Shivaji

by Ranjit Desai

  Blessing him she said, ‘May you ever be victorious!’

  Raje noticed Manohari standing next to Maa saheb and asked, ‘Haven’t I seen her before?’

  Jijabai smiled and said, ‘Raje, don’t you remember? She was the girl whom the kiledar wanted to …’

  ‘Oh, I remember now! Manohari, isn’t it?’

  ‘That is right. You changed her fate, you know!’

  Shivaji came into the inner courtyard where Tanaji and Dadaji Naras Prabhu were waiting. He asked, ‘Where is Dadoji?’

  ‘In his office.’

  Dadoji stood up the moment they reached the office. He was alone and, ignoring Shivaji’s salute, he continued to stare at him for a while and said, ‘Raje, should you not inform us before committing such deeds?’

  Raje was silent.

  ‘Did you not consider me trustworthy enough to be taken into confidence?’

  ‘Dadoji, you are mistaken!’

  ‘I have seen enough to know that you acted from the heart. Do you realize the reaction your actions will have?’

  ‘We shall bear them happily!’ Raje said casually.

  ‘Huh! It is easier said than done. You have captured Rohideshwar and taken up cudgels against the Badshah himself!’

  ‘What Badshah are you talking about?’ Shivaji asked, erupting in anger. ‘Where neither job, nor religion nor god is safe …’

  ‘What job?’

  ‘I am told that you and the elder Maharaj were questioned in his durbar?’

  ‘That was a misunderstanding.’

  ‘Misunderstanding? Huh, I understand the meaning of royal misunderstanding! Murar Jagdev was tortured before he died. Similarly, my grandfather, Lakhujirao Jadhavrao, was hacked to pieces in the presence of a full durbar. It is time we stopped tolerating these insults.’

  ‘You believe the ways and means you follow will put an end to such things?’

  ‘If the Lord wishes, they will.’

  Dadoji looked angrily at Dadaji and shouted, ‘And you? At least you should have had some sense. You are a paid employee of Adil Shah, a Deshpande at Rohideshwar. Why did you participate in this childish act?’

  Shivaji said, his voice firm, ‘Pant, this was not a childish act.’

  ‘Raje, you are young and I have seen many seasons go by. Don’t try to teach me politics now. The elder Maharaj had once revolted in a similar manner and he also had the support of his men. But do you know what happened in the end? Those dreams were shattered. If the elder Maharaj suffered so then …’

  ‘One misfortune may lead to the beginning of prosperity.’

  ‘Raje, that is rhetorical! You will remember later … the step you are taking may …’

  Shivaji pleaded, ‘Pant, stop! Misfortune can befall anyone. I have started something with the Lord’s blessings. If you cannot support me, I beg you not to curse me.’ Turning, he left before Dadoji could react.

  It was evening now and Shivaji sat alone in Jijabai’s quarters.

  She said, ‘Dadoji has taken your words to heart. Please show some forbearance for the next few days.’

  ‘Maa saheb, I don’t think I can do that now.’

  ‘Why?’

  ‘I have deliberately stepped on a snake. I have to consolidate my power before the news reaches the other forts and they fortify them.’

  ‘And what if the Bijapurkars attack our jagir?’

  ‘I have thought about that. Speed is not one of their virtues and we will keep them engaged in correspondence.’

  Jijabai sighed. ‘You know best. But remember that I don’t have anyone but you. Don’t do anything hastily.’

  Raje got up and said, ‘Maa saheb. I shall take your leave. I need to get back to the fort early in the morning and ensure that all arrangements are in place.’

  ‘Wait!’ Jijabai said as she took out a small pouch from a trunk. ‘These are two thousand hons; my own. I have no use for them but you may need them.’

  Shivaji could not suppress his tears. ‘Maa saheb, these are not just two thousand hons. They are priceless and can take care of any calamity which befalls the Swaraj.’ Shivaji touched Maa saheb’s feet and she caressed his back with affection.

  The next morning, Shivaji met Pant in his office. He was welcomed with a smile, much to Shivaji’s relief. He said, ‘Pant, I shall go to Rohideshwar and return soon. I wish to take some of the senior officials with me.’

  ‘You may take them. After all, these people have been sent to you by the elder Maharaj to manage your jagir.’

