SAMBHAJI II’S SURRENDER

Pratinidhi polished off the whole camp and arrested thousands of men. The people captured mainly included Tarabai, Rajasbai, Sambhaji II’s wives, Bhagwantrao Amatya, and Vyankatrao Ghorpade. Out of these, Rajasbai and Sambhaji II’s wives were honourably delivered at Panhala, and Pratinidhi returned back to Satara along with the remaining three. Shahu initially thought about sending Tarabai back, but she said, “Wherever I go, I have to remain in captivity, So why not with you.”

So, she was kept at the royal mansion atop Satara fort which was repaired for her stay. Yado Gopal was given to her as her steward. If Tarabai had gone to Kolhapur, Ramaraja would not have been installed on the Satara throne later, and the history of the Maratha Confederacy could have been different to some degree. Sambhaji II paid the ransom for Bhagwantrao Amatya to keep his own prestige and got him released. He did not even investigate about Vyankatrao. The Pratinidhi would not release him since he was considered a rebel. So, Bajirao paid the ransom of ten thousand rupees and freed him from the Pratinidhi’s captivity. Pratinidhi and Bajirao were servants of the same master. This example of one servant paying the ransom for an enemy captured in battle to the other servant, is an indication of Shahu’s state administration.

After this, Sambhaji II dumped his intentions of war, and resolved to surrender to Shahu, to ensure his arrangements were in place. It is not known on whose advice Sambhaji II had acted. His wife Jijabai was probably the chief actor. Historian Mr Khare has perfectly described Jijabai’s nature, which helps us understand Sambhaji II’s politics and capability. “Jijabai was bright as the fire. Her punishments were hard-hearted and strict. She would never think twice whether the route she had chosen was good or bad, in her craze to achieve the objective. She was an extremely suspicious person. She would feel like everybody was waiting to destroy her. It can be generally stated that the credit for establishing a separate seat at Kolhapur goes to Jijabai. At this time and later during Madhavrao Peshwa’s time, the Kolhapur seat was protected only due to Jijabai’s wisdom. Tarabai too was equally rebellious, pushing, and eager to display her authority, similar to Jijabai. But Tarabai did not understand whether her objectives would be fulfilled through such efforts. Even though Jijabai was of similar nature, she was circumspect. She would achieve her objectives, by recognising her own strengths and weaknesses, paying heed to those of her opponents, would act as per the situation, without remaining adamant on her demands, and giving in at times. Tarabai never had this compromising cleverness. However, around 1730, the administration of Kolhapur was in a state of disorder. Jijabai did not agree with anybody else. She had begun oppressing the Sardars and ministers, due to which the leadership of Karweer was in a state of chaos. Besides, Jijabai, in her initial immature years, did not have that large an influence in the kingdom at this time.”

Sambhaji II’s mother Rajasbai had carried out Kolhapur’s administration for the two years Sambhaji II had gone to join the Nizam. Later, she would visit Satara with Sambhaji II. She lived a long life and died on 26 April 1751.

Besides Jijabai, one cannot say Kolhapur’s ministers were chief advisors for Sambhaji II. In 1723, Timaji Raghunath Hanmante was the Peshwa at Kolhapur. In 1727, the Nizam made Chimnaji Damodar as Sambhaji II’s Peshwa which has been mentioned earlier. Since 1730, Mahad’s Nilkanth Trimbak Prabhu seems to have been the Khasnis and his brother Keshav Trimbak seems to have been the Pradhan. When the Nizam was defeated at Palkhed, Sambhaji II was exposed, returned back to Panhala, and was settling down his administration there with advice from Krishnaji Parashuram Pratinidhi, in the month of March 1730, Shahu attacked him via a campaign and defeated him. In letters dated 12 July and 17 October Shahu has issued orders to Sambhaji Angre and Pratinidhi to capture Vishalgad. This shows that Shahu seems to have captured Panhala already and Sambhaji II did not have any shelter. In such a situation, on 8 August 1730, Sambhaji II ordered his Pradhan Nilkanth Trimbak to go to Shahuraje and negotiate terms of a treaty.

Before this, Udaji Chavhan would keep supporting Sambhaji II off and on. Since he did not have anybody else, Sambhaji would keep his company. But this Udaji Chavhan has to be counted amongst many persons who had whiled away their lives through false pride of their prowess, and uncertainty in their minds. He had met Shahu, spoken with him, pledged his allegiance to him ritually at the beginning of 1729. But he still continued his errant ways like before, and therefore, Shahu himself attacked him later.

To be continued…

BALAJI’S FAMILY

The Peshwa family was not staying at Pune around the time of Balaji’s death. Balaji used to be commonly called Balajipant Nana. He was married to Radhabai at a young age. Her handwriting is available from Saka 1601. He had two sons and two daughters. Eldest son Visaji alias Bajirao was born on 18 August 1700. Younger Chimnaji Appa was four to five years younger. Daughter Bhiubai was born after Bajirao, Chimaji after her, and youngest daughter Anubai after him. Anubai was the favourite of all, and her brothers used to absolutely dote on her. They used to make her happy by giving her gifts or presenting her with novel things from faraway lands. In arranging marriage alliances of all four children, Balaji chose wealthy, intelligent, and Shahu’s favourite moneylender families on purpose. Bajirao’s wife Kashibai was a daughter of Shahu’s moneylender Mahadaji Krishna Joshi. “Balaji said to Mahadajipant, I will marry Bajirao with your daughter. He was very happy and gave his daughter.”

At the same time, Balaji also fixed the marriage of his elder daughter Bhiubai with another moneylender Baramati’s Babuji Naik Joshi’s brother Abaji. He also carried out both the marriage ceremonies around 1710-11 before he was given the Peshwa’s office. At this time, Bajirao was probably ten years of age while Bhiubai was eight. Bhiubai died on 7 June 1747. Chimaji Appa was married in 1716 with Trimbakrao Pethe’s sister, Rakhmabai. She bore him a son Sadashivrao Bhau. His maternal uncle was Trimbakrao Pethe. For this marriage, Balaji had taken loan of some five to seven hundred rupees from Brahmendra Swami and had got Bajirao to stand guarantee for the same. The last marriage, Anubai’s, probably took place in 1719, while Balaji was near Kolhapur, with Ichalkaranji’s Vyankatrao Narayan Joshi Ghorpade, serving the Ghorpade family. She died on 30 December 1783. Balaji died soon after her marriage. From all this, it seems that Balaji was always facing financial difficulties, and relied heavily upon his relatives and family members for his livelihood. There is a reference of him performing religious pilgrimage to Kashi as well. While coming back from Delhi, he probably went to Kashi and Prayag.

Balaji’s wife Radhabai belonged to Neware’s Barve family and was famous for her intellect. She knew how to read and write. Her handwritten letters have been found in the documents maintained by the Peshwa’s religious Purohits at Nashik, the Hingnes. She used to often participate in the state’s administration. She would act from the perspective of public welfare in many of the familial or social matters. She kept a tight leash in her own household over her daughters-in-law, children, grandchildren, and the overall family itself. Everybody used to fear her anger.

