Shivaji

by Ranjit Desai

  Manohari came out running. Seeing Raje, she stepped to one side while Raje moved straight into the quarters. Jijabai stood near her bed while Manohari was busy lighting the lamps. Hearing Raje shouting in the middle of the night was enough to send a shiver down Jijabai’s spine. Sweat broke out on her forehead. She asked him, ‘Raje, what happened?’

  ‘Water … please!’

  Manohari poured water into a tumbler. Raje touched it to his lips and drained it in few quick gulps.

  ‘Maa saheb!’

  ‘Shivba! Did you dream of something?’

  ‘It was not a dream, Maa saheb!’ Raje tried to explain. ‘I was lying down when I woke to find the entire palace lit up. I wasn’t sure whether I was awake or dreaming. Jagdamba stood there and her voice seemed to be coming from somewhere deep within. I can remember her words clearly.’

  ‘What did you hear, Shivba?’ Jijabai asked, eager to hear the Goddess’s words.

  ‘Mata was telling me …’ Raje said, his eyes wide and fists clenched. ‘My son, these are tough times. You cannot kill Jai Singh, but you need not worry. I will take care of your troubles—it is my responsibility. I have not handed over the kingdom to you for one generation. It is to be taken care of for the next twenty-seven generations. I will find a way to take care of you.’

  Raje let out a deep sigh. ‘That is what I heard. And there was no one else in the room, except for the sound of lightning and thunder.’

  Jijabai looked perplexed, ‘Lightning and thunder? What are you talking about?’

  Raje looked at her confused.

  ‘It is silent everywhere. Even the curtains are still. There has been no wind or thunderstorm.’

  Raje said, ‘Maybe it was a dream then. I suppose I just imagined it.’

  Jijabai couldn’t contain her emotions. She said, her voice quivering, ‘Raje, you have been lucky enough to be granted darshan of the Goddess. You have been assured of victory by Jagdamba personally. Now go and get some rest.’

  Raje returned to his quarters lost in thought. The night was still, and there was no sign of any wind. He was feeling relieved. He soon dozed off into a deep sleep.

  #

  It was late in the evening when Mirza Raja sat playing chess in a tent especially set up for the game. A gust of cool air passed through the tent. Mirza Raja’s opponent was lost deep in thought, toying with a pawn in his hand. After a while, he smiled and said, ‘Raja saheb, you won. I lost!’

  Mirza Raja laughed aloud and Manucci, his opponent, stood up to leave. He bent to take permission and left the tent. Mirza Raja stepped out to see torches burning in the cantonment. He slipped on his shoes and walked towards his shamiana. Two Siddi soldiers walked behind, spears in their hands. As he was about to reach, he spotted someone running in the darkness towards his tent. Mirza Raja shouted, ‘Catch him alive!’

  Within seconds, the intruder was arrested. Mirza Raja instructed the guards, ‘Bring him inside. And don’t allow anyone else in. Understood?’

  Mirza Raja was taken aback by the sudden attack but he managed to mask his emotions. He entered his shamiana and looked at the daring intruder who had planned to kill him. A guard removed the cloth covering his face. Seeing his face, Mirza Raja exclaimed, ‘Didn’t you accompany Shivaji’s messenger?’

  Kudtoji was silent. Mirza Raja indicated to the guards to leave the tent. Kudtoji looked around nervously. Mirza Raja said, ‘What would you have achieved by killing me?’

  Kudtoji licked his lips before answering. He was feeling a little relaxed now. He said, ‘Saheb, I had come here to do my job. But it seems the Lord favours you—you would not have survived otherwise.’

  Mirza Raja smiled, ‘I am aware of His mercy, or I would not have been able to defeat Shivaji.’

  ‘The victory is still far away.’

  ‘Not at all. In fact, it is within reach. Otherwise people like you, who love your Raje so much, would not have dared to attempt something so foolish.’

  Kudtoji wondered how Mirza Raja had guessed that. He did not answer.

  Mirza Raja laughed out loud and said, ‘Are you surprised? It seems you have not understood your Raje yet. He would not have tried something so foolish. Had he planned it, I would not have been alive. Remember Afzal and Shaista Khan? I am impressed at your boldness and I would like you to join me. Name your price.’

  ‘I would rather sacrifice my life instead.’

  ‘I knew you would say this! You are free to go now. Do you have a horse?’

  ‘No.’

