Shri Shiv Chatrapati Caritr 1.13
Siva Chhatrapati (S. N. Sen) 1.13
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1.13.1
Then the Prince received them with great honour. A separate site was assigned, and a suburb was founded (for them there). Elephants, horses, jewels, (and) clothes, were given to all. A Jagir land yielding 15 lakhs of Hons, was granted in the province of Berar. Bauji Somnath was stationed as Sarsubheddr in that province. The Government share of the produce also was granted to them. The men got enough of money, (and) remained contented. Then the Shahzada wrote (and) sent this news to the Badshah at Delhi. Thereupon the Badshah felt much pleased as soon as he learnt of it. The Badshah had the pleasure (of seeing that) his dominions were undisturbed. In this way the army remained at Aurangabad for two years. And the Raje on his part got leisure. In his dominions, (he) amassed money. (He) conquered many forts, strong-holds, and territories, belonging to the Adilsahi. There was much intimacy between the Prince and the Baje, (and) they went on sending presents to each other. Therefore the suspicion arose (in the mind of) Aurangzib at Delhi that, — "The Shahzada and the Baje are united. (They will) sometimes rebel and do me treachery." So he planned — "Now I should sow dissension between these two." So he wrote to the Shah, — "Sivaji is a traitor. His Sardars (generals) Pratap Bav and Niraji Pant, these two are with (their) army (with you). Therefore do not put your faith in them. They will sometimes (if occasion arises) create disturbance at Daulatabad.
1.13.2
Therefore, you should imprison these two, put all their horses in (your) stables. Let there be no remissness in this respect." So (he) wrote. This news, the Shah's Vakil, who was with the Badshah, immediately transmitted by veiled language, — "Things here have happened in this manner." You should be careful. Such information (obtained), the Badshahzada called Niraji Pant in private, (and) communicated this news, and giving (him) clothes and ornaments dismissed (him) secretly, (with these instructions) "To-morrow night, run away with the whole army (and) escape to the Raje. If your goods are left, (you) will get (them). Keep the infantry with you. Take (your) baggage afterwards at your leisure. In a few days the Badshah's note will arrive. Then I shall have to imprison you. Therefore you should previously get away." So (he) said. Thereupon Niraji Pant returned (and) getting Pratap Rav and all other men ready next day, set off with the army at night. They went to the Raje (marching) stage by stage. (An) interview took place. (They) came with some treasures and clothes and ornaments of variegated colours and figures. The Raje felt pleased and said, — "For two years the army has gained its subsistence and (we) have obtained a friend (in) the Shahzada. This is a good occurrence (that) has taken place. Now, an occasion has arisen for plundering the Mughal territories." So (he) said. Then the Raje's army left for Aurangabad.
1.13.3
Eight days after this, arrived the Badshah's autograph letter. (The Shah) learnt the contents. Then the Shah said—"The Marathas are villains. They fled eight days previously. If they had been here, I would [certainly] have imprisoned them." So (he) said, and wrote to Delhi in answer to the Badshah— "I am ready to do as ordered, but the Marathas fled eight days ago; there was no chance of imprisoning them." To this effect (he) wrote Then the Badshah was nonplussed on learning of it, — "The Marathas are very cunning" — he remarked. Things happened in this manner. An interview took place between Pratap Rav and the Raje. The cavalry got ready. Beating back the (enemy) forces who had invaded the home-territories, (they) invaded the Mughal provinces created confusion there. Then and there was the Raje's fort of Rangna. [63] (There came) from Bijapur Rustam-i-Zaman, wazir, with seven to eight thousand soldiers (and) laid siege to the fort. At that time the garrison made a stout defence and the Raje reinforcing (them) by sending troops repelled Rustam-i-Zaman and saved the fort.
1.13.4
After Rustam-i-Zaman had been defeated, Abdul Karim Bahlol Khan wazir (came) from Bijapur with an assembly of twelve thousand horsemen laid siege to Rangna. The garrison fought much and the Raje also attacked them by sending troops, (and) assisting from outside. Bahlol Khan was much harassed. And the rains ensued (and) storm commenced. Many perished during the rains. Elephants, horses, (and) camels died. The [Bijapur] army was spoilt. Such became (his) condition. Bahlol Khan fled away saving his life (alone). The fort remained safe. Then in all the cities that were in the Moglai (Mughal dominions) were stationed four to five men in disguise for spying (out their wealth and opportunities of plundering them). The informations gathered, two were to come to report the intelligence, (and) two were to remain there on the watch. Then the residences and cities were to be plundered by sending the army. This arrangement was made. Shortly afterwards came Bahirji Jasud from Surat, with the information that — "If Surat is plundered, wealth beyond counting will be found." So (he) reported. Thereupon the Raje argued, — "(If) the army (is led) by servants, the work is not likely to be done satisfactorily. Therefore, if going (is decided) I should go in person with the army." So he decided.
