New History of the Marathas v1.c7.34

v1.c7.34

4. Shahji's two sons in action.—When Shivaji at Poona learnt that his father was in trouble at Bijapur, he at once applied to Shahzada Murad Bakhsh, then the Emperor's representative in the Deccan. As exchange of envoys and discussions on the question of Shahji's release followed. Murad Bakhsh wrote to say that he was returning to Delhi and would send the Emperor's orders as soon as he reached that place. At Bijapur the question of Shahji's release was for two months under agitation. He was entrusted to the care of Khan Ahmad, the Sar-Lashkar, a man inclined to effect an amicable settlement and not to adopt extreme measures. On behalf of the Shah Khan Ahmad proposed to Shahji that he should surrender Sinhgad and Bangalore and continue to serve the State as before. Shahji agreed to the compromise adding that neither he nor his sons were hostile towards the Shah: they needed fields for honourable work in life and sufficient support from the Bijapur Court. If they secured these, they would always render loyal service. This basis for a final reconciliation was agreed upon. Shahji gave his own autograph letters to his two sons calling upon them to give up Sinhgad and Bangalore respectively to the Adil-Shahi officers, and thus save his life. These orders were forwarded to the two sons, and Shahji was honourably set at liberty on 16 May 1649 after a detention of nearly ten months. Along with Shahji, his comrade in arms Kanhoji Jedhe was also released. Shahji was reinstated in his former position and honours, and was employed at Bijapur for a few years. Thereafter he was again asked to proceed to the Karnatak to complete the conquest of Tanjore and other districts. As soon as he was set at liberty, he asked Kanhoji Jedhe to go and help Shivaji in his efforts to settle the Poona regions. The parting message of Shahji to Kanhoji runs thus:—