f a ther b a ffl ed the m a n d Shi v a ji re m a in ed s a fe un til Sha h a ji s fin a l surren der E ven then Shi v a ji cou ld n ot e n j oy his fa ther s protection I n 163 0 Sh a h a ji h a d con tra cted a secon d m arri a ge wi th Tuka b a i a gi rl of the Mohi te f a m ily Thi s f a m ily a lthou gh of a n cien t desce n t wa s i n fe rio r i n r a n k to th a t of L a kh oji J a d h a v ra o a n d a fte r hi s seco n d m a rri a ge J i ja b a i see m s to h a ve b roken o ff a ll bu t form a l r ela tio n s with her hu sb a n d Wh en Shi v a ji wa s t en ye a r s old i t bec a m e ti m e a cco rd i n g to the c us to m of the d a y to a rra n ge hi s m arri a ge ; for th a t pur pose J i jaba i took h er s on to Bij a pur Ther e he was wedded t o on e Sa ib a i T the dau ghte r of Vi thoji Mohi te Newas kar -

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S a bha ca d B a klu r , p 2 1 An oth er ac c oun t m a kes .

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S a iba i da u ghter of J a gd evr a o Ni m ba lka r

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26

A

H IST ORY

TH E M A RATHA PE OPLE

or

g i ts c our se rise sta tely villa s a n d over its wa ters fli t bo a ts plied by En glish a n d In di a n rowers To the n orth of th e river m a y be see n the v a st fr o n t Of the Decc a n College of whi ch the wide court yards a n d red roofs bri n g b a ck to m e m ory the n a m es of m an y f a m o us m en To the sou th of the c a n ton m en t lies the city of Poon a a spot m ore i n terestin g even tha n its riva l to the p a ssi n g tra velle r I n its ve ry he art ri se the gi a n t b a stion s of the Sh a n wa r Wa d a which to d a y overa we the specta to r a s they did i n the d a ys of Ba ji ra o II To the n orth of it sta n ds the a n oble f am i ly who bo a st a n cie n t p a la ce of the Pu ra n d a res with pride tha t the fir st Chi tp a wa n Peshwa wa s o n ce a petty cle rk i n thei r a n cestor s O ffice To the e ast stan ds the ho m e whi ch like the a n cie n t dwellin gs of the Ita li a n of the R as tes a n d h a lf a fo rtified c a stle Behi n d the n obles i s h a lf a ho us e Sh an war Wa d a o n ce stoo d t h e p a la ce of Na n a Ph a d n a v i s Its siteis n ow occu pied by the b uildi n gs of the New En glish School To the west the m i ghty te m ple of On ka res hwa r looks down i n its a us tere be a u ty on the la st r estin g pla ce of t heB ra h m a n c a ste o f Poo n a Poo n a wa s I n Shi v a ji s yo u th the scen e wa s ve ry di ffe re n t then a clu ster of ti n y hu ts on the right b a n k of the Mu ta It derived its n a m e of the m eritoriou s town fr om the s an ctity whi ch i n In di a a tta ches to the c on flu en ces of rive rs A bou t ha lf a m ile fr om the little h a m let the M u ta j oi n ed the Mula I n the ra in y se a so n a But n o d a m the n kept the Mula fu ll va st volum e of wa ter d u e to the he a vy ra in s i n the western hi lls po ur ed to wa ste down the Mu ta fr o m Si n h ga d a n d down the Mula fro m the Sah y a d ri s Th e two stre a m s a fter j oin in g flowed often h a lf a m ile wide i n to the B hi m a the Krishn a a n d la stly i n to the Ba y of Be n ga l Di rectly the ra i n s ce a sed the Mu la a n d M u ta f ro m gre a t rive rs d wi n dled to petty stre a m s whi ch i n Whe re the A pril an d e a rly Ma y a lm ost wholly dis a ppe a red a lo n g the rive r s b a n k the re r o a ds a n d the ra ilwa ys n ow run gre w the n a thick belt of u n de rgrowth i n fested by wolves a n d p a n thers To d a y a c a n a l syste m a n d a n u m be r o f a rtifici a l r ese rvoi rs h a ve tu rn ed the co un tr y r o un d Poo n a i n to a s m i li n g pla in I n Shiv aji s chi ldhood it wa s a b a rre n wilde rn ess Al on

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SHI VA J I

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The wa rs between A hm a d n a gar a n d B i ja pu r between B i j a p ur those o f Ma lik A m b a r a n d S ha h a ji a n d the Mogh u ls a n d * h a n a d r r a To grow a crOp ui n ed the e n ti e Decc n a g i st both wa s m e rely to i n vite a troop of hostile c a va l ry to c u t it a n d prob a bly kill its o wn e r Nor wa s thi s the o n ly d a n ger The i n va de rs u su a lly c a rried a wa y with the m the c hi ld re n of both sexes a n d the yo un g wo m en a n d fo rcibly co n ve rted the m The f a ther of the fo un de r of Ah m a d n a ga r a n d the first kin g of G olcon d a we r e thu s c a rried i n to c a ptivi ty a n d m a de M a ho R a m da s i n hi s well kn own S ketch of a Hin du s life m ed a n s eviden tly a s a m ost o rdi n a r y eve n t tha t the m e n tio n s Hi n du s yo un g wife is c arried a wa y a n d m a rried to a Mus ul A s Poo n a a n d S u pa we re Sh a ha ji s priva te fief m an j the m align ity of his en em ies a pplied itself delibe ra tely to thei r destru ctio n The ru stic popu la tio n h a d eithe r fled Wild be a sts of a ll ki n ds took their pla ce a n d or pe rished the few m en who peopled the hu ts on the b a n k of the Mu ta we re fishe rm en who li ved by c a tchi n g the fis h i n the t wo rive r s S u ch wa s the esta te fr o m which J i ja ba i h er s on a n d h er cle rk h a d to Obta in thei r li vi n g O rdin a ry person s w o uld h a ve give n u p the a ttem pt i n desp a ir Bu t J i ja ba i a n d Da d OjI Kon d a d ev wer e n ot o rd i n a ry pe rson s Soon e r tha n Sha re with the p ro u d l a dy wa s a oun ger wife the a ffectio n s of Sh a h a ji y if n eed be to st arve Da d oji Kon d a d ev wa s a ve ry r e a dy A Desh a s th B ra hm a n bo rn i n M a lth a n i n the Poo n a a ble m a n d is tri c t gt he ha d som ehow i n the co ur se of a v a ried se rvice This a cqu ired a perfect kn owle d ge of r eve n u e a d m i n i stra tio n he n ow a pplied wi th Si gn a l s u ccess to the rui n ed fief He the hi lly tra cts a n d the n eighbouri n g a ttra cted c ultiv a to r s fr o m d i stricts by offeri n g the m r e n t free la n ds He kept down the wi ld be a sts by givi n g h un tsm en re wa rds p rob a bly fro m hi s B u t when c rops o n ce m o re bega n t o a ppe a r on own s a vi n gs the b a rr e n pl a i n s robbe rs a n d free la n ces bega n to c a rry o ff the d t h M gh l M h b tw d A dil S h h Bij p I th l t w d c t y w i thi 20 il f h i c pi t l Th Mogh l t ll th t t d ,

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h i m d e v a s t a t ed 1 Da s bo d h i Ha m a de, p 63 .

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128

HI ST ORY OF THE MARATH A PE OPLE

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h arvests an d en sla ve the villa gers Da d Ojr Kon d a d ev m et t h e d a n ger by a rm i n g ba n ds Of hi llm en fr o m the Sah y ad ri s who with a little tra in i n g soon m a de a raid on Poon a a pe rilous un derta ki n g His s u ccess a ttra cted Sha h a ji s n otice a n d he a dded to Da d oji s ch a rge two n ew est a tes r ece n tly give n hi m by the Bij a pur govern m en t They a re n ow kn own a s the In da pur an d B a ra m a ti ta lu ka s of the Poon a collecto ra te Th e En glishm an who t o d a y visits B a ra m a ti will see a lon g the ba n ks of the K a rh a R ive r a s far a s th e ho rizo n field a fter field of giga n tic s u gar c a n e I n Shi v a ji s ti m e n o c an a ls c a rri ed wa ter to a ll p a rts of the ta luka Nevertheless th en a s n ow the soil wa s bla ck a n d rich a n d i n good ye a rs yielded a n a b un da n t ha rvest O f the r eso u rces of hi s n ew tru st Da d oji m a de th e fullest us e With the s ur plus reven u e he pla n ted m a n go a n d other fr ui t trees Betwee n Shi rwa l a n d Poon a wher e the m a n g o orch a rds throve better tha n i n other pla ces he foun ded a villa ge It is kn own a s Sh iva pur a n d n a m ed it a fte r hi s m a ste r s s on To grea t e n er gy thri ft a n d experien ce Da d oji to thi s d a y a dded wh at was ra re r still i n those ti m es n a m ely perfect ho n esty A ch a rm i n g t a le h as bee n h a n ded down whi ch illus tra tes thi s "gr ove r u a o e n st r olled th o gh of the sh dy s at o i On e d a y a s Da d j Shi va pur a large a n d lus cious m a n go c a u ght hi s eye The d ay wa s hot he was tired a n d thi rsty wi th l a bo u r Un co n scio us ly he stretched Out hi s h a n d a n d plu cked it Then he r e a lized too la te th a t he h a d stolen frui t whi ch belon ged to hi s m a ster I n he begged his com p a n ion s to c ut off the an a go n y of r e m o rse offen din g right h a n d th a t h a d m a de hi m s i n They very properly thi n k n o m ore of the m a tter Neve rtheless r efus ed an d b a de hi m it still s o weighed on hi s m in d th a t for m a n y m on ths he ” For wore co a ts wi tho u t a sleeve for his right a rm so he wou ld s a y if m y right a rm h a d h a d its deserts it ” A t la st the would ha ve been cut off a s a pun ishm en t He , n ot withou t d ifficult y Sh ah a ji s e a rs r e a ched s tory persua ded his reta in er to forget his triflin g f a u lt a n d wear co ats like other people rs t when he fi Shi v a ji was betwee n ten a n d ele ve n ye ars old .

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Ski vd i gm j a ya Ba lcha r

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1 30

A

HI ST ORY OF THE M ARA THA PEO PLE ‘

wa rs ; he wa s a lso a s bec a m e a B ra hm a n a pr ofoun d schola r He h a d bui lt a r oom y hous e for Ji ja ba i a n d Shi v a ji whi ch he close t o the right b a n k of the Mu ta n a m ed the R a j M a h a l where stretches n ow the Mun icipa l Ga rden to the e a st of the Ther e on wi n ter eve n i n gs he would ga ther Sha n wa r Wa d a ro un d hi m Shi v a ji a n d hi s frie n ds a n d expo un d to the m the te a chi n gs of Dn y a n d ev a n d of the other s a in ts of Pa n dha rpur When they grew we ary of a bstru se doctri n es he wo uld ta ke u p the S a n skr it scrolls a n d by the s m o ky light of a wick so a ked i n oi l he wo uld first r e a d an d the n tra n sla te to the m t a les of B hi m a the stron g o f the a rcher y of Arj un a o f the chiva lr o us cou ra ge Or he wo u ld repe a t to the m the wise s a yin gs of Yu d hi sh thi ra of Bhi s h m a i n whi ch a re co n t a i n ed the experien ce a n d wisdo m of two tho u s an d ye ar s of I n di a n wa r st a tes m an ship a n d govern m en t Th ere were other i n flu en ces too a t work on Shi v a ji s cha ra cter The scen ery ro un d Poo n a is of the m ost i n spiri n g kin d To the west a re the tre m en do us b arrier ra n ges of the Sahy a d ri s On ly twelve m i les to the so u th stan ds ou t the coloss a l fortress To the sou th west m a y be dim ly seen the pe a ks of Si n hgad of R a j ga d a n d To rn a whi ch whe n o utlin ed a ga in st the settin g s un a r o u se eve n to d a y e m otio n i n the phlegm a tic En gli sh m a n Bu t thi rteen m i les to the n o rth of Poon a lies Al a n di the spot where Dn y a n d ev e n tered hi s livin g to m b a n d to whi ch n ow a s i n Shi v a ji s ti m e tho u s a n ds of pilgri m s be a ri n g yellow fla gs Pa n dh arpur Bu t there wa s yet a n other m a ke thei r wa y f ro m in flu en ce m o re powerful th a n eithe r Da d oji Kon d a d ev s te a chi n gs J i ja b a i fa therless deserted or the gra n de ur of the l a n dsc a pe by h er hu sb a n d a n d by h er eldest s on foun d a sola ce for h er grief i n Shi v a ji the on e possession left h er She la vished on her A t the s a m e ti m e she s on a ll a n d m o r e th a n a ll a m othe r s love b a de h i m n ever fo rget th a t he wa s descen ded both from the Ya d a va s of Dev a gi ri a n d the R a n a s of Uda ipur She recited to hi m the Pu ra n a s with their m arvello u s fe a ts of wa r a n d d ari n g She m a de Bu t she wished to see hi m pio u s a s well a s b ra ve h im p ra y co n st an tly a t the little villa ge Sh ri n e which still m a y be seen i n Poo n a n ot fa r f ro m the site of J i ja bai s ho m e The re ,

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SHI VA J I

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B I R TH

S

B OYH OO D

A ND

13 1

she welco m ed Ka th eka ri s or religiou s pre a che rs to tra n sla te better tha n eve n Da d oji co u ld do the an d expo un d to hi m va ri o u s virtu es a n d m erits of Krishn a Thu s grew E truri a stron g an d Shi v a jl a t eightee n wa s a m a n ti reless fe arless a n d deeply devo u t It wa s n ow ti m e for Shi v a ji to choose a c a ree r A s the s on o f the form e r r ege n t of A h m a d n a ga r a s the gra n dso n of L a kh oji J a d h av r a o a s a n e a r kin s m a n Of the a n cie n t ho u se Of Ph a lt a n Shi v a ji wa s on e Of the n a tu ra l le a de rs o f the Ma ra th a people There were seve ra l co ur ses open to hi m Li ke so m e of the b a r on s of the tim e he co u ld li ve on Sh ah aji s esta te a m u se hi s leisure with stron g drin k fill hi s z a n a n a with the rus tic be a u ties j u st a s li ttle m i lita ry s er o f the n eighbo ur hood a n d perfo rm vice a s wo uld e n a ble hi m to r eta i n s u ch fiefs a s he m ight i n herit f ro m hi s f a ther Bu t to the s on of Sh a h a ji a n d the gran dson o f Ma loji s u ch a life prob a bly n eve r o ffe r ed m u ch te m pt a tio n The seco n d cour se wa s tha t f a voured by Da d oji Kon d a d ev He coul d go to Bij a pur j oin the ki n g s servi ce a s a s ubordin a te o f Sh a h a ji a s Sa m bh a ji h a d do n e a n d with hi m rise to a high pla ce a m on g the f a ctiou s n obles who s ur ro un ded Ma hom ed Adi l Sha h Bu t Shi v a ji wa s well a wa re of the we a kn ess of the Bij a pu r gove rn m en t He kn ew th a t behin d the gli tte r of the cou rt ther e were wa ste m ism a n a gem en t a n d i n c a p a city A t B i j a pur j u st a s the re h a d been a t Ah m a dn a ga r there wa s a con s ta n t a n d fur io u s r iva lry betwee n the Decc a n a n d the for ei n p a rties g E ither fa ction i n order to gra tify priva te S pite were prep ared to c a ll i n the Moghuls a n d rui n their co un try Shi v a ji re a lized tha t soon er or la ter a ho u se so divided m u st fa ll a prey to the disciplin ed Moghuls whose forces we re led by roya l prin ces who were a m on g the first c a pta i n s of the tim e A thi rd co urse open to Shi v a ji wa s to seek hi s fo rtun e a t Delhi The s on of Sha ha j i Bh os le wou ld n o do u bt h a ve r eceived a high post i n the Moghu l a rm y The re his n a tu ra l gifts wo uld certa i n ly ha ve won hi m m ost ho n o ura ble disti n ctio n Bu t to a dopt thi s co u rse wo uld ha ve been to desert hi s co un try a n d to sta n d by whi le A u ra n gz ib s a rm i es e n sl a ved the I n di a n peoples a n d i n s u lted thei r r eligio n from the B hi m a to R a m es h wa ra m The re wa s yet a n other

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A H IS T ORY

1 32

OF THE

M AR A THA PE O PLE

course Ope n to the yo un g n oble a n d th a t wa s to a ttem pt the libera tion o f the Ma ra th a ra ce It wa s a well n igh hopeless ta sk After three cen turies of sla very the wish for fr eedo m was a ll b ut de a d a n d lived if a t a ll i n a few hi ll tra cts i n the M a wa l a n d the Ko n ka n He could expect n o a i d fr om other Ma ra th a n obles All tha t the Gh orp a d es the Mores the Ma n es the S a va n ts an d others a spired to wa s their own a dva n cem en t a t co ur t or the en l a r ge m e n t of thei r fiefs a t the expen se of thei r Withou t resour ces he m u st ra ise a n a rm y He n eighbo ur s m u st i n spi r e it by hi s own wo r ds a n d a cts with hi gh ide a ls He m us t fight a ga i n st hi s own rel a tives a n d co un tr ym en He m us t i n cur ch a rges of tre a son a n d ch a rges Of un fili a l con du ct I n the en d he wo u ld m ost likely see hi s hopes Sha ttered hi s frien ds bu tcher ed a n d hi m self con dem n ed to a cr u el a n d a li n geri n g dea th Y et thi s wa s the course whi ch Shi v a ji resolved to a dopt He did so n ot with the ra sh presum ption of you th but a fter deep delibera te thou ght a fte r lon g discu ssion wi th the frien d s wi th Da d oji Kon d a d ev a n d wi th hi s m other of hi s boyhood J i ja ba i Ha vin g on ce a dopted it he n eve r swerved fro m it More th a n 25 00 ye a rs b efo re three un til hi s wo rk wa s do n e i m m o rta l goddesses ha d c a lled on a n othe r e a stern pri n ce to decide qu estion s very Si m i l a r to those whi ch n ow con fr on ted Bu t fa r othe r th a n tha t of Pa ris wa s the j u dgm en t Shi v a ji He turn ed a side from the rich pro m i ses of of Sh a h a ji s s on Hera a n d the volu ptu o u s s m iles of A phrodite a n d withou t a si n gle b a ckw a rd gl a n ce pl a ced the golden fru it i n the h a n ds of Pa lla s A then e -

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1 34

H IS TO RY

A

OF

TH E M A RA THA PE O P LE

e a s tern fr on tier wa s n o dou bt exposed bu t to com e by an e a st ern r o u te fr o m Bij a pur to Poon a wa s a lon g wa y roun d The fort of Torn a h a d a com m a n d a n t a n d a s m a ll ga rrison Bu t d ur in g the he a vy m on soon ra in s when n o m ili tary opera tion wa s con du cted it wa s the cu stom of the Torn a ga rrison to le a ve the hi ll top a n d live i n the va lley Ta kin g a dva n ta ge of thi s circum s ta n ce Shi v a ji a n d hi s three chi ef co m p a n ion s Yes a ji Ka n k Ta n a ji Ma lu s a re a n d B a ji Ph a s a lka r with a followi n g of a bo u t a thou s a n d m en occu pied To rn a wi thou t bloodshed There wi th the s a m e good f ortun e tha t ha d a tten ded hi s gran d fa ther Ma loji he foun d whi le diggi n g i n the fo rtifica tion which The Torn a h a d f a llen i n to disr ep a ir a la rge hi dden tr e a s ur e com m an d an t i n di gn a n tly r eported Shi v a ji s con d u ct to the Bij a pu r govern m en t Bu t Shi v a ji h a d a lre a dy m a de a coun ter ch a r ge He com plain ed to the ki n g s m i n isters tha t the c om m a n d a n t h a d wi tho u t le a ve deser ted hi s post a n d th a t they h a d fa r better e n tru st the fo rt to on e a s vigil a n t i n the ki n g s i n terest a s Shi v a ji wa s He su pport ed his com pla in t by a distribu tio n The c om a m o n g the m i n i ster s of p art of t h e To rn a tr e a s ur e m a n d a n t s r epo r t fell u po n de a f e a r s a n d i n ste a d of s a tisfa ctio n i he r eceived a repri m a n d When Shi v a ji O ffered t o p a y a la rger r en t th a n h a d eve r bee n pr evio u sly p a id for th e l a n ds r o un d Torn a it wa s a dded to hi s f a ther s fief With the r em a in i n g tre a sur e Shi v a ji bo u ght a rm s c a n n o n a n d a m m un i ti on f ra i s ed a forc e of hillm en on th e s a m e li n es a s those u pon which D a do] 1 h a d r aised hi s g uards a n d fo rtifi ed an other hill a bo u t six m iles a wa y fr o m To rn a It wa s the n kn own a s Mo rb a d bu t he ch a n ged its n a m e to R a j ga d or the kin g s fort the n a m e by which it is kn own to d a y The boldn ess of thi s a c t a ttra cted a ll the yo u th of Poon a the n eighbour hood Am on g those who n ow a rden tly an d e m bra ced Shi v a ji s c aus e wer e Moro Pin gle An n a ji D a tto Ni ra ji Pan dit R a oji So m n a th Da tt a ji Gopin a th R a ghun a th Pa n t a n d Gan ga ji Ma n ga ji They were a ll B rah m a n s a n d wer e son s of clerks a ppoin ted by Da d oji to help hi m m ost of the m Bu t Da d oji Kon d a d ev whose i n the m a n a ge m e n t of the est a te ,

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Khafi Kha n , E lli ot

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25 7

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TH E bition

R IS E

SHTVA J I

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1 35

Shi v a ji

should rise to distin ction in the Bi j a pur service a n d who wa s a t on c e a loya l se rva n t of Shah a ji a n d a loya l s u bj ect O f M a ho m ed A dil Sha h protested vigoro us ly He m a in ta i n ed tha t he a n d n ot Shi v a ji wa s the m a n a ger of the fief th a t Shi v a ji h a d a cted wi tho u t hi s s a n ctio n Ha d Shi v a ji sen t a written r equ est for le a ve to occu py Morb a d hi s f a ther s i n flu en ce wo uld possibly h a ve secur ed it As it wa s the ki n g wo uld n ot f a il to pun ish Sha h a ji a n d Da d oji a s well But Shi v a ji h a d a lre a dy co n sider ed f ull y hi s a cts He believed hi m s elf the tru stee of a divi n e t a sk He h a d hi s m other s full s upport He bor e p a tien tly Da d OjI s r epro a ches But a t the s a m e ti m e he dir ected Mor o Pi n gle to co m plete a s ra pidly a s possible the fo rtific a tion s of Ra jga d Da d oji fin din g his own protests un a va ili n g c a lled ro un d hi m a ll the old clerks a n d serv a n ts of the fief a n d b a d e them a ddress Shi v a ji He pa id a s little a tten t io n to the m a s to Da d oji A t l a st th e old m an wr ote a form a l lette r of co m pla i n t to Sha ha ji a t Bij a pur ; The la tter for the la st t en ye a rs h a d tro u bled little or n othi n g a bo u t hi s first wife a n d h er s on I n 1 63 7 the ye a r a fter he j oin ed the service of Bij a pu r he wa s a ppoin ted un der Ran d ulla Kh an secon d i n co m m a n d of a n a rm y collected to s ubdu e the south e a stern co a st oi In di a E ver sin ce the b a ttle of Ta likota the Golcon d a a n d Bij a pur kin gs h a d tried t o exten d their power over the territories of Vij a ya n a gar a n d r edu ce the petty chi efs an d la n d holders who on its destru ction h a d m a de them s elves i n d epen den t Bu t the wa r s with Ah m a dn a ga r h a d dive rted the a tten tio n of B i j a p ur a n d the ln n gd om of Golco n d a h a d s o fa r profited m ost by the fa ll Of Ram ra j I n 1 637 Bij a pur freed by the destru ction of its a n cie n t riva l r esolved to con qu er Sha ha ji a n d R a n d alla a s m u ch a s it co uld of so u thern I n di a Kha n spen t the ye ar 1637 i n overco m i n g the resista n ce of a powerful chi ef n a m ed Ke m p Gau da whose c a pita l wa s Ben gru l or B a n ga lor e At the close of the ye ar Ra n d u lla Kha n wa s rec a lled a n d Sh a h a j i s u cceeded to the s u pr em e co m m a n d The ca p a city of the vetera n gen era l soon m a de itse lf felt a n d the Bij a p ur These distric ts arm y overra n Kolar Dood B a l a pur a n d Si ra were con ferred on Sh a ha ji a s m ilita ry fiefs Aft er he h a d am

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A

H I S T ORY OF

TH E

M A RA T HA PE O PLE

o quered the whole pla te a u roun d Ba n ga lore he des c en ded the E as tern Gh a ts to s u bdu e the a n cie n t co un tr y of the Cholas As a lready r ela ted the i n va sion of M a li k Ka fir ove rthrew a ll the d yn a sties of sou the rn In di a Fro m thi s i n va sio n Ta n j or e n eve r recove red The fi se of Vij a ya n a ga r wa s m ore f a ta l to it eve n tha n the a ss a ults of Ma lik Ka fir It li n ge red on however in n am e un til A D 1 5 3 0 At th a t ti m e the pri n ce of T a n j ore Vi r Shekh ar wa s the de a dly e n em y of Ch an d ra Shekh a r the pri n ce of M a dura A fte r va riou s tur n s of fortun e Vi r Shekh a r o verthrew his fee a n d took Madur a Ch a n dra Shekh ar to recover it c a lled to hi s help Krishn a R a ya ki n g of Vij a ya n a ga r The r es ult was the us u a l on e i n s u ch c a ses The Vij a ya n a ga r a rm y ove rthrew Vi r S hekh ar The ki n g a n n exed Ta n j o re a n d ga ve it in fief to on e Shi v a p p a Na i k on e of the r oya l pri n ces Ch a n dra She kha r wa s for so m e tim e a llowed to reign i n Ma dur a a s a pu ppet ki n g But before his de a th M a du ra h a d beco m e the fief of a ce rta in Vi s hv an a th Naik a gen era l of Vij a ya n a gar After Ta likota Tan j ore a n d Ma dura a ga i n bec a m e i n depen den t pri n cipa lities I n Sh ah a ji s ti m e R a gh un a th Na ik wa s chief o f T a n j o r e He p a ssed his ti m e i n fighti n g with Vy a n ka t Na ik the lord of the gre a t fortress of Jin ji an d Tri m a l Na ik who own ed the la rge town Of Tri chi n opoli to the sou th of the Coleroon R ive r the n am e Sh a h a ji give n to the Ca v eri befo re it r e a ches the s ea takin g ad van ta ge of their qu a rrel r edu ced a ll three d i spu tan ts to a com m on obe d i en ce to the Bij a pur gove rn m e n t Shaha ji bus y i n the wo rk of co n qu est a n d a d m in istra ti on pa id little a tten tion to Da d op Kon d a d ev s co m pla in t a n d does n ot a ppea r to h a ve a n swe r ed hi s lette r Bu t the Bij a pur gove rn m e n t n ow began to look a skan ce a t Shi v a i s co n d u ct a n d c a lled j on Sh ah a ji for a n expla n a tio n of it Sh ah a ji even then did n ot tre a t the m a tter serious ly He wrote a soothi n g r eply to Bij a pur a n d sen t a letter to Shi v a ji i n whi ch he s u ggested tha t he h ad better n ot fortify R a j ga d The e v iden t i n di fferen ce of Sh a ha j i the obstin a cy of Shi v a ji a n d the fe a rs whi ch Da d oji felt for the fu ture of both preyed on his m in d He fe ll i ll Shi v a ji gre a tly a tt a ched to hi m n ur sed hi m with fili a l devotion Bu t c are Hes en t for the best a va ila ble docto rs to tre a t hi m c n

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A

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B a ra m a ti to disp u te Shi v a ji s a u thority Shi v a ji h a d now He a cqu i r ed co m plete co n t rol of hi s fa the r s Poo n a esta tes wa s the r efo re a t liberty to r es u m e his form e r sche m e a n d pro teet hi m self a ga in st a tta ck fro m the Bij a pu r govern m en t He h a d a lr e a dy by the occu p a tion of To rn a a n d R a j ga d secured his sou th western fron tier Bu t twelve m iles i m m edi a tely sou th of Poon a wa s the gre a t fortress of Kon d an a Wh oever held it d o m in a ted n ot on ly the Mu ta va lley but th e Poon a pla in a s fa r a s Ch a ka n It wa s i n ch arge of a Mu sulm an c om m an d a n t whose n a m e h a s n ot s ur vived For a sum of m o n ey he con sen ted to s ur ren der it an d Shi v a ji a fter en teri n g it ch a n ged its n a m e to Si n hga d or the Lion s fort To the so uth e a st of Si n h ga d wa s if possible a still m or e stu pen dou s n a tu ra l stron ghold Its n a m e wa s Puran d a r a n othe r n a m e for the god I n d ra a n d it ove rlooked the pl a te au th e bu ri a l pla c e a bove the Si n h ga d hi ll s i n fi hi c h lies Sa s wa d If it co of So a n a u ld be t a ken the whole of Shi v a ji s sou the rn p f r on tie r would be Sa fe The Bij a pu r govern m en t h a d en trusted * All th a t is Pura n d a r to a B ra hm a n c a lled Ni lka n th Na ik is th a t he h a d a n un govern a ble tem per On r eco rded of hi m his wife obj ected to his con du ct He h a d h er on e occ a sio n prom ptly blown fro m the m o u th of a c a n n on I n yo u th he h a d bee n a gr e a t f rie n d Of Sh a h a jI a n d hi s son s kn ew Shi v a ji well The fiery old com m an d an t died a bou t the s a m e tim e a s Dad Oji KO n d a d ev ; a n d the eldest s on Pilo witho u t o rder s fro m Bij a pur n ot on ly a ss um ed com m an d of the fort but u su rped a ll the l an ds a n d r eve n u es a llotted to the co m m a n d a n t The yo un ger brothers cla i m ed th a t they a s so n s of the s a m e f a ther h a d equ a l rights with Pilo Wh ethe r the ple a wa s good la w Bu t i n a n y c a se i n the c a se of a m i li ta ry fief m a y be do u bted they wereen titled to a he a rin g a n d a s the Bij a pu r govern m en t on e they a ppe a led to Shi v a ji wa s too slothful to gra n t them Wh a t ha ppen ed a fterwa rd s h a s been va rio us ly rela ted Ac cord i n g t o on e a u th ori ty j the ga rrison sen t Shi v a ji a m ess a ge a dvisi n g hi m to seize the pl a ce hi m s elf a n d so en d the qu a rrel ’

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TH E

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SHI VA J I

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g to a seco n d a u thority the brothers c a lled i n Shi v a ji a s a n a rbitra to r He un der preten ce of exa m in i n g the pro perty i n dispu te seized it A cco rdi n g to a thi rd a u th orit y j Shi v a ji hearin g of thei r di ffer en ces ga ve ou t th a t he wa s goi n g to a tta ck the Ni m ba lka rs of Pha lta n As he wen t he ha lted a t Sa s wa d so m e six m iles fr o m Pura n d a r It wa s the Diva li or the fea st of l a m ps a n d Pilo a n d hi s two b r other s begged hi m to j oin them i n the festiva l He a ccepted the in vita tion a n d took pa rt i n the m err y m a ki n g Next d a y he proposed tha t he a n d hi s hosts sho uld b a the i n the stre a m whi ch flows throu gh Sa s wa d The brothers a greed a n d the youn g m en spen t the m orn in g b a thi n g When they retu rn ed to Puran d a r Shi v a ji s en s ign flew fr o m the b a ttle m e n ts His soldiers i n the a bsen ce of the br others a n d with the con n i va n ce of the ga rrison h a d seized the fortress Bu t wha tever the tru e story m a y be we n eed wa ste n o pity on the b r other s The for tr ess a s s u ch wa s worthless to the m They prized it m e rely for the s a la ry whi ch the co m m a n d a n t d rew A fter its c a ptu r e Shi v a ji o ffer ed the m an d the y a ccepted com pen s a tion elsewher e of gre a ter va lu e To Pilo Ni lka n th he ga ve a wide tra ct of la n d below the fort a n d r o un d P ur a n d a r vill a ge a n d h a d a ho u se b ui lt ther e for hi m Sh a n karra oji Ni lka n th the seco n d brothe r Shi v a ji m a de s u perin ten den t of his a rtillery eleph a n ts a n d c a m els The youn gest brother a lso e n tered Shi v a ji s serv ice More Pi n gle whose skill i n fortific a tion ha d rece n tly been shown a t Torn a a n d R a j gad wa s a ppoin ted govern o r of Pur a n d ar Shi v a ji s sou thern fr on tie r wa s n ow s a fe Bu t he h a d exh a u s ted the Torn a tre a su re a n d the r even u es of hi s fa ther s fief It wa s ther efor e a bsolu tely n ecess ary for hi m to obta in m on ey Shortly a fter the c a pture of Pura n d a r ch an ce en a bled hi m to su pply thi s n eed I n the ce n tre of on e of the m ost fertile tra cts of the Th a n a collecto ra te is the r ich town of K a lya n It wa s then the c a pita l of a provi n ce en tru sted to the c a r e of a Mus u l m a n n a m ed M ul a n a Ah m a d Co m pletely ign o ra n t of Shi v a ji s desi gn s he h a d collected the govern m en t re n ts of hi s cha rge *

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A H I S T ORY

1 40

T H E M A RA THA PEO PLE

or

e t the m on ey to Bij a pur With it we n t a n es c o rt la rge e n ou gh to gu ard i t a gai n st a n a tta ck by a ba n d of hill As the c a rts wi th their esco rt wer e win di n g their robbers wa y thro u gh the Ko n ka n Shi v a ji with a body of 3 00 ho rse pa rt of the form er garrison of Su pa descen ded the Bhor p a ss wes t of Poon a a n d s urprised the m The gu ards could m a ke n o e ffective r esista n ce a n d Shiv a ji m a de hi m se lf m a ster of the tre as ure S u ch a n a c t m e a n t of course open wa r wi th Bij a pur So Shi v a JI followed it u p by a surprise a tta ck on the n eighbou r * i n g fo rts He took n o less tha n n i n e O f these the m ost i m porta n t wer e L oh ga d Ra jm a chi a n d B a i ri Ra jm a c hi is a s tu pe n do us hi ll a t the foot o f the Bho r p a ss B a i ri whi ch a fte rwa rds bec a m e Shi v a i s c a pit a l wi ll be desc ribed i n a la te r j p a ge L ohga d sta n ds a bove the Bhor pa ss a n d with its twi n fo rtress Vi s a pur T is a fa m ili a r obj ect to tra vellers from Poon a to Bo m b a y Stra n ge legen ds a re still told of thi s a n cien t fo rt The best kn o wn is the followi n g I n e arly d a ys before the B a hm a n i kin gdom h a d a risen a n d befo re Isla m h ad becom e the sta te religion six Mus u lm a n s a i n ts c a m e to con ve rt the Decc a n On e o f these wa s n a m ed Um a r Kh a n a n d hi s m is sion led hi m i n to the I n d ra y an i va lley The re howeve r the fa m e o f a Hi n d u a n cho rite who lived on the top of L oh a d h a m pe red g hi s m issio n a ry e ffo rt s The Musulm a n r esolved to re m ove hi s Hin d u riva l He rode u p the p a th un til he re a ched a spot wher e the pa ths to L oh ga d a n d Vis a pur bifurca te He then a ligh ted an d r o a ri n g a wa rn i n g to the a n cho rit e to dep a rt en fo r ced his wo rds by a v i ole n t blow of hi s spe a r a ga i n s t the hi ll side D riven by the s a in t s m us cula r a rm the spea r pa ssed thro u gh the edge of the cli ff le a vin g a giga n tic wi n dow or flyi n g bu ttres s a ga in st its side The a n chorite however p a id n o a tten tio n Um ar Kh a n the n cli m bed L oh ga d a n d on i ts b ea ti fic co n tem pla tio n s um m i t fo un d his e n e m y a bso rbed i n Still lou der Um a r Kh a n b a de hi m begon e A ga in the a n chorite heeded hi m n ot Um ar Kh a n ex a spe ra ted seized hi m by th e an

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A H IS T ORY O F TH E M A RA TH A PE O P LE

142

ecess ary to proceed c au tio u sly An un s u cces s ful a tte m pt I n the r oya l se rvi ce wo uld m erely d rive hi m i n to Ope n r ebelli o n The wa s a n a m bitio us Ma ra th a n oble c a lled B a j i Gh orp a d e fa m i ly h a d on ce been kn own a s Bh os le a n d were prob a bly con n ected a lthou gh re m otely with th a t of Sha ha ji They h a d l a ter ta ken the n a m e of Gh orp a d e a fte r a n a n cestor wh o h a d firs t us ed the gh orp a d or l a rge liz ard for the c apture of fo rts He h a d observed th a t the a n i m a l co uld n ot on ly cli m b a p erpen d i c ula r rock b ut co u ld cli n g to it eve n if pul led with gr e a t violen ce The Ma ra tha a ctin g on his observa tio n tra i n ed a gh orp a d to run ra i n i n g co m plete he f a sten ed Its t a w a ll i n a given di rectio n u p a rope l a dde r to its ta il a n d ma de it ru n u p the wa ll of a fo rt which he wished to esc a la de Whe n the gh orp a d h a d r e a ched the sum m i t a s m all b oy wa s s en t u p the l adder The gh orp a d feeli n g the stra in d u g its cla ws firm ly i n to the e arth Wh en the boy re a ched the top he rele a sed the gh orp a d a n d f a ste n ed the rope l a dder to the groun d with i ro n pegs By m e an s of a la dder the storm i n g p a rty r e a ched the top a n d overpowered the garrison This devi ce wa s a fterwa rds us ed exte n sively by both the Ahm a dn a gar a n d Bij a pu r govern m en ts The kin g f a n fi e u r d ece tly co e ed the of M dhol B ji d on a G h o a e rr n f n r ha d p he wa s n ow expected to S how th a t he h a d des erved hi s prom otion ’ He wa s told tre a chero u sly to s eize Sh ah a ji s person a n d h a n d A few d a ys l a te r B a ji Gho r hi m ove r a s prison er to the ki n g p a de visited Sha ha ji an d begged hi m to be presen t a t a din n er party given i n hi s ho n o u r Sha h a ji a ccepted the i n vita tion a n d c a m e on the a ppoi n ted d a y When Sh ah a ji r e a ched the o u te r door Gh orp a d e s serva n ts b a de hi m do ff hi s sword a n d s hi eld an d dism iss hi s a tten da n ts Sha h a ji possibly s u specti n g d an ge r Gh orp a d e then o ffe red co u rteo u s ly to Show refus ed to do so Sha h a ji followed hi m u n til they hi s gu est ove r the ho u se of it r S u dden ly Ghorp a d e shu t r e a ched the m ost dist a n t p a t m thu s sepa ra tin g Sh a ha ji s a tten a n d bolted a doo r behi n d hi d an ts f ro m their m a ster A t the s a m e ti m e a body of Gh orp a d e s hi dden i n the b a ck of the house ru shed on Shah a ji a n d m en took hi m prison er He wa s p u t i n chai n s a n d sen t to Maho m ed A dil Sh a h n

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TH E

R IS E OF SHI VA J I

1 43

the roya l presen ce the u n fo rtun a te n oble va i n ly protested hi s i n n ocen ce The kin g r efu sed to believ e hi m a n d o rdered hi m to be bricked u p i n a wa ll Ma son s we r e se n t for I n to it Sha ha ji A n iche l a rge e n o u gh to a dm i t a m a n wa s m a de wa s pl a ced a n d i n f ro n t o f him the m a so n s bega n to b ui ld a As e a ch l a ye r a dded to its height the ki n g sho u ted fresh wa ll ” Con fess you r gui lt a n d s a ve yo u r life " A t a t hi s victi m : l a st the l a yers of b ricks r e a ched a s hi gh a s Sha h aji s chi n le a vin g o n ly hi s f a ce visibl e A s Sh a h aj i still a sse rted th a t his s on Shi v a ji h a d a cted e n ti rely witho u t his au tho rity the ki n g stopped the m a son s a n d left Sha h a ji a s he wa s Bu t h e t old hi m to wr ite to his s on a n d thr e a ten ed i n c a se Shi v aji d i d n ot soo n co m e to Bij a pu r to close the s m a ll a pertu r e th a t s till rem a i n ed On a c ru el dile m m a r eceivi n g hi s f a ther s letter Shi v a ji wa s i n If he wen t to Bij a pur he wou ld a lm ost ce rta i n ly be execu ted If he did n ot his f a ther would die i n hi s pla ce A thi rd cou rse He sen t wa s S O it is s aid s u ggested t ohi m by his wife S a ib a i on e of Da d oji s old cler ks R a gh un a th Pa n t to Del hi to i n voke the a i d o f Sha h Jeh an Tha t e m pe ro r h a d n o love for Sha ha ji who h a d s o lon g defied hi s effo rts to co n qu e r Ah m a dn a ga r Bu t the ch an ce of pickin g a qu a rrel with Bij a pur a n d a bove a ll of a n n exi n g th a t p a rt of Ah m a d n a gar whi ch h a d been res i gn ed to Bij a pur by the recen t tre a ty wa s too good to be lost The * e m pero r se n t direct to Sh a h a ji a lette r d a ted Nove m be r 3 0 1 649 I n it he wrote th a t he ove rlooked the p a st a n d th a t he h a d se n t wo rd to hi s a m b a ss a do rs to sec u r e Sh a h a ji s rele a se a s a n oble of the Delhi e m pi r e He a n d th a t he a ccepted hi m a lso co n ferr ed a d ress of hon o ur on Sh a h a ji a n d ga ve a co m m a n d The a rriva l of the lette r in the i m peri a l se rvice to Sa m bh a ji a t Bij a pu r m u st h a ve c a u sed M a ho m ed A dil Sh a h so m e ho u rs of a n xio u s tho u ght If he killed Sh ah a ji Shi v a jl wo u ld do hom a ge for his recen t co n qu ests to Sh a h Jeh a n The l a tte r wo uld gl a dly hold them a s sec ur ity for the Bij a p ur a rre a rs of tribu te a n d wo u ld f urther de m an d s a tisfa ctio n fo r the de a th of Sh ah a ji n ow a su bj ect of Delhi Sh a h a ji s frie n d s Mu ra r Ja gdev the first m i n iste r a n d Ran d u lla Kh a n Sh a h a ji s Old In