Like the way Bajirao’s ability is right there at the top just under that of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, there should be no objection to assume, that Radhabai’s ability stands similar right under that of Jijabai. Radhabai impressed upon her sons and relatives’ sons the importance of simple, strong and adventurous nature, right since their childhood. These impressions became the reason behind their future rise. She was able to completely understand all kinds of political moves everywhere. Her sons used to consult her in difficult situations and used to act accordingly. Upon hearing that Bajirao was going to meet the Nizam, Radhabai was extremely afraid of the Mughal treachery. There are numerous letters of Radhabai available, which refer to such situation and warn Bajirao of danger. Her brave sons believed that all their objectives would get fulfilled upon receiving their mother’s blessings. Renowned and powerful Sardars like Angre, Nimbalkar, Jadhav etc. and sages like Brahmendra Swami too respected her much. However, the relationship between Bajirao and Mastani was hurtful to her for a short while. She died on 19 April 1753.

To be continued…

MOTHER YESUBAI

In the end, Yesubai lived a very satisfied life, after coming back to the Deccan, living five to ten years with her fortunate son and then bidding farewell to this world.

In 1690, the Badshah Aurangzeb imprisoned Yesubai and kept her in his camp. In that calamity, she behaved extremely cleverly and spent her days up to 1707 very tactfully. Shahu’s wife Ambikabai had died even before Shahu had been released. Later, his mother Yesubai, wife Savitribai, Sambhajiraje’s son with a concubine Madan Singh, two other family ladies Durgabai and Janakibai, probably Madan Singh’s wives, and some servants, all of these were taken to Delhi. Balaji freed all of them and brought them to the Deccan. Sambhaji II writes to Shahu in one of his letters, “Mother Aausaheb has arrived, we got that news.” Besides, there are other such references as well. In another letter, Sambhaji II says, “By God’s will, revered Savitribai has bid farewell, we got this news and were extremely saddened.” This meant, this Savitribai, Shahu’s wife, Rustamrao Jadhav’s daughter, had also arrived back in the Deccan along with Yesubai and had died sometime later. When Yesubai died, Sambhaji II had written the following letter to Shahu. Shahu and Sambhaji II entered into a treaty in 1731, and thereafter lived amicably. This letter must have been after that treaty.

“At the service of Shreemat Sakalateerthaswaroop (equivalent to all the auspicious religious places), Rajashriya Virajaman (one who occupies the kingdom’s throne), Rajashree Shahuraje, son Sambhajiraje (II) pays his respects. The fatherly elder brother has sent a letter blessing us, that was received. You wrote that Matoshree Yesubaisaheb passed away after a short illness. Due to that our heart was filled with extreme misery. This world is like that. Elders know everything. The heart is consoled through discernment, and should be calmed down. Nothing more to write, elders are all-knowing.”

Sambhajiraje and Yesubai were married around 1669. If one assumes that she was ten years of age at that time, then at the time of her death, she must have been well past seventy. In 1690, when Raigad was captured, she was captured by Zulfiqar Khan. At that time, she was around 30 years old. She had her eight-year-old son Shahu, and Madan Singh around the same age with her then. Of the seniors, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s wife Sakwarbai etc. people were also with her. Yesubai’s maiden name was Jiubai. It has been mentioned before how Yesubai displayed extreme sacrifice when she urged Rajaram to leave Raigad in front of impending capture by Zulfiqar Khan. She offered herself to remain at the fort to again ensure Zulfiqar Khan stayed in the siege and not chase Rajaram. She lived for almost 30 years in the captivity of Aurangzeb and his successors. The fact that she returned to Swarajya to live a few years more and then bid farewell to this world gives us an idea of the tenacity of the lady.

Yesubai was much revered. Shahu, Sambhaji II etc. used to respect her a lot. Sambhaji II’s respect for her is anyways expressed in the above letter. After facing various calamities, Shahu finally got to see some good days, for which he always credited his mother. Overall, like Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and Jijabai Aaisaheb, the Maratha leadership equally revered Shahu and Yesubai as well. Yesubai and Tarabai were sisters-in-law. But considering the difference between their nature and capability, both their characters are historically very important.

Shahu had been married two times earlier by Aurangzeb, as mentioned before. Out of them, one wife Ambikabai had died when Shahu was still in captivity. Second wife Savitribai went to Delhi along with Yesubai, and she too died upon her return to Deccan. After Shahu settled down at Satara with help from Balaji Vishwanath, he again married two times. One with Ranoji Shirke’s daughter Sakwarbai, and second with Sagunabai from the Mohite family. There are references indicating both these marriages happened together. However, it looks like these happened with a difference of some time period between them between the years 1714 and 1721.

To be continued…

OTHER IMPORTANT COLLEAGUES

The founder of the Pratinidhi family, Parashuram Trimbak became famous around this time. He was a native of a village named Kinhai near Nandgiri. He was a devotee of Goddess Yamai of the original Moolpeeth at Aundh. The two brothers, Madhavrao and Parashurampant, were Kulkarnis of the Kinhai village. Parashurampant came to Vishalgad and began performing the job of a clerk under Ramchandrapant Amatya at a young age. Seeing his skill, Pant appointed him as his Mutalik (representative) on a salary of eight hon per month. After this, he began participating in battles, and began proving his prowess there too. For this, he was given epithets like ‘Suba-Lashkar’ and ‘Samsherjung’, and in due course of time, he kept getting offices like Pratinidhi, Pradhan, Amatya. When Aurangzeb was striving to capture the whole Maharashtra, Parashurampant ensured security at all the forts, generated pride about Swarajya in people’s hearts, and recaptured the region from Miraj up to Rangna from the Mughals. After Rajaram, Tarabai used to primarily trust Parashurampant.

The first mighty feat Parashurampant displayed was in recapturing the Panhala fort. Maval forts were recaptured by Shankaraji Narayan, but almost the second capital after Raigad, and its pair Pawangad was captured by the Badshah, the moment Rajaram had left for Jinji towards the end of 1689. Of these, Panhala was recaptured by Parashurampant through a constant struggle of two years in the month of June 1692. Due to this, the Badshah was incensed, and kept struggling constantly to capture Panhala back for the next three years. His grandsons and many of his renowned sardars had besieged Panhala. But Pant fought hard against all of those, and did not lose the fort. If the details of whatever struggles took place for five long years for this fort become available, it would be a huge accretion to our historical knowledge. For now, just some scanty references of Islamic writers are available. The Badshah became convinced about how difficult it was to capture these forts, when even after three years of hard work, he had not been able to capture Panhala.

Parashuram Trimbak was thoughtful and virtuous in his own way, and courageous man in terms of both diplomatic and warrior spirit. He had a mixture of qualities of both Ramchandrapant and Shankaraji Narayan in him. His loyalty remained immovable in his Chhatrapati.

