“On the third day of the waning moon fortnight of the month of Margashirsha, on the Pushya constellation, Shaka 1671, Thursday, 15 December 1749, four hours into the morning, Chhatrapati Shahu proceeded to Vishnu-Lok (Vishnu’s world). It was truly the end of an epoch. People turned extremely miserable. All big and small people, servants, a father-figure for them, their protector and provider, had gone away. They all remembered him and became miserable. I am rendered incapable to write about the pangs of misery felt. Because such a sympathetic Lord had never been before. At his death, he was the longest serving ruler in India, and in the forty-one years of his rule had faced many vicissitudes. The energy in his early years was not seen later, however, by his even-handed approach, he reached a stage where he had no enemies. Even when a criminal was caught alive in the master’s reign, he never uttered the word, ‘Kill’ and instead used, ‘Ready up your weapons.’ He was a true Ajatshatru (one who never had any enemy). His sons (people like his sons), friends and competitors would treat him with complete unanimity. He never spoke wrongly with anybody. Such virtuous king died. At that time, Raos (warriors) and Pants (diplomats), all big and small dignitaries went and sat beside his body. A huge cloud of misery fell upon everyone. How much should one console people. In such a commotion, Tarabai, Rajaramsaheb’s wife, Shahu Maharaj’s aunt, who had been held captive, came to seek his last sight. But Raya (Govindrao Chitnis) approached her quietly and requested her, ‘Maharaj, you are the master, and everybody wishes that you do not witness this event. So, I request you to come with me to your place. Give me any order there. Whatever you order, it will be fulfilled appropriately.’”
Saying this, he brought her to her place, arranged for security, and asked her what he should do further. She replied, “If Sakwar stays back, she will split and destroy the kingdom. She would not allow anybody to stay firm on their positions. So, if she commits Sati then it will be good. She should begin thinking about that first, and then think about anything else. Bringing Sambhaji II from Karweer, would not be acceptable to everybody, and I too won’t advice that. My daughter-in-law’s son is living at Pangaon, who should be brought here and installed on the throne. What else!”
Taking these orders, Govindrao Chitnis relayed the overall directive to Nanasaheb. After that, everybody including the Pratinidhi, Dabhade, Akkalkot’s principal, Rajadnya etc. big and small Sardars and officials unanimously decided, “Sakwar Baisaheb should be told to commit Sati. If she does not go willingly, she should be forced to. She would raise unnecessary disputes against everyone after Maharaj. Then it won’t be good to keep searching for a resolution. It is better, to end this now.”
After this, Bai’s brother Kunwarji Shirke was a noble and wise gentleman. The Peshwa and the Chitnis asked Kunwarji to inquire what the queen wished. The options before her were to live her life as a widow – an arduous undertaking in those times – or to immolate herself with her husband, an act that was at that time, considered meritorious to the queen as well as the departed king. The opposing party, comprising Yamaji and Dadoba Pratinidhi were already placed in custody.
Upon that, he went to Bai, and relayed the suggestion in his own words, “Hereafter, I don’t see any other Sardar except for this Brahmin who can control the whole kingdom. If you think of remaining behind by listening to someone else’s advice, you might have to follow their orders. In that no greatness would accrue to you. Whatever is written in our destiny, we will face it. But you should try and achieve whatever fame you have attained. Everybody will really appreciate it.”
After he conveyed this thought in various ways, whatever candidature she had held in her mind, she lost confidence. She agreed. So, he came back to Raya (Chitnis) and Pant (Peshwa) and told them, “Get the preparations done. If she goes along, then good, if not, we will take her away.”
The Chitnisi Bakhar of Shahu Maharaj has some additional detail. “Forty-two years into the Rajyabhishek Shaka (era of Shivaji Maharaj’s coronation), Shahu Maharaj returned from the captivity of the Mughals, established his unopposed authority over this land, achieved the utmost virtuous status, and went to his heavenly abode. It was an extremely sad event. Pradhanpant, Govindrao steward, and other Sardars secured the city on all sides, and installed their security guards around the mansions and workshops. After this, Pradhanpant etc. Sardars went and sat inside Govindrao’s house. They called the queen’s father (brother by the previous account) Kunwarji Shirke, and told him, ‘What is Baisaheb’s desire? As per Maharaj’s orders, does she want to carry forward the kingdom’s administration together with us, installing an authoritative person as the master on the throne? We all are followers of orders, whether of Maharaj or from Baisaheb, but does she intend to commit Sati? Please do ask her this.’ They also told him to reassure her, ‘Whoever stewards raise dispute against you, we will subdue them as per Maharaj’s orders.’ They also dispatched their own security detail to surround Dadoba Pratinidhi and Yamajipant and his contingents to temporarily restrict their movements. Shirke relayed the message to Baisaheb. That time, Baisaheb thought, ‘All-powerful Pradhanpant, Govindrao, and all other stewards have come together, and their plan of installing Tarabai’s grandson on the throne is turning out to be successful. I relied on Dadoba and Yamaji, who did not prove effective in pursuing my plan. If I adopt him as my own son, and decide to stay back, then it will not behoove to my dignity to act as per his orders, indirectly Tarabai’s orders. So, it will be a waste to remain behind.’ So, she decided to commit Sati, and sent an order that the preparations should be done quickly. The moment this message arrived, the Pratinidhi and Yamajipant were immediately clapped in irons and imprisoned, and were dispatched to Purandar and Kavnai forts. All the workshops were locked to secure them, and both went to the site of the ritual in palanquins, along with the usual imperial paraphernalia.”
To be continued…
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