Shri Shiv Chatrapati Caritr 1.19
Siva Chhatrapati (S. N. Sen) 1.19
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1.19.1
Then Jinji was besieged with a view to the conquest of the Karnatak. Rauf Khan and Nasir [Muhammad] Khan, sons of Khankhanan, the wazir of Bijapur, (these two) were at Jinji; they were by diplomacy given an assurance of safety and induced to come out, and the place was taken. Sher Khan, a wazir of Bijapur, was with five thousand horse at a place called Trimal (Trinomali ?). The Pathan was an (officer) of eminence, he had elephants and immense military stores. Sher Khan marched upon the Raje. (The Raje) fought and destroyed him. Sher Khan was captured alive. Five thousand horses and twelve elephants were taken. Money and jewels came into the Raje's possession beyond calculation. A great battle was fought. Trimal Mahal was conquered after such performances. Then Rajsri Vyankaji Raje, Raje's younger brother, who had taken possession of the kingdom of Tanjore and was ruling there, came to see the Raje accompanied by his Karkuns. The brother met the brother. Kakaji Pant Peswa, Ekoji Raja's Karkun, and Konher Mahadev Majumdar, saw (the Raje). Jagannath Pant, son of Vyankaji Datto, the whole army and Bhimji Raje and Pratapji Raje, sons of the Maharaja's (Sahaji's) concubines, also came to the interview. Great rejoicings took place. The two brothers entertained each other as guests, and they both made immense presents. For eight days they were together. Then the Raje said to Vyankaji Raje — "The Maharaja was our common father.
1.19.2
I took leave of him, went towards Puna and conquered so big a kingdom. I have established my fame. However, our father's twelve birudas are in your possession and you are enjoying them. I am, however, his eldest son and a hero, I have displayed greater heroism than you. You should give me only the twelve birandes of my father you have, and I shall display them. Of course I can have new ones, but I am demanding these, as I should have what was earned by my father." Thereupon Vyankaji held a different opinion and did not yield (what was demanded). Then Ekoji Raja's Karkuns and Karbharis roused fear in his mind, (telling him) that the Raje would have an altercation with him and take the birandes by force [90]. (They) told him so, roused fear (in his mind), and at night Vyankaji Raja fled with the birandes to Tanjore. Then the next day the Raje learnt the news that Vyankaji Raja had fled. Thereupon he wondered (saying), "Why has he fled? Was I going to imprison him? What should I do with the birandes? My own birandes have spread over the eight directions. Over the seagirt earth my fame has spread, what then should I do with those birandes. I had asked for them, as one should have his patrimony. If he did not like to part with them, he was at liberty not to give them. Why did he flee for nothing? He is young, very young, and he has acted like a child." So observed the Raje. Then Vyankaji's Karkuns and Sardars, who had been fleeing, fell into the hands of the Raje's men.
1.19.3
They arrested and brought them to the Raje. Then (the Raje) gave robes, ornaments and horses to them all, and sent them to his brother to Tanjore. There was one Santaji Raje a son of the Maharaja (Sahaji) by a concubine. He was a hero of (great) valour. He came to see the Raje. The interview took place. The Raje conferred on him (the command of) one thousand horse in the Karnatak. Rent-free villages were given to him. He was dismissed with a present of elephants, horses and robes. There was an Adilsahi (military) outpost at Yellore. That fort was so strong, that there was not another like it on the earth. Round the fort was a ditch of flowing water. The water was bottomless (so deep was the ditch). In that water lived ten thousands alligators. Two carts could be driven side by side, over the rampart of the fort, so strong was it. The rampart had four circuits one after (within) another. The fort was of this nature. The Raje captured the fort by besieging it. Other forts and strongholds also were taken at different places. Some new forts were built. One hundred such new forts were constructed in that province. The Raje conquered a kingdom yielding twenty lakhs of Hons. Jinji was like Bijapur and Bhaganagar, a metropolitan city (the seat of a throne). The Raje ought to have remained there. But there was a vast kingdom on this side also. It was necessary to preserve that (kingdom).
