Shri Shiv Chatrapati Caritr 1.12
Siva Chhatrapati (S. N. Sen) 1.12
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1.12.1
[57] So (he) felt very sad for (the loss of) Tanaji. Then a garrison was placed in the fort. Suryaji Malsura the brother (of Tanaji) was extolled, and the Subha(ship) was conferred on him. Brave soldiers got gold bracelets in reward. (He) gave (them) immense wealth. Gold embroidered clothes were given to all men. In this manner was Kondana captured first. Then Moro Pant Peshwa and Nilo Pant, and Annaji Pant, and the Mawles, with similar distinction, took twenty six forts in four months. (The Raje) went on governing his kingdom, recapturing what forts had been ceded by the treaty. After safely reaching Rajgad from Benares, (the Raje) sent men and letters to Muttra. Thereupon, Krshnaji Pant, and Kasi Rao and Visaji Pant, the three, with their families, dressing Sambhaji Raje in a dhotar and sacred thread and calling him their nephew, came to Rajgad and met the Raje. Then the Raje met his son. Great rejoicing took place. (He) performed many deeds of charity. And (he) conferred the title — of Visvas Rao — on the three brothers — Krshnaji Pant (and the other two). (He) gave (them) a reward of a lakh of Hons. A salary of ten thousand Hons was granted to the three brothers. (They) were enlisted among the chiefs [of the court]. Mokasa Mahals were granted (to them). (They were) extolled. Similarly Niraji Pant had come along with (the Raje), exhibiting much courage, and labouring hard ; and Dattaji Pant was in (the Raje's) company, and Ragho Mitra also was with him.
1.12.2
Of them Niraji Pant, knowing all about justice and equity, an intelligent Nizamshahi Brahman, was appointed to the office of Nyayadhls, by the Government. All law-suits in the kingdom should be decided by him. His son Prahlad Pant, was a small (boy) of twelve or fourteen years. Finding that he was clever and intelligent, (the Raje) appointed him to the office of the vicar to the Sabnls of the forces, and kept him with the army, attached to the Sarnobat. "Prahlad Pant will be a great man, (he) will bear great burdens," so the Raje foretold. Investigations were made about what office should be conferred on Dattajl Pant. Then Gangajl Pant Vaknis died. His Vaknisi was conferred on Dattaji Pant. He was reckoned as one of the Sarkarkuns. Ragho Mitra was placed in charge of the household forces. Whoever had in the (Raje's) company, (in his journey from Delhi) shown courage and (performed) labour were glorified. [58] Then the Raje selected good men, and appointed the picked men (to be) with his palanquin. "I am the enemy of four Badshahs (and if) sometime occasion arises, those who are near will then be of service." Realising so, he selected choice men after inspection and examination of the Mawles, (and) organised them into Pataks. Their names (according to the order or the roll) (were as follows) — (1) A body called hundred men. (1) A body " sixty men. (1) A body " sixty men. (1) A body " forty men. (1) A body " thirty men. (1) A body " twenty men.
1.12.3
In this manner was each Patak named. Excellent men were selected from among the Mawles. The picked men being enlisted, the four Pataks combined made two thousand men. Of them, some (were) musketeers, some spearmen and the rest (had) light arms, (and) fining. In this manner were the men equipped. So many men (as were selected) were given (uniform) dresses. (They were equipped with), embroidered turbans for the head, jackets of broad cloth for the body, two gold bracelets for the two hands, — to some (were given) silver bracelets, gold and silver rings to be attached to the upper and lower ends of the sword sheaths, silver rings for the guns and similar rings for the spears, and a pair of knilkls for the ears. In this manner were all the men equipped with dresses, at the expense of the government. All had the same dress. As for their courage each one of them was superior to the others. Two thousand Mawles selected after such [careful] scrutiny should always be with the palanquin near (the Raje's person). In the like manner (he) appointed over them a toinati sardar of the position of a Hazari in the hasam. Likewise were Jumledars appointed. And two thousand to two thousand and five hundred men were enlisted in the hasam [of the bodyguard]. They should be [always ready to take] the road. At the time of (the Raje's) going (out), they should march on four sides of him with his palanquin. In this manner were the men employed.
