New History of the Marathas v1.c18.66

v1.c18.66

A large number of the letters that passed between them during all these years has been published and these clearly show how difficult Rāmchandra Pant found the task of handling Santāji. The general is here repeatedly admonished to be sweet and accommodating towards his co-workers and superiors and particularly towards the Chhatrapati. Santāji's biting tongue and boastful demeanour had more than once disgusted Rājārām. After these unequalled successes over the various Mughal generals, Santāji went straight to Jinji (April 1695), and demanded an adequate reward for his services. But Rājārām and Santāji had become gradually so estranged that a severe altercation took place between them, which soon rose to bitter invective. Both were touched to the quick. Santāji openly charged Rājārām with pusillanimity and disburdened his mind to some such effect. "Your position is all due to me. I can make and unmake the Chhatrapati." This was too much even for the mild temper of the King. Santāji was at once dismissed from his office of Senapati and Dhanāji appointed in his place.⁸