by Ranjit Desai
‘Phaltan?’ Shivaji asked, a little surprised.
‘Yes. Isn’t it controlled by Adil Shah? Once we capture Tathwad and Phaltan, the road to Bijapur is clear.’
Shivaji agreed without allowing his emotions to show. He knew Diler Khan’s ploy. Shivaji’s daughter Sakhu was married to Mahadji of Phaltan and Shivaji, as Mahadji’s father-in-law, was being given the task of attacking him. Shivaji instructed Netaji to attack Phaltan and the troops moved forward at once.
Mirza Raja’s elephant decked with gold and silver jewellery was ready for battle. The huge silver bell hanging from his neck gave out a tinkling sound while the howdah on his back was decorated with soft embroidered cloth. A ladder was placed when Mirza Raja said, ‘Raja saheb, let us go.’
‘I will follow you in my palanquin.’
‘No, I suggest that you accompany me on my elephant.’
Shivaji climbed into the howdah following Mirza Raja. An umbrella protected them from the sun. The guards walked alongside. Diler Khan and his sardars could not tolerate the affection Mirza Raja showed towards Shivaji.
Soon, the troops moved into Adil Shahi territory. They reached the banks of the Nira River. The troops attacked Phaltan and within no time, the town was captured. The fort of Tathwad too was captured. Mirza Raja was impressed with Shivaji’s capabilities and he sent a letter of praise to the Delhi durbar.
The troops had now reached Tal Konkan, capturing Adil Shahi territory along the way. Ikhlas Khan’s army was routed by Shivaji’s men but Adil Shah’s men were ready to repulse the attack. They poisoned the waters in the countryside to prevent the Mughals from moving forward. The Mughal forces, heady with their victories, came nearly ten kilometres from Bijapur to find the Adil Shahi forces attacking them with such ferocity that they had to fall back. Many sardars and around fourteen thousand men lost their lives.
Mirza Raja was disturbed at the news. He was unable to understand the reason for such a defeat. Diler Khan entered the tent while Mirza Raja sat pondering over the defeat.
Diler Khan erupted, ‘Rajaji, now do you believe me?’
‘What?’
‘The reason for this defeat? This is Shivaji’s ploy. You pardoned him as a Maratha but how he has betrayed you!’
‘Diler Khan!’
‘You don’t believe me? You allowed Shivaji to take charge and he put our troops at risk with the Adil Shahi army. How can you trust a man whose brother is fighting on the other side?’
‘Whose brother?’ Mirza Raja asked.
‘Shivaji’s brother! Ekoji Raje is Shivaji’s brother and is leading the Adil Shahi troops. Raje, our troops will lose faith if we allow this to continue.’
Mirza Raja was stunned into silence. He did not know how to react.
Diler Khan continued, ‘Rajaji, will you listen to my plan?’
‘Tell me, Diler Khan,’ Mirza Raja replied quietly.
Diler Khan looked around to ensure they were alone. He asked the guards to move out of the tent and said, ‘This is the right time to remove this thorn permanently. It is easier when we are in a battle.’
Mirza Raja asked, his anger erupting, ‘What nonsense are you talking, Diler Khan?’
‘Mirzaji, leave the task to me. I will do it in a manner such that there won’t be any suspicion.’
‘Shame on a stupid plan! It is impossible!’ Mirza Raja said, clenching his fists.
Diler Khan continued, keeping his emotions in check, ‘Shivaji is not a fool. He has the confidence of a lion and the daring of a wild buffalo. He will never allow you to rest in peace. This thorn needs to be removed.’
‘Silence!’ Mirza Raja screamed, his body shaking. He said, pointing at Diler Khan, as he took a few steps back, ‘Diler Khan, I am a Rajput. I have given my word to Shivaji Raje. If Shivaji is harmed, I would not be able to do justice to the Sultanate. Keep that in mind.’
Diler Khan tried to interrupt when Mirza Raja continued, ‘Don’t say another word now! The troops under my command and I have the Shahenshah’s support. Don’t think on these lines again, Diler Khan. These are my orders. Leave!’
Diler Khan left but a seed of doubt lingered in Mirza Raja’s mind. He realized Shivaji was not safe among the Mughal army. He went to Shivaji’s tent and taking a seat, Mirza Raja said, ‘Raja saheb, I did not see you earlier; and hence, I came to meet you.’
‘Rajaji, I don’t have any face to show you.’