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A

H IST ORY

OF

TH E M A RA THA PE O PLE

com ra de i n a rm s i n terceded for hi m The kin g relen ted an d r ele a si n g Sh a h a ji f ro m hi s brick coffin a llowed hi m to m ove a bo u t i n Bij a p ur city bu t fo rb a de hi m to le a ve it As Shi v a ji h ad a chieved his obj ect he n o lo n ge r wished to becom e a feu d a tory of Delhi He begged th a t before he did so the e m peror wou ld gra cious ly co n fe r on hi m the d eshm u khi r even u e or tithes of Jun n a r a n d Ah m a d n a ga r which we r e hi s by a n cien t right " The em peror replied co urteou sly th a t he wo uld a tten d to the m a tte r whe n he r eturn ed to Co u rt Shi v a j1 S ho ul d then h a ve hi s a ge n t re a dy a n d fully i n stru cted to a rgu e hi s c a se The position n ow between Shi v a ji a n d the Bij a p ur govern m en t wa s on e o f sta le m a te If Shi v a ji com m i tted furthe r a ggressi on s they would ce rtai n ly kill Sh a ha ji If Ma hom ed Adil Sha h harm ed Sh ah a ji Shi v a ji would c a ll i n Moghu l a i d I n the circ um s ta n ces n eithe r p arty wi shed to begin overt hostilities Bu t the Bij a pur gove rn m e n t m a de a secr et a tte m pt to c a pture thei r en em y j Am on g the la tte rs con quests wa s the town of Ma h a d i n the Kon ka n a bou t 5 0 m i les as the crow fli es to the sou th west of Poon a It is n ow the he a d qu a rte rs of a ta luka It wa s even then a n i m po rta n t pla ce i n the R a tn a gi ri district a w a n d Shi v a i u sed often to visit it Th s a s kn own to the Bij i j ur gove rn m e n t a n d on e B a ji Sh a m ra wa s o rde red t o surp ri se p j A s the co un tr y i m m ed i hi m the re a n d ta ke hi m de a d or a live a tely to the e a st of M a h a d wa s a fief of a ce rt a i n Ch a n d ra R a o More Ra j a of Ja oli he wa s m ade privy to the plot a n d he a gr eed to let B a ji Sh am ra j co n ce a l him self withi n hi s esta tes Chan dra Ra o More wa s on e of the m ost im port an t Hin du Hi s chi ef town Ja oli n obles un de r the Bij a p ur gove rn m e n t la y i n the va lley Of the Koyn a R iver n ow a petty vill a ge i m m edi a tely below Mah a blesh wa r to d a y the sum m er c a pita l Th a t pla te a u whi ch exte n ds of the Bo m b a y gove rn m e n t fro m the he a d of the Krishn a va lley to Pa n chgan i a dista n ce is n ow i n tersected i n every di rection by of n e arly 20 m i les bro a d red ro a ds a n d by sh a dy ridi n g p a ths tha t le a d the from which c a n be seen views vi sito r t o poi n ts a n d cle a ri n gs ,

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146

HI S T ORY OF TH E M A RA TH A PEO PLE

A

the s ource of n o less tha n five h as been s a cred from re m ote tim es Am on gst the e a rliest kn own pilgrim s wa s Sin ghan a on e of the gre a test of the Ya d a va ki n gs I n 1 215 he bui lt a t the sour ces of the Kris hn a a s m all tem ple a n d d ug a po n d i n hon our of the god Shiva who here is wors hipped u n der the title of Ma ha Ba l Ishwa r or god the m i ghties t The Ya da va kin gs ga ve the Mah ables hwa r pla te a u a n d n eigh bourin g va lleys to the Shi rkes the f a m ily ren own ed by the defe a t o f Ma li k u l T uj a r n e a r Vis h a lga d Af te r thei r con qu es t by the B a hm a n i kin gs the Shi rkes held Mah a bles hwa r a s va ss als With the down fa ll of the B a hm a n i kin gdom the Shi rkes fell a ls o Yus u f A dil S h a h the fou n de r of the Bij a pur ki n gdo m o ffe red the Shi rkes fief to Pa rs oji Ba jira o Mo re on e of hi s Ma ra th a c a pta in s a n d ga ve hi m troop s with whi ch to con qu er it More wa s c om r a series of fights he d r ove the Shi rkes l Af l r v icto io s te e t e u p y from the l an ds whi ch they h a d held for s o m a n y ye ars Besides the fief Yu suf A dil Sha h con ferred on More the title of Chan d ra lord to be held by hi m i n pe rpetui ty Pa rs oji s Rae or Moo n — s on Yeshwa n t Ra e a dded f resh glor y to the fa m i ly fa m e I n the gre a t defe a t in flicted in 1 5 24 on B urha n Niz a m Sha h I by Ism a il A dil Sha h Yesh wa n t Ra e ca ptu red the green sta n d a rd For this fea t Mo re received the of the Ah m a d n a ga r a rm y perpetu a l title of Ra j a a n d le a ve to keep the roya l sta n d a rd a s a t rophy For seven gen e ra tion s th e M o res govern ed Ja oli The eighth wi tho u t le a vin g a n y e n d ur in g t ra ce of thei r ru le Pa rs oji wa s on e Kr i s h n a ji c a lled like his i n desce n t fro m forbea rs Cha n d ra Ra o Mo re When h a ra ssed by a risin g of the Kolis or the wild t ribes of the va lleys he vowed tha t he wou ld if s uccessfu l give the god Ma h a bles h wa r a silver i m a ge weighin g ha lf a m a un d E ithe r by the god s help or his own S kill he a n d in n g ra tit u de he m o re th a n dow the isi his g kept r u t n p He n ot o n ly h a d the silver i m age prepa red hi s pro m ise bu t ha d a st a tely te m ple bu ilt which st a n ds to this d a y In side it is a pool in to which the wa te rs of the fiv e rive rs con ti n u o u sly flow Beside the m is a sixth cha n n el rese rved for the wa ters o f the Ga n ges Krishn a ji ha d five son s B a la j i D a ula t Ha n m a n t Govi n d a n d Yeshwan t The eldest B a la ji s u cceeded to the ,

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TH E

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SH I VA J I

14 7

title of Ra j a a n d Cha n dra Ra o The youn ge r son s received a To D a u la t we n t the villa ge of Sh i vt h a r Ha n m a n t vi lla ge ea ch i n herited J or ; Go vin d J a m bli ; a n d Yes h wa n t B ahu li I n Shi v a ji s you th J i ja b a i h a d t a ken h i m on a pilgri m a ge to Ma h a bles hwa r Whi le there Sh e wa s a ttra cted by the be a u t y of * B a la ji More s thr ee d a u ghters She a sked for on e of the m a s a bride for Shi v a ji But B a la ji More who rega rded the Bh os les declin ed the offe r When a s i n fe rio r to his o wn a n cie n t hou se Shi v a ji la te r pres sed More to join i n the r evolt a g a in st the Bij a pu r go vern m en t M ore a g a in refu sed ple a din g this tim e his loya lty to Ma ho m ed A dil Sha h At the s u ggestion of the Bij a pur go v e rn m en t M ore n ow a llowed B a ji Sha m ra j to u s e his The fief a s a b a se f ro m which to s u rp rise a n d kill Shi v a ji a tte m pt fa iled a s it dese r ved Shi v a ji s spies we re a s well in fo rm ed a s those of Bij a pu r He le a rn t of B a ji Sha m ra j s design a n d m o vin g sec retly from Ma ha d fell u pon his b an d a s they la y in wa it a n d d rove the m with con side ra ble loss in to Ja oli I n 1653 Sha h a ji a fte r fou r ye a rs of rest ra in t wa s perm itted to return to B a n ga lo re The re he foun d everythin g i n disorder The chiefs who m his a rm ies h a d s ubdu ed h a d revolted d urin g his a bsen ce a n d i n his fa vou rite on e of the fights which e n s u ed s on A M u s u lm an n a m ed Mu sta fa Kha n Sa m bha ji h a d fa lle n cla im ed to ha ve ce rt a in rights in the fortress of Ka n a kgiri which Sh a h a ji h a d been co n fe rred by the Bij a pu r gove rn m e n t on Bh os le In stiga ted if n ot a ctu a lly a ided by a m e m be r of the roya l ho u sehold n a m ed Af zu l Kh a n Mu sta fa Kha n overpowered Sha h a ji s ga rrison a n d occ u pied Ka n a kgiri Sa m bha ji we n t there wi th a fo rce bu t fou n d Mu sta fa Kha n p rep a red to resist Sa m bha ji se n t a lette r to Mu st a fa Kha n u rgin g h i m to r efer the d ispu te to the ki n g a t Bij a pu r While n egoti a tion s we r e pro c eed in u st a fa Kh a n t re a che ro u sly o r de red his a rtille ry m en M g to hit if they cou ld Sa m bha ji a n d the kn ot of o ffice r s ro u n d h i m The b a tte ries Ope n ed fire a n d a c a n n on — b a ll hittin g Sa m bha ji killed h im i n st a n tly The t re a c he ry p rofited Mu sta fa Kha n bu t little Whe n Sha ha ji o n ce m o re re a c hed Ba n ga lo re h e led a n othe r bod y of t roops to Ka n a kgi ri a n d sto r m ed it Wi th P s i M SS S n is l M h bl hw by R B h d P .

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A

H IST ORY

TH E M A RA THA PE O PLE

OF

su perb gen erosity b e spa red the life of his son s a ss a ssin s To wa rds Gh orpa d e of Mu dhol Sha ha ji displa yed a d ifferen t s pirit The kin g of B ij a pu r a n xiou s to protect Gh orpa d e fro m his his p resen ce v icti m s ven gea n ce m a de both p a rties swe a r in n eve r to m olest e a ch othe r a n d m a de the m a s a pr oof o f frie n d ship excha n ge with ea ch othe r portion s of t heir la n d s Sha h a ji kept his pro m ise in the letter bu t n ot i n the spirit He se n t i n which he wrote Be c a refu l to to Sh i v a ji a n epistle co m plete the wo r k which y ou ha ve u n dert a ke n B y the g ra ce of the Most High m a y the wives of you r e n e m ies eve r b a the i n thei r own wa rm tea rs Ma y God c rown you r hopes with su ccess a n d i n c re a se yo u r p r ospe rity You will n ot fa il to be cou rteo u s a lwa ys to B a ji Gh orpa d e for o u kn ow the gre a t obliga tion s y ” un de r which he h a s la id m e Sh i v a ji prized highly the words of a pp r ova l con ta in ed in the m issive He a lso gra sped the re a l m e a n in g of the la st se n ten ce An d he resolved when a fittin g ch a n ce c a m e to co m ply with Sha ha ji s wishes a n d exa ct fu ll ven gea n ce fr o m B a ji Gh orpa d e of Mu dhol ’

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Shi vd zgv ij a ya B a kha r '

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CHA PTE R XV EA

R LY S UCCE SS E S JA O L I JANJI RA :

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1 65 5

To

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A ND PR A TAP GAD

1 65 9

i n j un ction to pun ish B a ji Gh orp a d e Shi v a ji h a d hi s own qu arr el to settle with B ala ji More He wa s however loth to destroy on e whom he ha d kn own i n boyhood a n d he r esolved to m a ke a n effort to wi n over Mo r e by person a l i n flu en c e p H e visited Ja oli hi m self a n d i n a n i n terview wi th B a l a ji Mor e did hi s u tm ost by a ppea ls t o hi s r eli gio n a n d p a triotis m to gai n to hi s side the r elu cta n t n oble He m er ely wa sted hi s bre a th B a la ji duri n g the i n terv iew tried to sec ur e hi s visitor s perso n i n order to ha n d hi m ove r j us t a s Gh orp a d e h a d h an ded over Sha h a ji to the Bij a pu r govern m en t Bu t Shi v a ji wh o h a d com e prep a r ed for tre a che ry broke loose fr o m his a ss a ila n ts a n d m a de his esc a pe Shi v a ji n ow desp a i r ed of wi n n i n g Mor e s a lli a n ce Nevertheless he did n ot a t on ce decl a r e wa r He sen t to Ja oli two e n voys R a gho B a lla l A tre a B ra hm an a n d Sa m bh aji Ka v a ji a Ma ra th a to la y befor e B a l a ji a n u lti m a tum Its term s were th a t he sho u ld hi s d a u ghter i n m a rri a ge or a t o n ce j oi n Shi v a ji a n d give hi m ta ke the full con s equ en ces of refus a l Mor e a t first a ffected to gra n t Shi v a ji s de m an ds Severa l i n terviews took pl a ce A t l a st it bec a m e cle a r b u t B a l a ji ev a ded a defin ite a n swer th a t More was bu t a m u sin g the e n voys i n or der t o gain ti m e ted a s if On r ecei vi n g thei r r eport Shi v a ji with hi s a rm y star By n ight he ch a n ged hi s d irection a n d t o go to Pur a n d a r occu pied Mah ablesh wa r R a gho B a lla l A t r e n ow dem an ded bta i n ed on e m or e i n tervi ew with More Wh a t ha ppen ed an d O is obscure It is prob a ble th a t Shi v a ji s en voys charged B a l a ji B EFORE c a rr yin g

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Th e Ma ha blesh wa r A cc oun t , P a ra s n i s D B P a ra sn i s , Ma ha bles hwa r , p 1 9 ’

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E A RLY S UCCE SS E S

JAOL I JANJ I RA

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P RA TAP GA D

A ND

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151

wi th double de ali n g a n d th a t the la tter com pla i n ed of Shi v a ji s i n va sion High words were excha n ged swords wer e d ra wn a n d R a gho B a ll a l A tr e a n d Sam bh a ji Ka v a ji killed Mo r e a n d hi s brother Then fleei n g i n to the j u n gle they esc a ped to Shi v a ji The l a tter h a d n ot a u thorized hi s e n voy s a cts Bu t a s Mo r e s n on a ccept a n ce of the ul ti m a t um wa s t a n ta m o un t to a declara tion of wa r Shi v a ji determ i n ed to profit by them He a n d his troops pu shed on a t on ce to Ja oli They were j oin ed * l r w r by Ba a ji s brothe s h o h a d lon g been on ba d te m s with hi m bec au se he h a d con fisc a ted thei r villa ges Bala ji s m i n i ster H a n m a n tra o a n d Ba la ji s so n s offered a ga ll a n t r esista n ce Bu t thei r m en l a cked the discipli n e of Shi v a ji s force a n d the ski ll of his le a dershi p H a n m a n tra o fell fightin g a n d Bala ji s son s were overpowered an d t a ken pri son ers Shi v a ji i m proved the victory to the u tm ost He e n li sted i n his serv i ce More s own troops a n d wi th their a i d a n d th a t of the brothers to whom he r esto r ed thei r vill a ges he ove rr a n i n a few d a ys the e n ti r e fief I n a r e m ote p a r t of it wa s the str o n g for t of Wa s ot a desti n ed m a n y ye a r s a fter wa rds to be a n E n gli sh priso n It fell a t the fir st a ss a u lt a n d a fter its f a ll Shi v a ji m et with n o fur ther resista n ce He could n ow con solid a te hi s con qu est He foun d a t Ja oli a l a r ge t r e a s u r e a cc um ula ted by s u ccessive ge n er a tio n s of Mor es With p a rt of it he i m proved the te m ple a t O ld Ma h ablesh wa r The r em a in der he p u t to a m ore pra ctic a l u s e n a m ely the fort i fi c a tion of Prat a pga d j ’

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Th e r hym e Mi la le ba r a b h a i S h ed ga v ka r B a kha r

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Gra n t Du ff m a kes Sh i v a ji b u ild P ra ta pga d t em ple l a ter s ee Gra n t Du ff Vol 1 p 204 I t hi n k t ha t t h e form er i s right ot herwi s e Sh i v a ji c ou ld n ot ha v e wors hipped Bh a v a n i before t h e b a ttle of Pra t a pga d A t i n y p ort i on of M ore s t rea s u re es c a ped Sh i v a ji s o b s erv a t i on A n u m b er th e of g old c oi n s h a d b een c on c ea led i n a n ea rt hen p ot a n d b u ri ed i n a fi eld i n Kri s hn a v a lley M ore t ha n 25 0 yea rs a fterwa rds a c u lti v a t or a cciden ta ll y un ea rt hed t h e p c t a s h e pl ou gh ed t h e fi eld H e a n d h i s n eighb ou r s s ha red t h e c oi n s a m on g t hem s elv es Th e fin d rea ch ed t h e ea rs of t h e Mu s u lm a chi ef c on s ta ble of Pa n chga n i Un h a ppily for hi m h e fell a v ic ti m t o hi s ow n c ovet ou s n es s I n s tea d of rep ort in g t h e m a tter t o h i s s u peri ors h e for c ed t h e v ill a ger s t o s u rren d er t h e t rea s u r e a n d t hu s m i s a pp r op ri a t ed i t t o h i own use H e wa s a rres ted By a c ur i ou s cha n c e h e wa s t ried a n d c on vi c ted by t h e wri ter of t hes e pa ges t hen S es s i on s Ju dge of S a ta r a n d s en ten ced t o a l on g term of i m pr i s on m en t t h e S h ed ga v ka r B a kha r

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H IS TO RY

A

1 52

THE M A RATHA PEO P L E

on

ch arm i n g sto r y h a s been pr eserved whi ch expla in s hi s selectio n of Prat a pga d ra ther th a n a n y of the othe r hi lls i n the n eighbo urhood It h a d been the pra ctice of the Bh osle f a m ily to visit a t le a st o n ce a ye a r the tem ple of Bh a van i A fter the vi sio n i n whi ch she or P a r wa ti at Tu lj a pu r poi n ted ou t t o Maloji the tre a su r e from whi ch the Bh osles fortun es r ose she h a d beco m e the speci a l obj ect of the f a m i ly worship But a fter Shi v a ji s r ebelli o n it wa s n o lo n ger s a fe For it la y fa r to for hi m to m a ke a pilgri m a ge to Tulj a pur the e a st of hi s territories He therefor e decided to bui ld a tem ple a t B a iri For thi s p ur pose he sen t a ll over I n di a for a su ita ble piece of m arble for the goddess i m a ge Bu t on e n ight he s a w Bha va n i in a visio n She told hi m th a t h er wish wa s n ot to h a ve a te m ple a t B a i r i b u t to live close to Ma h a bles h wa r Shi v a ji sho ul d se a rch un til he fo un d a hi ll kn own a s the Bh ora py a Hi ll On its s u m m it he sho ul d b u ild a tem ple for h er a n d a fort for hi m s elf Next m orn in g Shi v a ji se ar ched for the Bh ora py a Hi ll A herds m a n poin ted it ou t to hi m a bo u t twelve m iles to the west of the Mah ablesh wa r pl a te a u When he r e a ched i t his v i si on wa s con fir m ed by the discover y of a ston e on whi ch li n g the speci a l m ar k of Shi va Shi v a ji n o wa s m a rked a lon ger dou bted th a t hi s dre a m h a d com e throu gh the ga tes of horn a n d b u ildi n g a tem ple to Bh a va n i pl a ced i n it the m arble idol p rep ared by hi m for B a iri R oun d the te m ple Mor o Pin gle bui lt a fo rt ress To it Shi v a ji ga ve the a t his m a ster s o r de rs ” the F ort of Glory The spot chose n n am e of Pra t a pga d or by Bh a va n i did i n fin i te c redit to h er j u dgm en t From the Bu t on the Koyn a v alley Pra t a p ga d rises ove r 1 000 feet western side it d r ops yet a n other 1 000 feet i n to the Kon kan a n d to h i m who looks a t it fr o m the M a h a d r o a d it o ffers a specta cle of the m ost i m posin g kin d A t the s a m e ti m e it com m an ds wh a t is n ow kn own a s the M a h a d Gha t the o n ly p a ss by whi ch the tra veller c an descen d fro m the Krishn a or the Koyn a va lley i n to the Ko n ka n The possessio n of thi s p a ss wa s of the u tm ost va l u e to Shi v a ji for it j oin ed u p hi s n ew con qu est of Ja oli with hi s form e r con qu ests a lo n g the weste rn se a bo a rd A

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E A RLY SU CCE S S E s

JAOL I

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J AN J LRA

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PRA TAP G A D

AN D

15 3

Not lo n g a fter the f a ll of Ja oli a n i n ciden t h a ppen ed whi ch showed cle a rly the cou rse whi ch Shi v a ji h a d chosen for hi m s elf I n a v ill a ge n a m ed Golewa d i n ot fa r f ro m Wa i b u t i n Ja oli te rri to ry lived a M a ra th a n a m ed Gole wh o on Cha n d ra R a o s dea th tried to m a ke hi m self i n depe n de n t Shi v a jl pu t down the I n the course of the risi n g a n d took Golewa d i by storm la w a be au tif ul yo un g w om an wa s fighti n g Gole s d a u ghter i n — ta ke n priso n e r a n d bro u ght to Shi v a ji by on e of hi s B ra hm a n office rs Shi v a ji coul d h a ve pla ced h er i n hi s z a n a n a w itho u t i n c urri n g a n y r epr o a ch Nevertheless a fter pra isi n g the girl s be a u ty he tu rn ed to his o fficer a n d s a id So f a ir is she tha t w e re it i n m y powe r I sho ul d wish to be bo rn a s h er s on He the n ga ve the l a dy presen ts s u ch a s she w ould h a ve r eceived h a d she visited h er f a ther or h er b r othe r a n d se n t h er b a ck p ro pe rly a tte n ded to h er hu sb a n d To hi m he a lso wrote a n a ssu r a n ce th a t the yo un g w o m a n w a s le a vi n g hi s c u stody a s p u r e a s whe n she h a d e n ter ed it I n 1 65 6 a f resh wa r br oke ou t betw ee n Bij a pu r a n d the Moghu ls Sha h Jeh a n s thi rd s on A ura n gz i b h a d tre a che rou sly a tta cked a n d defe a ted the ki n g of Golco n d a a n d fo r ced on hi m a h u m ili a ti n g pe a ce The pri n ce the n tu rn ed hi s eyes towards Bij a p ur He h a d lo n g disli ked the kin g Ma hom ed A dil Sha h who h a d bee n on frie n dly term s wi th his el d est br other a n d riva l D a ra Sha koh I n Nove m be r 1 656 Ma hom ed A dil Sha h died le a vi n g a s hi s s u ccessor hi s s on Ali A dil Sha h The l a tter wa s o n ly n i n etee n ye a r s of a ge a n d A ura n gz ib s a w i n the we a kn ess o f the yo un g ki n g a ch a n ce of r eve n gi n g hi m self u po n a de a d e n e m y He i n s i n u a ted to the e m pe r or tha t Ali A dil Sha h wa s illegiti m a te Bij a p ur wa s a trib u ta ry sta te The s u cc e ssion a r u ed the p ri n ce s A li A depe ded the pp r ov l of Delhi n o n a a g A dil Sh a h h a d witho u t rights o f i n he rita n ce a n d w itho u t the e m pe ro r s perm i ssio n u surped the th ro n e he sho uld be a t o n ce depose d Sh a h Jeh an yielde d to thi s r e a son i n g a n d ordered A ura n gz i b to a tta ck Bij a p ur The un h a ppy yo u n g ki n g su ed for pe a ce i n the h um blest te rm s a n d o ffer ed to p a y a s ra n so m .

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S h ed ga v ka r B a kha r A s im o f Sh i v a i a n d u la n a A hm a d s j of t h e s a m e t a le

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ila r s tory i s t old i n t h e Bo ba y G a zetteer d a u ghter i n la w B ot h a re pr o ba bly v a ria n ts m

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1 54

H IS T ORY

A

TH E M ARA THA PE OPL E

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crore of ru pees Bu t Aur an gzi b s a i m wa s to s u bver t th e ki n gdom He refus ed a ll term s a n d ove rru n n i n g Bi ja pur l pres sed the siege of the c a pita l wi th the u tm ost vigour The ki n g ga ve hi m s elf u p for lost whe n a n eve n t a t Delhi com pletel y cha n ged hi s situ a tion On Septem ber 8 1 65 7 the E m peror Sh a h Jeh an fell seriou sly ill His eldest s on D a ra Shukoh who wa s a t A gra wi th hi s f a the r a ssum ed the govern m e n t Pri n ce Shu j a D ara s seco n d br other govern or of B en ga l wa s Pri n ce M ura d B a ksh his fo urth brother wa s gove rn or of Ah m a d a b a d Both Shu j a a n d Mur a d B a ksh r ebelled Aura n g zib e n riched by the we a lth t a ken from the Golcon d a ki n g a n d ge n er a l of the Decc a n arm y ra ised the siege of Bij a pur a n d j oi n ed i n the risi n g Wh at followed is t oo well kn own to be r el a te d i n deta il The e m pero r r ecovered f rom hi s illn ess a n d order ed hi s son s to return to thei r duties They p a id n o heed t o his orders bu t a tta cki n g the i m peri a l a rm y un der D a ra Sh ukoh co m pletely defe a ted it a t S a m a gh ar on e d a y s m ar ch fr o m A gra A fter the victory of the a lli es A ur an gzi b i m prison ed Mura d B a ksh defe a ted Sh uj a a n d behe a ded D a ra Shukoh n u m A The deposi g Sh h Jeh a n he o ted the D a n n ( thron e i n hi s pla ce When A uran gzi b first m a rched u po n Bij a pur Shi v a ji welcom ed hi m a s a n a lly He wr ote a letter to the prin ce i n whi ch he begged th a t A ur an gz ib would on the e m peror s beh a lf a ckn owledge hi s rights over the fort s an d territories con qu er ed by hi m fro m Bij a pur A ur a n gz i b i n a letter* d a ted A pril 23 1 65 7 replied i n the m ost gra ciou s term s He recogn ized Shi v a ji a s the lord of all the territories i n hi s occu p ation an d he c a lled u pon hi m a s a n a lly to r ej oice i n hi s ” u l a n u w r ece t s ccesses by ote the j bil t Mogh a d y r Da y n u we a re becom in g m or e victorious See " the i m pregn a ble Beda r fort n ever befo re ta ke n a n d K a lya n i n ever storm ed eve n i n m en s dre a m s h a ve f allen i n a d a y O thers t u b m a r would h a ve tried for d a ys togethe to t ke the ” would h a ve tried i n va in Bu t the vi ctories whi ch so gra tified Aur a n gz ib ga ve little ple a s ur e to Shi v a ji He h a d ’

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O rigin a l letter i n

P a ra sn i s

Collec ti on

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H IS T ORY OF TH E M A RAT HA PEO PLE

A

15 6

co m m a n d of his wa r ships he pla ced a n um ber ; of hi s co un trym e n These A byssi n ia n s w e r e won t to a ssum e the title of Sya d a n d to cla i m a desce n t fro m the Prophet This title the Ma ra th a s corru pted i n to Sidi Upo n the p artitio n of the Ah m a dn a ga r ki n gdo m the r ocky isl a n d pa ssed with the m a i n la n d to Bij a pu r Bu t it n eve r received a n a m e It wa s si m ply kn own a s Ja zi ra or the Isla n d This Ar a bic w ord the M a ra th a s corru pted i n to J a n ji ra whi ch se rves it a s a n a m e to thi s d a y The Bij a pu r govern m e n t reta i n ed the A byssi n i a n s a ilors i n their service bu t pl a ced ove r the m thei r own officers to whom w ere a lso e n tru sted seve ra l forts on the m a i n la n d At the ti m e of Shi v a ji the Bij a pur govern or wa s a n A fgh a n c a lled Fa tih Kh a n a n d it wa s f ro m his su bordi n a tes tha t Shi v a ji h a d i n hi s fir st di rect a tta ck on Bij a p u r t a ke n the forts of S a l a Gos s a la a n d B ai ri Si n ce th a t r everse Fa tih Kh a n h a d sho wn m o r e a lert n ess a n d hi s spies h a d c a ref ully wa tched Shi v aji s m ove m e n ts The l a tter n evertheless wa s co n fide n t of s u ccess He equi pped a n efficien t force i n to which he a dm i tted 800 Af gh a n m er ce n a ries a n d defe n ded the a c t by telli n g hi s so m e wh a t s ca n da lized followe rs tha t those who sou ght to fou n d a n e m pi re m u st h a ve the sym pa thy a n d the help of a ll cla sses a n d a ll c r eeds He i n cr e a sed hi s c a va lry ou t of the spoils of Jun n a r an d Ah m a d n a ga r a n d a ppoi n ted to co m m a n d the m Netoji Pa lka r a bra ve a n d e n ter prisi n g o ffice r Shi v a ji h a d by thi s ti m e a ppoi n ted a fter the m a n n e r of the Bij a pur a n d Ah m a d n a g a r gove rn m en ts a Peshwa or for eign m i n iste r The holder of the o ffice wa s a B ra h m a n c a ll ed Sh a m ra j Nilka n t Ra n jekar a n d to h i m wa s e n tru sted the t a sk of over thr owi n g F a tih Kh a n The a ppoi n tm e n t wa s a m ist a ke Shi v a ji shou ld hi m self h a ve led the a rm y i n a n u n de rta ki n g so a r d u ou s Sh a m ra j pr oved u n equ a l to it He wa s su rpri sed a n d defe a ted by Fa tih Kh a n a n d h i s a rm y dispersed Sh i v a ji s tra i n ed eve r y n erve to r ep a ir the dis a ste r He se n t a l a rge body of f resh troops a n d o rder ed R a gho B a ll a l A tr e to a ss u m e the co m m a n d i n pl a ce of the be a te n ge n era l R a gho B a ll a l A tre n ot o n ly checked the p ur s uit R a j ga d

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H e wa s

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h Gra n t Duff a n d R a n a d e c a ll F a t ih Kha n a Sidi B u t t hi s i s i n c orrec t E lli ot a n d Dows on Vol a n A fgh a n o ffic er of B ij a p ur ( Khafi K ha n

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E ARLY SU CCE s s s s

JAOLI JAN J IRA

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PRA TA P G A D

15 7

soon for ced F a tih Kh a n to a c t on the defe n sive Mor o Pin gle s ucceeded Sh a m ra j a s P eshwa a n d Shi v a ji Pi n gle a n d Netoji Pa lkar spe n t the m o n soo n of 1 65 9 in equ ippi n g a forc e l a r ge e n ou gh to over whel m F a tih Kh a n i n the follo wi n g w i n ter a n d seize J a n ji ra Shi v a ji howeve r w a s for ced to ch a n ge hi s pl a n s to m eet a n ew Sh a m r a j s r epu lse befo r e Ja n ji r a h a d a n d form id a ble d a n ger a pu r rn m e n t the Bij gove The youn g u t fr esh he a r t i n to p ki n g a t h i s m other ’s s u ggestion c a lled on the n obles of hi s cou rt to vol un tee r for the co m m a n d of a n a rm y desti n ed to destr oy The fir st to step forwa r d wa s on e Shi v a ji a n d his follo w ers A fz ul Kh a n a m a n of gr e a t sta tur e a n d str e n gth He wa s the s on of the do w a ge r qu ee n s br other wh o wa s s u peri n te n de n t of the r oya l kitche n He wa s the s a m e m a n wh o a s I ha ve m e n tio n ed a lr e a dy i n stiga ted M u sta fa Kha n s r ebelli o n i n the course of whi ch Shi v a ji s elder br other Sa m bh aji fell Afz ul Kh an h a d a lso been gove rn o r of IVa i on the u pper r e a ches of the Kr ishn a a n d he kn ew w ell the cou n tr y r o un d Ja oli The ki n g gla dly a ccepted his services a n d pl a ced hi m a t the he a d of horse a n d well equ ipped with a fin e a r m y co m posed of c a n n o n stor es a n d a m m u n itio n His i n stru ction s wer e to t a ke F a ili n g th a t he wa s to r ecover Shi v a ji ’s Shi v a ji de a d or a live r ece n t co n qu ests f r o m Bij a pu r Afz ul Kh a n m a de the bo a stf ul r eply th a t he wo u ld n ot o n ly t a ke Sh i v a ji priso n e r b ut wo ul d m a ke hi m ride on his o wn ho rse b a ck to Bij a p u r I n S pite of these b ra ve w o rds evil o m e n s so the M a ra th a c hro n i clers love to r el a te r epe a tedly wa rn ed Af z ul Kh a n a ga in st the en terpri se A s he r evie wed his a rm y befor e the first m a r ch F a tih L a shka r the picked eleph a n t of the Bij a pu r sta bles d i ed j — s z a the e Kh we t to good bye to his p iest Af u l a n n r Wh n I y l a tte r r ecoiled i n ho rr or for he co u ld see i n fro n t of hi m o n ly a he a dless figu r e Nothi n g d a un ted by these o m e n s A fz u l Kha n set ou t i n Septe m ber 1659 fro m Bij a p u r He see m s to h a ve first

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Gra n t Du ff es t i m a tes H i n d u W r i ters es t i m a te i t 1 B a lla d Of Afz u l Kha n

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1 58

H IS T ORY

TH E MAR A THA PE O P LE

or ’

i n ten ded to t urn Shi v a ji s so u thern fortresses by a wide fla n kin g He ther efor e m a rched a l m ost d u e n orth fro m Bij a pur to m a r ch Thi s wa s a n d is still a f a vour ite shrin e of Bha va n i Tulj a pur especi a lly de a r to the Bh os le f a m ily a s I h a ve s a id a n d wa s Kn owi n g this Afz ul Kh a n r esolved to desecra te it The priests s us pected hi s i n ten tion s a n d befor e hi s a rriva l m oved the goddess i m a ge to a pla ce of s a fety Un a ble to destroy the i m a ge Afz ul Kha n h a d a c ow kill ed a n d its blood spri n kled * I n the m e a n whi le Shi v a ji he a ri n g of throu ghou t the te m ple Af z ul Kh a n s a dva n ce h a d reti red with hi s tr oops fro m R a jga d to J a oli where the di fficulties of the coun try woul d en a ble hi m better to m eet the Bij a pu r a rm y Afz ul Kh a n a t on ce a ltered hi s li n e of m a r ch a n d turn ed sou th west c r ossi n g the Bhi m a R iver a t Pa n dharp ur Here a lso he desecra ted the tem ples a n d thr ew the i m a ge of Pun d ali k i n t o the wa ter The idol of Krishn a sta n di n g on a brick wa s s a ved from hi s fur y by th e vi gilan c e of the B rahm an s From Pa n dh a rpur Afz ul Kh a n m arched throu gh R a hi m a tpu r to Wa i wher e he a m u sed hi m s elf by pre pari n g a c a ge for Shi v a ji s con fin em e n t A t the s a m e ti m e he sen t a m essen ger to Shi v a ji i n v i tin g hi m to a conferen c e a t Wa i Bu t Shi v a ji by n ow h a d h ad som e experien ce of Bij a pur wa ys Vi s h v a s ra o j a Pra bhu by c a ste a n d the chief of Shi v a ji s secr et se rvice h a d a lr e a dy m a de hi s wa y d ressed i n a f a kir s ga rb i n to A fz ul Kh a n s c a m p a n d h a d he ard hi m boas t tha t he m e an t to e n tra p Shi v a ji a n d ta ke hi m prison er to Bij a pur This i n form a tion Vi shv a sra o a t on ce com m un ic a ted to hi s m as ter When Af z ul Kh a n s e n voy Kri shn a ji Bh a s ka r i re a ched Pra t a p ga d Shi v a ji a ffected to believe hi s wo rds a n d expressed hi m s elf a s a n xio u s to m eet the Kh a n a s the la tter wa s to m eet hi m The Kha n s a id Kri shn a ji will us e his in flu en c e with the Bij a pur gove rn m en t to obta in n ot o n ly forgiven ess bu t form a l cessio n s of a ll l a n ds i n yo u r occup a tion If th a t is so replied Shi v a ji a n d the Kh a n is r e a lly w ell a ffected towa rd s m e I sh a ll gl a dly m eet hi m a t J a o li Bu t I '

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1 S hed ga v ka r B a kha r H i s f ull n a m e wa s Vi s h v a s ra o Na n a j i I Kri shn a ji B h a s ka r wa s Ku lka rn i of Wa i a n d Di wa n .

He

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t hi m

to Shi v a ji

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M

u se

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A

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H IS T ORY OF TH E M AR AT H A P E O PLE

A fz u l Kh a n i n d u ce hi m to r eturn with y ou to Bij a p u r con fiden t i n hi s troops a n d i n hi s own pe rson a l s tren gth s en t b a ck a m essa ge to Shi v a ji a ccepti n g hi s i n vi ta tion When the fo rtn ight h a d ela psed Afz ul Kh a n struck his c a m p A t e a ch h a lti n g a n d m a r ched over the Ma h a bles h wa r pl a te a u pla ce he fo u n d a m ple provision s for hi s troops who m ar ched ga ily a lo n g ign ora n t th a t thou s an ds of h ostile eyes w a tched them fro m the n eighbo uri n g thi ckets They descen ded the Ra d ton d i p a ss bu t a s they we n t yet a n other ill om en warn ed Afz u l Kh a n of a ppro a chi n g dis a ste r The eleph a n t whi c h c arried the r oya l * Bu t the Bij apu r sta n d a r d stopped de a d a n d r efu sed to m ove gen era l wa s a s bli n d to o m e n s a s the Gr eek w a rri ors wh o m a r ched a g a i n st Theb e s The st a n da rd w a s pl a ced on a n othe r eleph a n t s b a c k a n d the a rm y re a chi n g the Koyn a v all ey en c a m ped a t Pa r a s m a ll vill a ge a t the foot of Pr a t a p ga d The I n terv iew wa s fix ed for the followi n g even i n g a n d the pl a ce chosen wa s a spot a bo u t a qu a r ter of a m ile fr om the fort wa lls Shi v a ji h a d a sha m i an a e r ected a n d f ur n ished with rich c a rpets a n d costly h a n gi n gs I n the m orn i n g he b a thed a n d a t e hi s br ea kfa s t a s u su a l I n the a ftern oo n he la y Af te r risin g he do wn a n d slept a s if n o d a n ger a wa ited hi m visited the te m ple of Bh a va n i a n d i m plor ed h er help Ne xt he t ook i n to his con fiden ce hi s co m r a de Ta n aji Malu s are the Peshwa Mo ro Pi n gle a n d Net oji P a lka r They wer e order ed to post troops r o un d the fla n ks a n d r e a r of the Bij a pur a rm y so a s to c u t o ff a ll possibility of r etr e a t i n c a se Afz ul Kh a n a tte m pted tr e a chery The sign a l for their a tta ck wa s to be a bl a st on a ho rn Shi v a ji then c a lled a co un cil a n d n a m e d i n the eve n t Sa m bh a ji a s his hei r a n d Net oji of his de a th hi s yo un g s on L a st of a ll he visited hi s m other J i ja ba i Pa lka r a s r ege n t Shi v a ji howeve r She begged h i m n ot to m eet Afzu l Kh a n stood firm i n his resolve The Hi n du gods he s a id a n ger ed ” A t le n gth wi th A fz ul Kha n will if n eed be fight on m y Side Be J i ja b a i ga ve wa y blessed h i m a n d a s he left h er s a id c a r efu l m y s on be c a r efu l a n d t a ke ve n ge a n ce for Sa m bh a ji ” you r b rother .

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E A RLY S UCCE SS E S

JA OL I JA NJ I RA

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A ND

1 61

Shi v a ji

then prep a red hi m self to m eet the tre a chery whi ch he a n ticip a ted He put on a co a t of ch a i n arm o ur O ve r it he p ut on a gold e m b roidered co a t On hi s he a d he fa sten ed a steel c a p a n d wo un d over a n d roun d it a lon g cloth tu rb a n I n to hi s left ha n d he fitted the steel poin ts kn own a s waghn a kk or tiger cla ws He con ce a led a s m a ll d a gger kn own a s a vi n cku or scorpio n i n hi s right sleeve Th en f ully equi pped he bega n to descen d the hi ll a cco m p an ied by J i v b a Ma ha la Sam bh a ji Ka v a ji a n d a thi rd whose n a m e h a s n ot s ur vived I n the m e a n ti m e Afz ul Kh a n wa s bei n g c arried u p A t hi s side we n t Kri s hn a ji Bh as ka r Pra t a p ga d i n a p a la n qui n Behi n d the m followed a l a rge body of a rm ed m en Kri shn a ji poi n ted ou t th a t if the Kh a n hoped t o d u pe Shi v a ji he h a d bette r le a ve hi s soldie rs behi n d Afz u l Kh a n a greed a n d red u ced his escort to the s am e n um ber a s Shi v a ji s On e of th ese ho w eve r wa s a f a m o u s swo rds m a n n a m ed Sa ya d B an d a Shi v a ji seei n g S a ya d B a n d a se n t a m esse n ge r to s a y th a t he fe ar ed his presen ce a n d o ffe red to dis m iss on e of hi s a tte n d an ts if Af zul Kh a n left S a ya d B a n d a behi n d Afz ul Kh an c on se n ted a n d S a ya d B a n d a h a lted Shi v a ji the n se n t a wa y hi s thi rd a tte n d a n t a n d a ccom p a n ied on ly by J i v ba M a h a l a a n d Sa m bh a ji Ka v a ji a dv a n ced to greet the Kh a n wh o h a d n ow e n te red the sh a m i a n a Shi v a ji a ppe a red t o be un a rm ed a n d Af z ul Kh a n who c a rried a swo rd tho u ght th a t the m o m e n t He a ddressed Shi v a ji i n i n sulti n g to n es h a d co m e to seize hi m c a m e to h a ve the a n d a sked how a co m m o n pe a s an t like h i m Shi v a ji repli ed hotly th a t th a t ri ches displ a yed i n the sh a m i a n a was hi s b u si n ess a n d n ot Afzu l Kh an s whose fa the r was n othi n g * The Kh a n e n ra ged a t the ta un t seized with bu t a cook the left a rm Shi v a ji by the n eck forci n g hi s he a d un der hi s At the s a m e ti m e the Kh a n with hi s swo r d tried to a rm pit sta b hi m i n the sto m a ch The co a t of m ail turn ed the poin t Nevertheless Shi v a ji was i n gre a t peril Althou gh expectin g tre a chery he ha d yet bee n ta ken un a wa res To us e a term fro m the prize rin g he wa s i n Ch an cery ; a n d by a co m m o n tr ick of .