  As he was about to step out, Pant said, ‘Raje, you are new to the fort and there is the possibility of sabotage. Be careful!’

  The next day, seeing a couple of riders being dispatched early in the morning, Jijabai asked, ‘Where are these riders going?’

  ‘To Bengaluru.’

  ‘What for?’

  ‘Maa saheb, it is my duty to inform the elder Maharaj about what has happened here. Things may have been beyond my control but he should know.’

  #

  Shivaji started work at Rohideshwar in earnest. The ramparts were repaired and made stronger; a new account was opened in the office at Pune maintaining the affairs of the Swaraj. The Mavals, people residing in the Maval region east of the Sahyadris, now freely called upon their prince to pledge their loyalty and, soon, a list of three thousand men was ready. Pant observed all this stoically, neither encouraging nor discouraging the work. He kept himself busy managing the affairs of the jagir.

  A few months had elapsed when Pant asked Shivaji, ‘Raje, on what basis are these Mavals fighting on your behalf?’

  ‘It is their integrity and determination. They have lots of it.’

  ‘That won’t suffice. An army marches on its stomach, Raje.’

  ‘Pant, I get your point but don’t worry; I shall not bother you for money.’

  ‘Don’t be upset, Raje! How are you going to manage the repairs and the salaries of the Mavals from the revenue you get from these thirty-six villages in the sub-jagir?’

  ‘Tukaram said the Lord has the ability to make a lame person walk.’

  Shivaji knew that his confident posture was not enough. After all, without money it was not possible to manage an uprising. He was troubled as he knew he did not have all the answers.

  Jijabai noticed his discomfort and asked, ‘Raje, Rohideshwar is being renovated, and yet you look despondent. Is anything bothering you?’

  ‘Nothing, Maa saheb! I might only have seemed preoccupied.’

  ‘Shivaji! You cannot hide anything from a mother and a guru; and you should not try either!’

  Raje let out a deep sigh and recounted the meeting he had with Pant.

  Jijabai said, ‘Don’t bother yourself with imagining things in the future. There are two types of people. One type thinks of cause and effect and are cautious in their approach, always afraid of failure. They lead a steady life but don’t achieve much. The other kind are the ones who act on instinct and do not care much for results. Look at your father! He likes to plunge into things without a care. You have inherited the same kind of personality.’

  ‘But what if this bravery turns out to be mere bravado?’

  ‘Who can say if it will? Your father led a revolt and faced the Mughals and Adil Shah’s troops alone. The revolt was crushed but that does not make him a failure. Gyaneshwar brought the Gita to the masses in Marathi but he was shunned by the same people. Does that make him a failure? The temple at Alandi is proof of his greatness. Nothing is achieved by a person who is always scared of the results—keep this in mind.’

  ‘Maa saheb!’

  ‘Raje, you have started your work with great devotion to the Lord. He will give you the strength to see your work completed. Have no doubt about that. Raje, you can create what you dream of. This is your destiny. As the sacred sanctum is graced by the Lord, so is the mind by one’s loyalty, bravery and faith. Don’t allow fear to enter your vision.’

  Jijabai’s words were a balm to Shivaji’s tired sou
l and he got up with renewed confidence. He had his sights on Torna now; the fort was at a height and difficult to climb but it had been neglected for a long time. He marched straight to the fort and caught the fort-keeper unawares. Soon after, he was able to capture the Durga Devi Fort too, which was a little south-east of the Torna Fort. Shivaji ordered the re-fortification of both the forts immediately.

  They say it does not take long for household affairs to become public and so the proclamation of Swaraj too reverberated in the Sahyadris. Traitors like the Bandal Deshmukhs managed to send their reports to the Amin at the Subhanmangal Fort. The Amin could not believe his ears and sent a report to Bijapur against Shivaji. He also complained about one babaji Naras Prabhu Gupte having defected to the Shivaji camp.

  The repair work was progressing but it was impossible to manage with the meagre wealth in the fort’s treasury. Shivaji was seized with anxiety about the way forward and he sat in Pune, wondering about his course of action. He said, while he conferred with Jijabai, ‘Maa saheb, we may have to stop the repair work at Torna.’

