Shivaji

by Ranjit Desai

  ‘What is the risk? If we win, Raje will be safe and if not, I would die. That is all! The Swaraj needs Raje and not Maa saheb.’

  Moropant had tears in his eyes. ‘Maa saheb, this is something that only Raje can answer—not us.’

  The news of Netaji Palkar’s arrival at the fort brought Jijabai some comfort. Netaji Palkar and Siddi Hilal came to pay their respects to Jijabai. She accepted their mujra and asked, ‘Any news of Raje?’

  Netaji looked at the floor and said, avoiding her gaze, ‘Siddi Johar has tightened the noose around Panhala. We don’t know what to do.’

  ‘Oh, that is easy,’ Jijabai said, with a wry smile. ‘Surve, Sawant and others have joined the enemy. You too can do that. I am aware this is a possibility and that’s why I have decided to personally attack Siddi Johar.’

  ‘Maa saheb!’

  ‘Netaji, you are family. Raje trusts you and has made you Senapati. I do not understand why you are praising Johar’s strategy!’

  No one had ever seen Jijabai in such an explosive mood. ‘Netaji, the responsibility of Swaraj does not rest with Raje alone. I am deeply disappointed to see two of his most trusted sardars standing in front of me, wringing their hands helplessly. Netaji, have some respect for the sword hanging at your waist and the bond you have with your family!’

  Each word penetrated Siddi Hilal’s and Netaji’s hearts. Netaji unsheathed his sword and said, ‘Maa saheb, in the name of this sword, I swear that I shall only show you my face when I come back with Raje. This is our duty and Maa saheb need not carry out the task.’

  Netaji Palkar and Siddi Hilal stayed at the fort for two days, allowing their troops to rest before leaving for Panhala.

  #

  It was sunrise when Raje returned from darshan at Someshwar at the Panhalgad Fort. No one spoke a word. Raje dismounted and went to the ramparts. The view was as before—dense jungles were spread across and Siddi Johar’s cantonment could be seen in a little clearing on one side. Raje let out a deep sigh and said, ‘Trayambakrao, it looks like Siddi won’t give up easily.’

  ‘We have been besieged for months but there is no respite. In fact, he seems to be gaining strength every passing day.’

  ‘We have a thousand-odd men at the fort. Do we have enough rations?’

  ‘We have enough wheat, rice and other items. We can stay here as long as we want.’

  ‘But Raje, we have no news of Netaji,’ Baji Prabhu said, expressing his fears.

  ‘Baji, Netaji is our Senapati. He knows we have been surrounded and we don’t know what Netaji is going through. Now there are only two avenues of hope for us.’

  ‘Two?’

  ‘Yes. Netaji and the mighty Sahyadris!’

  ‘Sahyadris?’ Gangadharpant asked.

  ‘Yes. The rains will begin any day now, and Siddi Johar’s huge army will not be able to tolerate the incessant downpour.’ Suddenly changing the topic, Raje asked, ‘Trayambakrao, I hope we have enough ammunition.’

  ‘Yes, we have enough.’

  ‘Then we don’t need to worry. As long as our cannons are booming, Siddi Johar will have to mark his time. He cannot come any closer.’

  But Raje’s estimation of Siddi Johar was off the mark. After surrounding Panhala, he had sent a small band of troops to the Rajapur Port to meet the British. He had requested help with trained manpower to work cannons and, also, to be given long-range cannons, which could be fired from a greater distance.

  The British welcomed Siddi’s messenger. They saw a new opportunity for trade and grabbed the opportunity. They agreed to help Siddi Johar, conveniently ignoring their pact with Shivaji. Gifford, who had been pardoned by Shivaji, was now, along with Migham and other ammunition experts, sent to Panhala with two long-range cannons in tow. Shivaji was unaware of these developments.

  One morning, Trayambakrao came in and announced, ‘Raje, the British have betrayed us and have joined Siddi Johar.’

  ‘That is impossible!’ exclaimed Shivaji.

  ‘Maharaj, it is a fact. Their long-range cannons are targeting our fort right now.’

  As they walked to the ramparts, Trayambakrao pointed in the direction of the cannons. Shivaji curled his fists in anger and said, ‘These Britishers are the scum of the earth! It has not even been three months since we pardoned these men. We released their people and their loot, and they now have the temerity to disregard the agreement and attack us!’