‘Defeat and victory are part of the battle. One defeat does not make you a loser. I know you fought with all your might.’
‘I have a request to make.’
‘Tell me.’
‘I request that you hand the command over to someone else. I am willing to fight under another person’s command, and it would be best for the troops too.’
Mirza Raja admired Shivaji. He knew what was going on in his mind. He said, ‘We cannot make these changes now. If we lose, you will be blamed.’
Shivaji was silent for some time. He said, ‘Shall I suggest something? Give me an independent campaign to take charge of. I am familiar with the Panhala region. I will go and rout the territory and Adil Shah would be forced to send his troops there to control the trouble.’
Mirza Raja was agreeable to this suggestion and nodded. He was happy that Shivaji would be safer on his own campaign. Within a few days, Shivaji’s men were ready to move towards Panhalgad.
#
Shivaji divided his troops into two groups, one managed by Netaji and the other by himself. He said, ‘Netaji, I want you to reach exactly five days from now and meet me at the base of Panhalgad. We will attack the moment you arrive.’
Raje reached Panhalgad as per plan but Netaji was nowhere to be seen. The valley was swathed in the fog of a winter night. Raje was worried that their presence may be spotted by morning. He decided to attack with the help of Tanaji and Yesaji. The troops climbed up the hill. The doors of the fort opened suddenly and the attack was repulsed by a large force, and Shivaji’s troops had to make a hasty retreat. They managed to find shelter in Vishalgad, but had lost nearly a thousand men in the attack. It was a big blow to Shivaji.
Shivaji sat there, nursing his defeat, unsure of his next steps. He got the news of Netaji’s arrival the next afternoon. He was fuming with anger waiting to hear Netaji’s excuse. Netaji was his commander, a close aide and a family member. But his trust-worthiness had, of late, become dubious. He had let Shivaji down at the last moment during Afzal’s attack. And now it was because of Netaji that Shivaji had lost a thousand men. If only he had come on time …
He asked, the moment Netaji arrived, ‘Netaji, why are you late?’
Netaji was aware of Raje’s temper. He knew that Raje normally addressed him as Netaji Kaka. He said, ‘Raje, I am only late by a few hours.’
‘A few hours? Netaji, you of all people should not be making such a comment. Don’t you know that in battle each minute counts? I reached as per our plan but you were nowhere to be seen. We had no choice but to attack and we lost a thousand men. You are responsible for this loss!’
‘Am I?’ Netaji asked.
‘Then who else is?’ Raje countered, fuming with anger.
Netaji could not dare to return his gaze. He said, ‘I had an entire army with me. I was not alone.’
‘Enough of these excuses, Netaji. It does not suit a commander like you.’
‘Your Senapati?’ Netaji blurted out.
Shivaji could not hold his temper any longer. He screamed, ‘What did you say?’
‘Raje, we once fought under your command. Now you have joined the Mughals and Mirza Raja is the commander. Sardars don’t have a Senapati.’
Raje was shaking with anger. He shouted, ‘Netaji, please take your words back.’
Tanaji rushed in to control the situation, but Netaji brushed him aside and said, ‘I am not used to taking my words back like you, Raje. I am a Maratha.’
Raje was stunned by the attack. He rushed forward and pulled out the sword hanging by Netaji’s side.
He said, ‘Netaji, don’t show me your face anymore. I don’t need people like you. Leave before I behead you!’ The fort reverberated with Raje’s screams. He turned his back to Netaji. He had lost a dear one!
#
The defeat at Panhalgad hurt Shivaji deeply. He turned his forces towards Phonda and decided that he would return only after he won the fort. Mirza Raja had retreated to Parinda after being defeated at Bijapur. Diler Khan had taken an oath that he would not turn back till he captured Bijapur. Netaji, who had now joined Adil Shah’s troops, led the attack from Bijapur.
Mirza Raja was contemplating his next move when he received some bad news—Qutb Shah had realized that he would be the next target and thus, he had joined forces with Adil Shah along with fifty thousand of his men. Mirza Raja summoned Diler Khan and they discussed the next steps.
Diler Khan said, ‘Rajaji, it seems you are not aware of a bigger threat.’ As Mirza Raja looked at him askance, he said, ‘Shivaji Raje’s commander Netaji has joined Adil Shah.’
‘I heard that they had had a bitter argument,’ Mirza Raja commented.