Both Bhosale and Ghorpade families had been born of a single Sisodia clan from Udaipur. Ghorpade family at Mudhol was the elder, while Bhosales at Satara were younger. The elder son Karn Singh of Ugrasen was the ancestor of Ghorpades, and his younger son Shubhakrishna was the ancestor of the Bhosales. Baji Ghorpade, the ninth born in Karn Singh’s line, was killed by Shivaji Maharaj. Shivaji Maharaj himself was the tenth born in Shubhakrishna’s line. Baji’s cousin was Mhaloji Ghorpade, who had three sons, Santaji, Bahirji, and Maloji. When Shivaji Maharaj went on the Carnatic campaign, Santaji and Bahirji had accompanied him. Later when the Ghorpades captured most of the Carnatic regions to river Krishna’s south, their family grew other branches at Sondur, Gajendragad, Dattawad, Kapshi etc. Santaji got the office of Commander-in-Chief from Rajaram in 1691, which he took away from Santaji in 1696, and it was given to Dhanaji Jadhav. Due to this, he later became upset. Bahirji, his son Sidhoji and grandson Murarrao primarily participated in later Maratha kingdom efforts. This proves the importance of this family.

Dhanaji Jadhav’s family had originated from the Jadhavraos of Sindakhed. After Jijabai’s father Lakhuji and brother Achaloji were murdered at Daulatabad, Jijabai took care of Achaloji’s minor son Santaji and brought him up. Lakhuji’s brother Jagdevrao sought refuge from the Mughal Badshah at Delhi, from where he got awarded an epithet ‘Rustamrao’. Jijabai’s elder son Sambhaji and her nephew Santaji were of same age, and used to live together. Both of them were killed in the battle of Kanakgiri together. Santaji’s son Shambhusingh used to accompany Shivaji Maharaj. His son Dhanaji was born around 1650, and after growing up, he began working under Prataprao Gujar. Dhanaji’s spark was noticed by Shivaji Maharaj in the battles at Umbarani and Nesri. However, Dhanaji is not heard of during Sambhajiraje’s career. However, his prowess again started shining brightly after Sambhajiraje’s death. After Rajaram’s departure to Jinji, Dhanaji displayed wonderful might in Maharashtra and achieved huge success against the Badshah’s forces. For this, Rajaram gave him an epithet of Jaisinghrao.

One must count Khando Ballal Chitnis as one of the chief leaders and loyal servants at this time. He was with Sambhajiraje when he was captured. After Sambhajiraje’s assassination, he went to Jinji with Rajaram. He had to face numerous calamities and fatal struggles for Rajaram. His brother Nilo Ballal was given the office of the Dewan of Raja Karn (Rajaram’s son with a concubine). When Khando Ballal’s wife died in Jinji, Rajaram himself ordered two more wives, Kami and Kakai, to be brought from homeland to Jinji and got him married to them. Achieving complete grace of Rajaram, upon his request, he was given Sardeshmukhi office of the Dabhol province. Later, he gave away this watan to Ganoji Shirke and through him got Rajaram freed from Jinji.

To be continued…

CHRONOLOGY

It would be beneficial if a chronology of the events in Sambhajiraje’s life is provided at this stage.

