Shivaji

by Ranjit Desai

  Shivaji turned around and ordered the guards, ‘Cut off the right hand and left leg of this traitor.’

  Within moments, Khandoji’s limbs were amputated. There was blood all over and his screams could be heard across the palace. Shivaji watched calmly, his face holding no sympathy for Khandoji. He said, ‘Take this fellow away and give him medicines. See that he does not die.’

  When Kanhoji heard of the treatment meted out to Khandoji, he could not believe his ears. He came running to the fort, angry and agitated. He presented himself to Raje and asked, ‘Raje, is that the way you treat someone who has been pardoned? What is the value of my words? You have betrayed me, Raje! If you cannot fully forgive someone, then you should not have pardoned him.’

  ‘Kanhoji, I had nothing against him.’

  ‘Then why did you order his arms and legs cut off?’

  ‘Kanhoji, there are people like you who are willing to give their lives for me. There are others who are waiting for the opportune moment and are selfish. I have to manage both but people like Khandoji are traitors. I took Khandoji back into our fold hoping he would change but he, on the contrary, was trying to poison my mind. I knew the truth and hence, I was not swayed but others can be influenced with such malicious gossip. I had no choice, Kanhoji.’

  Kanhoji realized the gravity of the situation and his anger subsided. He said, ‘Raje, it is his destiny. I was wrong.’

  Both of them were silent for some time. Shivaji asked, his voice choked with emotions, ‘Kanhoji, are you angry with me?’

  Kanhoji smiled and said, ‘Raje, you were trying to protect my reputation. How can I be angry with you?’

  Shivaji smiled. There was no burden on his conscience now.

  #

  Everyone was surprised to see Shivaji in the kitchen in the evening. Jijabai was sitting on a low stool while some maids were busy cleaning vegetables. Putlabai and Soyarabai got up, adjusting their pallus over their heads. Shivaji indicated to Jijabai that he wanted to speak to her and waited outside. Every moment was becoming difficult for him as he stood waiting impatiently.

  Seeing him beaming with joy, Jijabai asked, ‘Shiva, what has overcome you?’

  ‘Maa saheb, I received a letter from Maharaj saheb today!’

  ‘Really? What does he say?’

  ‘Maa saheb, Maharaj saheb is coming to visit us. Can you believe that?’

  ‘Now don’t pull my leg!’

  ‘I am not joking, Maa saheb! Thanks to my deal with Adil Shah and the increasing influence of our power, Maharaj saheb has got the permission to go on a pilgrimage and visit us. He has already arrived in Tuljapur for darshan of the devi as we speak.’

  ‘Devi darshan? But I thought Khan …’

  Shivaji smiled. ‘Maa saheb, our pandits at Tuljapur are quite bright and have made us proud. Their quick thinking has protected our pride, prestige, honour and our family deity. Hearing that Khan was reaching Tuljapur, they removed the main idol and put another one in its place.’

  Jijabai was overjoyed hearing this. ‘Raje, we must honour them as soon as we have the chance. When is Maharaj saheb arriving?’

  ‘I assume he will come via Pandharpur and Jejuri.’

  ‘But what about Shaista Khan?’

  ‘Don’t worry about him. I will keep him busy with my correspondence. In any case, he will not dare do anything till Maharaj saheb is here. He knows his prestige in the south and the support from Emperor Shah Jahan that Maharaj saheb enjoys.’

  Jijabai could not contain her happiness. She was going to have the good fortune of welcoming her husband home after nearly twenty years. The priests suggested that their first meeting should be in the temple and that she should see his face in a reflection in a pot of molten ghee. Shivaji suggested they meet at the temple in Jejuri.

  Sakhubai, Mahadji and Bajaji were invited to the fort. Kanhoji Jedhe’s joy knew no bounds and he reached the fort the moment he got the news. He went with Tanaji and Yesaji to receive Shahaji Raje at Pandharpur.

  Meanwhile, Shaista Khan was kept engaged in various meetings in Pune. Shivaji would send letters in a tone which was servile and humble. Khan would receive expensive jewellery and garments at each meeting. Shaista Khan was thus convinced that Shivaji, despite his huge force, did not have the courage to confront the Mughals. Shivaji had treated the Mughal forces differently from the way he treated the Adil Shahi forces. And as Shivaji’s behaviour towards the Mughals was friendly, the emperor too carried the same impression as did Shaista Khan.