  However, Raje’s anger vanished as fast as it came. The change was so sudden that the people around him were taken aback. He smiled and said, ‘Baji, they are, after all, merchants. They have found an opportune moment for a deal. If fate is on our side, they will soon recognize that the deal is going to be too expensive for them. Trayambakrao, keep the cannons in top condition and ensure that each soldier is ready to fight. If the Lord wishes, we shall emerge victorious from this situation too.’

  At that moment, the British fired their salvo and a cannonball landed close to the fort walls. Shivaji commanded, pointing to a foreign-made cannon christened Kali, ‘Trayambakrao, let me see what Kali is capable of. Light her fuse.’

  Kali roared into action and the British were given a suitable reply. The cannons from the fort continued their shelling and they had the advantage of height. The enemy cannons were unable to reach them and were falling short.

  Shivaji looked heavenwards for the rain gods to protect them. Within a week, cool winds blowing in from the east heralded the monsoon, bringing a smile to Shivaji’s face. But Siddi Johar was an experienced hand and not one to give up because of rain. He had, in anticipation, already started constructing rain shelters.

  Within a week, Johar’s spies brought the news of Netaji’s troops marching towards them. Shivaji’s Senapati was attacking them and Siddi Johar understood Netaji’s ploy. Netaji would try and breach their security and enable Shivaji’s escape. In order to prevent this, Siddi Johar sent a platoon to intercept Netaji’s progress before they reached Panhala. He also tightened the security around the siege to ensure there was no breach.

  Shivaji stood at the fort, watching the scene unfold as Netaji arrived. Netaji had Siddi Hilal and his son Wahwah with him. Netaji and Siddi Johar’s troops clashed but Netaji was unable to make a breach. Wahwah was wounded and fell down and while trying to save his son, Siddi Hilal was captured. Netaji had to retreat to contain further losses and with that, Shivaji’s last hope was gone.

  The sun was setting in the western sky. Raje stood at the ramparts with a heavy heart. He prayed to the sun god as the western sky was lit with a golden-orange hue. A solitary cloud, golden with the dying rays of the sun, was slowly vanishing in the darkness. In a few moments, it was dark. Shivaji turned back with a deep sigh of dejection.

  The monsoon was in full swing but there had been no change in Siddi Johar’s resolve. The rains continued to pour and drench the cantonment. Strong winds blew everywhere but Siddi Johar stood his ground. The hope of escape was diminishing every day.

  Shivaji grudgingly admired Siddi’s perseverance and pitied his own fate. He sent out feelers to the enemy but Siddi Johar was adamant. He would agree to only one condition—the surrender of Shivaji and nothing else.

  #

  It was a dark night and the guards at Panhala were alert. They could not see anything in the inky darkness. Sidu Havaldar was guarding the northern side of the fort when he heard something sliding down. He had two soldiers with him and they all stopped to hear the noise. They could not see a thing in the darkness. All they could hear was the sound of the wind blowing and the pouring rain.

  ‘Careful!’

  The sound had not come from the fort. It was from somewhere down the hill. He unsheathed his sword and strained his ears. He could hear a faint sound again.

  He shouted, ‘Who is it?’

  There was no response. He shouted loudly again, against the noise of the rain, ‘Who is it?’

  ‘Send a rope down!’ he heard in response.

  In the pouring rain, a shiver ra
n down his spine. He asked one of the guards to gather other soldiers and within moments, fifty-odd men had appeared.

  A rope was sent down and Sidu shouted, ‘Rope coming your way!’

  Two guards stepped forward. They held the rope and pushed their legs against the wall to steady themselves as they hauled the person up. A few minutes later, a hand appeared at the edge and the soldiers pulled it and a man emerged from the darkness.

  Trayambakrao, the fort-keeper, asked, ‘Anyone else with you?’

  The man was panting with the effort of climbing up. He said, pausing for a breath, ‘No one.’

  They came into the courtyard and a few mashaals were lit. It was a sanyasi!

  Trayambakrao asked, ‘Who are you?’

  ‘A sanyasi, Maharaj. I come with Samarth Maharaj’s blessings,’ the sanyasi replied. Seeing no reaction, he said, ‘Raje might get angry if you don’t take me to him right now.’