Date	Events
14 May 1657	(Twelfth day of the waxing moon fortnight in the month of Jyeshtha, Hemalambi named Samvatsar, Shaka 1579) Sambhajiraje’s birth at Purandar.
5 September 1659	(Fourteenth day of the waning moon fortnight in the month of Bhadrapad, Shaka 1581) Mother Maharani Saibai dies at Rajgad.
After April 1661	Sambhajiraje’s marriage with Rajasbai, daughter of Pilajirao Shirke.
13 June 1665	Treaty between Marathas and Mughals, Sambhajiraje gets Mansabdari (commandery) over five-thousand cavalrymen from the Mughals.
June – September 1665	Sambhajiraje goes to Mirza Raja Jaisingh to accept the Mansabdari.
5 March 1666	Sambhajiraje goes to Agra along with Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.
11 May 1666	Father-son duo arrive at Agra.
13 May 1666	Badshah Aurangzeb gifts Saropa, gemstone encrusted dagger, and a pearl necklace to Sambhajiraje.
17 August 1666	Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and Sambhajiraje escape from Agra.
20 November 1666	Sambhajiraje arrives back at Rajgad.
27 October 1667	Sambhajiraje arrives at Aurangabad in relation with Mughal Mansabdari.
4 November 1667	Sambhajiraje meets Shah Aalam.
5 November 1667	Sambhajiraje returns to Rajgad.
December 1669 – January 1670	Sambhajiraje’s Mansabdari ends because the treaty with the Mughals is broken. Due to this, Prataprao Gujar returns to Rajgad from Aurangabad.
26 January 1671	Responsibility of managing independent administration entrusted to Sambhajiraje. For this, stewards, scribes, and other arrangements made.
19 September 1671	Mahadaji Yamaji provided as Waknis to Sambhajiraje.
January 1672	Sambhajiraje at the forefront of Ramnagar campaign along with Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.
6 March 1673	Annajipant captures Panhala through subterfuge, Kondaji Farzand had attacked the fort with only 60 men. Sambhajiraje stays at Panhalgad.
April – June 1674	Sambhajiraje given responsibility to deal with the British trading company.
June 1674	Sambhajiraje felicitated as Yuvaraj in Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s coronation ceremony.
17 June 1674	Rajmata Jijabai dies at Pachad.
4 February 1675	Sambhajiraje’s upanayana ceremony. Sambhajiraje appointed to lead the campaign to attack Adilshahi realms.
7 July 1675	Negotiations held with Khanjahan Bahadur about a Treaty with the Mughals.
7 September 1675	British emissary Samuel Austin meets Shivaji Maharaj and Sambhajiraje for negotiations about the plunder of Rajapur factory.
6 October 1676	Shivaji Maharaj embarks on the Carnatic campaign.
1 November 1676	Sambhajiraje assumes control at Shringarpur as the Subedar of Prabhavali Suba.
1677	Sambhajiraje visits the British to negotiate the compensation for the plunder of Rajapur factory.
10 January 1677	Reference to Sambhajiraje’s authority in a letter from British officials at Surat.
21 October 1677	Sambhajiraje kept at Shringarpur. Umajipant Pandit kept as company.
4 September 1678	Sambhajiraje blessed with daughter Bhawanibai. Born at Shringarpur.
3 November 1678	Sambhajiraje told to stay at Parali fort (Sajjangad) in Samarth Ramdas Swami’s presence by Shivaji Maharaj.
3 December 1678	Sambhajiraje runs away from Parali fort (Sajjangad) and joins Mughal sardar Diler Khan.
13 December 1678	Sambhajiraje meets Diler Khan. Conferred upon mansabdari of seven-thousand cavalrymen.
3 April 1679	Diler Khan attacks various places in the Maratha realms along with Sambhajiraje. Captures Bhupalgad.
15 September 1679	Diler Khan attacks Bijapur.
26 November 1679	Sambhajiraje runs away from Diler Khan’s camp and reaches Bijapur.
21 December 1679	Sambhajiraje reaches Panhalgad.
13 January 1680	Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and Sambhajiraje, the father-son duo meet at Panhalgad.
18 January 1680	Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj enters into a treaty with the British.
22 January 1680 to 19 February 1680	Sambhajiraje attacks Burhanpur.
15 March 1680	Rajaram’s marriage with Prataprao Gujar’s daughter Janakibai.
3 April 1680	Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj dies at Raigad.
15 April 1680	Sambhajiraje orders to bring the food-grain from Karwar harbour.
Before 19 April 1680	Sambhajiraje gathering forces at Panhala. Due to blockade of food-grains and provisions, people get frightened that Sambhajiraje would plunder Karwar.
20 April 1680	Mughals begin troubling British, Dutch, and Portuguese at Surat. British get a tax share of 3.5%.
21 April 1680	Through the initiative of Annajipant Surnis Rajaram’s accession to throne. Decision to arrest Sambhajiraje. Responsibility given to Moropant Peshwe and dispatched to Panhalgad.
26 April 1680	Sambhajiraje assumes control. Orders dispatched through Raoji Pandit telling all Subedars to provide revenue assessment details to Sambhajiraje at Panhala.
27 April 1680	Sambhajiraje assumes kingship. Calls all Havildars and Subedars for meeting him. Some of them arrested, and some removed.
6 May 1680	Rajaram’s accession to throne by everyone’s agreement at Raigad.
7 May 1680	Portuguese begin friendly negotiations with Sambhajiraje.
18 June 1680	Sambhajiraje reaches Raigad and begins his administration.
27 June 1680	Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s fourth wife Putalabai commits Sati.
20 July 1680	Sambhajiraje’s accession to throne.
Before 7 August 1680	Bahadur Khan besieges Ahiwantgad. Marathas put up fierce resistance. Sambhajiraje himself prepares to go for help.
September 1680	Chhatrapati Sambhajiraje attacks Underi with 200 men, but failure due to unknown route and location.
October-November 1680	Chhatrapati Sambhajiraje seeks blessings from Baba Yakut of Kelshi. Emissary of Mumbai’s British warned about not helping the Siddis. Chhatrapati Sambhajiraje dispatches one detachment towards Surat, another towards Burhanpur, and third to attack Bahadur Khan. Chhatrapati Sambhajiraje’s navy begins free movement and attacks various places.
12 December 1680	Chhatrapati Sambhajiraje arrests Raghunath Narayan (Hanmante) and replaces him by Harjiraje Mahadik and Shyamji Naik Punde to run the Carnatic affairs.
1 January 1681	Shehzada Akbar begins efforts to arrest Badshah Aurangzeb and assume throne.
16 January 1681	Shehzada Akbar openly revolts against his father. Attacks Ajmer. Akbar defeated in the battle. Chhatrapati Sambhajiraje’s coronation with due ceremony on seventh day of waxing moon fortnight of the month of Magha Shaka 1602. Ceremony held at Raigad.
11 February 1681	Chhatrapati Sambhajiraje’s forces plunder Dharangaon.
April-May 1681	Maratha detachment attacks Aurangabad.
9 May 1681	Akbar seeks refuge from Chhatrapati Sambhajiraje along with Durgadas. A letter is dispatched containing that purport.
16 May 1681	Chhatrapati Sambhajiraje’s forces attack region around Daman and burn some houses.
10 June 1681	Akbar stays at Pali. Netoji Palkar and Hiroji Farzand appointed for meeting with him.
31 July 1681	Aurangzeb sends his third son Azamshah to arrest Akbar.
August-September 1681	Secretary Annaji Datto, Balaji Aavji Prabhu, Somaji Datto, and Hiroji Farzand arrested on suspicion of having conspired to poison Chhatrapati Sambhajiraje, killed later.
8 September 1681	Aurangzeb arrives in Burhanpur. Chhatrapati Sambhajiraje’s stepmother Soyarabai dies.
13 November 1681	Chhatrapati Sambhajiraje and Akbar meet at Patshahpur (Dhondse, Pali, Patshahpur). Durgadas in attendance.
3 January 1682	Marathas burn Apte. Siddi wreaks havoc.
19 January 1682	Danda-Rajapuri faces fierce attack.
22 January 1682	Shree Ramdas Swami takes Samadhi atop Parali fort.
January 1682	Hassan Ali Khan attacks Kalyan-Bhiwandi province. Returns after arson. Dom Francisco De Tavor Counte De Alvor becomes Portuguese viceroy.
4 February 1682	Hassan Ali Khan burns many villages belonging to Chhatrapati Sambhajiraje. Battles with his forces. Danda-Rajapuri’s siege lifted.
22 March 1682	Aurangzeb arrives at Aurangabad.
March-April 1682	Shiyabuddin Khan besieges Ramshej fort.
April-May 1682	Rupaji Bhosale, Manaji More attack Shiyabuddin Khan in a fierce battle. Chhatrapati Sambhajiraje’s forces attack Anjadiv island and prepare to build a fort there. Portuguese capture the Anjadiv island back. Chhatrapati Sambhajiraje sends Maynak Bhandari and Siddi Sambool’s son-in-law to attack the British.
18 May 1682	Chhatrapati Sambhajiraje blessed with a son – Shahu, born at Gangawali.
June 1682	Marathas attack Chaul. In response the Portuguese attack Fonda. Marathas attack Khanderi.
28 July 1682	Chhatrapati Sambhajiraje captures Portuguese vessels. But becomes a centre of attacks on all sides at the same time.
July 1682	3-4 Forts belonging to Chhatrapati Sambhajiraje captured by the Mughals. Ramshej too captured. Help requested from Bijapur. Refused help because of many conditions.
28 August 1682	Siddi attacks Kurla, Nagothane side and plunders. Maratha forces’ siege around Janjira fails.
October 1682	Chhatrapati Sambhajiraje’s emissary sent to the British.
December 1682	Portuguese grant permission to the Mughal vessels to pass through their areas.
17 January 1683	Akbar meets Goa’s viceroy Francisco-de-Tavora
20 January 1683	Aurangzeb’s emissary Sheikh Mohammed arrives in Goa to meet the Portuguese viceroy. Chhatrapati Sambhajiraje’s forces capture two forts belonging to the Portuguese.
January-February 1683	Sultan Azamshah reaches up to Kolhapur. Hambirrao forces him back.
20 February 1683	Maratha emissary Yesaji Gambhirrao meets Portuguese viceroy.
March-April 1683	Rupaji Bhosale and Ranmast Khan meet in battle near Titoliya.
12 April 1683	Portuguese viceroy dispatches his duplicitous letter to Aurangzeb.
15 April 1683	Chhatrapati Sambhajiraje attacks Dahanu, Asheri, Saiwan, Tarapur etc. Portuguese stations.
4 May 1683	Beginning of opposing stand by Portuguese viceroy against Chhatrapati Sambhajiraje.
14 May 1683	Yesaji Gambhirrao, Chhatrapati Sambhajiraje’s permanent ambassador at Goa placed under house arrest by the Portuguese.
10 June 1683	Chhatrapati Sambhajiraje attacks Rajapur and Revdanda and besieges the fort.
22 July 1683	Chhatrapati Sambhajiraje attacks Chaul.
12 August 1683	Portuguese plan to attack Chhatrapati Sambhajiraje at Narwe.
September-October 1683	Aurangzeb arrives at Ahmednagar from Aurangabad. Diler Khan dies.
27 October 1683	Portuguese viceroy travels to Agashi for attacking Fonda.
1 November 1683	Chhatrapati Sambhajiraje besieges Handi (Fonda). Yesaji Kank and his son Krishnaji Kank prove their mettle.
24 November 1683	Chhatrapati Sambhajiraje besieges Goa’s Santo Estivo fort and captures it (Juve Island).
11 December 1683	Chhatrapati Sambhajiraje attacks Sashti and Bardesh regions.
13 December 1683	Portuguese viceroy proclaims in his declaration that Chhatrapati Sambhajiraje will not stop unless he wipes out all of the Portuguese and Christian people in Goa.
23 December 1683	Kavi Kalash conferred with prime leadership position.
27 December 1683	Shiyabuddin Khan attacks Nizampur getting down from Devghat. Shah Aalam embarks via Ramghat to attack Kudal, Bande.
28 December 1683	Mumbai harbour passes under control of England’s King Charles, and Richard Kejwin appointed as governor.
2 January 1684	Chhatrapati Sambhajiraje returns to Raigad to face Shah Aalam’s attack.
7 January 1684	Akbar and Kavi Kalash negotiate the treaty with the Portuguese at Bheemgad. Nicolao Manucci officiates as interpreter.
7 January 1684	Shah Aalam gets down via Ram-Ghat into Konkan.
January-February 1684	Maratha-Portuguese Treaty.
17, 30 April 1684	Aurangzeb issues two firmans to pressurise Adilshahi.
26 April 1684	Mumbai’s governor Kejwin’s emissary Captain Gary meets Chhatrapati Sambhajiraje at Birwadi.
30 October 1684	Aurangzeb embarks on the final campaign to finish-off Adilshahi. Chhatrapati Sambhajiraje helps Adilshah to fight the Mughals.
19 November 1684	Mumbai island returned to East India Company.
February 1685	Maratha forces attack Dharangaon.
8 February 1685	Portuguese and Desai enter into secret arrangement. As per it, decision made for Desais to open revolt in the Maratha realms, and the Portuguese to help them.
June-July 1685	Kavi Kalash sent to help Adilshah.
November 1685	Nagoji Ballal takes huge force to help Adilshah.
September 1686	Siddi captures some forts belonging to the Marathas.
9 September 1686	Aurangzeb finishes off Adilshahi Sultanate
February-March 1687	Akbar leaves for Shaz.
17 September 1687	George Weldon and Robert Graham arrive at Raigad to meet Chhatrapati Sambhajiraje.
22 September 1687	Aurangzeb finishes off Golconda’s Qutubshahi Sultanate.
December 1687	Sarja Khan’s attack at Wai results in Chhatrapati Sambhajiraje’s Commander-in-Chief Hambirrao Mohite getting killed.
October-November 1688	Chhatrapati Sambhajiraje and Kavi Kalash resolve the matter of the Shirkes’ revolt and drive them away. Aurangzeb Badshah reaches the banks of Bheema from Bijapur.
1 February 1689	Sheikh Nizam captures Chhatrapati Sambhajiraje and Kavi Kalash while staying at Sangameshwar (at a nearby village Khatole).
15 February 1689	Sheikh Nizam arrives in Aurangzeb’s camp carrying his prisoners. Chhatrapati Sambhajiraje blinded.
11 March 1689	Aurangzeb orders Chhatrapati Sambhajiraje and Kavi Kalash to be beheaded while at Tulapur. Maharani Yesubai and son Shahu arrested at Raigad.

