Shivaji

‘Shivba!’

  ‘It’s not just that, Maa saheb! He will be in Mirza Raja’s custody till we implement the treaty in full.’

  ‘Raje!’

  ‘I had no choice. I have not come across a seasoned politician as Mirza Raja Jai Singh—this is his style. I know that he had used the same tactics when he made the kings of Ranagar Peth and Chotiya surrender.’

  ‘Raje, what are we left with now?’ wailed Jijabai.

  ‘Nothing but patience.’

  Jijabai was in tears and Shivaji hurriedly continued, ‘Maa saheb, please don’t cry. I am so tired and unable to bear the tears in your eyes. We need to vacate the fort and move to Rajgad immediately.’

  Shivaji turned to return to his quarters. There was activity everywhere with palanquins being readied. Everyone was rushing around but there was not a sound to be heard. The preparations were complete before sundown. Jijabai sat in her palanquin and they began their journey down the hill. Raje walked along her palanquin, followed by Kirat Singh. Raje was about to step into his palanquin when Kirat Singh bent low in mujra.

  Raje returned the mujra and said, ‘Kirat Singh, we will be meeting often now. There is no need to salute with a mujra. Let Mirza Raja know that we have handed over Kondana.’

  Raje’s palanquin reached the main exit door when Raje looked up to see the saffron flag fluttering. Kirat Singh said, ‘Raje, your flag is still flying on the fort. With your permission, may I remove it?’

  ‘Thank you for reminding me, Kirat Singh. I will order its removal right away.’

  Shivaji climbed up the steps. The saffron flag fluttered in the wind. Shivaji bent in mujra for a final salute to the flag as tears flowed down his cheeks. He untied the knot and the flag slithered down to the ground. He folded the flag neatly and carried it back.

  Shivaji turned around to find Kirat Singh standing there with his head bent. Shivaji quickly wiped his tears and got down the steps. The palanquin moved as soon as he stepped in. Shivaji sat there holding on to the flag as he looked down at the floor.

  #

  It was nightfall by the time they reached Rajgad. Raje stopped in his tracks seeing Putlabai standing there to welcome him traditionally with a tray and lamp.

  Putlabai stepped forward when Raje said, ‘Putlabai, wait!’

  She was surprised to see Raje’s expression and her hands shivered as she held the tray.

  ‘Rani saheb, there is no greater insult that welcoming a defeated husband.’

  Raje pushed the tray away before she could say anything and walked to his quarters. The sound of the doors being closed followed by the loud noise of the bolt locking the door reverberated in the fort. There was silence everywhere. Moropant, Kachwaha and others in the next courtyard were awake talking among themselves. The rest of the fort was silent.

  It was dawn but Jijabai continued lying on her bed. She did not feel like getting up. Her head throbbed. She opened her eyes to see Sambhaji standing there.

  He said, ‘Maa saheb, are you not feeling well?’

  Jijabai could not hold back her tears at seeing Shambhu. She hugged him tightly and starting sobbing. The eight-year-old was terrified and asked, ‘Maa saheb, what happened? Why are you crying?’

  Jijabai wiped her tears and said, ‘It was just that I have not seen you for a few days. I am fine now. Go and play!’

  The day progressed and it was noon when Manohari came with Putlabai carrying Maa saheb’s lunch. Jijabai said, ‘My dear, I am not hungry. I am not feeling well.’

  Putlabai covered her face with her pallu when Jijabai asked, a little worried, ‘What happened, Putla? Is everything all right?’

  ‘Maa saheb, what should I do? The door to Raje’s quarters is still closed. No one is able to eat. No one speaks anything or tells me anything.’

  ‘Maharaj has not opened his door yet?’

  Both of them nodded. Soyarabai entered the room and Jijabai asked, ‘Soyara, is it true that the doors to his quarters are still closed?’

  ‘Yes.’

  ‘Then why are we sitting here?’

  Soyarabai erupted, ‘What are we supposed to do? When I call, I don’t get any response.’ She left fuming with anger.

  Jijabai said, getting up with effort, ‘Why didn’t you send for me if you were unable to do something?’

  She went and stood near the door to Raje’s quarters but could not get herself to shout. She steeled herself for a moment and then said, ‘Shivba! Open the door, it is me. Open the door.’

  A few moments passed. She could hear footsteps and then the bolt moved. But the door did not open. Jijabai stepped forward and pushed the door. She stopped dead in her tracks.

