by Ranjit Desai
‘What if we write to him?’ Annaji said.
‘If he had had that much sense, he would not have behaved like this in the first place.’
‘But Yuvraj …’
‘What Yuvraj are you talking of? Sambhaji will be a Mughal Mansabdar now and may even march on us. He is not our Yuvraj anymore. Please don’t refer to him as that.’ Raje stood with his back turned, his fists clenched. He said, his voice sounding hoarse, ‘You may go now.’
They all saluted, leaving Raje alone in the chamber.
#
Bad news always comes together. Soon, the news arrived that Sambhaji had been made a Mughal Mansabdar of seven thousand. Diler Khan was thrilled. Ikhlas Khan accompanied Sambhaji to Karkhamb where he was received warmly by Diler Khan and given the mansab.
Sambhaji left a message for Shivaji: ‘I have joined the Mughals and am going to pay my regards to the Mughal emperor in Delhi. I shall come back only to conquer the Sahyadris now.’
Sambhaji’s message only added salt to Raje’s wounds and each successive piece of news added to his turmoil. His mind was on fire.
It was a lazy afternoon as the fort relaxed. Nearly two weeks had passed since Sambhaji’s defection. The servants in the stables had finished their chores and were catching up on some sleep. The elephants swayed gently, enjoying their grass. In the stables nearby, the horses were silently chewing their fodder, snorting and warding off flies with their tails.
The horses first sensed the change as their shiny bodies twitched. They started neighing loudly, waking up the syces. Unable to understand their agitation, they looked around when they heard the elephants trumpeting. The mahout was trying to pacify them, and soon the dogs started barking.
No one could understand what was happening when suddenly, they felt the ground below them shaking. The earth shook to its core. Within moments, everything was quiet as before. The animals had quietened. The destruction, within seconds, was evident everywhere. It had been an earthquake of short but massive intensity.
Raje said, as he looked out of his window, ‘An earthquake! That was the only thing missing right now.’
#
Within a fortnight of Sambhaji’s defection, Raje was back to his old self and had started looking into the official matters. He called for a meeting and said, ‘I will proceed to Panhala. I know how Diler Khan will react now. I will keep an eye on the movements of the Mughals from there.’
The next morning, Annaji came in with good news, ‘Maharaj, we have news from Shringarpur that Yesubai has delivered a baby girl.’
‘Is that so?’ Raje said, getting up. ‘Distribute garments and gold coins to the men who brought the news. I wish Maa saheb was here to see this!’
However, the next moment, reality came crashing down and he said, ‘It is better that she is not here. She would not have been able to bear the news about Sambhaji’s defection.’
Raje decided to go to Panhala after visiting Shringarpur.
Soyarabai asked, when she heard about the visit, ‘Are you still planning to see Yesu’s child after what has happened?’
‘What is her fault? Why blame her and the child for what Shambhu has done?’
‘Don’t you think she is involved? He is certainly under her thumb, though he may not listen to anyone else.’
‘I am surprised you can say such a thing. I don’t think you have understood a man’s mind yet.’
Soyarabai fumed for a while and then, realizing that Raje was in no mood to listen to her, left the room.
#
Shringarpur was asleep, covered in the early morning mist. The haveli was silent when the messenger arrived. Hearing of Raje’s arrival, there was a frantic activity everywhere.
Hambirrao received Raje and held the reins as he dismounted. Umaji Pandit and Kalash, along with Pilajirao Shirke, welcomed Raje.
Pilaji said, as he walked with Raje towards the inner chambers, ‘After hearing what had happened, Yesu decided to stay back here.’
‘I can quite understand that. We have to bear our sorrows with fortitude.’
As Raje entered Yesu’s chamber, she fell at his feet sobbing. ‘Aba saheb!’
Raje hugged her saying, ‘My dear, don’t weep. You have a big responsibility on your shoulders now. But I am with you. Things will be fine.’
Yesubai wiped her tears. Raje saw the baby girl and showered gold coins on her crib. He said, as he sat in the chair, ‘Yesu, did you have any idea of Sambhaji Raje’s plans?’
He had presumed she would not have any idea, but much to his surprise, she nodded and said, ‘I did. But he had bound me by an oath.’
