New History of the Marathas v1.c14.32

v1.c14.32

This important letter explains as nothing else does, the main object of Shivaji's life-endeavour. It was to have Maratha independence established on the principle of cordial co-operation of all the leading Maratha members. Shivaji was not opposed to the Muslim religion as he cordially agreed to support the Kutb Shah on condition of his protecting the interests of the Hindus. He entertained no rancour for his Ghorpade cousins, if they would come in and join in his national work. Evidently as the State of Bijapur was collapsing, he wished to prevent the Mughals from absorbing it. His plan was to share that prize with the Kutb Shah, himself taking the essentially Maratha lands and leaving the Telugu country to the Kutb Shah. This also supplies a clue to Shivaji's move against his brother of Tanjore.