  Raje stood with his back to the door. His hair was dishevelled and his hands were clasped behind the back, his fists clenched.

  Jijabai exclaimed, ‘Raje!’

  She heard his gruff voice say, ‘Maa saheb, please leave me alone. Your Shivba is not here. Nor is your Raje. They both were sacrificed at the altar of Mirza Raja yesterday.’

  ‘Shivba!’

  ‘Maa saheb, please leave me be. I am not sure whether I should live or die. I feel that death would be more acceptable.’

  Jijabai’s heart broke listening to Raje but she wiped away her tears. She spoke with an edge in her voice, ‘Raje, if you are so fond of death, why did you involve me in your pursuits?’

  Raje unclasped his hands and slowly turned around. Jijabai was shocked to see the state in which Raje was. His eyes looked dull and the glow on his face was gone. Raje looked at her and said, ‘Maa saheb, when have I involved you?’

  ‘You might have forgotten Raje, but I cannot. When your father left us, I was prepared to accompany him but you stopped me. You fell at my feet and said, “Maa saheb, don’t leave me. I need someone to be proud of my exploits. I am bound by my oath to establish the Swaraj.” Have you forgotten that, Raje? If you don’t believe in your oaths, then you should not have taken one. Did you make me stay back to see this day?’

  ‘No, Maa saheb!’ Raje’s lips were trembling as he spoke. ‘I nursed many dreams and I hoped I would be able to establish my Swaraj with your blessings. Was that a crime? I was dreaming of the Hindavi Swaraj and now, I am reduced to being a slave to the Mughals. The forts which I captured without caring for my life, and rebuilt with my own hands, are now in possession of the Mughals. I managed to get people to work on barren lands and made them prosperous. I have now handed over my own son, my flesh and blood, to the Badshah. Maa saheb, my dreams are shattered. My identity is no more! Why should I then live?’

  Jijabai’s face was hard. She could not bear to see Raje’s fragility. She said, looking directly into his eyes, ‘Raje, you are telling me stories of tragedy and loss? Your father left me when I was seven months pregnant. You were born in an unknown land in someone else’s house. My elder son was with my husband. I was alone with no support. How did I live?’

  ‘You were just six years old. I stayed in the barren fort of Pune holding your hand. I was the landlady of a barren village! But did I get scared? Raje, the Pandavas had to bear fourteen years of exile. Even Lord Ram had to go through this. If the gods had to endure hardship, who are you and me to question our fate? People who are scared of troubles cannot dream of creating the Lord’s Swaraj, Raje!’

  ‘Maa saheb!’

  ‘Don’t say a word! You don’t feel like living, do you? Prefer death to living? If you feel this way, then pick up your sword and march over to Mirza Raja right now. Listen to me! I am willing to see you being sacrificed on the battlefield but Raje …’ Jijabai faltered for a moment. She continued, her words laced with sarcasm, ‘But Raje, I cannot bear the blemish of giving birth to a coward. I am leaving now. Raje, I don’t want to see your face. You may do whatever comes to your mind.’

  She turned and started walking away with slow, heavy steps.

  Raje ran and fell at Jijabai’s feet. He said, clutching her feet, ‘Maa saheb, please! The world may be against me but you can never leave me. I made a
mistake. I should have never said those words. Don’t punish me so harshly. Please forget whatever I said. I promise you, I won’t forget the oath I took. I …’ Raje stopped, fumbling for words.

  Jijabai bent down, her hands shivering. Tears flowed down her cheeks. She lifted Raje up and said, ‘Shivba! My dear son!’

  And for a time, they were lost in each other’s embrace, and their tears continued to flow.

  That evening, Raje came into the meeting room and enquired about Ugrasen Kachwaha. Everyone felt relieved seeing him smile once more. He went to Jijabai’s quarters and said, ‘Maa saheb, I will retire for the night now.’

  ‘Is it true that Shambhu will be leaving tomorrow?’

  ‘Yes, but you need not worry. I have Mirza Raja’s word on his safety.’

  ‘Who is accompanying him?’

  ‘I am sending Netaji along with him.’

  Raje went to his quarters for the night. The next morning, he sat in his room alone. He had summoned Shambhu, who came in and asked, ‘What is it, Aba saheb?’

  ‘Bal Raje, I wanted to speak to you. You are not a child anymore. You need to take charge of some responsibilities for me. Are you ready?’

  ‘Yes,’ Shambhu Raje said, nodding his head innocently.