Diler Khan said with a wry smile, ‘This is a cunning move from Shivaji. He first lost precious Mughal forces at Bijapur and then moved to Panhala. Now he is on the way to Phonda. I don’t understand how long we are to tolerate his nonsense.’
‘Diler Khan, what exactly are you saying?’
‘I am telling you the truth. The same Shivaji, who was able to capture these forts with a handful of men, is now unable to capture despite such a huge force? Believe me, Netaji has joined Adil Shah and one day we will hear that Shivaji too has joined them.’
‘If that happens, he will not be spared,’ Mirza Raja thundered.
Diler Khan’s laughter echoed in the tent. All the sardars present were surprised and Mirza Raja asked, ‘Diler Khan, what is so funny about this?’
Diler Khan managed to hold his laughter back and replied, ‘Rajaji, what else can I do? Please pardon my indiscretion, but if Shivaji joins forces with Adil Shah, what can you really do? If Qutb Shah, Adil Shah and Shivaji join hands, not a single Mughal soldier will be spared. How then can we teach him a lesson?’
Mirza Raja shivered. There was some logic in what Diler Khan was saying. He dispatched an urgent message to the Delhi durbar: ‘Now that Qutb Shah and Adil Shah are fighting together, it is imperative that we send Shivaji up north. It is urgent that we dispatch Shivaji towards Delhi.’ Mirza Raja was waiting for a reply from Delhi when the news of Shah Jahan’s death reached them. Aurangzeb was now emperor in the true sense of the word.
Shivaji had planned to capture Phonda but the defences there were strengthened by troops sent by Adil Shah. He returned from Phonda red-faced. He received an urgent summons from Mirza Raja.
‘Raje, don’t feel bad about the defeat. I am aware that you tried your best.’
‘It is your magnanimity that you are tolerating my failures.’
‘Not at all,’ Mirza Raja consoled him. ‘I am in my sixties now. I have lost and won many battles. I know that luck plays a role in success. I called you here with a particular request.’
‘Please command me.’
‘Would you swear to obey? Mirza Raja asked.
Raje was silent for a moment and then said, ‘Raja, I too am a Rajput. My word is my oath.’
‘Rajaji, I have conveyed the message of your exploits to the Delhi durbar. Now that Shah Jahan is dead, Aurangzeb is the true Badshah. He wishes that you and Sambhaji attend his birthday in Agra.’
‘Sambhaji and I?’
‘Yes, it is better to meet him in person. After all, both of you have received a royal farman. Protocol demands that you should visit him and pay your regards. I am sure Aurangzeb will treat you with dignity and honour that you deserve.’
Shivaji was lost in thought. What if he was cheated in Agra? There could be danger to their lives. He expressed his doubts and said, ‘Rajaji, I agree that there is a question of protocol. But what if there is some perfidy?’
Mirza Raja came close to Raje and said, ‘Raje, believe me. There is no danger to your life. I am bound by my oath to protect you. I will ensure that there is no danger at all.’
Shivaji agreed, ‘I believe you and will visit Agra. Though I must wonder why I am going there in the first place!’
Mirza Raja said, ‘I did whatever I had to do. Now it is up to the Badshah. Who knows, he may be mighty pleased with you and give you the subedari for south. I wish it happens because your wishes too would be fulfilled.’
‘I am willing to try my luck.’
Mirza Raja was pleased. He said, ‘The Badshah’s personal representative Jani Baig will accompany you. I have sent word to Ram Singh who will take care of all the arrangements. My trusted aide Tej Singh Kachwaha will accompany you till Agra. And yes, I forgot to tell you, the Badshah has sent a sum of one lakh rupees for your travel expenses. You may make arrangements for the journey now.’
Shivaji got up and said, ‘Rajaji, I wish to make a request. I may be overstepping my limit but I request you not to trouble my other territories when I am in Agra.’
Mirza Raja hugged Shivaji and said, ‘Don’t worry on that count. I will ensure your territory is safe. I will wait for you to return.’
Shivaji took leave of Mirza Raja and returned to Rajgad.
#
‘Raje, I heard you are going to Agra?’ Jijabai asked.
Everyone present had been shocked on hearing the news. Raje had casually mentioned it when sitting with Moropant Pingle, Sonopant Dabir and Jijabai.
Shivaji replied with a smile, ‘Maa saheb, what’s so surprising about that? After all, Aurangzeb is a now a full-fledged Badshah. Sambhaji is a Mansabdar and I have received a royal farman. Should we not go and pay our regards?’
