Shri Shiv Chatrapati Caritr 1.14
Siva Chhatrapati (S. N. Sen) 1.14
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1.14.1
Thereupon, one Kay Savant from Rajpuri came with a force of five thousand to fight. A great battle was fought (and) furious fighting took place. Kay Savant himself and Baji Pasalkar were great warriors. His (Pasalkar's) moustaches were as thick as arms ; curling them (he) used to place two lemons on two sides on the support of (the copious) hair ; — such a prodigy of strength (the Raje) entertained (in his service). They (Savant and Baji) met each other in a duel. Each inflicting on the other twenty-five wounds fell dead. Their respective armies thereupon retired, each to its own place.
1.14.2
In the meantime, the Raje's father Sahaji Maharaj, who lived at Bangalore, suddenly died of a fall from his horse, at Bogdarl a village in the province of Chitradurga, while coming towards Bijapur. This news made the Raje [67] very sad. After performing the prescribed rite, (he) celebrated many deeds of charity. And he said — "It would have been well, if the Maharaj had (survived longer and) witnessed the heroic deeds of a son like me. Now to whom should I show my valour? Formerly I killed Afzal Khan, punished and defeated Saista Khan, and went to Delhi after an interview with the Mirza Raja. Having seen the Badshah I came back to my own kingdom. Then I captured many forts, plundered many towns and enlisted an army of 40,000 cavalry in Paga and Siledar. The Maharaja was pleased at the news of such heroism. Letters of approbation used to come to me regularly. He used to send robes of honour and ornaments likewise. I have no elder (left) after him now." In this strain he lamented much. The Matusri was going to immolate herself; the Raje sat on her lap, twined his hands round her neck and made her take an oath (that she should live) and refrain (from self-immolation). "There is none to witness my heroic deeds, thou must not go." With such exhortations the Raje, as well as all other great men, after great exertion made her desist. Things happened in this manner.
1.14.3
Then the Siddi of Rajpuri was to the Raje an enemy like rats in a house, and he began to enquire about how he should be defeated. Then Raghunath Ballal Sabnis voluntarily prayed that he should lead an expedition against the Siddi. (So saying) he marched towards Rajpuri with five to seven thousand Mawle irregular infantry. He went, overran the whole province as far as Rajpuri (including) Tale and Ghosale, and cleared the coast frontier up to Rajpuri. One or two of Siddi's regiments that had come were beaten. Then negotiations were opened from Rajpuri with Raghunath Pant, and peace was concluded. Then (they) sent some good men asking for some territories and with (the assurance of) strong oaths induced Raghunath Pant to go for an interview. The interview took place, friendship was established by the ratification of the treaty. Raghunath Pant was given clothes (and) a horse (and) came to his country. Then in course of time he died, and thereafter the rock that checked the Siddis was broken. Thereupon the (conduct of the) Habsis underwent a change, (and they) began to disturb (the Raje's) country. Then the Raje despatched Vyankoji Datto with the army designated (for the work). He went and utterly devastated their dominions [68] (and) annexed their land. Then the Siddi sent a Habsi force (of his own nationality) of cavalry and militia against the celebrated Vyankoji Datto. A battle was fought between them. Vyankoji Pant killed three hundred Habsis (and) captured their horses.
1.14.4
Vyankoji Pant toiled hard (and) got (no less than) twelve wounds. He came after inspiring such terror that the Siddi had to open negotiations for peace. But the Raje did not conclude peace and remained in his (Siddi's) country, strengthening himself (by the erection of) new forts and strongholds at various places. Formerly a hill near Rajpurl had been fortified, (the Raje) captured it, built a fort (there) and conquered the whole country. Military posts were established. Then he (the Siddi) had no resource. (The Raje) stationed a Subha with a train of five to seven thousand militia men. Such (measures) did he take. Then no territory was left to Rajpurl. Where from was grain to come ? (For that) there were ships in the sea. With them they began to plunder other lands, bring provision, and subsist (thereon). On that account the Raje fitted ships in the sea. (Fitting out) ships of various types as Gurabs, and Tarandes, and Tarus, Galvats, sibads, Gurabs and Pagar, (he) appointed two Subhedars, a Musalman Subhedar sent chortas or professional thieves to rob Maratha subjects. The chiefs of Janjira ruthlessly tortured their unhappy captives and compelled them to abjure their faith and embrace the religion of the Arabian prophet. It may be noted here that Balaji Avji was originally a subject of the HabsTs and was forced to leave his ancestral home and seek Sivaji's serrice by the tyranny of the alien rulers.
