A History of the Mahrattas v1.c14.3

v1.c14.3

Sivajee did not deceive himself in supposing that gold might effect much with persons of this character; and he accordingly used it with no sparing hand. The ostensible intercourse between Sivajee and Sultan Mauzum commenced by a petition from the former, imploring the prince to intercede for him, assuring him of his sincerity, and of his intention to adhere for the future to the Emperor, although his services had been slighted. Representations were in due form made to court: and it being at all events then convenient for Aurungzebe to accede to them, Sultan Mauzum obtained for Sivajee the title¹ of Raja,² a confirmation of the munsub for Sumbhajee, and a Jagheer in Berar.³ To the charge of this new and distant acquisition, which was given in preference to admitting any claim on Joonere or Ahmednugur, a Bramin, named Raojee Somnath, was dispatched with a fit establishment, and with the old Beejapoor title of Mokassadar,⁴ thus applied for the first time to a Mahratta collector. Sumbhajee with a body of horse was sent to join the prince at Aurungabad; but owing to his extreme youth he was permitted to return to his father,⁵ and Kartojee Goozur, dignified by Sivajee with the title of Pertab Rao, and with the rank of Surnobut of the horse,⁶ was left in command of the contingent. The districts of Poona, Chakun, and Sopa were also restored to Sivajee, but the commanding forts of Singurh and Poorundhur were retained.⁷