Shri Shiv Chatrapati Caritr 22: SAHAJI'S IMPRISONMENT.
Siva Chhatrapati (S. N. Sen) 22
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SAHAJI'S IMPRISONMENT.
22.1
Ch. [36] The Badshah wrote to Sahaji Raje—"Your son has turned a rebel and is behaving improperly. He has captured forts and plundered cities. You are a faithful omrao of this empire. It is not at all right (on the part of your son) to do so. You should therefore bring him to the huzur. The Raje answered, — "My son does not obey me. (Your Majesty) should punish him as you please." So wrote the Raje, but the Badshah got angry and did not believe him. The Raje wrote a letter to Sivaji Raje — (in the following manner) — "Your conduct has put me into disfavour, so it is not good. Come and see the Badshah and restore the forts and territories according to his order." He wrote much in this strain. Then the Maharaja argued,—"Father is to a son as sacred as a god. His orders should be respectfully obeyed. But religion has been overthrown and in every thing the Mleckchhas are supreme. I should risk my life and all (that belongs to me) for preserving my religion by overthrowing them. How can I then do what my father has asked me (to do) in his letter. I have adopted this course because I thought it more creditable. But the Badshah is displeased with my father on my account, and if my father feels troubled what should I do ? " He was arguing to himself in this manner.
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Near him was his wife Sai Bai Saheb and the Maharaja asked for her counsel, — " What should be done with respect to my father's letter ?" " We are women," answered she, " and the Sastras say that women's counsel proves disastrous. There are many great and wise Karkuns and Sardars in Your Majesty's service, you should seek their counsel. But as you have asked me, I beg to submit that, you should found a kingdom, restore the gods and the Brahmans (in their place of honour) and your desire to preserve the religion is worthy of you. Depend on God and proceed with your work. He is powerful enough to grant you success. If you have to found an empire what is the use of fond affection ? The Maharaja is far off, otherwise he too would have been pleased with your aims and achievements." The Maharaja felt pleased with her words as he also was of the same opinion. Then he assembled his Karbharis and Sardars and put the same question to them. They also gave the same counsel. It was then decided to send the following answer to be shown to the Badshah — " You say that the Badshah will extol me if I come, but I shall not surrender what forts and strongholds I have captured. On the other hand I shall capture more.
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How will this please him ?" But to the Maharaja he wrote as follows, — "Strengthen your province, mobilise your army and make alliance with the Hindu chiefs. I am coming shortly, after making proper arrangements here. Then arrange to come here but proceed with caution till then." Then Sahaji showed the letter (fit to be shown) to the Badshah and assured him that he had no control over his son. But the Badshah did not believe the Raje as his suspicion had not been removed. At that time Baji Ghorpade was in that province. He was ordered to arrest Sahaji by any means and bring him to the metropolis. The Raje was then at Tanjore near Trivapi. Ghorpade invited him to a dinner and with a show of good feeling took him to his meal. He treacherously arrested Sahaji there and took him to the Badshah. * * * [38] When Sahaji was brought to Bijapur, the Badshah questioned him personally and also through Murar Pant, but he answered that he had no control over his son. Thereupon a recess was made in a wall and a hewn stone was placed at the opening. The nitch was made with sitting space for one man only, and a letter was sent to Sivaji that unless he surrendered their (the Sultan's) territories his father would be dealt with in this manner. They began to take Sahaji out of the recess once or twice daily and then put him back into it. It was settled to block the opening of the recess with the hewn stone on receipt of the reply. The Maharaja began to repent when he learnt this news.
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"The result will not be happy if I do not go. I have done this for restoring religion. God has put my father to such troubles on my account. Nothing can now be done by diplomacy or by my personal visit. If the Maharaja comes to such an end I shall commit suicide. I found no other way out of it. If I march upon Bijapur and fight, they will give him more trouble." While troubled with such thoughts the Maharaja received the following message from the goddess, "I will allow no mishap to befall the Raje. This difficulty will be presently removed." The Maharaja was pleased at this message and sent the following answer (to Bijapur). — "What destiny has in store for you will happen to you. I shall do according to my destiny." Sahaji produced this letter and said, [39] — "My son has gone out of my hands. Do with me what you like" * * * Sahaji was then released at the prayer of Randulla Khan, Murar Pant and Sarja Khan.