  Shivaji had posted hundreds of his men along the route to Jejuri for information of Shahaji Raje’s progress. Netaji Palkar, accompanied by eight thousand foot soldiers, was asked to reach Jejuri and receive Shahaji Raje.

  Shivaji was lost in his memories of the trip to Bengaluru. He remembered his father’s face vaguely as he stood in his room. He was lost in these thoughts when Soyarabai entered his room.

  He said, ‘I was thinking of the events from twenty years ago. Remember? The day I saw my father for the first time? And how I was married to you to fulfil his wish?’

  ‘I consider myself lucky, Raje. I am not burdened by my childhood memories as I moved away from home very early.’

  Shivaji did not respond. He was in a nostalgic mood that day and continued to lie down and recall the events of the past.

  #

  Jejuri looked beautiful with fresh green grass covering the meadows. The shining black steps leading to the temple shone in the sunlight. Hundreds of tents stood fluttering at the base of the fort. At the centre of the camp was a lovely tent with a golden canopy, and a saffron flag fluttered in the wind proudly.

  Shivaji performed an elaborate puja of Khandoba and distributed alms to the poor.

  Mankoji Dahatonde and other officials waited for Shahaji Raje to dismount. Mankoji bent down and touched Shahaji’s feet, who hugged him affectionately and said, his voice choked with emotions, ‘Mankoji, we finally meet! I am so happy!’

  Mankoji said, ‘Welcome, Maharaj!’

  Shahaji Raje hesitated for a moment and said, looking around, ‘I don’t see Raje!’

  ‘I beg your pardon, Maharaj. This meeting was as per the religious protocol suggested by the pandits to prevent any mishap …’

  ‘Oh, I understand! Let us go now. I am eager to meet him.’

  Shahaji Raje stood in the temple hall after finishing his darshan. A huge tray with a lamp in it was left in the hall. He looked at his image in the pool of molten ghee kept in a bowl in the tray. Four more faces appeared. One was a copy of his with the same sharp nose, broad forehead and lovely talkative eyes! The child must be Yuvraj! And the young woman must be a daughter-in-law, he surmised. Jijabai, as always, stood coyly without saying a word. The faces were smiling, and the temple bells rang loudly, heralding the important event. Kanhoji and Mankoji wiped their tears.

  Shahaji Raje got up. He had crossed sixty years of age and one could see a hint of grey in his hair. But he was as handsome as before. Shivaji stood there expectantly and Shahaji Raje was reminded of his own youth. He stood there watching his son, unable to speak.

  Shivaji came forward slowly and then bent to touch his forehead to Shahaji’s feet. Shahaji Raje blessed him as he patted his back with trembling hands. He pulled Shivba up and hugged him tightly. He could not utter a word and continued to hug him tightly.

  After a while, Shahaji Raje managed to find his voice. He had been impressed with Raje’s manners, the way he had bent to touch his feet. He said, ‘Raje, though you are grown up now and have turned into a man with many accomplishments, I am impressed the way you show your respect to the elders.’

  Shahaji Raje sat in his tent and Jijabai, Soyarabai, Putlabai and others were in attendance. Sambhaji was enjoying the attention sitting on his grandfather’s lap. Shahaji Raje asked, looking at his daughter-in-law, ‘Sunbai, do you remember me?’

  Soyarabai blushed and Shahaji Raje said, ‘You need not feel so shy! You had started crying during the ceremony and we had
to take you around the fire with your feet wrapped around my waist!’

  Everyone laughed and Shivaji said, ‘I suggest you rest a while, Maharaj saheb. We are available at your command.’

  All the others left except Jijabai.

  ‘Rani saheb!’

  Shahaji Raje got up and paced the floor, his hands clasped behind his back. He did not know what to say. Farzand Shahaji Raje, the man who was never in doubt in any situation, was speechless! He stopped and turning his head, exclaimed again, ‘Rani saheb!’

  Jijabai did not respond.

  ‘Rani saheb, I stand here with my head bowed. I am ashamed to face you. I don’t even have the courage to look at you!’

  Jijabai looked up and saw him tormented with guilt.

  Shahaji Raje continued, ‘Do you remember? When you had requested to take Sambhaji Raje with you to Pune, I haughtily replied, “Leave Sambhaji here and take care of Shivaji. Let us see who does a better job.”?’

