New History of the Marathas v1.c9.68

v1.c9.68

Minutely observant as Shivaji was, he foresaw every possible contingency and prepared for it in advance. He selected the spot for the meeting, at the base of the rampart where now stands a splendid tomb built recently by the Nizam of Hyderabad. A highly ornamented and attractive bower of woodwork was erected where the two were to meet and greet each other. Shivaji made lavish arrangements for the food and comfort of his guests. Only one path was cleared through the dense forest from the foot of the Parghat to go up to the place of the meeting. All other byepaths were made impassable by putting in obstacles of felled trees. The Khan’s people freely came, inspected the spot and convinced themselves that all was perfect. There was nothing to rouse suspicion. The Khan was to come fully armed and in his own palanquin with a personal following of 1500 bodyguards; but even these could not all be accommodated at the hill-top. They remained scattered guarding the spot. Lest Shivaji might take fright and not come at all to the meeting, the Khan’s party was reduced to the minimum with only two armed servants alongside of him. Even then the whole plan was obviously more dangerous to Shivaji than to the Khan, then about 20 years older than the former. Shivaji was to have no servant with him inside the tent and certainly no visible arms. The two Brahman ambassadors, Krishnāji Pant for the Khan and Pantāji Pant for Shivaji, were to be present for helping the initial introduction and the expected discussion.