New History of the Marathas v2.c24.42

v2.c24.42

Shahu's following was after all a heterogeneous mass with no capable general to lead them into action. On the opposite bank were ranged against him seasoned troops commanded by the veteran Dhanaji Jadhav, the hero of a hundred fights, and Parashuram Pant Pratinidhi a devoted partizan of Tarabai. Afraid of certain annihilation by risking a precipitate attack, Shahu had recourse to diplomacy in which the hereditary Chitnis Khando Ballal, Balaji Vishvanath Bhat, a Brahman Sar-Subahdar, and Naro Ram, all close helpmates of Dhanaji, played a conspicuous part. These and several others had already been well convinced of Shahu's identity and impressed by his charming personality. He managed through these agents to call Dhanaji to a secret personal interview and succeeded in winning him over to his cause. Dhanaji agreed to wage a sham battle and desert to Shahu at a convenient moment. An action took place the next day on the plain of Khed on the north bank of the Bhima. in which Shahu appeared at the head of his troops in a manly deportment confident of success. The Pratinidhi fought valiantly but having been deserted by the Senapati after the action had been joined, was routed and fled for safety across the river. Shahu thus won the day and encamping on the battlefield, received Dhanaji and conferred upon him the honours of the Senapati and upon Khando Ballal the office of the Chitnis. The whole episode disclosed the weakness of Tarabai's position. The Maratha nation was solidly rallying behind Shahu and acclaimed him with full heart as against a lady, who, however competent, could not occupy the throne and whose son the young Shivaji was known to be altogether incompetent and incapable of conducting the affairs of the State.