  Jijabai could not bear to see the work stopped midway. She asked in desperation, ‘Raje, can we raise some money selling some of our jewellery and utensils?’

  ‘I would have done it already had that been a solution. A fort like Torna needs a lot of money for its upkeep and I may have to stop the work for the time being.’

  Shivaji left for his quarters with a heavy heart. Troubled by his thoughts, he could not sleep all night. In the morning, he was surprised to find Tanaji waiting for him outside his quarters. Tanaji looked fresh and cheerful despite an all-night journey. Shivaji asked him anxiously, ‘Tanaji, whats’s the matter?’

  Tanaji whispered something in Shivaji’s ears, making him smile brightly. ‘These are indeed the Lord’s blessings. Wait! I need to tell Maa saheb—she too has been worried.’

  Jijabai was awake and reading Eknath’s Ramayana. Raje stopped at the doorstep watching the scene inside. A lamp burned to her right while Saibai was removing the soot from the wick lamp. Jijabai sat there, reading the lines from the book in front of her. She finished the chapter and touched the book to her forehead reverentially. She looked at Saibai and asked her, ‘Why do you get up so early in the morning?’

  At that moment, Shivaji called out, ‘Maa saheb!’

  Getting up, she said, ‘Shivaji! I have not been able to sleep the whole night.’ She was surprised to see Raje’s smiling face and asked, ‘You are smiling! What is it?’

  ‘Maa saheb, I have good news. Tanaji came in just now. They have found a huge stock of jewels hidden in the fort, including huge containers full of gold coins.’

  ‘The Lord has saved us!’

  Shivaji asked Tanaji to bring the treasure to Pune when Tanaji said, ‘Raje, I would rather that you came along.’

  ‘Tanaji, I have no doubts about your capabilities. Take some soldiers and get the treasure here. I am not required to come along.’

  #

  The treasure arrived at Lal Mahal and the jewels and other valuables were duly counted and noted. When Dadoji came to know about this, he said, ‘It seems Lakshmi has showered her blessings in our time of need. Use this money but ensure that all estimates are in place before you begin to spend.’

  Delighted with Dadoji’s approval, Shivaji began work on the three forts with renewed vigour. He bought weapons and rifles and he would go to all the three forts every now and then and rarely be seen in Pune. One day, when Shivaji was in Shivapur Palace, he received an urgent message to reach Pune. He found Dadoji and others waiting for him eagerly, their faces looking grim.

  ‘What happened?’ Shivaji asked.

  Dadoji produced a letter from Bijapurkar saying, ‘Raje, we cannot take everything lightly. Read this and you would understand why we are all worried. Read it aloud so that Maa saheb can also hear it.’

  The letter was addressed to Dadaji Naras Prabhu’s father, Babaji.

  ‘We have been informed that you had helped your honourable Shivaji Raje, son of Shahaji Raje, and that he has been disloyal, using a band of Maval men to capture the Rohideshwar Fort. If you do not accept the transgression, you will be taken to Bijapur and beheaded, and your jagir repossessed. Please note the same and present yourself at the durbar forthwith …’

  Looking at Babaji, Shivaji said, ‘Babaji, it looks like you are going to be beheaded!’

  ‘Raje, this is a royal farman and not a joke.’

  ‘We have nothing to worry when we have blessings of elders like you. We have taken an oath to create a Hindavi Swaraj and I have trust in my Lord.’

  ‘Raje, your trust in the Lord may not be of much use. Do you think fighting against Adil Shah is a joke? You have just sprouted a moustache, but my hair is grey with experience …’

  ‘Oh, my age! I have heard this comment far too many times! Babaji, when Krishna came to Mathura from Gokul, how old was he? What was Ram’s age when he decided to go for a yagna? How old was Gyaneshwar when he wrote the Gyaneshwari?’

  ‘Raje, you are talking about gods. But for ordinary people …’

  ‘Who is ordinary? It is our own fallacy to think that we are ordinary. We are here to create a kingdom of the Lord. So we need to follow His example. If we think of ourselves as old or incapable, we can never fulfil our dreams.’

  Babaji said, ‘Raje, tell me what I should do.’

  Shivaji said, ‘I am nobody to advise you. You may ask for pardon and be relieved of the punishment.’