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Af z ul Kha n B a ll a d t oi t h e ro ya l ki t chen

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den

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S hi v a j i

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te n

1 62

A

H IS T ORY

TH E M A RATH A PEO PLE

OF

I n di a n wrestle rs Afz u l Kh a n w a s tryi n g to disloc ate Shi v a ji s A s he a fte rwa r ds s a id whe n r el a ti n g n eck by twisti n g hi s he ad * t h e sce n e to a f rie n d he wa s o n the poi n t of f a i n ti n g Ha d he do n e so he wo u ld h a ve b ee n los t S u dde n ly he thou ght of hi s di vi n e m issio n Hope a n d co ura ge r etu rn ed He swu n g hi s left a rm r o u n d the Kh a n s w a ist a s he r a ised hi s right a rm for a seco n d blow The steel cl a ws bi t deeply i n to the Kha n s sto m a ch a n d a s he wi n ced with the p a i n Shi v a ji freed his right a rm a n d d r ove the d a gge r i n to his e n e m Af s b a ck z u l Kh a n y b roke a wa y a n d a i m ed a m ighty blow a t Shi v a ji s he a d whi ch c u t th r o u gh the t u rb a n a n d the steel c a i n flicti n g a s light p sc a lp wo u n d Shi v a ji s n a tched a swo r d from J i v b a M a h a l a wh o c arried t wo an d stru ck the Kh an thro u gh his left sho ulde r He fell c a lli n g for help S a ya d B a n d a a n d his other a tte n d a n ts ru shed u p They pl a ced A fzul Kh a n i n a p a l a n qui n a n d tried to c a rr y h im b a ck t o Pa r Bu t Shi v a ji a n d J i v b a M a h a l a ove rc a m e S a y a d B a n d a a n d Sa m bh a ji Ka v a ji ru n n i n g a fte r the p a lki b e a r e r s sl a she d a t thei r legs u n til they d ropped their b u rde n Sa m b h a ji the n c u t o ff the dyi n g m a n s h ea d a n d b ro u ght it b a ck to Shi v a ji The l a tte r blew his ho rn F ro m eve r y c o rn e r of the thick j u n gle po u r ed ou t bodies o f foot s oldi e r s a n d s qu a d r o n s of c a v a l r y The b a ttle wa s e n ded The Bij a p u r ho r s e m e n co m pl etel y s ur in a fe w seco n ds p ri sed we r e r idde n ove r by Net oji P a lka r befo r e they h a d ti m e to m o u n t Thos e who t ried t o e sc a pe on foot we r e c u t b u t a t Sh i v a ji s o ff by Shi v a i s i n f a n t r y N u m be r s fell j o r de rs a ll who s u rr e n de r ed we r e s p a red The M a ra th a p ris o n e r s we r e a llowed to e n list i n Shi v a ji s s e rvice A body of 3 00 c a v a l r y i n cl u di n g F a z a l M a ho m ed A fz u l Kh a n s m a n a ge d wi th t h e help of o n e Kh a n d oji Kh o p a d e to s on Bu t the e n ti r e c a m p t r e a s u r y sto r es e s c a pe to K a ra d ho rses eleph a n ts a n d c a n n o n of the Bij a p u r fo r ce fell i n to M u ch of thi s booty he distrib u ted a s r e Shi v a ji s h a n ds w a rd s a m o n g hi s t r oops On P a n t oji Gopi n a th he bestowed the vill a ge of Hi v a re T o Vi s h v a s ra o the spy who h a d fi rs t R da s Sh i j s id th a t h i s c o ra ge return ed Whe h t ho ght of R da b t I t a ke i t th t he ea t t h t h e tho ght of R am d a s a n d a ll t h a t ’

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1 64

H IST ORY O F

A

TH E

MA RA TH A PEO PLE

A PP E N D I X

cc oun t gi v en by m e of th e Pla ta p ga d b a ttle differs s o widely from t ha t gi v en by G ra n t Du ff t h a t I t hi n k i t n ec es s a ry t o go in t o t he m a tter m ore c arefu lly t ha n I c ou ld d o i n t h e prev i ou s cha pter for fea r of s p oili n g t h e n a r Th e

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Gra n t Du ff s s t ory Sh i v a ji i s m a de to bri b e Af zul Khan s en v oy Pa n t oji G o pin a t h a n d w it h hi s help t o lea d Afz ul Kh a n in to a tra p delibera tely la i d W i t h a ll d eferen c e t o t h a t lea rn ed for hi m a n d trea ch erou s ly t o m u rder hi m a n d em i n en t w rit er I c a n n ot b u t t hi n k t h a t on t hi s o cc a s i on h e ha s been les s P a n t oji G opi n a t h wa s Shi v a ji s offi c er a n d n ot A fz u l t ha n f a ir t o Shi v a ji Kh a n s Th e b es t owa l th erefore on hi m of B i v a ro v illa ge wa s n ot a bri bea t a ll an d c ou ld n ot h a v e i n flu en c ed t h e rea l en v oy Kr i s hn a ji B h a s ka r Th e s t ory of Shi v a i s t rea ch ery wa s t a ken by Gra n t Du ff from Kha fi Khan j Now Kh a fi Kh a n s a cc oun t s hou ld i n m y o pi n i on b e w h olly d i s c arded Hi s bi a s a ga in st Shi v a ji i s s u ch t h a t h e n ev er s p ea ks of hi m exc ept a s t ha t v ile i n fidel or t ha t hell d og H i s d es cri p ti on of t h e s c en e to o i s ridic u lous wi t h lim b s A cc ordi n g t o hi m Sh i v a ji begged for gi v en es s i n a bj ec t term s a n d If Sh i v a ji h a d t hu s ov era c ted hi s p a rt h e would t rem bli n g a n d c rou chi n g c erta i n ly h a v e rou sed s u s pici on i n t he Kh a n s m i n d Aga in Kh a fi Kha n s a n y ey e wi tn es s s ev iden c e s t ory c ou ld n ot h a v e b een b a sed on All t h e Mus ul I t m a y be m a n s n ea r en ou gh t o s ee w h a t h a pp en ed di ed w it h Afz ul Kha n of c ou rs e s a id t h a t if K h a fi K h a n s a cc oun t s h o uld b e rej ec ted on ac c oun t of B u t t hi s i s n ot s o O wi n g t o a c uri ou s h i s bi a s s o a ls o s h ou ld th e B a kha re t h ey h a v e gon e ou t of t hei r m en t a l a tt i t u de of t h e wri ters of t h e B a kha rs w a y t o i m pu te un s c ru pu l ou s a c t s t o Shi v a ji i n t h e be lief t ha t t hereby t hey prov ed h i s clev ern es s a n d s u bt lety I t i s c ert a in t ha t if Khri s hn a ji An a n t Sa bh a s a d t h e a u t h or of t h e S a bha s a d B a kha r h a d beli ev ed t ha t Shi v a ji ha d begun t h e a tta c k on Afz ul Kha n he wou ld ha v e glori ed i n t h e a c t Now b ot h t hi s Ba klm r a n d t h e Sh i vd i gvij a y a B a kka r a gree t h a t i t wa s Afz ul Kh a n wh o I n t hi s t hey a re s u pp ort ed by t h e w a s gui l t y of t h e fir s t t rea cherou s a t t a c k In deed Ba lla d Sked ga vka r a n d Chi tn i s B a kka re a n d by t h e Afz ul Kh a n Gra n t Du ff h a s la ter a dm i tted t ha t a ll th e H in du a u t horit ies la y the bla m e of B u t h e h a s n ot gi v en a n y rea son s for rej ec tin g t h e a t t a c k on Af z u l Kh a n — To m y m i n d howev er t here i s t h em i n f a v our of Kh a fi Kh a n s a cc oun t t o t h e Mu s u l m a n hi s t ori an T here on e c on clu s i v e g roun d for p referrin g t h em i s a p a s s a ge i n t h e lif e of R a m da s by hi s pu pil H a n m a n t i n whi ch t h e la tter a c on t em p or a r y of Shi v a ji wr i tes t ha t a t t heir firs t m eet in g a fter t h e d ea t h of When a t our in terv i ew Afz u l Kh a n th e kin g s p oke t o R a m da s as f oll ows A bdu ll a ( L e A fz ul Kh a n ) c a u ght m e u n der hi s a rm I wa s n ot i n m y sen ses ha v e es c a ped from hi s grip a n d b u t for t h e S wa m i s bles s i n g I c ou ld n ot Now h a d Sh i v aji t orn Afz ul Kha n s s t om a ch Op en w it h h i s wa ghn a kh a n d in n o d a n ger an d woul d ha v e s t a bb ed hi m w i t h hi s da gg er h e wou ld h a v e b een A m a n a s b a dl y woun ded a s Afz ul Kh an ha d been was n eeded n o bles s i n g b oun d t o c olla ps e i n a m i n u te or two From t hi s i t follows t ha t Afz ul Khan I t wa s t herefore LAfz u l Kha n m u s t h a v e s eize d Shi v a ji wh en un woun ded a n d n ot Shi v a ji W h o wa s gui l t y of trea c hery ’

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CHA PT ER XVI

MU DH O L PA NHA LA ,

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1 662

Kh a n s de a th a n d the co m plete destru ctio n of hi s a rm y p rod u ced the wildest co n stern a tio n i n Bij a pu r The de a d ge n era l wa s the first co u si n of Al i A dil Sh a h a n d the qu e en m othe r a t whose su ggestio n Af zu l Kh an h a d bee n a ppoin t ed to the c o m m a n d felt h er n ephew s de a th m ost deeply She r ef us ed for seve r a l d a ys to ea t or d ri n k An d n ot o n ly she but th e kin g a n d the whole Bij a pu r cour t p u t on m o urn i n g r obes for Af zu l Kh a n * Nor we re the tidi n gs tha t d a ily r e a ched the c a pita l c a lc ula ted to a lla y their grief Shi v a ji s a rm y swollen by the e n listm en t of th e Bij a p ur Hi n d u s spre a d over all th e Bij a pur di s tricts i n the n eighbo urhood of J a oli a n d over the sou thern Ko n ka n The Da lv i s a n a n cien t M a ra th a f a m ily i n th e B i ja pur se r vice we re d rive n fr o m Shi n garp ur Pa n h a la a gre a t fo rt n e a r Kolh a p ur s urre n der ed witho u t a siege to A n n a ji D a tto Pa v a n ga d a n d Wa s s a n tga d fell i m m edi a tely a fter wards R a n gn a a n d Kh eln a we re c a rried by a ss a u lt Shi v a ji cha n ged the n a m e of the l a tte r pl a ce to Vish a lga d by which The Bij a pur govern m en t i n n a m e I s h a ll her e a fte r c a ll it the hop e of chec kin g Shi v a ji s tri um ph a n t pr ogress o rdered B a sta m Ja m a n the co m m an da n t of Mi ra j a t o n ce to m ove to wa rd s Kolh a pur a n d d rive the rebel b a ck to J a oli It wa s a co un s el of desp a i r bec a u se B a sta m Kh an s stri ki n g fo rce n um be red o n ly 3 0 00 m en Shi v a ji a llowed hi m to co m e close t o P a n h a l a a n d the n fell u pon hi m with a gre a tly s u perio r a rm y R as ta m Ja m a n w a s co m ple tely d efea ted j a n d he h a d co n side r a fter the v a ji Shi a ble d i ffic u lt esc pi a n g b a ck to Mi ra j i n y Vi ctory ra llied hi s c a va lry a n d le a di n g the m to Bij a pur plun dered TH E

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1 66

H IS T ORY

TH E M AR A THA PEO P LE

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the roya l territory u p to the ve ry ga tes of the city R etre a tin g with his plun der to Vish a lgad he deposited it ther e a n d desce n ded i n to the Ko n ka n ( Ja n ua r y The re he levied a he a vy co n tribu tio n fro m the town of R a j apu r c a ptured the fo rt o f D abhol which h a d bee n con ceded to hi m by A u ra n gzi b a n d r etu rn ed i n tri u m ph to R a jga d Ali A dil S h a h n ow r esolved to St a ke the whole r eso urces of his kin gdom on a n a ttem pt to a ve n ge the dis a ster of Pra t a p ga d He felt it u seless to e n tru st the d u ty to a n y of hi s heredita ry I n tri gu e j e a lo u sy a n d evil li vin g h a d re n der ed them n obles i n c a pa ble of a cti n g vigo r o u sly The ki n g therefore selected S idi Joh a r a n A byssi n i a n m e rce n a r y a n d con ferred on hi m the title of S a la b a t J a n g A s his seco n d i n co m m a n d he n a m ed A fzul Kh a n s s on F a z a l M a ho m ed a hi gh spi rited yo u n g m a n who h a d esc a ped fro m Pr a t a p ga d a n d who lon ged to retrieve The ki n g collected a n hi s own ho n o ur a n d his f a the r s de a th a rm y of horse 1 4 000 foot a n d e fficien t a rtiller y He i n stru cted S idi Joh a r to recove r Pa n ha l a A t the s a m e ti m e he o rdered F a tih Kha n toissu e f ro m Ja n ji ra a n d r eta ke the Kon The S a va n ts of S a va n tva di un dertook to h ara ss Shi v a ji ka n by a n a tta ck on his so u th weste rn fro n tie r The little co u n tr y of S a va n tv a di or the ho m e of the Sa v a n ts lies a lo n g the Sa h y a d ri s It is bo un ded on the n orth by the M a lwa n ta lu ka a n d on the so u th a n d west by the Portu gu ese districts D u rin g the gre a tn ess of the Vij a ya n a ga r ki n gdo m S a v a n tv a di h a d bee n govern ed by the Vij a ya n a ga r viceroy o f A t the close of the fiftee n th ce n tu ry S a va n t va di fell to Goa the a rm s of Bij a pu r bu t a loc a l dyn a sty kn own a s the Des a is I n 1 5 54 a of Ku d a l we r e a llo w ed to co n ti n u e a s gove rn o r s r evolted n a m ed M an g S a v a n t n a tio n a l he ro of gr e a t t a le n ts drivi n g ou t the Mu s u lm a n ga rrison s an d a g a i n st Bij a p u r His s on was ove r r e m a i n ed i n depe n de n t u n til his de a th thr own ; bu t the f a m ily ret a i n ed a l a rge p a rt of the district Ja ghi r un til 1 627 whe n Khe m S a v a n t a descen d a n t as o n ce m or e m a de him self i n depen de n t I n of M a n g S a v a n t Som S a va n t an d 1 640 he w a s s u cceeded by his s on Som S a va n t eightee n m o n ths l a ter b y hi s b rothe r L a kh a m .

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1 68

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H IS T ORY OF TH E M A RA THA PE OPLE

their The m o n soo n duri n g whi ch Shi v a ji h a d expected Sidi J ohar s r eti re m en t b urst bu t the sto u t old A byss in i a n p a id n o heed t o the tee m i n g ra in a n d he pressed the siege with Shi v a ji s s itu a tio n wa s n ow ext re m ely un r e m i tti n g e n e rgy se ri ous F a m i n e wa s be gi n n i n g to m a ke itself felt am o n g the garrison S epte m ber h a d co m e a n d the d ry se a so n wo u ld soo n be a t h an d The fa ll of Pa n h a la wo ul d the n be cert a i n a n d its fa ll m e a n t his c a ptur e a n d the ru in of a ll his hopes w a s hi s m i n d wa s gra ve But if his situ a tio n n eve r He sen t a m esse n ger m o re r esou r cef u l or his co ura ge hi ghe r i n fo rm i n g hi m th a t h e wa s a n xi ous to to Sidi Joh a r s urren de r a n d p roposi n g a perso n a l i nte rview The A bys sin i a n who wa s a m a n of ho n our gra n ted it He r eceived Shi v a ji with a ll co ur tesy a n d the two lea d ers s p en t the d a y I n the eve n i n g so m e n egoti a ti n g for the s u rr e n de r of P a n h a l a poi n ts rem ain ed u n settled They we re reserved for the follow Shi v a ji wa s pe rm i tted to r eturn un m olested t o i n g m o rn i n g Pa n h a la The besiegers we re con vi n ced th a t n ext d a y would see the f a ll of the gre a t fortress a n d co n sidered the m s elves e n titled to a little rel a xa tion a fte r m on ths of toil a n d expos ur e The se n tries slept a t their posts The di n n ers of the office rs we re m ore co n vivi a l th a n u s u a l A bo u t m idn i ght Shi v a ji a n d a body of chose n tr oops left P a n h ala They desce n ded n ot by a n y of the regu la r r o a ds bu t by a di ffere n t p a th kn own as ” I n pe r fect sile n ce they picked their wa y Shi v a ji s Wi n dow throu gh the sleepi n g e n e m y a n d ta ki n g a weste rly direction bega n to m ar ch a s o n l y M a ra th a hi llm en c a n t owa rd s Vish a lga d T It wa s i m possible lo n g to co n ce a l the flight of a l a rge body of ,

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ha v e a lrea dy ( s ee T a le of the Tu ls z P la n t 2n d ed it i on p 29 ) expres s I rely ed t h e o pi n i on t h a t Sh i v a ji fl ed t o Vi s h a lg a d a n d n ot t o B a n gn a chi efly on ( 1 ) l oc a l tra di t i on ( 2) t h e Vi s ha lga d B a kha r ( 3) t h e grea ter di s ta n c e of B a n gn a f ro m Pa n h a la A s rega rd s ( 3 ) i t i s rea s on a bl e t o s u p p ose t h a t Sh i v a ji o t her t hi n gs equ a l wou ld h a v e fl ed t o th e n ea res t f ort ress Now Vi s h a lga d i s 4 0 m iles from P an h a la while R a n gn a by th e N or i s Vi s h a lg a d a n y l es s s tron g t h an R a n gn a s h ort es t ro a d i s o v er 60 T hu s n ei th er c an h e s t a r v ed ou t A g a in B ot h d es c en d i n to t h e Kon ka n t h e roa d t o Vi s h a lga d i s t hr ou gh a d en s e f ores t t hr ou gh which i n f a n try c a n Th e roa d t o R a n gn a li es t hr ou gh o pen c oun try m o v e a s q u ic kly a s c a v a lr y H a d Shi v a ji t a ken i t h e wou ld h a v e s een b een ov ert a ken by t h e B ij a pur hors e I t i s n o d ou b t true t h a t bot h Gra n t Du ff a n d B en a de m en t ion '

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M U D H OL PAN H ALA

A ND

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SAVAN T V ADI

1 69

Befor e it d a wn ed Sh i v ajr s esc a pe h a d bee n discovered a n d Fa z a l M a ho m ed begged a n d obt a i n ed le a ve to p u rs u e h i m with a fo rce of c a va lr y Sidi J c h a r pro m ised to follow hi m with a la r e body of i n f a n t ry I n the wooded co un try thro u gh g whi ch Shi v a ji led his fo r ce m en on foot c a n m ove a s qui ckly a s m en ho rseb a ck Neve r theless desi re for reve n ge le n t on wi n gs to F a z a l M aho m ed A bo u t n oo n his le a di n g squ a dro n sighted Shi v a ji s foot soldiers The pos ition wa s critic a l Vish a lga d Wa s yet six m i les off a n d his m en wer e worn wi th wa n t of Sleep a n d f a tigu e Bu t the g re a t ki n g s cooln e ss did n ot d eser t He det a ched h a lf his troops to fo rm a r e a rgu a rd a n d him pla ced it u n de r the co m m a n d of on e B a ji Deshp a n de with o rd e rs to r esist t o the l a st a t a pla ce c a lled Pa n d h a r Pa n i or the White Wa te r I n the m e a n ti m e Shi v a ji with the m a i n body of his troops wo u ld m a ke for Vish a lga d with all expedition n al Whe n he h a d r e a ched it he wo u ld fire five gun s a s a sig B a ji Deshp a n de wa s the n to bre a k Off the fight a n d r eti re a s best a s he co u ld to Vish a lga d The officer to who m the perilo u s post o f r e a rgu a rd co m m a n de r wa s e n tru sted h a d r ece n tly b een He wa s of the s a m e f a m i ly as th e i n a rm s a ga i n st Shi v a ji Desh p a n d es of R obi d a who h a d helped hi m i n his e a rly d a ys Bu t B a ji Deshp a n de h a d se rved Ch an d ra Ra o Mo r e a n d i n th e co n test betwee n h i m a n d Shi v aji B a j i h a d stood by hi s m aster e ven a fter hi s de a th E ve n tu a lly B a j i h a d j oin ed Shi v aji s service He wa s a Ka y a s th a Pra bh u a n d a few words a bou t th a t m ost a ttra ctive a n d lova ble c a ste m a y n ot be ou t of pl a ce pl c t which Sh i a j fl d B t b t h t h s e i t R a n gn a a s th troops

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h h d cc di g G f bf h d ld h c h d d l hi h chi g c i ly ly igh l h T hi i p ibl p d M l i f y f h hy h y h hp d f gh g d c i cl ly pl c P i ch ly il f Vi h lg d h f d M l c p d b i g d Vi h lg d ly f g h d c b y Vi h lg d ld l y f ll b c p c h ci c c I hi h g d a ffi r m in g t h a t Shi v a ji es c a p ed t o Vi s h a lg a d a n d n o t t o R a n gn a .

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H IS T ORY OF TH E MARATHA PEO P LE

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their o rigi n by the followi n g ta le A ce rt a i n Sa h a sra rju n a othe r wise kn own a s Kri tav i ry a wa s o n ce ki n g of the H a i hi y a s a n d h a d a thou s a n d a rm s I n hi s ki n gdom li ved a s a ge c a lled J a m a d a gni who wishi n g to a ttai n perfect freedo m fro m all hu m a n p a ssio n s c a st them fro m hi m A m o n g the m wa s A n ge r Befor e le a vi n g J a m a d a gn i A n ge r wa rn ed hi m th a t he wa s m a ki n g a m is ta ke for withou t a n ge r m an cou ld a chieve n othi n g J a m a d a gn i however i n te n t o n ly on a tt a i n i n g co m plete Sa m/a s heeded n ot the wa rn i n g Som e d a ys a n d b a de A n ge r dep a r t with the othe r p a ssio n s l a ter ki n g Sah as rarju n a c a m e to Ja m a d a gn i s he rm ita ge T h e s a ge wa s ou t Bu t hi s wife b a de the ki n g welco m e He r ep a id h er hospit a lity i n ch u rlish f a shi o n by ste a li n g h er s a cr ed c a lf This a c t led to a dispu te betwee n the s a ge a n d the ki n g But a s Ja m a d a gn i h a d lost al l powe r to get a n gr y he wa s un a ble to lift his h a n d a ga i n st his r oya l foe The l a tte r ga ve hi m twen ty on e w o u n ds on the he a d a n d killed h i m Now a m o n g J a m a d a gn i s so n s wa s on e R a m a c a lled P a ra shu ram a or R a m a w ith the a xe a we a po n give n hi m by the god Shiv a He wa s the sixth i n c a rn a tio n of the god Vishn u a n d when he he a rd of his fa the r s de a th he took a fe a rf ul v en ge a n ce For e a ch wo u n d t h a t J a m a d a gn i h a d r eceived he cle a red the e a rth o n ce o f the Ksh a triya s or wa rrio r cl a ss to which Sa h a s rarju n a A m o n g his victi m s w a s Sa h a s ra rjun a s s on belo n ge d Ch a n d ra s en a His wife wh o wa s pr egn a n t fled to the he rm it a e oi the s a ge Da la b h a Pa ra sh u ra m a he a rd of the flight a n d g y followi n g h er d e m an ded h er of the s a ge The l a tte r co m plied s o r ea dily th a t P a r a sh u ra m a p rdm i s ed to give hi m a n y boo n for whi ch h e a sked The s a ge a t o n ce a sked for the life of the chi ld still i n the p ri n cess wo m b Pa ra sh ura m a gran ted the boo n bu t stipu l a ted th a t the child if a boy sho ul d beco m e a write r a n d n ot a wa rrior a n d th a t i n ste a d of Ksh a triya he shoul d c a ll hi m self K a ya sth a a s he h a d bee n sp a red i n hi s m other s ka ya or body Wha teve r tru th m a y u n de rlie this lege n d it is ce rta i n th a t K a ya sth a Pra bh u s u n ite the qu ali ties both of wa rriors a n d wr ite rs They a re b ra ve a n d loya l l a boriou s a n d i n tellige n t I ts

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H IS TO RY

MARATHA PE OPLE

OF TH E

of som e E n glish f a cto rs whom he rightly or wr on gly s us pecte d o f helpi n g F a tih Kh a n t o defe n d J a n ji ra He took the m pri so ue rs a n d did n ot rele a se the m u n til he h a d obta i n ed a con s ider a ble ra n s o m D uri n g the m on soo n Shi v a ji l a id siege t o Ja n ji ra This ti m e he led the besiegi n g fo rce i n person Never theless he was u n a ble to e ffect his purpose Fa tih Kh a n s shi ps held the s ea a n d th e isl a n d wa s t oo fa r fro m the m a i n l a n d for Shi v a ji s a rtille ry to p r od u ce a n ry e f f ect A t l st the sto h a S v a i s o i y j * run s h a d a d re am i n whi ch he s a w Varun a The Sea god spoke to hi m a n d s a id Ja n ji ra wi ll n eve r f a ll i n t o yo ur h an ds To t ake it is beyo n d yo ur str e n gth I sh a ll give y ou a n othe r ” isla n d on which to e r ect a fortress equ a l t o Ja n ji ra When Shi v a ji a woke he r esolved to ra ise the siege a n d believ i n g a n islan d off Ma lwa n kn own a s S i n dhu D urg to be the isla n d of whi ch the Sea god h a d spoke n forti fied it a n d m a de it a n a va l b as e Shi v a ji h a d a n othe r a n d pe rh a ps a better re a so n for ra isi n g the siege The S a v a n ts of S a v a n tva di pr oposed to the cour t of Bij a p u r a f urthe r pl a n of c a m p a ign If they we re su pported by the Bij a pu r a rm y a n d by B a ji Gh orp a d e of Mudh ol they u n dertook to e n g a ge Shi v a i with s u ccess an d The g g r eed k i n a j sen t on e B a hlol Kh a n with a fo rce to c o opera te wi th the S a va n ts r a tes a n d B a ji Gh or a d e H a S a w a ited un til the co n fede v d hi i p j h a d co m pleted thei r pr ep a r a tio n s the S a va n ts sche m e m ight h a ve s u cceeded Bu t th a t wa s n ot Shi v a ji s wa y He we n t b a ck to Vish a lga d whi ch is a b ou t equ idist an t fr o m Mu dhol i n the Do a b a n d S a va n tv a di i n the so u the rn Ko n k an Ther e i n the wi n te r of 1 661 62 he le a rn t fr o m hi s f a the r th a t B a ji Gh orp a d e wa s at M u dhol with o n ly a s m a ll fo rce * I n st a n tly Shi v a ji with 3 000 ho rse stole fo rth fro m Vish a lga d With extra ordin a ry swi ftn ess he r e a ched Mu dhol co m pletely surpris a n ce a n d i n g hi s f a ther s e n em y Now wa s the ti m e to t a ke ve n ge he took it to the fu ll B a ji Gh orpa d e fou ght b ra v ely bu t he Shi v a ji m arched hi s followe rs a n d his so n s we re a ll ki lled thro u gh the fief strippin g it of everythi n g po rt a ble an d destroyi n g the rest As he wr ote i n a letteri to his f a ther i n form i n g hi m ,

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M U D H OL PA N H ALA

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of hi s v ictor y the booty wa s e n orm ou s The ki n g of Bi j a pur se n t a rei n for ce m e n t un de r on e Kh a wa s Kh a n t o r epl a ce the loss Bu t Shi v a ji i n terce pted of B a ji Gh orp a d e a n d hi s t r oops Kh a wa s Kha n a n d to u s e hi s own words dro v e hi m b a ck s a d a n d despo n de n t to Bi ja p Th a t govern m e n t h a d a t this ti m e to s u ffer furt he r ill fortu n e Si di Joh ar who h a d so n e a rly s u cceeded i n e n din g the wa r by the c a ptu re of Shi v a ji deeply rese n ted hi s s u persession an d disgr a ce He a t fir st r eti red to hi s own est a te a n d then bega n to i n trigu e with the Hi n d u n obles of the Do a b who fir ed by th e exa m ple of Shi v a ji h a d rise n a ga i n st Ali A dil Sh a h Tha t ki n g un a wa r e of S idi J oh ar s tre a chery a ppoin ted hi m to com m a n d a n a rm y t o su ppress the risi n g This ga ve the an gry ge n era l the ch a n ce which he sou ght S o fa r fro m a cti n g a ga i n st the Do a b n obles he n ot o n ly helped the m a s far as he could Th e b u t e n te red i n to a co rrespo n de n ce with Shi v a ji hi m self pri n ce howeve r wa s too pru de n t t o be dra wn i n to a dist a n t expeditio n Nevertheless S idi J c h a r tho u ght the ti m e fittin g for r ebellio n a n d a tt a cked the Ph a lt a n co n ti n ge n t whe n sep ara ted fro m the m a i n Bij a pu r a rm y by the Tun ga bh a d ra R iver The tre a cher y f a iled The Ph a lta n chi ef ra lh ed hi s m en a n d even tu a lly repu lsed S idi Joha r who n ot lon g a fterwa rd s wa s a ss a ssin a ted by his own soldiers But a lthou gh his rebellion wa s u n s u ccess ful it yet c a u sed the risi n g in the Doa b to sprea d in eve ry direction Th e gre a t stron ghold of R a ichu r so often lost a n d reta ke n by the t roops of Vija ya n a ga r defied the kin g s a u tho rity Ali So too did the lesse r fo rtress of To rga l A dil Shah wa s fo rced to rec a ll the a rm y se n t to c c ope ra te with the Sa v an ts of Sa va n tv a di Those u n h a ppy chiefs we re n ow left to be a r the fu ll weight of Sh iv a ji s a n ge r I n va in they c a lled in the a i d of the Portu gu ese Th e la tte r se n t the m a * An d Sh i v a ji f a llin g u pon fo rce too s m a ll to be of a n y u s e the a llies dispe rsed their a rm y a n d ove rra n the whole fief of the Sa v a n ts They fell ba ck on the fo rt of Phon d a to th e sou th e a st of Goa But Sh i v a ji blew u p on e of the ba stion s a n d the fo rt bec a m e u n te n a ble Th e u n h a ppy Sa v a n ts h a d n o w .

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1 74

A

H IS T ORY

TH E M ARATH A PEO PLE

OF

hope s a ve in the cle m e n cy of the con qu e ro r We a re ” B h os les like yo u rself they ple a ded exten d to u s the refor e you r p rotection Ta ke ha lf ou r reve n u e a n d lea ve to u s the othe r ha lf If y ou do so we sh a ll e qu ip th ree tho u sa n d m en ” a n d se r ve a lwa ys a s yo u r a llies Sh i v a ji a ccepted the te r m s bu t i n sisted on the s u rre n de r of Phon d a fo rt a n d f ro m tha t The Po rtu gu ese d a y forwa rd Sa va n t va di wa s his va ss a l sta te howeve r h a d in c u rred Shi v a ji s wra th by a idin g the Sa va n ts He in va ded the cou n t ry roun d Goa a n d fo rced the Go ve rn o r Gen e ra l to s u e for pea ce a n d to s u pply h i m with m us kets a m m u n ition a n d c a n n on ( A D The ki n g of Bij a pu r with the Do a b u n s u bd u ed his a lly the c h ief of Mu dhol de a d the S a va n ts i n Sh i v a ji s powe r wa s i n Nor h a d Shi v a ji a n y wish t o pr olo n g n o sta te t o re n ew the wa r it He h a d thro u ghou t hi s life bu t on e a i m a n d th a t was to free the M ara tha ra ce fro m Mu s u lm an The portio n s ubj ect to Bij a pu r he h ad freed He n ow wished to keep it free f ro m -the Mogh uls by fo rm i n g a triple a lli a n ce between hi m which m ight defy s elf a n d the st a tes o f Bij a p u r a n d Golco n d a Moghul a ggr essio n a n d e n a ble h i m to libera te th a t portio n of Ma h a ra shtra whi ch h ad been con qu e red by the Delhi e m perors Whe n both sides are a n xio u s to en d a wa r pe a ce u s u a lly co m es withou t m u ch di fficu lty A con ve n ie n t m edi a to r wa s a t h a n d He h a d n eglected his s on i n his yo u th bu t n ow i n Sh a h a ji felt i n ten sely pr o u d of hi m An d n othi n g delighted hi m m o re th a n the s u ccessfu l a tta ck on M u dhol a n d the f a ll of B a ji Gho r p a de On the othe r h a n d Shi v a ji a lso felt pro u d of his disti n on a ri n g th at the Bij a p u r gove rn m e n t he u i s h ed f a the r a n d g h a d a ppoi n ted Sh a h a j i a s thei r e n voy se n t hi m by a m esse n ge r a co r di a l welco m e Sh a h a ji set ou t o n his j o u rn ey with n o less po m p a n d circ um sta n ce th a n if he h a d b ee n a bo u t to visit Delhi He fi rs t c on a n d le a rn i n g th a t the st a rs we r e pr opitio u s s u lted a s tr ologers he took with h i m his seco n d wife Tu ka b a i a n d h er s on Vy a n koji n o

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Sh i v a ji s l et ter , s ee A pp en dix o on g a s we ea r t hi s a i m i pp l b 7 8 8 S n m 8 a d e n R a , , T c on du c t wi th re ga rd t o bo t h t he Delhi a n d B ij a pu r gov ern m If n ot , i t i s d i ffic u lt , if n ot i m p os s ible, to un ders tan d i t ’

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H IS T ORY or TH E M ARA THA PE O PL E

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1 76

o rth to Pho n d a i n the so u th a n d from D a bhol i n the wes t to I n d a p u r i n the e a st a n d his co m plete i ndep en den ce Both p a rties u n dertook t o defen d the wa s a ckn owledged other fro m foreign a ggressio n An d Shi v a ji took a sole m n o a th n ot t o m olest B ij a pur d u ri n g Sh a h a ji s lifetim e Shi v a ji e n terta i n ed i n r oya l style Sh a h a ji s p arty d uri n g the Whe n the m on soo n h a d a b a ted Shi v a ji took r a i n y se a so n Sh a h a ji with hi m to Ra jga d a n d Pura n d ar L oh ga d a n d B a iri Whe n they re a ched B a iri Sh ah a ji s experien ced eye to ok i n its extra ordi n a ry stre n gth Lyi n g to the west of the Sah y a d r is it is surro un ded on eve ry side by a s ea of m oun ta i n s It rises howeve r hi ghe r th a n a n y of its n eighbours To cli m b it to d a y whe n un defe n ded is a m ost a rd u o u s ta sk To storm it if prope rly fo rtified a n d ga rriso n ed wa s to Shi v a ji s c on tem p or Sha h a ji u rged hi s s on to ch an ge aries a n a bsol u te i m possibility his chi ef stro n ghold fro m R a j ga d to B a i ri Shi v a ji con vi n ced by hi s f a ther s re a son i n g a greed He ch a n ged the n am e of the gre a t hill fro m B a iri t o R a yga d a n d a ppoi n ted A b a ji Son d ev t o fo rt ify it a n d to b u ild on i ts s u m m it pu bli c b ui ldi n gs a n d a p a l a ce for hi m self A t i ts b a se b u t eleva ted so m e hun dred feet a bove the pl a i n he wa s to er ect a dwelli n g pl a ce for Ji ja bai Wh e n the work of fo rtific a tio n wa s com plete Shi v a ji issu ed a pr ocl a m a tio n By it he offe red a ba g of gold a n d a gold bra celet wo rth 1 00 p a god a s to a n yo n e wh o wo uld a scen d the fort by a n y * othe r p a th th a n those whi ch p a ssed throu gh th e fort ga tes A m a n of the Mh a r c a ste c a m e fo rwa rd a n d u n de rtook with Shi v a ji s pe rm issio n t o try If he s u cceeded he would pla n t a fla Bu t the Shi v a ji s m iled a n d b a de hi m try g a t the top Mh a r proved equ a l to the t a sk Cli m bi n g by a p a th kn own to hi m fr o m boyhood he dis a ppe a r ed fr o m Shi v a ji s view Not lo n g a fte rwa rds the wa tche rs s a w the Mh a r s fl a g flu tterin g on the s u m m it He the n desce n ded pr ostra ted hi m self a t hi s pri n ce s feet a n d r eceived the pr o m ised reward Shi v a ji closed the p a th by a ga te still kn own a s Chor Da rwa ja or the thi ef s door Not lo n g a fte rwa rds a n othe r eve n t occu rred whi ch showed th a t A b a ji Son d ev s wo rk wa s n ot yet com plete A in

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cowhe rd s wife n a m ed H i ra ka n i or Di a m o n d h a d e n te red R a yga d fo rt to sell m ilk to the ga rriso n E n g a ged i n the t a sk she h a d th a t n i ght wa s f a lli n g Whe n she tried to le a ve n ot n oticed she fo un d the ga tes closed a n d the gu a rds obdura te I n h er ho u se below she h a d a child a n d a m othe r i n la w Soo n e r th a n n eglect the on e or i n c ur the wra th of the other she sc ra m bled down the hill side a t the risk of h er life a n d re a ched ho m e the s a m e n ight Shi v a ji he a rd of the fe a t a n d b u ilt a b a stion to close the p a th whi ch she h a d t a ke n The b a stio n he c a lled the Hi ra ka n i Towe r thu s i m m o rt a lizi n g the n a m e of the ven tur o u s he rds w o m a n Al l wa ys to the fo rtress closed Shi v a ji m oved his tre a s ur es a n d sta te p a pe rs to R a yga d a n d fro m thi s d a te it bec a m e the se a t of hi s govern m en t I n the m e a n ti m e Sh a h a ji with his s on a n d l a den with a fte r a n a ffectio n a te p a rti n g p rese n ts h a d retu rn ed by Bij a p u r to the he a dqu a rter s of his ’

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H I S TO RY

A

TH E M AR A TH A PE OPLE

or

A P P E N DI X LE TT E R

SH I VAJ I S ’

T O S HA HA JI

you r la s t letter y ou wrote to m e a s foll ows Fa r fr om h elpi n g t h e c a u s e of hi s f a i t h B a jl Gh orp a d e of Mu dhol b ec a m e pa rty t o th e i n s idi ou s s chem es of th e Ma h om ed an s a n d T urks a n d b y f ou l W ha t t err i ble dan ger an d t rea cherou s m ea n s h e br ou ght u s t o Bij a pur f a c ed u s t here y ou well kn ow I t s eem s t h a t th e A l m ight y h a s i n hi s i n fin i te wi s dom d ecided t o c a rry ou t y ou r a s pira t i on s t o es t a bli s h t h e Mara t ha p ower T herefore i t wa s tha t th e peril wa s a v erted a n d p rote c t t h e Hi n d u religi on A t p res en t i n s pired b y i n a li gn a n t m ot i v es Kh a wa s Kha n h a s m ar ched a ga i n s t y ou a n d rea dy t o s erv e h i m Ba ji Gh orp a d e of Mu dh ol a n d La kh am S a v a n t a n d Kh em S a v a n t a re wit h h i m Ma y God Shan kar ( Shi v a ) a n d G oddess B ha v a n i gra n t s u cc es s t o y ou Now i t i s ou r des ir e t ha t we s houl d be f ully rev en ged u p on t hem a n d a s we a re f ortun a t e t o h a v e s u ch a n ob edi en t s on rea dy t o c arr y ou t t h e w i s hes of hi s f a t h er we c om m a n d y ou t o d o t hi s w or k B a j i Gh orp a d e h a s g on e ” a h ea d to Mu dh ol w i t h h i s m en On h eari n g t hi s from y ou we wen t w i t h a n a rm y t o Mu dh ol l eft t he terri tory i n rui n a n d t ook h i s t h a n a s ( g arri son s ) On lea rn in g t hi s B a j i Gh orp a d e ga v e battle t o u s i n which h e w it h ot her n ota b le m en fellf I t wa s a grea t b a ttle We m a r ched u p a n d down th e c oun try a n d plu n dered i t Our ga in on t hi s occ a s ion wa s en orm ou s W e t hen procla i m ed p ea c e a n d b rou ght t he territory un der our c on trol A t t hi s t i m e Kh a wa s Kh a n wa s c om in g u p on u s W it h our a rm y we f ell u p on hi m defea t in g hi m a n d turn in g hi m b a c k s a d a n d d es pon den t t o Bij a pur Ou r n ext work wa s t o c ru s h th e S a v a n ts Fort a fter fort c a m e in to ou r poss ess i on On we wen t c om pletely dev a st at in g t heir territory T hey c ea sed to rec eiv e help from G oa bu t th e killed ars of Phon da fou ght for t hem B y m ea n s of explos i v es we blew u p on e of t h e ba s t i on s of t h e f ort T hu s we bec a m e m a st ers of their t erritory We n ex t turn ed ou r a rm s a ga in st t he P ortu gu es e a n d took a pa rt of t heir terri t ory T hey s ued for pea ce a n d presen ted u s wi t h gun s The S a v a n ts c oul d n o lon ger c on s ider t hem selv es sa fe i n P ort u gues e territ ory For t hey sen t on e Pi t a m b a r a s t h eir Va kil t o u s We a re t hey plea ded likewis e t he des cen da n t s of th e hous e of Bh osle an d y ou ou ght t o c a re for our i n terest You s h ou ld ta ke h a lf th e rev en ue of ou r p os s es s i on s a n d th e ot her h alf we s ha ll dev ote t o t he expen s es of our troops wit h whi ch we s ha ll s erv e y ou T heir re qu es ts a re gr a n ted T hu s i t i s by your bles s in gs t h a t ev eryt hin g en ded a s y ou d es i red a n d I ha v e gr ea t plea s u re i n s u b m it t in g t hi s a cc ou n t t o y ou In

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HIS T ORY OF TH E M ARATHA PE O P L E

A

180

Older he received a s a bride a gi rl c a lled R a km a Hi s wife howeve r gre w delic a te Bolo ] 1 therefo rem a rried Tu ka ra m to a girl c a lled J i ja b a i th e d a u gh t er of on e A pp a n Gulv e a Poo n a m o n ey le n de r On h er m arri a ge Tu ka ra m ga ve h er the n a m e When Tu ka ra m wa s eighteen ye ars old hi s f a the r of A v a l a i Boloji died K a n ka i died soo n a fte rwa rds The u n h a ppy Tu ka ra m wa s left to c a rr y on the f a m ily bu s i n es s t o su ppo r t hi s two wives his eldest br othe r S a vji whose a scetic life re n de red hi m u seless a s a br e a d wi n n e r an d his yo u n gest b roth er Ka n h ob a who wa s still a child Tu ka ra m s ge n tle n a tu re proved u n equ a l to the ta sk He wa s too soft he a rted to t a ke rigor o u s m e a sur es a g a i n st hi s debto r s So they on e a fte r a n other repu di a ted thei r debts Befo r e the shop co u ld r ecove r fro m this sho c k ther e c a m e a fa m in e Tu ka ra m bec a m e a b a n kru pt His H er little s on delic a te wife Ha km a died of priva tio n Shi v a ji did n ot lo n g s u rvive h er S a vji left Dehu to go to so m e dist a n t shr i n e a n d w a s n eve r he a rd of a ga i n These c a l a m ities co m pletely ch a n ged Tu ka ra m s life Fr o m bei n g a n a ctive a ltho u gh a too ki n d he a rted b u si n ess m a n his thou ghts tu rn ed a s Sa v ji s h a d do n e to r eligio n a n d he bec a m e a whole — he a rted devotee of Vi th ob a of P a n dh a rpu r I n deed bu t for his wife A v a l a i s i n fl u e n ce he wo u ld h a ve dis a ppe a r ed like his elde r b r othe r H er n a m e h as beco m e equ iva le n t to a scold or te rm a g a n t the M ara th a syn o n ym of X a n thippe Y et the r e For hi m a n d for thei r is n o do u bt th a t she s a ved Tu ka ra m childr e n she wo rked like a co m m o n l a bo u re r She begg ed food a n d m on ey for the m fro m h er p ar e n t s ho u se A n d if she a t ti m es lost h er te m pe r this is n ot s u rpri s m g She wa s n eve r s u r e th a t h er h u sb a n d wo u ld n ot give wh a t she h a d begged to a p a ssin g tra m p On e d a y i n deed while she wa s b a thi n g he ga ve a wa y h er clothes Bu t Tu ka ra m s devotio n to the god On ce a Vi th ob a c a m e i n co u r se of ti m e to h a ve its r ewa rd f a rm er e m ployed hi m to d rive the bi rds a wa y fr om his c rop howeve r soo n bec a m e lost i n hi s d re a m s Of the Tu ka ra m un d P a n dh arpu r god A n d whe n the f a rm e r retu rn ed he f o th a t the bi rds h a d e a ten u p a lm ost his en tir e cr op He d ra gged Tu ka ra m to the vill a ge he a d m a n a n d m a de hi m execu te a bo n d .

