Shri Shiv Chatrapati Caritr 35.1

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.