  Trayambakrao was taken aback at the confidence with which the sanyasi spoke. He reluctantly sent a message to Shivaji and as soon as Shivaji came in, the sanyasi stepped forward.

  Shivaji’s face lit up. He said, ‘Trayambakrao, you may go and rest now. I will look into this matter.’

  Trayambakrao saluted and left. Raje hugged the wet and dripping sanyasi affectionately and said, ‘Mahadev! You have arrived out of nowhere! Wait a minute.’

  He went inside and opened a trunk. Taking out some dry clothes, he said, ‘Wear these. You are shivering. I will ask for a fire to be lit. Make yourself comfortable before we speak!’

  A small fire was lit in a small room. Shivaji sat on a blanket and pulled Mahadev down beside him. The rains were incessantly pelting the roof above.

  ‘Tell me, Mahadev. What news do you bring?’ Shivaji asked.

  ‘Maharaj, Maa saheb is worried sick. Shaista Khan is enjoying his stay at the Lal Mahal Palace in Pune and has been looting the territory there.’

  ‘And what about the forts?’

  ‘The forts are strong and well-protected. They have surrounded Chakan but Firangoji is fighting back. Maa saheb is worried that you have been surrounded and was planning to come herself to rescue you.’

  The flames from the fire were dancing around. Raje said, warming his hands on the fire, ‘The eagle may fly high up in the sky but she has her eyes on her chicks. It is just the opposite here. Here, I am flying around and Maa saheb is stuck in the fort, watching all this helplessly. I can’t imagine what she must be going through. But you tell me more.’

  ‘Netaji was forced to go back.’

  ‘Yes, I saw that. He had no choice. But how did you manage to get in?’

  ‘Maa saheb had sent many spies but they were unable to get through. Siddi Johar does not care if you are a sanyasi, beggar or whatever else. The security is very strong and they ensure that the change of guard takes place even if it is pouring cats and dogs.’

  ‘Then how did you sneak in?’

  ‘When I reached the area, they were busy incorporating a platoon from Surve’s troops. I paid a bribe of fifty coins to join the platoon and then managed to come here.’

  ‘Well done!’

  ‘I was with them for a month. But I did not have a chance to break the security ring. Finally, I found one place. There is news all over the camp that Shivaji Raje is going to surrender and I was eager to reach here at the earliest. While it was raining heavily, I snuck out.’

  ‘Then how did you change into these sanyasi’s clothes?’

  ‘I had carried them with me.’

  ‘God bless you! Tell me, how is the path you took?’

  ‘At one place the security can be breached. The soldiers are a few hundred feet away.’

  ‘You call that wide enough?’

  ‘At other places, they are literally touching each other.’

  ‘Let us discuss this in the morning. You must be tired now. Get some rest.’

  #

  The news that someone had come up the fort using a rope was all over the fort but no one knew any other details. Mahadev entered Shivaji’s chamber and saluted. Shivaji smiled looking at him. He was tall and lanky and Shivaji’s clothes didn’t fit Mahadev at all. The trouser bottoms were at his knees and the robe was at his waist. Shiva, the barber came in at that moment.

  Shiva looked at Mahadev and tried to suppress a smile. He said, caressing his beard, ‘After all, they are royal clothes. How can they fit anyone else?’

  ‘Why, if you were to wear them, no one will be able to make out whether it is you or me. Mahadev and I are built differently and that’s why you’re able to discern the difference.’

  Baji Prabhu, Trayambakrao, Gangadharpant and the others arrived at that moment.

  Shivaji said, ‘Tell me, Trayambakrao. How does one find a way out of this security ring?’

  ‘Raje, I am not able to think of a solution. Siddi Johar will not agree to anything less than your surrender.’

  ‘Then we have no other choice,’ Raje said, letting out a deep sigh.

  ‘Raje!’ Baji Prabhu did not know what to say and tears rolled down his face.

  ‘What is it, Baji?’

  ‘Raje, we have failed you.’

  Shivaji’s heart ached at seeing a huge, strong man like Baji Prabhu shedding tears. He said, ‘Baji, our luck may not be on our side, but we have to find a way.’

  He continued, ‘Mahadev mentioned a gap in the security towards the north. We can take advantage of the same during the night and escape.’

  Trayambakrao said, ‘Then don’t wait. We can take care of the fort—your survival is of the utmost importance.’

