Shri Shiv Chatrapati Caritr 1.16
Siva Chhatrapati (S. N. Sen) 1.16
- Language
- English
1.16.1
Pratap Rav and Moro Pant Peswa wrote letters and sent Jasuds (and) this news (was transmitted) to the Raje. The Raje was very pleased to hear the news. Cannon boomed (and) sugar was distributed. Gold wristlets were put on the arms of the messenger, who had brought the news; and immense wealth was given to Partap Rav Sarnobat, and Moro Pant Peswa, Anand Rav, (and) Vyankoji Pant, in reward. Rewards were also given to the Hazari and the Panchhazari officers of the army, (and) the Mawles. Orders were sent, that wazirs of renown, who had been captured should be dismissed with clothes and horses. Thereupon the Peswa and the Sarnobat and Sardars were pleased. Bahlol Khan and the Nawab and wazirs who had been taken prisoners were dismissed with horses and robes. Dilel Khan was (at a distance of) four marches from Salheri. On hearing this news, he fled back.
1.16.2
The Badshah at Delhi felt much distressed on learning this news. For three days he did not come out. For three days he did not come to the Hall of Public Audience [76]. So sad was he. "It seems God has taken away the Badshahi from the Musalmans (and) conferred it on Sivaji. It will be well now if my death will occur before (that of) Sivaji. Now the thought of Sivaji does not agree with my life." So he said. Then Bahadur Koka, the Emperor's foster brother came (and) consoled him (in the following manner) "Reign at Delhi at ease. I shall march against Sivaji. I will reduce him to the state that he ought to be in. I shall so arrange that his forces may not come to the Badshahi dominions. I shall reduce him by various artifices. The Badshah should not be anxious." After consoling in this manner (he) brought the Badshah (out) (and) seated him on the throne.
1.16.3
(The Emperor) exalted Bahadur Khan, gave (him) clothes and ornaments, a locket from his own neck, a jewelled crest (kalgl) for (the turban of) his head, two elephants and horses, jagir and promotion of rank, and sent with him seventy thousand horsemen. Dilel Khan was ordered to act as the leader of his van. Such a (mighty) force was despatched to the south against the Raje. They proceeded stage by stage from Delhi. This news came to the Raje from Delhi. The Raje observed, "Bahadur Khan is a bribe-taker (a calf fed on and fattened by oilcakes). What (do I) care about him ? He will take two years to come to my dominions." So (he) remarked. Then Annaji Datto Surnis by bidding Malsavant, a Hazari of the Mawles (to his assistance), captured by assault the fort of Panhala, that belonged to the Adilsahi and took such forts as Satara, Chandan, Vandan, Nandgiri (and) Parli. The Raje set out in person from Rayri, to inspect the forts and the provinces. No sooner did he come than the fort of Wai was taken. Similarly the fort of Karhad was captured. The forts of Sirwal (and) Kolhapur were taken. Territories were annexed as far as Hukeri and Raybag. The kingdom was extended on four sides. How to carry on the governance of the kingdom ? Then in Moro Pant Peswa's charge were placed the country from Kalyan and Bhivandi including Kojawan up to Salheri, the country above the Ghats and Konkan, Lohgad and Junnar with the twelve Mawals from the pass of Harajya (were placed) under the Peswa.
1.16.4
Konkan from Chaul to Kopal (including) Dabhol, Rajapur Kudal, Bande and Phond, was placed under Annaji Datto. The Warghat (country above the Ghats) from Wai to Kopal on the Tungabhadra (was) the province placed under Dattaji Pant Vaknis. Dattaji Pant was stationed at Panhala. In this manner was the kingdom placed under three Sarkarkuns. Besides these a few (five to seven) Brahman Subhedars were stationed in the Mughal provinces. They were (kept) under the orders of the Peswa. The Sarkarkuns were to enquire into the needs and welfare of the forts and strongholds. But what Killedar and Karkuns were to be appointed, the Raje himself should appoint after personal scrutiny. [78] If the Sarkarkuns found any serviceable soldier they should enlist him in excess of the fixed number of the quota (tainat). Arrangement of this nature was made. The agents of the Sarkarkuns should remain with the Raje. The Sarkarkuns should come to see the Raje (once ?) every year with the accounts and the revenue of their provinces. (He) went on carrying the administration according to these regulations. Then Abdul Karim Bahlol Khan came that way, with twelve thousand horsemen from Bijapur. Learning the news, that he was moving in that direction, the Raje summoned Pratap Rav with the whole army and ordered him — (as follows) "Bahlol Khan of Bijapur has been stirring too much. Attack him and win victory." Exhorting (them) to this effect, (he) sent the army against the Nawab.
