Shri Shiv Chatrapati Caritr 1.3
Siva Chhatrapati (S. N. Sen) 1.3
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1.3.1
He went and interviewed the Khan. The Khan honoured him. Krshnaji Bhaskar submitted that — "Sivaji had sent Pantaji Pant as his ambassador. He should be given a private interview." On his making this suggestion, the Khan sat in a private apartment, summoned Krshnaji Pant and Pantaji Pant and asked for the news. Krshnaji Pant said — "The Raje is not opposed to your views. As is Maharaja Sahaji Raje, so are you (to him) ; so he asserted on his oaths. The Raje will without any fear come to Jawli. The Khan also should come to Jawli without entertaining any suspicion. An interview between you and him will be held. He will listen to all that you will say." When the Raja's message to this purport was made known to the Khan, he took an oath with evil intentions in his mind. The Khan said—" The Raja is a base-born unbeliever, Jawll is a place difficult of access, he asks me to meet him there. Therefore, if thou Brahman as an intermediary, wilt take an oath, (for my safe return) I shall go to meet Sivajl." Therefore, Pantaji Pant gave an assurance on a solemn oath. — " The Raje is not disposed to do you harm. Have no suspicion. Arrange for going for an interview." Saying so to the Khan, he bribed men in the army and enquired of the clerks and ministers and questioned them. They said, — " Sivaji is a rogue. He cannot be captured by fighting. Therefore an interview should be arranged by diplomacy.
1.3.2
[18] The Khan has so contrived that he should be captured at the time of the interview." When he learnt this, Pantaji Pant came to the Khan the next day, and begged permission for going to the Raje. The Khan sent him to the Raje, with great honours. Pantaji Pant came to Pratapgad. He saw the Raja. (He) gave Pantaji Pant leave to go home at that time. At night Pantaji Pant alone was summoned to an interview. The Raje and Pant sat together and the Raje asked him for information in private with many solemn oaths — " Tell me the real facts. Tell me what is in the mind of the Khan, (and how he is inclined). You and I are not separate. If my kingdom is preserved, its entire management I shall confer on you. I shall give you much wealth also. Give me true information." Thus did the Raje take him in a brotherly fashion and enquire. Then he said, "There is evil intention in the Khan's mind. It is that he will bring you to an interview by a truce, capture you by treachery and then take you a prisoner to Bijapur. If you have courage I shall bring the Khan to Jawll, after detaching him [from his army] by many devices. You have to muster courage and single-handed kill him in a lonely place and plunder the whole of his army. Make the entire kingdom your own." Such was the counsel he gave. It pleased the Raje. Then he gave Pantajl Pant a reward of five thousand Hons. And (he instructed the Pant) to tell the Khan, " The Raje is very much afraid.
1.3.3
He has not the courage to come to Wai for interview. The Khan is (my) superior, if he will kindly come to Jawll and grant (me) an audience then I may go to see him. It will signify his greatness, if the Khan will take me by his hand, restore my confidence by words of hope and secure my welfare by conducting me to the audience of the Badshab. Bring him with you by some such professions." With these instructions, he sent Pantajl Pant. [19] He went and met the Khan at Wai. He submitted (to him) the message. "The Raje is timid. He has his suspicions about coming here for an interview. You should yourself proceed to Jawli. He will come there to meet you. Give him assurances and take him with you." So said he. Thereupon the Khan, highly pleased, marched on and came to Jawli down the ghat of Radtondi. He encamped below Pratapgad and halted there. On all sides in the neighbourhood, — in various places where water could be had, descended 12,000 soldiers and musketeers with artillery waggons, elephants, and carts, in connection with camel swivels. Pantaji Pant was sent up to the fort with a message asking the Raje to come to the interview.
1.3.4
Thereupon he went and saw the Raje. He made some formal communication proper to such occasions. Afterwards in private he communicated all the informations (in the following manner). "As instructed by you, I have brought the Khan. Now I shall bring about a private interview between you two in person. You should boldly do what is necessary." In this sense did he speak. It was arranged that the interview should take place another day, after a day's interval. "The Raje should descend from the fort, the Khan should advance from his tent and the two should meet each other in a tent at some intermediate place." Having settled (the matter) in this manner, he descended with the Raje's message, to the Khan in the hill-side below the fort. The news was communicated to the Khan, who also agreed (to abide by the settlement). Then the next day, the Raje prepared a place of meeting below the fort. Tents were erected, beds spread, big pillows arranged, canopies raised, and tassels of pearls hung, screens of variegated colour were fitted up, bolsters were laid (for sitters to recline on), and cushions and pads placed. The meeting-place was made ready.
1.3.5
[20] Netaji Palkar with his forces had been brought to the Ghatmatha; to him was sent the instruction by word of mouth, — "To-morrow I go to meet the Khan, I shall win victory and return to the fort. Then only one shot will be fired from the fort. Then you are to descend from the Ghats, fall upon the Khan's army and attack it." Similarly Moro Pant Peswa had been brought from Konkan. He was also told of the signal of a shot fired from the fort. (The Raje) descended from the fort and stationed selected men in thickets at various points. The Raje himself put on a coat of mail. On his head he put on an embroidered turban, to it he attached a tassel of pearls. He put on short trousers and tucked a sash round his waist. And in his hands he held a bichva and a vaghnakh. While going to the interview he took with him two brave men, namely Jiu Mahala—a dauntless fellow, who had with him a patta (straight sword), a firang and a shield;—and Sambhaji Kavji Mahaldar similarly armed with a patta, a firang, and a shield. Other swordsmen were stationed in thickets (kept in ambush) at different places in the neighbourhood. And the Raje took his meal, after a bath. He descended from the fort prepared for going to the rendezvous.
1.3.6
The Khan also got ready and started from his camp for going to the interview. In his company started 1,000 or 1,500 musketeers armed ready. Many expert swordsmen came out in his train and started (with him). Pantaji Pant at once came forward and submitted "If you go with such an assemblage, the Raja will be frightened. He will go back to the fort. The interview will not take place. [21] What is Sivaji? What is the necessity of so much ado for this? The Raja will come from there with two men. You should go from here with two men. You both should sit together and have an interview. Do then what the exigency requires." On his saying so, the whole following was made to wait at the distance of an arrow-shot, and the Khan in a palanquin, two officers, and Krishnaji Pant the envoy, (these only) went forward. A soldier named Said Banda, skilled in swordsmanship was taken with him (the Khan), Pantaji Pant also was in his company. They went to the pavilion (of meeting). The Khan burnt with anger in his mind as he saw the pavilion, thinking "What is Sivaji? Shahaji's son. Even a wazir has not got such gold embroidered beds. What does this pearlbedecked pavilion mean? He has got such furniture as is not possessed by the Badshah." As he made this remark, Pantaji Pant replied, "The Badshah's things will go to the Badshah's palace. Why so much anxiety for that?" When this was said, he sat down in the pavilion, couriers and messengers were sent to bring the Raje quickly.
1.3.7
The Raje was waiting at the foot of the fort. Thence he proceeded slowly. He stopped, when on enquiry, he heard that Said Banda, an expert swordsman, was with the Khan. And (he) sent for Pantaji Pant. He came. To him (the Raje) said—"As is the Maharaja so is the Khan (to me). I am the Khan's nephew. He is my guardian (senior). I feel afraid as Said Banda is with the Khan. Send away this Said Banda at once from here."