Shivaji

by Ranjit Desai

  ‘Silence! I will tell you why you went to Panhala. You presumed Siddi Johar was strong and you knew that Shaista Khan was ready to attack. You wrongly presumed that Shivaji’s end was near and thought it was a godsend to support the Muslims and finish me off!’

  Shivaji’s anger was directed at Revington and he stared at him and said, ‘Revington, I believe you are far-sighted, aren’t you? I am told that you have a piece of equipment with which you can see things in the distance. You must have taken that along when you reached Panhala.’

  Shivaji was silent for a moment and said, his voice laced with sarcasm, ‘Is this what you call your trading philosophy? Is this why you left the shores of your own country? What do you trade in—your wares or your honour? If this is your attitude, it will lead to destruction and sorrow one day.’

  Shivaji stood up and said, ‘I’m sorry, I cannot pardon you.’

  ‘Raje, we are willing to pay whatever you ask for,’ Revington pleaded.

  ‘Are you doing me a favour?’ Shivaji snapped back in anger. ‘Arrest these bastards! They dared to show their flag and bombard us. Their company and them both need to be taught a lesson!’

  Shivaji stepped out of his shamiana and ordered the loot of all merchants who had not paid their dues to him to be confiscated. He said, ‘Loot the firangi camp and arrest all the firangis. If anyone tries to use their weapons, don’t hesitate to kill them.’

  Turning, he said in a low voice to a havaldar standing nearby, ‘Find a man by the name of Balaji Aavji.’

  The confiscation of goods continued till late in the evening and soon heaps of items were laid down for Raje’s inspection. The loot included precious items such as jewellery, spices, brass, gold, sandalwood, deer musk, saffron, and rhino horns. Raje ordered Revington and his colleagues to be jailed at Songad and the rest to be sent to other forts. The English had received a fitting reply to their treachery.

  Soon, the havaldar came in and reported, ‘We brought Balaji Aavji as per your command.’

  Raje was eager to meet him and said, ‘Present him immediately.’

  The man was brought into the tent and he was shivering with fear. Raje heard a woman crying and asked, ‘Who is crying?’

  ‘It is Balaji’s mother, Maharaj.’

  ‘Send her in too.’

  An old lady ran in. She was accompanied by three other men. She flung herself at Raje’s feet and said, ‘Raje, We are poor people. We have nothing to give you.’

  Raje lifted her up gently and said, ‘Mother, don’t worry. I have summoned Balaji for work and not to punish him.’

  She was relieved on hearing this and said, ‘Raje, how shall I recount my horrific tale? My husband was a Diwan under Siddi Johar and one day Siddi lost his mind and ordered my husband and his brother to be put to death. My three sons and I were to be sold as slaves. The servants took pity on us and we were sent to Rajapur. My brother, Visaji Shankar, was a trader here and he bought us without letting anyone know that we were related. That is how I managed to raise my children.’

  ‘You do not have to suffer anymore,’ Raje said. He looked at an elderly man standing behind and asked him, ‘Are you Visaji Shankar?’

  Turning towards Chitnis, Raje said, ‘Chitnis, return his payment. They are our men and you should ensure that they are not put to any trouble.’

  Raje turned to Balaji and said, ‘Balaji, after listening to your mother, I am convinced that it was you who wrote all those letters describing the atrocities being committed in this city. Is that right?’

  ‘Yes.’

  ‘I am thankful for your efforts. We do not campaign to loot cities and we need people like you to administer our territories. We would like you to be a part of my administration if you agree.’

  ‘It would be my good fortune, Maharaj!’ Balaji touched Raje’s feet.

  Raje said, ‘Get up! You and your brothers, along with your mother, should come to Rajgad. Chitnis, ensure that their expenses are taken care of. I will tell you about your new responsibilities when we reach Rajgad.’

  #

  Raje was planning to decamp and march ahead from Rajapur when he received the news of Vithoji’s arrival from Sangameshwar. Raje could not believe Vithoji’s words when he said, ‘As per your instructions, Tanaji and Pilajirao were guarding Sangameshwar. One night as they were sleeping peacefully, Jaswantrao of Palvan and the Surves of Shringarpur attacked the cantonment. A battle ensued for three hours. Tanaji fought bravely and by dawn, the Surves had to run for their lives.’