The End.

SHRINGARPUR

Until Maharaj’s coronation it was impossible for the question of inheritance of the throne to arise. After it however, it seems that the question reared up. At the time of coronation even while Soyarabai had been given the position of the Primary Queen, her son Rajaram was not given the position of Yuvaraj and it was given to Sambhajiraje. The British emissary too, had given gifts to Yuvaraj apart from Maharaj himself. Sambhajiraje was sitting on the steps leading to the throne, and that time it was as if his position as heir to the throne was accepted in a way. It was natural if Soyarabai felt that if such position was not given to her son Rajaram, it meant that the position of the future heir would also not be given to him, and she felt sad, considering general human nature.

When Shivaji Maharaj had attained the pinnacle of success in his career around 1674-75, he had been troubled by this household discord. Soyarabai possibly suggested Shivaji Maharaj to not keep Sambhajiraje and Rajaram together, since she was concerned that Rajaram was weak, and Sambhajiraje did not care about her. Shivaji Maharaj did not buy this. To avoid any misgivings, Shivaji Maharaj might have suggested a division of the kingdom. Soyarabai possibly suggested to keep the kingdom earned by Maharaj with Rajaram and create a new one for Sambhajiraje.

While these discussions were going on in the house, Shivaji Maharaj decided to embark on the Carnatic campaign (6 October 1676). To avoid any further clashes between Sambhajiraje and his stepmother, he decided to appoint him as Subedar over the Prabhavali province and stay at Shringarpur. Sambhajiraje moved his base to Shringarpur (Dt 1 November 1676). Maharaj gave a trusted colleague named Vishwanath with Sambhajiraje. Sambhajiraje carried on his usual administrative responsibilities there. He seems to have kept himself engaged in activities like daily exercise, archery, studying the Puranas and history. It is possible, that he wrote his book ‘Budhabhushan’ there. He used to behave caringly with people. Whoever sought his refuge he would grant them. People troubled by Shivaji Maharaj’s ministers would go to Shringarpur under Sambhajiraje’s care. Sambhajiraje would provide them support and assurance. Seeing that Sambhajiraje had established himself well there, Soyarabai and her supporters could not bear it, and they began to trouble Sambhajiraje. But they could not affect him much.

There was no reason for Sambhajiraje himself to begin this household strife. He was the eldest son of Shivaji Maharaj. As per tradition and political scriptures, he was the heir to the throne. And the way Shivaji Maharaj had groomed him in the southern politics, he intended to make Sambhajiraje his heir. So, it can be deduced that the household strife originated from Queen Soyarabai. She got the position of the eldest queen at the time of Shivaji Maharaj’s coronation. But instead of her son getting the position of Yuvaraj, it was given to Sambhajiraje. This meant that her son would not have inherited the kingdom. It is possible, that her desire for her son to inherit the kingdom, would have been in her heart from the beginning. It was just that the courage to express it openly germinated there only after Rajmata Jijabai died. It seems the reasons behind the household strife at Raigad had originated not in Sambhajiraje’s misbehaviour, but it possibly could have been in the ambitions and selfishness of Queen Soyarabai and the Ministers colluding with her. After the coronation ceremony (June 1674) Sambhajiraje remained at Raigad until October 1676, meaning for two-and-a-quarter years. In October 1676, Shivaji Maharaj embarked on his Carnatic Campaign. Sambhajiraje too stepped out with him, and never returned to Raigad until Maharaj’s death. Even though Maharaj kept going back to Raigad once in a while, Sambhajiraje did not visit there for three to three-and-half years. It is possible, that during this period of his prolonged absence from Raigad, Soyarabai and the ministers aligned with her must have established their influence in the political moves at the capital. During 1675-76, Sambhajiraje carried out two major campaigns in Goa-North Carnatic and Bhaganagar.

