New History of the Marathas v1.c15.50

v1.c15.50

5. The End.—One can only imagine the serious agonies of Shivaji’s mind at this time. It was all very well to wage a relentless war against the Emperor and administer him a severe threat in an open letter of remonstrance. But who was to undertake this grand task in his absence? He who could so wonderfully devise his means of escape from Agra was now powerless before his own son. He vividly felt his end approaching and the concern about the future of the Maratha State weighed heavily on his bosom. Shivaji’s second son Rājārām was just ten years old: his mother Soyrā Bai, the principal queen, was by no means an accommodating lady. Shivaji’s ministerial cabinet was in no sense a homogeneous or united body. The two powerful ministers Moropant Pingle and Ānāji Datto were so openly at logger-heads with each other, that Shivaji himself entertained grave fears that without a competent master to control them, the ministers alone would not be able to carry on the affairs of the State smoothly for a moment. When parting from Sambhājī at Panhālā Shivaji told him, “We now proceed to Raigad, where Rājārām’s marriage awaits our presence ; thereafter we shall soon return here and talk about future plans. You are our eldest son ; and we have naturally every reliance on you.” The Waquenasi note on Rāmdās records “The Maharaja came to visit (Rāmdās) on Paush Shukla 9 (December 31) and stayed till Magh Shukla 15 (4 Feb). Every day passed in ceremonial and attention. The Samarth discussed fully matters of State and philosophy of life. For three full days the Maharaja was unconscious in deep contemplation. The Samarth inferred that the Maharaja’s end was near.” Shivaji left for Raigad on 4 February, where Rājārām’s thread ceremony was performed on 7th March 1680, and a week later on 15 March Rājārām was married to Pratāp Rāo Gujar’s daughter Janki Bai. A week later on 23 March Shivaji had an attack of fever, which soon proved fatal. Some officials were called to his bed-side. When all hope of life seemed to be lost, messengers were sent to Sambhāji Rājā at Panhālā, with a proposal for dividing the raj between the two sons. This Sambhāji refused to accept. All inmates of Raigad were overcome with extreme grief. The holy water of the Ganges was administered to the dying Raja. Thus Shivaji expired at midday, on Saturday, Chaitra Sh. 15. Shake 1602 (3 April 1680), Raudra year, in the presence of Rāmchandra Nilakanth, Pralhād Nirāji and Bālāji Avji. Neither the Peshwa Moropant nor the Sachiv Ānāji Datto was near.