  This was the same Surve who Raje had pardoned and asked to take care of Sangameshwar. He had taken good care, no doubt! Raje decided to go back to Sangameshwar.

  Tanaji got the news of Raje’s arrival and went to meet him. Shivaji was pleased by the way Tanaji and his men had repulsed the attack. He asked, ‘Tanaji, where is Pilajirao? I can’t see him.’

  Tanaji smiled. ‘Raje, I have tied him to a boulder! He was running away scared and I had no option but to hold him.’

  Everyone laughed, but Raje did not join in. He said, ‘Bring Pilajirao here.’

  Pilajirao came in, his head bent with shame. Pilaji was from the Nilkanthrao family of Purandar, who had been associated with Raje ever since he had taken over Purandar.

  Pilajirao bent in mujra and Raje patted his back and said, ‘Pilajirao, there is no need to feel ashamed. It is quite normal to feel fear when one faces the enemy for the first time. When I killed Afzal and returned to the camp, I was still shaking with fear. Tanaji, let there be one more opportunity and you will see how Pilaji fights like a tiger. I am sure of this.’

  Changing the topic, he asked, ‘Where is Surve now?’

  ‘He is at Shringarpur. Raje, we did not have your orders or I would have already taught him a lesson.’

  ‘Tanaji, we can do that any day. But the Surves and Sawants are our people. We need to give them an opportunity to reform themselves.’

  ‘They have been given enough opportunities but look at the way they have shown their loyalty!’

  ‘Have patience, Tanaji.’

  Raje sent his messenger to Surves with the message, ‘Suryarao, I am deeply hurt that you have attacked the cantonment without provocation. This behaviour is unpardonable, but I am letting it go. You have also given shelter to Jaswantrao who betrayed us. I am planning to capture his territory. I ask you to meet me at Pali the moment you get this message. All will be pardoned then.’

  Shivaji had sent the note with the best intentions because he was keen to get Surve on his side. Surve sent a reply saying, ‘You go ahead and I will join you.’

  Shivaji marched to Pali and his troops captured Pali without any opposition. The fort of Chitradurg was renamed Mandangad. Pali was taken over but there was no news of Suryarao yet.

  Shivaji lost his patience and said, ‘Surve is getting too big for his boots!’

  Tanaji agreed and exclaimed, ‘You are absolutely right! There is no point in being nice to them. They need to be treated like cattle. What about Jaswantrao?’

  Raje smiled and said, ‘Jaswantrao? When the Surves are taken care of, where is the question of Jaswantrao surviving? Tanaji, let me tell you an old fable from the Puranas: Takshaka, the snake king thought he could hide behind Indra when Janamejaya was performing the sarpa yagna. He did not realize that Janamajeya would give orders to burn Takshaka to ashes along with Indra. Jaswantrao and his Indra, Surve, are both going to face the same fate!’

  It was summer and the Konkan region was boiling in the humid heat. Raje and his troops marched towards Prabhavali without any resistance on the way. Once Raje moved towards Pali, Surve thought that his troubles were over. He disbanded his troops and was at ease. However, he soon received the news of Shivaji’s march towards them and both Jaswantrao and Surve lost their nerve. They took their personal belongings and ran away from Shringarpur.

  On hearing of their escape, Shivaji exclaimed, ‘Cowards!’

  He entered Shringarpur and reached the palace, marching through
empty streets. The troops took charge of the palace and Shivaji kicked the throne lying vacant in the durbar hall in disgust and said, ‘That coward Surve does not need this anymore.’

  Trayambak Bhaskar was put in charge of the town and Shivaji left for Rajgad.

  #

  Shivaji was surprised to find Soyarabai in his chamber early in the morning.

  ‘Maa saheb is waiting for you,’ she said. Shivaji came to Maa saheb’s chamber to find her drowned in anxiety. She said, ‘A short while ago I got the news of Mankoji being taken seriously ill.

  Shivaji said, ‘I met him the day before. Yes, he did seem very tired.’

  ‘He is not getting any younger and this rainy weather adds to his woes,’ Jijabai added.

  Shivaji went to Shivapur with Moropant and Mankoji was indeed looking weak. He held Shivaji’s hand tightly and said, ‘Raje, Khan’s atrocities have increased greatly. We need to contain him.’