‘What kind of oath, Yesu? Such promises are not meant to be kept. You should have at least prevented him from going.’
‘I tried.’
‘Why didn’t you appeal to him emotionally?’
‘That is beyond me.’
‘I know,’ Raje said. ‘Maa saheb too did not have that capacity. There was only one person but she too is no more. We have to work delicately to untie these knots, Yesu.’
Yesu looked at Raje as he spoke. He had aged greatly in a span of a few months. His eyes, which usually sparkled with intensity, looked cheerless. His cheeks, having sunk in, highlighted the aquiline nose, making it look grotesque. His broad forehead, only carrying the horizontal ash mark of Shiva, now looked wrinkled. He looked weary, old and tired. She said, touching his feet, ‘Aba saheb, I hope you don’t blame me.’
Raje placed his hand on her back affectionately and said, ‘I know you are not at fault, dear. It was I who did not judge him well. The fault lies in our fate.’
Back at the office, he asked Pilaji, ‘How could he do this when you were with him all the time?’
‘I am ashamed, Maharaj. I am a simple man and know how to deal with an enemy who attacks me. But I cannot comprehend the tricks of cunning and intelligent men. I simply believed him when he said he was on his way to Parli.’
Raje looked at Kalash and said, ‘Did you know he was having talks with Diler Khan?’
Kalash’s silence was an acknowledgement of his guilt. He said, ‘I tried to dissuade him but he did not listen.’
‘I have learnt about life the hard way, and I suggest you don’t try to fool me. You were the one who crowned him. Now he is not a king but a saat-hazari Mansabdar in the Mughal army.’
Umaji Pandit tried to intervene, ‘Maharaj, it is not Kalash’s fault but …’
Raje’s eyes burned through Umaji. He shouted, ‘Hambirrao, before he utters another word trying to display his knowledge, tie their hands and send both of them to Raigad. They are Brahmins, else I would have ordered that they be dragged all the way tied to a horse.’
The attendants rushed in and arrested Umaji and Kalash before they could react.
#
The naming ceremony for Yesu’s child was performed without much enthusiasm. She was named Bhawani. As Raje sat in his chambers the next morning, he saw Yesu enter with a glass of milk. ‘What is this, dear? You should not be walking around. You need to rest and take care of your health.’
Yesu’s eyes were filled with tears as she said, ‘What harm can come to me if I walk out of my room?’
‘My dear, don’t cry. Do you understand my situation? Lakhs of families put their trust in me. How do I show my face to them? It is only you who can save the kingdom from dishonour. You cannot afford to cry.’
‘What can I do?’
‘Sambhaji is fickle and I don’t think I can manage to dissuade him from his reckless behaviour. Aurangzeb, seasoned politician that he is, is not easy to predict. We need gentle hands if we have to pick a cactus flower. You are the one who can do it.’
Yesu gave him a confused look. Raje continued, ‘You don’t know the power you have. You are his wife, a friend and an advisor. Sambhaji will not go against your wishes.’ Taking out a tiny golden box from his pocket, Raje said, ‘I have brought you a special gift.’
Raje’s smile vanished as he opened the box. It was
a lovely nose ring. He said, taking it out and handing it to her, ‘Here, take this! This was given by Maa saheb to Sai, the eldest Rani saheb. Now it is yours. It is a symbol of pride for the Bhosale family. I know you can keep its glory. And one more thing—at the bottom of the box, there is a small packet which has her mangalsutra. It was preserved despite the heat of the pyre. This is yours now.’
Yesu touched Raje’s feet.
‘My dear, don’t entertain any doubts now. Shambhu is my son and I am not going to abandon him on account of his behaviour.’ Raje’s voice trembled as he continued, ‘How do I tell you, Yesu? He was merely two years old when his mother passed away. I had to meet Afzal Khan and did not even get time to mourn her death. After my coronation, Maa saheb left us. I somehow managed to overcome the sorrow but now—I am once again shattered, Yesu. I don’t have the energy even to stand.’
Yesu’s tears flowed as Raje continued, ‘When I was in Srisailam, I was prepared to offer my head at the feet of the Lord. I wish I had done that!’
‘Aba saheb!’ Yesu exclaimed, her body shivering with fear.
