New History of the Marathas v1.c10.96

v1.c10.96

Jay Sinh’s letters to the Emperor appear after all to be formal official reports of the transactions and do not supply any clue as to how far he agreed or disagreed with Shivaji’s views. This want is admirably made up by the Persian “Letter addressed to Jaysinh” in the name of Shivaji, appealing to his heart as a Hindu to appreciate and support the national and religious uplift undertaken by Shivaji in order to deliver his land from the oppressive Muslim yoke. Shivaji urged that as Hindus, they must both work together to win back their religious liberty and to prevent such persecution as was involved in the demolition and plunder of temples and forcible conversions; that Aurangzeb’s power was mainly supported by the strength of the Rajput princes, and it was a shame as Shivaji pointed out, that a great ruler of the calibre of Jay Sinh should not raise even a finger against the Emperor’s policy but meekly execute it by pulling the Hindu religion down. Frank private discussions could not have been avoided during the famous meeting. This is amply evidenced by Aurangzeb’s own subsequent conduct. He suspected Jay Sinh of treachery and disgraced him publicly a year later when Shivaji escaped from Agra, with the connivance, if not with the active support, of Jay Sinh’s son Ram Sinh.