SHAHUNAGAR

From the point of view of security, Maratha capital had been settled atop the Satara fort. Later, when it was felt to be inconvenient, Shahu settled a small new city beneath the fort towards the north, and named it Shahunagar. This is Satara of recent times.

Satara was the name of the fort. Shahunagar was the name of the city. “All the standard workshops of the fort were kept at the top of Satara, and a mansion was also built there. A tank was built named as Shahu Talav. It was decided that some people would live at the top, while some would live beneath. The city Shahunagar which was settled beneath and the mansion built within it, did not have water supply, for which a canal was built and water was supplied from Yavateshwar.”

Water was brought from Yavateshwar and Mahadara and arrangement was made for ample water supply for Satara since the time of Shahu Maharaj. The constitution of this Shahunagar and the names of its various parts are reminiscent of the reign of Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj. Even though its political relevance has vanished, people are still proud of Satara as the famous capital of the Maratha Confederacy. In the month of December 1720, Bajirao met Shahu at the Satara fort. After that, the meetings for the next seven to eight months have taken place at Machi Satara fort. Shahunagar was established around 1721. In one of the letters dated 18 March 1721, there is a reference to urgently construct a mansion. Shahu and the Peshwa would meet during the initial period there, which have been documented in the daily diary. From these entries one can understand the various constituent elements of the city. Later, in the month of August 1721, there is a reference that Bajirao met Shahu near Shahunagar. This means, Shahunagar was built around 1721.

In these meetings at his capital, Shahu would typically sit on the throne. Shahu’s throne was initially at the Satara fort where the coronation ceremony had taken place. Later, he brought it to the Machi at Shahunagar and housed it in a specially built Ranga-Mahal mansion. In the courtyard behind the throne, there used to be a well named Takht-well. The Chhatrapati’s seat has been variously named Manchak, Takht, Sinhasan etc. The front courtyard of the Ranga-Mahal earlier had a large mansion which housed this throne.

The building called as Adalat (court) was built by Shahu. The Peshwas used to halt here in this garden. The Purandare mansion was nearby. A big transformation came about in the structure of the city between Shahu’s time and after him. On 20 March 1753, the Holi night, a huge fire broke out in Shahunagar and most of the mansions in the city burned down. The Purandare diary notes that in this fire, the mansions belonging to the Peshwa, Purandares, Govindrao Chitnis, Naro Ram Mantri, Dattajipant Waknis, etc. all burned to ashes. Thus, it seems that since there was no necessity, the Peshwa never rebuilt their mansion in Shahunagar or Satara. The British government sold the Rangamahal mansion in 1865. This mansion came to be called as Senapati’s mansion later. This mansion burned down in 1874, and has not left any ruins.

The smaller areas of the city were named after the seven days of the week. Besides, there were other areas named after historical persons like Ramau’s Goth (area), Yadavgopal Peth, Vyankatpura, Chimanpura, Durgapura, Kesarkar Peth, Rajaspura, Pant’s Goth, Raghunathpura etc. In the Mangalwar Peth there was another sub-block named Ramau’s Goth. Nagpur’s Bhosale had his mansion there. This Bhosale family had an elderly woman named Ramau, and the area had been named after her. Another area was named Vyankatpura, which was named after the original ancestral founder of the Ichalkaranji principality, Vyankatrao Ghorpade, who was also a son-in-law for Balaji Vishwanath. It had the famous temple of Shrikrishneshwar. It was built by Bajirao’s maternal uncle Krishnarao Chaskar in Shaka 1645 when he was the official at Satara. This temple is at the western extremity of the town at the foothills of Yavateshwar. When the temple was built, it used to be called Sadashivpura. But when Vyankatrao Ghorpade built his mansion there and began permanently staying in it, it started getting referred to as Vyankatpura. One of Shahu’s Sardars Chimnaji Damodar had his stables (and military camp) at Satara. This place was called Chimanpura. Vishnu Vishwanath Pandit was a private steward of queen Sagunabai. Through his offices, the construction work of Bhargavram’s temple at Dhavadshi was completed. Shahu fathered a daughter with Sagunabai named Rajasbai. The place Rajaspura in Satara was named after her. Tarabai’s erstwhile steward Yadav Gopal Khatavkar enlised into Shahu’s service as his first chief steward. There was one more place in Satara named after him. This area was also known as Peth-Khalsa. Shahu had issued a grant-notification to Yadav Gopal for the Khalsa income. Due to that, Yadav Gopal’s family had also been given the surname Khalse. To the north of Satara city, there was a Peth named Raghunathpura, which now forms a part of the Karanje town. It was named after Bajirao’s son Raghunath.

Beyond the Adalat mansion Khateeb’s house and mosque was built. Dafle was given land for his stables on the Machi, apart from the mansions belonging to Akkalkot’s principal, Mantri, Pingles, the stables belonging to Sheikh Mira, etc. which lasted as ruins until recent times. Sheikh Mira was the Adilshahi Subedar of the Wai province. When Shahu arrived in the Deccan, he was assisting Parashuram Trimbak at the Satara fort. He got the Pratinidhi arrested and handed over the fort to Shahu Maharaj. Therefore, he became Shahu’s favourite and he was closely associated with Satara.