‘You want me to live, don’t you? So please do as I tell you—I am leaving my trusted spies here. They will take your message to Shambhu at Diler Khan’s camp. Will you do this for me?’
Yesu nodded her head vigorously and said, ‘Yes, Aba saheb!’
Raje smiled and patted her back gently as he took the glass of milk and drowned it in one gulp.
The next morning, Raje prepared to leave. He said, ‘Do you know there was an earthquake at Raigad? It was due to the little one’s birth. The Puranas say that whenever gods and goddesses take birth on earth, the earth quakes.’
#
Raje soon reached Panhala. He had ordered new guns from the Europeans to fortify Panhala. The Maratha forces were, in the meanwhile, busy creating havoc in the Mughal and Adil Shahi territories. Moropant had managed to take over the fort at Koppal while Anandrao had captured Balapur and Shahapur, which were considered gateways to Bijapur. By then the news arrived that Muazzam, Aurangzeb’s son, had been sent as Subedar of the Deccan. Raje extended a hand of friendship to him. He said, ‘Now that he and Diler Khan are at loggerheads, this would be to our benefit. Let us see how this turns out.’
Having fortified Panhala, Raje returned to Raigad. One day, Annaji reported, ‘There is news of Diler Khan marching towards Bhupalgad.’
‘I am not worried. The fort is strong and Firangoji is stronger!’ Raje said. He smiled and continued, ‘We know they cannot take away even a pebble from our Sahyadris. Sambhaji Raje will soon realize this.’
#
I
t had been a month since Bhawani’s birth. On a Monday morning, Raje was in his court when Annaji and Jedhe came in. He said, ‘Annaji, I think we must wait till the rains end. Diler Khan has besieged Bhupalgad but he has set his sights on Bijapur. I doubt if the Adil Shahi troops would be able to hold out in front of Diler.’
‘I hope that the arrogance of Adil Shahi kingdom is crushed.’
‘No. That should not happen,’ Raje said, much to the surprise of Balaji Jedhe and Annaji.
‘Why do you say that?’
‘We have gathered our forces at Panhala to help the Adil Shahi kingdom. It is important that the three southern powers stand together when Aurangzeb comes down to the Deccan. Qutb Shah understands this and, soon, the Adil Shahi will also realize this.’
Balaji came in to announce the arrival of Firangoji Narsala.
‘Why is he here? That too when Bhupalgad is besieged?’
Firangoji came in, his grey whiskers throbbing on his cheeks. He seemed distraught and the moment he saw Raje, he fell at his feet.
‘Why did you leave the fort, Firangoji?’
‘I was forced to.’
‘Why? Did you surrender to the Mughals?’
Firangoji did not answer immediately, looking down at the floor.
Raje asked, ‘By whose orders did you leave, Firangoji?’
‘Yuvraj ordered me to.’
‘What? Tell me what happened.’
Firangoji said, wiping his tears, ‘When Diler Khan stormed the town, the residents took shelter inside the fort. We were prepared for a long siege and give him a fitting reply. But then …’
‘Then what?’
‘Sambhaji Raje came forward and, on seeing him, we lost our courage. He ordered us to open the door, threatening to kill our people if we did not.’
Raje’s anger was evident as his face turned red. He asked, ‘Did you surrender the fort?’
‘Yes, Maharaj.’
‘I want to know what exactly happened.’
‘Sambhaji Raje was to take charge of the fort but Diler Khan went back on his word and chopped off the hands of seven hundred of our men. He snatched jewellery from the women and destroyed the fort.’
‘Wah! What a fine thing you have done! You are a veteran general in this army since the times of the elder Maharaj and here you are—surrendering our forts to the enemy!’
‘What else could I do, Maharaj?’ A helpless Firangoji pleaded. ‘Holding the enemy at Bhupalgad was no problem at all. But we had no choice when we saw Sambhaji Raje. I just handed over the fort and came here.’
‘It would have been better not to have come at all.’
Firangoji was shocked to hear Raje speak thus. ‘Maharaj …’
‘Is anyone there?’ Raje shouted, looking out of the room. Two guards rushed in. Raje said, ‘Arrest him and shoot him tomorrow before sunrise.’
Firangoji rushed forward and fell at Raje’s feet. Raje stepped back when Firangoji pleaded, ‘Maharaj, forgive me. I am not at fault.’ His face looked pitiable.