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T U KA RA M

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R A MD A S

A ND

18 1

two Ma n d ela of gra i n th a t is t os a y a b u m per c rop a n d i n r et urn to t a ke ove r the p r od u ce of the ru i n ed fiel d The tra n s a ctio n ove r A va l a i m a de Tu ka ra m r e a p wh a t r e m a i n ed He did so a n d to the a m a ze m en t of the vill a ge rs a n d the disgu st of the fa rm e r the re a ped c rop a m o u n ted to eightee n kha n ats The god h a d wo rked a m i ra cle on his wo rshipper s beh a lf A v a l a i wa s ove rj oyed Bu t h er j oy wa s sho rtlived H er hu sb a n d resolved to r etu rn to Vi th oba wh a t Vi th ob a h a d give n a n d devoted the p r o ce eds of the cr ops to r ep a iri n g the tem ple which h i s a n cesto r Vi s hv a m b a r h a d b u ilt m a n y ye a r s befo r e A v a l a i m a de a l a st effo rt to give h er h u sb a n d a fresh st a rt She bo rrowed R s 200 fr o m h er f a the r a n d se n t i n b u si n ess Tu ka ra m w i th a p a rty of h a wke r s to sell the goods bo u ght by h er with the m o n ey A ll w e n t well u n til the h a wke rs r e a ched S u pa The re Tu ka ra m witn essed the eviction of a poor i n debt ed B ra h m a n Tu ka ra m ga ve a t o n ce his goods to s a tisfy the B ra h m a n s c redito rs The n slippi n g a wa y fro m his com p a n io n s he wa lked to Pa n dh a rpu r whe re he j oi n ed the c rowd of devotees who wo rshipped befo re Vi th oba s i m a ge The villa ge rs of Dehu w e re n ow s a tis fied th a t Tu ka ra m w a s a lu n a tic Whe n he ret u rn ed ho m e they p u t a n e ckl a ce of on io n s r o u n d his n eck m o u n ted h i m on a do n key a n d p a r a ded h i m th r o u gh the str eets to be m ocked a t by the cr owd The u n ha ppy Tukaram fled f ro m the villa ge a n d hid i n the Bh a m bun a th hi lls His b rother Ka n h ob a we n t i n se a rch of h i m a n d h a vi n g fo u n d h i m begged h i m eithe r to r etu rn to Dehu a n d m a n a ge the f a m ily b u si n ess do it Tu ka ra m we n t b a ck with h i m The or to let hi m b rothe rs a greed to divide the bo n ds p a ssed to their fa ther by his debto rs The divisio n co m plete Tu ka ra m flun g his sh ar e He then we n t b a ck to his of the bo n ds i n to the I n d ra y a n i fo rm e r hidi n g pl a ce i n the Bh a m bu n a th hills His wife A v a l a i tra cked h i m ou t a n d d a ily b r ou ght h i m his di n n e r On e d a y a thorn e n te red h er foot a n d m a de h er f a i n t with the p a i n To u ched Bu t it wa s with A v a l a i s devotio n he r etu rn ed ho m e with h er i m possible for h i m to t a ke u p a ga i n the petty c a r es a n d d u ties I n the sile n ce o f the hills the re h a d co m e to h i m Of a gr oce r the poet s i n spira tio n a n d fro m the d a y of his return to th a t of

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A

1 82

H IS T ORY OF TH E M A RATH A PE OP L E

his de a th he n eve r ce a sed to write poe m s either i n prai se of Vi th ob a or n a rra ti n g i n cide n ts i n his own life They a re writte n They a re ru dely co n stru cted bu t fu ll i n the A bha n g m etr e a n d a bove a ll they e m body to the fu llest exte n t the of fo r ce pure te a chi n g Of the doctrin es of Pa n dh a rpur R a m d a s wa s a l a te r co n te m pora ry Of He wa s the s on of a ce rtai n Su ry a ji p a n t a n d his wife Ran ubai For But they pra yed dilige n tly a l o n g ti m e they h a d n o child re n to the Sun god for O ffspri n g At l a st he a p p e a red t o the m a n d pro m ised th a t they sho u ld h a ve two so n s On e of the m wo uld be an i n c a rn a tion Of hi m s elf the othe r of Ma ruti the Mon key A a r a fter who helped divi ye t n e he r o R a m ch a n d ra h e o d g wa rds Ra n u b a i ga ve bi rth t o a s on who m she n a m ed Ga n ga dha r a n d three ye a rs l a te r She g a ve birth to a seco n d s on who m she c a lled Na ra y a n i n ho n o ur of the Sun god Fro m thei r e a rliest ye a r s both child re n showed a t a ste for religion a n d it is Sa id th a t to N a ra y a n whe n o n ly fiv e ye a rs Old wa s vou chs a fed a A cco rdi n g to the c u sto m Of the ti m e Ga n g a visio n of Ma ru ti dh a r wa s m a rried whe n seve n ye ars old A ye a r or two l a te r Na ra y a n s m a rri a ge wa s a rra n ged B u t fro m his e a rliest ye a rs Na ray a n showed a n i n te n se disli ke for the m a rried sta te At l a st he com pr o m ised by pro m isi n g his m other tha t he wo u ld do ce rem on y or s a y n othi n g u n til he c a m e to th a t p a rt of the whe n the cloth which sep a ra tes t h e m a rried p a ir is withdra wn She hoped th a t the n Nara y a n wo u ld feel it t oo l a te to go b a ck Whe n the priests howeve r we re a bo u t to r epe a t the ve rses tha t com plete the cere m o n y they a s u su a l cried ou t to the a u dien ce Be on yo u r gu a rd Na ra ya n i n sta n tly fled fro m the Sa v a d h an r oo m a n d wa s n ot fo u n d for so me d a ys a fte r wa r ds Su ry a ji pa n t a n d R a n u b a i n ow g a ve u p the ide a of m arryi n g thei r s on an d let hi m w a n de r a bo u t the v a rio u s shri n es of In di a N u m erou s sto ries exist Of the m i ra cles pe rform ed by hi m while yet a chi ld O f these the m ost i n te resti n g is the followi n g for it shows the gr e a t c a p a city of hi m with whom Shi v a ji wa s so m u ch a ssoci a ted ,

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A

1 84

H IS TO RY

TH E M A RA TH A PE O PL E

OF

ge n ero u s m eritorio u s virtu ou s a n d wise Possessed eve r Of co n d u ct a n d j u dgm e n t ge n erosity a n d f a ith kn owledge ch a ra cte r Bold a n d ge n erou s gra ve a n d d ari n g an d swift to execu te Tho u who by thy vigila n ce didst spur n The holy pla ces we re broken The a bodes of kin gs B ra hm a n s we re pollu ted A ll e a rth wa s sh a ke n R eligio n N a ra ya n resolved t o protect the gods the f a ith h a d fled the cows the B ra hm a n s a n d i n spi red thee t o do so Ne ar thee a re m a n y wise p a n dits gre a t poets m en skilled i n s a crifice a n d le arn ed i n the Ved a s m en qu ick a n d shrewd No n e of thi s e a r th p r ote cts a n d fitted to le a d a se m blies s the f a ith a s tho u d ost Bec a u se of thee som e Of it h a s A few h a ve shelte red the m selves li n ge red i n M a h a ra shtra with thee a n d still so m e holy a cts a re do n e Ho n ou r to thy glo ry " It h a s spr e a d a ll ove r the e a rth Som e evil tho u h a st killed Som e h a ve fled i n terr or So m e m en thou h a st p ardon ed Ki n g Shiv a the fortu n a te " I h a ve lived i n thy co u n try Bu t thou didst n eve r a s k for m e Tho u didst fo rget m e why I do n ot kn ow Thy co u n cillors Wh a t c a n I s a y to thee a re a ll wise the f a ith i n c a rn a te It behoves thee to keep a live thy fa m e a s the esta blisher M a n y a re the a ffa i rs Of sta te i n which thou of r eligio n If I h a ve written u n re a so n a bly m ay I be a rt b u sied ” p ardo n ed " Shi v a ji s desi r e to see the s a i n t wa s sti m u la ted by the pra ises co n ta i n ed i n hi s letter He a ga in we n t to Cha ph a l a n d n ot fin di n g h i m p ressed on e Of hi s fe m a le disciples to disclose the s a i n t s hi din g pl a ce She a t l a st told the ki n g th a t R a m d a s wa s a t Shri n ga n wa d i She then Ofl ered h er visitor food Bu t Sh i v a ji vowed th a t he wo u ld ea t n othi n g un til he h a d see n the Obj ect o f his se a rch He proc ured a gu ide an d a t la st foun d Ra m d a s He wa s sitti n g u n de r a t ree a n d wa s com posin g ve rs es for hi s fa m ou s Da s bod k The ki n g begged his p ardon for his re m iss n ess i n the p a st I n r etu rn the s a i n t blessed the ki n g Shi v a ji the n a sked Ra m d a s t o give hi m a dvice on the a rt o f gove r n m e n t little ti m e he received a a n d a fte r so m e seco n d m etric a l lette r which m a y be tra n sla ted a s follows ,

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TU KA RA M

R A MD A S

A ND

185

I bow to G a n p a ti the r e m ove r of obst a cle s I bow to S ara swa ti to the vi rtu o u s to the s a i n ts to the f a m ily gods to R a m a If m y he a re rs so wish let the m p ro fit If n ot let the m disrega rd m y writi n g I h a ve written for the s a ke of yo u r gove rn m e n t He wh o gove rn s wisely Obt a i n s h a ppi n ess If yo u r l a bo u rs a re u n ti ri n g y ou wi n i n the en d F irst le arn to kn ow m en If y ou fin d a m a n is a w o rke r give hi m wo r k to do If he is u seless p ut h i m a side To see to u n de rst a n d to l a bo u r i n this the re is n othi n g a m iss A chieve m e n t depe n ds on the qu ality of the worke r If he be i n d u strio u s b u t a t the s a m e tim e obsti n a te still be i n yo ur gr e a tn ess i n d u lgen t Bu t if he be i n dolen t a n d tre a chero u s the n exec u te hi m L e arn co rrectly the tho u ghts of a ll To keep m en ple a sed to keep the wicked stern ly a t a dista n ce these a r e the sign s O f good fo rtu n e If a m a n h a s helped y Ou r e a so n a bly s u ffe r h i m a little bu t n ot so th a t wr o n g m a y follow Tra n s gress n ot the bo u n ds o f j u stice If they be tra n sgressed evil e n s u es If th ere i s n o j u stice ther e is n o r e m edy He wh o h a s we a ried i n ill fo rtu n e he whose he a d h a s bee n turn ed by good fo rtu n e he who h a s proved cowa rd i n the ho u r of n eed su ch a re n ot tru e m en I n evil ti m es be n ot d espo n de n t Try eve ry r e m edy ; i n the en d a ll will be w ell Keep a ll m en u n de r prope r co n tr ol The n the wise will va lu e yo u r ru le If the re be n o proper co n tr ol the gove rn m e n t gr ows we a k DO n ot go i n the v a n of the b a ttle S u ch is n ot tru e sta tec ra ft There a re m a n y who m y ou c a n se n d a s ge n e ra ls Ha ve m an y ofli cers Give the m i n yo u r wisdo m Do n ot a ppoi n t a ll to on e t a sk sep a ra te t a sks If a le a de r s pride is fired he will n ot look to hi s life Ga the r togethe r m a n y le a de r s a n d the n strike Whe n the sheep see the tiger s cl a w they flee Wh a t c a n the pro u d b u ffa lo do big tho u gh on a ll sides he be " L et ki n gs Observe the r eligio n of ki n gs L et Ksh a triya s obse rve the religio n Of Ksh a triya s L et yo u r hor ses we a po n s a n d ho rse m e n be eve r yo u r fi rst tho u ght .

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1 86

A

H IS T ORY OF TH E M ARATH A PEOPL E

th a t whe n yo u r picked troops a ppro a ch yo ur e n e m i es gre a t tho u gh they be S h a ll flee a wa y Thu s I h a ve spoke n a few words on the a rt of gov e rn m en t Whe n the m i n ds Of lo rds a n d servan ts a re on e it is good Whe n Shi v a ji wished to retu rn ho m e he p resen ted the s ai n t with a l a rge s u m of m o n ey bu t R a m d a s distribu ted it a m on g his cowherds The pri n ce u rged R a m d a s t o live w ith hi m R a m d a s declin ed bu t he g a ve hi m a s a f a rewell gift a coco an u t wa ter e a rth a few pebbles a n d so m e ho rse dun g These Shi v a ji took with hi m to his m othe r J i ja b a i a sked scorn fully the m e a n i n g O f s u ch a p re se n t H er s on with rare i n sight ha d pen etra ted the s a ge s m e a n i n g The wa ter a n d the e arth m e a n t th a t Shi v a ji wo u ld co n qu e r M a h a ra shtra The pebbles m e a n t th a t he wo u ld hold it by m e a n s of his fortresses The horse d u n g m e a n t th a t he wo u ld wi n his gre a test v ictories by m e a n s of his c a v a lr y Un a ble to i n d u ce R a m d a s pe rm a n e n tly to live with hi m Shi v a ji looke d a bo u t for a m o r e pli a n t s a i n t He hea rd of Tuka ra m Th a t holy m a n a fte r his r eturn t o his villa ge ha d a ga in su ffered pe rsec u tion b u t h a d ove rcom e it The verses whi ch he h a d co m posed on the Ba m bhu n a th hills we re e a ge rly Bu t the r e a d a n d le a rn ed by the pe a sa n t ry a n d petty tra de rs B ra hm a n s who lived on the a lm s of pilgrim s to the va riou s shri n es rese n ted the co m petition of on e who wa s of a Su dra c a ste On e d a y a s Tu ka ram s a t on the b a n ks of the I n d ra ya n i co m posi n g ve rses so m e B ra hm a n m en dic a n ts seized hi s books a n d flu n g the m i n to the rive r But the god who m he lo v ed s a ved the m a n d restor ed the m d ry a n d u n i n j ured a fter thi rteen d a ys of i m m e rsion A n other ti m e when Tu ka ra m wen t to a le a rn ed B ra h m a n schol ar n a m ed a vill a ge c a lled V a gholi R a m eshw a r i n d u ced the herds m e n to dr ive Tu ka ra m a wa y Not lo n g a fte rwa rds the s a m e R a m eshwa r wa s a tt a cked by so m e He we n t to A l a n di a n d pra yed a t Dn y a n d ev s shri n e a ilm e n t th a t he m ight be c u r ed On e n ight he s a w i n a d re a m the gre a t te a cher He told R a m eshw a r th a t thi s a ilm en t h a d com e to L et hi m a s a p u n ish m e n t for his tre a tm e n t of Tu ka ram so

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188

H IS T ORY OF TH E MARA TH A PE OP L E

A

i n a u spicious My u n cl a d pe rson is cover ed with d u st I live on fru it for I h a ve n o food to ea t My h a n ds a n d feet a re e m a ci a ted m y ski n is p a llid wh a t com fo rt cou ld the re be i n looki n g on m e It is m y pressin g r equ est th a t y ou will n ot eve n t a lk of seei n g m e See how hu m ble m y speech is this is a boon from h i m who dwells i n m y he a rt Y et I a m n ot a wretch wh o n eed seek a boo n fr om y ou ; I h a ve a r efu ge i n Pa n dh ar pur Pa n d ura n g wa tch es ove r m e a n d feeds m e ; si n ce th a t is so why n eed I c a re a bo u t othe rs You wish to see m e wh a t m a tters this r equ est I h a ve tu rn ed to n othi n gn ess a ll desi r e s Freedom fro m desire h a s bee n bestowed on As a m e ; I h a ve r e n o u n ced eve r y i m p u lse of a ctivity ch a ste wife lon gs to m eet h er hu sb a n d so let m e live j oyo u sly i n Vi th al ( Krishn a ) The u n iverse to m e is Vi th a l a n d n othi n g else i n y ou too I see hi m I looked u po n s Vi th a l ( Krish n a ) b u t on e di ffic u lty keeps m e ou a y from y ou F ix yo u r tho u ghts on the good te a cher R a m d a s he tru ly i s a n o rn a m e n t of the wo rld 3 do n ot swe rve fro m him If yo u r i m pu lse c a rr y y ou i n m a n y direction s h ow a of c an ou se r ve R a m d a s " F the 0 s r e T k s ys 0 a u a a y wisdo m f a ith a n d love a re the vessel th a t c a rr y the f a ithful a c ross the str e a m o f life Wh a t wo u ld it pr ofit m e to e n ter you r pr esen ce The f a tigu e of the j ou rn ey wo u ld be wa sted If I m u st n eeds beg m In y food the r e a re m a n y who m I m a y a s k for a lm s the la n es a re ra gs to fu rn ish m e with shelter The rock is a n excelle n t bed to sleep on I h a ve the sky a bove m e for a clo a k With s u ch a provision m a de why n eed I fix m y hopes on a n yo n e It w o u ld be a wa ste of m y d a ys Sho u ld I co m e to yo u r p a l a ce seekin g hon o u r wh a t pe a ce o f m i n d sho u ld I fin d the r e I n a ki n g s p a l a ce the we a lthy a r e r espected ; the co m m o n herd m eet with n o respect If I s a w the re fin e a pp a rel a n d m en we ari n g j ewels it would If y ou a re disgu sted when y ou a t o n ce be the de a th of m e he a r thi s still God w ill n ot scorn m e L et m e tell y ou this su rprisi n g n ews the re is n o h a ppi n ess like the begga r s .

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T U K A RA M A u ste rity

AN D

R A MD A S

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e ci a tion a re the gre a test thi n gs we a lthy m en fetter ed by desi r e live m isera bly Tu ka s a ys y ou a r e Op u le n t a n d ho n o u red b u t the devotees Of Ha ri ( Krishn a ) ” a re m o r e fo rtu n a te This r efu s a l o n ly w hetted Sh i v aji s wish to see Tu ka ra m He left his c a m p a n d j oi n i n g Tu ka ram led with hi m for severa l d a ys the life of a religio u s d evotee Fro m this co n dition he wa s r esc u ed by the i n flu e n ce of his m othe r J i ja b a i The blood a n cien t ki n gs boiled i n the p ro u d wo m a n s vein s a t of the tho u ght tha t h er s on sho u ld give u p a her o s life for th a t of a wa n derin g begga r ; a n d h er e n tr e a ties j oin ed to those of Tu ka ra m i n d u ced Shi v a ji to r etu rn to his du ties a s a wa rrio r a n d a pri n ce Y et a ltho u gh both Tu ka r a m a n d R a m d a s r efu sed to live he n eve r lost tou ch with a s r eligio u s p r ecepto rs w ith Sh i v a ji the m Seve ra l ti m es a fte rwards he a tte n ded Ki rta n s or re li gi ou s r ecit a tio n s give n by Tu ka ra m This on on e occa sio n n e a rly cost the ki n g his life He h a d i n vited Tu kara m to visit Poo n a a n d r ecite a Ka tha or s a cred sto ry a t the te m ple where Sh i v a ji a s a child so ofte n wo rshipped So m ehow the n e ws o f his desig n r e a ched the e a r s of his e n e m ies A body of A fgh a n s stole fo rth w ith o rde rs to t a ke Shi v a ji a s he li ste n ed to Tu ka ra m The A fgh a n s s u rr o u n ded the te m ple a n d se a rched for the prin ce a m o n g the a u die n ce With a d m i ra ble cooln ess the s a i n t con t i n u ed his r ecit a tio n a n d Sh i v a ji s a t pe r fectly still liste n i n g to it Neve rtheless he wo u ld su rely h a ve bee n t a ke n bu t for wh a t is believed to h ave bee n the divi n e i n te r positio n of the god A s the A fgh a n s se a r ched a m a n i n f a ce a n d i n Krish n a clothes closely r ese m bli n g St a jI r ose a n d slippi n g thro u gh the gu a rds ra n ou t of the doo r The A fgh a n s ru shed ou t of the Bu t he ra n w ith i n cr edible swift n ess te m ple to seize h i m tow a rds Si n h ga d A n d a ltho u gh m o u n ted A fgh a n s ra n close to his hee ls they n eve r co uld qu ite c a tch him On r e a chi n g the fo rest a t the b a se Of the gre a t fo rt he dived i n to a thicket dis a ppe a r ed I n the m e a n ti m e Tu ka ra m co n ti n u ed his an d story Whe n it wa s ove r Sh i v a ji a n d the r est of the a u die n ce r et u rn ed ho m e u n m olested an

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A HI STO RY

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TH E M A RA TH A PE O PL E

OF

to R a m d a s th a t Shi v a ji wa s pec uli arly a ssoci a ted Tu kara m i n deed did n ot lon g s ur v i v e his m eeti n g with Shi v a ji On e d a y a s he wa s le avi n g his ho m e he told hi s wi fe A va l a i th a t he wa s goi n g to Va i kun th a the god Krishn a s he a ve n He we n t to the b a n ks of the I n d ra y a n i a n d s o it is believed flun g hi m s elf i n to the rive r either i n a st a te of religiou s excite m e n t so m e i n cura ble dise a se A t a n y or bec au se he s u ffe r ed f ro m His fo llowe rs beli eved ra te he n eve r r etu rn ed ho m e a g a i n tha t the a n d the belief still fin ds i n the Decc a n wide a ccepta n ce— ch ariot Of the he ro — god R a m ch a n d ra desce n ded from he a ve n R am da s a n d bor e Tu ka ra m b a ck i n it to the skies ( A D on the othe r h a n d o utlived Shi v a ji a n d whe n ever the b usy m o n a r ch co u ld sp a r e a few m o m e n ts he loved to visit the s a i n t a n d he a r fro m his lips s a cred ve rses a n d religio u s disco urses Man y to u chi n g stories exist which show how close wa s the frien dshi p whi ch the pri n ce a n d the s a i n t bore e a ch othe r On e d a y it is s a id Shi v a ji the n a t Pra t a p ga d he ard th a t R am d a s wa s a t Mah a bles h wa r He a t o n ce rode Off to see On re a chi n g Mah a bles h wa r he le a rn t tha t R a m d a s wa s hi m Sh i v a ji plu n ged i n to the woods to o v e rta ke n o lo n ge r the r e All d a y the ki n g w a n de red v a i n ly thro u gh the wild hill hi m co un try Night fell b ut still he se arched for R a m d a s by torch light A t la st whe n the e a ste rn sky bega n to p a le Shi v a ji c a m e He la y the re gro a n i n g a n d seem ed u po n R a m d a s i n a ti n y c a ve to be i n gre a t p a i n a n d sick u n to de a th Shi v a ji i n gre a t dis tress a sked R a m da s h ow he m ight help hi s su fferin g frien d The s ai n t replied th a t the re wa s bu t on e c ure i n the world for ” su ch a m a la dy a s his Tell m e wh a t it is s a id Shi v a ji a n d ” Na y r eplied R a m d a s I will get it for y ou to get it ” for m e m ight cost y ou yo ur life No m a tter cried the ” ge n er o u s her o Gla dly wo u ld I give m y life t o s a ve yours ” The n s a id R a m d a s the m edici n e whi ch a lon e c a n s a ve Sword i n h a n d we n t forth i n to the m e is the m i lk of a tigress j un gle the d aun tless pri n ce I n a short tim e he s a w som e tige r c u bs i n a thicket He e n te red it a n d c a tchi n g the m s a t down by the m to a wa it thei r m other s r eturn An hour lat e r the ti gress c a m e a n d seein g h er c u bs i n Shi v a ji s h an ds spra n g But

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19 2

H IST ORY OF TH E MARATHA PE O PL E

boo n s a sked for were or A u gu st l sho u ld i n the m o n th Of Shr a v a n i a h v i S ( ) j ho n o u r Shiva by givi n g fe a sts to B ra hm a n s a n d by distrib u tin g i m a ges of the gr e a t god whose i n c a rn a tio n he wa s dee m ed to be o r gifts of m o n ey He sho ld dist d a hs hi n a r ib u te 2 u ( ) to B ra hm a n s i n Shra v an a m ch a n d r a b y r o god He sho ld ho o the he R ur u n 3 ( ) orderin g his s u bj ects whe n they m et to s a y to e a ch ” other by wa y Of greeti n g R a m R a m ” R am R a m a re still the Shi v a ji gra n ted a ll t h es e b oon s a n d w o rds of gr eeti n g u sed b yDecc a n Hin d u s whe n they Y et a n othe r ti m e Shi v a ji wa s b u ildi n g a for t a t Sa m a n ga d A s he w a tched it he f elt a n a t u ra l i n Kolh a pur territo ry pride th a t he sho u ld be a ble to s u ppo rt a ll the wo r km e n th a t the wor k n eeded Ju st the n R a m d a s c a m e u p Shi v a ji a fter s a lu tin g h i m wa lked w ith h i m r ou n d t h e b a se Of the fo rtress R a m d a s c a lled to som e On thei r wa y they p a ssed a bo u lde r — n sto n e cu tte rs a n d b a de the m br e a k it i n pieces The Sto e cu tters did so I n the he a rt Of it wa s a c a vity h a lf fille d with wa te r R a m d a s turn ed to Shi v a ji Ou t of the wa te r j u m ped a f r og O Kin g who bu t y ou co u ld h a ve pla ced wa ter i n the a n d s a id m iddle of the sto n e a n d th u s s a ved the fr og Shi v a ji dis cl a im ed a n y co n n exio n w ith th e m a tter Bu t whe n R a m da s i n sisted he gu essed th a t the s a i n t w a s r ebu kin g hi m for his v an ity He a t o n ce a ckn owledged his fa u lt a n d a dm itted th a t it wa s god who h a d a like p rovided for the n eeds of the fr og a n d for those of the wo r km en a t Sa m a n ga d Bu t if R a m d a s d a r ed to r eb u ke the gr e a t ki n gto his f a ce he refu sed a lwa ys to go beyo n d his o wn sphere of a ctio n Peter the Herm it h a vi n g i n spired a cru s a de a spi r ed a fterwa rds to le a d it The foolish Scotch m in iste rs led their co u n trym e n to r u i n on the field Of D un b a r Bu t whe n Shi v a jI on he a ri n g Of Afz u l Kh a n s m ar ch fro m Bij a pu r a sked for R a m d a s a dvice the wi s e Bra hm an b a de the kin g pra y for co u n sel to Bh a va n i T he

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f orm of s a lu t at i on depres s ed c a s tes

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TU KAR A M

A ND

R A MD A S

1 93 '

He kn ew th a t if God h a d give n hi m power to m ove m e n s he arts by v e rs e a n d p ra yer God h a d give n to Sh i v a jl othe r a n d gre a ter powers a n d th a t his res our cefu l m in d if left to itself would fin d a key to every d i fli c ulty * R a m da s wo u ld h a ve liked a lwa ys to le a d the w a n de ri n g life But the s u ch as h a d bee n hi s befo r e Sh i v a ji fir st so u ght hi m kin g i n sisted th a t he sho ul d m a ke his he a d qu a rte rs a t som e e a sily a ccessible spot He bestowed on the s a i n t the fortress of P ara li a wild hi ll So m e six m iles so u th west of S a t a r a R a m da s r el u ct a n tly a ccepted the gift a n d b u ilt the r e a te m ple to Ma r ut i For the u s e of the tem ple the ki n g a ssign ed to R a m d a s the r eve n u e Of Ch a p h a l a n d 3 2 othe r vill a ges A s he grew olde r R a m da s c a m e to spe n d m or e a n d m o r e of his ti m e a t P a ra li It wa s ther e th a t Shi v a ji p a id hi m his la st visit It wa s ther e th a t Sa m bh a ji reeki n g with the blood Of R a ja ra m s frie n ds so u ght but wa s de n ied a n i n terview A t la st the wise Old B ra hm a n felt his en d a ppro a chi n g His disciples felt it a lso Bu t R a m d a s co u ra ge n eve r for sook a n d g a ve wa y to grief hi m He reb u ked thei r te ars a n d com posed for them the follow i n g ve rses Altho u gh m y body h a s go n e I sh a ll still live i n spi rit Gri eve n ot R e a d m y books They will show y ou the wa y to s a lva tion Heed n ot un du ly the wa n ts of the body F a ll n ot i n to evil wa ys a n d to y ou the doo rs of s a lv a tion will Ope n Keep eve r i n yo u r he a r t the i m a ge of the god ,

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in u tes l a te r the dyi n g s ai n t c a lled ou t the words r ed H ar " H a r t s h we ty ti es The lips w ispe o e m hi n n n T ” the wo rds R a m "Ra m " His eyes so u ght the i m a ge of the hero god a n d a fl a m e so it see m ed to the o n lookers left his His disciples c a lled to m o u th a n d e n te r ed th a t of the i m a ge m

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da s words were You a re a ki n g a n d c on trol th e a ffa irs of your I dwell i n t h e f ores t a n d ( i n s ta te m a t ters ) y ou c a n n ot depen d u p on s t a te I ha v e m e Set y our ha n d t o t h e t a s k a n d a c t a s y ou t hin k y o u s h ou ld a c t B ea r a lrea dy t old y ou h ow t o o bt a i n t h e g ui d a n c e of t h e g o dd es s ( B h a v a n i ) Th e g oddes s c a res for y ou By h er bles s i n g y ou h a v e m y words i n m i n d C on s u lt h er b efore y o u a c t tell h er y our trou bles a tta in ed t h e ki n g s hip — an d a c t on h er a d v ic e H a n m a n t s Ra m d a s Cha ri l ra T A n am e of Shiv a am

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M A R A T HA PE O PL E

He h a d s urv ived Shi v a ji less th a n

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MAR A THA PE OPLE

to i n v a de a n d co n qu er the territories which Sh a i s tekh a n a gr ee a bly to Shi v a ji h a d t a ke n fr o m Bij a pu r these orde rs collected s u ch Moghu l fo r ces a s we r e the n i n th e Decc a n He left on e Mu m t a z Kh a n a t A u ra n ga b a d a n d pla ced his seco n d i n co m m a n d Ja swa n t Si n g M a h a ra j a of J od hp u r He hi m self m a rched to Ah m a dn a ga r i n ch a rge Of his r ese r ves * m r a a fte r a S ho r t h a lt ched the ce d u e so u th to Pedg o an d n a n Fro m Pedga o n he se n t J a d h a vr a o of Si n d kh ed j a Ma ra th a Seve ra l sh a r p skirm ishe s took n oble a he a d w ith his c a v a l r y pl a ce betwee n h i m a n d Sh i v a ji s horse The i m peri a l c a va l ry we re i n the m a i n s u cc ess fu l A n d a s Shi v a ji fell b a ck on R ajga d they occ u pied first S u p a a n d the n Poo n a Shi v a ji a s a co u n te r m ove th r ew hi m self i n to Si n h a d o n ly thirtee n m iles a wa y g It wa s n o do u bt Sh a i s tekh a n s i n te n tio n eve n tu a lly to i n vest Bu t befo r e doi n g so he wished to cle a r his com m u n i Si n hga d c a tio n s Cha ka n la y on the high r o a d betwee n hi m a n d J un n a r the n e a rest town la rge e n o u gh to fu rn ish hi m wi th s u pplies The co m m a n d a n t of Ch a ka n wa s still th a t Phira n goji Na rs a la who h a d on Da d oji Kon d a d ev s de a th a ckn owledged Shi v a ji a s his m a ste r He n ow proved him self a ga lla n t s old i er H i s defe n ce wa s f a vo u red by the he a vy ra in s of the Sah y a d ri s which wer e the n fa lli n g a n d by the e fforts of Netoji Pa lka r s c a va lry to h a ra ss the besiegers Neve rtheless the con du ct Of the garrison a n d of Phira n goji Na rs a la dese rves a ll pra ise On d a r k r a in y n ights they m a de despera te s a llies a n d frequ e n tly ru shed the Mogh u l tr e n ches I n the en d howeve r the garriso n were d rive n b a ck i n to Ch a ka n a n d a fter a siege of 5 0or 60 d a ys the Moghu ls exploded a m in e which c a rried a wa y a b a stion a n d the m en defe n din g i t ]: The Moghul s pl a ced their shields i n f ro n t of their f a ces an d tried to cu t thei r wa y thro u gh the br e a ch Phi ra n goji howeve r w a s n ot y et willi n g to s u rre n de r He h a d pr ep a r ed a n e arth w ork i n side the fort w a ll a n d there he a n d his m en stood despera tely a t b a y All th a t d a y the Mogh u ls defe n sive

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In A h m

dn a ga r dis tric t 1 Kh a fi Kh an I S t on es bric ks a n d m en flew in to E ll i ot an d Dows on Vol VII p 262 a

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MO G HU L WAR

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A n d d ur i n g the followi n g n ight ss a u lted the wo rk I n v a i n both the besiege rs a n d the besiege d slept close t o e a ch othe r a m o n g the ru i n s Of the b a stio n Next m o rn i n g the Moghul s re c ei v ed r ei n fo rce m e n ts a n d d r ove the ga rriso n b a c k fro m the tre n ches i n to the cita del In vested there a n d witho u t s u pplies Phi ra n goji Na rs a la c a pitu la ted Sha i s tekh a n r eceived hi m with a ll ho n o u r a n d O ffe red hi m a post i n his own se rvice Phi ra n goji Na rsa la d ecli n ed a n d Sh a i s tekh a n su ffe red hi m a n d the r e m n a n t Of his ga rriso n to retu rn to Shi v a ji A s the bra ve co m m a n d a n t b a de Sh a i s tekh a n f a rewell the l a tte r told hi m th a t if eve r he wished to j oi n the Moghu l service a n ho n o u ra ble post a wa ited hi m The l a tte r Phi ra n goji retu rn ed to Shi v a ji r eceived hi s lie u te n a n t co r di a lly a n d m a de hi m co m m a n d a n t a

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l By this ti m e Shi v a ji h ad withd ra wn fro m Si n h ga d to R a jga d The r e he r eceived a lette r fro m Sh a i s tekh a n It c on ta i n ed a Pe rsi a n sta n z a i n which Shi v a ji wa s de rided a s a m o n key whose o n ly s a fety la y i n his m o un ta i n forests I n retur n Shi v a ji sen t Sh a i s tekh a n a S a n skrit c ou plet j : The rei n he a sserted tha t he w a s n ot o n ly a m o n key b u t Ha n u m a n hi m self—the pri n ce of m o n keys ; a n d he vowed th a t he wo u ld destr oy Sh a i s tekh a n j u st a s the m o n ke ys h a d helped ki n g R a m a to destroy the de m o n Sha i s tekh a n R a va n this exch a n ge of co m pli m e n ts a fte r r et u rn ed fr o m Cha ka n to Poo n a whe re he occu pied Shi v a ji s old ho u s e the R a j Ma ha l He wa s howeve r well a wa re Of Sh i v a ji s r eso u rcefu l n ess a n d co u ra ge a n d posted a ri n g of pa trols a ll r o u n d Poo n a He the n dism issed eve ry Ma ra th a ho rse s oldie r fro m his c a va l ry a n d fo rb a de a ll Hin d us wheth er civili a n s or soldie rs to e n te r or le a ve Poo n a witho u t a p a ss He did n ot ve n ture to dis m iss his M ara th a i n fa n try for fe ar of redu ci n g t o o gre a tly his a rm y His n eglect to do so proved his un doin g I n A pril S hi v a ji Yes a ji Ka n k Tan a ji Ma lu sa re H r

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T I n S a tar a di s tric t I S hi v d zgm j a y a Ba kha r

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G ra n t Du ff fixes t he d a te by a letter fr om R a ja p ur d a ted Ma rch 12 1 663 T hes e were the two frien d s of h i s ea rly m ,

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H I STO RY

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OF

M A RAT HA PEO PLE

picked m en disgu ised the m selves as foot soldiers i n the Im peri a l service a n d Obta i n ed perm issio n In fr om the Kotwa l for a m arri a ge p a r ty to e n te r the town fron t we n t a boy dressed a s a Behi n d hi m wa lked Shi v a ji a n d his co m pa n ion s be a ti n g d ru m s a n d pla yi n g to keep u p the disgu ise A bo u t the s a m e ti m e san n a is j a n othe r b a n d Of Shi v a ji s m en d r essed a s foot soldie rs e n ter ed by a n othe r g a te of the town d ra ggi n g with them a n u m ber of thei r co m r a des who m they decl ar ed to be priso n ers of wa r a n d who m they be a t u n m ercifully O u tside bu t a t so m e dista n ce fro m Poo n a seve ra l tho u s a n ds of Shi v a ji s i n fa n try con ce a led the m selves so a s to cover his retre a t i n c a se of m ish a p The tw o b a n ds th a t e n te red the town m et a t a give n spot a n d ch a n ged thei r ga rm e n ts A bo u t m idn ight Shi v a ji posted the b u lk of his m en a bou t 5 00 i n n u m be r a t v a rio u s poi n ts i n the city He hi m self with Ta n a ji Ma lu sa re Yes a ji Kan k a n d som e 20 othe rs we n t to the R aj M a h a l They tried first to p a ss throu gh the m a i n e n tra n ce d: Bu t it wa s well lit an d so m e wa tchfu l e u n u chs gu arded it Shi v aji therefo re t urn ed b a ck a n d e n tered the cook ho u se There so m e of the cooks wer e a t work ; others la y a sleep Shi v a ji a n d hi s m en sta bbed the l a tte r n oiselessly stra n gled the fo rm e r a n d to the he a rt i n thei r sleep It wa s a ll do n e so skilfu lly tha t n o a l a rm wa s ra ised With picka xes Shi v a ji s m en n ext re m oved som e m u d a n d b ricks whi ch blocked a wi n dow ope n i n g i n to the wo m e n s a p artm en ts A se rva n t whose bed wa s a ga i n st the wa ll a woke a n d r o u sed Sh a i s tekh a n The ge n e ra l t ood rowsy to he ar a n ythi n g swore a t the se rv a n t for a wa ki n g hi m u n n ecessarily a n d a g a i n we n t to sleep A m i n u te or two l a te r so m e of his m a ids ra n i n to s a y th a t a hole wa s bei n g m a de i n the wa ll of thei r roo m S h a i ste kh a n a wa ke a t la st spran g fro m his bed a n d seized a spe a r a n d his b ow a n d a rr ows Bu t by thi s ti m e Shi v a ji s p arty h a d open ed the win dow a n d wer e po u ri n g throu gh it Shai stekh an an

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HI STORY

M ARATHA PE OPL E

OE THE “

c an n o n b a ll ) The Moghul gen eral ha d n o a lte rn a tive bu t to o rde r a r etre a t to Poo n a But even s o he did n ot esc a pe fro m hi s di fficulties As the Moghuls retired thei r c a va lry wer e a m b u shed by a p arty of Ma ra tha horse un de r Ka d t oji G u z a r 1 Net oji Pa lka r s m ost brilli a n t lieu t en a n t a n d we r e d rive n b a ck with gre a t loss u pon the m a in b od y I On Sh a i s tekh a n s retu rn t O Poon a Ja swa n t S i n g hi s s eco n d i n c o m m a n d c a lled on his chief to expr ess his regret Sh a i s te kh an wa s n ow be side hi m self with p a i n a n d vexa tio n In ste a d of a ccepti n g the M a h a ra j a s con dole n ces with court esy he re m a i n ed for so m e m o m e n ts sile n t a n d the n s a id § I thou ght the M a h ara j a wa s i n His Ma j esty s serv ice when thi s evi l befell m e The R a jp u t pri n ce who co m m an ded the reserves a n d wa s the refo re i n n o wa y r espo n sible for the m ish a p left the Ra j Ma h a l i n a fury Sh a i s tekh a n report ed his co n du ct to Auran gz i b a n d decl ar ed th a t a ll hi s Hi n d u s u bo rdi n a tes we r e i n le a gu e wi th Shi v a ji Aft er se n din g this letter Sh a i s tekh an i n a fit of childish te m per ev a c u a ted Poo n a a n d m ar ched with m ost of his tr00ps b a c k t o Au ra n g a b ad excla i m i n g th a t h e wou ld trus t n o on e a n d th a t if he sta yed the loss of his he a d woul d soo n follow the loss of his th u m b He however ordered Ja s wan t Si n g to hold Ju n n a r a n d Ch a ka n The M a h a ra j a did hi s best t o r ep a i r the effect o f his s u pe rior s i m becility by a ttem ptin g whe n the ra i n s ce a sed t o i n vest Si n hga d Bu t hi s force s wer e i n a dequ a te He therefor e ra ised the siege a n d fell b a c k on Ch a ka n On recei vi n g Sh a i s tekh a n s letter the e m peror c en sured both hi m a n d J a s wa n t Sin g Bu t he rec a lled th e form er a n d ga ve the co m m a n d of the Decc a n a rm y t o hi s s on Pri n ce Mu a zz i m ( Ju l y 1 5 A fte r his fa ilure t o t a ke Si n hga d J a s wa n t S i n g rem ai n ed i n a ctiv e His e n em y, howe v er wa s plan n i n g a c o un ter a tta ck r t a a uz h G I u z n ib f A ran the ichest possessio s o u S o t n r f o e o on n g e n lik t r a u w n o th the t R ive r is the to Of S U i a o f T u r t m n ea he p by

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1 Better kn own a s Pra tapra c Gu zar t G ran t Du ff p 19 7 Khafi K ha n Elli ot an d Dows on Vol “

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HIST ORY

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THE

M ARA THA PEO P LE

tru sted the wo rk to a Tu r k c a lle d _Sa fi Agh a The se bribe d h i m to d ela y th e wo rk Nevertheles s h e 1 5 46 It wa s stro n gly fo rtifie d on th e rive r Side an d on the l a n d s ide it w a s p r otected by a ditch six f e et wi d e ai1 d had a r a m p a rt 3 5 ya rds wide I n 1 5 7 3 A kb a r c on qu ere d Su ra t a n d i n the s a m e ye a r m a de a tr e a ty with th e Po rtu gu ese who soo n bec am e the chief m er ch a n ts of S ra t u a n d the m a ste rs Of the A rabi a n Sea Bu t I n 1580 a n i rrep a ra bl e cal amit y ove r took the little c o u n try w hose i n n u m era ble he roe s h ad spr e a d h er f am e t o the f a r thest co rn er s of the civilized world Philip II i n herited the crown of Po rtu ga l a n d a s the a pp a n a ge O ir m i s f the C a stili a n _ki n gs Po rtu ga l sh a r ed i n th e fo rtu n es I n 1 5 7 9 Holl a n d h a d r evolted a n d soon eve ry Po rtugu ese possessio n wa s eithe r co n qu ered or thr e a te n ed by — h a rd y s ai lo rs fro m the m o u th of the Scheldt or fro m the sho res of the Z uy d er Z ee I n 1 616 a Du tch m erch a n t Va n d en B roeck c a m e to S u ra t Two ye a r s la te r the Moghu l e m per o r ga ve the D u tch the right to b u ild the r e a s m all perm an e n t settlem e n t kn own i n the p a rl a n ce Of the ti m e a s a f a cto ry A bo u t the s am e ti m e a s the D u tch c a n e a n othe r r a ce f ro m r the fog wra pped isla n ds th a t divide the No rth Sea fro m t h e E a stern A tl a n tic Dece m be r 3 1 1 600 the E n glish On qu ee n E liz a beth gr a n ted a ch a rte r to a n u m be r of L o n do n m e r ch a n ts wh o h a d a ssoci a te d the m selves together u n de r the title of the E a st In di a Co m p a n y I n 1 6 12 Mr Kerridge i n th e Hos ea n d er a rrived a t S u ra t He wa s well received b y th e i n h abita n ts bu t wa s a tt a cked by the Po rtu gu ese The En glish r ep u lsed the a tt a ck a n d i n 1 612 the E m pe r o r Sh a h Jeh a n ga v e t h em lea v e to b u ild a f a cto r y On the heels of the E n glish a n d the D u tch followed t h e Fre n ch . I n 1 620 the Fr e n ch A dm i ra l Bea u li eu d rop ed a n cho r i n the Ta p t i a n xi ou s to bu y S u ra t p cloth a n d sell it to the n a ti v es of S um a tra A n d i n 1 642 a F ren ch fa ctory r ose i n S ur a t si m il a r to those b u ilt by the E n glish a n d the D u tch The e n terprise of the for eign m erch a n ts a n d th e shiploa d s of Eur o pe a n co m m odities which every ye ar they m po ri u m t r r o ght to the de S t the ches e u ra m u T a t i s oo n a b i p r