Satara also had a mansion owned by the Sachiv. Whenever he had to visit Satara, he used to stay in this mansion. It had been decided that the expenses of the government Pilkhana (elephant stables) should be borne by the Sachiv. The Pilkhana which was earlier near the Ranga-Mahal had moved to the Yadav Gopal Peth. As a tradition, Maharaj while being carried in ceremonial procession, would take a route beginning at the Ranga-Mahal, to the Adalat, through the Yadav Gopal Peth, to the royal mansion. Otherwise, at the time of larger ceremonies, from the royal mansion, taking the larger road through Bhawani Peth, through the Guruwara, from the Poi square, back to the Ranga-Mahal.

There are numerous references of people from the north Hindustan and from the south coming and settling down at Satara along with their families for businesses like moneylending, diplomatic duties, ritual worship of deities, etc.

Somwar Peth had the mansion belonging to the Angal family. A much famous member of this family Parashuram Narayan Angal had been a renowned moneylender. This Angal family had built the Rameshwar temple at Mahuli confluence, and one of the Ghats over the confluence, and they had also renovated the Krishna River temple at Mahabaleshwar. Shaniwar Peth had two mansions belonging to Balajipant Natoo. The old mansion had been awarded to him at the time of King Pratapsingh Bhosale. Whenever Nana Fadnis used to visit Satara, he used to stay in this mansion. Sumant had his mansion opposite the Natoo mansion. Sumant’s descendants continued living at Riswad in the Karhad Tehsil. Guruwar Peth had the mansions belonging to the Shirkes and Panditrao. These Shirkes were originally from a town named ‘Shreek’. Shahu’s wife Sakwarbai and Sambhaji II’s wife Jijabai both came from this Shirke family. Raviwar Peth had Pant’s Goth. The Pratinidhi used to stay here in his mansion nearby. In terms of association with Satara, Pratinidhi was next only to Shahu Maharaj.

A gentleman named Tansheth Bhurke was the official of the mint during Shahu Maharaj’s reign. Shahu had conferred upon him this authority in the Coronation Era 67, i.e. 1740. Tansheth’s ancestors had been serving Adilshahi at Sangamner on similar responsibility of managing the mint. This family lasted until recently at Satara in the moneylending business.

To be continued…

SHAHU’S FAVOURITES

Shahu caused many of his benefactors to rise to high positions including Bajirao and Parsoji Bhosale, Ambaji Trimbak and Lakshman Gomaji Purandare, Mahadaji Yamaji and Yashwant Gangadhar Bokil, Khargone’s Jagirdar Gulabrao, Gadadhar Prahlad, Bapuji Sonaji Dighe, Khando Ballal, Naro Ram, Sheikh Mira, Visaji Narayan Jakhi, Anandrao Sumant, Baramati’s Joshis, etc. Hundreds of similar examples exist like the above. Shahu also arranged for appropriate provisions for maintenance of the memorials of his varios ancestors and family members including Shahajiraje’s memorial in the Carnatic, Sambhajiraje’s memorial at Wadhu, and many other similar locations. He assigned various fixed income arrangements for Chinchwad’s Morayadev, Eknath Maharaj, Tukaram Maharaj, Kalyan Gosavi, Siddheshwar Baba, Thakurdas Baba, Brahmendra Swami, Nasik’s Poornanand Swami, Mansaram Udasi, memorials of various saints belonging to Nanak sect (Sikh) and Muslim saints too.

The typical matter contained within the grant-notifications for such income assignments is a good example. He wrote, “We were blessed with the kingdom only through your blessings,” to Kacheshwar Baba, brought him to Satara and kept him around.

The affectionate language used in letters like, “You have striven hard for us. You have taken care of us by giving loans in critical situations, have served loyally, and are continuing to do so. The Swami must continue your benefices,” for all his creditors like Vitthal Vishwanath Ghaisas, Purandare, Mahadaji Krishna Joshi, Bokil etc. could have only originated from his own mind. One can feel his own heart poured out in them.

Many such stories and legends are prevalent even now. Then they must have overflowed when he was alive or right after his death. Even though some of the legends are not actually true stories, there might be some grain of truth in them. And therefore, the legends about any of the historic personalities are considered to be useful in understanding their nature.

One does not hear any incidents of iniquity or carelessness with respect to Shahu. He is glorified everywhere. A grocer by caste, Baswantrao Kasurde, used to serve Birubai. Birubai also belonged to the same caste. These two were proud of their identity and used to call each other brother and sister. Since he did not pose any threat to the Zenana and lived there, he used to be called Baswantrao Khoje. He had taken Birubai to the ritual bath on the seas. Zenana would be called Daruni Mahal in Marathi. Baswantrao would ensure strict security within it. Due to many incidents of his alertness, Shahu had rewarded him with abundant money. He used to say, “The King is highly virtuous, holy, sacred, generous, has achieved fame all over this world by indulging all big and small with his donations. He has caused a restoration of everyone in the kingdom. He is an incarnation of Lord Shiva Himself.”

Baswantrao collected a huge amount of wealth this way, and wished to deposit it into the government treasury. But Maharaj refused and asked him to spend it in charitable donations. So, he decided to reconstruct the Shambhu-Mahadev temple, an erstwhile Hemadpanti construction from the time of Singhan kings, by bringing stone from Baramati and completed the renovation. Near the standard turtle ornamentation at the initial step, letters, “Promptly at the feet, ceaselessly here, Baswantrao,” have been inscribed as a dedication.

