Shivaji

  ‘No, this is merely Raje’s way of protecting every fort.’

  Krishnaji Bhaskar had darshan at Kedareshwar and then entered the courtyard where arrangements for seating had been made. Accepting Krishnaji’s salute, Shivaji said, ‘It is my good fortune that Afzal Khan has remembered us.’

  Krishnaji said, ‘Raje, Khan has a lot of respect for you. Else, he would not have sent me.’

  ‘Please convey our regards to Khan saheb. He is, after all, a father figure to me, just like my Maharaj saheb. I would consider it my privilege if I had the chance to meet him.’

  Krishnaji Bhaskar produced a letter by Khan. The letter read, ‘Adil Shah is disturbed by your impertinence. After the downfall of Adil Shah, he has given, in a treaty to the Mughals, the territory conquered by him. You have captured a lot of that mountainous terrain, much against our wishes, and taken control of the territory given to Chandrarao. You have also destroyed mosques while capturing Kalyan–Bhiwandi and taken the liberty of arresting the kaji and the mullah there. It is, thus, our command that you give back all the forts and territory you have captured with immediate effect. This includes Sinhagad, Lohgad, Purandar, Chakan, Neera and Bhima.’

  ‘It appears that I have no other option now but to comply,’ Shivaji commented.

  ‘Raje, if you ask me, I would suggest that you make peace with Khan,’ Krishnaji Bhaskar said.

  ‘And if I decide not to?’

  ‘Then his forces will descend upon you. You are aware of his might—he will ruin you.’

  ‘I am aware. But he seems to be forgetting that I am Shahaji Raje’s son. My brother has already been killed and I am sure Bijapur’s Farzand would not tolerate the loss of another son.’

  Krishnaji Bhaskar was taken aback. This was a new ploy and, changing tactics, he said, ‘There is no need to take your problems to Bijapur. You may come to Wai and sort out your differences with Khan.’

  ‘Khan looks at things only from his own perspective. It would not be difficult to find out whether we really destroyed the masjid at Kalyan or anywhere else. But he chooses to see things only the way he wants to.’

  ‘I would suggest that you do not go into minute details but look at the larger picture.’

  ‘I do not have anything against anyone, Krishnaji. I request you to stay here a few days while we think of a rational solution.’

  ‘As you command,’ Krishnaji Bhaskar said, bending low.

  Krishnaji Bhaskar was soon accommodated in an independent haveli and Shivaji returned to his quarters. Everyone was curious to know what was on Raje’s mind. The next day, he called his loyal team to a private conference. They discussed Khan’s letter and most were of the opinion that Raje should meet Khan at Wai and negotiate a peaceful retreat.

  Shivaji retorted, ‘Do you think Khan is a simpleton? That he will merely accept my proposal? He has taken a public oath in the Bijapur durbar to kill me. Remember, it was he who killed Kasturi Ranga of Shira after inviting him to a friendly meeting. The same Khan murdered Khan Muhammad and also betrayed Dada Maharaj. If we have to meet him, we have to find a way to bring him here.’

  ‘But do you think he will come?’

  ‘If Jagdamba so decrees, he will.’

  Shivaji went to meet Pantaji Gopinath in his room. Pantaji was a shrewd strategist and a close family member. He was fondly called as Pantaji Kaka. Shivaji said, ‘Pantaji, Khan’s messenger Krishnaji Bhaskar has now visited us. As per protocol, we too should send our emissary to Khan’s camp. I have nominated you. Go with Krishnaji and meet Afzal in his camp. Your job is to convince Khan to meet us here in Jawali.’

  Raje then called Krishnaji Bhaskar and told him, ‘Krishnaji, I have prepared a reply to Khan’s letter, but it would not be appropriate to send the letter with you. As per protocol, I am sending my emissary, Pantaji Gopinath, with the letter.’

  ‘As you wish, Raje,’ Krishnaji Bhaskar said, saluting.

  Before he left, Shivaji met Pantaji and said, ‘I am sure you will have a dialogue with Khan. Listen to him carefully and try to understand how his mind works. Don’t argue and if possible, agree with whatever he says. I am sending a few men with you who can keep their eyes and ears open—find out Khan’s motive and then come back. I am sure Bhawani Mata will protect you.’

  The moment Khan got the news of Krishnaji Bhaskar’s return, he called for him.