  Shivaji was overwhelmed with emotions. Mankoji, despite his bad health, was worried about the Swaraj! He said, ‘You get well first, Mankoji. We can care about these things later.’

  ‘I don’t think I will get better now. My age is catching up fast.’

  ‘Don’t talk like that! If people like you don’t bless me, how will I accomplish my tasks? I need you with me!’

  ‘Maharaj, I am quite confident of your capability but not of my own now. I am blessed by your visit. Please give my regards to Maa saheb.’

  After giving instructions to the attending physician, Shivaji returned to the palace with a heavy heart.

  Kanhoji had died long back. There were doubts about Mankoji’s health. Dadoji, Kanhoji, Mankoji: they were Raje’s three strong pillars. He wondered how he would manage without any of them.

  Raje was lost in these thoughts as he reached the Devi temple, where he found Moropant waiting for him accompanied by a fair-skinned stranger. He was a man in his early thirties, sporting diamond studs in his ears. The man bent in mujra on seeing Shivaji.

  ‘Moropant, do I know this man?’

  Moropant replied respectfully, ‘This is Kulkarni from the Mosa valley. He desires to have an appointment with you.’

  Shivaji asked, ‘Why do you want to meet me?’

  Kulkarni folded his hands and said, ‘Maharaj, I am unable to run my household. We are three brothers but none are married as we do not have any money. We are Brahmins and hence cannot beg. I was hoping that you could give me a job in your office—it would be a great obligation on my family. You will be blessed for having helped a poor Brahmin.’

  Raje listened to the youth without interrupting and said, ‘You are a Kulkarni, isn’t it? What happened to your pay from the royal treasury?’

  The Kulkarnis were part of the administration and were given hereditary rights over the part of revenue they collected on behalf of the Swaraj. Their duties were to collect revenue, levies and taxes from the area given to them and credit the same to the royal treasury. To protect their respective areas they would also maintain a small troop of soldiers. The income, mostly extracted from agricultural land or area given to them as a vatan, was offered towards their remuneration.

  The youth was scared the moment he heard the question. He said, ‘Maharaj, I do not have a complaint against anyone. I have got what I deserved. I just wish to serve under you.’

  ‘What happened to your vatandari?’ Shivaji’s voice was stern now. ‘Answer me without hesitation!’

  Kulkarni took a deep breath and said, ‘Maharaj, while it is true that we are Kulkarnis, the debts taken by my father are a burden on us. The interest is so high that we had to pledge our Kulkarni and Joshi titles and our pay to the moneylenders. We are homeless today thanks to the debt.’

  Raje smiled. He said, staring at the youth, ‘It is quite an ironic mix of the moneylender’s grip and your family’s casual attitude. Who is this shrewd moneylender of yours?’

  Kulkarni was afraid of that precise question. He knew that he could not avoid it and said, ‘Maharaj, I don’t hold a grudge against anyone.’

  Raje said, his voice rising, ‘Tell me the name of the sahukar.’

  Kulkarni had no option but to divulge the name, ‘He is your Peshwa, Shamrao Nilkanth. He has the lien over my title.’

  Raje was taken aback on hearing the Peshwa’s name. He looked at Moropant but saw him looking down, avoiding his gaze. Raje said to Moropant, ‘Meet me privately.’

  That evening, when Moropant presented himself, Shivaji said, ‘Moropant, look into this matter and get to the bottom of it. But do it discreetly.’

  Shivaji was upset for the next four or five days. Jijabai was quick to notice and asked, ‘Why do you seem so preoccupied?’

  ‘Maa saheb, you know how much I hate this vatandari system. I am trying desperately to abolish it and let the people live in peace. And now I find that my own men are enjoying the old system. What should I do?’

  ‘If the accusations are true, you cannot have such men serve under you,’ Jijabai said, without a moment of hesitation.

  Raje turned to look at Jijabai. He was smiling.

  ‘Maa saheb, I am always happy when I talk to you about my problems.’

  Within a few days, Moropant reported back. Raje called an emergency meeting and in the evening, the Peshwa, Amatya, Dabir and other officials came in. Netaji and Yesaji Kank too were invited. Everyone was wondering why Raje had called for such an urgent meeting and they were waiting for Raje to arrive.

