Shri Shiv Chatrapati Caritr 31: Fortification of Henry and Kennery and Operation against Janjira.
Siva Chhatrapati (S. N. Sen) 31
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Fortification of Henry and Kennery and Operation against Janjira.
31.1
S. D. [192] (Baba Yakud, when approached, prophesied that Rajpuri would be conquered). Thereupon another new fort was built near Janjira. The Admiral of the Navy was ordered to build another nearer to Janjira. He quickly fortified the island of Underi. Daulat Khan and May Naik Bhandari proceeded at the head of their squadrons to fortify the island of Khanderi. They were going to build a fort, but English ships came from Bombay, saw the extent of the (projected) fortification, and wrote to Yakud Khan at Janjira. The Habsis, informed of the news, got ready and laid siege to Khanderi with the co-operation of the English, and demanded that no building should be constructed on their frontier. The forces were not strong enough to fight the enemies, so the Bhandari concluded a treaty, came away amicably and informed the Maharaja of what had happened. He took it to his heart and decided to punish the Habsis. In the meantime Yakud Khan was ordered to Bijapur. Information was collected about the journey of the Habsi with the intention of capturing him somewhere on the way. When he reached the Ghats, Samraj Nilkanth and Baji Gholap were sent to him as envoys. They met him. And although addressed in a friendly manner, the Habsi felt vexed and said, — "Are you my master? He wants Janjira. It is not at all good that one who is creating disturbance in the Badshahi dominions by committing robbery should assume the tone of a great man.
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He will be punished." So said he and imprisoned the two envoys. But beset with fear the Habsi marched by stages to Bijapur. The Maharaja, when informed of this, pursued him. And as Yakud Khan fled by night, the two envoys found some opportunity and escaped to the Maharaja, who was informed of what had happened. The Maharaja was greatly enraged. "Had Yusuf Khan the audacity of giving such a reply ? Well, he will soon be punished." So thought the Raja. And resolved to punish the Siddi, he sent about one thousand sawars near Janjira and commenced a war. Vyankaji Datto, a good soldier of known courage, was commissioned to capture (the Khan) on his way back from Bijapur. The Khan, however, kept information about it and fled by the route of Rajgad, Tale, Ghosala and Birvadi. Vyankaji Datto pursued him and went as far as Janjira. There he established military stations and harassed the country as much as he liked. As the Rayats were greatly troubled, Fate Khan and Yakud Khan assembled their relatives and tribesmen and urged them to fight with courage and unity. But the behest was not liked by all, as the Maharaja's army was strong in cavalry, elephantry, chariotry and infantry (chaturanga sena) and had a very large supply of military stores. "We (the Habsis) have infantry and shall have to march forward in order to fight them. They are ready to meet us at a place where they have strengthened themselves.
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If tired, we shall have no energy to come back after the battle and we shall lose our lives. We should not therefore fight the enemy. We should block the roads and stop their provision and reinforcements." So said they, but their counsel was not heeded to. And Siddi Abar and Sheikh Yakud were sent for a pitched battle. They fought with great valour but many were killed and the Habsis were defeated. Then they wanted to go back (to their fort) but Vyankaji Pant pursued them as far as the entrance to the fort with sword and slaughter. Thereupon they had no more desire for fighting and sued for peace. Vyankaji however paid no heed and committed great slaughter. The Habsis had no friend and the fierce fighting for exit and entry had exhausted their energy. At length they took shelter in Rajkot, a place that belonged to the Habsis of Janjira, and was near by. Vyankaji Pant, however, laid siege to the place, sieged two bends on either side of the place, placed his cannons there and opened fire upon Rajkot. The fort was captured, thanks to the power of the Maharaja's virtue.
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As soon as the Maharaja learnt the news of the capture of Rajkot, he sent reinforcements under Moro Pant Peshwa and Darya Sarang, (Shamraj Pant was dismissed because he disobeyed the Maharaja's order to march against Janjira and the clothes of appointment was given to Moro Pant Pingle on the first Dasami of Chaitra of the year 1584 of Saka era. S. D., p. 197) the Subhedar of the fleet. They came and laid seige with the fleet. Darya Sarang speedily built the fort of Kasa and the bastion of another fort to be built hard by was finished. Cannons were mounted on that bastion and fire opened, but at that juncture Siddi Sambol came to Janjira with the imperial fleet. He seduced some men into defection and captured five to ten men of the Maharaja. Some of them were thrown into prison and the rest into the sea. Necessary arrangements were made (for the defence) of the fort. He plundered Dabhol, and putting his fleet in the creek of that place, began to fight Darya Sarang. Darya Sarang was forced out with his men and fleet and the Siddi gave him no chance of getting any help. Khair Khan was the officer in charge of Janjira. The Maharaja's officers stationed their guns at Nanvali and opened fire on Janjira. [195] The siege was maintained by the fleet and everyone was confident of success. But Janjira had the blessings of Malik Saheb, an Awlia saint, that it should be in possession of the Habsis for seven generations. So God protected the place and all human efforts were unsuccessful.