  ‘I know. But we need to be careful. We cannot allow the enemy be alerted of our movements.’

  ‘We will kill anyone who comes in our way,’ Baji erupted.

  ‘That is fine but we cannot stop till we reach Vishalgad, a distance of approximately twenty-five kilometres. Will we be able to reach without being spotted?’

  ‘Raje,’ Baji said, ‘once you are out of the security ring, it is our job to ensure you reach Vishalgad.’

  ‘All right then. Let the Lord decide what he has in store for us.’

  That night, one person left with Mahadev. They returned early the next morning, drenched to the bone. They had surveyed the area and ensured that the way out was safe. The day after, Gangadharpant went to meet Siddi Johar with a proposal for a ceasefire.

  Shivaji slept soundly that night. The next morning, he explained his plans to everyone gathered. ‘Trayambakrao, ready two palanquins. Baji, you need to get your men organized—select your best. Gangadharpant, is the letter ready?’

  Gangadharpant had drafted a letter saying, ‘I request that Salabat Khan pleads on our behalf with Ali Adil Shah for a pardon. I will then surrender myself to you.’

  Gangadharpant and four other men reached the Char Darwaza gate of the Panhala Fort, and Trayambakrao gave the orders for the door to be opened for the first time in one hundred and twenty-five days. Gangadharpant descended the hill with a white flag signifying peace. The enemy troops saw the flag and sent a message to Siddi Johar. Fazal Khan came out of his tent feeling proud that the enemy had been made to surrender.

  Gangadharpant handed over the letter with exaggerated courtesy and humility. Siddi read the letter and was happy to know that Shivaji had finally agreed to surrender and that he had brought the enemy to his knees. Siddi asked, ‘Will Raja saheb present himself?’

  ‘If you assure his safety, he will make himself available tomorrow.’

  ‘I smell a rat,’ Fazal commented. ‘He started similar discussions during Abbajaan’s time as well.’

  Siddi Johar laughed and said, ‘Fazal, the discussions during Afzal Khan’s time may have been similar but he was not surrounded in this fashion. It was your Abbajaan who had gone to meet Shivaji. This time, Shivaji is coming here—we have left him no choice.’

  While leaving Gangadhar said, ‘Raje will present himself tomorrow.’

  The news spread across the cantonment, and i
t was a relief to the soldiers suffering in the heavy rains. There was a significant lax in security once the soldiers knew that Shivaji was to surrender the next day. Fazal Khan was busy dreaming of the next day and Siddi Johar was busy imagining the huge reception he would get when he returned to Bijapur. Through it, the rains continued to lash incessantly.

  #

  Gangadharpant returned from Siddi Johar’s camp and told Shivaji what had happened.

  Shivaji smiled. ‘Pant, things have gone according to plan. Now, let the news of the surrender tomorrow spread here at Panhala. If our plan works, all will be well. Else, I may actually have to surrender tomorrow!’

  Next day, by late afternoon, Baji had his men ready and Shivaji was pacing in his room. Gangadharpant and Trayambakrao were busy readying everything to accompany Raje. The rain continued to pour as before. Shivaji summoned Shiva the barber.

  ‘Shiva, when we leave the fort, one more palanquin must leave carrying another Shivaji.’

  ‘Maharaj, I do not understand,’ Shiva said.

  Raje hesitated for a moment. ‘Shiva, after I leave, another palanquin will leave the fort. It will follow the royal path and will be received by Johar’s men. They will assume that they have caught Shivaji.

  ‘What exactly is the problem?’ Shiva asked.

  ‘We need one more Shivaji—someone who resembles me.’

  Shiva beamed with joy and said, ‘I would be a fool to refuse such an offer!’

  Shiva the barber had the same height and physique as Shivaji and Raje had often spoken of the similarity between the two. Shiva too had grown a beard like Raje’s, and his friends teased him saying ‘Welcome, Raje!’

  Shivaji said, seeing Shiva’s eagerness, ‘Shiva, it is not easy to be Shivaji. I will escape, but what about you? That thought disturbs me.’

  Shiva touched Shivaji’s feet and said, ‘Maharaj, I swear in Bhawani Mata’s name, please don’t have an iota of doubt. For only if you are alive can a million Shivas be born. My life would be blessed if I am able to carry out this assignment.’

  ‘Come, let us then see what this Shivaji looks like!’