  Babaji asked in a quivering voice, ‘Ask for pardon? Should I also beg for my life to be spared? Raje, this too is an old Maval heart. Whatever has to happen, let it happen!’

  Dadaji was looking at his father with renewed pride. Dadoji let out a deep sigh of exasperation.

  ‘Dadoji, please don’t be worried. I will send my Peshwa to Bijapur with a message.’

  ‘And what would the message be if I may ask?’

  ‘Dadoji, I have learnt a lot from you. The message will say, “The forts here are unprotected. The territory too is under threat. Hence, I have taken control of the forts to ensure that the jagir is well protected. I will not be disloyal to my position under the Shah.” Such a message will satisfy the Badshah.’

  ‘For how long?’ Dadoji asked.

  ‘As long as possible,’ Raje said.

  ‘What if Maharaj saheb finds out?’

  ‘I ensured that he has already been informed. He has not replied yet and I believe he would have, had he been worried. The fact that he has not means he is fine. And incidentally, he is not in Bijapur but in Bengaluru.’

  Dadoji asked, ‘Raje, where will Babaji stay?’

  ‘Why?’

  ‘The Amin may not remain a silent spectator now. There could be a chance of him being arrested.’

  ‘If Babaji feels comfortable staying here, he is welcome. It would be my pleasure, and I will have one more elder to bless me.’

  #

  Jijabai was surprised to find Shivaji back from Shivapur. Since Rohideshwar had been captured, he would spend most of his time at Shivapur. He would come back once a while, meet her and then go back again. When they were alone in her chamber, he said, ‘Maa saheb, it seems we will have to first fight our own people before we fight outsiders.’

  ‘Whom are you referring to?’

  ‘My own Mama saheb.’

  ‘Mudhojirao?’ Jijabai asked.

  ‘Yes. He was not able to tolerate the proclamation of Swaraj at the Rohideshwar Fort. After all, he is a loyal servant of Adil Shah! He has started going around the Maval region and is usurping people against me.’

  ‘What are you planning then?’

  ‘What else can I do? I have sent some soldiers to Phaltan. I too will be going there. Let him taste the might of the Bhosales.’

  Jijabai got up and said, her voice quivering, ‘Shivaji! I beg of you, hold on to your temper and don’t get carried away. The Bhosale–Jadhav families fought with and destroyed each other. Blood relations are meant for mutu
al support and not for fighting.’

  ‘I am not making enemies. He is the one who is taking the lead.’

  ‘That does not mean we cannot make amends. It is easy to start and aggravate hostility but difficult to face it. That needs tremendous strength.’

  ‘Do you suggest I just sit and watch?’ Shivaji asked.

  ‘No. Go to meet him with the intention of destroying the enmity and come back victorious. Remember also that Mudhojirao is Sai’s father.’

  ‘I will do as you say, Maa saheb. Wish me luck!’

  Raje reached the outskirts of Phaltan where a few of his men were waiting for him. The entire village was silent and Raje’s cavalry was nowhere to be seen. He asked, ‘Where is Nimbalkar?’

  ‘He ran away the moment he got a whiff of the impending danger. We have sent a few horsemen after him.’

  ‘I will wait here till they find him,’ Shivaji said, pointing in the direction of a few trees which provided shade in the hot sun. He did not have to wait very long. The rising dust in the distance indicated that a group of horsemen was arriving. There were two horses leading the group—Mudhojirao sat on one of them and on the other Yesaji. As they came nearer, Shivaji bent in mujra. Mudhojirao seemed in a bad temper. Shivaji asked Yesaji, ‘Where did you find Mama saheb?’

  ‘Around thirty miles from here.’

  ‘Was there any resistance?’

  ‘No. We surrounded them from all sides. They surrendered without any trouble.’

  ‘Mama saheb, where were you rushing to in such a hurry?’

  ‘Bijapur. Where else do you think?’

  ‘You could have complained to Pune against me. It is much closer than Bijapur.’

  ‘It might be closer but we need men who are close to us.’

  ‘Mama saheb! You believe that Bijapur is closer to you than us? You seem to have forgotten that they are the same people who put you behind bars for ten years. It was due to Maharaj saheb’s efforts that you were again a free man and you got your jagir back.’

  ‘Raje, I am going to suffer due to your revolt and I am tired of all this.’