  Shahaji Raje could not speak further. There was a lump in his throat. He managed to hold back his tears and continued, ‘Rani saheb! You were all alone and yet you have made a man out of Shivaji. And despite all my power and privilege, I was unable to save Sambhaji. I am unable to get over the guilt.’

  ‘There is nothing to credit me for. It was with your blessings that Shivaji was able to achieve so much.’

  ‘It is your greatness to give credit to others! What have I done to help Shivaji? In fact, he is the one who helped me. His pact with Adil Shah helped me greatly. He is never bothered about himself. Worried that my acts may invoke the displeasure of Adil Shah, I often failed in performing my duties towards my son. I could not live with the guilt any longer and was eager to come here.’

  #

  Jejuri glowed that night in the presence of all the royal guests. The steps leading to the temple were lit up with lamps burning on both sides. The rows of lamps created a beautiful fluttering line of lights in the silence of the night.

  After camping in Jejuri for two days, Shivaji requested Shahaji Raje to come to Rajgad. As they reached Rajgad, Shivaji requested Shahaji to enter the fort in a special palanquin that was waiting, its arms decorated with jewels and seat piled with lovely soft dhurries. Shivaji requested that Shahaji Raje step into the palanquin and, removing his shoes, Shahaji got in. Shivaji took his father’s footwear in his hands and walked barefoot behind the palanquin. The bugles announced the arrival of the royal procession at the gate.

  Shivaji guided Shahaji Raje to a seat in the durbar hall. Seeing the shoes in his hands, Shahaji Raje said, ‘Raje, it is I who would be proud to wear your shoes! Put my footwear down!’

  Shivaji introduced all his friends to Shahaji Raje and soon, dinner was laid out. As per custom, rangoli were drawn around the plates. Shahaji sat with his grandson in his lap. Shivaji stepped forward and tied a mogra garland to his father’s wrist and Shahaji felt a teardrop on his hand. He looked up and exclaimed, ‘Raje, I see tears in your eyes!’

  Shivaji said, ‘It was because of my impertinence that you were captured and these wrists were tied.’

  ‘Raje, don’t say that! You did what I could not manage. You have made me proud by fighting the Adil Shahi and Mughal troops. The handcuffs were as light as these mogra garlands. Don’t be so hard on yourself!’

  The meal began and Jijabai was happy seeing everyone enjoying the meal in a relaxed manner. The royal women were in attendance, ensuring that everyone was properly fed. Different delicacies continued to arrive from the kitchen.’

  Shahaji Raje took a tour of the office, the fort and other areas. He was satisfied seeing the operation and Mankoji and Kanhoji regaled him with Shivaji’s exploits.

  Shivaji had sent his hunters into the forests and each day, fresh meat would arrive at the fort for a feast. A week had passed since Shahaji Raje’s arrival. While they were eating one evening, Shahaji Raje asked, ‘Raje, do you hunt?’

  Shivaji replied, a little embarrassed, ‘I would like to but I don’t have the time …’

  ‘I understand,’ Shahaji Raje said. ‘I would love to go on a hunt. My youth maybe spent but I still have the urge to fight a wild boar. The thrill of a chase on horseback with a spear is great. I am willing to try that at any age.’

  #

  Shahaji Raje had brought many jewels and gifts for the entire household. He turned towards Shivaji and said, ‘Raje, I have something precious for you.’

  A servant stepped forward with a tray with a sword with a jewelled handle. Shivaji sat on his knees to accept the sword with both hands. He touched it to his forehead reverently and stood up.

  ‘I have heard a lot of praise of your Bhawani sword. It has done you proud. Take this as a gift from me—I have named it Tulja.’

  ‘I shall pray to it daily along with the Bhawani sword.’

  #

  Shahaji came for darshan to the devi temple at the foot of the fort when he asked Moropant, ‘How many forts does Shivaji have?’

  ‘We have sixty strong forts, Raje!’

  ‘And what about the cavalry?’

  ‘More than fifteen thousand,’ Netaji replied.

  ‘Raje, I am told that you have a few ships too. Is that so?’

  ‘Yes,’ Shivaji replied.

  ‘That is good. But I suggest that you increase the cavalry. Do you remember the shloka I taught you?’

  Shivaji recited the shloka in Sanskrit which meant the strength of a king are his horses and the more horses he has, the stronger he is.’

  Moropant said, ‘Maharaj, every time Raje inspects the cavalry, he recites this shloka.’