Thus, while himself leaving on the Carnatic campaign, Shivaji Maharaj asked Sambhajiraje to accompany him as his consecrated Yuvaraj, then appointed him as a Subedar over Prabhavali province and ordered him to stay at Shringarpur. One thing is clear that, around this time (October 1676), the situation that had presented itself at Raigad was such, that keeping Sambhajiraje there was more concerning. The relations between Sambhajiraje, Soyarabai and the ministers had been strained so much that it was beneficial for the kingdom and himself that the Yuvaraj would step out of the capital. The strained and tense situation atop Raigad was produced by Queen Soyarabai, and her backer ministers Annaji Datto Sachiv, Raoji Somnath etc. Soyarabai’s desire related to making her son the heir to the throne, which had been lying dormant so far, had been expressed openly. It seems that she had insisted upon getting the Maharashtra kingdom for her own son and making some other arrangement for Sambhajiraje. The previous frustration in the beginning must have quickly given way to a fierce household strife so much, so that even Shivaji Maharaj had had to address it openly.

To be continued…

SAMBHAJIRAJE’S RESPONSIBILITIES

While at Raigad, Sambhajiraje used to get involved in the court affairs every day. On 6 September 1675, a British emissary named Samuel Austin had gone to Raigad to demand compensation for the plunder of Rajapur Factory. This emissary met Maharaj on 7 September 1675. At the time of these negotiations, Sambhajiraje was sitting right beside Shivaji Maharaj, and other officials had been standing on the side.

In 1675, Maharaj seems to have dispatched Sambhajiraje again on war-front. Maharaj attacked Adilshahi realms, and Sambhajiraje had participated in that campaign. This campaign has been described by John Friar. He was a doctor by profession. In 1673, he came to Hindustan. After roaming around at Surat, Mumbai, Junnar etc. places, he went to Karwar from Mumbai and then reached Goa in 1675. In 1676, he was at Vengurla and was travelling to Karwar-Gokarna etc. regions. He wrote,

“In the intervening period, taking advantage of internecine discord amongst Adilshahi sardars, Shivajiraje’s army is simply running haywire wherever they wish. The battalion under Sambhajiraje went right up to Bhaganagar in Golconda Sultanate. Another detachment attacked the Fonda fort near Goa. Shivajiraje’s son plundered some part of Bhaganagar and burnt it down. Suddenly blocked by Bahlaul Khan, he dodged him and took a completely different route to return back. On his way back, he also raided Hubli, Raibaug and other market towns.”

Dr Friar has mentioned this in one of his letters from 1678.

In the month of April 1675, Shivaji Maharaj began the siege of Fonda. At this time, Sambhajiraje plundered a city named Ettageri in the Adilshahi realms, and two other big cities near Bhaganagar, collected huge wealth from there, and took the moneylenders as captive to Shivaji Maharaj at Fonda. Sambhajiraje seems to have especially helped Shivaji Maharaj in the political moves at Goa. After the capture of Fonda, Sambhajiraje had informed the Portuguese at Goa to leave alone the 60 villages falling under its catchment area.

When Shivaji was coronated atop Raigad, Sambhajiraje was given the task of monitoring the various arrangements for guests like the British. This meant, Shivaji Maharaj had never thought twice to ensure Sambhajiraje cultivated the capability to judge good or bad of his own kingdom by investing his mind into important tasks like this. Sambhajiraje had been involved in the relations with the British through some or the other reason. He had received the opportunity to negotiate with them. Even the British at Surat had formed a good opinion about him. They felt, that Shivaji Maharaj and Sambhajiraje would not loot their factories from that point on. The British at Surat had written to their Mumbai colleagues on 10 January 1677,

“However, we are aware that one doesn’t feel assured about Shivaji’s firmans. But he is prospering and his kingdom is increasing, due to which it doesn’t seem possible to suspect that he will rob us in his own kingdom. There doesn’t seem to be any reason to worry even after his death. Because his son already seems to be authorised and has sufficient understanding.”

From the year 1671 when Sambhajiraje was given administrative responsibilities, until the January of 1677, when he went to the British for negotiations, in his movements on the battlefield or in the administrative affairs, it doesn’t seem like he committed any misbehaviour or maladministration. He is seen to be carrying out the responsibility entrusted to him.

Till the year 1670, Sambhajiraje was the one and only son in all of Bhosale family. Due to this, it was natural for Sambhajiraje to be everyone’s favourite until any of his other stepmothers had been blessed with another son. Until then, there was no reason for the relations between Shivaji and Sambhajiraje father-son duo to turn sour, and it doesn’t seem like they did.

On 24 February 1670, Soyarabai gave birth to a son. Shivaji Maharaj was blessed with another son. At the time of coronation ceremony, Sambhajiraje was seventeen years old, while Rajaram was just four years old. Until 1674, meaning until the coronation ceremony was complete, Maharaj’s mother Jijabaisaheb was alive. So, it was natural for the many wives of Shivaji Maharaj, and her daughters-in-law to be in her control, and all the household affairs under her watchful eye. Until then, it was not possible to some untoward thoughts being expressed by someone or any sort of household discord to arise. And it doesn’t seem like there was anything like that. But a few days after the coronation, the very capable Queen Mother like Jijabai, who had retained some kind of control over everyone, from the king to her daughters-in-law all through her existence, personality, and authority, died on 17 June 1674. It was natural for the awe that prevailed over Shivaji Maharaj’s wives, and the link that bound them together to break after this elderly watchful eye vanished.

To be continued…

GROOMING AS YUVARAJ

Sambhajiraje returned back safely, and the second stage of Shivaji Maharaj’s politics began. In the year 1667, Shivaji Maharaj implemented the erstwhile treaty with the Mughals. According to the terms of this treaty, Sambhajiraje had to again present himself as a Mansabdar for the Mughal army. On 27 September 1667, Sambhajiraje left Rajgad, and arrived in the camp of Shehzada Muazzam. Until 1669, Sambhajiraje was with Shehzada Muazzam. A contemporary account written by Abbey Carrey in 1672 says,

“Yuvaraj Sambhaji is young, but still courageous and brave befitting his father’s fame. He is an expert in the art of war, and extremely handsome. His armies love him utmost, and he is so popular, that even his father would feel jealous.”

