New History of the Marathas v2.c24.50

v2.c24.50

We know that the Mughal Emperor conducting a relentless war against the Marathas, had cantoned his armies at Poona and Khed during the two successive monsoons of 1703 and 1704, and that Balaji Vishwanath as a Maratha officer executing orders of the Chhatrapati and his ministers, had also his headquarters at Poona at the same time. A question arises how could Balaji escape being captured and put to death by the hostile Emperor. Perhaps the answer is that Balaji did not belong to the fighting force, was probably helpful as a revenue officer of the district and as such was expected to supply the various necessaries of life, draft animals, carts, labourers and other requirements as much to the vast Mughal camp as to his own employers. Scanty scattered evidence proves that Balaji had made friends with the various officials of Aurangzeb and was possibly introduced even to his daughter Zinat-un-Nisa Begam’s notice.¹ Balaji looked after the captive Shahu’s concerns and supplied means to convey and bring him news of happenings outside. One may presume that he was privy to the affair of Shahu’s proposed conversion and may have been consulted in the selection of brides for his marriage. In 1703 when the Emperor captured the fort of Sinhgad, it was stoutly defended by the Marathas against Tarbiyat Khan’s formidable artillery, and a letter printed in the Purandare Daftar mentions how Balaji Vishwanath tried to save this famous stronghold from falling into the Emperor’s hands. From such circumstantial evidence it would not be unfair to conclude that during the five years of arduous campaign conducted by the Emperor personally between 1699-1704 against the hill forts round about Poona and Satara, Shahu and Balaji Vishwanath became well attached to each other. Possibly the young Sawai Jaya Sinh who had distinguished himself in the capture of Vishhalgad in April 1702 was also equally acquainted with them both. Prominent figures working together in a narrow field of action, cannot long remain utter strangers. Balaji rendered invaluable service to Shahu on the eve of the battle of Khed and he in return rewarded him with the Peshwaship after a full trial of years, in which Balaji had exhibited an uncommon grasp of the political situation as it developed between the Marathas and the Mughals and a rare capacity for handling it to the best advantage of the Mahratha nation. History has justified Shahu’s choice and done credit to his discernment.