Raje could not bear to see him like this. Teary-eyed, he turned away and said, ‘I know you are not at fault. Punishment is not given only when you make a mistake. But if many men make mistakes like you did, we would lose our kingdom in no time. Your loyalty is to the kingdom and not to an individual.’ Turning to the guards he said, ‘Take him away.’
Raje turned his back as he could not bear the sight of Firangoji being dragged away.
Annaji and Balaji stood trembling. They witnessed the entire episode. Mustering some courage, Balaji began to speak, ‘Maharaj!’
Before he could continue, Raje said, ‘Balaji, I want you to ensure that the order is carried out without any hesitation. Even if Shambhu Bhosale comes to the fort as a Mughal Mansabdar, they must not stop. Else, the guards will not be spared.’
#
The fort was agog with the news of the punishment pronounced for Firangoji. Everyone knew that Raje had highly regarded the veteran soldier. They could not imagine him being shot to death on Raje’s orders. No one dared to enter Raje’s chamber. Even Soyarabai had not taken his meals to him. It was evening when Raje heard someone at the door. He asked, ‘Who is it?’
Mahadev came in and said, ‘Annajipant is here.’
‘Send him in.’
Annaji came in and said, ‘The younger Rani saheb is here.’
‘What? Putla is here?’
Putlabai entered the chamber after a few moments. She was wearing a simple sari without any jewellery and yet she looked arresting. Soyarabai was much fairer than her but there was a fascinating simplicity in Putlabai’s beauty which made Raje stare at her for a long time.
She said, bringing Raje out of his trance, ‘I am told you have ordered Firangoji to be gunned down. Is the order going to be carried out?’
‘That is right. I don’t issue orders for them not to be executed.’
‘What crime did he commit?’
‘Ask what he did not! He surrendered the fort without any justification. If a veteran like Firangoji behaves like this, what else can I do but punish him? There is no offence bigger than being a traitor. The death sentence is the only punishment for such a crime.’
‘Is this punishment for all such traitors?’ Putlabai asked calmly.
‘Of course!’ Raje said, a little irritated.
�
�Even if Shambhu Raje were to return tomorrow?’
Raje was taken by surprise at Putla’s question. He was dumbfounded. ‘Putla!’
‘I ask you; if the punishment cannot be meted out to Shambhu Raje, should you not think it over? You may otherwise repent this decision forever. I only came to tell you this.’
Putlabai left without waiting for Raje’s answer. Raje paced restlessly in his room, lost alone in his thoughts. He called for Mahadev.
‘Is there anyone outside?’
‘Yes, Annaji is here.’
‘Send him in.’
Annaji came in. He asked, mustering courage, ‘What about Firangoji’s punishment tomorrow?’
‘It will be meted out as ordered. Anyway, you may go now.’ With a heavy heart, Raje sat alone on his bed.
#
Sleep eluded Raje for a long time. It was long past midnight when he finally managed to sleep. Early the next morning, he woke up sweating. Mahadev, standing guard outside, came in when he heard a noise inside.
‘Bring me some water, Mahadev.’
As Mahadev poured water into a cup, Raje asked, ‘Is it dawn yet?’
‘No, Maharaj.’
‘You may go now.’
Raje’s mind was cluttered with his racing thoughts. He could not bear the silence in the room. Images of Firangoji haunted him. He remembered the day Firangoji had annexed the Chakan Fort and hoisted the saffron flag atop it. Raje had said, ‘I don’t want a mere fort, Firangoji. I want men like you.’ Firangoji had joined the efforts for the Swaraj that day.
Raje tossed restlessly in his bed. He remembered how Firangoji had fought for two months holding Shaista Khan at bay when he had attacked Chakan. Later, when Shaista Khan had managed to win the fort, he had made Firangoji a tempting offer. But Firangoji had declined, saying he couldn’t be a traitor.
Raje could not sleep anymore. He paced his room and went to the window. There was no wind. It was as if time and wind had stood still. Firangoji had been a steady support to Raje throughout his life.
What did you do, Firangoji? Why did you surrender to Yuvraj? Was it attachment? Is that what corrupts a man’s mind? But you have committed an offence, and a crime must be punished.