This description is written by a contemporary when Sambhajiraje was just twelve years old. Abbey Carrey says further,

“Sambhaji has made such a close friendship with the Shehzada, that there are no secrets amongst them. Shivaji has purposely kept this Yuvaraj near the Shehzada, to ensure he encourages the Shehzada to revolt against Aurangzeb through his soft-spoken demeanour. Sambhaji is carrying out this responsibility very successfully.”

From Abbey Carrey’s assessment, it is evident that, Sambhajiraje had begun to handle shrewd political moves at a young age. Yuvaraj Sambhaji returned to his father in 1669, and began living with his family as before. Rajmata Jijabai had the final authority in Shivaji Maharaj’s kingdom for civil affairs. Sambhajiraje would accompany her. There, in her company, Sambhajiraje learnt to take care of the civil affairs. It was decided, that since Jijabai had grown old, the kingdom’s civil affairs should now be taken care by Sambhajiraje. Accordingly, there was an order issued on 26 January 1671. From 1671 up to 1674, Sambhajiraje ran the complicated civil affairs with excellent success. Of course, Jijabai used to keep a close eye. Slowly, Sambhajiraje’s position at the court grew so much, that the British and Portuguese officials coming to meet Shivaji Maharaj, would also meet Sambhajiraje along with him, and would send him letters expressing gratitude.

The period between 1670 to 1680 of Sambhajiraje’s life were spent as Yuvaraj. From the year 1670, Shivaji Maharaj had begun to educate Sambhajiraje as a Yuvaraj. To give him experience in administration, he gave him administrative responsibilities on the eleventh day of the waning moon fortnight in the month of Magha Shaka 1592 (26 January 1671). He was also given his own separate scribes. Even before 19 September 1671, Mahadaji Yamaji was performing the role of Waknis and Mutalik under Sambhajiraje. Since he had to commute to be present at the Court, he had been given an allowance of 100 hon annually. Shivaji Maharaj himself had written an order on 19 September 1671 to Dharrao Nimbalkar to allocate paper, ink and an assistant for the clerical work.

The overall career of Sambhajiraje deserves an equal amount, rather somewhat more research than that of Shivaji Maharaj. If the complete history of the Marathas is taken into a bird’s eye view, it is clearly visible, that except Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, not a single man has been born in the whole Chhatrapati dynasty, whose personality was as mighty, courageous and brilliant as Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj! In this dynasty, after Sambhaji Maharaj, three important rulers took birth who can be named with some reverence, Rajaram Maharaj, Shahu Maharaj II (Satara), and Sambhaji Maharaj II (Karweer). But none of these three could attain astronomical heights in reference to the virtues of Sambhaji Maharaj like valour, bravery, courage and self-esteem. Sambhajiraje had an abundance of noble virtues like courage, might, and love for his nation; even then, one cannot but feel sympathetic towards Sambhajiraje who met a heart-wrenching end, thereby hiding from public knowledge all his efforts in his nine years of administration. The person who struggled hard until the end of his life against many of the enemies like the Mughal Badshah, Siddis, Portuguese to protect the Hindavi Swarajya established by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, who never allowed the thought of surrender enter his mind even when being subjected to inhuman torture at the end of his life, and who committed the ultimate sacrifice in the struggle against the enemies, that Shivaji Maharaj’s son, Sambhaji Maharaj was termed by erstwhile historians as a misbehaving king who lost all his kingdom. What more unfortunate incident can one cite in history beyond this! Not only did Sambhaji Maharaj’s reign met a tragic end, but even the historians made it into such a tragedy! The persons and incidents associated with his rule are extremely interesting and recognizing what prevailed in his heart through a birds-eye-view is educative. There has been a great attraction in the Maratha realms about this historic personality of Sambhaji Maharaj. The common Marathi man has been loving him for three hundred years on his prowess, courage, bravery, self-respect, and love for his nation and religion.

To be continued…

CHHATRAPATI SAMBHAJI MAHARAJ

When I began the translation of GS Sardesai’s ‘Riyasat Volume 2’ containing the story of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj and Chhatrapati Rajaram Maharaj, I had a lot of apprehension about my ability to make justice with their personalities and inherent qualities. There have been a lot of common right and wrong beliefs that have spread amongst the general public due to the erstwhile accounts provided by Bakhar historians, and then its use by creative artists in their novels and plays. When I was actually in the midst of the translation, I also felt the account by GS Sardesai was strictly based on the resources available to him at that time (around 1920s-30s). There have been many other resources that have been discovered and published afterwards, which recent historians have taken into account. So, I felt that I must go through the account written by at least one other historian who could have written about these two Chhatrapatis. I found the historic literature produced by Dr Jaisinghrao Pawar eminently readable in this respect. So, this series is primarily based on two of the above resources and the resources these two historians must have studied.

One needs to cross two mental barriers to really fathom the character of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj. The first barrier is that one needs to understand the way the erstwhile Bakhar writers erected Sambhajiraje’s character, and secondly the way it was made popular by the novelists and dramatists. A quick overview of Sambhajraje’s life that needs to be brought out is as follows.

Shivaji Maharaj was born on 19 February 1630. At a young age, he was married to Saibai in 1641, meaning when he was 11 or 12 years old. Saibai had three daughters first. Her fourth child was Sambhaji. This child was born on Purandar fort on 14 May 1657. Sambhaji was Saibai’s last child. Saibai’s health was delicate at the time of his birth. She fell ill soon after this birth. That was why Sambhaji never got his mother’s milk. He grew up on the milk provided by a milk-mother Dharau. Saibai died on 5 September 1659, which was around two to two-and-a-quarter months before Afzal Khan’s assassination. She had suffered a prolonged illness before she died. When Sambhaji lost his mother, he was very young. He was just about two years old. His childhood went in utmost love provided by grandmother Jijabai. Shivaji Maharaj’s other wives also did not have any son. Maharaj was blessed with a second son Rajaram in 1670. At this point Sambhajiraje was 14 years old. Shivaji Maharaj captured Shringarpur in 1661. Sometime after 1661 and before 1665, Sambhajiraje was married to Yesubai. At the time of their marriage, Sambhajiraje could have been seven or eight years old, while Yesubai could have been four to five years old. It is possible, that Yesubai started living with Sambhajiraje immediately after marriage. It is also evident, that Shivaji Maharaj made excellent arrangements for Sambhajiraje’s education. Sambhajiraje began to write a Sanskrit text ‘Budhabhushan’ before 1677, at the age of twenty. Sambhajiraje studied ancient political scriptures, and collected the axioms from them into this text. In the preface to this text, Sambhajiraje himself says he has studied the art of poetry, other scriptures, Puranas, music and weaponry. There are contemporary and other many accounts available which praise him for his intellect and study. This shows, that Sambhajiraje was indeed very well-educated in Sanskrit. There was a permanent tutor named Umaji Pandit who used to teach Sambhajiraje. Similar to Shivaji, his childhood too was spent around adventure and campaigning. He had personally witnessed Shivaji’s encounters with Shaistakhan and Jaisingh. Sambhajiraje entered into politics on the instance of Mirza Raja Jaisingh. The treaty that was imposed by Mirza Raja Jaisingh on Shivaji Maharaj, had a clause, that Sambhajiraje was to stay in Jaisingh’s camp as a Mansabdar (commander) over five-thousand soldiers. Accordingly, Sambhajiraje arrived in Jaisingh’s camp on 18 June 1666. This meant that Sambhajiraje had to remain hostage for his father’s politics at the age of nine. Later, he had to go to Agra with his father. On 5 March 1666, the father-son duo began the journey towards Agra. On 15 May 1666, Sambhajiraje along with father was in attendance in Aurangzeb’s court to pay his obeisance. Very soon after this, Shivaji Maharaj was put under house-arrest at Agra, but Sambhajiraje was housed with Mirza Raja’s son Ram Singh. He used to visit Aurangzeb’s court along with Ram Singh. The Badshah used to grace Sambhajiraje during these visits. On 17 August 1666, Shivaji Maharaj escaped the house-arrest. He took Sambhajiraje along at this time. But handed him over to Krishnaji and Visaji brothers at Mathura, travelled to Rajgad in a whirlwind twenty-five-day journey and fell ill upon arrival. A ten-or-eleven-year-old Sambhajiraje, having lost his mother already, lived courageously with a relatively unknown family of Krishnaji, right in the heart of enemy’s region, away from his father and grandmother. Thereafter, he accompanied Krishnaji on a journey as per convenience, hundreds of miles on foot, through immense difficulties, reached Rajgad four to five months later. Here, Shivaji Maharaj had already spread a rumour, that Sambhajiraje could not withstand the hectic journey and died, and also performed his last rites. Due to this, the Mughals stopped looking for them. His father had performed his last rites even while he was alive, as a political move. After Sambhajiraje returned back, Shivaji Maharaj himself said,