  Raje smiled. ‘See that you don’t go back on your word.’

  ‘Not at all. Tell me what I must do and I will do it.’

  Raje hugged and kissed him on his cheeks. He said, ‘Bal Raje, I have signed a treaty with Mirza Raja. Till the treaty is executed, you need to stay with him as Yuvraj.’

  Sambhaji Raje was a little scared and asked, ‘All alone?’

  Raje hesitated for a moment and said, avoiding his gaze, ‘A raja is alone most of the time. You must make a habit of it. So, will you agree to go?’

  ‘Yes.’

  ‘And one more thing, Bal Raje! When you leave, Maa saheb, your Aai saheb and others will be there to say goodbye. You should not cry then even if you feel like it. Remember, a Yuvraj does not cry!’

  Bal Raje stood up in attention, his chest swelling in pride and said, ‘Aba saheb, I will not cry.’

  ‘Well done, my son! Live with pride and honour in Mirza Raja’s house. You are going to be granted a panch-hazari mansab. Don’t demand anything of him, and you can address him as Aajoba. Your Netaji Kaka will be with you. Listen to him and do whatever he says. You may go now.’

  Bal Raje left the room. Raje closed his eyes but could not take away the image of Bal Raje. He couldn’t stop the thoughts from swirling in his head. He is such a young, innocent child. I am sending him as my guarantee for executing the treaty! What a shame! Is it his fault that he is the eldest and the Yuvraj? He is being used as a pawn in the chessboard of politics. Is that the meaning of being Yuvraj?

  I promised Sai that I would take care of him like a flower in one’s hand. I promised never to leave him alone and now I am teaching him to be alone and behave like an adult! Is that taking care of him? He is the living memory of my Sai. I hope that stays the same.

  Raje closed his eyes but could not hold back his tears.

  Mirza Raja has dealt us such a blow. The most difficult part of the treaty was the condition that Shambhu Raje had to be left with him. I wish I were an ordinary man and didn’t have to bear all of this. If the treaty is not executed for some reason, I hope he remains safe.

  The preparations for Sambhaji’s journey were made but Raje remained in his quarters. Sambhaji came to say goodbye and Shivaji felt suffocated seeing him at the door. A mere lad of nine! Will I see him ever again if God forbid the treaty were not executed as per plan?

  Sambhaji looked a Yuvraj in the true sense of the word. He wore a turban, an angarkha and trousers. A sword on one side, a shield on his back and a dagger completed his attire. He stood there, waiting for Raje.

  Raje stepped forward when Sambhaji bent and put his head on Raje’s feet. Shivaji’s hands shivered as he caressed his back. He managed to steady himself and said, ‘Remember what I told you!’

  Bal Raje nodded his head and left the room. Raje closed his eyes as the tears flowed down. The palanquin was ready in the courtyard. Netaji and others were standing around as Sambhaji sat in the palanquin. Everyone bent down in mujra and the procession moved forward. The cavalry followed on both sides while Netaji, Urgasen Kachwaha and a few others led the way. The palanquin disappeared within moments as it turned around the fort.

  Raje could not hold himself back as a whimper escaped him. He stood clutching the window grills, his head resting on the walls. He did not try to hold his tears back at all.

  #

  The western sky was filled with dense clouds while strong winds blew everywhere. There were clear signs of imminent rains. Mirza Raja had moved his camp to the Purandar Fort. It was late afternoon and he sat in his palace while Diler Khan, Udayraj Munshi and others were in attendance. Mirza Raja seemed pleased at the turn of events. He said, looking at Diler Khan, who seemed in a pensive mood, ‘Diler Khan, Shivaji has surrendered thanks to your courage.’

  ‘Yes, it would seem so,’ Diler Khan said.

  Mirza Raja was aware that Diler Khan was not very pleased with the treaty. Diler Khan was not convinced about Shivaji honouring the treaty.

  Mirza Raja said, ‘Khan saheb, believe me, if Shivaji joins us, it would improve the prestige of the Delhi durbar. I have left him with no choice. We have managed to get all the strong forts. The territory is under our control and to top it all, his young son Sambhaji is going to be with us till the treaty is executed.’

  ‘If only that happens …’ Diler Khan left his sentence incomplete.

  ‘It will happen that way. It has been agreed upon.’

  ‘There is a difference between agreement and execution, Raja saheb. I don’t trust this Shivaji for a moment!’