Places like Baswantpura, Basappa’s Peth, and Basappa’s Wadi in Satara have been named after him. Birubai got a garden and well constructed at Kasba Nimb. Basappa built a mansion near it. Birubai also constructed a memorial in her own name in front of the memorial of Samarth Ramdas Swami atop the Parali (Sajjangad) fort, and also built a Deepmal (pillar with niches for lamps) in the Shambhu-Mahadev temple premises. Shambhu-Mahadev’s priest Shivrambhat enjoyed special grace from Baswantrao. He built a house in the temple premises for the priest.

A lackey named Mayaji Fadtare was a clever and intelligent man, and grew up to great stature through Shahu’s grace. Similarly, Maharaj favoured Shrinivasrao Pratinidhi very much. He used to call him only ‘Rao’. He would regularly visit the royal mansion to meet Maharaj. One day, he was delayed somewhat while coming to meet Maharaj, so Maharaj himself went to his house to meet him. Maharaj was especially interested in hunting. Many times, he would roam around alone somewhere pursuing a prey. At such occasions, whoever helped him, Maharaj would take good care of them.

Like an imperial Mughal custom, one person named Mengoji Hukebardar, would always accompany Maharaj on his journeys. This Mengoji was a great favourite of Shahu. Khandya was Maharaj’s favourite dog. There was a watering hole built near the Mahuli confluence at a place called Poi’s Mal (watering hole plateau). Similarly, Maharaj had a pet rhinoceros who used to be tethered on a plateau named Genda’s Mal (rhino’s plateau). Later, Damaji Gaikwad’s forces were defeated by the Peshwa at this place.

To be continued…

SHAHU’S DEFECTS

One cannot say that Shahu did not have any defects at all. The Chhatrapati began a custom of sitting at one place, and taking care of the administrative responsibilities from there, which turned out to be harmful in the end. Since he was not even aware of the geographical condition of the external lands, there would be unnecessary disputes that arose, and unnecessary confusion would be created in administrative affairs. Due to his being distant, the internecine discord amongst the Sardars, which could have been easily resolved by a Commander-in-Chief on the ground, went on increasing for no reason. The campaign against Janjira and the mockery of it in the documents seems to have originated due to the above reason. It was not wrong for him to have taken the Peshwa family under his wings seeing their success, but many times, the arrogance of the Peshwas became taxing for many other Sardars, which could have only been resolved by the master. Shahu’s authority was primarily of the moral form. If it had been blessed with the foil of practical vision, then it would have been more useful. There is no doubt if one considers the capability of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, Shahu begins to show himself in poor light. But it is clear from Nanasaheb’s deposition the extent to which Shahu wielded his moral authority sitting at one place. Peshwa and other Sardars, immediately after returning from a campaign, would present a detailed account of their campaign to him in a face-to-face meeting at Satara. Shahu never thought twice before engaging in investigation himself and punishing someone. The people around him would find it difficult to act against Shahu’s wishes. Govindrao Chitnis had become a literal second persona of Shahu. He would ensure Maharaj’s wishes were taken care and tactfully accomplish many different objectives. Shahu too would heed Chitnis’ advice most of the time. Therefore, the Peshwa too, would take care of the wishes of Govindrao Chitnis. He too never took any disadvantage of the trust placed in him.

One other point was defective in Shahu’s administration. It reflects the contemporary public opinion. The principle, “Never disturb the old, never create the new,” was considered important in those days. Shahu adopted the same policy. There is nothing permanent in this world, and if the state’s administration is reformed as per the impending situation, only then a kingdom continues to run successfully. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj had absolutely refused the above age-old adage. He had stopped awarding land-parcels to his colleagues as Inams. The moment renowned Sardars like the Mores stood in opposition on the basis of the prestige of their family’s position, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj had punished them. He officiated penance ceremonies for those converted forcefully to Islam and brought them back to Hinduism. Seeing these policies, one can see that Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj never accepted sticking to the old methods. In this respect, Shahu did not venture on his own to adopt any new policy. Whatever general policy prevailed in the society. Such hereditary rights, protocols, fixed incomes etc. feudal arrangements were harmful for the kingdom if they continued uninterrupted. Shahu issued a general order at the time of his death, that the Peshwas should not intervene in the existing income-arrangements and revenue-rights of the people thereafter. The Peshwa had to face the result of this proclamation immediately. The Sardars began taking care of their income-arrangements. They forgot proving their valour by maintaining armed battalions. General human being tends towards continuing already existing policies as they were. But a circumspect ruler gives appropriate importance to this tendency. This would later reflect in the examples of Madhavrao Peshwa etc. Overall, this was a result of Shahu sitting at one place to run his administration.

Shahu’s overall life had become one with the whole of Maharashtra for around half a century. The stories about this, even though dispersed far and wide, and even though very interesting, they are not easily found by common readers.

There are many interesting legends available around people like Birubai, Jotyaji Kesarkar, Baswantrao Kasurde, Vithoba Khoje, Supe’s Indroji Kadam, Shetya Waghji Sankpal, Hujrya (lackey) Mayaji Fadtare, Mengoji Hukebardar (servant filling up the Hookah). Shahu would always recompense with extreme care and a generous heart any favour done to him. Keeping in mind the previous dutiful service rendered by Jotyaji Kesarkar, Shahu lifted him up to great heights. “He had served Shahu since childhood loyally, and even Shahu had enjoyed his service. Therefore, Maharaj Chhatrapati Swami displayed his grace, and appointed him as the Gumasta (representative agent) of the Chhatrapati’s own Sardeshmukhi Watan-rights. He also appointed him in a place of authority over the standard eighteen workshops within Swarajya. He was given the respectful protocol rights to hold the Zaripatka (saffron standard) in Maharaj’s campaign on the leading elephant, and perform the first ritual worship with the Puranpoli (sweet roti) in the official Holi festival in front of the royal mansion at Satara. When they had arrived in the Deccan at the first halt, Kesarkar had settled down Guruwar Peth there. Maharaj waived off the excise duties for this marketplace, and issued a grant-notification that Kesarkar’s writ would run there with complete authority. When he was ordered to get married, Kesarkar requested the Swami, ‘I am old, eighty years of age. I don’t want to marry now.’ But since Maharaj had blessed him to bear sons, he got married. In some days, he was blessed with two boys. Since he was a hereditary Watan-rights holder of the Kesari village near Sawantwadi, he had taken up the name Kesarkar.”

