Shri Shiv Chatrapati Caritr 38: Difference between Jaya Sing and Dilel.
Siva Chhatrapati (S. N. Sen) 38
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Difference between Jaya Sing and Dilel.
38.1
S. D. [236] Then Saista Khan was recalled and another expedition was sent with Jaya Sing as Commander-in-Chief, and Dilel Khan as his second. He came to Aurangabad and made every necessary arrangement for the province. Thence he marched to Sinhagad and constructed a battery. The Maharaja decided to go to Purandar, encouraged his men, went out and reached the fort. He used to assemble his men there, go to Rajgad, destroy the battery, or failing that, provision the fort ; and in this manner was the fort defended for sometime. As he used to lead the assault upon the battery personally and the casualty was very great, the Mirza Raja raised the siege of Sinhagad when he learnt the news of the Maharaja's coming, and applied himself against Purandar. The Maharaja's men stopped all provision as far as Pedganv. They also used to harass the roads, fall upon the enemy force, and destroy the batteries. At that time the Mirza Raja and Dilel Khan had erected a battery on the hill near Rudramal, and mounting their guns thereon, opened fire, and balls began to hit the fort. Another battery was erected on the Narayan side, but the garrison used to sally through the Kedar gate and destroy the batteries. The garrison could not be defeated and the Mirza Raja thought, — "The Maharaja has risen to re-establish the Hindu faith, and if I offer him any hindrance it will cause the disappearance of religion. This is not at all good. Men, money, heart and luck are all in Sivaji's favour.
38.2
So long as time (fate) is not against him, he will not be defeated. It is better that I should unite with him and maintain Hinduism. If I try to injure him, well. — he singly killed Abdul Khan and punished Saista Khan and destroyed many armies, — and what weight have I ? If each fort defends itself for one year I cannot conquer the province. Therefore I should conclude a treaty, and winning him over by a peace, we should conduct our projects in unity." When Dilel Khan learnt this he grew very angry. — "All Hindus are one (at heart). They have their eyes on the destruction of the Badshahi empire. But why should I care? I will myself (singly) punish him." So thought he, and made an assault on Purandar. Murar Dadaji Prabhu Despande with five thousand Mawles and Konkanese beat that assault back. * * * *. The courage of the garrison surprised him and he realised the correctness of the Mirza Raja's decision. Success could be attained only in that way and not by fighting. At sunset Raja Jaya Sing sent the following message to Dilel Khan, — "What you are doing is not proper. Of Sivaji's men each is the other's superior. Therefore the fort cannot be captured. If you lose so many men for one fort, how can we expect to conquer the strongholds in the dense forests like Konkan frontier? What will you do to capture the impregnable forts in the forests of Sahyadri? Sivaji Raja was coming for a diplomatic settlement, but you have not only averted that but lost his confidence too.
38.3
You have upset (my) diplomatic efforts. What course should be followed now?" In the meantime an officer named Sultan Dhava had been sent with an army to lay siege to Sinhagad; news came that the Maharaja had routed him by four or five surprise attacks in the early morning and plundered the army. Thereupon the Khan was cooled down and he addressed Jaya Sing as follows, — "Do what will bring about the interview and inspire the Raja's confidence. But I constructed batteries against Purandar and led an assault upon it. I had taken a vow for capturing the fort but it was not fulfilled. [105] Therefore he (Sivaji) should raise our standard on the fort but it will be returned to him by treaty again. Do this much and the rest may be done according to the former negotiation." "I shall try and see what can be done," answered the Raja. The Maharaja and Jaya Sing were of the same mind. The envoy had been sent away simply because of the Khan's obstinacy, but in reality they held the same view. An envoy was again sent (to Sivaji) with the following message, — "What is done is done. The terms previously settled should be now confirmed. Our standard should be only once raised on the fort but the fort should remain yours. Concede this much only." To this message Sivaji answered, — "Your standard cannot be raised on the fort. The Khan may visit the fort with one thousand followers in any manner he likes." Thereupon it was settled that the Khan should visit the fort.
38.4
Two thousand select men with excellent military stores had been carefully stationed in the fort, and the Khan was taken above when the principal hall was made ready for an assemblage. The Khan noticed that the military stores in the fort were excellent and if any treachery was attempted he would himself suffer. He therefore came below and felt ashamed. "The project cannot be successfully carried out. It is difficult to capture the fort as the Raje has stationed excellent men (there), and they fight to the best of their power." So thought the Khan and he returned to his camp. It had been settled that a personal interview (between Sivaji and Jaya Sing) should take place. But the Raja sent the following message, — "The Khan captured Rudramal by erecting batteries. It should first be restored and the army should be withdrawn from Purandar, — the interview should take place afterwards." Thereupon Rudramal was restored, the army was withdrawn and the Pandit Rav was again despatched. "How can we believe you?" said he, — "Although some terms had been settled, you committed a breach of the treaty; how can a meeting be arranged now? Some assurances should be given." Thereupon the Khan and Jaya Sing gave assurance.