Shri Shiv Chatrapati Caritr 1.10
Siva Chhatrapati (S. N. Sen) 1.10
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1.10.1
Mawles 1,000 one thousand, Lashkar (forces — Sawar according to a different reading) 3,000 three thousand, [48] and such like. With these, the Raje came to Rajgad, took leave of all and took with him the above attendants. And the Raje and his son — these two — proceeded to Delhi — stage by stage. The Badshah learning that the Raje was coming for an interview, sent instructions to all his Faujdars and Mahal Mokasaholders. — "Sivajl Raje is coming to pay homage. Wherever he may encamp, the Faujdar of the place should wait on him. (And) supply food and drink as may be necessary. He should be honoured in the same manner as the Shahzadas." Such orders were sent. Then, (wherever) the Raje broke his journey, the Faujdars used to meet him there, and supply him with food and drink and what expense was necessary. In this manner, he reached Delhi in two months. The Badshah, learning that the Raje was come, sent Ram Sing forward, to receive him. Ram Sing came and met (the Raje). Raghunath Pant Korde, (who) had been previously sent as an envoy, also came and met (the Raje). (He) reported every news about the Badshah. "Outwardly he expressed satisfaction and pleasure, but what is in the Badshah's mind we do not know." So said (Korde). Having interviewed (the Raje) Ram Sing came to the Badshah (and) reported the news. The Badshah allotted a big independent house in its own garden (haveli) and named the place Sivapura and there the Raje took up his residence.
1.10.2
At an auspicious moment, he set out to see the Badshah. The Badshah assembled his Darbar, sat on the Royal throne, keeping five weapons near (him) girding his waist, and putting on a steel armour. Similarly he made great warriors of (known) valour to stand near the throne, and (stationed) two thousand (men) in its neighbourhood. Likewise all the wazirs were assembled in readiness, in the Hall of Public Audience (?rW5T^f). In his mind (the Badshah) argued — " Sivaji is not an ordinary man, he is the Devil. He killed Afzal Khan at (a friendly) interview. "What should be done, if in a like manner, he jumps on the throne, and makes a treacherous attack on me ? " So thinking, he sat prepared for every contingency [49]. (Then) he called the Raje for the interview. Ram Sing conducted the Raje, and his son Sambhaji Raje, and a few men (literally ten men ^rfT^w) Karkuns and near relatives of the Raje, to the interview. Nazar was offered to the Badshah. The Badshah said, — " Come ! Sivaji Raje !" As soon as he said so, the Raje offered three salutes.
1.10.3
In his mind he meant — the first (for) Sri Sambhu Mahadev, the second (for) Sri Bhavani, the third (for) the Maharaja his father ; — in this manner were the salutes offered. And the Badshah ordered him to stand on the right side, near (and below) Jasvant Sing Maharaj, the Raja of Navkot of Marvad. The Raje and his son stood (accordingly). (The Raje) asked Ram Sing — " Who is the neighbour in front of us ? " Ram Sing answered — " Maharaj Jasvant Sing." On hearing so, the Raje got angry (and) said — " An Omrao like Jasvant Sing, whose back my soldiers have seen ! why should I stand below him ?" Saying so in his anger, he began to beg of Ram Sing (his) dagger, (threatening) to kill the Maharaja with the dagger — that hung by Ram Sing's waist. Then Ram Sing began to counsel him to be patient. When these words were being exchanged, the Badshah became aware [of the tumult]. He asked — "What is the matter ? " Ram Sing replied— "The tiger is a wild animal of the forests, he feels hot. Something has happened." As he said so, fear grew in the Badshah's mind. There was no knowing what might happen. Therefore the Badshah said to Ram Sing—" Go (back) with the Raje to (his) quarters. To-morrow (we) will have an interview at leisure." As he said so, the Raje, his son, and Ram Sing and the Raje's men, all returned to his quarters. When the Raje was gone, the Badshah felt relieved. " A great evil is over. I and Sivaji have seen each other " — So saying he remained (silent).