  Mirza Raja clapped twice. A servant came in and he was instructed to arrange a horse for Kudtoji. Mirza Raja placed his hand on Kudtoji’s shoulder and said, ‘Don’t be afraid. We will not betray you. My men will accompany you out of the cantonment. The horse is a gift to you. Tell your Shivaji Raje that I am never for a moment relaxed when I am in enemy territory. It would be easier if Raje had come himself. Ask him to meet me before it is too late.’

  Kudtoji was impressed with Raja Jai Singh’s personality and his behaviour. He bent in mujra and left the cantonment.

  Mirza Raja sat in his shamiana enjoying wine when Kirat Singh entered. He asked, ‘I heard that you were attacked?’

  ‘Who can dare to attack me?’

  ‘Who was in your tent then?’

  ‘You don’t have the liberty to question me; nevertheless, I will tell you. Shivaji’s key aide Gujar had come to meet me. I expect reconciliation soon.’

  ‘I too have good news for you. Diler Khan has captured Vajragad. I will take your leave now.’ He turned and left.

  Mirza Raja leaned back on a pillow, satisfied. Events were panning out well.

  #

  Kudtoji Gujar stood facing Shivaji. Raje could not believe the events he had narrated. Kudtoji recounted, ‘Mirza Raja behaved with grace and also gifted me a horse. He is a large-hearted man.’

  Raje smiled. ‘Kudtoji, I am happy that you were able to return unharmed. But I was worried sick. I am certain your rash behaviour is going to cause me agony sometime in the future. You need to manage your emotions better. How are the conditions in Mirza Raja’s camp?’

  ‘They are confident of their victory.’

  Raje let out a deep sigh. Kudtoji bent down to take Raje’s leave when he said, ‘Wait, Kudtoji.’

  Raje acknowledged Kudtoji’s actions by giving him the traditional dress and sword to him as a mark of honour. ‘Kudtoji, I am now going to call you Prataprao. It suits your personality!’

  Prataprao bent down in mujra. He was now Prataprao Gujar. He turned around to leave when Tanaji entered. ‘Maharaj, we have had another blow! We have lost Vajragad!’

  Raje was stunned at the news. Vajragad was like a twin to Purandar, which was now within striking distance for the enemy. They were confident that the fort would sustain the enemy attack for a year but the enemy had managed the feat within mere thirteen days.

  Raje said, ‘Our worst fears have come true.’

  At night, Raje sat in his quarters brooding over the matter when Jijabai entered. He got up, and said, ‘You could have sent for me. I would have—’

  ‘The lamps were lit long time ago. When I asked Soyara where you were, she said you were alone in your quarters. Is it true that we lost Vajragad?’

  ‘Yes, and I don’t think we can manage to hold on to Purandar either. Maa saheb, I have decided that we should negotiate with Jai Singh.’

  ‘But Mirza Raja has asked for unconditional surrender, hasn’t he?’

  ‘I will try to not let it reach that state but I cannot be sure. If we manage to reach a treaty before we give up Purandar, we will regain some manner of control. If we lose Purandar, we will be at his mercy.’

  ‘Shivba! What sort of trying times are these?’

  ‘Maa saheb, don’t lose hope yet. I have been blessed by Jagdamba Herself. Whenever troubles have reached their peak, we always find a way out. Purandar is still safe, and Murarbaji will not give up so easily!’

  ‘Whom do you plan to send for
the negotiations?’

  ‘We have to be cautious. Let me try some other trick. Let us see if that works.’

  Raje sent his trusted spy Karmaji with another letter to Mirza Raja. The letter said, ‘… the emperor stands to gain much from me. I am, after all, a servant of the Badshah. Instead of wasting your time in this rocky and barren Konkan region, I would suggest you focus your energies on targeting Adil Shah. I am willing to help you in your efforts.’

  Raje’s attempt was to divert the Mughal army to Bijapur. He waited for Jai Singh’s answer eagerly. The spy soon returned with the letter. Raje asked Raghunathpant to read it aloud.

  ‘The Badshah’s army, huge and innumerable as the stars in the sky, has been deployed specifically to defeat you. Don’t be smug and bank on your rocky and hilly terrain. Our foot soldiers and cavalry will smother this terrain into flat land. If you are worried for your life, you will be willing to work as a servant of the emperor. If you accept that your men should be happy too, give up these forts. If you don’t, the results will be disastrous and you have only yourself to blame.’