  ‘Moropant, the one who understands the meaning of this shloka will never stop expanding his kingdom. Raje, I came here and met you. I am very happy. Do you know what I promised Khandoba at Jejuri? I would place a gold idol at the temple when I see Raje’s Swaraj. We need to fulfil my promise.’

  ‘Pardon my impertinence, Aba saheb,’ Shivaji said, ‘but the Swaraj is not yet complete. We need to fortify it further. On one side, Shaista Khan is waiting to teach us a lesson and on the other, Adil Shah is restless.’

  ‘This is a part of raising a kingdom. Don’t it let deter you. If you were not a formidable enemy, the Mughal and Adil Shahi troops would not have been so worried. These men have foresight—Aurangzeb was aware of your growing strength even when he was a Subedar in the Deccan and he had warned Adil Shah. Don’t be worried about Shaista Khan. I am impressed that you have managed to keep them at bay. I am convinced that you will win.

  ‘Raje, make Raigad your capital—you won’t find a better place. I am managing Karnatak. Ekoji Raje will look after that after I am no more. He is like me—a simple fellow at heart,’

  Shahaji Raje smiled and continued, ‘He may not be as smart as you but he will look after the territory well. You are the eldest now. Take care of him. The day these two territories are joined, your kingdom will extend from Thanjavur to the Narmada. That day is not far away and I hope that my dreams are fulfilled by you. However, I cannot stay here for long. I will, unfortunately, have to leave soon.’

  ‘Why? Are you bored so soon?’ Shivaji asked, a little disappointed.

  ‘Of course not! Seeing your fame and prestige has made me feel ten years younger and invigorated. But if I stay longer, Adil Shah will become suspicious. The day you killed Afzal and entered Adil Shah’s territory was the day I arrived in Bijapur from Karnatak. There was chaos in the durbar.’

  ‘Why, what happened?’ Mankoji asked.

  ‘The rumour was that Shivaji would attack from one side and I from the other. The rumour mill will be working overtime now that I have visited you.’

  ‘But did Adil Shah not give you permission to come here?’ Shivaji asked.

  ‘Yes, he did but it was with the understanding that I would pacify you and make you understand the repercussions of taking up cudgels against him. He has agreed to honour you by making you a sardar of a ten-thousand-strong force. Of course, I will never ask you to accept that. I have
impressed upon him the importance of having the powers in the Deccan united together in keeping the Mughals at bay. Adil Shah seems to be agreeable to that logic and I am sure that once he agrees, at least one part of your problem will be solved.’

  Shivaji was pleased listening to the wisdom and diplomacy which his father demonstrated. He could not have asked for more!

  As they all sat down for dinner, Shahaji Raje said, ‘Raje, I must admit that your Maa saheb has brought you up very well.’

  Jijabai blushed and said, ‘He is just like you, Raje!’

  Shahaji Raje laughed. ‘Not at all! There is a lot of difference between us. I am a rajbhogi but he is a rajyogi. The day I return from an exploit, I look for ways to entertain myself. But Raje? He returns from one campaign and plans another the next day. He has all the makings of a true king.’

  Shahaji Raje let out a deep sigh and said, his voice a little worried, ‘Raje, you removed a great burden from my mind by killing Afzal. It was he who had handcuffed me and was responsible for the death of Shambhu Raje. But I still have one wish left.’

  ‘Tell me, Aba saheb! What is it?’ Shivaji asked eagerly.

  ‘Baji Ghorpade!’ Shahaji Raje said. ‘That treacherous bastard! He kept me in the dark. I regret that I was deceived by him! I was serving under Adil Shah and so was he. I kept quiet and did not do anything.’

  Raje said, his voice taking on a serious tone, ‘Maharaj saheb, I promise you, I will have your revenge.’

  ‘I am sure you will,’ Shahaji Raje said.

  Shahaji Raje left for Bijapur within a few days and while he was leaving, Shivaji could not stop his tears. He placed his head on Shahaji Raje’s feet and said, ‘Whatever I have is at your feet …’

  A sob escaped Shahaji Raje and he hugged Shivaji tightly. He kissed his forehead and wiping his tears, he took out a pearl necklace. He put it on Shivaji and hugged him again.

  As he mounted his horse, Shivaji bent low in an elaborate mujra. Shahaji acknowledged it with a nod and then spurred his horse. The cavalry followed suit. The horses galloped away and all Shivaji could see was the cloud of dust left behind. He stood there watching the cloud dissipate for a long time, his tears blurring his vision.