Muntakhab al-lubab 54.1

54.1

[vol. ii. p. 198.] After Sivaji returned angry and disappointed from the royal presence to his house, orders were given to the kotwal to place guards round it. Sivaji, reflecting upon his former deeds and his present condition, was sadly troubled by the state of his affairs. He thought of nothing else but of delivering himself by some crafty plan from his perilous position. His subtle mind was not long in contriving a scheme. From the beginning he kept up a show of friendship and intimacy with the amirs, and with Kunwar Ram Singh. He sent them presents of Dakhin products, and, by expressing contrition for his past conduct, he won them over to advocate the acceptance of his shame and repentance.