Shri Shiv Chatrapati Caritr 34: Saista surprised at Puna.
Siva Chhatrapati (S. N. Sen) 34
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Saista surprised at Puna.
34.1
S.D. The Maharaja had excellent knowledge of every house at Puna. From Raygad he came to Rajgad for carrying out his project. There he selected his men. Then he came to Sinhagad and thence made an enquiry about where Saista Khan usually stayed, where he slept and where he sat. Carefully collecting every information about the Khan's daily routine, the Maharaja matured his plan of going to Puna. If he went by the usual road he would be noticed by the watchmen, and the news would reach the enemy who would consequently be careful. So the Raja decided to go to Puna by a bye-road under cover of night and started out with Samraji Pant. Harm would befall him if he pursued any other course, so he decided to go by a bye-road. Some men were sent to the pass of Katraj to light a continuous line of torches by the road side. They bound torches to the trees by the roadside and also to the horns of the cattle, arranging that on a signal the torches should all be simultaneously lighted as soon as the expedition left Puna. The Raja descended with his men by the pass of Donja but it was arranged that he should return by another route. He had with him five to seven thousand select men. With them he went to Ambilbada and there addressed his followers in the following manner, — "Will you bring me the head of Saista Khan? He who has the courage should come with me and he who lacks it should save his life and go back. I have become a Fakir for the sake of Hinduism.
34.2
Though I had both wealth and kingdom I have thrown myself into this current. Those who are my real followers will come with me. Success and failure lie with the goddess. Speak out frankly." His followers answered without hesitation, — "Maharaj! You are our master, father and mother, and our religion is common to us all. While you lead us we know no fear. What do we care for Saista Khan ? "We can defy even the most powerful foe, such courage has your bread infused into us." * * * As settled before, the roads were barred without giving the enemy any cause of suspicion, and four to five hundred men were stationed in an orchard very near Puna, and the Raja himself entered the house with ten to twenty brave and expert swordsmen. He stationed one or two of his companions to keep watch at different places as he proceeded and entered the house in person. He took with him Yesaji Kank and Tanaji Malusare. These three entered the house and came near the harem. Eunuchs were on the watch there. Perceiving the light of a lamp, Sivaji and his men changed their course and entered the Rangmahal. Saista Khan's son was sleeping there. The Raja saw him and mistook him for the Khan. He unsheathed his sword which in those days was called a firang. He drew his firang and struck a blow. That blow sent the Khan's son to Yama's place. The blow was a powerful one and his body was severed into two. The noise woke his wife and the sight frightened her.
34.3
The Maharaja asked in a threatening tone, — " Is this Saista Khan? Speak out. If you speak an untruth I will put an end to your life." And all her limbs shook with fear and she became inarticulate. * * * Fearing that he would really kill her she simply said, " His son." Saista Khan's son died in his sleeping chamber, — the husband was killed, — and she was utterly overcome with the fear of death. When the Maharaja commanded her to show where Saista Khan was, she had to stand up to point out (the place). But she was in a great dilemma and stood there motionless. "He is at such and such a place," said she. Saista Khan was sleeping in another room hard by. The Maharaja went that way and entered the room. The naked sword shining in the light of the lamp attracted the notice of the Khan's wife who was somewhat awake. She got up, and in her fright stood with her back towards the Raja. When ordered to move off she understood that assassins had come to murder the Khan, and deeming her own life of no account placed her head at the Raja's feet, and humbly beseeched him not to kill her husband. The Khan also awoke, but as he saw the Maharaja, he had not the firmness to muster courage and take arms. So he covered his face with one end of his sela and pretending sleep lay still on the cot in his fright. The lady's piteous appeal touched the kind-hearted Raja and he granted her prayer saying, "If I do not kill him, he will get up, raise an alarm and pursue me as I go hence.
34.4
I shall not in that case be able to get through it safely. Therefore it is necessary to kill him. I shall however save him on condition that he will leave my house and remain here no longer. As a punishment I will take off his fingers, and he should raise an alarm and order a pursuit only after I have safely left the place. Till then he must keep quiet." The lady agreed to these terms and raised Saista Khan and made him agree. Saista Khan and his wife then took oaths in confirmation of their promise. Then he cut off the fingers of Saista Khan's right hand and led him to the gate of the house. "Leave my house to-morrow or I will kill you," said the Raja, and let off the Khan's hand when he was outside the gate. In this manner did the Maharaja return after achieving success.