A History of the Mahrattas v1.c16.27

v1.c16.27

During the siege of Vellore, Sivajee had been endeavouring to effect his designs on Tanjore, and had induced his brother to meet him at Trivadey,² for the purpose of discussing his claim to share in their father's property. Venkajee, apprised of his designs, would in the first instance have resisted by force; but the Naik of Madura, who had agreed to assist him, was detached from the alliance by the address of Rugonath Narrain, and Venkajee adopted the alternative of visiting his brother. Sivajee received him with many professions of regard; but he could not persuade him to give up half the property. Whilst the one urged his claim, the other obstinately denied it. Sivajee at first thought of making him prisoner, and compelling him to give up the half of Tanjore, of the Jagheer districts, and of the money and jewels; but on further consideration, according to the words of his own letter, as Venkajee had come of his own accord to visit him, such a measure appeared to be ‘inconsistent with his own character as a brother and a prince’; he therefore permitted him to return to Tanjore. To keep open the door of accommodation, though at the same time he had determined to seize upon the other districts, Sivajee sent messages to Venkajee, to endeavour to prevail upon him to give up half of Tanjore, Arnee, one or two of the forts, and to make an equal division without any quarrel; promised protection, brought over to the King’s (Sivājī’s) cause and permitted to leave the place. After their departure Chandi was taken.’ Sarkar, however, quotes the letter of a contemporary Jesuit priest of Madura to show that Jinjī was taken by assault and not by treachery or agreement. He also states that the father of Rauf Khān and Nāsir Muhammad was ‘the late Bijāpur Wazīri Khān-i-Khānān (probably Khawās Khān).’ (*Life and Times of Shivaji*, Calcutta (1919), p. 385.)]