Shri Shiv Chatrapati Caritr 1.7
Siva Chhatrapati (S. N. Sen) 1.7
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1.7.1
As soon as the army started from Delhi, the Raje learnt of it. He was at Rajgad. He assembled all the Sarkarkuns, important persons, and the Sarnobat, and questioned them. In the opinion of (them) all — "Peace should be concluded. An interview should be sought. [35] It is not possible to hold out by fighting. What is our force and what is the Delhi army?" Such were (their) reasons. The Raje was of opinion (that), — "If peace is decided on, there is no influential Rajput, (with the Khan) as would, (considering the fact that) we are Rajputs and he too is a Rajput, protect the Hindu religion and guard our interests. Saista Khan is a Mahomedan, a relation of the Badshah; bribe and corruption cannot be practised on him. Nor will the Khan protect us. If I meet him in peace, he will bring about (our) destruction. It is injurious to us." So he argued. Then the Raje formed the brave resolution of fighting to the last and taking what came of it. That day, at night Sri Bhavani (entered) the Raje's body and said (by his mouth), — "Tell my child that he should not be anxious on account of Saista Khan's coming. As I killed Afzal Khan so will I beat him away. You should not be anxious. As you killed Afzal Khan, so should you enter into Saista Khan's camp — after he comes down (here) and fight (there). I shall get him defeated." When the Sri had said so, the Raje regained consciousness.
1.7.2
The Karkun, who was with (the Raje), had put the goddess's speech into writing, (then) informed the Raje of it. The Raje mustered courage as he learnt that the goddess was favourably disposed. He chose good swordsmen after making selections in (from) his army, the Mawle forces, and the personal staff. One thousand select men were set aside from the remaining part of the army, one to two thousand infantry were selected, each individually. The confirmation of the news of Saista Khan's arrival at Puna was brought and the Raje descended from Rajgad and marched with his select men and forces. Babaji Bapuji and Chimnaji Bapuji, Des'kulkarnis of Tarf Khed, both very intelligent and brave, were favourites of the Raje. These two brothers were taken in his company. The Raje formed two detachments under Netaji Palkar and Moro Pant Peswa. One detachment (he) formed out of a body of Paga horse and (placed) Netaji Palkar (in command of it). The Peswa's detachment consisted of the Siledars, the Mawles and the Hasums. These two detachments were stationed on both sides of the road, outside Saista Khan's camp, and at a distance of about one mile from it. And the Raje himself took a shield and a sword in his hands, got ready, and took with him 1000 dismounted soldiers (iTRI^cnTT) and started for the Nawab's camp. Babaji Bapuji and Chimnaji Bapuji Khedkar marched in front (of the column). Behind them went all the men and the Raje.
1.7.3
The Mahomedan army was vast — at various places, in the camp they questioned the Raje, — (in the following manner), "Whose men are you?" "Who are you ?" "Where had you gone ?" Babaji Bapuji and Chimnaji Bapuji replied, as they went on, — "We belong to the army and had gone on sentry duty." Soon after, it was midnight. They went near the Nawab's tent. A body of one thousand men was got together. They went into the camp and stood (in rows) on two sides. Selecting two hundred men out of them, the Raje himself cut the screen with a dagger, (^tzt^ ) and entered in, bidding Chimnaji Bapuji to accompany him. There were tents within tents, a maze like that of seven different concentric houses, (but the Raje) tore and rent them all, and went in. The guards were asleep. They were left in ignorance. Then the Raja himself reached the Nawab's (private) tent. In his camp there were seven enclosures and female attendants (Ddi/ci?) in them all. [37].
1.7.4
The women, who were there came to know that the enemy had broken into the camp. Apprised of this, Nawab Saista Khan became utterly panic-stricken, put out the candles and lights (and) remained concealed among the women. The Raje never raised his hands against women. Two ghatkas passed in that way. Shortly afterwards, the Nawab found an opportunity, and stepping aside from the women, turned to get (his) sword. The Raje seized that opportunity and dealt a blow. Three of the Khan's fingers were struck off at once. Then arose a great tumult. The forces, on becoming cognisant of the arrival of the enemy, got prepared on all the four sides. Then the Raje went out. The guardsmen and the men of the army, began to run about (noisily) enquiring where the enemy was. With them, he also ran forth shouting (like them), — " Where is the enemy ? " and went out. And (he) marched off (after) joining his forces (left) with the Sarnobat and the Peswa. The whole of the enemy forces got ready and began to search in their own camp. No trace of them was found, (the invaders) went away by the direct route and reached their own place.
