A History of the Mahrattas v1.c13.88

v1.c13.88

¹ [Dr. V. A. Smith (O.H.I., p. 427) mentions a MS. in the India Office (Tārīkh-i-Marāthah), which shows that Sivājī displayed extreme conceit, refused to make obeisance, struck the chamberlain and actually sat down in the Imperial presence. Sivājī certainly considered himself to have been insulted at the audience, and, being no courtier, showed open resentment at the slight. According to Krishnājī Anant’s bakhar (Mānkar, p. 45), Sivājī was annoyed at being made to stand behind Jasvant Singh of Mārwār, whom he considered his inferior in position. Rām Singh, on being asked by the Emperor the reason of the disturbance which he overheard, replied: ‘The wild tiger is chafing from heat; nothing else.’ The Emperor then ordered Sivājī to be conducted to the dwelling assigned to him. For an account of what took place, see Sarkar, Shivaji and His Times, pp. 173–7, where it is shown that Sivājī’s annoyance was due to his being placed behind Rāi Singh, not Jasvant Singh.]