New History of the Marathas v1.c13.29

v1.c13.29

5 crores. This probably includes the fortifications and embellishment of the capital also. The ceremony alone is estimated by Sir Jadunāth to have cost about 50 lacs of rupees. Old Jija Bai was fortunate enough to have witnessed the coronation ceremony and along with it the fulfilment of her dream of an independent kingdom for her son. She died just 11 days after the grand function, at her residence at Pāchād at the foot of Raigad on 17 June, 1674, “rejoicing to see” as Sir Jadunāth writes, “before she closed her eyes that her son had reached the summit of human greatness, as the crowned king of the land of his birth, an irresistible conqueror, a strong defender of the religion, which was the solace of her life. A kind Providence seemed to have prolonged her life just long enough to witness the scene of his coronation.” At Pāchād the dilapidated remains of her palatial residence with wells and ramparts still remind the curious visitor of that pious lady’s devotion.