  Raje was stunned by the reply. Many letters and replies were exchanged but Mirza Raja was unwilling to negotiate. Raje was not worried about Purandar. Tanaji was guarding it with three hundred of his key men. He had only one hope left—nature would soon bring the monsoon.

  The loot continued in Raje’s territories, adding to his woes. Purandar continued to be battered each day. Raje sent a word that he was willing to send his commander and his son for discussions but Mirza Raja was not willing to speak to anyone but Raje himself. He warned Ranghunathpant, ‘I have no right to sign a treaty. But if Shivaji is willing to come and stand before me and accept his crimes, I may be able to send a recommendation for his pardon.’

  Raje sent word that he would meet Jai Singh in person. Mirza Raja was overjoyed, and he promised Raghunathpant that no harm would come to Raje. The date for the meeting was fixed. Mirza Raja summoned Diler Khan and explained the situation to him. Diler Khan was annoyed that he had not been consulted. He was further surprised when Mirza Raja instructed that they withdraw their troops from Purandar. He erupted with anger, ‘Mirza saheb, we have worked hard to surround the fort and you are asking us to withdraw at the last moment? We will capture it another few days.’

  ‘You have been saying this for quite some time now. Even if it were possible, I don’t want it.’

  ‘Why so?’

  ‘Shivaji Raje wants to surrender before he loses Purandar. His dream is still intact. If he loses Purandar, he may not be willing to surrender. He will go wild with anger and we will lose a golden opportunity.’

  ‘Raja saheb, you are right but …’

  ‘Silence! Diler Khan, you have spent many days trying to capture the fort. It is going to start raining soon. We can fight against men but not against nature, and I am not willing to risk it. If we are able to negotiate the surrender, well and good. If not, you are free to pursue your line of action. So let us withdraw from Purandar till we conclude our negotiations with Shivaji.’

  Diler Khan left seething inside but he did not have the courage to argue or show his anger. He had no choice but to agree to Mirza Raja’s command. In the meanwhile, Mirza Raja eagerly waited for the meeting with Shivaji.

  #

  The mrigashira nakshatra had set in but there was no sign of the rains; nor had the cool westerly winds begun to blow. The western sky was filled with dark clouds making the air humid.

  Raje had returned to Rajgad and after a month of prolonged negotiations, the meeting was fixed for the ninth day of the Ashad month. Raje became increasingly restless as it approached. He was not sure of the outcome. He decided to move Jijabai and Soyarabai to the safety of Kondana.

  Jijabai asked, ‘Why are we moving now?’

  ‘Maa saheb, when we get down to negotiating, the possession of Kondana will surely come up. I will have an excuse to deflect if you are there. Shambhu will stay at Rajgad and you move to Kondana. It is not a good idea to have the entire family in one place.’

  ‘Raje, I am not comfortable about your meeting with Mirza Raja.’

  ‘What are you worried about?’

  ‘I hope he will not betray us.’

  Raje looked directly into her eyes and said, ‘Maa saheb, you need not worry. He is a Rajput and will live up to his word. When Diler Khan captured Vajragad and presented the captured soldiers to Mirza Raja, he could have killed them as per tradition. Instead, he ordered their release, and without punishing them either!’

  ‘He seems to be a large-hearted man.’

  ‘That was a political move though.’

  ‘Political?’

  ‘Yes,’ Raje said, ‘it was his way of making us aware of his large-heartedness. I am sure Mirza Raja will take care of me but Diler Khan is a rascal and a traitor. I cannot be sure what he will be up to.’

  The next day, Raje made arrangements for Jijabai and Soyarabai to move to Kondana. He sent out instructions to each fort and gave detailed instructions to Moropant, Annaji Datto, Prataprao Gujar, Yesaji and Manaji. He selected Anandrao, Nirajipant, Nagoji Farzand, Bahariji Farzand, Krishna Joshi and Vishwasrao to accompany him. Mahadev, his personal bodyguard, was ready as always. Raje left the fort as per plan to meet Mirza Raja.

  #

  Mirza Raja sat in the shamiana specially constructed for the meeting with Shivaji. Two lovely embroidered seats were prominently visible in the tent. Handcrafted hookahs were kept alongside the seats. Incense sticks were lit in a golden incense burner. Rugs decorated the floor and the golden shamiana seemed ready to receive its royal guest. Mirza Raja had personally supervised the decoration. A few Rajput soldiers, with traditional turbans and their long beards split in the middle, flowing down to both sides of the chest, had been selected to stand guard. Each held a naked shamsher sword in his hand. Ugrasen Kachwaha was responsible for the entire arrangement. The Siddi soldiers guarded the shamiana on the outside. Any unknown person anywhere near the tent would be thoroughly questioned and searched.