1.12.4
Then an assault was made on the fort of Panhala, (that) belonged to the Adilsahi, and the fort was captured. The Raje remained in the fort. Siddi Johar, (a) wazir from Bijapur, (with) twenty [59] thousand horse besieged the Raje. The fort had been (only recently) captured, (and) there had been no time for strengthening (it) with stores But the fort was well defended. Letters with a Jasud were sent to Netaji Palkar, the Raje's Sarnobat ; (with the following message) — " You should come with your forces for a counter attack, and beat off Siddi Johar." (With such a message) were letters sent. But the forces (were) far away. (He) could not come in time. And (there was) no store in the fort. Then the Raje deliberated (on the situation), and surrendered the fort to Siddi Johar. (He) himself came down. Siddi Johar took the fort and placed his own garrison (there). Then the Raje summoned Netaji Palkar, and with reproof — " Why didst not thou come in time ?" — took away (his) Sarnobatship, and gave it (the Sarnobatship) to the Sarnobat of Rajgad, — Kadtaji Gujar by name, (and) conferred on him the appelation of Pratap Rav, instead of his old name. Pratap Rav, while serving as the Commander-in-Chief, assembled all the Marathas of the ninety-six families (including) those that were in the four Badshahis and those that were in (Sivaji's) dominions.
1.12.5
(He) bought horses for the cavalry. He went on equipping the state service cavalry (paga) and enlisting Siledars. In this manner (he) made a numerous assemblage, and established (his) sway, in the four Badshahis. The Raje escaped from Delhi (and) the father and son came to (their) own country safely. Coming (home), (he) took twenty-seven forts in four months. Great fame was won. Learning this, Aurangzib felt anxious in his mind. Then the Badshah, gave diplomatic counsel to Shah Alam, his eldest son, and sent him with (an) army. He said to the Shahzada — "Sivaji cannot be conquered by force. You go and stay at Aurangabad and win his friendship by entering into negotiations for a treaty with him. If he does not like to come to an interview, then excuse him that (formal) homage. And granting Jagir in his name [60] or in the name of his son get his army for service with you. Work so, by giving him whatever rent free villages, money or military outposts, he may demand, that Sivaji may become our servant. You win (but) this much success and complete success will come [naturally out of it.] Do so." Giving counsels in this manner, (he) despatched the Prince with (an) army. He set out with sixty to seventy thousand cavalry. Arriving at Aurangabad (by marching) stage by stage, (he) remained there, and sent to the Raje,— letters, spy, messenger (and) envoys. They reached Rajgad, (and) delivered the Shahzada's letters. (He) read them and learnt the contents.
1.12.6
It was written there, — "You and I should unite by treaty." So (he) wrote. Thereupon the Raje, feeling highly pleased, sent Raghunath Pant Korde to Aurangabad. Some jewels (and) clothes were sent for the Prince. Raghunath Pant went (and) had (an) interview. The Shah honoured (him) greatly. (He) said a few things in private (that) "The Raje and I are brothers. You and I should be of the same view (and) you should come for (an) interview also. I shall grant Jagir in (your) son's name. Appoint for (my) service a Sardar and an army and send a Brahman of rank. (I shall) maintain (them) by granting mokasa. You should be at the Badshah's orders." It was settled that a Hapt Hazari Jagir should be granted in the name of Sambhaji Raje, and territories yielding 15 lakhs of Hons (in) Berar and Khandesh should be given. (Raghunath) was despatched with valuable ornaments and clothes.
1.12.7
He came back to see the Raje. (An) interview took place. The Shahzada's ornaments, clothes, (and) letters, were delivered. The proposal about the Jagir was conveyed. When (he was) acquainted with all the purport the Raje argued, — "We have firstly, enmity with the Badshah of Bijapur, enmity with the King of Bhaganagar, (and) enmity with the Mughals. Three such enemies cannot be endured. Mine is a new kingdom, within it also my rule has been established after enduring two or three very hard knocks. Therefore one enemy at least should be made a friend, and for two years (I) should muster strength and recover (my power). Then (I) should do what is fit." So thinking he came to the conclusion that peace should be made with the Mughals; and despatching five thousand troopers with Pratap Rav Sarnobat, deputed Niraji Pant as Sarkarkun in his company. [61] And agents of Moropant Peswa, and the Majumdar and the Surnis were sent. The office of the Sabnis of the forces was conferred on Prahlad Pant, son of Niraji Pant. Rauji Somnath, a Karkun was sent as Subhedar for the mokasa territories, that would be given. These were despatched. Peace was concluded with the Mughals. Agreeing to Hapt Hazari (mansab) for Sambhaji Raje, Niraji Pant and Pratap Rav went to Aurangabad.