After due discussions, the preparations for the Sati ritual were completed. All the various standard charitable donation rituals like donating a cow etc. were carried out. The pair of ear-stubs having four big pearls and two rubies that Rajashree wore was given to the Peshwa as an heirloom by Sakwarbai, and one of the amulet pair was given to Mahadaji Ambaji. The procession to Mahuli was celebrated with many musical instruments, turmeric-vermilion rituals at every house, ceremonial receptions, through huge clamour of auspicious chants, and with two lakh people to witness the event. After the Sati ritual was completed, everybody took the sacred and purifying bath in the confluence, sought blessings of the deity in the light of the evening lamps, and went home purified. After serving food to Aaisaheb (Tarabai) Rao, Pant, and Yamaji Shivdeo too arrived. After this, they had their meal. Everybody was holding their fast for the whole day.
“After Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj was laid to rest, his third wife, Ranubaisaheb (Sakwarbai was called this in her maternal home), Ramojiraje Shirke’s daughter, who was also childless, committed Sati at the Mahuli confluence. Two of his concubines also committed Sati. Out of them, Lakshmibai had two sons, Yesaji and Kusaji Bhosale. On the third day, another concubine, younger Sakhu committed Sati. After her cremation, Pratinidhi and the council of ministers, together got the memorial stone in her name made and installed it on the confluence of Venna and Krishna rivers. They also arranged for the daily worship, offering, people to take care of the memorial etc. Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj is considered to be present there. Whoever respects the prestige of the place, would never face any scarcity. The Pantapradhan would initially get down from his ride before this Krishna confluence, tie his hands with handkerchief, would stop beating of his convoy drums, would seek blessings at the memorial of Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj, and after that, he would proceed to Satara, to meet whoever was the master of the throne.”
For thirteen days, Nanasaheb himself toiled hard day and night, and completed the last rites with complete devotion and in all respects. There are very detailed arrangements documented in that respect. Later, through Govind Ballal (Kher-Bundele), Maharaj’s ashes were immersed in the Ganga at Kashi, for which ten thousand rupees were spent. The pot in which the ashes were kept was stolen from Mahuli. There is a document bearing Tarabai’s order to investigate this incident of theft.
Accordingly, it was done. The last rites were performed according to the Shastras. The rites were performed at the hands of Mungi’s Maloji Bhosale. The procession went to Mahuli at the confluence of three rivers. The expenses of the last rites have been documented as rupees 45,412.
There remains a dispute to this date whether Sakwarbai was forced to immolate herself by the group of ministers led by the Peshwa. There was certainly no love lost between them. This was even more so since she had purportedly sent assassins to kill them. In the Govindrao Chitnis authored Shahu-Charitra, he writes that it was Tarabai who said that Sakwar should go Sati with the king, or she will become a nuisance.
Grant Duff has blamed Nanasaheb Peshwa mentioning that he forced Sakwarbai to commit Sati, and instead of that, if she had been openly hanged unto her death, it would have been befitting his stature. Many people still believe it to be true. One cannot judge the events of the past by wearing lenses of the future. Actually, if one wishes to judge past affairs, then one needs to acquire the perspective of the past, which considers the prevailing situation at that time, and should not be polluted by pre-conceived notions of their own times. Due to Bai committing Sati, Nanasaheb’s later path became easier. This does not mean that he forced her to commit Sati through his selfish intentions. Imagining the contemporary situation, one can cite the below points.
- From the evidences provided above, only Peshwa was not the chief advisor who sent the message about committing Sati to Sakwarbai. All the chiefs who had gathered at the time had played a part in it. In fact, Tarabai was the leader in these people. Sakwarbai too could have accepted the control of the stewards. But she was not ready to accept Tarabai’s control.
- Howsoever foolhardy and cruel this tradition seems today it was prevalent at the time. In fact, committing Sati was the norm while not doing so was considered an exception. It was a different matter if there were worldly reasons supporting the decision to not commit Sati. Otherwise, whoever did not have such reason, would normally on her own tend towards committing it.
- While writing description of the wealth and virtues of various Rajas, how many wives and maids committed Sati after their death, would also be conveyed on purpose. Kanhoji Angre, Pratinidhi etc. examples have been related previously. This was considered the proof of the king’s wealth and fame. This statement especially and fully applied to Rajputana. Shahu had always been desirous of being considered an equal of, or sometimes even better than, the kings at Udaipur, Jaipur etc. He had even debated with Jaisingh once about what they both had done for the Hindu religion.
- It seems Sakwarbai was beyond fifty years of age at this time. She did not have any familial bonds like a child etc. She had lived her family life. Shahu did not have any other queen who could commit Sati. So, it was somewhat befitting and necessary for Shahu’s prestige for this queen to commit Sati after him.
- Nanasaheb was utterly devoted to Shahu. Not only Nanasaheb, but any of Shahu’s other servants would not have appreciated any behaviour on part of the master’s wife, which would besmirch his name or would bring ignominy to it. Nobody of the time would have liked her initial advertisement made one or two months before the actual event declared all over the kingdom, and then rescinding on that at the last moment; especially when Shahu’s widow, without any child, already well past her prime, had enjoyed the glory of being his wife, leaving the husband alone in the journey after his death, just to fulfil her wish to raise problems in this world, would not have been much appreciated by anybody at that time. Making an announcement in advance to commit Sati was not like raising an unnecessary hue and cry to get your task accomplished. Such acts would harm the usual reverence people hold in their hearts for the dead. It feels like a mockery of the dead. There is no reason to believe that if Sakwarbai had not committed Sati, the future course of history would have turned out any different.
To be continued…
NDHistories 