“If we had not pretended that Sambhaji had died by performing his last rites, then it would have been difficult for Yuvaraj to travel back.”

To be continued…

FAREWELL

The marriage ceremony was over. Maharaj engaged in infinite charity on the occasion of marriage.

One, two, three days passed after marriage. Thirteenth day of the waning moon fortnight of the month of Falgun dawned. Some shadow started threatening the sun in the sky. New moon came near. The powerful sun got an indication of that terrifying shadow. The shadow began inching towards it to engulf it!

New moon night in the month of Falgun arrived, and it was the day of an eclipse of Suryanarayana! The eclipse began Five hours and fifty minutes before the sunset. This was the beginning time. The total eclipse was two hours and forty minutes before the sunset, and the sun would be free afterwards! But the moment the sun was free, it set! Raigad saw the total eclipse for just nine-and-a-half minutes (on new moon day of the waning moon fortnight of the month of Falgun, 20 March 1680).

On the occasion of this solar eclipse, Maharaj, as was his usual religious tradition, would have definitely engaged in ritualised charitable donations, bathing etc. However, history doesn’t know anything about them.

And after this, in one or two days, Maharaj got some fever! The fever began increasing! Maharaj fell ill! The illness worsened! In just about four days! There was no dearth of medicine. People who would die for him were around. Soyarabaisaheb, Rajaramsaheb were also there.

Maharaj’s health did not recover! The concern started increasing day by day! Nobody could diagnose the illness. Fever had not left his body. The countenances of loyalists who would take care of Maharaj even more than their own lives, started getting helpless. Each night, each morning, and each afternoon started bringing with it increased concern. Maharaj, however, was absolutely calm. But he had realised, that this was his invitation!

Maharaj was just fifty years old and – and not even a month had gone past beyond that. But his body was completely tired due to constant toil of fifty years. Now he only wanted some quiet sleep!

Fourteenth day of the waxing moon fortnight in the month of Chaitra dawned (Dt 2 April 1680). Maharaj was convinced, that his time was nigh! He was very serious, but calm. He could hear the footsteps of Death. Now Maharaj was drawn towards his home. So many of his beloved people had gone ahead of him! Tanhaji, Baji, Dadajipant, Suryaji, Blessed Queen Saibaisaheb, Prataprao and Aaisaheb herself had gone ahead. Now what more remained?

And the full moon day of the waxing moon fortnight of the month of Chaitra dawned! This was the birth anniversary of Lord Hanuman (Dt 3 April 1680). It was Saturday. Maharaj started on his journey! Going! Sahyadri’s Maharaj was leaving! Shivneri’s Shivaraya was leaving! Maharaj belonging to Swarajya’s children, brothers and sisters-in-law, animals and birds, everybody, everybody was leaving! Maharaj was going, after putting all of them in a habit of loving him for fifty years, making them crazy! Raigad was drowned in the shadow of grief. Maharaj was leaving at just fifty years of age? How did this happen! How did that Parameshwar become so cruel? What crime had Swarajya committed that it had to now become an orphan?

So many of his beloved colleagues at the fort, Ramchandrapant Amatya, Gangadharpant Hanmante, Raoji Somnath, Balprabhu Chitnis, Hiroji Farzand, Babaji Ghatge, Baji Kadam, Suryaji Malusare, Mahadji Naik Pansambal etc. had become plaintive in concern and grief. Nobody could understand what to do, what to speak.

Maharaj called all his, rather, Swarajya’s relatives near him. Everybody came. Nobody could utter a single word. However, Maharaj was calm. He was about to take the final – yes absolutely final – farewell from everyone! Maharaj said to everyone,

“My time is near! I will now go to Mount Kailasa and meet the Creator!”

And it was as if the dam of grief broke. Torrents of tears started flowing through everyone’s eyes. Everybody’s hearts started lamenting. No words could come out of their mouths. These were such great people! But even their hearts began overflowing with torrents of miserable tears. Such was life. Sahyadri’s peaks and Swarajya’s forts with their fearless ramparts started crying hoarse.

Maharaj!

Maharaj!

But Maharaj said to them in an absolutely calm manner, “Don’t grieve. This is the realm of Death. Whoever has taken birth here, has gone. Now you all clean your minds and stay calm. All of you now sit outside. I will meditate upon God.”

Such mental preparation! Pushing away all bonds of temptation, forgetting all happiness and grief, Maharaj had started on his final great journey! Maharaj had started on the Southern Digvijay! Yes, it was a huge, huge Digvijay. But he was leaving all of his colleagues permanently, drowning them in an ocean of tears, and he was going! Maharaj bade farewell to everyone!

Everyone stepped out. It was twelve noon.

And meditating upon the Creator, Maharaj held onto the finger extended by Death! Leaving behind the kingdom, forts, elephants, horses, wealth everything he had acquired till today, leaving behind the love of relatives, family, and friends he had picked up till today, throwing away all the success and fame that he had acquired till today, leaving behind all the parasols, imperial insignia, throne, and epithets that he had held, never turning around to look behind even once, Maharaj, holding Death’s finger, left slowly but surely! And Shivabharat came to an end! What more should one write? No words left.

The End.