Shri Shiv Chatrapati Caritr 35: II.
Siva Chhatrapati (S. N. Sen) 35
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II.
35.1
Ch. [97]. The Khan on his arrival laid siege to Chakan first. There was a cavalry leader named Sambhaji Kavji; he was so stout and strong that he could lift a horse, and he was as brave as he was strong. The Maharaja was displeased with him for some reasons and he joined the Khan with his cavalry regiment. Babaji Ram Honap Despande of Puna had also gone forward to Barhanpur and joined the Khan. They were entertained and honoured for their local knowledge. The fort of Chakan was defended by Phirangoji Narsala Havaldar. The Khan blew off the bastion of the north-eastern corner by tunnelling, and the fort was captured. Narsala accepted a haul and capitulated with the Maharaja's permission. Although the Khan wanted to keep Narsala extolling his bravery and generalship and promising to promote him, the latter refused the offer and came back to the Maharaja. The Maharaja remarked that Narsala had shown the climax of soldierly courage and conferred on him the Havaldarship of Bhupalgad. After capturing Chakan the Khan encamped at Puna. [Chitnis's account of the preparatory arrangements for surprising the Khan is practically the same as those of Sabhasad and Sivadigvijaya, but his version of the actual encounter with the Khan is somewhat different.] [98]. The Khan's son was sleeping, he was beheaded and killed where he slept. Then the Raja entered the Khan's tent and sat on his chest. As he was going to strike the blow, the Khan's wife awoke, saw him, and fell at his feet.
35.2
She was asked to be silent but she entreated the Raja not to kill the Khan. "Grant him his life and me my bracelets." (Bracelets signify that the lady is not a widow.) In this way did she piteously implore. The Maharaja's heart was melted but he argued, — "I personally came and did this deed, but I have to go out of this camp safely and join my men. What should I do about that?" Then he again thought within himself, — "What cause of anxiety is there if the Khan, thus saved, leads an expedition? I will punish him and kill him on the battle field." So he carefully held the Khan down, placed his sword on his throat, and with one hand applied the tiger's claws to his belly. Then he addressed the Khan in the following manner, — "Come with me without speaking as far as I lead you by hand. Go back when I release you and call yourself Sasta Khan as some sort of punishment will be inflicted; your ladies should also come with you." [99]. To this effect did he exact from them both oaths on their honour and the Kuran, and he threatened to kill the Khan in case he made any noise. Then the Raja struck off two fingers of the Khan's hand. Saista Khan was utterly awe-stricken. Sivaji then caught hold of his hand and led him with his wife to the picket and joined his men by the same way as he had entered. "I am Sivaji, if thou leadst an expedition (against me) I will punish thee.
35.3
Go back therefore without fighting, or I will kill thee." So said the Raja and then joined the men stationed outside the camp. With them he went to his followers near the stream called the Ambe and then sounded the bugle of signal. His men thereupon lighted the torches on the Katraj hill and sounded their horns. The Khan, greatly frightened, returned to his camp without making any noise. He was even ashamed to tell people that his son was killed. In the meantime a noise arose among the khojas and the watchmen, and a noise arose in the army too that the enemy had made a surprise attack. Men got ready and began to run in four directions by the road to Katraj. In this confusion they were all dispersed. Some began a flight and others got ready and rushed in the direction of the suspected attack. In the meantime the Maharaja united his men stationed at different places by the prearranged signal and reached Sinhagad well guarded and victorious.
35.4
Although he had laid his sword on the Khan's throat, the Maharaja took it off and let him go with some punishment as formerly Sri Krshnaji had done with Kaliya at the entreaty of his wife. In the morning the enemy forces went to the thickets and discovered that torches had been bound to the branches of trees and horns of cattle. Finding that it was not a surprise attack, they came below Sinhagad and halted there. The guns of the forts opened fire and the flag elephant of the enemy was killed. [As rain set in Saista Khan retreated with his army to Pedganv.]