1.16.5
They went (and) encountered the Nawab at Umbrani. The Raje's forces surrounded him on four sides (and) made him halt. He had no access to water, so hemmed round was he. Great fighting also took place. In the meantime the sun set. Then the Nawab made a desperate effort, made his way to the water (and) drank it. After that he secretly informed Pratap Rav—"I do not come against you (of my own initiative), I came at the orders of the Badshah. Henceforth I am yours. I shall not ever commit hostility against the Raje."—He sent some friendly message like this, and made peace. Then the Raje's forces went away. On learning this news the Raje urged the forces and disgraced (Pratap Rav) asking "Why peace has been concluded?" So angry had he become. Then Pratap Rav came back with the army after plundering in the Mughal dominions, the province of Bhaganagar, Devgad, Ramgiri (and) other places. Then Nilo Sondev Majumdar, who was in the service of the Raje, suddenly died. It was decided that his office of Majumdarship should be conferred on his son. But the eldest son Naro Pant was not at all intelligent. Ramchandra Pant, the younger son, was intelligent. The Raje had great affection (for him) and hoped (that, as) he was very intelligent, fortunate (and) lucky, he would be (a) hundreds of thousand times greater (man) than his father. On these grounds, the Majumdarskfp was only (nominally) conferred on Naro Pant (and) the office was continued (in the family).
1.16.6
Thereafter the Badshah again sent Bahlol Khan from Bijapur against the province of Panhala. [79] He came to the above province. Thereupon the Raje learnt that Bahlol Khan had again come. Then the Raje commented — "He comes again and again." Therefore he again sent (a message) to Pratap Rav — "Bahlol Khan is coming, you are to go with the army, encounter (and) rout him, (and) win victory. Otherwise do not show your face (to me again)." Such was the peremptory verbal message that (he) sent to Pratap Rav. Thereupon Pratap Rav went and encountered Bahlol Khan. The Nawab had come to Jesri. (Pratap Rav) encountered him. A great battle was fought. The fates being contrary, Pratap Rav Sarnobat was killed by a sword-cut. Many fell in the battle. A river of blood flowed. Thereafter Bahlol Khan went to Bijapur. And the Raje's forces came back to Panhala.
1.16.7
The Raje was greatly distressed on hearing the news that Pratap Rav had fallen, and said, — "To-day I have lost a limb. I had written to Pratap Rav not to show his face without winning victory. He has extorted applause by acting accordingly. How should the army be regulated now? Whom to appoint Sarnobat?" After making such enquiries, he came in person to the army, went with the forces to Chiplun, in Konkan, a place sacred to the god Parasuram, (and) remained there. Then after reviewing the army, (he) opened the treasury and distributed the money among the horsemen, great and small and men of the infantry. And looking for a man for Sarnobatship, (he) (lighted on) one Hasaji Mohite, who was a Jumledar of the cavalry. Finding him (to be) a very intelligent, brave, patient, and cautious soldier, (and) a great swordsman, (the Raje) conferred on him the title of Hambir Rav (and) appointed him Sarnobat. The whole of the army was then assembled and placed under Hambir Rav. And he was despatched with the army to Warghat. (80) Then, Sahaji Raje died. His youngest son was Vyankaji Raje. On him did the Badshah of Bijapur confer his Jagir. Naro Dikshit, who was the sole Karbhari of the Maharaja (Sahaji) died. Of him (were born) Raghunath Narayan and Janardan Narayan; these two brothers were skilled in all (branches of) learning, good diplomatists, sagacious, shrewd and intelligent. They and Vyankaji Raje did not agree well. Then the two brothers, [leaving him] came to the Raje.
1.16.8
Raghunath Pant and Janardan Pant and Balkrshna their cousin, and Balkrshna Pant's son Kamlaji Pant, Gangadhar Pant a sensible fellow born of Janardan Pant, these five, with their household, horses and elephants, (and) similar belongings, and women, came to the Raje. As soon as (he) learnt this news, the Raje went forward and received them. The Sarkarkuns also went to receive them (and) brought them with honour. An allowance of forty thousand Hons per year, was granted to them all, horses included, an assignment on the revenue was made for their pay, a chief place of honour among the Sarkarkuns was accorded to them, (and they were thus) entertained and maintained. Hambir Rav went to Sampganv with the army. (After a short time,) a Bijapur general Husain Khan Miana, a Pathan of great eminence, (who was the Commander of) five thousand Pathan archers, lancers, light armed men, * * * similarly Bailes, musketeers and artillery — Husain Khan (who) was a Sardar of the same rank as Nawab Bahlol Khan, came against Hambir Rav. The Marathas were very bold, they gave battle with the utmost valour. They * * charged straight with their horses and fought. (They) killed many of Husain Khan's men and slew horses, and brought down elephants (in battle). A great and vehement battle raged from two prahars of day to four prahars of night. In six prahars the whole army was routed. Husain Khan himself was taken prisoner. Four thousand to forty-five hundred horses were captured.
1.16.9
Twelve camels were taken. Similarly (they) seized camels and other goods, sheets to sit on treasure and clothes innumerable. Victory was won after great fighting. Countless men fell on both sides in the battle.