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S KE T C H

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S H I V A J I S C A MP A I G N S

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He was s eized

H I STO RY

M A RATHA P E OPLE

OF THE

ta ke n t o the ki n g Shi v a ji sen t him as a a bo u t the s a m e tim e h e s e n t a m ess en ge r to the E n glish a n d Greek m erch a n t n a m ed Nichola s Kolos tra * t o th e D u tch to dem an d ra n som s for thei r f a ctories The D u tc h replied th a t they h a d n o m on ey The En glish sen t b a ck a h au ghty re fus a l de n oun cin g Shi v a ji a s a rebel With the s m a ll forc e tha t the ki n g h ad a t hi s dispos a l he ver y wisely did n ot a tte m pt the red u e tion of th e t wo stron gholds defen ded a s they were by resolu te or n o tr e a sur e He a ls o received me a n d c o n t a i n i n g little n kin dly a Fre n ch C a pu chi n m o n k n a m ed Fa ther Am broise wh o b ra vely we n t t o the M a ra th a c a m p a n d i m plo red the ki n g s protection for the m em bers of his flock But the Mara th a s wi thou t i n terru ption the prop ert y le ft c oll ected or d u g u p b ehin d by the rich a n d ti m id S ura t m erch an ts T On Ja n u a ry 1 0 a fter he h a d g a the red pr ope rty wo rth se v e ra l thous a n d poun d s the ki n g received n ews th a t a Moghul arm y wa s a d v a n He a t on ce ra llied his troops lo a ded c in g t o r e li e ve the city th e plun der Of S ur a t on the horses of the un f o rtun a te i n ha bitan ts a n d v a n ishin g a s swiftly a s he h a d a p p eared brou gh t th e tre a s ur e of th e gre a t town to stor e it s a fely i n the fort of R a yga d On th er eturn fr o m the S ur a t expeditio n Shi v a ji he a rd of A fter pe a ce h a d bee n m a de with Shi v a ji hi s f a ther s de a th th e Bi ja pur govern m e n t we r e free to devote their whole stre n gth A to the t as k of s ta m pi n g ou t th e rebellio n Of the Do a b n obles Bu t the chiefs of Bed n ur a n d n um ber were forced to c a pitu la te of s eve ra l othe r pl a ces a lo n g th e Tun a bh a d ra O ffe red a s to u t g A t l a st the Bij a pur go v ern m e n t di rected Sh a h a ji resi s tan ce t o un dert a ke the redu ction of the i n s urge n ts Th e g a lla n t old s oldie r r e a dily co m pli ed He defe a ted them i n a pitched b a ttle a n d i n vestin g Bed n ur forced the chief t o s urre n der a ll hi s la n ds except Bed n ur itself a n d the district ro un d it Ha vin g c rus hed the rebel le a de r S h ah a ji m ar ched a lo n g the n o rth b a n k Of th e Tun gabh a d ra ove rco m i n g a ll r esista n ce A t la st he re a ched an

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plea sed wi th th e c on d u c t of th e Du t ch a n d En glis h th at h e redu c ed t h e c us tom s d u t ies pa ya ble by t h em fro m 3 § t o 2 per c en t A cc ord in g t o Bern i er ( Tra vels pp 1 88 Shi v a ji s pa red t h e hom e of a Hi n du broker beca us e he ha d been v ery c hari ta ble T A ura n gz i b wa s

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Yerga ta n halli i n Basav a p a t a n

there pitched hi s c am p The co un try r o un d swarm ed with ga m e a n d S h a h a ji thou ght th a t his rece n t effo rts h ad e arn ed hi m som e rela xa tion H e left his c am p fo r a d a y s bla c k b u ck hun ti n g Ha vin g wo un ded a b u ck he ga lloped a fter it a t f u ll speed As he rode a c r eepe r c a u ght his ho rse s fo r eleg It fell a n d S ha h a ji thr own viole n tly b roke his n eck His a tten d a n ts g a lloped u p on seei n g the a cciden t bu t life wa s exti n ct before they r e a ched their m a ste r ( J a n u a ry They a t o n ce sen t word to hi s s on Vy a n koj i who h a ste n ed t o the Do a b fro m Ta n jore crem a ted Shah a ji s body a n d pe rform ed his fun e ra l rites The Bij a pur govern m en t e xpr essed m ost h a n dso m ely thei r a ppreci a tio n of the de a d m a n s se rvices a n d bestowed hi s fiefs of B a n ga lo re a n d T a n j o re on Vy a n koji Whe n the n ews r e a ched Shi v a ji both he a n d J i ja ba i we r e deeply a ffected The l a tter i n deed was wi th d i ffi c ulty restra i n ed f rom co m m itti n g s a ti LT An d o n ly Shi v a ji s e n tre a ties th a t she shou ld r e m a i n with hi m a little lon ge r a n d help hi m i n his holy work i n du ced h er t o a lter h er r es olve Shi v a ji fo u n d a diffe re n t sol a ce for his grief He r esolved to w a ve n ge Sh a h a i s de a th by a tt a cki n g the Do a b s oble hose n j r ebellio n h a d i n di rectly c a u sed i t * He se n t i n to the Do a b a force of c a va lry a n d gun s a n d levied a la r ge con tribu tion The Bij a pur gov e rn m en t to whom the r ebels ha d for severa l y e ar s c a u sed con tin u ou s trou ble i n n o wa y r e sen ted the in va sio n On the con tra r y they gra n ted the villa ge wher ei n S h a h a j i h a d f a lle n a s a n i n a m i to his s on Thithe r Shi v a ji we n t a n d a fte r distrib u ti n g l a r ge s um s i n ch a r ity e r ected a b ui ldi n g ove r the spot where S h a h a ji h ad fa lle n A n d for m a n y ye a r s la m ps b u rn t i n it d a y a n d n ight to hon o ur a n d to co m fort the de a d irit m an s s p h a s like Ha m ilc a r s bee n o v er sh a dowed Sh a h a ji s r e n own by th a t of his m o re f a m ou s s on Nevertheless the a chie ve m e n ts m a a n u l a i eithe H ib l co d well h ve bee eco f hi v or o S a n f a n n r o n j r e the m befo u t for the wo r k do n e by thei r f a the rs d b h e li s p villa ge

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S hi vd i gv ij a y a B a kha r R an a d e, p 63 Shi v a ji c oll ec ted t h e rev en SS See letter i n P a ra sn i s .

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H IS T ORY O F TH E M AR A THA PEO PLE

A

208

Ham ilc ar fro m his Sicili a n str on ghold first showed hi s coun try ,

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th a t with m obility a n d good ge n era lship th e C artha gi n i a n a rm y co uld hold its own a g a i n st the s u per io r di scipli n e of the R om a n l egio n S h a h a ji first showed the Decc a n th a t Hi n d u troops u n d e r a Hi n d u le a der co u ld with ra pid m ovem en ts a n d loc a l kn owledge p rove a m a tch for the picked for ces of D elhi I n deed h a d Sh ah a ji bee n oppos ed to on ly on e or B ij a p ur of thes e two powe rs he wo u ld m ost likely h a ve re esta blished the ki n gdo m of A h m a d n a g a r a n d h a ve gove rn ed it thro u gh a p u ppet kin g This however wou ld h a ve bee n bu t a dou btfu l blessin g to the M a ra th a people Sh a h a ji s kin gdo m wo u ld h av e i n herited the Niz a m Sh a hi tra ditio n s Of cru elty tre a chery a n d His f a ilu r e e n a bled Shi v a ji to fo u n d a gov ern m en t m ur der e n ti rely n ew a n d if it be r egarded a s a whole si n gularly f ree f ro m the politic a l c ri m es whic h m ar the histories of m ost I n di a n sta tes a n d which we r e n ot i n frequ en t a m on g th e e arly kin g s * o f S cotl a n d a n d of En gl a n d On Sh ah a ji s de a th Sh i v a p a ss u m ed the he redita ry title o f R a j a g ra n ted by the kin g of Ahm a d n a gar to Maloji He est a bli shed a m i n t a t R a yga d to show his co m plete i n depe n de n ce of Bij a pu r a n d stru ck i n his own n a m e both gold an d coppe r c oi n s T He a lso bega n to m a ke u s e of the fleet which he h a d b ui lt or collected a t M a lwan to pl u n de r all shi ps issu i n g from the i m peri a l ports Un fortu n a tely som e of these wer e shi ps filled with M ecc a pilgri m s This b rou ght on hi m the wra th of both Delh i a n d Bij a pur A la rge Bij a p u r force debou ched fr om Pa n h a la a n d i n va ded the Kon ka n It a t first ga in ed som e su ccesses bu t wa s eve n tu a lly defe a ted a n d driven b a c k in to Bij a pu r territo ry Shi v a ji fe a rin g Moghu l i n v a s m n from th e did n ot pu r su e the be a te n a rm y He h a d r ecour se to n o rth his flee t a n d plu n de red the whole Bij a pu r co a st a s fa r a s Goka rn a a n d retu rn ed to R a yg a d to a w a it the expe c ted Mogh u l a tt a ck A u ra n gz i b r ec a lled J a swa n t Si n g Of J od h pur a n d sen t i n his pla ce Ja i Si n g a R a j pu t vete ra n who a t on e tim e h ad fo u ght m en

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H IS T ORY OF TH E M A RA THA PEO PLE

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if t oo h a rdly p ressed I n 1 665 Shi v a ji h ad on e M u ra r B a ji , a a ppoi n ted a s co m m a n d a n t of Pu ra n d a r Prabhu a n d the refo re of the s a m e c a ste a s B a j i Desh pa n de the he ro of the r e argua rd a ction n e a r Vish a lga d He h a d with hi m 0 m en b ut a gre a t n u m be r of pe a s a n ts fr o m the a fo rce of 1 00 s u rrou n d i n g districts h a d fled to the fort for refu ge A sep a ra te fo rce ga rrison ed R u dra Ma l The defen de rs a n i m a ted b y Murar s S pi rit o ffered a m ost sto u t resist a n ce Diler Kh an however exploded a m i n e un de r on e of the b a stion s of the lowe r fo rt a n d c a rried it i m m edi a tely a fterwa rds The storm in g p a rty led a wa y by thei r s u ccess a tte m pted i n thei r o n set to pper fort a lso Mu ra r B a ji i n st a n tly co u n ter a tta cked rus h the u With 7 00m en he ch a rged down the hi ll side killi n g n o less tha n 5 00 Af gh a n i n fa n try a n d d r ove the besiegers i n he a dlon g fli ght to the foot of the hill whe re Dile r Kh an from the b a ck of a n eleph a n t wa s wa tchi n g the a tta ck The la tter with gre a t cooln ess shot M urar Ba p throu gh the body The re u pon the ga rrison a fter a loss of 3 00 m en retre a ted to the u pper fort Not lo n g a fterwa rds Diler Kh an obt a i n ed a furthe r s u ccess by sca li n g R u dra Mal Shi v a ji n ow bec a m e se rio u sly a la rm ed He h a d lon g bee n a cc u sto m ed to co n s u lt Bh a va n i the p a tr o n goddess of his ho u se An d la tely he h a d e m ployed on e B a la j i A ba ji a Pra bh u refu gee fr o m Ja n jira to record words which he spoke whe n a s On he believed he wa s i n spi red by the divin ity this m o m e n to u s occ a sio n he a ga i n a sked the a d vice of Bh a van i a n d p a ssi n g i n to a tra n ce spoke a s if repea ti n g h er i n struo tion s B a la ji Ab a ji recorded the divi n e m es s a ge Its * e t n our was th a t Jai S in g wa s a Hi n d u Pr in ce a n d th a t he could n ot be overthr own like Afz ul Kh a n or Sha i s tekh a n Shi v a ji s ho u ld th er efore m a ke term s with h i m Thou gh d a n ge r m i gh t a w a it hi m yet he sho u ld fe a r n othin g for throu gh it a ll Bh a v a n i wo u ld pr otect hi m Shi v aji a fter wa ki n g from the tra n c e an d co n s u lti n g with hi s co un cillo rs a n d hi s m oth er r esolved t o se n d a n e n v oy to J a i S i n g a n d s u e for pe a ce Shi v a ji s co n d u ct on this occ a sion h a s been discu ssed both by

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Gra n t D u ff an d by Mr R a n a d e The form er h a s s urm ised th a t a s a ct u a ted by s u per stitio n Mr R a n a d e a ttr ibutes it he w t o so m e deep l a id sche m e still un discove red The re a l re a son wa s I thi n k the followi n g th a t hi s Shi v a ji re m em be red f a the r Sh a h a ji h a d separa tely fo u ght with s u ccess both Moghuls an d Bij a pur Com bi n ed they h a d overthr own hi m Shi v a ji h a d for thi s r e a so n a voided hostility with Delhi un til he h a d m a de te rm s with Bij a p ur Tru stin g i n Ali A dil Sh a h s hon ou r he h a d the n a tta cked the Moghu ls Bu t a s th e rece n t i n vas ion of the Ko n k a n showed the Bij a p ur ki n g wa s n ot to be trus ted He wa s n ow i n le a gu e with Au ra n gz i b a n d wa s e n de a vouri n g to recove r his lost possession s S hiva n the refore resolved t o m a ke pe a ce with the Moghuls a n d with thei r help s o to r ed u ce the powe r of B ij a pur th a t n eve r a ga i n wou ld its i n terve n tion a ga i n st h i m be of a n y con sequ en ce Shi v a ji s e n t m esse n ger s to R a j a J a i Si n g a s a br other Hi n d u a ski n g for te rm s Bu t the R a j pu t chi ef h a d n o i n te n tio n Of bein g tricked a s Sidi Joh ar h a d bee n He the refor e a n swered Shi v a ji s m ess a ge with civility bu t n eve r ce a sed to press the siege of Puran d a r or to deva sta te the e n e m y s possession s A t l a st Shi v a ji sen t t o Ja i Sin g his co n fide n ti a l m i n i ster R a ghun a th Pa n t who swore by the m ost bi n din g oa ths tha t thi s ti m e J a i S in g i n hi s m a ste r r e a ll y wa s i n e arn est ( Jun e 9 the en d believed hi m a n d desired th a t Shi v a ji shou ld visit hi m On his p a rt he swo r e by the s a c red tu ls i pl a n t th a t if Shi v a ji did so n ot a h a i r of his he a d wou ld be h arm ed Shi Vaji wa s On r eceivi n g J a i Si n g s m ess a ge he set a t thi s ti m e a t R a yg a d * Whe n he re a ched J a i Si n g s ten ts 0 ho rse ou t with 1 00 the l a tte r se n t a cle rk with a body Of a rm ed R a j pu ts t o i n fo rm h i m th a t if he wa s serio u s i n his i n te n tio n to s ur re n de r he sho uld e n ter ; if n ot he h a d bette r go b a ck a s he h a d co m e Shi v a ji e a rn est a n d the cle rk a ss ur ed the cler k th a t he wa s r e a lly i n con veyed his a ssu ra n ce t o J a i Si n g J a i S i n g a ccepted it a n d sen t a m essen ge r of s u ita ble ra n k to receive hi s visito r Whe n .

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Gra n t Du ff s a ys t ha t Shi v a ji wa s a cc om pa n ied by a s len der ret in u e B u t b ot h t h e S hed ga v ka r a n d S a bha aad B a kka rs s a y t h a t h e t ook 1 000 m en I t woul d ha v e been d a n gerou s t o h a v e ta ken l es s

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H IS T ORY OF TH E M A RATHA PEO P LE

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e n tered J a i Si n g s te n t the R a j pu t chi e f rose a n d em b raced hi m He se a ted Shi v a ji on his right h a n d a n d repeatedly pr o m ised th a t he wou ld n ot on ly gu a ra n tee hi s s a fety bu t wo u ld wi n for hi m the e m pe r or s p a rdo n a n d fa vou r Shi v a ji on his p a r t a ss ur ed the R a j p u t th a t he h a d n o other wish th a n to beco m e a n a lly of the e m pe ror A fte r som e fu rther con ve rs a tio n it w a s a greed th a t Shi va n shou ld a t on ce visit Diler Kh a n who wa s still tryi n g h ard to t ake Pura n d a r In deed he h a d lost a ll p a tie n ce a t the le n gth a n d di fficu lties of the siege He ha d to rn off his tu rb a n a n d h a d swo rn n ot to we a r it a g a i n * u n til the pl a ce fell Neve rtheless on he a ri n g th a t Shi v a ji ha d Open ed with J ai Sin g n egoti a tio n s to whi ch he ha d n ot bee n a p a rty Dile r Kh a n so the M a ra thi chr on iclers m a in tai n flew i n to s u ch a p a ssio n th a t he tore his own wrist with hi s t eeth i He howeve r r eceived Shi v a ji with cou rt esy a n d soon fell un der the ch a rm of his a ddress Diler Kh an presen ted Shi v aji wi th a s word II Z whi ch the l a tte r with r e a dy t a ct a t o n ce f a s te n ed r oun d hi s w a ist The i n te rview closed with a n exch a n ge of co m pli m en ts a n d an i m m edi a te tru ce Pu ra n d a r fort wa s s urr e n dered to Diler Kh a n bu t the g a rriso n a n d the r efu gees wereperm itted to dep art The te rm s of the pe a ce h a d still to be con sidered Wh a t J a i Si n g de m a n ded wa s the s urre n der of a ll Shi v a ji s r ece n t co n qu ests f r o m the Moghul s a ll the territo ry which h a d o n ce belo n ged to the Ah m a d n a ga r ki n gdo m Shi an d v a ji s ho m a ge to the e m pe r o r for the r est of his est a te On the other h a n d Shi v a ji a lthou gh n ot r e a dy to s u rren der a ll de m a n ded wa s yet willi n g to m a ke gre a t s a c ri fices p r ovided th a t of hi m he m ight h a ve a free h a n d a ga i n st Bij a pur E ve n tu a lly it wa s a g re ed th a t Shi v a ] I shou ld ev a cu a te his recen t ga i n s i n Moghul te rritory a n d a ll the a n cie n t Ahm a dn a ga r forts a n d di stricts except twelve I n clu ded i n his cession wer e Pu ra n d a r a n d Si n h ga d He wa s to r et a i n a ll his other co n qu ests fro m B ij a pu r § In r eturn for a l a rge s u m i n c a sh p a ya ble i n three i n sta lm en ts h e wa s pe rm itted to collect the cha u th a n d s a rd es hm u khz th a t ’

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c om pli m en ts You r pres en t lett er c ou ched i n v ery h u m ble s tra in st at in g th a t a cc ou n t of y ou r i n ter v i ew w it h R a j a J a i Sin g h a d b een rec ei v ed We a re gla d t o n ote t h a t y ou d es ire a gen era l p ardon for y ou r c on d u ct Your wi s h es h a d a lrea dy b een c om m un ic a ted t o u s by your offic ers v i z t h a t ort s t o t hem o n t for y ou r p a s t deed s a n d t h a t n 3 0 p d y f u e e o u s u rre er t hi r t r ) ( y y eldi n g a n d w ou ld ret a i n t welv e 1 2 f ort s on ly w i t h t h e a dj oin i n g terr i tory yi ( ) in rev en u e 1 la kh of p a g od a s I n a ddi t i on t o t h ese twel v e ( 1 2) f ort s w hi ch form erly belon ged to th e Niza m Sha hi gov ern m en t y ou wi s h to reta in an other tra c t i n th e Kon ka n w it h a rev en u eof f ou r ( 4 ) l a kh s of p a g od a s t ha t y ou h a v e t a ken from t h e B ij a pu r g o v er n m en t a n d a n other t ra c t un der B a le Gh a t in Bij a pu r t erri t ory w i t h a rev en ue of fiv e ( 5 ) l a kh s of pa goda s You wa n t a Cha rter from u s t o t hi s effec t a n d y ou a gree t o p a y t o u s fort y ( 4 0) l a kh s of pa goda s i n a n n u a l i n st a l m en ts of th ree ( 3 ) l a khs ,

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folly of whi ch t h e Bij a p ur ki n g h a d bee n guilty i n b re a ki n g his tre a ty with Shi v a ji n ow bec a m e a pp a ren t Aur a n gzi b wa s r ega rded Shi v a ji as little bette r th a n a hill b a n dit who n eve r likely to be fo rm i d a ble beyo n d the foothills of the S a hy a d ris Bu t the r ed u ction of Bij a pu r a n d Golcon d a wa s the d arli n g wish of his life It h a d thr o u ghou t bee n the policy of the Moghu l e m per ors to destroy the Mu su lm a n ki n gdo m s whi ch h a d rise n u po n the ru i n of the Af gh a n em pire They h a d pr evio u sly bee n p rov m c es of Delhi They h a d r e v olted whe n the ce n tra l power wa s we a k They sho u ld be recove red whe n the ce n tra l powe r wa s o n ce m o re stron g A kb ar with fa r s m a lle r reso u r ces th a n A ur a n gz i b h a d overt hrown the ki n gdo m s of Gu z a ra t Kh a n desh a n d Ben ga l S ha h Jeh a n h a d co n qu e red A h m a dn a ga r The co n qu est of Bij a pu r a n d Golcon d a wou ld e n a ble Au ra n gz i b to ove rrun a ll sou thern I n di a un til his fron tie rs eve rywhere re a ched the s ea He woul d then be free to gu a rd with the whole stre n gth of the e m pire the n orth western p a sses a ga i n st the b a rb a ri an s of Ce n tra l A si a I n spite the refo r e Of the a id give n by Al i A dil Sh a h to the Mogh u ls i n thei r a tta ck on Shi v a ji A u ra n gz ib order ed J a i Si n g a n d Dile r Kh a n a t o n ce to i n va de B i j apu r territory a n d if possible to sto rm the c a pit a l Shi v a ji with 2000 horse a n d 8000 or 9 000 i n f a n tr y j oi n ed the Mogh u l a rm y ( No ve m be r 1 665 ) Con side ra ble su ccess a t first a tten ded the expedition Shi v a ji a tt a cked Ph a lta n the fief of the Ni m b a lkars his r el a tives a n d soo n r ed u ced it a s well a s the fort of Ta th wa d a a bo u t 1 0 m iles to the so u th e a st He a lso m a de a s u ccessfu l n ight a tta ck I n the m e a n ti m e J a i on the Bij a p u r fo r ces i n the Ko n k a n Si n g a n d Diler Kh a n m oved on Bij a pu r itself They m et with TH E

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serio u s resista n ce un til they c a m e to Ma n ga lv ed a a stro n g pla ce a bou t 60m iles n orth of Bij a pu r It wa s ga ll a n tly defe n ded * bu t fel l a fte r a week s Siege Diler Kh a n a n d J a i S i n g n ow bega n t o dra w thei r troops r o un d Bij a p u r a n d to hold hi gh hopes th a t it wo u ld soo n c a p i tu la t e Bu t Ali A dil Sh a h rose to the height Of the d a n ger His light ho rse spre a d ou t i n eve ry di rection to i n v a de the Mogh u l t e rrito ries a n d to c u t the co m m u n ic a tio n s of the besiege r s He h a d the wells for m i les r ou n d Bij a pur poiso n ed a n d a ll stores destroyed a n d food s u pplies likely t o f a ll i n to Mogh u l h a n ds At the s a m e ti m e he a ppe a led to the ki n g of Golco n d a to se n d hi m r ei n force m e n ts Shi v a ji a fte r the f a ll of Ph a lta n a n d Ta th wa d a m oved so u th wa rds a n d took a n um be r of m i n or forts Wh ile so e n ga ged he received from the e m pe ro r a lett erTin which he expressed hi s a ppreci a tio n of Shi v a ji s g a lla n tr y a n d i n form ed Shi v a ji tha t he h a d sen t hi m a jewelled s word En coura ged by this pra i se a n d his own r ecen t s u ccesses Shi v a ji i n vested Pa n h a la Bu t the i n vestm e n t p r oved a f a ilur e The garrI s on i n flicted on the besiege r s s u ch a se rio u s check th a t they ra ised the siege While there Shi v a ji received a n d fell b a ck u po n Vish a lg a d I n it A u r a n gz ib i n vited the a seco n d letter fr o m the e m per o r M ara tha p ri n ce to co u rt prom i sin g hi m le a ve to retu rn hom e whe n he wished A t the s am e ti m e A u ra n gz ib a ga i n expressed hi s a ppreci a tio n of his r ece n t services a n d i n fo r m ed Shi v a ji th a t he h a d se n t hi m a d r ess Of Shi v a ji so u ght the a dvice of Bh a va n i a n d a ga i n the w o rds spoke n by h er throu gh Shi v a ji s m ou th a n d r ecorded by B a la ji A b a j i we re f a vo u ra ble R a m d a s § a lso a d vised Shi v a ji to go to cou rt a n d th u s to re m ove a ll s u spicion s fr o m Au ra n gz i b s m i n d Shi v a ji a fter so m e fu rthe r c o n sidera tio n decided th a t he wo u ld a ccept the e m pe r o r s i n vit a tio n He left his sta te i n the h an ds of hi s m othe r Ji a b a i Mo r o Pi n le the Peshw N l a t v o a i S o d e n n j p g a n d An n a ji D a tto § To J i ja b ai wa s a lso e n tru s ted the c ar e n o

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A

H IST ORY OF TH E M ARATH A PEO PLE

He pres en ted a n a z a r or ofl eri n g of R s The e m peror then o rde r ed hi m to ta ke hi s pl a ce a m o n g co m m a n der s Of 5 000 horse Thi s wa s a deli be ra te i n su lt Shi v a ji h a d recen tly m en a n d co m m a n ds of 5 0 ta ke n the field with 00 ho rse h a d a lre a dy bee n co n fe rr ed on his s on Sam bh a ji a n d on his s u bordi n a te Net oji Pa lka r The M ara th a pri n ce s a w th a t he was bei n g m a licio u sly fl ou t ed a n d u n a ble to co n trol hi m s elf tu rn ed to R a m si n g a n d spoke fra n kly hi s resen tm e n t The A u ra n gz i b yo u n g R a jpu t did hi s best to p a cify hi m b u t i n v a i n who h a d n o do u bt hoped for so m e s u ch i n ciden t a t on ce took a dv a n t a ge of it He dism issed Shi v a ji witho u t cere m on y or r eturn p r ese n ts He ordered hi m to be con du cted to a ho u se prep a r ed for hi m n e a r the Ta j Ma h a l ou tside the city a n d to be i n form ed th a t the e m per o r h a d r eported Shi v a ji s co n d u ct to J ai S i n g Un til Ja i Si n g s r eply arrived he wa s n ot to prese n t hi m self a t co u rt Shi v a ji s s on Sa m bh a ji howeve r shou ld d o so b u t a s a r eta i n er of R a m si n g A fte r Shi v a ji h a d re a ched his hou se a stron g gu a r d u n de r a Mu su l m a n Ofli cer n am ed * Pola d Kha n wa s pl a ced r o u n d it Shi v a ji wa s n ow i n i m m i n e n t pe ril An y a tte m pt to esc a pe On wou ld give the e m per or the desi red exc u se to behe a d hi m the other h a n d if Shi v a ji m a de n o s u ch a tte m pt he w ou ld prob a bly re m a i n a sta te prison er for the r est of his life Shi v a ji firs t r esolved to a ppe a l to A ura n gz i b s ho n o u r He se n t R a gh u n a th p an t Ko rde wi th a petitio n to the e m pe r o r Therei n he r e m i n ded A ur a n a n d of z i b of the s a fe co n d u ct pr o m ised hi m g the a ssur a n ces of R a j a J a i Si n g I n r eturn for freedo m Shi v a ji u n de rtook to a ssist i n the co n qu est eithe r of Golco n d a or Bij a p u r R a ghu n a th p a n t Korde wa s give n a n au die n ce a n d s u ppo rted his m a ster s letter with s u ch eloqu e n ce a s he cou ld him self Bu t a ce rta i n Ja ff a r Kh a n co m m an d whose wife wa s Sh a i s tekh a n s Siste r a n d who wa s the r efore co n n ected by m arr i a ge with the e m per or s f a m ily h a d i n t h e i n te rv a l m a de every e n de a vour to poison A ur a n gz i b s m i n d a ga in st Shi v a ji by distorted stories of his e n co u n ters with Afzu l Kh an an d Sh a i s t ekh a n A u ra n gz i b dism issed R a ghun a thp a n t Ko rde with ’

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the cold a n swe r th a t the m a tte r wou ld receive con side ra tio n With a he a vy he a rt Ra ghu n a th pa n t r epe a ted the reply to hi s i m prison ed m a ster The la tte r the n wrote to hi s frien d R a m si n g * a n d begged hi m to i n te rve n e on his beh a lf R am s i n g ge n e rou s ly u n de rtook the da n ge r o u s du ty bu t m et with n o bette r s u ccess The e m pe ror told the R a j pu t th a t the m a tter wa s n o lon ge r a n y co n ce rn of hi s T E ven tu a lly A ura n gz i b se n t a m esse n ge r to Shi v a i to s a j y th a t he co u ld return to the Decc a n pr ovided he left be hi n d hi m his s on Sa m bh a ji a s a host a ge H a d Shi v a ji a ccepted this co n dition he wou ld h a ve h a d eithe r t q s a crifice his eldest s on He or to bet ra y hi s co u n t rym e n decli n ed it a n d bega n a t o n ce to co n sider a ll possible m ethods o f esc a pe Th e s a m e n ight he s a w i n a d re a m Bh a v a n i wh o so he f a n cied told hi m th a t he n eed fe a r n othi n g T She wo u ld pr ovide n ot o n ly for his s a fety bu t for th a t of hi s s on Co m forted by this vision Shi v a ji s reso u rcefu l m i n d soo n evolve d a pl a n which for i n gen u ity a n d d a ri n g h a s ra rely been equ a lled I n p u rsu a n ce of it he se n t a fu rthe r petition to Au ra n gz i b i n which he begged th a t he m ight a t le a st sen d his tr oops b a ck to the Decc a n The e m pe ro r wa s o n ly too gla d to co n sen t to a pr opos a l which r obbed Shi v a ji of his o n ly p rotecto rs A n d if he felt a n y s u spicio n s they wer e ski lfu lly soothed by Shi v a i s co n d u ct j A fte r his tr oops h a d dep a rted Shi v a ji r epe a tedly s a id to Pol a d Kh a n th a t he n ow n o lo n ge r wished to dep a rt The e m pe ro r provided for his co m fort on a libe ra l sc a le His reside n ce a t A gra e n a bled hi m t o s a ve m o n ey a n d if he co u ld Obt a i n the e m per or s le a ve he wou ld se n d for his wives a n d m other to A gra a lso These words wer e r eported to A u ra n gz i b by Pol a d Kh a n a n d the e m pe r o r s m iled i n d u lge n tly a t wh a t he dee m ed the petty a v a rice an d m ea n spi rit of the Decc a n chief Shi v a ji n ext a sked le a ve to se n d his frie n ds i n A gra sweet m e a ts a n d choice dishes pre pa red i n the Decc a n m a n n er fp The le a ve wa s give n a n d Shi v a i s fri e n ds gl a dly r eceived the p r ese n ts a n d se n t hi m j si m ilar gifts i n retu rn Shi v a ji se n t f u rthe r p rese n ts a n d r eceived .

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H IS T ORY OF TH E MARA TH A PEO P LE

A

220

fur the r retu rn gifts Thu s h ard ly a d a y p assed wi th ou t a stre a m ork b a skets p a ssi n g i n to or goi n g ou t of the p ris on er s of wicke r w doo r A t first Pola d Kh a n h a d them a ll c a refu lly exa m i n ed Bu t gr a d u a lly his vigil a n ce rel a xed an d the gu ards d a ily let the b a skets p a ss wi tho u t tr ou bli n g to ex a m i n e them S u dde n ly Shi v a ji a n n o u n ced hi m self ill He co m pl a i n ed of a c u te p a i n He se n t for the best doctor s i n A gr a i n the live r a n d splee n A t first they a n d they pr esc ribed for h i m v a rio u s r e m edies see m ed to do the p a tie n t b u t littl e go od Bu t i n a few d a ys Shi v a ji decl a red hi m self bette r a n d o rde r ed th a t m or e b a skets of sweet m e a ts sho u ld b e pr ep a r ed a n d se n t to his frien ds th a t they m ight r ej oice with hi m a t his r ecove ry He a lso bo u ght * r r th ee ho ses which he se n t with som e of his a tten d a n ts a lo n g the Ma thur a ro a d They we re he g a ve ou t to be give n a s pre sen ts to the B ra h m a n s the re whose pra yers to Krishn a h a d won his r ecove r y Th a t eve n i n g Shi v a ji a n d his s on got e a ch i n to a sweetm e a t b a sket a n d thei r re m a i n i n g followers dis guised a s porters c arried them ou t On e o n ly of his r eti n u e the f a ithfu l Hira ji Ph arz a n d sta yed b ehi n d T He e n te red Shi v a ji s bed a n d cover ed his he a d with m u sli n bu t left ex posed on e of his h a n ds u po n which Sh i v a ji h a d pl a ced his own S ig n et * ri n g Next m orn i n g Shi v a ji did n ot rise a n d a s ther e seem ed a str a n ge stilln ess a bo u t the ho u se the gu a r ds e n te red it They s a w so they tho u ght Shi v a ji lyi n g on his bed ill with fever whi le a boy m a ss a ged his legs They wen t a wa y s a tisfied th a t I n the m e a n tim e Shi v a ji Sa m bh a ji Shi v a ji h a d h a d a r el a pse a n d thei r a tte n d a n ts h a d m a de thei r wa y to the spo whe re t the hor ses a wa ited the m a n d h a d ridde n a s f ast a s possible to Ma thura Ther e they ch a n ged thei r d r esses a n d a ssum ed the garb of religiou s m e n dic an ts with whom Ma thura is a t a ll tim es cr owded They so u ght shelter of three br others A n n a ji K a shiji a n d Vi s a ji Tri m a l wh o w e r e b rother s by m a rri a ge of Mor o Pi n gle Shi v a ji s Peshwa They willi n gly a gr eed t o t a ke the fu gitives t o thei r ho u se u n til su ch tim e a s it m i ght be con ve n i e n t for the m to co n ti n u e thei r flight By n ow however Shi v aji s .

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H IS T ORY OF TH E M AR AT HA PEO P LE Ben ga l * The n they tu rn ed b a ck a n d j ourn eyed t oI n dore Fr o m In dore they we n t sou thwards u n til a t l a st they c a m e to a vill a ge whi ch Shi v a ji s troops e n ra ged a t hi s dete n tion h a d rece n tly They a sked shelte r of a fa rm er He h ad r a ide d a n d s a cked s u ffered with the other villa gers a n d h a d lost his cr ops a n d live stoc k Neve rtheless he sh ared wh a t he h a d with the tra vel worn Next m orn i n g they left hi m a n d a few d a ys m e n dic a n ts l a ter they were in Poon a It wa s free fr o m Moghu l troops SO Shi v a ji thr ew off his disguise a n d pu blicly a n n o un ced hi s r eturn The welco m e which he r eceived r ese m bled th a t which six ye ars before h a d a wa ited Ch arles II whe n he la n ded a t Dover The gun s i n eve ry fortress Of the Sa hy a d ri s boom ed greetin g to t h e w ell loved le a de r The com m on soldiers we n t m a d with delight The Office rs ha ste n ed i n thou s a n ds t o p a y their r espects a n d t o he ar fr o m Shi v a ji s own lips his r om an tic sto ry Fro m Poon a The re hi s Shi v a ji r ode i n st a te to R a yg a d ( Dece m be r a n d r esign ed b a ck t o hi m the m othe r cl a sped hi m to h er boso m power e n tru sted to h er a n d the other rege n ts when he left for A gra On e thi n g wa s wan ti n g to the j oy of Ji ja b a i a n d h er s on Bu t n o t m a n y weeks Sa m bh a ji wa s still exposed to d a n ge r pa ssed before he too r e a ched ho m e s a fe a n d well A ft er sec urely gui din g Shi v a ji to Poo n a Kri sh n a ji Vi sh v a n a th r eturn ed t o Ma thura The n ta ki n g with hi m his m othe r K a shiji Tri m a l a n d Sa m bh a ji he o n ce a ga i n beg a n the lo n g j o urn ey t o Poo n a The p arty j o urn eyed withou t i n cide n t u n til they re a ched Uj j a in There a Mus u lm an O ffice r s u spected th a t the h a n dsom e highbred la d m ight be Sa m bh a ji a n d a dd ressed hi m He wa s b a ffl ed by The b oy he s a id i s m y Kas hi ji s cooln ess a n d de votio n Bu t a short ti m e a go m y m other m y wife m y s on a n d s on I st arted to gether on a pilgrim a ge to A llah a b a d My m othe r died on the wa y m y wife fell ill at A lla h a b a d a n d di ed a lso ” In I a m n ow t a ki n g m y orph a n s on b a ck to m y own vi lla ge th a t c as e retorted the Mus u lm a n 5 y ou will h a ve n o obj ectio n ” to eat with y our s on of the s am e pla te A ltho u gh for a B ra hm a n to eat with a M ara th a n o m a tter how hi ghly born was t o bre a k the c a ste la w a n d to i n c ur a costly pe n a n ce Ka shij i did n ot hesita te He a n d Sa m bh a ji sh a red the s am e dish An d the A

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Mu s u lm a n Officer s a tisfied w ith the test let the priso n e r go The p arty co n ti n u ed on foot a s far a s Ra ksh a s abh u v a n a vill a ge o n th e b a n ks of the God a v a ri The re they hired ho rses a n d r ode with a ll speed to R a yga d Sh i v a ji ove rj oyed a t his so n s r etur n ga ve to e a ch of the thr ee br other s the title of Vi shv as ra o He ga ve i n a dditio n to K a shiji Tri m a l a n o rder for R s to Kri shn a ji Vi s hv a n a th s m other Nor a n d a si m il a r o rde r did he f a il to r ewa rd the h ospita ble villa ger of M a lwa who i n spite of his own m isfortun es h a d yet exte n ded a welco m e to two wa n deri n g begga rs Sa m bh a ji s a fe Shi v a ji wa s free to t a ke r eve n ge On the Mogh ul s Their a fl a i rs i n the Decc a n h a d l a tely bee n goi n g n o n e too well A li A dil Sh a h s defe n ce of Bij a p ur h a d r o u sed the sym p a thy of the ki n g of Golco n d a An d i n a n swe r to hi s riva l s a ppe a l for help he h a d se n t 6000 c a v a lr y a n d i n fa n try Th ey with the Bij a p u r horse so h ara ssed the besiege rs th a t they were soo n i n a worse plight th a n the Bij a p u r ga rrison A t la st J a i Sin g reported t o the e m pero r th a t he cou ld n o lo n ger con tin u e the i n vestm en t At the s a m e tim e he fell b a ck on Dh arur a n d * Bu t Shi v a ji n ow e n te red the field a wa ited o rde rs He rec a p tured the Ko n ka n s urr e n de red by hi m a n d the n bega n to overrun the Desh Ja i S i n g s a w hi s retre a t thre a te n ed He a b a n do n ed h r a ll the fo rts i n th e Des h except L oh a d a P a a d S i n d d ur a n n g g a n d r etre a ted to A ura n g a b a d The fa ilure of Jai Si n g s expedi tion a n d R a m si n g s su spected co n n iva n ce with Shi v aji s esc a p e led the e m peror to rec a ll hi m Bu t the wa r worn R a jpu t did n ot live t o rega i n the c a pita l De a th ove rtook hi m a t B u rh a n p u r a s he tra velled b a ck to Delh i ( Ju ly 1 2 I n pl a ce of the de a d officer A ura n gz i b re a ppoin ted his s on Pri n ce Mua z zim Ma h ara j a of a s Gove rn o r of the Decc a n a n d J as wa n t Si n g J Od h p u r a s hi s seco n d i n co m m a n d The n ew vice roy h a d bu t little c a p a city a n d n o li ki n g for war Ja s wa n t Sin g h a d m a de Shi v a ji s a cqu a i n ta n ce a t Delhi a n d like a ll those who p a ss ed bec am e the pri n ce s e n thus i a stic un de r the wa n d of the m a gici a n a d m ir er Shi v a ji on hi s p a rt wa s willi n g to m a ke pe a ce provid ed ,

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HIS T ORY OF TH E M AR ATH A PEO PLE

possessio n s w e re restored to hi m a n d th a t a s before h e wa s given a free h a n d a ga i n st Bij a pur A tre a ty e n s u ed very fa voura ble to the Ma ra tha le a der ( A D The e m peror con ferr ed on hi m the title of R a j a thu s con firm i n g the hon ou r gra n ted to Ma loji by the A hm a dn a ga r ki n g a n d co n tin u ed the m a n s a b or co m m a n d of 5 000 ho rse to Sa m bh a ji He re stored to Shi v a ji h is fa ther s Old fief of Poon a Ch a ka n a n d * S u p a a n d the n eighbo u ri n g forts except Si n hga d a n d Pu ran d a r I n lie u of his othe r cl a i m s on the old A hm a d n a ga r ki n gdo m Sh i v a ji r ece i ved a fief i n B e ra r a n d so it wo u ld see m wa s a llowed to r et a i n the Ko n k a n which he h a d r ece n tly r eco n qu er ed Shi v a ji on the othe r h a n d u n de rtook to a id the Moghu ls i n a fre sh a tt a ck u po n Bij a p u r I n pur s u a n ce of thei r a gree m e n t Shi v a ji se n t a fin e body of horse u n der Ka d t oji Gu z a r n ow e n n obled by the title Pra ta pra o Gu z ar Tto j oi n Pri n ce Mua z z i m s a rm y a t A u ra n g a b a d It does n ot howeve r a ppe ar to h a ve s ee n se rvice The B i j a pu r ki n g a lthou gh he h a d forced J a i Sin g to ra i se th e siege wa s he a rtily sick of the wa r a n d with Shi v a ji o n ce m ore a n a lly Of the e m pe r o r cou ld h a rdly hope to repea t his rece n t su ccesses He s u ed for pe a ce a n d Obta in ed it by givi n g u p the fort of Shola p u r a n d othe r te rrito ry yieldi n g p a god a s Bu t he h a d a lso to s a tisfy the cl a i m s of Shi v a ji t o s a rd es hm a khc a n d c ha u th which h a d bee n gra n ted to hi m by A ura n gz i b i n their fir st tre a ty A li A dil Sh a h 1 co m m u ted the m for p a ym e n t of 3 75 la khs of ru pees Shi v a ji w a s For a whole ye a r n ow m o r e powe rf u l th a n he h a d eve r bee n he rem a i n ed a t pe a ce with his n eighbo u rs a n d a bsorbed i n th e Nor did he provoke ta sk of restori n g order to his ki n gdo m the wa r th a t a fte rwa rds b roke ou t The c a u se wa s the fresh tr e a chery of A u ra n gz i b th a t hi s

