Shri Shiv Chatrapati Caritr 1.20

1.20

In the meantime Sambhaji Raje, the Raje's eldest son, took offence with him, and went over to the Mughal dominions and met Dilel Khan there. He (Dilel Khan) maintained him with great honour. Dilel Khan wrote to the Badshah at Delhi, — "The Raje's son, Sambhaji Raje, being angry with his father, has come to me. I have entertained him with great honour. If the Badshah should graciously exalt him there will be two parties in (Sivaji's) kingdom. The soldiers of the kingdom (of Sivaji,) will voluntarily desert (to us), and will capture his forts and strongholds." So he wrote. Thereupon the Badshah thought, "The Raje's son has come (to us), if he is exalted, he will create a rebellion in my dominions and ruin the empire. So, he should not be exalted." So arguing he wrote and sent an order to Dilel Khan,—"Come with Sambhaji Raje to the presence." So he wrote. But the Khan's agent at the Badshah's court wrote this news to him before (the Badshahi order reached the Khan). As soon as the Khan learnt this news, he made Sambhaji escape by throwing out some hints. He fled and came back to Panhala. The Raje felt pleased when he learnt this news at Purandar [94] and came to see his son at Panhala. Father and son met together. Much rejoicing took place. Then the Raje said,—"My boy do not leave me. There is enmity between us and Aurangzib. He intended to commit treachery against thee. But the Sri has kindly rescued thee and brought thee safely back. A great deed has been done. Now, thou, my eldest son, hast grown big, and I have learnt that it is in thy mind that thou shoudst have a separate kingdom. This is also to my interest. I shall give thee a kingdom then. I have two sons. Thou Sambhaji art one ; and Rajaram is the second. So I shall divide all my kingdom into two. The kingdom of Jinji — stretching from the Tungabhadra to the Kaveri — is one kingdom. The second is a kingdom on the other side of the Tungabhadra extending up to the river Godavari. Such are the two kingdoms (I have). Thou art my eldest son, I confer on thee the kingdom of the Karnatak ; the kingdom on this side I give to Rajaram. You two sons, should rule over these two kingdoms. I shall (henceforth) meditate upon the Sri, (and thus) secure my future welfare." So he said. Then Sambhaji Raje replied,— "My fortune lies at the feet of Your Majesty. I will live on milk and rice (at peace) and meditate on your feet." So answered Sambhaji, and the Raje was greatly pleased. Then the father and the son sat together, and reviewed the affairs of the whole of their state. What was the extent of the Karnatak ? And what was the total revenue ? How many departments were there ? And who were the clerks and the Sarkarkuns ? How many soldiers, state cavalry and Siledars were there ? Who were their officers ? Where and how many were the forts ? What militia was there ? How many marine forts and sea-going vessels (had the Raje) ? An account was made of each item. The list is as follows. The following is the list of the eighteen departments, villages and territories, that he enumerated, drawn up item by item. —