  ‘Kaho Krishnaji! How was your meeting with Shivaji?’

  ‘I handed your letter over to Shivaji and he seemed quite disturbed by it.’

  Khan was happy as he had expected Shivaji to get nervous. ‘So has he agreed to come here?’

  ‘No, he is scared, I think. I told him that he should fear your wrath and that he would not be spared if you attack him.’

  ‘How did he respond?’

  ‘Shivaji said, “Tell Khan that Farzand Shahaji will not be happy to lose his second son.”’

  Khan’s hookah slipped on hearing the response but he recovered immediately and said, laughing loudly, ‘Our enemy seems to be a very smart and talented one!’

  Krishnaji Bhaskar also told Khan that Shivaji’s messenger had come back with him, leaving Khan unable to put his finger on Shivaji’s plan of action.

  The next day, Pantaji Gopinath presented himself to Khan. Pantaji requested for a private audience and as soon as they were alone, he said, ‘Your letter was received by Raje and he has sent a reply.’

  ‘Please read it out to me.’

  Pantaji read, ‘Your wish is my command. Only you can be as large-hearted and magnanimous enough as to pardon my transgressions and I am willing to return all the forts including Jawali. You have such a dominating personality that it makes it impossible for me to even look in your eyes. I am willing to meet you whenever you command me to and lay down my arms.’

  Khan’s happiness knew no bounds. He tried masking his satisfaction and said, ‘When is Raje coming to meet me?’

  ‘I beg your pardon, sir, but Raje is mortally scared to come and meet you here. As a token of his love and respect, he has sent you a few gifts. If you so command, may I …’

  ‘Please go ahead.’

  Pantaji Gopinath clapped once and two men entered the room, carrying a tray. Pantaji uncovered the tray. A dagger lay on it, its handle studded with lovely gems and precious stones. Apart from the dagger, Khan also noticed a lovely pearl necklace.

  Pantaji said, as he noticed Khan admiring the necklace, ‘Forgive my impertinence, sir, but I know you employ many jewellers who can estimate the price of the dagger. The pearl necklace, however, is beyond compare.’

  Khan touched the necklace. Each pearl was huge, the size of a large marble. He murmured, ‘How did Shivaji manage to amass such wealth?’

  ‘Huzoor, this is all because of your blessings—these items are just a drop in the ocean.’

  ‘But why is he giving me such expensive gifts?’

  ‘You are, after all, a friend of Farzand Shahaji Raje. You are a father figure to Raje and he would do anything for your blessings.’

  Khan fondled his beard as he continued to look at the necklace.

  Pantaji Gopinath continued, ‘Raje is afraid to meet you here in Wai. If you only say the word, he will come running to see you in Jawali.’

  Khan looked at Pantaji Gopinath and then looked at the pearl necklace. He said, ‘Shivaji Raje is a haramzada. A Kaffir! Jawali is a dangerous place and I think he will betray us there.’

  Pantaji Gopinath laughed which irked Khan.

  ‘Why do you laugh?’

  ‘I heard that you are fearless, sir. Come to Jawali with all your men and it will be Raje’s pleasure to welcome them all. He doesn’t stand a chance against your might. After all, an ant cannot fight an elephant. Raje would be honoured if you were willing to pardon him and employ him. He is willing to pay one crore hons for the appointment.’

  ‘One crore hons!’ Khan exclaimed.

  ‘Raje dare not fight, but he can arrange for the sum you ask for.’

  K
han had let Bajaji go for a mere sixty thousand. The sum of a crore hons was beyond his imagination. He drooled with greed and said, ‘As a Brahmin, can you give me an assurance on Shivaji’s behalf? I will certainly meet him then.’

  Pantaji Gopinath swore an oath to assure Khan of Raje’s good intentions. Khan was enchanted by the prospect of receiving such a huge sum and he requested Pantaji Gopinath to stay for a few days while he went over the proposal.

  Pantaji Gopinath was given accommodation in the cantonment and was enjoying Khan’s hospitality. Krishnaji Bhaskar introduced him to many sardars while Raje’s men walked freely around the cantonment, absorbing each and every detail.

  Khan called for a special meeting and discussed the issue of Shivaji’s invitation to meet in Jawali. The unanimous opinion from the sardars was that it was dangerous to enter Jawali and that Shivaji was very likely to betray them. Khan asked Krishnaji Bhaskar for his opinion. ‘Do you think Shivaji will leave Jawali to meet me?’