To be continued…

PUNYASHLOK

There are many documents available, which depict Shahu inquiring sympathetically about common people whom he hardly knew, resolving their complaints, and arranging for their comforts. The whole genealogy of the Maratha history was created through Shahu Maharaj’s inspiration and encouragement. The political system of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s period before his period, disappeared in the dark night of time. The dynasties that remained in operation till independence, the Inam grants, the income revenue assignments etc. are mostly from Shahu’s period. These seem to have left a lasting impression upon Maharashtra. Nobody in our history would have been so successful in weaving together various people with their distinctive nature and distinctive capabilities in a single cause and extracting appropriate work from them better than Shahu. He enjoyed whatever service anybody could offer. He subdued many powerful magnates tactfully. Many persons can be cited as examples, like Parashurampant Pratinidhi, Damaji Thorat, Udaji Chavhan, Udaji Pawar, his own aunt Tarabai and Sambhaji II, Chandrasen Jadhav, Janoji Nimbalkar, and many more, who were his opponents at the beginning, but came to his side later, or at least were rendered harmless. The only person who had to bear some kind of punishment seems to be Kanhoji Bhosale. But Shahu never treated him badly. Even when Chanda Saheb was a prisoner at Satara for seven long years, he was given excellent arrangement like his own household. He was never dissatisfied afterwards, and never betrayed thereafter.

Many of the erstwhile historians show Shahu as lax, lazy and a person reveling in luxury. But there is a slight difference. Common behaviour of the erstwhile kings was, they were the collection of virtues, their servants and subjects were all shirkers. They used to take credit for any kind of good deed, while blame anything bad on their subjects. Shahu never had such duplicitous nature. There was no inside-outside in his nature. If anybody committed a mistake and admitted it, he would immediately pardon it, and would give credit for this goodness to the other. Happiness of others meant a joy to him. He would never dare to adopt a strict stance. One has to adopt a strict stance on the battlefield, so he always considered that part of his activities as despicable. Still, he used to pay very careful attention to all the activities at the national level. He never sat idle, would constantly keep working. Wherever he was, on the journeys, hunts, even in his bedroom, work went on incessantly. He would carry out activities like meeting the Sardars, reasoning with them, resolving their animus, at times threatening them, other times rewarding them, or even punishing them, but reining them in and aligning them with the chief executive, the Peshwa, through utmost sympathetic perspective, through an emotion of affection, and through his Godfearing nature, and would emerge successful in them. He was straightforward and open at heart, very perceptive and sensitive, well-behaved, magnanimous, generous, and one who would himself bear troubles but achieve the benefit of the kingdom, who would be overwhelmed in someone else’s grief. The nation was blessed with such a leader Shahu in time of calamity. Only because of that, Marathi kingdom grew quickly to its true potential and our history achieved deserving heights of which we all can sing paeans. Otherwise, at the time of Aurangzeb’s death, there was no Marathi kingdom. There was an abundance of Hindus and Muslims full of negativity. The risk of losing everything in their internecine warfare loomed large. The credit of protecting the Swarajya from this crisis, and expanding it into an Empire, must be given primarily to Shahu and his devotees the Peshwas.

Shahu’s imperial council had become a family spread all over. The Peshwa, the Pratinidhi, other ministers, Sardars, respected elders, diplomats, queens, concubines, servants and maidservants, other assistants, etc. all had become one with this grand council. Birubai was indeed a concubine. But most of the council respected her like a revered mother. The typical internal dissensions in other common families were also seen in this world-family. Personal interests, competition, jealousies, claims, secret schemes, etc. were abundantly prevalent in it. But the form they took was of playful banter, and not of manslaughter, and finally everybody would accept the Maharaj’s orders, due to which the affairs would never escalate beyond measure. Eighteen different castes from the land banded together through this notion of unity, and performed in campaigns and on battlefields fighting shoulder to shoulder with their colleagues. The leadership of this imperial council was held by the Peshwa like the seniormost son of a household. He too would take care of the whole administration through that emotional and heartfelt attachment. Thus, this Swami Shahu of the Maratha Confederacy had become the fount of power for the nation, and personified reincarnation of the national enterprise.

To be continued…

EQUANIMITY

It is easily understandable why Shahu’s nature turned out to be so soft. The scene of torturous slaughter of his father was right in front of his mind. His own life was under similar threat. He had only one weapon to fight with his situation, which he accepted. Through his sweet and polite nature, he won his friends as well as enemies over. Through his soft demeanour, he attracted the hearts of Aurangzeb’s Sardars, sons, daughter, servants etc. Even the Badshah used to say to him, “Your grandfather Shivaji was literally a demon. But you, his grandson, are not like that. You are Saav (Lord Shiva’s name, simple), true. I constantly think about doing good unto you.”

