[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Indian literature](https://indike.org/pramana/in) › [Dark Ages](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages) › [Marathas](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.maratha) › [Bakhars](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.maratha.bakhar) › [Śrī Śiv Chatrapati Caritr](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.maratha.bakhar.sabhasad-bakhar) › [Siva Chhatrapati (S. N. Sen)](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.maratha.bakhar.sabhasad-bakhar~en-sen) › 45 # Shri Shiv Chatrapati Caritr 45: SIVAJI DEMANDS HIS SHARE FROM VYANKAJI. Siva Chhatrapati (S. N. Sen) 45 - **Language:** English ### SIVAJI DEMANDS HIS SHARE FROM VYANKAJI. ### [45.1](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.maratha.bakhar.sabhasad-bakhar~en-sen.45.1) Ch. \[139\] From the camp of Jinji the Maharaja wrote to Vyankaji Raje requesting him to send some of the principal men of his court, — Govind Bhat Gosavi and Kakaji Pant and Niloba Naik and Rangoba Naik and Timaji Ikhtyar Raw. Thereupon Vyankaji Raje sent them. To them the Maharaja said, — " Thirteen years have passed since the death of the late Maharaja. Raghunath Pant then placed you at the head of the Government and completely rendered to you all the belongings of the late Maharaja ; — his jewels, horses, elephants and lands. But they are my patrimony as well. You have till to-day enjoyed my half share of them; I wanted to demand it of you but I had been far away. As you would not relinquish it voluntarily, I waited for these twelve or thirteen years. In my mind I argued that you were also a son of the Maharaja and a rightful owner of the property. So I let you enjoy it as long as you would, and I thought I would demand and get my share whenever I need it and was at leisure. However, I came to Bhaganagar for an interview with the Kutub Shah for some diplomatic reasons, from there I came to Karnatak. Coming to this province I captured Jinji. I have taken possession of the territories on the banks of the Varuna. Sher Khan came to fight me, he was completely routed and I annexed what territories he held. ### [45.2](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.maratha.bakhar.sabhasad-bakhar~en-sen.45.2) I then came to the banks of the Kaveri and thence wrote to you requesting you to send some good men and you did so." Sivaji asked them (Vyankaji's men) to deliver this message to Vyankaji and gave them a letter to the same effect. Then he despatched them with his officers Balambhat Gosavi and Krshna Josi and Krshnaji Sakhoji. They went \[140\] to Vyankaji and submitted to him all that the Maharaja had said. But it had no good effect on Vyankaji's mind and with evil designs he himself started for a personal interview with the Maharaja. In his mind however he was resolved to enjoy the whole property by using humble words without adverting to the question of partition at all. The Maharaja spoke to him in all possible manners but Vyankaji had no intention of relinquishing the share. Then the Maharaja thought, — "He is my younger brother. Instead of settling the terms previously he has personally come to see me. Therefore it is not appropriate to the honour of an elder, that I should imprison him and exact my share in that way." The Maharaja then gave him clothes of honour and message of leave. Rupaji Bhonsle, Man Sing More and Annaji Ranganath Kelkar were sent with him to see him safely to home. And they came back after Vyankaji Raja had reached Tanjore. ### [45.3](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.maratha.bakhar.sabhasad-bakhar~en-sen.45.3) After the departure of Vyankaji Raje the Maharaja sent Samji Naik Punde, Koneri Pant and Sivaji Sankar with a fresh message. — "Let us divide the property and live in peace. An increase of family quarrel will be injurious to both of us and we shall both suffer. In days of yore the Pandavas and Kauravas suffered much. Remember that and do not contribute to the growth of family dissension. Relinquish my half of the patrimony I demand. Far from doing that, you have unjustly enjoyed my share till to-day and intend to do so in future. This is not proper." Though this message was delivered, Vyankaji did not give a proper answer and sent back the envoys. Then the Maharaja thought, "As I have come (here) he personally came to see me. He is my younger brother. I should not personally march against him and exhibit my power at his cost." So argued he, and overlooked the fault. S. D. \[310\] The Raja Saheb was with the Maharaja for a period of two or two and a half months. The Maharaja gave the Karbhari the following instruction one day. — "We are entertaining the followers of Vyankaji Raje with provision and fodder. We shall have to make a military expedition very soon and so to give the Raje Saheb leave to go home. Therefore give a feast to all his men, great and small, and make a list of clothes to be presented at the time of leave giving." \* \* \* Vyankaji Raje was then given leave to go to Jinji and the Karbhari accompanied him to see him off. ### [45.4](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.maratha.bakhar.sabhasad-bakhar~en-sen.45.4) Jewels, elephants, horses and palanquins, etc., were presented to Vyankaji Raje. \* \* \* \[311\] Then Samji Naik, Konher Pant and Sivaji Pant were despatched with a letter to Vyankaji Raje. The purport thereof was as follows, — "You should give me my share of our patrimony. Although I spoke to you personally about it you kept silent. But you are like a son to me. It is not nice that I should, as your elder, speak direct to you about it. I gave you hints in various ways but you took no notice of them. I am sending these three men and you should make a clear settlement before them. If you do not, I will not give up my share but you shall be compelled to surrender it. If you behave yourself properly, the question of any deficiency in the share is only a family matter." \[312\] When Vyankaji got this letter and understood that the Maharaja's expedition had gone back, he held a council with four of his principal officers and asked for their advice. "These three men have come to demand the share." — he said — "During our father's life-time Sivaji Maharaj rebelled against the Badshah and forcibly took possession of the imperial territories. Our father on that account suffered in various ways. I remained with my father and behaved obediently and so the Badshah preserved our property. It is not an ancient hereditary gift that he demands a share. Share can be claimed of ancient watans alone. But this property is held on service tenure. ### [45.5](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.maratha.bakhar.sabhasad-bakhar~en-sen.45.5) I call myself a Badshahi officer and enjoy this property in accordance with the Badshah's order. What claim has he to this property? If there are any elephants, horses and jewels, and if he claims a share thereof, Raghunath Pant will explain the papers and point out what these are, and I have no objection to giving him his proper share. Although these are the facts, my brother personally spoke to me and wrote letters about his share and you have come. Raghunath Pant is our senior in age. I kept silent because I did not like to give an impertinent answer to my elder brother. You should inform him to this effect. I shall reply his letter after proper deliberation." So said the Raje and dismissed the three envoys with clothes of honour. ### [45.6](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.maratha.bakhar.sabhasad-bakhar~en-sen.45.6) Then Vyankaji wrote to Bijapur, — "My elder brother demands a share of the patrimony and I have answered that the property is in lieu of service. Why should I give him any share?" The Badshah answered his letter to the following effect, — "We have learnt the purport of your letter. Sahaji Raje served us faithfully and the Sanad was granted to him and his descendants. Sivaji now demands his share. Although a traitor, he is a Government servant and we are quite able to demand explanation of him. Why do you create family squabbles and bring trouble to the Government ? If we write that you should not give him his share he will commit disturbance in our territories \[313\] and that is not good. His father was our servant and he will enjoy the ancestral property and serve us. Although an enemy, if he demands his rights as a servant in a friendly manner you should certainly surrender them. He is the senior owner of your patrimony." \* \* \* But some Muhammadans encouraged him in the following manner — Sivaji is a rebel. The Badshah is afraid of that devil but we are your servants ; and if you decide on war we are here present to die for you. Fight you should, for once at least, and see who wins and who loses. --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.maratha.bakhar.sabhasad-bakhar~en-sen.45](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.maratha.bakhar.sabhasad-bakhar~en-sen.45) · Pramāṇa