  Mirza Raja was uncomfortable with Diler Khan’s argument. At that moment, a messenger came in and announced, ‘Kirat Singh and Kachwaha have reached the base of the fort.’

  ‘What about Sambhaji Raje?’ Mirza Raja asked.

  ‘I have no information about him.’

  Diler Khan was smiling. He asked, ‘Rajaji, didn’t Kunwar Kirat Singh go to take charge of Kondana?’

  Mirza Raja nodded and Diler Khan continued, ‘It seems he has managed to take charge within a day itself. Why has he returned after taking charge?’

  Mirza Raja was nonplussed and had no answer. Diler Khan stopped smiling, seeing his face turn red with anger. Mirza Raja said, ‘I don’t have answers to your questions, Diler Khan. Let Kirat come and clear the confusion. And bear in mind that if Shivaji has changed his mind, I have enough power to rout him once more.’

  Mirza Raja sat thoughtfully as he sucked on his hookah. Diler Khan fidgeted about in his place waiting for Kirat.

  It was evening when Kirat Singh finally entered the palace. Mirza Raja was looking in admiration at the young lad who had accompanied Ugrasen Kachwaha.

  Sambhaji was busy observing the palace. He noticed Mirza Raja staring at him and looked questioningly at Ugrasen, who indicated with a slight nod. Sambhaji stepped forward stopping a few yards in front of Mirza Raja. He bent low in mujra.

  Mirza Raja smiled and said, ‘Welcome Sambhaji Raje! I have been waiting for you. Come sit near me.’

  Sambhaji Raje stepped forward and Mirza Raja affectionately made him sit close to him.

  Mirza Raja asked Kirat Singh, ‘Has Kondana not been vacated so far?’

  ‘It was handed over the moment we reached the fort. Raje made arrangements and they all left for Rajgad. The Mughal flag is flying high on the fort and is being managed by Shahid Khan.’

  Mirza Raja looked at Diler Khan who avoided his gaze. Mirza Raja asked Sambhaji Raje, ‘Will you stay with me here?’

  ‘I will stay with you here, Aajoba saheb!’ Sambhaji Raje answered.

  Surprised at being addressed thus, Mirza Raja asked, ‘Who told you to call me grandpa?’

  ‘My Aba saheb.’

  ‘Ugrasen,’ Mirza Raja
said, ‘Make arrangements for Sambhaji Raje in my quarters. He will stay with me.’

  Netaji Palkar stepped in at that moment and bent low in mujra. Mirza Raja looked at the man who had just entered. His personality was magnetic.

  Kirat Singh introduced him and said, ‘This is Netaji Palkar. He has come with Yuvraj.’

  Mirza Raja smiled, ‘Kirat, Shivaji’s men are smart, and don’t be fooled by their looks. He is not a guard. He is Shivaji’s commander. His exploits merit him to be called another Shivaji. After all, Shivaji would not send any ordinary person to accompany Yuvraj. Netaji, don’t you agree with me?’

  Netaji smiled politely but kept quiet.

  The lamps were being lit in the evening and seeing them Sambhaji Raje folded his hands in namaskar. He got up and touching Mirza Raja’s feet said, ‘Aajoba saheb, please give me your blessings.’

  Mirza Raja was charmed by the young boy’s manners and upbringing and hugged him affectionately.

  #

  The rains continued unabated. Rajgad was covered in clouds and mist every now and then. Streams of water flowed down the ramparts, giving the impression of many small waterfalls.

  Shivaji sat with all of his sardars and the assembly consisted of Moropant, Annaji, Anandrao, Tanaji, Yesaji and others. As per the treaty, most of the forts had been handed over in a period of less than two months. The sardars and other soldiers were now returning to Rajgad. The kingdom was gone but the army remained. Raje had managed to raise a huge army of trusted men and wondered how he would take care of them.

  Annaji Dattoji said, ‘Raje, we are left with twelve forts and a revenue of a lakh of hons. It is not possible to manage the entire territory and the army with such a small sum.’

  ‘So what do you suggest?’ Raje asked.

  ‘I suggest we reduce the army. After all, they are our men. They will return when called.’

  ‘How easily you suggest this!’ Raje commented, smiling wryly. ‘And that too for such an important issue. Ever since Shaista Khan captured our territory, people have lost their lives, their livelihood, their villages, but they haven’t lost their faith in us, and nor have they left us. I know they will come back when we call them but if we do this, how do we face them later? Annaji, we will never do this.’