  ‘Huzoor, my instinct is that whatever happens, he will not leave Jawali. He feels safe at Pratapgad.’

  Khan touched his beard, thinking aloud, ‘Shivaji is a haramzada. He would never agree to a direct confrontation. We shall go to Jawali. He cannot escape in any case.’

  Once the others were dismissed, Khan asked Krishnaji Bhaskar, ‘Krishnaji, do you really think Shivaji has so much wealth?’

  ‘Huzoor, Shivaji is a born thief. He looted Jawali, and managed to rob the Kalyan treasury when he captured Kalyan–Bhiwandi. He appropriated the Mughal treasury when he took over Junnar. I had gone merely as your emissary but when I was leaving, he gifted me precious clothes, a pearl necklace, a gold bangle, a medal, an Arabian horse and five thousand coins.’

  Khan was wide-eyed at the description.

  ‘I am not exaggerating, Huzoor,’ Krishnaji reiterated.

  ‘Krishnaji, we will first capture his wealth and then Shivaji. Where can this fellow hide anyway?’

  Khan laughed loudly and Krishnaji reluctantly joined in. The next day, Pantaji Gopinath was sent back to Pratapgad, as per protocol, with due respect.

  #

  Everyone was eagerly waiting for Pantaji to return. Shivaji asked, once he reached Pratapgad, ‘Pant, what did Khan say?’

  ‘Raje, Khan was mighty pleased with your gifts. He is willing to meet you in Jawali but he will not come alone. He will bring his entire army along.’

  ‘We will be happy to welcome them. Pant, you must be tired. Go get some rest now.’

  Pant bent low in mujra and left.

  Shivaji stood at the ramparts of the fort, looking down at the Jawali gorge. Winter was setting in and the cool breeze ruffled his hair. He was entranced by the beauty of the valley and the dense forests and by the time he realized the time, it was dark. The guards had lit the mashaals and were at their positions guarding the fort. After dinner, he summoned Tanaji and Pantaji.

  He said, as Pantaji entered, ‘Pant, please sit down. I need to talk you at length.’

  Pant did not sit and continued to stand after seeing Raje pacing the room. Shivaji suddenly stopped and turning towards Pantaji said, ‘I wanted to speak to you privately about your experience with Khan. Tell me, what is your opinion?’

  Pantaji described his entire journey from the start. He said, ‘Raje, this Khan is a shrewd fellow. He is intelligent and has a sharp mind in his strong body. But …’

  ‘What?’ Raje asked.

  ‘You were right—the moment I showed him your gifts, I could see his greed.’

  ‘Is Khan really interested in an alliance or …’

  ‘Raje, Khan is a treacherous man. He is only waiting for an opportunity to betray your trust. He wants to pose as a friend but his plan is to capture you and take you to Bijapur.’

  ‘What do you think we should do?’

  ‘Khan is greedy. We must take advantage of his greed and invite him to Jawali. We need to arrange a private meeting between the two of you. That will be your chance to kill him, destroy his camp and take back your Swaraj.’

  Shivaji agreed with this and gifted Pantaji five thousand coins. He said, getting up, ‘Pant, go back to Khan and tell him that Shivaji is scared and wants to meet him in Jawali. Tell him I would be most happy to receive his patronage and am ready to work under the Badshah as a mere employee if Khan promises to take care of me.’

  Pantaji Gopinath left for Khan’s camp the very next day. Shivaji had no doubt that Khan would come to Jawali. Each sardar was given charge of a designated area in the Jawali gorge and a map of Jawali was spread out in the fort. Raje pointed out the strategic places for each sardar and they prepared themselves for the impending attack. Shivaji also took a tour of the Koyna valley and the village of Par, a few miles south of Pratapgad, was chosen as the location for the cantonment. The entire area was cleaned and made ready.

  In the meanwhile, Pantaji Gopinath engaged Khan. Pantaji said, ‘Raje is requesting you to come to Jawali. He is willing to leave with you after the meeting.’

  Khan agreed and while departing, Gopinath made another request, ‘I am sure that Raje will not leave anything wanting but he desires to gift you something very precious. If you bring your jewellers and traders with you, it would be most convenient for Raje to buy something valuable and honour you and your sardars there.’

  ‘Beshak! Beshak! The jewellers shall surely accompany me.’

