Muntakhab al-lubab 86.8

86.8

When the author was staying along with 'Abdu-r Razzak Lari near the fort of Rahiri, which Sivaji built, he heard from the people of the neighbourhood that Sivaji, although an infidel and a rebel, was a wise man. The country round may be called a specimen of hell, for it is hilly and stony, and in the hot season water is very scarce, which is a great trouble to the inhabitants. Sivaji had a well dug near his abode. A pavement was laid down round the mouth, and a stone seat was erected. Upon this bench Sivaji would take his seat, and when the women of the traders and poor people came to draw water, he would give their children fruit, and talk to the women as to his mother and sisters. When the raj descended to Sambha, he also used to sit upon this bench; and when the wives and daughters of the raiyats came to draw water, the vile dog would lay one hand upon their pitcher, and another upon their waist, and drag them to the seat. There he would handle them roughly and indecently, and detain them for a while. The poor woman, unable to help herself, would dash the pitcher from her head, but she could not escape without gross insult. At length the raiyats of the country settled by his father abandoned it, and fled to the territory of the Firingis, which was not far off. He received the reward of his deeds.