1.19.4
Therefore the Brahman Raghunath Narayan was appointed Majumdar of the entire kingdom, [91] and he was posted at Jinji, with that province under his charge. As he wanted an army for the time being, Hambir Rav, the Commander-in-Chief, was stationed (there) with his army. And the Raje set off from Jinji with the two generals Anand Rav and Manaji More and (their) regiments. He ascended the Ghats and reached above. The forts of Kolhar and Balapur were captured. The country was conquered. Some forts were built. Turbulent Palegars were destroyed and reduced to dust. That province also was placed under Raghunath Pant. General Manaji More was with his army stationed in the province of Kolhar. The Raje went to Kopal, accompanied by Anand Rav. Thence he went to Lakshmesvar. Thence he marched by stages to the province of Sampganv. There was a fort called Belvadi. There (ruled) a woman Desain. She carried off the transport bullocks of the Raje's army. The Raje learnt this news and laid siege to Belvadi, captured the fort, (and) arrested the Desain. She was punished. Then he returned to Panhala and made an enquiry about the state of the kingdom. Then every body learnt that the Raje was come. Thereupon Niraji Pant, who had been stationed with Bahadur Khan, also came to see (the Raje). And the Khan also sent jewels and robes for the Raje.
1.19.5
Then Vyankaji Raje, learning (the news) that Hambir Rav with the army and Raghunath Narayan had been stationed in the Karnatak, mustered his own forces and those of the Palegars and marched against Hambir Rav. At that time, Vyankaji Raje had innumerable cavalry, infantry and militia, four times as strong as those under Hambir Rav. Then a battle between Vyankaji Raje and Hambir Rav took place. But the influence of the Raje's (Sivaji's) virtue was more potent, and (his) fortune was (still) in the ascendant; Hambir Rav routed Vyankaji Raje's army. A great battle was fought. Many fell in fighting. And four thousand of Vyankaji Raje's horses were taken. And elephants, jewels, minor chiefs, Bhimji Raje and Pratapji Raje besides other men of note were captured. Such a victory was won. Fame was won. And the captured officers were released with robes of honour. Then Raghunath Pant and Hambir Rav marched towards Tanjore. Then Vyankaji Raje was prepared to restore friendship through the mediation of some courtiers. Then Raghunath Pant and Hambir Rav sent a messenger with letters to the Raje. Then the Raje on being apprised of the news, sent a reply to them (two), — "Vyankaji Raje is my younger brother. He has acted like a child. But still he is my brother, protect him. Do not ruin his kingdom." When such an answer came, the two concluded peace with Vyankaji Raje. And they took immense money [ indemnity ]. Then Raghunath Pant dismissed Hambir Rav with the army, and sent them to the Raje.
1.19.6
And Raghunath Pant himself, on that side, raised an army of ten thousand horse, Paga and Siledar, in the Karnatak, and lived there (and) maintained the kingdom.
1.19.7
An interview took place between Hambir Rav and the Raje. Many were applauded and given rewards. Then the Raje himself besieged Jalnapur in the Mughal territories, with the whole of his army. The suburb was raided. The town was plundered to destruction. Immense wealth, gold and silver, jewels and clothes, horses, elephants and camels were plundered. Ranmast Khan came with the Mughal army. A battle was fought. Five thousand soldiers of Sidojl Nimbalkar Raje fought for three days. He took Ranmast Khan a prisoner. His (Ranmast Khan's) army was about to be ruined, when Kesar Sing, Sardar Khan, and other nobles, came to his assistance with twenty thousand soldiers and halted three cosses off. Then Kesar Sing sent a secret message (to the Raje) saying, "There are brotherly relations between the two parties. You should march away, before we encounter you." As soon as he got this information, the Raje started thence. [93]. It was decided that the army should go by the Jadgiri route. At that time Bahirji Jasud offered (to act as guide) saying — "I shall conduct the army to a safe place avoiding any meeting with the Mughals. Your Majesty should not be anxious." After a watchful exertion of three nights, without taking any rest during day or night, (he) brought the army to Pavgad. The Raje was pleased with Bahirji Naik. The balance of Government money due from him was written off and some additional rewards were given to him. The Raje came at his leisure to Purandar with his army.