New History of the Marathas v1.c11.39

v1.c11.39

Aurangzeb was a man of a thoughtful introspective temperament, not prone to impulsive action. He had a masterly command over his feelings. After Shivaji’s first outburst in the open court, there were three main alternatives before the Emperor : (1) to put him to death, (2) to convert him to Islam and utilize his services, (3) or to conciliate and send him back in fulfilment of his solemn word. There were advocates for each of these courses. The Emperor long wavered between the first two and latterly he made up his mind to do away with Shivaji, trying only to delude the public into believing that he had no hand in such a foul deed. He, therefore, tried to devise a course that would bring about the desired result, without implicating himself directly in it. For such a course Shivaji’s vicinity to Rām Sinh’s quarters was inconvenient, as Rām Sinh was the first person who was to be put off his guard as regards the Emperor’s evil motives. Therefore a complaint was got up from the police that they could not keep a sufficient watch over Shivaji’s movements in the open surroundings in which he lived as Rām Sinh’s neighbour. The Emperor, therefore, ordered that on 18th August Shivaji should be removed to the house of Fidai Husain, which had been hurriedly completed and which was well suited for a prisoner’s residence. When Shivaji was informed that he was to be removed to a new and more comfortable house, he understood what this change meant, and he escaped on the eve of the day appointed for the change of his residence. He had already asked Rām Sinh to cancel the bond of surety he had executed. He was anxious that Rām Sinh’s position should not be compromised by his action.