  However, Shamrao Nilkanth Peshwa seemed distinctly uncomfortable. He knew something was amiss. He had just returned from a campaign at Janjira where he had been routed badly by Siddi Khairyat.

  Shivaji came into the durbar looking grim. He said, ‘This meeting is in honour of our Peshwa Shamraopant.’

  Everyone turned towards Shamraopant.

  He said, adjusting his coat, ‘Maharaj, you called for the meeting for me?’

  ‘Yes! You know how to manage money and are an old hand at it. When I have a doubt who else should I reach out for?’

  Shamraopant did not know how to respond and kept quiet.

  ‘I hate this vatandari system. I am trying my best to eliminate it and here you are, encouraging it?’

  Shamraopant recoiled in fear. He said, desperately trying to defend himself, ‘Maharaj, you are mistaken. Someone seems to have complained falsely against me.’

  ‘Shamraopant, don’t lie to me. I know that you had your eyes on the Kulkarnis of Mosa valley. Is it not true that you used your position as Peshwa to usurp and take charge of the rights there?’

  Shamraopant pleaded, ‘Maharaj, have mercy! I beg of you to pardon me and give me another chance. I am returning the vatandari right away.’

  ‘Do you have a choice? Shamraopant, you returned from the Janjira campaign defeated by the enemy. I never said anything. You were trapped by Siddi’s words and were captured. You managed to escape on the promise that you would not step into that territory again. That too I am willing to pardon. There are times when one has to deal with such situations. But this crime is unpardonable.’

  ‘Maharaj!’ Shamraopant beseeched.

  Raje stared at Shamraopant, who looked despondent. He said, ‘Shamraopant, you are our Peshwa. I am not Lord Indra and do not have a thousand eyes. I see through your eyes. I trust you to manage the affairs of the kingdom. But if you start behaving in a manner not befitting your post, then you have no option but to step away from such responsibilities. I don’t think our people would be safe under your administration. I have decided to take away the responsibility with immediate effect.’

  The bold decision was a surprise to everyone. Shamraopant looked up and said, a little agitated, ‘Maharaj, I would request you to relieve me of office duties as well.’

  Raje was unperturbed and said, ‘Shamraopant, don’t think you can use such pressure tactics. If you cannot manage the office affairs, that is your choice. Are you trying to embarrass me? I’d recommend you think twice—it will be impossible to get your office d
uties back once you give up your post.’

  Shamraopant came to his senses and said, ‘Maharaj, I am sorry. I made a mistake. I take back my words. Please pardon me.’

  ‘I am appointing Narhari Anandrao as the Peshwa in place of Shamraopant. And Anandrao’s position will be taken by Annaji Dattto. Shamraopant, you have been our Peshwa since the beginning. Taking that into consideration and in order to avoid a stain on your career as the Peshwa, your seal will be used de facto, but Narhari Anandrao will be the Peshwa de jure.’

  Raje appointed Narhari Anandrao and Annaji Datto to their respective roles. The ceremony was carried out with an additional prerequisite of having a personal palanquin.

  #

  The news of Mankoji Dahatonde’s death was indeed sad. Shivaji had grown up with Mankoji because this affectionate man had been the Senapati from the beginning. Shivaji instructed that Mankoji’s last rites be performed in a manner befitting his status.

  Shaista Khan had been sitting on his plans because of the rains but Raje knew that he could not relax. Shaista Khan was disgusted with the small and irritating attacks by the Marathas across the state. The defeat of Kahar Talab Khan too rankled in his mind. He sent his sardar Namdar Khan to attack Kalyan–Bhiwandi.

  The moment Shivaji heard the news, he marched forward with Krishnaji Babaji and Vaghoji Tupe. He met Khan at the ridge near Pen and the sudden attack made Khan’s troops run for their lives. But Krishnaji was killed in battle while Tupe was wounded, forcing the Marathas to retreat. Shivaji knew that though there was no clear victory, the enemy had been greatly demoralized and intimidated which, for the time being, was a moderate success in itself.

  The constant presence of the Mughals was a disturbance to the ryots, who were losing their cattle and sheep by the dozen. Within no time, people began migrating to the Konkan region for fear of losing their lives. Shivaji’s heart wrenched at the thought of people moving away from their homes and land, and he could not sit by and merely watch. He was desperate to find a way to rout Khan.