1.7.5
When day dawned all the wazirs came to enquire after the Nawab. They found that three of the Nawab's fingers had been lost. Moreover many men had been killed and women and eunuchs wounded. Many men died. Learning this, the Nawab said, "The enemy came so far as my private tent, but no wazir was vigilant. No one is careful. All have combined in this treason. Now I cannot put my faith in anyone. To-day the Raje came and cut off my fingers, to morrow he may come again, cut off my head and carry (it) away. Sivaji is very treacherous. He has committed treachery (once); he may commit more. I have no faith in my army. I should now march away hence and go back to Delhi. With these people I should not stay." Making such a short-sighted decision, on the third day he commenced his march back to Delhi. The Raje had returned to Rajgad. News was brought from the enemy's camp that "Three of Saista Khan's fingers had been severed. His right hand was maimed. Many men moreover were dead. [38] The Nawab being frightened was running away to Delhi." This news came. Thereupon the Raje felt highly pleased (and said) — "I have come back victorious. I have punished Saista Khan. The Badshah gave him the name of Saista but it was not rightly given. He did not perform any heroic deed to justify his name. By changing the name to Sasta (punished) I have corrected it." So rejoicing, he distributed sugar and caused the canon to boom.
1.7.6
The news of this victory had reached the Badshah at Delhi [before the Khan's return]. The Badshah wondered in his mind and was at heart dejected, saying "What is the Nawab's army? And what is meant by the Raja's personally entering the army and fighting there? Sivaji is not a man, he is a big devil." After many such effusions, he remained silent. Later on being informed that the Nawab was come, he forbade his visit. First, the expedition had miscarried, secondly, he had been punished. On these two grounds he was forbidden to come for an interview. He was ordered to stay in his own house. The wazirs who had gone with him, were brought (to the presence), (and) degraded, and their jagirs were confiscated. They (however) answered (in their defence) that "The Sardar had been appointed by the Badshah, he (the Badshah) had ordered (us) to obey his (their general's) commands. Although this was done, the Sardar has returned unsuccessful, what should we do? Now give us a brave Sardar. We shall go with him and exert ourselves in the toils of fighting." As soon as such an answer was given, they were all reassured (of the Emperor's favour) and mansabs were granted to them. Which Sardar should be sent next? Who will return victorious? In selecting a Sardar on such considerations, choice was made of the Rajput Mirza Raja Jaya Sing. He was summoned, the Badshah sat with him in the private audience hall ( WM *5Rf ) and instructed him in various ways, — " Go against Sivaji.
1.7.7
Either the Badshah in person should go or you should go. Realising this, I am sending you, I shall send an army with you. Capture Sivaji by various artifices and bring him with you." So saying, he gave him more than the normal complement of elephants, horses, shields, swords (men armed with Firongon), cross-bow, jagir and promotion, [39] and after greatly extolling him despatched him with military robes of honour. The Badshah conferred the command of the vanguard of the whole army on Dilel Khan, a Pathan noble, wazir and a very brave man ; five thousand Pathans were sent with him. Elephants, horses and clothes (of honour) were given to Dilel Khan also. Eighty thousand cavalry were sent with him. Besides these, canon and ( ^sTT^n ) artillery of different varieties were given. Pathan and haughty Rajput horsemen were sent. The Badshah called (back) Dilel Khan privately by another way, (and) said to him, — " The Mirza Raja is a Rajput and Sivaji is a Hindu. (They) may commit some treason. But you are a hereditary servant ( ?3Tir5TT^ ) of the Emperor and faithful to us. Keep yourself so informed (of their movements) that you may not be deluded." So said (the Emperor) and despatched (Dilel Khan.)