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whose besettin g s i n wa s m i strust Of hi s su bordin a tes refu sed them hi s con fide n ce either i n war or i n He h a d n eve r give n Diler Kh a n or R a j a J ai S i n g su fficie n t troops eithe r to destroy Shi v a ji or to ta ke B i ja pur An d n ow th a t Pri n ce Mu a z z im a n d Shi v a ji lived on a m ic able term s the j e a lo u s e m pe ror c a m e to s u spect th a t they were plottin g hi s overthrow The s u spicion h a d n o foun d a tion Pri n c e Mu a z z i m h a ted wa r a n d Shi v a ji h a d n o wi sh to a ttack th e Mogh uls un til he h a d sec ur ed his so u th e rn fr o n tie r fr o m the a s s a u lts of B ij a p u r Neve r theless A ura n gz ib se n t Pri n c e Mu a z zi m a n orde r directi n g hi m to seize a t o n ce ; the person s of before t he Shi v a ji a n d Pra t a pra o G u z ar Pri n ce Mu a z z i m ord er a rrived he ard of it fr om his co n fide n ti a l a ge n t a t D elh i He se n t for Ni ra ji R a vji Shi v a ji s lega te a t A ura n ga b a d a n d a d vi s ed h i m to le a ve with Pra t a pr a o G u z a r befo re the o rd er c am e Ni ra ji R a vji a t o n ce co n veyed the wa rn i n g to Pra ta p rao Gu z ar a n d the s am e n ight the l a tte r led hi s co n ti n gen t ou t of A ur a n ga b a d a n d by fo rced m a rches re a ched R a yga d i n When the Ofli ci a l letter of the em peror a rri ved a few d a ys Pri n c e Mu a zz im wa s with perfect tru th a ble t o a n s wer th at it wa s i m possible to seize either Shi v a ji or Prata pra o Gu z ar as there was n o lo n ger a sin gle Mara th a at A ura n ga ba d Shi v a ji co u ld h ardly h a v e bee n otherwi s e tha n a n gry a t th e by Prata prao Gu z ar but he con cea led n ews c o n veyed to h im ” The Mo ghuls h e hi s a n ger un der a show of s a tisfa ctio n d m y c a va lry for t wo years s a id l a u ghi n g h a ve m ai n ta i n e a t th eir own expe n se I sh a ll n ow s how the m how m u ch m y the ir

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Shed gavka r B a kha r

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SI NH GA D, S U RA T

7

SAL HE R

A ND

h ad

The Mogh u l ga rriso n s a t Si n h ga d a n d Pur a n d lon g bee n a n eyesor e to Shi v a ji a n d to his m othe r The rece n t t rea ch of A u ra n gz i b showed hi m th a t it wa s i m possible to r e m a i n er y He ther efo re r esolved to redu c e a t pe a ce wi th the Mogh u ls * the t w o gre a t forts witho u t f u r ther dela y A lively b a ll a d f the h a s pr eser ved a f a n t a stic bu t m ost i n te r esti n g a cco un t O On e Mo n d a y m orn i n g a ccordi n g t O th e a tt a ck on Si n h ga d b a lla d wr i te r Shi v a ji wa s a t Ra y ga d T His m other Ji ja bai The la tter wa s com bi n g her h air with a n wa s a t Pra t a pga d ivo ry co m b A s she looked e a stwa rds h er eyes fell on Si n h ga d It wa s shi n i n g i n the s u n like a n ew la id egg I h e sight go a ded her to fur y She told on e Of her se r va n ts to ride to R a yga d a n d c a ll Sh i v a ji to h er eve n if he h a d to get u p fr om his di n n er witho u t wa shin g his h a n ds Sh i v a ji a t o n ce obeyed his m other s s um m o n s do n n ed his a rm our took his sword a n d shield a n d tiger cla ws m o un ted his bla ck m a re Krish n a a n d ridi n g a s f a st a s he co u ld to Pra ta p ga d a n n o u n ced his arriva l to Ji ja bai Wh e n they m et he a sked h er the c au se of h er urge n t m ess a ge She ga ve h im n o direct a n swe r bu t ch a lle n ged hi m to a ga m e of dice Sh iv a ji a t first decli n ed s a yi n g th a t it wa s n ot righ t Bu t J i ja b a i for a s on to oppose his m othe r eve n i n a ga m e o v e rc a m e his scru ples a n d the n pra yed to Bh a va n i for help With the goddess a i d she won the m a tch Shi v a jl the n begged his m other to t a ke a s a forfeit a n y on e of the fortresses i n his possessio n She refus ed the m a ll bu t dem an ded Si n h ga d The kin g pr otested th a t the re n own ed Ude Bh an defe n ded it Bu t Ji ja b a i i n sisted a n d thre a te n ed a n d th a t it was i m pr e gn a ble t o b ur n u p his ki n gdo m with h er c urses un less he g a ve her Shi v a ji per for ce co n se n ted a n d told h er to go wi th Si n h ga d Ther e he spe n t severa l hour s thi n ki n g who m h e hi m t o Ra jga d sho u ld a ppoi n t to c a ptur e the fortress A t la st the n a m e of hi s Old co m ra de Ta n a ji Ma luSa re s a bhed a r of Um ra the occ urred to him He se n t a wr itte n m ess a ge to Ta n a ji orde ri n g h im to be pres en t a t R a j ga d withi n thr ee d a ys a n d a cco m p a n ied by ar

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Collec t ion p 21 The wri ter wa s T l id a s S h h i r T I n t h e ba lla d h e i s decla red to be a t R a jg a d B t a s th e c o m m en ta tor righ tly O b ser v es t h e r oute f oll owed by t he m es s en ger s h o ws t h a t he m us t ha v e been a t Ra ygad Sha legra m

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H IST ORY OF TH E M A RATH A PEO PLE

A

228

The m esse n ger fo un d Ta n a ji e n ga ged i n prepari n g Bu t the weddi n g wa s pu t for the m a rri a ge of his s on R a ya b a m en c arryi n g clu bs a n d sickles Ta n a i s t a rted off a n d with j for R a j ga d A s he we n t a coppe rs m i th bi rd flew a cros s hi s p a th His un cle Sh elar ur ged h i m to r etu rn a s the sight of su ch Bu t Ta n a ji l a u ghed a t the old m a n s a bi r d wa s a n evil o m e n fe ars a n d con tin u ed his m arch A s they n e ared R a j ga d Ji ja b a i thou ght th a t they were Moghu ls a n d begged Shi v a ji t o fire on Bu t the ki n g r ecogn i sed hi s own b a n n e rs a n d gu es s ed the m tha t the troops we re Ta n a ji s Shi v a ji greeted Ta n a ji warm ly Bu t the s a bhed a r with the freedo m of a n Old frie n d s colded the ki n g for distur bi n g hi m i n the m iddle of his son s m a rri a ge festivities Shi v a ji excus ed hi m s elf ple a di n g th a t it wa s n ot r e a lly he b u t Ji ja b a i who h a d se n t for Ta n a i ; A poke S er o h s n s j J i ja b a i r ose S he first th a n ked Bh a va n i for Ta n a ji s c o m i n g then wa ved a la m p r o u n d Ta n a ji s he a d a n d cra cked h er fin gers on h er te m ple so a s to t a ke to he rself a ll hi s c ar es * Ta n a ji com pletely won by the qu ee n s a cts took Off hi s turb an pla ced it a t h er feet a n d pro m ised to give h er a n yt hi n g sh e wa n ted She told hi m to give h er Si n h ga d a n d a ssur ed hi m t ha t if he did so she wo u ld r ega rd hi m a s Shi v a ji s youn ger brother a n d h er o wn Ta n a ji gl a dly a gr eed to go fo rth on th e perilo u s s on qu est J i ja b a i ga ve a fe a st of whi ch hi s whole forc e p artook a n d a s they a t e Bh a v a n i herself c a m e a n d helped t o serve A fte r the fe a s t wa s ove r Ji ja b a i ga ve to Ta n a ji s s oldie rs the m clothes a n d we a pon s a n d they started for Si n hga d On re a chi n g a spot c a lled A n a n di B a r i Ta n a i a ss um ed the d ress of a vill a ge j he a d m a n a n d stole thr o u gh the j u n gle un til he r e a ched the e n e m y s o u tposts They we re Hi n du s of the Koli c a ste a n d seized hi m He ga ve ou t th a t he wa s p a ti l or he a dm a n of S a kh a ra a n d th a t he h a d j u st m et a tige r a n d h a d fled t o them Thi s s a tisfied the Kolis whose he a rts Ta n a ji soon for shelte r won by p rese n ts of beteln u t a n d Opi u m L a stly he distrib u ted pieces of j ewelle ry a m o n gst the m a n d con fided t o the m tha t he wa s on e of Shi v a ji s n obles a n d sou ght i n f orm a tio n a bou t the fort Th ey r e a dily told hi m a ll th a t they kn ew a n d a gr e a t de a l T his i a ry c om m on pra ct ic a on g In di an lad ies A la bala m en

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230

A

H IS TO RY

THE MA RA TH A PE OPLE

OF

bo u t to seek the em bra ces of his wives I n s pite of the ur ge n cy of the o cc a sio n he refu sed to go hi m self bu t ordered th a t his ele p h a n t Ch a n d ra v ali shou ld be sen t a ga i n s t the e n em y I ts m a ho u t ga ve the m o n ster a n i n c r edible qu a n tity of bha n g r a n d opi um a n d d rove it a ga i n st Ta n a i The l a tt howeve e r j eva ded its ch a rge a n d Sprin gin g on its b a ck killed it by c u ttin g off its tru n k with a si n gle swo rd str oke Ude Bha n n ext sen t Sidi Hilla l to m eet the e n e m y S idi Hilla l do n n ed hi s a rm o ur * a n d kil li n g his n i n e wive s m arked his fo r ehe a d with thei r blood a n d the n so u ght out Ta n a ji On m eetin g hi m Sidi Hilla l b a de h im ta ke gra ss i n his m o uth p u t his s an d a ls on hi s he ad an d beg for m ercy Ta n a ji r efu sed a n d a fter wa rdin g Off eightee n s u ccessive sword cu ts clove the Sidi Ope n fr om the turba n to the n a vel Ude Bh a n however still refu sed to le a ve his wives He ordered his twelve son s to go forth to b a ttle Bu t they we re n o m o re fo rtun a te th a n their fo re run n ers Twelve strokes of Ta n a ji s swo rd cu t them i n to twe n ty four pieces His so n s de a th a t l a st r ou sed Ude Bh a n He c u t down his wi ves j u st a s Sidi Hilla l h a d do n e a n d ra llyin g th e rest of the ga rriso n he we n t towards the K a lya n Ga te S eei n g th a t the storm i n g p a rty o n ly n u m bered fifty Ude Bh a n a n d hi s P a th an s ru shed a t t he m Ude Bh a n cu t down Ta n a ji Bu t Shelar a ve n ged his de a th by i n st a n tly killi n g Ude Bh a n Nevertheless the s m a ll Mara th a fo rce wo u ld soo n h a ve bee n ove rp owered h a d n ot Bh a v a n i of Pra ta pga d flun g ope n with h er own h a n d the Ka lya n G a te thu s e n a b lin g Sur y a ji Ta n a ji s broth er a n d the rest of the The fight m en to e n ter the fo rt wa s the n soo n ove r The garriso n wa s killed Th e i m peri a l sta n d a rd wa s to rn down Sh i v a ji s b a n n er w a s h oisted i n its pl a ce F ive c a n n o n s were fired a n d so m e b uildi n gs s et a li ght to a n n o un ce to Shi v a ji th a t Si n hga d wa s hi s Sh i v a ji h a ste n ed fr o m R a j ga d a n d m o u n ted the steep p a th th a t le a ds u p Si n h gad He e n tered the fort thr o u gh the K a lya n Ga te a n d rode u n til he s a w the corpse of hi s ga lla n t Com ra de Ta n a ji Ma lu s are A s the ki n g s topped to ga ze a t it his soldier s crowded roun d hi m to c on gratu an

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SIN HGAD , S URA T

AND

SAL HER

’

of

23 1

Bu t he s ile n ced la te on the c a pture the Lion s fo t the m with a bitter l a co n i s m s u ch a s Juli u s wo uld h a ve en vi ed ” I ha ve got the F ort he s a id bu t I ha v e lost the lio n ( F eb u a ry 1 7 1 67 O) T The fa ll of Si n h ga d wa s followed by th a t of Pura n d ar esc a la ded by Sury a ji Ma lu s are a n d between F eb ru ary a n d Jun e 1 67 0 the : Peshwa a ided by Ni lop a n t Son d ev a n d An n aji D a tto h a d r e m oved eve r y tra ce of the Mogh ul occ u p a tio n fro m Shi v a ji s te rritories The ki n g n ext tried to s urprise Shi vn er the gre a t fort n e a r Ju n n ar He h a d bee n born there a n d he h ad lon g desi red to wi n it th a t he m ight the reby sec ur e his n orthern fr o n tier I n this e n terprise his good fortun e deserted hi m Whe n the le a de r of the sto rm in g p a rty re a ched the sum m i t of the fo rt he wa s see n by on e of the wives of the garri s on li She fl un g a ston e a t hi m which kn ocked hi m over b a ckwards A n d the As he fell he ove rtu rn ed those who followed hi m wh o cu t the r opes to whi ch n oise of thei r f a ll r o u sed the g a rriso n the sto rm i n g p a rty clun g a n d th u s r epulsed the a tta ck with hea v y loss A fte r thi s f a ilur e Shi v a ji tu rn ed o n ce m o re to J a n ji ra He to ok a ll the b ridge he a ds w hich F a tih Kh a n h a d esta blished d rove hi m a n d s u ch fo rces a s he still h a d on the m a i n l a n d a n d with hi m b a ck i n to the isla n d These defe a ts weighed he a vily on F a tih Kh a n s m i n d It wa s hopeless for hi m to expect a i d fro m B ij a pu r sep a ra ted a s it a n d Ja n jira were by Shi v a ji s possession s Shi v a ji s fleet too wa s by n ow m ore th an a m a tch for F a tih Kh a n s ships a n d a tt a cked b y la n d a n d sea he desp a ir ed of a s u ccessf u l defe n ce He therefore ope n ed n egoti a tion s wi th Shi v a ji O fferi n g to s urr en de r Ja n ji ra pro vided th a t he a n d hi s gar ri son were a llowed to go free Shi v a ji wished a t a n y cost to

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les s rom a n t ic bu t m ore prob a ble s tory i s to be f oun d i n t he S abha s ad B a kha r A cc ordi n g t o t h e a u t h or of t ha t chr on icle Ta n a ji a n d hi s brot her Su ry a ji s u rpri sed Si n h ga d wi t h ou t di v i n e a s s i s ta n c e a n d wi t h a forc e of on ly a th ou s a n d M a wa l in f a n tr y Th e g a rri son c o n s i s ted of s ev en hu n dred Ra jpu t s wh o defen ded t hem s el v es g a ll a n t ly un t il ov er fiv e hun dred h a d b een ki lled or woun d ed i n t h e a tta c k TA

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H ISTO RY OF TH E M A RA THA PEO PLE

e this powerfu l n a va l b a se a n d he re a dily a gr eed to Fa ti h Kh an s term s But the la tter s design wa s frus tra ted whe n o n A s I h a ve pre vio u sly rela ted the very poin t of execu tion th e gove rn ors of the isla n d w hen it wa s un der the ki n gs Of Ah m a d n a ga r wer e A byssi n i a n ki n s m en or frien ds of Ma li k Am b ar Upon its tra n sfer to B ij a pur they becam e Fa tih Kh a n s su bordin a tes He a rin g of his tre a son they resolved both t o s a ve Ja n jira from the i n fidel a n d t o rid the m selves of thei r Afgha n s u perior Their three le a ders were n a m ed Sidi S a m b a] S idi Ya kut a n d S idi Kh a i ry a t They su dd en ly seized Fa tih Kh a n a n d p u t hi m i n ch a in s They sen t a d esp a tch explain in g to the Bij a pur ki n g their co n du ct A t the s am e tim e they se n t a n oth e r desp a tch to A u ra n g a b a d O fferi n g i n r eturn for a id fr o m the Mogh u l fleet t o hold Ja n jira a s a depe n de n cy of Delhi The Moghu ls gla dly co n se n ted a n d the S ura t fleet reli eved Ja n jira by j oin i n g the S idi s fleet which th u s recovered com m an d of

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It wa s ch ara cteristic of Shi v a jI th a t a dve rsity see m ed to s ti m ula te hi s m i n d a n d th a t brilli an t s u ccesses closely followed D urin g the la st six yea rs the town of hi s gra vest dis a sters S ura t h ad r ecovered its pr osperity Yet i n spite of the Mara tha ta ke n n o ste ps to ra id of 1664 the Mogh u l gove rn m e n t h a d Shi v a ji resolved to pr o fit by thei r preve n t its r epetitio n given to Ja n jira n egli ge n ce a n d to m a ke S ura t p a y for the a i d by th e Moghul fleet th a t h a d s a iled fr o m the Ta pti On O ctobe r 1 s tro n g 1 67 0 n ews r e a ched S ur a t th a t a M ara th a a rm y h a d e n tered Gu z ara t a n d t wo d a ys l a ter its v a n gu ard wa s see n to a ppro a ch the m u d wa lls The i n h a bita n ts fled a s before t o the s urr o u n di n g villa ges a n d the gove rn o r a n d hi s ga rriso n r epe a ted thei r fo rm e r cowa rd i ce by a t o n ce reti ri n g t o the c a stle Th e E n gli sh D u tch a n d Fr e n ch m erch a n ts got re a dy to defe n d thei r fa ctories a n d the gu ards of two s era glios on e m a i n ta in ed by Persi a n a n d Turkish m erch an ts a n d a n other by a fugitive * r esol u tely prep ared to protect thei r prin ce from Ka shgar .

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cc oun t i s ta ken from th e En glis h letter of Nov em ber 20 preserv e d i n H edge s Di ar y Vol II p 226 Th e prin c e of Ka s hg a r i s s a id t o ha v e been c on n ected with A ur a n gzi b a n d t o ha v e been d et hron ed by hi s own s on s a ’

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234

A

H ISTO RY

OF

TH E M A RA T HA PE OPLE

th rough Dh ara m pu r This ti m e co n fide n t i n the n um b er of his troops he followed the m a i n ro a d fro m S ur a t t o Auran ga b a d which p a ssed by Sa lh er fort a n d Ch a n d wa d town A t Ch a n d wa d * o a m he proposed t le ve the a i n ro a d a n d return thr ou gh th e Na sik p a ss to the Kon ka n Bu t the n ews of hi s ra id on Sura t a n d of his li n e of r etr e a t h a d r e a ched A ura n gab a d A body of Moghul c a valry un der D au d Kh a n set ou t to h ara ss hi s r e arguard while a l a rge Mogh u l a rm y m a r ched to the Sa h y a d ri s a n d blo cked the N as ik p ass The pla n both well co n ceived a n d well execu te d fa iled throu gh the excelle n ce Of Shi v a ji s i n form a tion He se n t hi s plun der throu gh othe r p a sses i n the m o un ta i n s a n d then turn i n g with a body Of horse on D a u d Kh a n s c a v a lry overwhelm ed it a t Kh a d a s e R etur n i n g swiftly he ch a rged with his wholea rm y the Mogh uls who held the Na sik p a ss a n d com pletely r ou ted them He the n led his troops a n d tre a su re s a fely to R a yga d fresh troo p s With the spoil of S ura t Shi v a ji eq ui p p ed a n d a powe rfu l fleet With the l a tter he m a de a de m on stra tion The Moghu ls an tici a lo n g the Gu z a ra t co a st a s fa r a s B ro a c h : p a tin g a ra id on B ro a ch si m ila r to th a t twice made on S ura t Thi s wa s s e n t a ll thei r a v a il a ble r ei n fo r ce m e n ts i n to Gu z ara t wh a t Shi v a ji h a d desi r ed a n d he n ow led a n a rm y i n to Kh an desh Th e ga rrison s Of the Kh a n desh town s fo u ght with gr e a t coura ge I h e fo rts of Aun d h a but they wer e sep ara t ely defe a ted Pa tta Tri m b a k a n d Sa lher fell a n d Shi v a ji la id wa ste the whole of th e fe rtile pr ovi n ce a s far a s B u rh a n p ur on its n o r th e a ste rn fro n tier Whi le Shi v a ji ove rra n Kha n desh Mor o Pi n gle descen d the Ja wh er Sta te a n d r ed u ce d ed thr o u gh the N a sik p a ss n ow the n o rthern p a rt exa cted co n trib u tio n s fr o m the Kolwa n Shi v a ji then fell b a ck of the Th a n a district ( J a n u a ry Bu t a s he did so he m a de the u po n the Sa h y a d ri Mo un t a i n s he a d m a n of eve ry villa ge un derta ke t o pa y hi m a fou rth of the Thu s wa s th e r e v e n u e a s a s a fegu a r d a ga i n st further a tt a ck Thes e c ha u th i m posed for the fir st ti m e on a Mogh ul pr ovi n ce di s a sters t o the Moghu l a rm s led to a ch a n ge i n the Aura n ga b a d go vern m e n t The e m peror rec a lled J a swa n t Sin g a n d i n hi s pla ce he se n t Ma h ab a t Kh a n the vetera n O ffice r wh o h ad .

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Decca n , Vol

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II p ,

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25

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SI NH GA D, S U RA T

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23 5

S A LE E B

con qu e red D a ula ta b a d for the Em peror Sh ah Jeh an together with a n ew a rm y of The Moghuls n ow re as sum ed m en the offe n sive They a t first m et with so m e s u ccesse s They re c a pt u r ed A u n d h a a n d P a tta befo r e the m o n soo n br oke a n d e a rly i n the n ext ye ar ( 1 672) they i n vested Sa lher a n d c ut t o * a pieces body of horse se n t by MorOp an t Pin gle to rein force Shi v a ji o rde red MorOpa n t Pi n gle a n d Pr a ta pra o the ga rriso n Gu z ar to proceed i n perso n with a ll their a va ila ble tr oops t o reli eve Sa lher Ma h a b a t Kha n sen t the gr e a ter p a rt of hi s a rm y u n de r on e I kla s Kh a n t o a tt a ck the r elievi n g fo rce a s it a pp r o a ched the fo r t The Ma ra tha s were a dva n ci n g i n t wo colu m n s Pra ta p ra o Gu z a r on the west a n d Moropa n t Pi n gle on the e a st of Sa lh er I kla s Kh a n tried to preve n t thei r j un ctio n by throwi n g hi m self betwee n them a n d destroyi n g them on e a fte r the othe r The pla n fa iled Bu t the Moghuls with the u tm ost co u ra ge fo u ght a co n fu sed ru n n i n g b a ttle of whi ch the r es ul t wa s lo n g do u btful After twelve ho ur s th e s u perior m obi lity a n d n u m be r s Of the M ara th a horse preva iled They j oin ed i n the ce n tre a n d ther e holdi n g I kla s Kh an turn ed both his fl a n ks A l a st vi goro u s ch a rge co m pleted the Moghu l defe a t O n ly 2000 m en wi th I kla s Kh a n a n d his lieu te n a n t B a hlol Kh an esc a ped fro m the ro u t The rest of the Moghu l arm y a bo u t stro n g eithe r fell on the field or s urre n dered 6000ho r ses 1 25 eleph a n ts a n d a v a st Spoil Of j ewels a n d tre a s ur e bec a m e the prize of the c on qu erors T Bu t the ga i n i n prestige wa s g r e a te r still For the first ti m e the M a ra th a s h a d won a pitched b a ttle a ga i n s t a discipli n ed Mogh ul a rm y led by a soldi e r tra i n ed i n the school of A kb a r a n d Sh a h J eh a n Deser ters fro m Bij a p ur a n d Delhi an d recru its fro m a ll p arts of the coun try flocked i n thou s a n ds t o the stan d a rd of the ki n g To co n tin u e the siege of Sa lh er wa s n ow hopeless a n d Ma h a b a t Kha n reti red with hi s sha tter ed a rm y be hi n d the b a stio n s of Au ra n ga b a d ,

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S a bha s a d

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B a kha r Th e B a kha r gi v es t h e i t a t 2000 .

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ha v e b a sed m y a cc oun t of t he ba tt le of Sa lh er on th e S a bha s ad Ba kh a r G ra n t Du ff s a cc o n t i s s om ewha t differen t On Shi v a ji s s ide Su ry a ji ra o Ka kd e a di s t in gu i s hed s ol d i er fell To t h e w o u n ded p ri s on ers Shi v a ji b eha v ed wi t h grea t hu m a n i t y H e ten d ed t hei r wou n d s a n d when well d i s m i s sed them w i th p res en t s .

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CHA PT ER C R O WNI NG

TH E

XXI

OF SH IVA J I

A D 1 6 7 2 T O 1 67 4 .

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AFT ER S i xty ye a rs of m

isera ble se rvitu de to C a stile the Po rtu gu ese with Fre n ch a id n a tio n ra llied r o u n d the D u ke of B r a g a n z a a n d a n d thei r own co ura ge a chieved thei r i n depe n de n ce To sec ur e it they e n tered i n to a m arri a ge c o n n exio n with the roya l hou se of Stu a rt I n 1 661 Ch a r les II wh o h a d j u st won b a ck the thron e Of E n gla n d m arried Pri n cess C a therin e o f Portu gal A s a dowry t o hi s d a u ghter the Portu gu ese ki n g ga ve T an gier o n the n o r th west co a st of A fric a a n d the fort a n d isl an d of B om b a y on the west co a st of In dia To the Li sbo n govern m en t the dowr y s eem ed a sm a ll on e T a n gie r pr oved a de a th tra p to the En glish soldiers who gu a rded it The isla n d of Bo m b a y wa s a low lyi n g g ro u p o f r ocks Off the Ko n ka n co a st O n ly ele v en * r Po tu gu ese f a m ilies r esided there a n d seve n ty Mos qui teers or a rm ed I n di a n Police we r e dee m ed a s u fficie n t g arriso n Bu t it form ed a m a gn i ficen t refu ge for ships by a ffordin g them a shelter fro m the fu ry of the sou th west m on soon A n d the Portu gu ese viceroy De la Costa with pr ophetic tru th wrote to his kin g th a t the I n di a n em pir e wou ld be lost t o his n a tion fro m the d a y th a t the E n glish la n ded on the isla n d At fir st it is tru e the cessi o n did E n gla n d bu t little good a n d the qu arrels betwee n the E n glish govern or a n d the Portu gu ese viceroy a s to the i n te rpr et a tio n of the gra n t c a u sed Cha rles II i n a fit of vexa tion to tra n sfer on M arch 27 1 668 B o m b a y t o the E a st I n di a Com p a n y Al tho u gh it wa s n ot u n til 1 67 4 th a t the wise a n d chi va lr o u s Ge ra ld A un gi er tra n sferr ed the he a d qu a rte rs of the Com p a n y fr o m Sura t t o Bom b a y the a cqu isition of the isla n d drew the S M l b ri B ba y i n the M a ki g p 9 3 ,

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H I ST ORY O F THE M ARA THA PE OPLE

A

238

oun tr y between Ah m a d n a gar a n d Aura n ga b a d The v icer oy purs ued the m fr o m pl a ce t o pl a ce bu t wa s a lw a ys t oo l a te I n f a ct so i m becile wa s hi s co n du ct th a t Shi v a ji to cat ch them An d while p a r t of hi s a rm y wa s led to disrega rd hi m e n ti rely plun dere d th e Moghu l te rritories he en ga ged wi th the res t i n a dist an t a n d pr o fit a ble expedition Wh ile the En glish a n d the D u tch m erch a n t s a t Sur a t h a d worked u p their tra de on b us i n ess li n es a n d h a d the reby m a de con sid era ble pro fits the Fre n ch h a d n ot bee n s o s u ccessfu l Th eir fa c tory fo un ded i n 1642 was equi pped on too la vish a sc a le t o yi eld a n y return At la st M de la Ha ye thou ght th a t a n est a bli sh m e n t on the C o r o m a n del C o a st m i ght b ri n g hi m m o r e ofit Close to the site of m ode rn M a d ra s wa s the little town of r p S t Th om e It h a d o n ce bee n a Portu gu e s e settle m e n t bu t De la i n 1 669 the ki n g Of Golco n d a h a d t a ke n it by storm Haye ra id ed it fr om the s ea a n d dr ove ou t the Golcon d a garrison Th e Gol c o n d a ki n g equi pped a n a rm y a n d se n t it to r eco ve r the li ttle fort Whe n his force s were we ll on the wa y to the Cor o m a n del C o a st Sh i v a ji a ppe ared with a l a r ge M a ra th a fo r ce a t R esista n ce wa s us eless a n d the G01 th e ga te s Of Hydera b a d his chief town by the 1m con d a ki n g wa s ob liged to ra n so m Shi v a ji the n r eturn ed m edi a te p a ym e n t oi t wo m illio n p a go d a s with h is u Su a l expedition to R a yga d I n hi s a bse n ce h owever a t Ja n ji ra a n oth er m ish a p h a d befa lle n hi m S idi S am b a l h ad died shortly a fter the overthrow of Fa tih * Kh a n a n d b ee n su cceeded a s govern or by S idi Ya ku t ( A D Th e n ew gove rn o r wa s a m a n of e n terprise a n d a bility a n d 1 67 his sh ip s c o n s ta n tly c a ptur ed Mara th a vessels a n d sen t th e h ea d s of thei r s a ilors to A ura n ga b a d He ari n g of Shi v a ji s a b sen ce h e a ga i n a sked B a h a d ur Kh a n for th e a id of th e Mo g hul fleet Th e l a tte r co n se n ted a n d begged le a v e of the En gli s h Tto h ul troops let hi s fleet d rop a n ch or i n Bo m b a y so th a t th e Mo g a tt a ck Sh iv a ji s n eighbo uri n g possessio n s m i gh t l a n d a n d Th e ki n g s a ge n t warn ed th e En glish th a t if they con s e n ted i t wo uld m e a n war with hi s m a ste r a n d the certa i n lo s s o f Bo m b ay th e

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K h a fi Kh a n ‘

T Orm

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H i s tori cal F ragm

en ts

pp

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3 0-3 1

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TH E

CR O WNI N G

SHI YAJ I

or

23 9

gli sh pla ced their diffic ulties before B a h a dur Kh an co uld n ot a n d i n fo rm ed hi m th a t they we r e b u t m e rch a n ts a n d t a ke sides with either of the con ten di n g govern m e n ts The Mogh u ls the n p reten ded to give u p their proj ect i n disgus t But they set ou t for a cruis e a little ti m e a ft er r et urn i n g to S u ra t S u dde n l y a lterin g their cou rse they e n tered the port of D a n d a R a j puri Ther e they destr oyed a n u m be r of Shi v a ji s s hi ps These Sidi Ya ku t tied to sto n es a n d took 200 M a ra th a s a ilors a n d fl un g ove r bo a rd : He the n a tta cked D a n d a R a j puri itself This fo rtress whi c h Shi v a ji h a d co n qu ered fro m Fa tih Kh an wa s o f the u tm ost v a lu e t o the g a rriso n of Ja n ji ra Wi thout it the ga rriso n ra n a gre a t risk of bei n g starved ou t With it a s a bridge he a d they co m m a n ded a l arge stretch of fe rtile co un try On e n ight Sidi Ya ku t se n t Sidi Kh a i ry a t hi s seco n d i n co m m a n d to a tta ck D a n d a R a j puri fr o m the la n d side whi le he hi m self led a force i n bo a ts to a tta ck it fr om the s ea The com m a n d a n t was the R a gho B a ll a l A tre wh o h a d ki lled Ch a n dra Ra o More a t Ja oli Usu a lly a n e fficien t soldier he a llowed his vigil a n ce t o r el a x i n the celeb ra tio n of the Holi * S urprised by Sidi Kh ai ry a t s p arty he su m ith on ed the whole ga rriso n to repel it Sidi Ya ku t i n the m e a n tim e s wift ly cli m bed the un protected western wa ll Of the for tress The garri s on ta ke n betwee n t wo fires were overpowe red an d m erciless ly m a ss a c red F ollowi n g u p thi s s u ccess Sidi Ya ku t a ttacked six or seve n m i n or fo rts i n the n eighbo urhood All bu t on e su cc um bed to the fir st a ssa u lt On e held ou t for a few d a ys i n hope of s u ccour A t la st gre a tly distressed a n d te m pted by Sidi Ya ku t s o a th th a t he wo u ld spa r e the garrison the co m m a n d a n t Sidi Ya ku t the n did wh a t Shi v a ji wo u ld n eve r s urr e n dere d h ave do n e He broke his word a n d i n hum a n ly p u t to de a th every m a le i n the pl a ce whether arm ed or n ot F orcibly con vert in g the yo u n g wo m e n a n d the childre n to Isla m he O n ly the old wo m en wer e pe rm itted red u ced the m to sl a ver y to return to thei r ho m es On Dece m ber 1 5 167 2 Ali A dil Sh a h the ki n g of B i ja pur died The sta te h a d s u ffered gr e a tly d u ri n g his reign The "

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Khafi Kha n , Elli ot

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Vol

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VII p ,

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290

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A

240

H IST ORY OF TH E M ARA THA PE O PLE

t a ke n a ll its te rritories n orth Of the Bhi m a R ive r Shi v a ji h a d co n qu e red the Ko n ka n a s fa r so u th a s Pho n d a a n d the western d es k or pla te a u t o the e a st Of the Sah y a d ri s Ali A dil Sh a h h a d it is tru e r ed u ced a n u m be r of p etty chiefs wh o h a d m a de the m selves i n depe n de n t u po n the f a ll of Vi j a ya Bu t these n a gar a n d h a d p u shed his fr o n tier fa r to the so u th con qu ests , i n the dec a yi n g co n dition of the ce n tra l govern m e n t we a ken ed ra ther th an stre n gthen ed its power L a tterly Shi v a ji i n r eturn for a n a n n u a l p a ym e n t of three la khs h a d a bsta i n Bu t n ow th a t Ali A dil Sh a h with wh om h e ed fr o m i n va sion h a d m a de the tr e a ty wa s de a d the M ara th a ki n g held hi m self I n thi s view he wa s n o do u bt a bsolved fr o m his e n ga ge m e n ts con firm ed b y his a ge n ts r eports Of the sta te of Bij a p ur where discord I n M arch 167 3 he collected a r eign ed f a ctio n a n d l arge forc e a t Vish a lga d a n d retook Pa n h a l a whi ch h a d b een i n the power of the Bij a pu r kin g ever si n ce its c a ptur e by S idi Jc h ar But the m a in Obj ect of the expeditio n wa s the plun der D urin g of the rich t own of Hu b li to the so u th e a st of Dh ar wa r the prospero u s d a ys Of the Bij a pur ki n gdom Hu bli h a d been a n d re n own ed for the m a n ufa ctur e a gr e a t m e r c a n tile e m po ri u m of cloth The E n gli sh com p a n y h a d sta tion ed a broker the re i n or de r to b u y cloth speci a lly i n te n ded for s a le i n E n gl a n d Th e M ara th a va n gu a rd un der A n n a ji D a tto s urprised a n d r o u ted th e Bij a pu r ga rriso n a n d the plu n de r exceeded eve n th a t of Sur a t Fro m the E n glish depot a lon e cloth worth n e arly £ 3000 wa s t a ke n a n d whe n the Ma ra tha a rm y h a d left the Bij a pur garrison r etur n i n g c om pleted the ru i n of the town The E n glish dem a n ded com pen s a tion but Shi v aji m ai n tain ed t h a t his tr oops h a d sp ared thei r sto r eho u se a n d a ssessed their losses a t £ 7 0 o n ly The E n glish a t B om b a y were n a tur a lly i n dign an t a n d they soo n h a d a n opportu n ity of pu tti n g pressure the ki n g I n Ma y 1 673 the Mogh u l fleet a ppe a red Off on Bom b a y a n d a ga i n a sked le a ve of the E n glish to spen d t he Ha d the En glish co n sen ted the m o n soo n i n the h a rbo u r Moghul fleet wou ld h a ve bee n i n a position t o ra id a n y poi n t i t ple a s ed on Shi v a ji s co a st Gerald A u n gi er bro u ght this to Shiv a ji s n otice a n d pressed for co m p en s a tio n for the raids on Moghuls

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H IS TO RY

OF

TH E M A RA THA PE O P LE

Bom b a y h arbo ur a n d disrega rdi n g the protests of Gera ld A u n gi er wh o d r ew his s u pplies fro m th a t pa rt of the m a i n l a n d l a n ded a t the m o u th of the R ive r Pen a n d la id wa ste the a dj oi n i n g cou n try The M a ra th a s a fter expostul a tin g with A u n gi er for a llowi n g the Mogh u ls to l an d fi rst s ur prised a n d c ut to pieces a det a ch m e n t of Mogh u ls a n d a fte rwa rds defe a ted the m a i n body i n a pitched b a ttle Th e A byssin i a n then w ithdrew his m en a n d r etu r n ed to S u ra t whe r e he g a ve so flowe r y a n a cco un t of his fe a t of a rm s th a t he received a h a n dso m e m o n ey r eward The lo n g defe n ce of Phon d a e n co u ra ged the Bij a pu r govern Pa n h a la a m ost m e n t t o t ry by a co u n ter a tt a ck to r ega i n va lu a ble bridge he a d fro m which to m a ke ra ids on Shi v a ji s territory They o rdered A bdu l K a ri m the vicer oy of the weste rn provi n ce of Bij a pu r to a dva n ce on Pa n h a la Sh i v a ji a t o n ce det a ched Pra t a pra o G u z a r to pl un der the co u n try on Thi s Pra t a pra o Gu z ar did so hi s li n e of co m m u n ic a tio n s s u ccessfu lly th a t A bd u l K a ri m fell b a ck towa rds the c a pita l The two arm ies m et a t Um bra n i betwee n Mi ra j a n d Bij a p u r Pra t a p r a o s c a v a lry soo n t urn ed both of A bd u l K ari m s fla n ks By s u n set the l a tter wa s i n so critica l a positio n th a t he se n t a n e n voy to Pra ta pra o G u z ar u n derta ki n g to a bsta i n a bsolu tely f ro m a n y hostilities a ga i n st the M a ra th a s a n d to perm it the m t o plun de r his vice r oya lty a t will p rovided they a llowed h i m Pra ta p ra o Gu z a r a ga ll a n t a n d e n te r n o w to r eti r e u n m olested prisi n g soldier b u t n ot a diplo m a t wa s fooled by the hu m ble pro m ises of his e n e m y He sho u ld h a ve gu essed th a t it wa s If o rde red to a tta ck n ot i n A bd u l K a ri m s powe r to keep the m the M ara th a s he wo u ld be bo u n d to do so or resign his post Neve rtheless Pra ta p ra o a llowed A bd u l K a ri m a n d his a rm y to esc a pe Sh i v a ji On he a ri n g the n ews grew extre m ely a n gry He ce n s u red Pra t a p ra o Gu z a r seve rely The l a tte r i n a fit of * n r i su bo di n a tion led his c a va lry on a ra idi n g expeditio n thro u gh the he a rt of the A u ra n ga b a d provi n ces a s fa r a s the fro n tiers of Bera r th u s b re a ki n g Shi v a ji s tru ce with th e Moghu l viceroy B a h a d ur Kh a n Nor did A bd u l Ka ri m keep his co m p a ct with Pra ta pra o He h a d n o soo n e r r e a ched Bij a pu r th a n he recruited ,

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TH E

CR O W NI N G

or

SHI VA J I

24 3

othe r a rm y a n d a ga in a dva n ced on Pa n ha l a SO serio u s wa s the d a n ger th a t Sh i v a ji co m po u n ded with the co m m a n d a n t of Phon d a a n d ra isi n g the siege retu rn ed n o rthwa rds thr ou gh the Portu gu ese territo ries n e ar Goa pl u n de ri n g the m a s he Whe n A bd u l K a ri m h a d a l m ost re a ched P a n h a l a Pra ta pra o * G u z ar r etu rn ed fro m his ra id The ki n g se n t h i m wo rd th a t he S ho u ld n ot show his fa ce a t co u rt u n til he h a d destr oyed A bd u l K a ri m s a rm y T The m ess a ge r e a ched the M a ra th a ge n e ra l a s the b a ttle ope n ed O n ce a ga i n his te m per got the He m a de a he a dlo n g ch a rge on A bd u l m a ste r y of his j u dgm e n t K a ri m s a rm y The Bij a p u r troops we re m or e he a vily a rm ed th a n the M a ra th a s who m they rep u lsed with gr e a t sl a u ghte r A bd u l A m o n g those who fell wa s Pra ta p ra o G u z a r hi m self K a ri m p u shed his a dv a n ta ge vigor o u sly a n d the m a i n M a ra th a a r m y w a s soo n fleei n g wildly tow a r ds P a n h a l a A t the m ost c ritic a l m o m e n t of the b a ttle Ha s a ji Mohite the co m m a n de r of 5 000 ho rse kept a s a r ese rve fell on the fl a n k of the Bij a p u r tr oops a s they p ressed on i n the disorder of victory I n st a n t ly the f a te of the b a ttle ch an ged The Ma ra th a s ra llied a n d i n flicti n g a seve r e defe a t u po n A bd u l K a ri m fo rced h i m to f a ll b a ck o n ce m o r e on Bij a pur The ki n g he ard the n ews of the b a ttle with S or row A ll s a tisf a ct io n a t the s u ccess wa s lost i n g rief a t the de a th of Pra t ap rao He reviewed the victorio us a r m y a t Chipl u n a n d i n its p r ese n ce r efe rred feeli n gly to its de a d co m m a n de r He bestowed h a n dso m e esta tes on his r el a tives a n d chose P ra t a r a o s d a u ghte r to be the b ride of hi s p seco n d son R a j a ra m To Mohite whose S kill a n d d a ri n g h a d won the losi n g b a ttle the ki n g ga ve the title of H a m bi rra o a n d the v a c a n t post of co m m a n de r i n chief of the roya l c a va lry The a n o m a lo u s positio n occ u pied by Shi v a ji h a d lon g exe rcised his m i n d He e n j oyed the he redita ry title of R a j a co n ferred o n his f a m ily b the A h m a d n a gar gove rn m e n t Bu t the Niz a m y Sb a hi dyn a sty h a d lo n g ce a sed to exist He h a d been co n firm ed i n the title a n d c re a ted a n oble of the De lhi e m pi re Bu t si n ce A u ra n gz ib s l a st tr e a che ry Shi v a i h a d re n o un ced his fe a lty j an

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OF TH E f

to the Moghu l th ro n e It wa s the refore i m possible to sa y whe n ce he derived his a u thority Nor wa s thi s di ffic ul ty m erely For a ltho u gh the hi gh spi rited Decc a n n obles gl a dly a c a de m ic followed Shi v a ji i n the field they were un willi n g i n priv a te life to con cede to hi m a n y p recede n ce An d a t sta te di n n ers they a ised a bove those r ese n ted th a t a Bh os le S ho ul d sit on a se a t r Gh orpa d es a ssign ed to Mohi tes a n d Ni m b a lka rs S a v a n ts a n d He spoke of the m a tter t o his s ecreta ry B a la ji A b a ji Chitn is a n d the l a tte r urged hi m to ta ke the roya l crown fro m the h an ds f a Be nar es priest The ki n g n ot of a Mogh u l e m pe r o r bu t O con su lted his m other JI ja ba i the s a in tly R a m da s a n d his f a vourite goddess Bh a va n i a n d foun d the m a ll f a vo ura ble to his secretary s su ggestio n The n ext difficulty wa s to i n du ce a B ra h m a n priest of s u fficie n t st a n di n g t o le a ve the b a n ks of the Ga n ges a n d un derta ke the lo n g j ourn ey sou thward It wa s soon overco m e It so h a ppe n ed th a t on e Of the le a din g B ra h wa s on a visit to P a ith an m a n s of Be n ar es Ga g a B ha t by n a m e a n d B a l a ji C hi tn i s ur ged th a t he Sho u ld be on the God a v ari the su bj ect The ki n g a greed a n d se n t his a pp r o ached on secreta ry on a con fide n ti a l m ission t o Ga ga Bh a t The secretary on r e a chi n g P a ith a n i n vited the holy stra n ger t o co m e to R a yga d a n d ther e c rown the ki n g a fter the m a n n e r of the a n cie n t Hi n d u E m per or s G a ga Bh a t obj ected th a t Shi v aji wa s a Ma ra th a a n d th a t the ce re m o n ies observed a t A yodhy a a n d Ha s ti n a u ra p we re reserved for Ksh a triya or R a j pu t ki n gs Chitn i s m et the obj ectio n by obta i n in g from R a yga d a ge n e a logica l tree which showed the un br oke n descen t of Shi v a ji from Ud esi n g Ma h ara n a of Ud a ip u r G a ga B h a t a sked for ti m e t o con su lt hi s brethren on the b a n ks of the G a n ges Fro m them he received a fa vo u r a ble a n swer a n d a gr eed to co m ply with Shi v a i s r equ est He j The h owever a tt a ched to his co n sen t a n i m po rta n t co n ditio n ki n g wa s n o dou bt of R a j pu t origin Bu t o f la te ye a r s the Bh os le fa m ily h a d a llowed the R a j pu t Observan ces to l a pse Shi v a ji m us t the refore be i n vested with the s a cred thr e a d before he wa s a n oi n ted a fter the m an n er of the a n cie n t Ksh a triya kin gs To thi s con dition Shi v a ji c on sen ted He s en t a c a v a lc a d e he a d ed by two s a i n tly m en Bh a lch an d ra Bh a t Purohit a n d ,

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H IS T ORY OF TH E M A RATHA PEO P LE

tha t ki n dly god to bless his co ron a tio n Betwee n Ma y 3 1 a n d Ju n e 6 the priests b u rn t s a c rifici a l fires a n d p uri fied the m selves " by f a st a n d vigil The ki n g p a id a visit to Pra t a pga d a n d bestowed on the te m ple of his f a vo u rite goddess a m a ssive gold la m p a n d othe r precio u s gifts On Ju n e 6 the d a y fo u n d p ropitio u s by the wisest a st rologe r s i n a ll I n di a the co r o n a tio n wa s h eld T I n on e of the Ope n co u rt ya rds wa s e rected a m ighty s ha m i a n a or sta te te n t I n side it wa s a te m po ra r y thr o n e ra ised u po n a squ a re d a is A t the prescribed m o m e n t the m in iste rs a ppe a red i n processio n le a di n g Behi n d the ki n g followed Shi v a ji cl a d i n white to the thr o n e J i ja b a i a n d behi n d h er c a m e the qu ee n s a n d the wives of the A fte r Sh i v a ji h a d se a ted hi m self high ofli c ers of the ki n gdo m MorOp a n t Pi n gle the Peshwa took his st a n d to the e a st of th e thro n e holdi n g i n his h a n d a gold pot filled with ghee To the so u th stood Ha m b i rra o Mohite holdi n g a silve r vessel filled with m ilk To the west stood R a m cha n dra Nilka n t with a coppe r vessel filled with c u rds To the n o rth stood R a ghu n a th Pa n t with a golde n pot of ho n ey i n on e h a n d a n d i n the othe r — a r e the pot of G ges w te To the so th e a st stood r n a u an a n h o c a rried the st a te u m br ella To the so u th A n n a ji D a tto w west wa s J a n a rd a n Pa n dit who held a fa n To the n o rth west a n d n o r th e a st Da t ta ji P a n dit a n d B a l a j i Pa n di t pli ed fl y whisks I n fro n t of Sh i v a ji a n d f a ci n g h i m stood B a l a ji A b a ji Chitn is the priva te secreta r y a n d to his left Ch i m n a ji A v a ji the chief On e a fte r the othe r those m i n iste rs who h a d a cco u n t a n t vessels i n their h a n ds spri n kled the co n te n ts ove r the ki n g to the a cco m p a n i m en t of s a cred hym n s A fte r they h a d a m a rried wo m a n perfo rm ed the a rtv res u m ed thei r pl a ces by fl a shi n g a la m p i n fro n t of the ki n g s eyes He the n ga zed a t his own r eflectio n i n a b ro n ze pot filled with ghee a n d a fte r wa rds i h a m i rro r A fte r a sho rt p a u se he m a de so m e gifts to B ra h m a n s wo rshipped a s m a ll golden i m a ge of Vishn u a n d f a st en ed it to his right ha n d L a stly he wo rshipped his sword a n d shield his bow a n d his a rrows .

