Shri Shiv Chatrapati Caritr 25: Afzal Khan Incident
Siva Chhatrapati (S. N. Sen) 25
- Language
- English
Afzal Khan Incident
25.1
[Grant Duff seems to have partly followed Chitnis. Sabhasad's account is rather obscure. It is difficult to understand why Sivaji should take Pantaji, his own envoy, into a private apartment and offer him money and rank for revealing the Khan's secret. Chitnis's version that Sivaji bribed Krshnaji Bhaskar is more rational.]
25.2
Ch. [51] The Elder Begam and Ali Adilshah Badshah observed that, Sivaji had turned a rebel, taken possession of provinces, forts and strongholds, and led raiding expeditions as far as Bidar. His army and revenue had grown considerable. And it would not be well unless a general of high rank was sent with a well matured plan and punished Sivaji. He did not listen even to his father's counsel. What should be done ? When this question was put, Afzal Khan made the following determined speech, — "Is Sivaji's affair of so much importance ? If I am ordered I shall go and bring him a prisoner or kill him outright." Thereupon he was greatly extolled, given robes of honour, and sent with a powerful army and vast stores. Then three thousand new Mawle footmen, well acquainted with the locality, were enlisted and with a total force of thirty thousand Afzal, in his pride, marched to Tuljapur. He would have committed sacrilege upon the goddess but she was removed by the officiating priest. Then the Khan came to Pandharpur and molested the people of that place, but the image was hidden by the attending priest. Thence he marched towards Mahadev, committing oppression upon gods and Brahmans as he went.
25.3
The Maharaja was at Rajgad. It was settled at the assembly of all his Karbharis not to fight the Mughal army in an open field, and he left Rajgad and came to Pratapgad. Necessary preparations were made in all the forts and strongholds and the cavalry was mobilised. When the Khan learnt the news of the Raja's arrival at Pratapgad, he left the Puna road, marched towards Pratapgad and encamped at Wai. "Sivaji Raje has entered the thickets," thought the Khan, — "I should draw him out by some artifice or if I can meet him personally by inspiring his confidence, I shall follow what course may then occur to me, and render (commendable) service to the Badshah." [55] Having matured this treacherous plan, he sent Krshnaji Bhaskar on an embassy, fully intimating him of his real designs.
25.4
Hither the Maharaja called a war council of his principal officers, as Afzal was approaching Wai, and put the following questions for their deliberation and decision, — "What method should be adopted in fighting the Khan? What plan should be made? Men will be spoilt, if they tried to find out the Mughal army and fight a pitched battle. The army should be cleverly kept intact and the enemy harassed" * * Deeming this counsel wise, the Maharaja prayed to the goddess and she took possession of his body and said, — "Oh my child! why dost thou feel so troubled? Thou hast my blessings. I will remove thy difficulties and I will give thee success in this hunting expedition also. Do not be anxious." In this manner did the goddess encourage him. Balaji Avji Chitnis and Vaknis had been told to record in private the message of the goddess, when she should take possession of the Maharaja's body, and to communicate it (afterwards to the Raje). Accordingly he communicated to the Raje what he had said after the divine possession. The Raje was greatly pleased and said, — "I shall presently finish Afzal's business. There is no anxiety. As the goddess has assured, victory will attend (my efforts). I feel exulted in my heart and there appear other auspicious auguries. My officers and men also seem to be sanguine." As the Maharaja finished his speech, every one observed that what the Maharaja wanted to do did not seem difficult to them. "What was this affair of Afzal?