  Khan sent one of his close aides along with Pantaji to oversee the preparations for the meeting. In order to impress and convince Khan of his intentions, Shivaji had not spared any effort. The grounds near Par were prepared for the cantonment to be set up as it was the only flat and clear space in the entire Koyna jungle. Shivaji’s spies were positioned at strategic places, their duties assigned to them.

  Shivaji selected a place at the base of the fort for the meeting. It was a place which could be monitored and seen clearly from the fort.

  Khan’s men accompanying Pantaji Gopinath surveyed the village of Par and were convinced that they would be able to capture the fort easily. Shivaji ensured that the men were compensated well and they all went back satisfied. Khan asked his army to prepare for the move. He had a cavalry of ten thousand men and formidable artillery. It was a difficult task for such an army to negotiate the narrow and steep slopes leading to Jawali.

  The caravan finally entered the Koyna valley and Khan was quite pleased seeing the place made ready for their camp. The soldiers got busy setting up the cantonment. The traders accompanying Khan set up their shops near the cantonment as they waited to strike a good deal. Everyone was convinced that Shivaji would buy precious goods in huge quantities to please Khan and his sardars.

  Khan’s camp could be clearly seen from the fort. The moment Khan settled into the camp, Shivaji sent word to his troops to move closer. Some were stationed at Dhawleghat and some others near Chandragad, while Netaji Palkar guarded the route to Mahabaleshwar. There were Bandals on patrol in Jawali and the Bachigholighat was being guarded by Silamkar.

  Afzal Khan was completely unaware that he had been surrounded. He dreamt of capturing Shivaji under the pretext of a friendly meeting. And even if Shivaji managed to escape, Khan was confident that his men would capture the fort. He had faith in his huge artillery. A smile spread across his face at the thought that Shivaji had no place to hide now!

  Messengers from both camps finalized the details and conditions for the meeting. Both parties would be allowed to carry arms. They would be allowed two bodyguards each into the camp. Khan would arrive first and wait for Shivaji. They were allowed to bring ten soldiers with them who would be stationed at a distance of a hundred yards, the distance of an arrow’s flight. They both would meet alone inside the tent. Both the parties agreed to the conditions and the meeting was fixed for two days after Khan’s arrival.

  Shivaji inspected the tent a day before the meeting. It was a crucial meeting because it would decide whether he would emerge victorious or dead. He looked at everything carefully and returned to th
e fort. He sent a word to Jijabai with a trusted soldier as he was aware everyone was anxious and nervously waiting for the next day.

  Soon, it was nightfall. The crescent moon on its sixth day shone brightly in the sky. Hundreds of lamps burnt in Khan’s camp. One of Raje’s spies reached the fort in a hurry and waited for an audience with Shivaji.

  Bahirji, the spy, recounted, ‘Khan is a huge fellow. He is more than six feet tall and likely as wide. He bends an iron rod with complete ease and then straightens it out as well—that is the measure of his strength. I have seen him lifting a cannon with his own hands! He may not have much intelligence but plenty of brawn.’

  ‘Who has been nominated as his personal bodyguard?’

  ‘He does not trust anyone other than Syed Banda. We are told that he will accompany Khan.’

  ‘Who is this Syed Banda?’

  ‘He is tall or big as Khan and is extremely strong. He is known to use the sword skilfully.’

  ‘Who is the other bodyguard?’

  ‘Khan feels he does not need anyone else—he is sure of his victory.’

  ‘Your information has been immensely valuable. If you find out anything else, let me know immediately.’

  Bahirji bowed and left.

  Shivaji was lost in thought for a moment and then he smiled and went into the courtyard. Mankoji Dahatonde, Ranjekar, Subhanji Ingle, Yesaji Kank, Tanaji Malsure and Sambhaji Kavji were all waiting.

  ‘Mankoji, what news do you have?’

  Tanaji said, ‘We are tired of waiting. Please command us.’

  ‘I deliberately asked you to stay back. You and your people have to take your positions before sunrise without being seen. Hiroji, Tanaji, Yesaji—I want your men to be in the bushes next to the shamiana. My attention is not on Khan alone because we cannot meet our goal merely by killing Khan. We need to capture his huge wealth, his tents, the hundred-odd cannons, horses, elephants, camels—the entire lot. We need all those things to make our dream come true. Don’t leave anything behind.’