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c rown ed S o m e twe n ty r equ ests h a d bee n m a de by the E a st In di a Co m p an y O f these the m ost i m port an t were rm itted fr eely t o tra de i n l i u The E n g sh sho ld be pe 1 ( ) the ki n g s do m i n io n s on p a yi n g a n i m po rt du ty of as p er ce n t ( 2) The E n glish sho u ld be perm i tted to b ui ld perm a n e n t f a ctories a t R a j a pur D a bhol Cha u l a n d K a lya n ( 3 ) E n glish coin s sho u ld be a llowed to ci rcula te fr eely thro u gho u t the ki n g s territories r u l A l E n glish ships w ecked o the ki g s sho r es sho ld n 4 n ( ) be r esto red to the m r The ki g sho u ld co pe s a te the E glish f or thei 5 n n n m ( ) losses a t Hu bli a n d R a j a pu r The ki n g r ecei ved the em b a ssy i n sta te The En gli shm e n wer e perm itted to a dva n ce to the foot Of the thro n e There Oxen d en pr ese n ted a di a m o n d ri n g a n d r eceived i n r eturn a S o m e d a ys l a ter the ki n g a ppro v ed a tre a ty r obe of ho n o u r with the En glish He refu sed to gran t a n y co m pen s a tion for the losses a t Hu bli bu t a llowed the m p a goda s for thei r losses a t R a j a p u r All the other requ ests presen ted by T a ki n g a d va n ta ge of the kin g s urb a Oxen d en were gr a n ted n i t y Oxen d en ve n t ur ed to s u ggest th a t the M ara th a s S ho ul d * m a ke pe a ce with Ja n ji ra Bu t hi s un so u ght m edi a tio n A s the E n glish a m b a ss a do rs we r e r etu rn wa s poli tely rej ected i n g ho m ewards a n a m u si n g i n cide n t oc curred T The b u tcher wh o h a d un de r Shi v a ji s o rder s s u pplied the m wi th m e a t begged for a n au die n ce with the m To Obta i n it he followed the m Af te r ga zi n g a t the li ttle p a rty for so m e ti m e u p R a yg a d Hill he expl a i n ed th a t he h a d wi shed to gr a tify hi s eyes by the sight m o r e of hi s m e a t th a n the of m en who h a d i n on e m o n th e a te n r est of hi s c u sto m e r s h a d e a te n d u ri n g ye a r s togethe r .

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CHA PT ER XXII TH E

G R EAT S O UT H E R N CA M PA IGN A D .

S H OR T LY

1 67 4

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To

1 67 8

fter Shi v a ji s co ro n a tio n his m other J i ja ba i died Thro u gho u t his life Sh e h a d bee n the co u n sello r to who m he h a d To hi s pra ye rs a lwa ys t ur n ed i n c a ses of do u bt or d i fli c u lty alo n e she h a d re n o u n ced h er resolve to follow like a hi gh bo rn M ara th a la dy h er hu sb a n d thro u gh the fla m es Possibly overf a tigu ed by the excite m e n t Of the gre a t cere m on i a l which she h a d witn essed a n d i n which she h a d pl a yed a p a rt She wa s s u dde n ly a tta cked by feve r I n two or three d a ys the viole n ce Of h er feve r wa s su ch th a t the docto rs ga ve u p hope On the fo urth d a y she resign ed herself to her a ppro a chin g fa te a n d distribu ted m u ch Of her we a lth a m o n g the B ra hm a n co m m un ity especi a lly the B ra h m a n priests of Pra ta pga d On the fif th H er body wa s b urn t a t R a yga d d a y of h er illn ess she died A fter the pe riod of m o u rn i n g * h a d ela psed h er a shes we re a t Shi v a ji s co m m a n d co n veyed to A ll a h a b a d a n d the r e c a st i n to the co n flu e n ce Of the Ga n ges a n d the Ja m n a The ki n g fo u n d sola ce for his grief i n organ i zin g a ra id on the Po rtu gu ese districts ro u n d B a ssein ( 1 67 He se n t Mo ro m en Pi n gle with to Ka ly a n T Then ce Pi n gle sen t to the Portu gu ese a de m an d for cha u th gi vi n g a s his re a so n the r ece n t fo rcible co n versio n of Hi n d u s to Christi a n ity The Po rtu gu ese u n willi n g to bri n g on the m selves the wra th of the ki n g see m witho u t a d m itti n g thei r li a bilit y to cha u th to * I n 1 67 5 h a ve p a id a s u m of m o n ey a n d a ve rted the d an ge r a l a rge body of Koli s a n d othe r i rregu l a rs fro m the Dh a ra m p u r sta te i n va ded the K a lya n district They we re n o do u bt i n sti ’

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A H I STORY

250

TH E M ARA TH A PEO PLE

or

ga ted by the Moghu ls Mo ro Pi n gle therefor e r eta li a ted by An d r et a ki n g the fo r ts of A u n d h a a n d P a tt a i n Kh a n desh It wa s Shi v a ji m a de a s ec on d a t tem pt to s u r prise Shivn e r m o r e n e a r ly s u ccessf u l th a n the first on e h a d bee n Three hu n d red M a ra th a s h a d a ctu a lly sc a led the fo rt wa lls Bu t the gove rn o r A bd u l A ziz Kh a n wa s a ga ll a n t a n d expe rie n ced o ffice r A ltho u gh he h a d se n t a p a rt of his garriso n to defen d the town of Ju n n a r he yet m a n a ged to s a ve the situ a tio n With the re m a i n de r of his t roops he a tta cked the sto rm in g p arty c a ptu r ed thei r r ope la dders a n d d rove the m i n to the i n terio r of th e fort The n ext d a y the few su rvivo rs s u rren dered a fte r a g a ll a n t r esist a n ce With a d m ira ble b ra v a do A bd u l A ziz Kh a n se n t the m b a ck to Sh i v a ji a n d i n vited h i m w ith thei r to retrieve his fo rtu n es by a n othe r a ss a u lt The ki n g aid howeve r h a d othe r a i m s He wa s dete rm i n ed to ove rco m e the resista n ce of the Pho n d a fo rt R a isi n g the siege of Shivn e r he m a rched so u th a n d i n va ded the o pe n co u n try ro un d Ph a lta n which A bd u l K a ri m h a d recove red d u rin g his a dva n ce on P a n h a l a t wo ye a rs befo re for its chief the Na ik Ni m b a lka r He the n m a rched i n to the Ko n ka n to besiege Pho n d a But a s he m a r ched westwa rds Ni m b a lk a r re e n te red Ph a lt a n a n d d ro v e out his ga rriso n s Shi v a ji however did n ot tu rn b a ck He o n ce a ga i n s a t down before Pho n da The co m m a n da n t Bu t he a ri n g h a d go n e to Bij a p ur d u ri n g the ra i n y se a so n o f Sh i v a i s r etu rn he h a ste n ed b a ck to defe n d the fo rt This j he did m ost ga ll a n tly u n til the followi n g Ap ril whe n owi n g to the explosio n of a m i n e u n der his wa lls he wa s fo rced to c a pitu l a te Shi v a ji h a d n ow a n ope n ro a d so u thwa rds He m a r ched a lo n g the co a st a n d levied la rge co n tribu tion s fro m the R a j a of So n d a esta blished severa l fo rts to ove ra we the d i strict a n d a ga i n plun dered the town of K a rwa r D uri n g his a bsen ce Ham bi rra o Mohite the n ew c a va lry co m m a n de r i n chief h a d ra ided the Mogh u l territo ries i n Guz ara t a s fa r a s B ro a ch a n d h a d a fter h a rd fighti n g brou ght his booty s a fe to R a yga d On the other h a n d the S idi of Ja n ji ra h a d m a de a n a va l desce n t u po n Shi v a ji s co a st li n e .

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252

H ISTO RY

TH E

or

MAR A THA PE OPLE

for

the good of the co m m on we a l a n d thu s in du ced the slow witted A fric a n to visit hi m a t hi s hou se a t Bij a pur Ther e a t a priv a te i n terview Kh a v a s Kh a n wa s seized a n d shortly a fterwa rds m u rde red The Moghul viceroy who h a d r eported to the e m peror his n egoti a tio n s with Kh a va s Kha n r eceived i m m edi a te o rders to a tt a ck Bij a pu r a n d p un ish A bdul K a ri m s r e r fi u d l r a B h d Kh col ected his t oops e Shol p a a ur a n ar n p y A n i n decisive b a ttlet ook pla ce betwee n hi m a n d A bdu l K a ri m o n the b a n ks of the B hi m a a n d both a rm ies e n tre n ched them s elves Bu t d ur i n g the n ight so m e B ij a pu r troops ru shed the i m peri a l c a m p a n d i n flicted su ch loss th a t B a h a du r Kh a n rel tre a ted to the n orth of the Bhi m a There he r eceived r ei n force m e n ts a n d beg a n to r es u m e the o ffen si ve I n the m e a n tim e howeve r Diler Kha n h a d j oin ed B a h a du r Kh a n s a rm y a n d a s a n Afgh a n wa s f a vo ura bly disposed towa rds Abd u l K ari m The t wo le a de rs c a lled a tru ce a n d e n tered i n to a form a l o ffe n sive an d defe n sive a lli a n ce for the s u bj u ga tio n of the Golcon d a sta te Th a t ki n gdom h a d a lso bee n torn by i n tern a l strife The l a st ki n g A bd u l Ku th Sha h h a d been com pletely s u b servie n t to Moghu l policy I n 1 67 2 he died a n d his s on i n la w Abu Hu ssei n s u cceeded hi m The idlen ess of A bu Hus sei n s w as u h a h m n o th led i to dissip tio s ccessio d i n a a d h i s u n n y a ppr oved by A ura n gz i b who looked fo rward e a gerly t o the d is ru ptio n of Golco n d a a n d its e a sy co n qu est by Moghul a rm s Bu t wo rk a n d r espo n sibility recl a i m ed Abu H u ssei n a n d to the surprise of A u ra n gz ib a wise a n d vigorou s ki n g bega n to di rect the a ffa i rs of Golco n d a He soo n showed hi m s elf hostile to the Mogh u ls a n d ra ised two B ra h m a n brothers Ma d a n n a p an t a n d A ka n n a a n t to the highest posts i n the st a te His policy p bro u ght on hi m the co m bi n ed hostility of Dile r Kh an a n d A bdu l Bu t A bu Hu ssei n s ru i n wo ul d h a v e exposed Shi v a ji Ka ri m He the r efor e resolved to a lly hi m s elf t o t o a si m ila r f a te Golcon d a At the s a m e tim e his fertile bra i n con ceived a n other He kn ew the history of the a n d a far m o re i m posi n gdesign Vij a ya n a gar sta te a n d the ga lla n t r esista n ce whi ch it h a d for ce n turies o ffered to the Mu su lm an i n va de rs He a lso h a d n o .

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illu sio n s a s to the prec ario u s te n u re by which he held his own F ortu n a tely A u ra n gz ib still r ega rded hi m a s little ki n gdo m m o r e th a n a r ebellio u s z a m i n d a r Bu t the d a y th a t the e m p e ro r co n sidered hi m a re a l d a n ger he wo u ld m obilize a ga in s t the ki n g th e e n ti re m i litar y resou r ces of Hi n du st a n Nothin g the n wo u ld s a ve Shi v a ji u n less he co uld with his a rm y —f a ll b a ck to so m e refu ge i n So u thern I n di a Shi v a ji s design there for e wa s to wi n a n ew ki n gdo m whi ch wo u ld stretch right Ha vi n g won a cr oss So u the rn I n di a fro m Bed n u r to T a n j o r e it he wo u ld gu a rd its n o rthe rn fr o n tier fro m Moghu l a tta ck by te n d his co n qu ests a s fa r so u th a s possible a li n e of fo rts a n d e x He m ight the n defy the a rm ies of Delhi by retre a ti n g before the m u n til they we re so we a ke n ed by their e n dless li n e of co m m u n ic a tio n s th a t he m ight a tta ck the m i n the field with * r m so e p ospect of s u ccess It wa s n ecess a ry th a t this pl a n sho uld be co n ce a led fro m the Moghuls So Shi v a ji a n n o u n ced th a t he wished to go to T a n j o re a n d r ecove r fro m his b rothe r Vy a n koji his ha lf sh a r e i n Sh a ha JI s ja h gi r This flef i n clu ded B a n ga lo re Kolar Us c ott a a n d a n u m be r of pl a c es i n Mysor e By t a ki n g a d v a n t a ge of qu arrels betwee n the ru le rs of T a n j o re a n d Ma d ur a Sh a h a j i h a d for ced the m to p a y trib u te An d Vy a n koji ha d on s u cceedi n g to his f a ther s i n he rit a m a de hi m self m a ste r n ce o f a ll Ta n or e I n 167 5 he m oved his c a pita l the r e fr o m B a n ga j lo re Sh i v a ji n ow ga ve ou t th a t he wa s e n titled t o h a lf of Sh a h a ji s i n herita n ce a n d th a t if n ecess a r y he m e a n t by a rm s to e n force his cl a i m s He co u ld n ot howeve r le a ve hi s ki n gdo m while the Moghu ls we r e a ctively hostile He therefor e i n d u ced the Moghu l viceroy B a h a d u r Kha n whose besetti n g s i n wa s a v a r ice to a ccept trib u te on beh a lf of the e m pe r o r a n d a l a r ge bribe on his own a cco u n t He e n tru sted the ge n era l c a re of the ki n gdo m to Mo ro Pi n gle a n d the defe n ce of the sou thern fro n tier m en to An n a ji D a tto Then with a force of he boldly m a r ched th r o u gh Bij a p u r te rrito r y u n til he re a ched the bo r de r s of the Golco n d a sta te The a ssura n ces of B a h a d ur Kha n t o .

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254

H IS T ORY OF TH E M A RATH A PE OPLE

A bdu l K a ri m th a t Shi v a ji wished m e r ely to sec u re his sh a r e i n his f a the r s i n he rit a n ce we r e s u ppo rted by r ece n t eve n ts Sh a h a ji s old m i n iste r Ra gh u na th p a n t H a n m a n te i n T a n j o re With the fa m ili arity h a d rece n tly qu a rrelled with Vy a n koji d hi m o n his f a ili n gs old se rv a n t he h a d ope n ly lect u re of a n a n d h a d l a id stress on the i n fer io rity of his ch a ra cte r co m p ared with th a t of his f a m ou s brother Vy a n koji rese n ted the lectur e the m i n ister H a n m a n te losi n g his te m pe r r eb u ked an d i n his tu rn r esig n ed his o fli c e a n d thre a te n i n g th a t Vy a n koji wo u ld soo n regret his co n d u ct left T a n j o re for Hyde ra b a d These circ u m sta n c es together wi th the severe discipli n e i n Shi v a ji s a rm y a n d the r egu l a rity with which he p a id for a ll s u pplies i n d u ced A bd u l K a ri m to a llow it to p a ss thro u gh Bij a pu r territory u n m olested Whe n Shi v a ji re a ched the Golco n d a fr o n tie r he se n t wo rd to H a n m a n te b eggin g hi m to co n vi n ce the ki n g th a t he m e a n t n o h a rm a n d to u rge on h i m the a dv a n ta ges of a n a lli a n ce betwee n Abu H u ssei n a n d the M a ra th a s Both H a n m a n t e a n d Ma d an n a p a n t h a ppe n ed to be e m in e n t stude n ts of S an skrit m eta physics a n d thei r co m m o n stu dies e n a bled Ha n m a n t e to secu r e the ea r of Ma d a n n a p a n t Thro u gh h i m he obta i n ed a n i n terview with A bu Hu ssei n who m * he co m pletely won by the flu e n cy with which he spoke Persi a n The Golkon d a ki n g se n t to Shi v a ji a fo rm a l i n vita tio n to Hyde rab a d Shi v a ji a ccepted it gla dly a n d co n ti n u ed his There Ma d a n n a pa n t m a r ch u n til twelve m iles f ro m Hyde r a b a d A fte r the us u a l st a te the le a d in g n obles a wa ited h i m an d visits n e goti atio n s wer e begu n a n d a fte r a m o n th the two ki n gs co n tra cted a n ofl en s i v e a n d defe n sive a lli a n ce Shi v a ji w a s to gu a ra n tee the s a fety of Golco n d a i n c a se of a ggressio n f ro m Bij a pu r or Delhi I n r eturn Shi v a ji wa s to r eceive a s u m an d a m o n ey of p a rk of a rtillery a n d to h a ve a free h a n d a ga i n st Bij a p ur a n d the Hi n du chiefs of the so u th A fte r the tre a ty h a d bee n sign ed Sh i v a ji stru ck his c a m p He cr ossed the Krishn a a t its j u n ctio n a n d he a ded d u e so u th with the Tu n ga bh a d ra The re he di rected his a rm y to m a rch so u thw a rds towa rds C u dd a p a h while he visited the ~

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S hi od i gv ij a y a B a kha r

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A

25 6

H IST ORY OF T H E M A RA THA PE OPLE ’

h a n ded hi m the keys of the fortress A m b a r Kh an s eight so n s who m he h a d left a t Ji n ji showed a higher sen s e of d u ty They did thei r best to defe n d their f a ther s ch a rge bu t a fter I n return for a a vigo r o u s a tt a ck thei r co ur a ge g a ve wa y gra n t of la n d they c a pitu la ted a n d the ki n g e n tered Ji n ji i n .

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Wh ile Shi v a ji wa s a dva n ci n g so u thwards he left a p a rt of his force to a tt a ck Vellore a la rge town on the Pa l ar R iver som e The co m m an d a n t bei n g s u m fifty m iles d u e n orth of Ji n ji m on ed to s u rr e n de r r eturn ed a n i n s ulti n g a n swe r a n d defe n ded the town with r esolu tion a n d su ccess The f a ll of Ji n ji however e n a bled Shi v a ji to r eturn to Vellor e His experien ced eyes the n eighbourhood co m m a n ded n oticed th a t two hills i n * the defen ce of th e town Posti n g b a tteries on the hills which he n a m ed S a j a ra a n d Gojara he ove rca m e the co m m a n da n t s Shi v a jl r esist a n ce a n d i n S epte m be r 1 67 6 Vello r e s urre n der ed did n ot a wa it its f a ll bu t a fter e recti n g his b a tteries he wen t with his m oun ted tr oops to Tri v a d i a town som e forty m iles so u th o f Ji n j i a n d on the r o a d to T a n j ore The n ce he sen t a letter to his brothe r Vy a n koji It r ecited th a t ever S in ce their f a ther Sh a h a ji s de a th his est a te h a d bee n i n the ha n ds of He n ow c a lled Vy a n koji to the exclu sio n of his own rights u po n Vy a n koji to s u b m it his a cco u n ts a n d h a n d ove r h a lf the he redit ary esta te to gether with m es n e profits fr o m the d a te The close however of his on which i t c a m e i n to his possessio n lette r showed th a t he wa s u n willi n g to exa ct his cla i m s to the He begged Vy a n koji to sen d to hi s c a m p a ce rta i n u tte rm ost Govin d Bh a t with fo u r othe r m en who m he n a m ed Tto settle the dispu te a m ic a bly I t m u st be a dm itted th a t Vy a n kOji s c a se wa s n ot witho u t its str o n g poi n ts The esta te to which Shi v a ji la id cla i m s W E K E It wa s a fief gra n ted t o Sha ha j i n ot a n o rdi n a r y i n he rita n ce by the Bij a p ur govern m e n t a n d u po n Sh a h a ji s de a th h a d been r egr a n ted i n its e n ti r ety to Vy a n koji Shi v a ji howeve r m et thi s a r g u m e n t by poi n ti n g ou t th a t a ltho u gh Sh a h a i s possessio n s j ,

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S hi v d i gv aj a y a B a kka r

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TH E

GRE A T S OUTH ERN CAMPA IG N

25 7

we re n om i n a lly held i n fief he wa s re a lly a n i n depe n den t ru le r Bij a pur h ad i n its t u rn regra n ted the m to Vy a n koji Bu t the gra n t h a d bee n m a de ex p a rte a n d Shi v a ji s c a se h a d received n o he a ri n g After discu ssi n g the m a tter thro u gh hi s a ge n ts Vy a n koji decided to visit Shi v a ji hi m self a n d to try to i n d u ce hi m to see the disp u te with hi s eyes He wr ote to his br other of hi s i n ten tio n an d in r eply r eceived a co rdi a l i n vit a tio n to the r oy a l c a m p Vy a n koji the r e u po n set ou t for Tri v a d i whe r e Shi v a ji r eceived H e sta yed a t the ki n g s c a m p for h i m with eve ry ho n o u r over t wo m o n ths a n d the two brothers r epe a tedly discu ssed Shi v a ji wa s willi n g Shi v a ji s cla i m s on hi s f a the r s i n he rita n ce to co m pro m ise the dispu te Bu t Vy a n koji whose u n dersta n di n g wa s n a rr ow ref u sed to r ecede f ro m hi s position th a t it wa s n ot u n divided p r ope r ty govern ed by Hi n d u l a ws of i n herit a n ce The ki n g bor e his b r other s b u t a fief gra n ted to hi m a lo n e obsti n a cy with exe m pla ry p a tie n ce An d when the f a ll of Vellor e requ i red his p rese n ce there he dis m issed Vy a n koji with the s a m e ho n o u rs tha t h a d greeted his a rriva l Bu t th a t Vy a n koji sho u ld n ot f a n cy th a t the ki n g h a d a b a n do n ed his cla i m s Shi v a ji a few d a ys l a ter sen t hi m a letter i n whi ch he r est a ted the m a n d wa rn ed his b rothe r th a t he m e a n t to e n fo r ce the m u n less he m a de a re a so n a ble co m pro m ise with the three a ge n ts Sh a m a ji Na ik Kon h erp a n t a n d Shi v a ji p a n t who m he wa s s en di n g to T a n j o re Thei r a rgu m e n ts fell on de a f e a rs Shi v a ji s a rm y h a d r etu rn ed to Vello re a n d Vy a n koji m a y h a ve hoped th a t the m ove wa s the begi n n i n g of a r etr e a t to Ma h ara shtra He the refo r e refe rred the m a tte r to the Bij a p u r gove rn m en t It ga ve a n u n expected reply Fa r too frighte n ed of Shi v a ji to give hi m a pretext for a di rect a tta ck the c a pita l it begged Vy a n koji to give his elde r b rother on dep art i n pe a ce Vy a n koji dis a ll he a sked for a n d let h i m gu sted with the a n swe r resolved to defe n d by fo rce wh a t he believed to be his by right I n this resolve he wa s s u pported by the Mu s u lm a n soldie rs who h a d served Sha ha ji a n d ha d co n ti n u ed i n Vy a n koji s se rvice Ha stily ga theri n g a c on s id er a b le fo r ce he so u ght to s u rprise a Ma ra tha deta ch m e n t which Ha m bi rra o Mohite co m m an ded n ot fa r fro m the Ta n j ore .

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A

258

H IS T ORY

TH E M ARATH A PEO PLE

or

fro n tie r The a tta ck wa s b a dly execu ted a n d e a sily r epelled e n u m be r o f Vy a n kOjI s soldiers we re I n the p ur s u it a l a rg sla i n a n d the r e m a i n der fell b a ck u po n Ta n j ore I n the despa iri n g of a n a m ica ble settle m e n t to m e a n ti m e Shi v a ji the dispu te h a d t a ke n the m ost e ffective m e a n s of en din g it He i n va ded a ll the fiefs which Vy a n koji h a d in herited o u tside Ta n j ore Arn i Kol a r B a n ga lo re B a la pu r a n d Sira a ll fell i n 1 677 The d efe a ted Vy a n kOjI co u ld do n othi n g t o help the garrison s his co m m un ic a tion s secu re a n d a fte r thei r s urr e n der Shi v a ji wa s fr ee to c a rr y ou t his design a n d co n qu e r a ki n gdo m th a t str etched fro m s ea to s ea He m a r ched n orthwa rds f rom Si ra a lo n g the b a n ks of the Vela y a ti R ive r u n til he re a ched the town of Bella ri a co rru ptio n of Belv a d i or the orch ard of the s a cred bel tree The co m m a n d a n t h a d a tta cked on e horses to of his p a tr ols a n d h a d c a rr ied o ff thei r c a r ts a n d Bella ri The ki n g first a tte m pted to blocka de it Bu t Bellari wa s so well s u pplied with food th a t the ki n g r esolved t o ta ke it by a ss au lt He set fire to so m e hou ses n ot fa r fro m the fort wa lls whi ch c a u sed co n sidera ble co n fu sio n a m on g the ou t posts T a ki n g a dva n ta ge of it he d rove the m b a ck on the fort with gre a t loss The co m m a n d a n t tryi n g to ra lly his m en * fell Bu t his wido wSa v i triba i a cted with a d m i ra ble co u ra ge She m o un ted on e o f h er hu sb a n d s ch a r ge rs checked the fleei n g garriso n a n d r epu lsed the M a ra th a s For twen ty — six d a ys of h ard fighti n g she kept the gre a t ki n g a n d his troops a t ba y On the twe n ty seve n th d a y the M a ra th a s c arried by a ss a ul t the m a i n defe n ces a n d forced the garriso n b a ck i n to the cita del The n on ly the ga lla n t l a dy surren de red Shi v a ji r ecei ved All the districts so u th of the h er with chi v a lr o u s co u r tesy Tu n ga bh a d ra n ow s u b m itted a n d Shi v a ji c r ossi n g th a t r iver n e a r Vij a y a n a g a r e n te r ed the Do a b the strip of l a n d for which the chiva lry of Isla m a n d of Vij a ya n a g a r h a d so often fo u ght Befo r e a dva n ci n g f urthe r he decided to settle if a n d died possible his dispu te with Vy a n koji .

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Shi v d i gv ija y a Malwaj .

B a kka r

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Th e

S hed ga v ka r

B a kha r

gi v es

h er

n am e

as

A

260

H IS TO RY

TH E M A RA THA PE OPLE

or

dvice h a d i n flu e n ced her hu sb an d At the s a m e ti m e His words were few a n d to the poi n t Shi v a ji wr ote to Vy a n koji The term s which he h a d gra n ted to hi s brother would co n tin u e o n ly so lo n g a s Vy a n koji re m a i n ed a tru e a lly To e n sure th a t he did so Shi v a ji i m posed on hi s brother Ha n m a n te a s his fir st m i n ister The a lli a n ce offe red by Shi v a ji to Vy a n koji wa s wo rthy both of a brother a n d of a ki n g A n d Vy a n koji gl a dly a ccepted it The ki n g s li n e of co m m u n ic a tio n s wa s n ow perfectly s a fe a n d he co u ld turn a ga i n to the con qu est of the Do a b The Bij a pu r govern m en t did its u tm ost to s a ve this l a st fra gm e n t torn by it fro m the Vij a ya n a ga r ki n gdo m The gove rn o r Yu s u f Kh an Ma y n a received stro n g rein for ce m en ts a n d strict o rde r s to hold the Do a b a t a ll costs A gr ee a bly to these o rde rs Yu s u f Kh a n decided to a tta ck Shi v a ji s troops supported the n e a r To r ga l while Ni m b a lka r chief of Ph a lt a n gove rn o r by a ra id i n to the te rritory ro u n d Pa n h a l a But the gre a t ki n g wa s m or e th a n a m a tch for a n y a rm ies whi ch * Bij a p u r sho rn of its stre n gth cou ld ra ise A body of ho rse Ni loji K a tka r a tt a cked a n d defe a ted a Ni m b a lka r un de r H a m bi rr a o Mohite n o lo n ger n eeded a t T a n j or e j oi n ed the ki n g with his deta chm en t The co m bi n ed fo rces won a sign a l victory ove r Y u su f Kh a n R epelli n g his a tta ck with gr e a t sla u ghte r they con ti n u ed their pu rsu it u n til he r eti red n orth wa rds a cross the Krishn a le a vi n g the e n ti re Do a b i n the ki n g s h a n ds Shi v a ji h a d n owsu ccessfu lly co n clu ded his c am pa ign With two e n e m ies on e on eithe r fla n k a n d a do u btf u l a lly on his li n e of co m m u n ic a tio n s he h a d cr ossed I n di a fro m west to e a st e a st to west I n the co u r se of eightee n a n d b a ck a g a i n fro m m o n ths a t a dist a n ce of 7 00 m iles fro m his b a se he h a d c on q u e red a te rritory a s lar ge a s his form er ki n gdo m Whi le a si n gle r eve r se wo u ld h a ve bee n f a t a l he h a d n ot s u ffe r ed eve n a si n gle check Victory h a d s u cceeded victory town h a d f a llen a fter town A s he we n t he o rga n ized his co n qu ests a n d whe n he r etu rn e d to R a yga d a s he n ow did his n ew possession s were secur ely bo un d t ogethe r fro m s ea to s ea by a li n e of fo rtified str o n gholds held by ga rriso n s b ra ve to the de a th a n d devoted to his c a u se a

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Gra n t

Du ff, Vol

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I p ,

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285

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CHA PT E R XXIII LA S T

TH E

A D 1 67 8

Shi v a ji

1 680

presen ts to B a h a dur Kha n the Moghu ls h a d n ot r e m a i n ed idle d uri n g the gr e a t ki n g s sou the rn c a m p a ign Diler Kh a n a n d A bdu l K a ri m dis a pproved of the tru ce with the Ma ra tha s The la tte r h a d a llied the m selves to the Golco n d a ki n g whose destru ctio n Dile r Kha n a n d A bdul K a ri m h a d pl a n n ed I n deed Shi v a ji wa s a ctu a lly plu n deri n g Bij a pu r territo ry The two A fgha n chiefs pres sed thei r views on the e m pe r o r a n d u r ged h i m to s a n ctio n a n a tta ck by the m u po n Golco n d a a s Shi v a ji s a lly The f a ll of Golcon d a wo u ld c u t the co m m u n i c a tio n s of Sh i v a i a n d stop his s u pplies He j m ight the n be ove rta ke n a n d defe a ted The e m pe ro r c on v i n c ed of B a h a d ur Kh a n s t r e a che r y a n d i n c a p a city r ec a lled hi m to Delhi I n h i s pl a ce the e m pe ro r a ppoi n ted Dile r Kh a n a s Mogh u l vice r oy He a n d A bd u l K a ri m n ow u n ited thei r fo rces a t Gu lb a r ga a n d a tta cked M a lkhed the fro n tier fortress A fte r a defe n ce lo n g e n o u gh to of Golco n d a ( A D e n a ble the Golco n d a troops to m a rch towa rds thei r relief the ga rrison eva cu a ted Ma lkhed a n d j oi n ed the m a i n a rm y The Golco n d a fo rces reo rga n i zed by A bu Hu ssei n a n d his two B ra hm a n m i n isters Ma d a n n a p an t a n d Aka n n a p a n t soo n proved thei r m eta l They s u ccessfu lly r es i sted Dile r Kh a n s a tta ck The ra i n s fell with u n u su a l u n til the m o n soo n of 1 67 7 b ur st fo rce The s u pplies i n the Moghu l c a m p rotted a n d the a ctivity of the Golco n d a c a va lry preve n ted thei r re n ewa l The Moghu l troops m a i n ta i n ed thei r discipli n e Bu t the troops of Bij a pu r lo n g u n p a id lost he a rt They deserted i n s u ch l a rge n u m be rs th a t the Bl ja p u r a rm y soo n ce a sed to exist A bd u l K a ri m fell ill a n d Diler Kh a n u n a ble si n gle h a n ded to cope with A bu IN

spite of

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G REA T KI NG

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A

H I ST ORY

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TH E M A RATH A PE OPLE

Hu ssei n s arm y decided t o r etre a t to Gulb arga He first a sked for a n d obta i n ed a n a rm i stice fro m A bu Hu ssei n pro m isi n g hi m to gra n t pe a ce He re a lly i n te n ded to obta i n rei n force m e n ts fro m Gu lb a rga a n d re n ew the a tt a ck A bu Hu ssei n first a llowed hi m to r eti r e u n m olested bu t le a rn i n g his trea chery fro m deserte rs he ove rtook Dile r Kh a n a n d with co n ti n u ed f u r y a tta cked his r e a rgu a r d A fter a m ost ardu ou s retre a t of twelve d a ys i n which the Moghu l a rm y su ffered i m m e n se losses Dile r Kh a n r e a ched the shelter of Gu lb a rg a Ther e the va lour of the R a j pu t co n ti n ge n t en a bled the a rm y to ra lly a n d Abu Hu ssei n fell b a ck w ithin his own fro n tiers A bd u l K ari m n eve r r ecover ed fr o m his illn ess A n e m pty tre a su ry a n d a ph a n tom a rm y m a de it i m possible for h i m eithe r to a ve n ge his r ece n t defe a t or to re m a in rege n t Dile r Kha n visited the dyin g m an an d i n d u ced hi m to res ign the rege n cy i n f a vo ur of a n A byssi n i a n le a de r n a m e d Sidi M u s a n d who u n de r took t o p a y the Bij a pu r a rm y their a rre a r s O n ce however Sidi Mu s a u d h a d obta i n ed powe r he r ef u sed the tr oops thei r d u es They m u tin ied a n d besieged the ho u se of A bdu l K a r i m De a th r ele a sed h i m fr o m his tro u bles Bu t the m u ti n ee rs forced thei r wa y i n to his hou se a n d plu n der ed his wo m e n a n d his s on of ever y thi n g they possessed They the n e n ter ed the service either of Diler Kh a n who h a d f a llen b a ck on A ura n ga b a d or of Shi v a ji s Peshwa Morop a n t Pi n gle The e m peror wa s i n ce n sed a t the r esu lt of the la st c a m pa ign a n d a g a i n r ed u ced Di ler Kh an to t h e post of seco n d i n c om i m an d r ei n st a ti n g Pri n ce Mu a z z i m a s vicer oy of the Decc a n It wa s n ow u seless to a tt a ck Golco n da Bu t som e co m pen s a tion for the l a te dis a ster s m ight be exto rted fr o m the u n h a ppy sta te of Bij a pu r To effect this Diler Kh a n r eceived orders to press a ll A fgh a n s S till i n the service of Bij a pu r to en rol i n the i m peri a l service A ll wh o did so wer e to receive thei r a rre a rs of p a y a n d r egu l a r s a l a r y His a rm y thu s rei n for ced Diler Kh a n was a t o n ce to m arch a g a i n st his un f o r tun a te a lly a n d h s c a pit a l i D iler Kh a n obeyed Au ra n gz i b s order a n d deta ched the A fgha n s wh o still r em a i n ed i n the service of the m i n or ki n g S ika n da r A dil Sh a h He then m a r ched a ga i n st Bij a pu r a dv a n ci n g a s a ”

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264

A

H IS T ORY

TH E M AR A TH A PEO PLE

or

he plun d ered Dh a ra n ga o n a n d Chopra two town s to the n orth o f A ura n g a b a d a n d betwee n it an d B urh a n pur He hoped by severin g the co n n ectio n between Aura n ga b a d a n d Delhi to i n d u ce Pri n ce Mu a z zim to rec a ll Diler Kha n s a rm y fro m Bij a pur He then tu rn ed so u th e a st a n d a tta cked Ja ln a a pr osperou s town to the e a st of A u ra n ga b a d Ja ln a wa s b arely m or e tha n 5 0 m iles fro m the Mogh u l c a pita l of the Decc an There Shi v a ji r e m a i n ed for th ree d a ys E very a ct tha t m ight r ous e the pri n ce to f ur y he co m m itted Bu t n o a c t cou ld sti n g the he a vy thick ski n n ed pri n ce to a ctio n He wa ited u n til Shi v a ji l oa ded his booty i n c a rts an d bega n his retu rn j o urn ey Then he sen t m en u n de r on e R a n m a s t Kh a n to h a r a ss Shi v a i s r eti re j m en t The Mu s u lm a n office r did his d u ty with skill a n d co u ra ge He overtook Shi v a ji n e a r S a n ga m n er a n d fou ght with hi m a dra wn b a ttle un til d a rkn ess fell Next m orn i n g S hi v a ji m a de a cou n te r a tta ck Al tho u gh o u tn u m be red the Mu su lm an s fo u ght with gre a t bra very On the Mara th a side Ha m bi rra o Mohite fell woun ded On the Moghul side Ra n m a s t Kh an wa s un hor sed a n d t a ke n p riso n e r A t l a st the despe ra te v a lo u r of the ki n g hi m self tu rn ed the d ra wn fight i n to a brilli a n t victory Bu t the b a ttle wa s h a rdly ove r whe n a n othe r Moghu l fo rce tried to c u t hi m off from the p a sses He received i n fo rm a tio n of the Mogh u l i n te n tio n fro m a M a r a th a office r i n the Delhi * r fo ce Ha ppily the ki n g s spy Bahi rji Na ik cha n ced to be with hi m a n d he o ffered to s a ve the r oya l troops by le a din g them thro u gh a p a ss a ge i n the hills kn own to hi m a lon e The ki n g a ccepted the o ffer a n d a fter a lo n g a n d d i fficu lt m a rch bro u ght his a rm y a n d his booty i n s a fety to Pa tta i n Kha n desh This fo rtress h a d r ecen tly bee n stre n gthe n ed by Moro Pi n gle It wa s i m possible for the Moghu ls to ta ke it defe n ded a s it n ow wa s n o t o n ly by a ga rriso n bu t by Shi v a ji s whole a rm y They the refore fell b a ck on Au ran ga b a d Shi v a ji did n ot purs u e the m bu t red u ced a ll the fo rts n e a r Pa tta which B a ha d u r Kh a n He h a d ha rdly h a d bu ilt to gu ard the pa sses i n to Kh a n de s h m a de hi m self m a ste r of these v a lu a ble br idge he a ds whe n he ,

