New History of the Marathas v1.c18.27

v1.c18.27

1. Two stars of dazzling brilliancy.—Rājārām, the younger son of Shivaji, was at the time of Sambhājī's death, nineteen years old, having been born on 24 February 1670. The news of Sambhājī's capture did not take long to reach Raigad. Rājārām was then in nominal confinement in the fort, whose commander, under the advice of the veteran Yesājī Kank, brought him out and proclaimed him king on 9th February, i.e. a week after Sambhājī had been seized. This procedure did not fail to disillusion the Emperor and prove that the Maratha monarchy was not at an end. Pralhād Nirājī, Mānājī More and others who had been unjustly confined by Sambhājī, were set at liberty and restored to their offices. In order to nip this revival of the Maratha royal power in the bud, the Emperor at once despatched his able commander Itikad Khan (afterwards surnamed Zulfiqar Khan, Nusrat Jung, son of Aurangzeb's long standing minister Asad Khan), with orders to invest Raigad and to capture both that fort and the new Maratha king. The Khan arrived before the fort on 25 March 1689 and at once laid siege to it. The inmates were terribly dismayed by this fresh onslaught and held frequent consultations under the direction of Yesu Bai, the widowed queen of Sambhājī, a wise and patient woman intensely devoted to her nation's cause. She heartened the drooping spirits of the Maratha garrison by her brave words and offered the following sound advice: "Raigad is doubtless a strong fort and can hold out long ; but it is hazardous that we should all remain confined in this one small spot. In order to distract the Emperor's attention, I should advise you that Rājārām with his wives and followers should clear out before the siege becomes too stringent. I can stay here with my little son Shāhu and defend the capital, fearlessly awaiting the result. Our principal commanders should carry on their usual harassing operations in all directions against the Mughal forces, and convince them that the death of their King has made no difference in our resistance."