New History of the Marathas v1.c8.63

v1.c8.63

This letter clearly unfolds the early moves of Shivaji. After Sinhagad he took Rohidā, built Rajgad, and established his hold on that portion of the Maval, all within a few months, indeed an astounding performance. What was first started in secrecy, took now the form of an open challenge. Dādāji Naras Prabhu referred the letter to Shivaji and asked him what reply he was to make. Shivaji thereupon wrote to Dādāji Prabhu the following reply on 16 May 1645:—“The Shah is entirely misinformed. Neither you nor I have turned disloyal. Please see me with that letter immediately. You have no reason to feel distressed. Raireshvar, the divine master of your valley, inspires you and me alike and gives us success. He gives us power enough to establish *Hindawi-Swarajya*. We are mere instruments in divine hands. Come what may, we should stick to the secret oaths we have exchanged, as advised by Dādāji-pant, in the presence of Raireshvar. He wills it all. Don't lose courage.”¹¹ Letters like this tell us definitely how Shivaji set out on his mission. As usually happens, he outwardly professed perfect loyalty to the Sultan and urged that the activities he undertook were entirely in self-defence and part of the Government's work, intended to put down lawlessness and disorder, as peace was highly essential for the development of this hilly country, which for centuries past had known no rule, no authority, no order and which now had begun to yield a good return.