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TH E

L A S T DAY S

TH E GREAT K IN G

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265

eceived a desp a i ri n g lette r fro m Mu s au d Kh a n * I n it he tha n ked Shi v a ji for his effo rts to cu t the Moghul com m un ic a tio n s I n spite howeve r of those e ffo rts he a dd ed Dile r Kh a n wa s vigo ro u sly co n d u cti n g the siege a n d h a d re a ched the m a i n fo rtific a tio n s of the c a pita l Nothi n g co u ld s a ve it except di rect a id fro m Shi v a ji The gre a t ki n g who i n his life n ever betra yed eithe r a w o m a n or a frien d resolved a t o n ce to sen d an a rm y to a tt a ck the Mogh u ls o u tside Bij a p u r He pla ced Mo ro Pi n gle i n co m m a nd of the i n fa n try a n d e n tru sted the c a va lry to H a m bi rra o Mohite wh o h a d speedily r ecovered fro m his wo u n d Shi v a ji hi m self r etu rn ed to Pa n h a l a Befor e he r e a ched it he le a rn t th a t his eld est s on Sa m b h a i h a d dese rted j to Diler Kha n s c a m p The yo u n g pri n ce h a d a ll his f a the r s b ra very a n d a l a rge Sh a re of his a bility Bu t he h a d been bo rn i n the p ur ple an d ha d i n idle n ess a cqu i red vices fro m whi ch his f a ther s stre n u o u s life h a d kept hi m free Sa m bh a ji h a d bee n a ttra cted by the co u rtly Afgha n T who m he see m s to h a ve m et a t Au ra n ga b a d H e h a d rece n tly qu a rrelled with his fa ther a n d h a d bee n co n fi n ed i n Pan ha la He n ow b roke loose a n d so u ght a r efu ge with hi s Au ra n ga b a d a cqu a i n ta n ce Di rectly Shi v a ji he a rd of his so n s flight he se n t M a ra th a horse i n p ur su it Bu t Sam bh a ji m a n a ged to get a m ess a ge thr o u gh to Diler Kha n who se n t his own n ephew A kla s Kha n with a str o n g fo rce to m eet hi m Sa m bh a ji with thei r help elu ded the Ma ra th a ho rse a n d wa s received by Dile r Kh a n with every ho n o u r His co m i n g wa s reported to the e m pero r who bestowed on h i m the co m m a n d o f 7 000 ho rse a n d a r idi n g eleph a n t Diler Kh a n a lso bestowed on the pri n ce d resses of ho n ou r a n d si m il a r gifts He the n di rected hi m to storm Bhu p a lga d a fo rt whi ch Shi v a ji h a d t a ke n fr o m the Bij a p u r ki n g a n d whi ch wa s S itu a ted a bo u t h a lf wa y betwee n the l a tte r s c a pit a l a n d S a tara The co m m a n d a n t of Bhu p a lga d wa s tha t Phi ra n goji Na rs ala who h a d so ga ll a n tly defe n ded Ch a k a n Phi ra n g0j1 n ow foun d hi m s elf i n a so m ewh a t delic a te positio n Neve rtheless hi s r

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S hi v d i gv zj a y a B a kka r

T S hed ga/vka r Ba kka r

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H IST ORY OF

A

266

Th e ki n

M ARA THA PE O P LE

THE

wa s

his m a ster Sa m bh a ji a ltho u gh Sh i v a ji s s on wa s a r ebel a n d sho uld h a ve been tre a ted a ccordi n g ly Phi ra n goji tried a m iddle co ur se He sen t to Sa m bh aji a B ra h m a n a gen t wh o i m plo red the pri n ce n ot to a tt a ck the fort Sa m bh a ji lost hi s tem per d rew his sword a n d c ut down the un fortun a te a gen t The s a m e n ight the pri n ce dr ove i n the ou tposts of the garrison a n d a ppe a red a t d a wn before the m a i n defe n ces of Bh u a l a d N rs a la this poi t A t h ra n o i a n i P p g gj co m pletely lost hi s he a d He h a n ded ove r his com m a n d to on e of hi s s u bordi n a tes a n d fled to Pa n ha l a to la y hi s d i fli c ulti es before the ki n g Deserted by their com m a n d a n t the ga rrison still m a de a ga lla n t defe n ce But Sa m bh a ji s i m petu ou s a tta ck c a rried everythi n g befor e it An d lon g befor e Shi v a ji cou ld sen d s u cco u r to Bhu p a lga d the pl a ce h a d f a llen Not N a rs ala u n n a t ura lly the ki n g wa s i n ce n sed a ga i n st Phi ran o i j g to whose i n decision a n d cowa rdice he a scribed the loss of the fortress He orde red his exec u tion a n d h a d hi m blown to pieces fr o m a c a n n o n s m ou th I n the m e a n ti m e howeve r Aura n gz ib h a d ch a n ged his m i n d a bo u t Sam bh a i * Dile r Kh a n h a d i n a letter r eco m m e n ded j th a t the e m peror shou ld r ecogn ize Sa m bh a ji a s kin g of the Ma ra th a s This he hoped wo u ld cr e a te two f a ction s a m o n g th a t n a tio n who wo u ld the n destroy e a ch othe r to the em peror s pro fit A u ran gz ib a t first a ppr oved of bu t a fterwards r ej ected Diler Kh a n s r ecom m en d a tion He con ceived the fe ar th a t Sa m bh a ji i n ste a d of helpi n g the Moghu ls m ight sedu ce the Hi n du officers i n the Mogh u l arm y to Shi v a ji s c au se He the refor e b a de Diler Kh a n a rrest Sa m bh a ji a n d b rin g hi m to Delhi Dile r Kh a n A fgh a n thou gh he wa s wou ld n ot stoop to s u ch tr e a chery He i n form ed Sa m bh a ji of the e m per or s o rders a n d a dvised hi m to r eturn to hi s f a the r To a vert s u spicion D ile r Kha n ope n ly i n sulted Sa m bh a ji redu ced his troops a n d left his a llowa n ce u n pa id T Sa m bh a ji prete n ded to be m u ch d i sple a sed a t hi s tre a tm en t a n d a fter com m u n ic a ti n g with Shi v a ji wa s helped by Mara th a a gen ts to esc a pe fro m Diler Kh a n s c a m p a n d r eturn to Pa n ha la There his fa th er

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T S hi vd i gv ij a y a

B a kha r

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268

A

H IST ORY

TH E M A RATHA PEO PLE

or

lte rn a tive bu t to co m ply He i n form ed Shi v a ji th a t on hi s a rriv a l a t Bij a p u r a s a n a d gr a n ti n g a ll his de m a n ds wo u ld be h a n ded to hi m by the m i n or ki n g Sika n da r A dil Sh a h Upo n the receipt of this reply Sh i v a ji we n t i n sta te to Bij a pu r His arriva l bec am e a tri u m ph a l progress The popu la ce fo rgot the provi n ces which he h ad to rn fro m the a n cie n t kin gdom They o n ly s a w i n hi m the soldier who h a d s a ved thei r beloved city fro m the clu tches of the Moghu ls The yo u n g ki n g the rege n t a n d the co urtiers vied with e a ch othe r i n the m a gn i fic en c e with which they e n te rta i n ed thei r M a ra th a gu ests Bu t Sh i v a ji soo n we a ried of wh a t he dee m ed a childish wa ste of ti m e He lo n g ed t o retu rn to his own coun try a n d to strive o n ce a ga i n to r ed u ce Ja n ji ra ( A D Al tho u gh Shi v a ji h a d eve rywhe r e tri u m phed on l a n d he h a d n ot h a d si m il a r s u ccess a t s ea A n xio u s a s he wa s to re m a i n frie n ds with the E n glish he h a d for so m e ye a rs looked a ska n ce at thei r co m pli a n ce with the de m a n ds of the Moghu l fleet I n Ju ly 167 6 S idi K a si m who h a d su cceeded Sidi S a m b a l a s a d m i ra l of the i m pe r i a l n a vy h a d e n te red Bo m b a y h a r bo u r an d had r eceived pe rm i ssio n to a n cho r off It c a n n ot be de n ied th a t s u ch a co n cession a m o u n ted to a bre a ch of n e u tra lity In deed the E n glish with thei r f a cto ry a t S ur a t h ardly co u ld be re a lly n e u tra l Shi v a ji therefo r e r esolved to a tta ck a n d b u rn the En glish fleet i n Bo m b a y He order ed his a d m i ra ls D a u la t Kha n a n d D ar ya S a ra n g to s a il thither Bu t the m o n soo n b u rst e a rlier th a n u su a l a n d the Mara tha fleet wa s fo rced to t a ke shelter i n the Pa n vel cr eek a l m ost ex a ctly opposite Bo m b a y isl a n d Then ce they m a de occ a sion a l ra ids on Portu gu ese territory I n 167 9 Shi v a ji l a rgely i n cr e a sed his fleet a n d seized two isl a n ds Kha n d eri a n d Un d eri kn own to the En glish a s Ken ery a n d Hen ery a bo u t 1 6 m iles d u e so u th of the isl a n d o f Bo m b a y The En glish r ese n te d this a n d on O ctober 1 5 a n a ctio n took pl a ce between the E n glish fleet a n d D a u la t Kh a n s vessels The Ma ra th a s a tta cked with g re a t vigo u r I n a sho rt ti m e a n En glish ship n a m ed the Dov e h a u led down its colour s a n d five othe r E n glish a

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H i s tor i ca l F ra gm

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L A S T D A Y S O F TH E GRE A T K I N G

TH E

269

ships fell out of the li n e Bu t a powe rfu l 1 6 gu n friga te n a m ed the Reven ge ch a n ged the fo rtu n es of the d a y Its gu n s wer e he a vi er th a n a n y of the M a ra th a artille ry a n d well h a n dled by its co m m a n de r C a pta i n Mi n chi n it s a n k fiv e M ara th a ships i n s u ccessio n D a u l a t Kh a n the n withd rew to Kh a n d eri It n u m bered On Nove m be r 1 0 the Sidi s fleet a ppe a red t wo l a rge b a ttle ships thr ee th ree m a sted f rig a tes a n d fiftee n sto u t ga lliva ts On bo a rd we r e 7 00 excelle n t soldie rs Bu t a lly of the E n glish a ltho u gh the Sidi c a m e oste n sibly a s a n he wa s if possible m o r e un welco m e tha n D au l a t Kha n For he ga ve ou t th a t he i n ten ded to ta ke Kh a n d eri a n d co n ve rt it i n to a Moghu l n a va l b a se The E n glish a t o n ce tried to ope n Bu t the l a tte r wa s too co n ce rn ed n egoti a tio n s with Sh i v a ji to a n swe r thei r m ess a ge a n d Shortly a t Sa m bh a ji s defectio n professi n g to a ct on beh a lf of the E n glish a fte r w a r ds Sidi K a si m l a n ded on Shi v a ji s co a st a n d c a rried off a n u m ber of sla ves This m a de a ll n egoti a tio n s i m possible The Sidi e m bolden ed by his su ccess a tta cked Un d eri a n d dr ove ou t the Mara th a ga rriso n A n a va l e n ga gem e n t e n su ed betwee n the Mogh u l a n d the Ma ra th a fleets The Ma ra th a s a ilo rs fo u ght thei r ships bra vely bu t the s u perio r b u ild of the Mogh u l Ships e n a bled Sidi K a si m to w i n a decisive victory The Ma ra th a s lost severa l vessels a n d so m e 5 00 killed a n d wo u n ded besides priso n e rs A t l a st they fled i n gr e a t disorde r b a ck to R a j a p u r cr eek E arly i n M a rc h 1 680 the E n glish a ga i n ope n ed n egoti a tio n s with Shi v a ji He wa s n ow free fro m a n xiety a s r egards Bij a p u r h a d bee n s a ved His rece n t ill s u ccess a t Sa m bh a ji He m a de s ea h a d S hown h i m the v a l u e of a n E n glish a lli a n ce pe a ce with the E n gli sh a n d he a greed th a t they m ight if ther eto co m pelled shelte r the Mogh u l fleet d uri n g the m o n soo n The E n glish on thei r p a r t u n de rtook to preve n t the Sidi fro m u si n g Bo m b a y a s a n a v a l b a se a g a i n st the M a ra th a s Shi v a jl a t this ti m e h a d r e a ched the ze n i th of his powe r He h a d freed the b u lk of the Ma ra thi spe a ki n g people By his n ew a lli a n ce with Bij a p ur a n d Golco n d a a n d still m o r e by the ch a i n of fortresses which he h a d b uilt fro m Bed n u r to T a n j o re he h a d secu red his co n qu ests Ne v e rtheless he wa s n ot witho u t .

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His eldest w i f e S a ib a i wa s de a d a n d h er s on g His thi rd Sa m bh a ji h a d shown hi m self un fit for the thro n e wife Soy a ra b a i the m other of his seco n d s on R a j a ra m pr essed the l a tter s cla i m s a s su perior to those of Sa m bh a ji The kin g distra cted by her i m portu n i ty con ceived the ide a of * di vidi n g his kin gdom between his tw o son s At the s a m e ti m e he wa s grieved by the a ttitu de of Vy a n kOjI his br other I n hi s fi r st feeli n gs of gr a titu de the l a tter h a d a cted wi th co u rtesy towa rds Ha n m a n t e T Bu t the decla ra tio n by the Bij a pur gove rn m e n t th a t Vy a n koji wa s Shi v a ji s va ssel preyed on his m in d He r efu sed t o see Ha n m a n t e or to dispose of a n y a d m i n istra tive wo r k An d gr a d u a lly he a dopted the h a bits H a n m a n t e r epo rted Vy a n koji s co n d u ct of a r eligio u s r ecl u se to Shi v a ji who sen t to hi m a n a d m ira ble letter j: I n it he e n co u ra ged hi s br othe r u r ged hi m to a ccept his presen t situ a tion a n d b a de h i m u s e his a rm y to c on qu er fr es h l a n ds for hi m s elf Shortly a fter wr iti n g this letter Sh i v a ji seem s to h a ve h a d a pr e m o n itio n th a t his en d wa s a pp r o a chi n g He visited R a m da s s a dly of the riv a lr y of R a ja ra m a n d a t P a ra li a n d spoke to h i m The s a i n t b a de hi m do his u tm ost to r econ cile the m Sa m bh a ji Shi v a ji the n a sked a n d to p ra y to the god R a m a for gu id a n ce R a m d a s to p a r do n h i m for a n y f a u lts th a t he m ight u n witti n gly ha ve co m m itted Ra m da s n oticed the gra vity with w hich Shi v a ji e m br a ced Shi v a ji S poke a n d a sked hi m wh a t a iled h i m R a m d a s a n d told h i m th a t this wa s thei r l a st m eeti n g R a m d a s tried to cheer the ki n g a n d a sked h i m ge n tly whether su ch tho u ghts wer e the fru its of his te a chi n g Shi v a ji did n ot reply b u t biddi n g the s a i n t f a r e w ell m a de his wa y to R a yga d § On M a rch 28 1 680 a fte r his r et u rn fr o m a ra idi n g expeditio n I] his kn ee j oi n t I n spite of a p a i n fu l S welli n g a ppe a r ed on m edic a l a id it gr ew wo r se F ever i n te rven ed a n d a fter a seve n d a ys illn ess the gre a t ki n g on A pril 3 1 680 died a t R a yga d His s on Sa m bh a ji deeply a ffected by the n ews of his f a ther s ra

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S h ed ga k a r a n d S a bha s a d B a kha i s T S hed ga v ka r B a kha r 1 G ra n t Du ff, Vol I , p 29 4 S Ra m d a s Cha r i tra ’ HM a a su ri L a la m gi ri , E lli ott a n d Dows on '

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27 1

illn ess m a de a despe ra te effo rt to see h i m befo r e his de a th S etti n g ou t fr o m Pa n h a la on a c a m el he r ode n ight a n d d a y b ut he c a m e too l a te His f a ther s spi rit left hi s wa r worn fra m e a s Sa m bh a jl re a ched the foot of the hill F urio u s with grief a n d dis a ppoi n tm e n t the pri n ce drew his sw o rd a n d with pita ted the c a m el Not s a tisfied with this a si n gle str oke dec a he ord e red the i m a ge of a he a dless c a m el to be er ected a t the ou ter ga te of the fo rt a s a w a rn i n g to other be a sts of the s a m e species It sta n ds to this d a y a m o n u m e n t of the pri n ce s childish Sh i v a ji h a s by a c u rio u s f a te s u ffe r ed m o r e a t the h a n ds of histo ri a n s th a n a n y othe r ch a ra cte r i n histo ry They h a ve on e a n d a llT a ccepted a s fi n a l the opi n io n of Gra n t D u ff whi ch w a s b a sed on th a t of Kh a fi Kh a n They ha ve a t the a ga i n s a m e ti m e r ej ected O rm e s fa r m o re a ccu ra te co n clu sion s A n d whi le j u dgi n g Sh i v a ji with the u tm ost h a rshn ess they h a ve bee n si n gu la rly i n d u lge n t to his en e m ies The tho u s a n d b a se n esses of A u ra n gz i b the a pp a lli n g villa i n ies of the Bij a pu r a n d the Ah m a d n a g a r h a ve bee n p a ssed ove r with a n obles tole ra n t s m ile The c ru el trick by which Ghorp a d e betra yed Sha h a ji h a s pr ovoked n o co m m e n t Shi v a ji ho w eve r is depicted a s the i n c a rn a tion of s u ccessfu l p erfid y a C aes a r Bor gi a to who m the r e c a m e n o ill fo rtu n e a m o r e fa ithless a n d m o r e d a r i n g F ra n cesco Sfo r z a Nor c a n it be de n ied th a t the a u tho r s o f the Hi n d u Ba kka rs a re i n so m e w a y respo n s ible for this a bs u rd a n d i n a cc u r a te lege n d Ha ti n g the Mu s u lm a n s with the fie rcest o f p a ssio n s they dee m ed n o tra p too i n hu m a n provided th a t it b ro u ght a bo u t thei r e n e m ies down fa ll It wa s r ese r ved for a n I n di a n of m ode rn ti m es Mr J u stice Ra n a d e a m a n t rul y gr e a t j u dged by n o m a tte r wh a t st a n d a r d to see correctly the deep religio u s feeli n g the m a n y vi rtu es the chiva l r o u s te m pe r a n d the v a st a bility of the gr e a t Ma ra th a ki n g If Sh i v a ji h a d bee n a tr e a che ro u s a ss a ssi n s u ch a s he h a s bee n c o m m o n ly po rtra yed he wo u ld n ever h a ve a chieved ,

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I ha v e s een t he i m a ge a n d b een t old t h e s t ory a t R a yga d a wli n s on s a d m i ra bl e hi I gl a dl y exc ep t Mr R F o n r m m e t a t s s t e t T gra ph on Sh i v a ji F or O rm e s cha ra c ter s ee A ppen dix p 27 8 .

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272

H IS T ORY

TH E M A RATHA PEO PLE

or

wha t he did The hi gh born high spirited Decca n n obles wo u ld or if they h a d they wo u ld n eve r h a ve a ccepted his le a der shi p h a ve copied their le a der a n d becom e as tre a cherou s a s he The f a ct th a t n o on e ever betra yed Shi v a ji is stron g evide n ce th a t he hi m self wa s n ot a betra yer Sta rti n g with thi s pre m ise Mr Ra n a d e n ext ex a m i n ed the evide n ce a n d poi n ted ou t th a t with on e exception the i n st a n ces of tre a chery m en tion ed by Gran t D u ff were a ll c a p a ble of i n n ocen t i n terpreta tion Th e c a ptu re of Pu ra n d a r wa s e ffected by the co n sen t of the ga rriso n The a n d the s u bsequ e n t a cqu iesce n ce of the co m m a n d a n ts killi n g of A fz ul Kh a n wa s a n a c t of self defen ce The on e exception wa s the a tta ck on Ch a n d ra Ra o More L a ter i n howeve r h a s shown th a t eve n thi s i n stan ce h a d v es ti ga ti on Fro m the n ot the si n ister ch ar a cte r u s u a lly a ttrib u ted to it i t is cle ar th a t rece n tly discove red Ma h a b les h wa r a cco u n t Shi v a ji r epe a tedly str ove to wi n Mo r e to his side tha t Mo re a s ofte n tried tr e a che r o u sly to t a ke Shi v a ji priso n er a n d th at he eve n tu a lly fell i n a qu arr el betwee n hi m a n d R a gho B a lla l A tre while the l a tter wa s delive ri n g hi m an ulti m a tum Shi v a ji wa s th u s cle a rly i n n oce n t of Mo re s de a th The m ost th a t be s a id a ga i n st hi m is th a t he did n ot pun ish R a gho can B a ll a l a s he shou ld ha ve don e Bu t the s a m e ch a rge c a n be b rou ght a ga i n st Willi a m III His m ost a rde n t a dm i re rs h a ve been forced to a dm it th a t he pu n i shed n either the m ur derers sla u ghter of the of the De Witts n or those g u ilty of the Ma cdon a lds of Gle n coe It is di ffic u lt witho u t wr iti n g i n a stra i n tha t m a y see m exa ggera ted to E n glish r e a ders to give to Shi v a ji the pl a ce He h a s been co m p a red i n histo ry to which he is rightly e n titled Nev erth eles s th e co m pa riso n does n ot u n h a ppily with B ru ce B ru ce h a d it is tru e th e E a stern pri n ce less th a n j u stice t o chee r the spirit of the Scottish n a tio n depressed by the defe a t Bu t t he of F a lki r k a n d the c a pt u r e a n d de a th of Wa ll a ce Scottish people h a d bee n free for ce n turies Na tur a lly high spirited a n d bra ve they we r e e a ge r t o ga ther ro u n d a n yo n e who wo u ld help the m drive ou t the h a ted En glish Shi v a ji h a d to c re a te his victorio u s arm y fr o m the h a lf s a va ge hill m e n -

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27 4

H IST ORY

TH E M ARAT HA PE OPLE

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eta i n posts which they we re i n co m peten t to fill So wise i n deed were these provision s tha t they we re beyo n d the gra sp They o n ce m ore let office becom e of Shi v a ji s s u ccesso r s heredita ry They gra n ted gre a t la n ded fiefs to which i n com pete n t m en s u cceeded bec a u se they we r e their fa ther s son s Their folly h ad its r ewa rd a n d i n the en d Shi v a ji s ki n gdo m wen t the wa y of other E a stern e m pi res Shi v a ji wa s a lso shrewd e n o u gh to see th a t light a ss ess m e n ts were the secret of large reve n u es Whi le i n the n eighbouri n g sta tes the pe a sa n t wa s lu cky if he esca ped with a n a ssessm e n t Shi v a ji n eve r de m a n ded m o r e th a n t wo— of 5 0 p er ce n t fifth s Taga i or adv a n ces by the govern m en t of the gross yield to the c u ltiva tor s ofte n wr on gly believed to be a m odern i n sti t u ti on we r e fr eely gr a n ted a n d thei r rep a ym e n t wa s exte n ded ove r severa l ye ars While ta xi n g the u n like hi s n eighbo ur s r e a lized th a t i n r etu rn for t a xes they we re e n titled to protection He divided hi s ki n gdo m i n to 1 5 districts pr o vided with gr e a t fo rtresses They wer e close a ll a m ply en ou gh togethe r for thei r garrison s to a ssist e a ch other a n d drive a wa y m ara u di n g b a n ds They a lso a ffo rded shelter to whi ch the c u ltiva to rs co uld t a ke thei r c a ttle or thei r crops u po n the fir st a ppe a ra n ce of the e n e m y The govern m e n t of these forts wa s a dm i ra bly co n ceived The co m m a n da n t wa s a Ma ra th a Un der hi m wa s a B ra hm a n Su bh ed ar or S a b n is who kept the a cco u n ts a n d h a d ci vil a n d r even u e ch a r ge of the villa ges a ssign ed to t h e u pkeep of the fort a n d a Pra bhu Ka rkh a n i s who wa s r espon sible tha t the ga rr ison h a d a m ple m ilit a ry su pplies a n d food stores Th u s a ltho u gh the ga rriso n wa s u n de r the o rder s of the co m m a n d a n t t e che r y on his p a rt wo u ld a t o n ce h a ve beco m e kfiown an r a y to his chief su bo rdi n a tes The soldier s of the ga rrison wer e p a id regula r s a l aries a n d every te n th m a n wa s a Na ik or corpora l who r eceived a slightly hi gh er e m olu m e n t Where villa ges we re n ot a ssign ed to the u pkeep of a n y fo rt Shi v a ji for a d m u ch a s the B ritish si n ce m i n i stra tive p ur poses arra n ged the m h a ve d on e The u n it wa s the M a h a l or Ta lu ka of which t h e to R S Three Ma h a ls rev e n u e v a ried fro m R s r

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TH E

L A ST D A Y S

TH E GRE A T KIN G

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S u bh a or District E a ch District wa s i n cha rge of a Su bh ed a r whose p a y wa s 4 00 ho n s a ye a r or a bo u t R s 1 00 a m o n th Shi v a ji s m ilita r y esta blishm e n t wa s o r gan ized with the skill a s the ga rriso n s of his fo rtresses A ba t s a m e care a n d * r w ta lio n of 1 000 m en u n de r a Ha z a i a s the i n fa n try u n it This wa s divided i n to t en co m p a n ies c a lled J u m ala s e a ch u n de r a J u m a led a r : E a ch co m p a n y wa s divided i n to h a lf co m p a n ies of fifty m en e a ch u n der a Ha vilda r or serge a n t E a ch ha lf com pa n y wa s divided i n to five bodies of t en sepoys of which the chief wa s the Na ik or corpora l Seve n s u ch b a tta lio n s form e d a briga de u n de r a Sa rn ob a t or briga dier The c a va lry system wa s slightly di ffere n t The un it w a s a c a va lry regi m en t 1 25 0 str o n g Its co m m a n der wa s like the i n f a n try co m m a n de r c a lled a Ha z ari The r egi m e n t wa s divided i n to t en Ju m a la s or squ a d r o n s of 1 25 t r ooper s E a ch J u m a la wa s s u bdivided i n to five sectio n s or Ha v a la s con sisti n g of 25 ba rgi rs or troopers E a ch s u ch sectio n h a d its own fa rrie r a n d wa te r c arrie r F ive Ha z a ri s fo rm ed a c a v a lry briga de u n der a briga die r kn own a s the Pa n ch Ha z a ri The p a y of these o fficer s wa s c a refu lly r egu l a ted The b riga diers r eceived 2000 hon s a ye ar or R s 5 00 a m o n th I n the c a v a lry the r egi m en ta l co m m a n der s w 1 a ye a r or R s 25 0 a m o n th ho s the i f t y a a s 0 0 0 n I r n n a n p y the b a tta lio n co m m a n der received 5 00ho n s or R s 125 a m o n th The p a y of the co m pa n y co m m a n der a n d his s u bordi n a tes va ried fr o m RS 9 to R s 3 a m o n th The p a y of the squ a dro n co m m an ders a n d their s u bordin a tes va ried fro m RS 20 to R s 6 D u ri n g the ra i n y se a so n the troops a n d horses wer e fed a t the kin g s expe n se i n l a rge b a rra cks I n the fa i r se a so n they wer e expected to live on the e n e m y s co u n try Bu t n o priva te looti n g wa s a llowed A ll prize m o n ey or other plun de r h a d u n de r p a i n of the fo rfeitu r e of his s u rety bo n ds to be p a id by its c a ptor i n to the regi m e n ta l tre a s u ry Fro m it the co m m a n de rs fed a n d fu rn ished thei r troops Bu t gr e a t o rga n ize r a n d m ilita ry ge n i u s th a t Shi v a ji wa s it is i n far seei n g sta tes m a n ship th a t he sta n ds s u pre m e I n m a

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27 6 a ll

H IST ORY

A

or

THE M A RA TH A PEO PLE

hi s toi y

ther e is n o su ch ex a m ple of m odesty I n the f a ce of con tin u ed s u ccess The i n sole n t overween i n g va n ity whi ch h a s pr oved the ru i n of so m a n y co m m a n de rs both i n a n cien t tim es fo un d n o pl a ce i n Shi v a ji s a dm i ra bly a n d m ode rn b a la n ced m i n d He won victory a fter victor y a ga i n st Bij a pu r a n d the Moghu ls yet his he a d wa s n eve r tu rn ed He r e a lized a lwa ys th a t he h a d yet to m eet the f u ll powe r of the Mogh u l e m pi r e His on e a i m wa s to secur e the freedo m of his cou n try m e n Tha t he m ight do so he sou ght to wi n the frien dshi p m possible of A u ra n z ib Whe th at p r oved i he r esolved n g to secu re a pla ce o f shelter a ga i n st the co m in g peril whi ch he so cle a rly for es a w At l a st ther e c a m e a ti m e when his gen i u s bor e fru it F o ur ye a rs a fter Shi v a ji s de a th the e m pe ror He ce a sed r e a lised th a t the M a r a th a s we r e a serio u s d a n ge r to sen d a s u ccessio n of s m a ll a rm ies to A u ra n ga b a d He m obili zed the whole m i lit ar y r eso u r ces of n o r the rn I n di a a n d a n a rm y sever a l hu n d r ed tho u s a n d str o n g led by the e m per o r i n per so n po ur ed thro u gh the Vi n dhya p a sses to the co n qu est Withi n three ye a r s both Golco n d a a n d Bij a pu r of the S o u th Withi n fiv e ye a r s a ll M a ha ra shtra wa s overrun h a d f a lle n Sh a hu a n d his m othe r Sa m bh a ji h a d bee n t a ke n a n d exec uted were priso n er s i n A u ra n gz i b s c a m p Bu t the Ma ra th a ge n era ls he a ded by R a j a ra m a dhe red to the stra tegy la id down by the gre a t kin g Fa lli n g behin d the so u the rn li n e of fortresses bu ilt by Shi v a ji fr om Bed n u r to Ta n j ore they held the So u th A t len gth the gr e a t offe n sive a g a i n st the m ight of a ll Hi n d u st a n we a ken ed The M a ra th a c a pta i n s i n their turn bega n to a tta ck Slowly b u t s u rely they d r ove the Delhi forces b a ck a ga i n a cros s the fr on tie r of the old i m peri a l possession s At la st A ura n gz i b his tr e a sur y e m pty his gra n d a rm y destroyed died a b roken Ma h ara shtra wa s free i n his c a m p a t Ah m a d n a ga r m an So u thern I n di a wa s s a fe The sin gle wi sdo m of the gre a t kin g de a d twe n ty seve n ye a rs befor e h a d s u pplied the pla ce of two hun dred b a tt ali o n s Bu t the r e wa s yet a n other side to the ch a r a cte r of this versa tile pri n ce I n a n e a rlier ch a pter I h a ve sketched his Bu t they we re n ot the rel a tio n s with R a m d a s a n d Tu ka r a m '

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27 8

A

H IS T ORY

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TH E M A RA THA PEO PLE ’

wife L aksh m iba i h a d n o iss u e Shi v a ji s sixth wife Sa gu n a b a i bor e hi m a sin gle d a u ghter Na n i ba i who m he ga ve i n m a rri a ge to Ga a I R a j e Shi rke M a leka r His seve n th wife Gu n v a n ta ba i * wa s ch ildless The gre a t kin g s body wa s c re m a ted a t R a yga d w hich looki n g d own on a hu n d r ed lesser pe a ks fo rm ed a fitti n g resti n g pla ce for th a t c o m m a n di n g spi rit His de a th is a con ve n ie n t poi n t a t which to en d this first volu m e I n the s u cceedin g volu m es it will be m y t a sk t o n a rra te how the gre a t edifice fo un ded by hi s gen i u s pr ospered or dec a yed with the va ri ou s fo rtu n es of his su ccessors ,

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ge i s b a s ed u p on t h e gen ea logic a l tree of t h e S hed ga vka r B h osles Th e Ph a lt a n St a t e r ec ord s r ef er t o y et a n o t h er d a u gh ter Sa kh u b a i m a rri ed t o Ma h a d ji N a i k Ni m b a lk a r ( I ti ha s S a n gra ba Vol VIII ) s

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A PPE N D I X

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I n per s on a l a c t iv i t y h e exc eeded a ll g en era l s of whom t here i s rec ord F or n o p a rt iza n a pprop ri a ted to s erv ic e of d eta chm en t a lon e ev er H e m et ev ery t ra v erse d a s m u ch groun d a s h e a t t h e hea d of a rm i es in s tan t di s c ern em ergen cy of p eril , h ow ev er s u dden or extrem e, w i t h t h e a bles t of hi s offic ers a cqu i es ced m en t a n d un s ha ken f ort itu de t o t h e i m m in en t s u p eri or it y of hi s g en iu s , a n d t h e b oa s t of t h e s oldi er ” wa s t o h a v e s een Shi v a ji cha rgi n g s wor d i n h a n d .

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I N D E X

A j a n ta , f res c oes , 22 Aka n n a pa n t o f G olc on d a , 25 2, 261 A kb a r, E m peror, c on ques ts , 8 2, 9 6 , 9 9 , 202, 21 5 ; dea t h , 109 Akl a s Khan , 265 A la f Kh a n , 5 0, 5 1 s ee a lso Ma hom ed Tu ghla k A la u d -d i n Has an G a n gu Ba h m an i , 59, Ala -u d d i n Khil i , 3 8 , 3 9 4 5 , 65 s t ra te gy , 4 1 ; p oi s on ed , 4 6 Ala u d d i n Sha h II , 7 1 , 7 5 , 7 9 , 9 5 ; a n d Kon ka n f ortres s es , 7 2 ; r eb e l li on a ga i n s t , 7 3 ; dea th , 7 4 A l an di , i n l egen d , 1 05 , 1 07 ; p i lgri m a ges t o , 1 3 0, 1 86 A lbu querqu e , A lfon s o Da , 86 A l e xa n d e r th e Grea t , 6 A l e x a n d ri a , 7 7 A li A dil Sha h , of B i a pu r, 9 2, 9 3 , 9 4 , 9 7 ; dyn a s t y , 1 01 A li A dil Sha h I I , 1 5 3 ; wa r a ga i n s t Sh i v a ji , 1 7 1 , 21 5 d efen ds B ij a pu r , 21 6 , 223 d ea t h , 239 , 25 1 dyn a s t y , 1 01 A l i Ba rid Sha h , 7 9 ; d y n a s t y , 1 02 A lfon s o , Kin g of L eon , 82 A lf on s o E n r iqu e z , 83 A ll a h a ba d , 222 A ll a -u d d i n I m a d Sha h , d y n a s ty , 1 02 A l m a s Beg, 4 2, 4 3 A l m eid a s , t he , 8 6 A m b a r Kh a n , o f Ji n i , 255 ’ Am b i ka b a i , Shi v a ji s d a u ghte r, 27 7 A m b ro i s e , Fa t h er , o f S u ra t , 206 A m i n a , w ife of B u rh a n Niz a m Sha h , 89 A m i r B a r id , 7 9 ; dyn a s t y , 1 02 A m i r Kh u s ru , s on gs o f, 62 Am m a n ga Dev i , 29 A m ri ta n u bha u , 1 06 6 a c ed on i a , A m yn t a s of An a n di B a ri , 228 An egun d i , f o rt , 5 5 , 5 6 A n dh ra s , t h e, 4 ; ri s e , 8 ; dyn a s t y , 9 , 1 2 ; i n S In di a , 22 ; l egen d , 1 4 An hi lwa d Pa t an , 4 3 An ko l a , 24 1 An n a ji Da t t o , 1 3 4 , 21 6 , 23 1 , 25 3 ; t a kes Pa n h a l a , 1 65 ; t a kes H u bli , ’ 240 ; a t Sh i v a ji s c oron a t ion , 24 6 A n n a ji Tri m a l , 220 .

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A ba j i S on d ev , ta kes Ka lya n , 1 4 1 ; for t ifies a yga d , 1 7 6 A bdu l A ziz Kha n of S hi v n er , 25 0 A bd u l Fa t ih Kha n , A bdu l Ka r im , Af gha n a d v en tu rer , 250, 25 1 , 25 4 , 26 1 ; a d v a n c es on Pa n ha la , 24 2 ; d efea t ed , 24 3 d ea t h , 262 A bdu l K u t b Sha h of G olc on d a , 102,

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A bdu l a s u l , 1 17 A bhi la s h i ta rtha Chi n ta m a n i , 3 2 A b hi r a s d yn a s t y , 15 A b u H u s s ein of G o lc on d a , 252, 25 4, 261 ; dyn a s t y, 1 02 A by s s in i a n s , 15 6 A c h u ji II of Yelbur ga , 3 1 A d hi r a ja , ki n g , 3 0 d ep os ed , 3 1 A dil Sha hi dyn a s t y , 7 8 , 1 01 A d on i f or tr es s , b a ttl e n ea r , 62 A eg ea n S ea , 5 A fgha n i s t a n , 2 A fgha n , c on q u es t , 3 8 , 3 9 A f r ic a , cir c u m n a v i g a t i on , 3 A q l B uru j , t ower , 1 63 A fz u l Kha n , 14 7 , 1 7 5 , 1 9 2, 21 8 ; c a m p a ign a ga i n s t Shi v a ji , 1 5 7 -9 a t P r a t a p ga d , 1 6 1 s t ru ggle w i t h S h i v a ji , 1 6 1 killed , 1 62 5 , 27 2 A gha Mi r, 9 5 A g ra , Sh i v a ji a t , 21 7 Ah a v a m a la , 29 , 30 s ee a ls o S om es h wa ra I A h m a d , s on of Sha h a hi r, 9 8 Ah m a d N iz a m Sha h , of Ah m a d n a ga r, 8 7 , 1 09 ; v i c t ories , 88 dea t h , 78 , 8 9 ; dyn a s t y , 1 01 A hm a d Sh a h Ba h m a n i ( A hm a d Kh a n ) ; 66, 69 , 7 1 A h m a d Sh a h , s on o f a h m u d Sh a h , 79 lla A h m a dn a ga r, 7 8 , 1 9 5 ; Ka li m 87 ; ret i res t o , 7 9 ; p opu la t ion , f oun ded lry A hm a d , 89 ; trea ty wi t h Bij a pu r , 9 4 ; f a ll , 1 00 ; re t a ken , 1 10 s u bj u ga t i on , 1 21 ; a n d Sha h Jeha n , 1 4 3 ; rev en u e , 1 44 ; ra ided by Sh i v a ji , 1 5 5 ; c on ques t by Sha h Jehan , 21 5 ; dyn a s t y, 101 A i n -u l- u l k, 4 7 , 5 7

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I ND E X

280

A pp a ji Gu lv e , 1 80 Ara bi a , t ra de wi th , 1 3 , 1 4 , 25 ; Ma ’ hom ed Tu gh la k s em ba s s y t o , 5 5 Ara bi an Sea , 1 3 A ra b 8 , i n Si n d , 25 Ar d ys of L ydi a , 2 Ar j u n a , a rch ery of, 1 3 0 A m i , 25 8 Ar y a n s , t h e , 2, 4 , 22 ; l a n g ua ge , 5 As ht a m i , 2 4 7 As oka , Em p e ror, m is s i on s of, 7 , 8 , 1 8 As s a r h a dd on , K in g, 3 As s yr i a , 3 A t hen s , 6 A tt ic a , 1 3 A u gus t us C aes a r , 1 3 A u gus tu s I of Po l an d 85 S a x on y , 66 A u n d h a , fort , t a ken by Sh i v a ji , 23 4 , 25 0 ; by oghu l s , 23 5 A un gi er , Ge ra ld , 23 6 , 24 0, 24 1 , 24 2 ’ A u ra n ga b a d , 1 95 , 1 9 6; Sh i v a ji s f o rc es l ea v e , 226 ; oghu l A rm y ret i res oro bl oc ka d ed by t o, 23 4 ; Pin gle, 267 A u ra n gz e b , E m p eror , 1 09 , 1 9 5 , 223 , 25 2, 25 3 ; v i c t ory o v e r G o lc on d a , 1 5 3 ; r eb e lli on , 1 5 4 ; hi s g en era l s , 208 ; l ett ers t o Sh i v a ji , 21 4 , 21 6, 225 ; pla n s t o c on qu er B ij a pu r, 21 5 ; i n s u lt s Shi v a ji , 21 7 ; t rea t y wi th Shi v a ji , 224 ; t re a che ry , 226, 262 ; fa ilu re i n t h e Decc a n , 23 4 , 23 7 ; s i eg e o f Ji n ji , 25 5 ; a n d Sa m bh a ji , 265 , 266 ; d ea t h , 27 6 A va l a i , 1 8 1 , 1 9 0 A yo dhya , i n l eg en d , 1 6 , 244 A y u rv ed a -r as a y a n a , the, 3 7 A zi m Kh an , 1 1 8 Az iz , g ov e rn or of a lwa , 5 7 , 5 8 A ziz u l- u l k, 89 A z ores , t h e, 83 .

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Cha n d B ibi 9 3 9 7 defen d s A h m a d n a ga r 9 8 ; c edes Bera r t o De lhi 9 9 1 21 ; s l a i n 1 00 dyn a s t y of 1 01 Ch a n d eri 3 9 40 ,

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I ND EX

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Go v i n d a II 24 Gra n ic us b att l e of th e 6 Greeks t he 2 Gu lb a rga 60 Moghu l f orces

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262 Gun a d hy a , i n l e g en d , 1 4 Gun tu r, 93 ’ Gun v a n t a b a i , Sh i v a ji s w ife , 27 8 Gu rj a ra ki n gs , 25 G u rja rs , t h e , 3 6 G u z a ra t , 3 5 ; Ka ra n , ru l e r of, 42 ; Af gh a n s , 4 6, 4 7 , rev olt a g a i n s t 58 Ba h m a n i c a m p a ign i n , 7 0, 7 1 ki n gd om f oun ded , 80 pl ot a ga in s t A h m a d n a ga r , 90 ; c on qu ered by Akba r, 21 5 Gyges o f Lydi a , 2 Gwa li or f ort , 1 00 .

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243 , 24 9 , 268 Poys a la , 3 4 s ee H oy s a la Pra ha ka r, 1 7 Pra t a p ga d , f ort ific a t i on , 1 5 1 , 1 5 2 ; b a tt l e , 1 61 -1 64 ; J i ja ba i a t , 227 ; Shi v a ji a t , 1 5 2, 1 6 1 , 24 6 Pra t a p ra o Gu z a r ( K a d t oji Gu z a r) , 200, 21 7 , 224, 23 5 ; l ea v es A u ra n ga ‘ ba d , 226; c en s u red by Shi v a ji , 242; kill ed , 24 3 Pra ta p Ru d ra d ev II of Wa ra n ga l , 5 , 5 5 , 5 6 a n d the a kht i F i roz , 6g Prem R a i , 60 Ps a m m eti c h us of S a i s , 3 Pto l e m y , 1 0 Pu la kes i I , Cha lu kya la n g , 1 6 v ic t ori es , 1 7 ; H i uen Pula kes i s a n g on , 18 ; a n d Ch os roes II of Pers i a , 22 ; d ea th , 23 Pu lu m a y i , ki n g , 9 , 1 2 P u lu m a y i I V, l a s t An dh ra ki n g , 1 5 Pun d a li k, f oun d s P a n dh a rpu r, 103 Pun j a b , t he, 2 Pu ra n a s , th e, 9 , 1 1 , 1 30 P ura n d a r, 8 7 , 1 38 , 224 ; occ u pi ed y Shi v a ji , 1 3 9 Sha h a j i a n d Shi v a ji at , 1 7 6 ; to -d a y a n d i n t i m e of Shi v a ji , 209 ; s i ege of, 210, 21 1 c eded t o oghu ls , 21 2 ret a ken y Shi v a ji , 23 1 , 272 Pu ra n d a res , th e , 1 26 P u rbh i a dyn a s ty , 80 Pu s hpa m i tra , 8 ’ P uta li ba i , Shi v a ji s wife , 277 .

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