1.14.5
Darya Sarang (sea captain) by name and May Naik (water leader) a Bhandari, constituting a subha of two hundred ships ; in this manner was the navy equipped. A battle was fought between them and the Siddi's fleet, and the Siddi's vessels were captured. Many battles were fought, (and it came to such a pass) that Tarandes could not sail in the sea. (They) went on making constant attack on them (the sailing vessels). Then the Habsi used to secure provision by theft and robbery. The Raje's ships began to plunder the cities and forts at various places belonging to the Mughals, the Firangis (Portuguese), the Dutch, the English and the Kilatav, and twenty-seven such sea powers (Badshahs that are in the sea), as well as various sea coast towns as Bednur, Saunda and Srirangapattan and subsist (thereby). They fought at various places (and) used to bring the Raje grains and other provisions, after providing for their own needs. In this manner seven hundred ships were (equipped) in the sea. A force was organised in the sea also. (Thus) was (this) one plan worked out. Only Rajpuri (i.e., Janjira) remained of the Nizamsahi naval dominions. On this account the name of the Nizamshah is still preserved. As he wanted to conquer that place * * * (the sentence is incomplete here). At Kudal in Konkan, lived a rebel (chief) Lakham Savant Desai by name, with (a force of) twelve thousand hosam. Kudal was under (the sway of) Adilsahi.
1.14.6
— He sent word to Bijapur that after assembling an army of horse, foot, and militia, he was going to march against the Raje to recover Konkan. To this effect he sent a (verbal) message. Thereupon, from Bijapur, Khawas Khan, commander-in-chief, a great warrior, came to Kudal with ten thousand horsemen. Lakham Savant united with him with twelve thousand irregulars (hasam) (and) went on reconquering Konkan. In the meantime, the Raje got the information, and selecting (his forces from) the army and the militia marched straight on them. Baji Ghorpade was coming from Bijapur with fifteen hundred horsemen to help Khawas Khan (He) descended from the Ghats and halted. Thereupon the Raje sent an army against him (and) by a surprise attack (utterly) destroyed Baji Ghorpade with all his relations and following. Twelve hundred horses were captured. A great battle was fought. Then he was to fall upon Khawas Khan at Kudal, (and) to destroy him also like this (Baji), (but) by this time the Khan heard this news. "Baji Ghorpade had been destroyed with fifteen hundred horses "— learning this news, he was struck with terror (and) fled over the Ghats, (and) went straight to Bijapur. Then the Raje undertook the command of the force against Lakham Savant. (The Raje) killed many of his soldiers also. Thereupon Lakham Savant left the province of Kudal and fled to the foreign provinces in the Portuguese dominions. The Raje conquered the province of Kudal.
1.14.7
The Portuguese dreaded the Raje, and so it happened that they would not harbour him there. When he had nowhere to go to, (he) sent a fish-eating Brahman, Pitambar Senvi, by name, as envoy to Kudal for opening negotiations with the Raje. [70] With a safe conduct from the Raje he came to meet him. The interview took place. "We are Savants — that is — we are of the same family as the Bhonsle. It is meet that you should maintain us." On (his) speaking at some length in this strain, the Raje granted (the Savant) the Desmukhi of Kudal, (and he so ordered) that an assignment of six thousand (Hons) should be made to him as (his) salary. (He) was not to build any bastioned mansion. (He) should live at Kudal. (He) should not make any assembly (of force). He was kept in this condition. Conferring on his Sardars Ram Dalvi and Tan Savant, Hazariship of the hasams, (the Raje) stationed and appointed other three officers of his own at three places. He did not let any interview between them and Lakham Savant take place again. In this way he subjugated the province of Kudal. The fort of Phond belonged to the Adilsahi. The princely Mahabat Khan, a mighty general, was (commandant) there. (The Raje) laid siege to that place and by laying mine by means of tunnelling blew up the bastions. Phond was captured. Mahabat Khan was granted a safe conduct and permission to go to Bijapur.
1.14.8
On that occasion an officer in the Raje's service, Ibhram (Ibrahim) Khan, a great Musalman warrior, (and) a Hasari of the forces, was with him. He toiled (and) laboured very hard. After capturing Phond, (and) taking Carwar, Sives'var, Miraj, Ankola, Kadre, Supe, Udve, all these forts of Konkan (he) extended the frontier as far as Gokarna, Mahabalesvar on the Ghats, (and) Supe; and intimidating the Portuguese of Goa took from them cannons, (money) in cash and jewels, (and) after winning them to his side came after giving them a license to trade. (He) gave them leave to export and import. In this manner he subdued the whole of Konkan.