New History of the Marathas v1.c9.65

v1.c9.65

Shivaji lavished the utmost attention and comfort on the Khan’s ambassador Krishnāji Bhāskar and had long talks with him. He appealed to the Brahman’s religious instinct to further the great work he had undertaken of Hindu revival, and asked for his help in defeating the plot of the Khan. Krishnāji, although convinced of Shivaji’s noble intentions, stood firmly honest in his master’s service. He had not fathomed the Khan’s inner motives. He was well entertained at Pratāpgad and was persuaded to explain to the Khan that Shivaji confessed his inability to fight with such a large force, that he now repented of the follies he had committed, and that if the Khan would pardon him and spare his life, he would readily hand back all the territory he had seized. With these professions Krishnāji Bhāskar returned to Wāi accompanied by Shivaji’s agent Pantāji Gopināth to explain matters fully and arrange details for a personal meeting of the two principals. Through this Pantāji Pant Shivaji cleverly turned the Khan’s game against him. Pantāji urged, if the Khan’s professions of amity and cordiality were honest, why should he not trust Shivaji as well and come fearlessly to meet him at Pratāpgad, where no troop movements were practicable for either party. Pantāji Gopināth was a devoted adherent of Shivaji, adept in discovering secrets by means of covert tactics and clever insinuations. With him was an expert spy of Shivaji named Vishvās Rao Nānāji, who, disguised as a fakir, roamed about the Khan’s camp begging and praying and collected valuable information of the Bijapuri plans and arrangements. In this way frequent messages and messengers passed between Wāi and Pratāpgad, enabling Shivaji to gather full details of the situation and form suitable plans for overcoming his opponent.