This was the way his name Saav or Shahu became famous. Thus, his difficult situation taught him the difficult skill of winning over the whole world with his magnanimity, generosity, altruistic nature, sweet tongue and affectionate behaviour. This was the only easy but invaluable way available to Shahu to create better days through the calamities facing him. He used the same equally in the Badshah’s captivity in the initial period of his life, as much as later in the period of authority on his throne. In a period of five months since his release from captivity, he acquired the post of the Chhatrapati. He subdued his powerful aunt (Tarabai). He transformed the Maratha people into a spiritual lot, turned them active, and got his people to work towards a unified cause. In his long reign of forty-two years, the huge cache of the grant-notifications he has left behind expresses in abundant detail his recompense of a past benefaction, encouragement, his sympathy towards all living organisms, and his generosity. His noble nature also influenced actual criminals. The weapons in the hands of his assassins fell down. Indroji Kadam’s arrogant behaviour died down. Sawai Jaisingh became his close friend. The Peshwa, a Brahmin himself, felt it to be fulfilment of his life to complete Shahu’s last rites as if he was his own father. One cannot but feel overwhelmed to read language like, “You are the Swami’s ancient servant. You have served loyally since the time of Raigad by toiling hard. You have helped the Swami during crisis. You have saved his life. It is necessary for the Swami to take care of your continuance.”

Satara still has a house belonging to Khateeb and a mosque. These Khateeb people were brought by Shahu from the imperial camp along with himself, and granted them the right of performing worship. This grant-notifaction has the following matter, “You are one of the topmost Sardars in our employ and adhere to the Muslim religion. Therefore, you are being granted the responsibility to maintain the throne at Satara, the authority of the fort of Satara, and the epithet of Sardeshmukh. Because you were like a son for Zeenat-unnisa Begum.”

Along with the Khateebs, Shahu also brought to Satara, the impressions of the Badshah’s hands as a memory of the Begum who had been his chief benefactor. Shahu devotedly worshipped these impressions and treated the Khateebs as his family members. Of course, the divide between Hindus and Muslims never arose during Shahu’s reign. Shahu brought so many religious preceptors like Brahmendra Swami, Kacheshwarbaba, Thakurdasbowa, Gosavis, Ramdasis etc. with due respect to his own city, and sought their auspicious blessings. “Sayyed Aataavaalaa Pirzaade Shakarkoti is a great noble saint busy in good deeds. Therefore, the Swami through his grace has granted the Loni village Inam to him.”

This grant notification issued in the name of a Muslim Pir shows the extent to which Shahu’s beliefs were equanimous towards all. He also extended an equal support to the adherents to Christian religion. After capturing Vasai, Shahu did not annihilate the Christian priests in Konkan who themselves used to commit religion driven atrocities on the subjects. Instead, he took good care of them. Equality of all humans flowed in his veins with blood. His belief that all men were equal, there were no high men or low men, would get expressed at every step.

This equanimity, which would be rarely found even in many ascetics, began taking root in Shahu’s heart since the time he was in the Badshah’s captivity. Since the initial seventeen years of his life had been spent in the company of a bigoted Badshah, instead of his own, he kept witnessing the behaviour adhering to the Islamic religion day and night. It is possible, that the Hindus did not have anybody else except for Shahu who understood the real germ of Islam so well. Zeenat-unnisa Begum brought him up almost like her own son, so Shahu always felt attached to her like his mother.

To be continued…

CONTEMPORARY PUBLIC OPINION

There are many general references to Shahu Maharaj’s qualities and virtues in erstwhile documents. Some of them are provided below, “(Maharaj) graced and called everybody his own. He made them his own and kept them attached to the cause. Everybody felt that he graced them more than everybody else. He used the usual tools available to him including various appointments, assignments, land-parcels, Inam grants etc. If a person was found to be useful in a particular activity, but had some demerit, Maharaj had the good grace to tactfully cover-up for that demerit, and wean the person away from it. He would encourage them to express their good qualities, and allow them to grow. He took good care of everybody. He realised that this way, he had to make his kingdom rise, grow, and expand. He was conscious of the common perception that his father was blamed for hurting our own people, killing them, allowing the workshops and industries to degenerate, through these allowing the kingdom to be lost, and finally having committed the sin of killing Brahmins. Because of all this, he had an unwavering faith in various deities and Brahmin preceptors. He would always keep wise people around, would always listen to their tactics, intellectual advice, and would always act after discussing with them.

“(Maharaj) continued various Inams, worship-rights, arrangements for daily worships and offerings etc. for various deities and Brahmins. Wherever such arrangements were not made before, he made new ones. His servants and assistants began working with utmost loyalty, without dishonouring his orders even slightly. Whatever task he assigned to someone, and they proceeded to carry it out, they always achieved success in it. Whoever wanted to participate in the expansion of the kingdom, began working towards it this way.

“Many good and renowned people had left for foreign kingdoms previously due to the problematic situations they had faced. They were brought back into the Swarajya and were provided permanent benefices. Whenever the poor brought to him any grievances, he would make the palanquin stop while on march, or listen carefully to them when at court, and immediately issue the relevant resolution orders. If he had to issue instructions for the judicial arm, he would do so, and be ready to listen to their response. If he had to send some instructions to the Tehsil or district officials, he would ensure they were sent. He would ensure that whatever the reasonable resolution, was implemented without harming anybody else. He would never order any harsh punishments. If anybody deserved capital punishment, due to proven injustice, after detailed investigation and judgment, he would send the convict to Kanhoji Angre and whatever the punishment would be implemented by Angre.” In those times, the capital punishment would be implemented at the Colaba fort by pushing the convict down a cliff.