1.13.5
And Makaji Ananda Rav the natural son of Maharaj Sahaji, and Vyankoji Datto, a Brahman, a great military Sardar of renown, who had left the services of the Maharaja and come to the Raje, — these the Raje exalted and invested with the rank of Punch Hazari. And Pratap Rav Sarnobat and Vyankoji Datto and Ananda Rav and other Sardars, ten thousand Paga and ten thousand Siledar — an assembly of twenty thousand men, similarly five to seven thousand choice Mawles and the Sarkarkuns, Moropand Peswa, [64] and Annaji Pant, and Dattaji Pant, and Bal Prabhu Chitnis (Balaji Avji), — these (he) took with him. From Kolavan [Koli country, north of Kalyan] (he) marched straight to Surat at the rate of five to seven ganvs per march and all of a sudden arrived at Surat. The men of Surat were off their guard, (and) the army entered the suburb near the gates of Surat at the gallop. The Mughal forces also came forward. Great fighting took place. Many men of the Mahomedan side were killed. And seizing bankers' houses they filled their bags with gold, silver, jewels of nine various sorts, (viz.) pearl, coral, ruby, diamond, emerald, topaz, (and) sapphire, coins like Mohars, Putlis, Ibhramis, Satramis, Asrajis, Sons, — coins of various kinds, and many such (precious) things. Hands were not even laid on clothes, copper vessels and minor things. In this manner was the city looted for two whole days and nights.
1.13.6
As many good horses as were captured in the battle or found in the bankers' houses were taken and the Raje decided that (he) should quickly depart. This done, half the horses from the entire army were kept with the forces for fighting (purposes), on half the horses were laden the bags of spoils. Long bags were made for the infantry (and) given to their care. Making such preparations, they started with their loads. The fort of Surat was not captured. As there was (very) little time (the Raje) went away after plundering the city. (On receiving this news, the Mughal Subhedar) (with) twenty omraos, and Mahabat Khan and Daud Khan, — made a race of seven ganvs, and came on, each Subha being accompanied by a thousand horse. They intercepted the Raje. (He) learnt the news that the enemy was come. The Raje himself mounted horse, put on a cloak of steel netting with cover for the neck and head, arming his hand with a patta (and) sending forward the baggage horses and the infantry [65] stopped with ten thousand horsemen, unburdened of all. There is a city called Vani Dindori. There (they) stopped, and fought a severe action with the Subha's men who had come. Mahabat Khan and Daud Khan fought. The Raje stationed his forces in the front, and placing himself in the rear, offered battle. Pratap Rav Sarnobat and Vyankoji Datto, and Anand Rav, (with) other Sardars advanced forward (and) made a great slaughter and killing the Mughals, felled (their) corpses. For two prahars the battle raged.
1.13.7
The Marathas fought as neplus ultra. (They) killed three thousand Mughals, took three to four thousand horses. Two Mughal wazirs were captured. They came after winning a victory in this manner. After this Jagjivan the son of Udaram, a wazir of the Mughals, and Ray Bagin, Udaram's wife came with (other ?) Sardars and five thousand Mughals to Umbarkhindi. They were beaten back. Ray Bagin was besieged. Then she begged for an (haul) assurance of safety declaring herself to be a child of the Raje, holding grass in her teeth. Then the Raje gave her a haul (a safeguard), released her on her professing helplessness and came back to Rajgad. The spoils of Surat being calculated (it was found) that in all goods worth five krors of Hons had been brought. Four thousand horses had been seized, a cavalry force was organised with them. As the distinctive mark of this force, a quadrangular sign was branded on the right buttock of the horses. Such marks of recognition having been put, all the Adilsahi and Nizamsahi forts that (still) remained in the country were then captured. Forts were built on some rocks at impregnable places. New forts were constructed at villages at various places in the country. Realising that territories are kept under control by means of forts (he) built them, and in the Konkan conquered the country as far as Kalyan, Bhivandi and Raja-pur.
1.13.8
In the course of this conquest, (he) killed and routed those of the rebel Palegars and Desmukhs of different places that came to light, and protected (and) properly maintained those who accepted his kaul. [66] Revdanda and Rajpuri were Nizamsahi forts in the sea, the Habsi commander was (practically) the master there. His fleet in the sea, consisted of forty to fifty ships, — Gurabs, — with it he plundered territories, obtained maintenance (and) preserved (his) lands. His men began to molest the Raje's country. Then the Raje sent a force (of) two thousands Mawles (under) Baji Pasalkar. Similarly sea-going ships were built. The Raje saddled the sea (with a dam), thus was one arm made ready. Rajpuri (alone of the Nizamsahi dominions) was left [unconquered by him] in the sea, and on that account the name of the Nizamsahi still continued there. As that place had to be conquered, the Raje built forts selecting (for their sites) rocks at various places, as these commanded the sea and (these forts) would weaken the sea kings. Realising this, (he) fortified some submarine rocks (and) constructed forts in the sea. Building such seaforts or Janjiras (and) uniting ships with forts, the Raje saddled the sea. Thinking that his name would be maintained (i.e., his authority would be recognised) as far as marine forts would be built, he built innumerable forts and Janjiras (island strongholds) on land and in the sea. Such were the deeds (he) performed.