1.10.4
After the Raje had returned to his residence, he and Ram Sing sat (together), (and the Raje) said — " Who is the Badshah ? I am Sivaji ! Am I to be made to stand below Jasvant ! [ 50] The Badshah does not understand anything (of propriety)." So said (he). Ram Sing said, " Do not go to the interview. As you have come, keep up appearances and (then) go back. It will be a great gain to us, if you can safely go from here." So saying, Ram Sing went to his own havell. The Raje summoned his Karkuns, courtiers, and Raghunath Pant Korde, (and) asked (them) — " What step should be taken next ? The Emperor's policy is known (to us). How to achieve success in it, (against the policy), secure leave of the Emperor (and) go hence? The Badshah will not give (us) leave, unless (we) undertake to render some service to him." Then, Raghunath Pant was sent with the (following) instructions — " You should go to the Badshah to-morrow, and petition (him to the following effect). We have no other interest except that of Your Majesty. I have, without any suspicion, come with my son also, for an interview. Services should be accepted from (this) servant. I undertake to conquer for His Majesty, the two Badshahis, — the whole of the Adilsahi and the whole of the Kutub Sahi, in the south. (The Badshah) should reflect on the services rendered by the other governors (subah) that he sends and my services [in comparison].
1.10.5
After making some such professions, (suggest that) if I am called for a private interview in the (private) Council chamber, I shall meet (the Emperor) and communicate something (important). Petition to this effect." So he instructed. Thereupon Raghunath Pant Korde went to the Badshah, the next day, wrote the petition as instructed, and submitted it. The Badshah (however) entertained suspicion in his mind after reading the petition. And he wrote on the back of the petition, (as) an answer, — "Wait, I will do what you have asked for." Such was the answer (he) wrote. He (Raghunath) came, and told the Raje to wait. "Then there is suspicion (in his mind), he has not given a frank answer;" so the Raje inferred. On that very day, Saista Khan sent (the following) verbal message to Jafar Khan the Dewan, — since the reign of the late Badshah he had been Dewan, but the administration was conducted by his deputy, — "Sivaji is intensely perfidious. (He) is learned (in the black arts). When he entered into my camp, he jumped over forty yards and entered into the house; the Badshah should not call such a man to an interview. If he is called, he will make a treacherous attack, jumping over a space of forty or fifty yards." He sent words (to this purport). Thereupon Jafar Khan made this information known to the Badshah. The Badshah offended at heart regarded it as true. (He) entertained strong suspicions in his mind.
1.10.6
The next day the Raje learnt that Jafar Khan, the Dewan, had slandered him before the Badshah. Learning this, he sent Raghunath Pant Korde to Jafar Khan with the message, "I am coming to see you." (With this message) he sent (him). After making deliberations in his mind, for a long time, he said, — "All right ! let him come." So the Raje went to see Jafar Khan. (He) honoured him greatly, and spoke something about (his) saranjdm, but he did not like it. (Jafar Khan) said outwardly — 'very well'. His wife was Saista Khan's sister, she sent words from the harem, "Saista Khan's fingers were cut off. Afzal Khan was killed. Sivaji will likewise kill you too. Give him leave soon." Then (he) gave the Raje leave, with robes (of honour). "I shall petition the Badshah and get (you a) saranjam." — So he said. Then the Raje came to his quarters. "Jafar-Khan also, has not spoken frankly. Well ! Whatever the Sri will do is right." So saying he remained silent.
1.10.7
The next day, the Badshah appointed Fulad Khan, Kotwal, (with) five thousand cavalry and infantry (to be) near the Raje and (gave him the following) order, "Thou shouldst stay around the Raje's quarters keeping careful watch (over it)." Thereupon the Kotwal came and pitched (his) tent. Then the Raje became scared He began to feel distressed. He lamented much, holding Sambhaji Raje to his breast. Niraji Pant, and Dattaji Pant, and Trimbak Pant consoled (him) in various ways. Then the Raje said — "What device should we now resort to?" While (they were) so deliberating, night fell. Then Sri Bhavani came in a dream and showed herself (saying), "Do not be anxious. I shall take thee back hence, with (thy) son, casting confusion on all (thy) foes, by means of the bewitching weapon ( tfi^iTO)- Do not be anxious." In this manner (did the goddess) assure (him) of safety. Then the Raje awoke, told his relatives (all about the dream), and felt secure.