Nizam-ul-Mulk’s grandson Muzaffar Jung had uttered the following words for Shahu, “Like Nizam-ul-Mulk in the Mughal Empire, Shahu was an equivalent in the Maratha kingdom. Such men would never be born again. Shahu entrusted the whole kingdom to the Peshwa. He administered the kingdom perfectly. He was Ajatshatru (one without enemies).”

These words were uttered after his death, which proves that even Muslim rulers have considered him to be a person who treated everybody equally being true to the epaulet Ajatshatru.

“Since the time he made Satara as the place of his throne, he carried out all the state’s administrative activities through his servants in many campaigns and battles using huge armies. He was very clever in his planning. All his kingdom had been subsumed by the Mughal Empire, which he freed through his plans. He kept his flock together with his authority and created new renowned and powerful men, allowed them to grow. Whichever older men aligned with him, he allowed them to continue to enjoy their erstwhile positions and benefices. He used to act as per the advice imparted by wise and mature people. He used to get his work accomplished through trusted lieutenants. He would never keep company of mean, inebriated, addicted, alcoholic people, and ran his administration through his diplomats. He engaged the Marathas in soldierly responsibilities. He freed the northern realms and fulfilled the objective of the senior Maharaj. The boundaries of the kingdom extended to the east and south, met the four seas, the kingdom on all four sides began getting driven through a unified command structure.

“He decided that in the month of Shravan every year, he would examine the Brahmins in their acumen in Vedic Shastras and rituals, and initially at Talegaon through the Dabhades, and later at Pune, he would engage in charitable donations amounting to four to five lakh rupees. His fame spread everywhere, and lakhs of intellectuals, ascetics, great men would converge upon these places from all directions. Satara and Pune attained a status of a university almost like Kashi. He gave a sovereignty to the kingdom so that nobody would dare to disobey a straight order. He took good care of his subjects through judicious policy. He remained sympathetic towards the poor and orphans, and allayed their miseries. The subjects faced absolutely no trouble. Monsoons favoured the land as usual, which produced ample food-grains and abundance prevailed everywhere.”

To be continued…

SAKWARBAI’S SATI

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.

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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…

SHAHU MAHARAJ’S DEATH

At his end, the queen Sakwarbai took Maharaj from the Vanwaswadi to his royal mansion. She installed her own security on the palace and outside. She made various Brahmins sit in ritual worship at various places. She began toying with the ideas like nobody should be allowed to enter the royal mansion to meet Maharaj without her permission, Pradhan and Chitnis should be quickly dispensed with. The Peshwa took precaution regarding this, and decided to bring the child of Pangaon as per Maharaj’s orders. When the queen began insisting with the Maharaj trying to force his hand, Maharaj said to her, that her plans would not succeed without a strong army. Both parties began amassing their forces. Govindrao alone personally visited the houses of the Pratinidhi, Senapati, Sarlashkar, Akkalkot’s principal, Bimbaji Bhosale, Raghuji and Mudhoji Bhosale, etc.; sat with each of them for quartiles upon quartiles, days on end, and informed them the orders of Maharaj, checking whether anybody was desirous of taking the responsibility of running the kingdom. But none of them accepted the responsibility. Bai tried very hard to entice Govindrao to her party. She issued grant-notification conferring upon him various Inams. But he would not listen. So then, she planned to eliminate him. In that, due to a mistake, one of his assistants Tulaji was killed. Bai invited Sambhajiraje along with his armies from Kolhapur. But Maharaj sent Bapuji Khanderao to him, and informed him that he should not intervene in this matter, due to which he returned.

Shahu communicated his decision that Tarabai’s grandson Ramraja should be brought and crowned as the next king. On 1 October 1749, the king made two lists addressed to the Peshwa. These lists seem to be written around the occasion of Vijayadashmi, in the Navaratri festival. In these two lists, the king wrote,

“List 1 – Rajashree Balaji Pandit Pradhan is hereby ordered. You must take command of the entire force. I ordered everyone else to do this, but it is not their destiny. Maharaj is ill and does not appear will get better. The Government must carry on. Our dynasty should be placed on the throne. Do not place the one from Kolhapur. We have informed Chitnis everything, act according to that. The successor from my dynasty should be obeyed and the Confederacy properly run. Chitnis is the Swami’s trusted confidante. With mutual consultations, preserve the kingdom. My successor will not interfere with you. Rest, you are wise enough.

“List 2 – Rajashree Balaji Pandit Pradhan is hereby ordered. The Swami is confident that you will run the state’s administration. I had already thought so, but the Chitnis made my faith unshakeable. I have placed my hand on your head. My successor will continue your appointment as Pradhan. We bind them in pledge if they ever waver from this path. Run the kingdom by his orders. Preserve the kingdom. What more to write! You are wise enough.”

These two lists were like the grant notifications issued by Shahu to the Peshwa detailing the authority of the executive office of the Maratha Confederacy. Although the original letters do not have the royal seal, they are entirely in Shahu’s own handwriting, and the king’s intention is quite clear. The Peshwa was given the responsibility of looking after the kingdom with Ramraja as the king, who would not remove him from his post.

