New History of the Marathas v1.c11.20

v1.c11.20

In the mean time how to deal further with Shivaji became a serious question with the Emperor. Many nobles advocated a severe punishment for such a gross breach of etiquette as he had committed. Rām Sinh on his part continued to send his agents and presents to Shivaji and tried to induce him to a reasonable course. Siddi Fulad the Police Prefect of the capital, visited Rām Sinh and conveyed a message from the Emperor intended to conciliate Shivaji. The next day, 13th May, Rām Sinh attended the Emperor’s Darbar taking Shivaji’s son along with himself. The Emperor gave the boy one full robe, a jewelled dagger and a pearl-necklace. In due course the Emperor decided either to kill Shiva or to confine him in a fortress. He ordered Siddi Fulad to remove Shiva to the house of Rad-Andaz Khan, a low-born fanatical young favourite of the Emperor, who was then Commandant of the Agra Fort. When Rām Sinh heard of it, he sent a message to the Emperor, saying, “Shivaji has come under a sacred guarantee of safety from me and my father. So kill me first and then deal with Shivaji as you like.” Then the Emperor asked the Kumār to sign a bond of security for Shivaji that he might not escape or commit any harm. In the morning of 15 May Shivaji came to the Kumār’s tent, gave him the solemn assurance of good conduct and Rām Singh signed the security bond.