‘Don’t taunt me!’ Jijabai retorted.
Raje was silent for a while. He said, ‘Maa saheb, I have not forgotten the dream of Hindavi Swaraj. But just living in status quo would not solve the problem. I have decided to take advantage of the situation and see if we can benefit from it.’
‘How can we benefit?’ Jijabai asked.
‘If Aurangzeb is really pleased with me, he may make me the Subedar of south India. Then we can be relieved of Mirza Raja and raise our own kingdom back again. Isn’t it a great benefit?’
Everyone was silenced by Raje’s logic. But Jijabai would not be convinced. Her mother’s heart refused to listen to Raje’s logic. She was not convinced of the need for the visit. She muttered, ‘Raje, but the dangers …’
‘Don’t worry. I have Mirza Raja’s word that we will not be betrayed. Aurangzeb would not dare to go against Mirza Raja’s words. Had it not been for Mirza Raja’s promise, I would not have acquiesced to make the trip.’
There was no further argument and Raje had very little time to plan. He left the next morning on a visit to his forts, giving instructions to each saying, ‘Be alert and take care of the forts as before. We need to be extra careful and not allow a single moment of weakness. Those standing alert will be amply rewarded and those who show any laxity will not be tolerated. Follow Maa saheb’s orders without fail.’
Raje toured his territory and returned with Moropant to Rajgad. He called his most trusted men together—Firangoji Narsala, Hiroji Farzand, Niraji Ravji and Trimbakji Sondev. He distributed responsibilities among them. Under Jijabai’s command, Moropant Pingle was nominated as Peshwa, Nilo Sondev as Mazumdar and Prataprao was made the Senapati.
The fact that Raje would leave with Yuvraj for Agra was difficult for Jijabai to accept. She said, her voice tinged with concern, ‘Raje! You are not going be there, nor Yuvraj. How will I manage everything?’
‘Don’t worry, we will return safely. But the kingdom needs to be protected in the meanwhile. After all, that is more important than me or Yuvraj. I need you to be the same Maa saheb who used to manage everything when I was young.’
Moropant asked, ‘Raje, who will be accompanying you?’
‘Oh, I forgot to m
ention! Raghunath Korde, Trimbakji Sondev Dabir, Madari Mehtar, Baji Jedhe and Niraji Ravji would accompany me. I have also asked the poet Parmanand to come with us.’
The people whose names were mentioned were thrilled. But Yesaji, Tanaji and Firangoji were disappointed. Raje said, ‘Yesaji, you need to take care of our kingdom. The rest of you need to stay with Maa saheb and watch everything with a hawk’s eye.’
Raje selected a total of three hundred and fifty men including many spies. Even the palanquin bearers and other servants were handpicked.
Jani Baig and Tej Singh, who were to accompany Raje to Agra, presented themselves at Rajgad. Jijabai selected an auspicious day for their departure in consultation with the pandits. Nearly five months had gone by since the farman had been received. Shivaji was to leave on the ninth day of the Phalgun month. There was a lot of activity with trunks being packed and people running around everywhere, much to the excitement of Sambhaji.
Manohari was packing Raje’s travel clothes under the supervision of Soyarabai. She said, ‘Put this with the other headgear. But I wonder whether Raje would be able to find these later.’
‘Why, he has Mahadev with him, who knows everything,’ Manohari replied. ‘Frankly, Rani saheb, Raje does not have any idea about his clothes. He will wear whatever you keep ready for him!’
Soyarabai let out a deep sigh. ‘Forget the clothes. He does not have any idea of the household either!’
‘It seems I am the topic of conversation today,’ Raje said as he entered the room. Manohari left the room at once, covering her face with her pallu. Soyarabai and Shivaji were alone. He came near her and Raje was attracted to her fair skin, her bold eyes and her daring attitude. He said, ‘Are you not sad that I am leaving?’
‘No. Why should I be? You have to go. Do you have a choice?’
‘Not everyone understands that,’ Shivaji said.
Soyarabai said, smiling. ‘Where do we ever stay in one place for a long time? We women have to get used to this.’
‘Yes, you are right!’ Raje agreed.
Soyarabai continued speaking but deep down Raje was a little disturbed but he could not pinpoint why. He said, ‘Rani saheb, you are the eldest. I would suggest that you help Maa saheb in her office. She is getting tired.’