Shri Shiv Chatrapati Caritr 1.10.5

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.