The orders within these lists for the Peshwa are clear enough. He should bring his army and secure the region. As informed to the Chitnis, the Peshwa should bring in a new master, and he himself should manage the whole administration. He should not bring in Kolhapur’s Sambhaji II. Whatever were doubts in Maharaj’s mind about the Peshwa, was driven away by the Chitnis. So, Shahu blessed him and ordered him to honestly run the administration. He followed it. At the end, Shahu warned the Peshwa, “’We have issued various charitable endowments for different deities, Brahmins, have assigned them the authority of first worship, have set up various charities, have awarded many benefices, Jagirs, villages, and land-parcels for their service, to various people like our own brethren, those born in the same Gotra, various other Kunbi Marathas etc., and even people from other castes, which you should respect after us. You should not block anybody. If you disturb the awards committed to by us, and oppress people who had been respected by us, then the office of the Peshwa would not remain with you permanently.’ Informing everybody thus, Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj applied ritual ash on his arms and sides, wore the garland of Rudraksh beads, lay down a white blanket over a bed of straw, chanted Lord Shriram’s name and the words ‘Shiva Har Har’ eleven times, stopped his breath, and went to his heavenly abode, on the above-mentioned date, in the royal mansion, at Satara.”

This overall event proves that Shahu finalised whatever he felt was the best possible arrangement in relation to the future system, and then laid down his life. He suspected that Sakwarbai etc. people would begin a dispute at the end. Therefore, he decided that Ramraja should be brought to the throne after him. Otherwise, at the time of his death, the capital would have been torn between two warring factions. The Peshwa desired to remove the dissension between the two halves of the kingdom by bringing Sambhaji II to the throne. It did not succeed due to the above arrangement. In all this, Tarabai tactfully succeeded in her plan. It turned out to be harmful for the kingdom later. Sambhaji II’s capability was also not much to write home about. So, one cannot say that his prowess would have shined brighter than that of Ramraja. The Peshwa did not think twice before satisfying Tarabai as well. It was not as if the Peshwa intentionally brought an incapable person on the throne and captured all the power for himself. It was clear that the benefit of the kingdom and the Peshwa himself lay in having a capable person as the master. Chitnis and the Peshwa worked together and protected the kingdom. Sakwarbai had begun troubling Chitnis, but the Peshwa supported him through that. Shahu had thought about adopting Raghuji’s son Mudhoji. He was Queen Sagunabai’s cousin’s son. His character was revealed later in the history of Nagpur. It shows clearly that he too did not have the capability to take care of the Marathi kingdom. This way, Shahu’s reign came to an end and a new revolution was brought in the Maratha Empire.

To be continued…

SUCCESSOR IDENTIFIED

“Sambhajiraje does not have the capability to control the kingdom, and is not blessed with abundance of intellect. So, it is necessary to adopt an heir. Therefore, the child that Tarabai has brought up secretly needs to be investigated. If we adopt an heir from outside, there will be disputes later. Maharaj dispatched his trusted ministers and cavalrymen to Pangaon. Therefore, Govindrao was sent to Aaisaheb and everything was documented. Upon that, some additional notes were added in his (Maharaj’s) own handwriting. He called Bawda’s Bhagwantrao Amatya. He dispatched Yashwantrao Potnis and Govindrao Chitnis to take good care of Bhagwantrao. He was asked to confirm on oath near Shri Krishna. It was confirmed that the child was true-born. Upon this, Maharaj said, ‘Make this child the master after me, and act as per his orders to protect the kingdom.’ This news was relayed to Sakwarbai. Thinking that she would have to act as per Tarabai’s orders, Sakwarbai became very angry with Pradhan, Chitnis, Devrao and Yashwantrao. Numerous schemes began getting hatched at various places to capture, imprison or finish-off the chief stewards. Sakwarbai began stating that Tarabai’s grandson was fake, and Tarabai had erected a falsehood. She colluded with Yamajipant and amassed some forces, and engaged into the political move to install Sambhajiraje. She also ensnared the castellan and the fort soldiery to subdue Tarabai. She began thinking that Maharaj was extremely distressed due to all this, and of not allowing access to him for the stewards. Maharaj recognised the difficulty of the situation, called Pradhanpant for a one-to-one meeting in solitude, gave him the list of activities in his own handwriting, and with Govindrao as witness, gave him the written approval.” This description occurs in the Bakhar documents, which is also corroborated with the help of available documents.

Shahu had Tarabai record her statement before the Chitnis and he called Bhagwantrao, the son of Ramchandrapant Amatya of Kolhapur, to confirm the claim. Once Bhagwantrao had on oath repeated what Tarabai had said, Shahu believed him. However, the news leaked and Sakwarbai heard of it. This prompted Shahu and Tarabai to write to Bhagwantrao Amatya to take Ramraja to a village Lakhanpur and not to leave him with the caretaker Rajput family. For five years, the boy was looked after by the Amatya. Later, he was taken to Pangaon and left with the Rajput’s family. His elder daughter Daryabai Nimbalkar looked after him.

The prospect of Tarabai’s grandson as a successor was not easily accepted by Sakwarbai, and she claimed the boy was a fake. She felt it would mean being subservient to Tarabai in the days to come and began mobilising men to her cause. She called Yamaji Shivdeo, who was the Mutalik (representative) to the Pratinidhi, who concurred with her that the boy was not the real heir. According to the Bakhar, Sakwarbai authorised Yamaji to arrange for the Peshwa’s assassination, as she saw him as the main obstacle in her scheme of things. Yamaji hired an assassin but felt Govindrao Chitnis should be the victim, owing to his proximity to the king. The attempt on Govindrao failed. In fact, Govindrao, who heard of the plot, plunged his own sword into his would-be assassin.