  Mirza Raja sat there thinking. He wore a saffron turban and an embroidered blue kurta and a churidar completed the attire. A navaratna necklace hung around his neck. His white hair added to the grace of his sixty years. His long sharp nose, thin lips and bright eyes enhanced his personality. A saffron tilak adorned his face. He came out of his reverie on hearing the sound of the cannons. He turned towards Ugrasen Kachwaha and asked, ‘Has Diler Khan commenced his attack?’

  ‘Yes, as per your orders, sir.’

  ‘After all, Shivaji Raje needs to be welcomed in style!’

  Ugrasen smiled, and Mirza Raja was satisfied. The cannons boomed loudly as Diler Khan continued his assault on Purandar. The sun had risen high in the sky when a messenger brought the news, ‘Huzoor, we have managed to make a breach near one of the gates of the fort.’

  ‘Good! Continue the assault.’

  Mirza Raja took a long drag from his hookah, lost in thought once again. Udayraj Munshi and Ugrasen waited in attendance outside the shamiana. Soon, Jani Baig came in and said, ‘Shivaji is within sight of the cantonment.’

  ‘Who is accompanying him?’

  ‘I don’t see too many men. A few are carrying his palkhi and there are five or six guards at the most.’

  Mirza Raja asked Udayraj and Ugrasen to receive Shivaji and instructed them, ‘Please allow Shivaji Raje to proceed only if he is willing to surrender unconditionally without any weapons. Else, he may return. If he is agreeable to terms, let him proceed towards the shamiana.’

  Mirza Raja prowled restlessly inside the tent. Kuchwaha returned soon and reported, ‘Shivaji is coming in.’

  ‘Where is he?’

  ‘He must be just outside the tent now.’

  Mirza Raja stepped out to see Shivaji walking towards him with his hands folded and covered by a white shawl. Forgetting protocol, Mirza Raja stepped forward. He was surprised to find Shivaji had a faint smile playing on his lips. He removed the white shawl co
vering his hands and asked, ‘Raje, what is this?’

  Shivaji answered, ‘Mirza Raja, you set a condition of complete and unconditional surrender. I am just following your instructions. I would have no hesitation in meeting a respected Rajput like you with my hands folded or even down on my knees.’

  Mirza Raja did not allow Shivaji Raje to speak further. He engulfed him in an embrace. When Shivaji Raje extricated himself from the bear hug, Mirza Raja said, holding his hands, ‘You have managed to keep the Delhi sultanate at bay with a lot of earnestness. You must show the same eagerness to now work for the durbar. Come, let us go in.’

  Shivaji Raje stepped into the shamiana. Anandrao stood outside waiting with Raje’s shoes. Mirza Raja escorted Shivaji to his seat and then sat down opposite him. Shivaji sat there comfortably, and returned his stare without blinking.

  Shivaji looked regal in his white turban enhanced with pearls. The lovely diamonds in his earrings gave off a light blue tint as they shook slightly. His thick beard and the tilak between his eyebrows added to his charming personality. He was about thirty-five years old but the luminescence of youth shone brightly. He wore a white embroidered angarkha and a saffron shawl was tied around his waist. He was not carrying any weapons and he wore tight trousers like narrow pyjamas. Many thoughts raced through Mirza Raja’s mind as he observed Shivaji Raje.

  This was the same Shivaji who killed Afzal! He had the courage to enter Shaista Khan’s room and attack him. He challenged the supremacy of the Mughal emperor who had routed both the Nizam and Adil Shah. He is capable of making the emperor in Delhi lose sleep.

  Mirza Raja had met many people who were arrogant in their victory, but he was meeting a person with the courage to look him in the eye even while he surrendered for the first time. He smiled and said, ‘Raja saheb, I have been waiting for you. It was nice of you to come, but I don’t see Gujar around. Quite a daredevil he is, isn’t he?’

  ‘Courage is praiseworthy if it leads to a result,’ Shivaji replied.

  ‘That was bad luck, was it?’

  Raje continued to smile. ‘Everything is fair in politics. Who knows, I may be the next victim yet?’