25.5
If they were ordered to overpower him in the battlefield and to belabour him with sticks, they would certainly do so. The Maharaja might remain quiet." When they had thus confidently concluded, the envoy of the Khan arrived. When the Raja was informed of his arrival, he was conducted up to the fort. The interview and the usual welcome of courtesy over, he was given a residence and dismissed with the assurance that another interview would take place after dinner. He was sumptuously entertained with great honour. The next day all the principal officers were assembled and the envoy was invited to attend the court. He was asked the reason of the Khan's coming and of his oppression of the gods and the Brahmans on his way. "The Khan says," the envoy then answered, "That he and your father are fellow officers of the empire and friends. [56] They (are of the same counsel and) have no difference. Though an Omrao of the same empire, you are capturing forts and plundering cities and withholding yourself from the court. The Badshah thinks that the Raje's son is a brave soldier and a competent man. His Majesty is pleased with you. Therefore you should surrender what territories belonging to him you have conquered and retain what foreign territories you have annexed. Sahaji Raje has long been in his service and he has been duly promoted in rank and honour.
25.6
You are his son, and it is His Majesty's intention to confer on you an office of great responsibility and get great services at your hands. You should be guided by His Majesty's commands and should not be inattentive to your father's counsel. His Majesty will graciously appoint you his sole wazir." With this intent he has sent the Khan to you. Your conduct appears to be wrong to His Majesty and he has instructed the Khan to demand explanation for everything and to take you with him (to the Badshah). But the Khan says that, 'what is past is past.' If you frankly obey the commands of the Emperor henceforth, all your offences will be pardoned. He undertakes to get your fief and command increased. Take what assurance you want and come and see him. Your father is a Mansabdar of the Empire, and as the Emperor is favourably disposed towards him, His Majesty will grant you a bigger Jagir than that of your father, although you are an offender." To this sense the envoy spoke. The Raje listened to him, and said, — "Your proposal is quite good, and what the Khan proposes is to my profit, and it is my duty to do as he suggests. What I have done is nothing but the subjugation of some turbulent Palegars, the reconquest and settlement of Government lands, the annexation of foreign territories, construction of forts and strongholds, and the organisation of an excellent army. I have thereby added to the wealth and power of the Empire." So said the Raje and gave him leave.
25.7
The envoy went to his quarters. The next day the Raje called the envoy in private and thus addressed him, — "You are a Brahman and a good man. My aim is to found a Maharashtra Empire. Our religion has been overthrown, gods and Brahmans are troubled, the Mlechchhas are supreme everywhere, every one is oppressed, my aim is to remove this state of things. If you are favourable to this idea, then tell me frankly what is in the mind of the Khan, what is his real design. I have no other question to ask you." In this manner did the Raje respectfully address the envoy. He was a Brahman, the Raja wanted to be the defender of his faith. His good luck, valour, and men were all wonderful. His virtue and energy were also wonderful. Therefore it seemed probable that his power would wax stronger. So he said, "The Khan wants to give you such assurances as may bring about a meeting. He is resolved to commit treachery in that interview." [Chitnis's account does not differ materially from that of Sabhasad on any important point. According to him, Sivaji's son and mother were at Pratapgad, and he had with him fifty-five attendants at the time of the interview. Chitnis gives the following account of the interview.]
25.8
Ch. [61] "Is this the Raje?" the Khan enquired of the envoy. "The same," answered the latter. They rendered good wishes to each other, and as they advanced for the usual embrace, the Khan, who was tall and stout in body, took the Maharaja by his hand, dragged him forward, held him fast under his left arm, and tried to stab him with a dagger, the Khan had in his hand. The Maharaja had a steel armour on, and as he nimbly drew himself out, the blow could take no effect. The Raja was pleased that the Khan was the first to commit treachery and struck his belly with the tiger's claws, from the back. The Khan had a thin coat on. The blow was very skilfully dealt and it brought out the intestines. Then the Khan let go hold of Sivaji (whom he still held under his armpit) and shouted, — "Sivaji! You have committed treachery, this is the climax of a soldier's deed." Then he caught hold of his wounded belly with his left hand and dealt a blow at the Maharaja, saying, — "Now feel my sword." The Maharaja had a chain helmet on, it was slightly broken and the Maharaja suffered a wound of a wheat's size. Then the Maharaja said, — "Thou Pathan, now feel Sivaji's Bhavani," — and dealt a blow at the Khan's shoulder. The wound reached as far as the belly and the Khan fell dead.