The growing antagonism between Sakwarbai and the Chitnis as well as the Peshwa was, however, to prove fatal to her future plans. Shahu had sent out his trusted men to search for the boy. However, Sakwarbai would not allow the boy to be brought before Shahu, and during the king’s lifetime, he was not. Sakwarbai also urged Sambhaji II of Kolhapur to come to Satara with a large army to force the issue. However, Shahu stopped him saying that it would not be prudent to do so.

By August 1749, Shahu was ready to make his final arrangements. He summoned Raghuji Bhosale, however, he could not come. Babuji Naik tried to meet Shahu but Maharaj prohibited him from coming to his presence. Fatehsingh expressed his inability to undertake the responsibility of managing such a large kingdom. Shahu then commanded the Peshwa to arrive at Satara with a large army to maintain order. Nanasaheb was alert. Upon Maharaj’s orders, he gathered a huge army and leaving Pune he went to Satara along with Shinde, Holkar, Janardanbaba etc. Sardars on 21 August 1749 (mentioned as September 1749 at some places). He returned to Pune only after Shahu’s death, his last rites, and Ramraja’s installation to the throne in the month of April 1750.

To be continued…

SEARCH FOR NEXT MASTER

Moving on, Maharaj removed his attachments to worldly affairs completely, and entered into the Vanaprastha Ashrama (living in forest) as per Hindu practice. “Deciding that he would not visit Satara again; he would live only on the banks of Shri Krishna; he built a hutment between Satara and Mahuli and began living there. It was called Vanwaswadi. At this time, the younger queen Sagunabai fell ill. Lakhs of rupees were spent in treating her illness through medicines as well as religious solutions. But it would not recover. Due to this, Maharaj became very sad. After this, Maharaj himself took her to Shri Jejuri. There too, he indulged in ample religious worship and charitable donations. But her life had come to its end. It folded up (25 August 1748). On the same day, he left along with her dead body, and arrived at Mahuli after three quartiles of the next day. She was cremated, a memorial was constructed and regular worship was arranged at that place.”

His health continued to deteriorate. After his younger queen died, Shahu did not have any loving person left at home. His health too began deteriorating by the day. There is one more reference which mentions, “Maharaj fell ill in the Adhik month.”

In 1749, the month of Bhadrapad was the Adhik month. This meant that situation turned for the worse in the month of August 1749. At that time, Shahu called the Peshwa to Satara along with his army. Shahu trusted him like a son, and he was the only one who was able to keep the state administration under control.

Chhatrapati Shahu had been ailing since 1747, and the search for a successor was on since then. The original option of calling Sambhaji II of Kolhapur was backed by Sakwarbai, however, Shahu himself was not in favour. For one, Sambhaji II himself was quite old and had no son to succeed him. Shahu also felt that he did not have the capability of managing a vast Empire. Shahu’s younger queen Sagunabai died on 25 August 1748. On her death, Sakwarbai realised that it would be difficult to have Sambhaji II as the successor, and agreed to have Raghuji’s son Mudhoji as Shahu’s successor. Raghuji Bhosale’s wife was Shahu’s younger queen Sagunabai’s sister. However, Raghuji, after mending his ties with the Peshwa in 1747, did not visit Satara. At this time, Sambhaji II’s queen Jijabai II wrote to the Peshwa reminding him of the secret pact to make her husband the king at Satara.

Maharaj began worrying about the protection of the kingdom that had been acquired. So, he decided to gather eligible children from the Bhosale family, and decided to finalise an heir. Sakwarbai and the Pratinidhi, however, raised a different view. Vithojiraje’s lineage consisted of eight sons, and Sharifjiraje had his own lineage. Men were dispatched to investigate who was a better child out of them, their royal attributes, and intellectual qualities.

Maharaj completely trusted Govindrao Chitnis, Yashwantrao Potnis, Devrao Meghashyam. These people would stay with Maharaj and take care of the administration. Soon, all these moves to search for a successor were abandoned when Tarabai, the dowager queen of Chhatrapati Rajaram, living at Panhalgad initially under house arrest and then at Satara fort since 1730, with Shahu giving her every respect, revealed that her grandson, of the Bhosale bloodline was alive. When the search for a successor began, she disclosed to Shahu that she had a grandson, born posthumously to her son Shivaji II (who died in 1726), and being secretly looked after by a family in a village named Pangaon. The boy grew to manhood without disclosing his identity to prevent any harm to him from the ruler at Kolhapur. Tarabai sent a message, “Why are you searching for another child as heir? I have secretly brought up my son Shivajiraje’s son. He should be made the master.”

Due to that, the decision about external children for appointment to the throne fell behind. Shahu strove hard to search for an appropriate heir who could control the kingdom. At this time, Rana Jagat Singh was ruling at Udaipur and he had a younger brother named Nathaji. Shahu brought this Nathaji to Satara. With an intention to bring about a closer unity amongst the Rajputs and the Marathas, Shahu informed Rana Jagat Singh, that he would adopt his brother Nathaji, and would make him the master of the Marathi kingdom. His approval was requested. By the time this request from Shahu arrived, Ranaji had already appointed Nathaji on the Jagir of Wagor. Due to this, Shahu’s desire remained unfulfilled. Similarly, Jaipur bulletins also mention, that Shahu had tried to get one Rajput Kshatriya named Kushal Singh adopted and get the Malwa grant-notifications approved in his name from the Badshah using the good offices of Sawai Jaisingh.

To be continued…