History of Aurangzib, Based on Original Sources v4.c64.s2: § 2. Shambhuji gains the throne.

History of Aurangzib, Based on Original Sources v4.c64.s2

Language: English

§ 2. Shambhuji gains the throne.

v4.c64.s2.1

The result was that within a week of Shivaji's death, parties of soldiers began to flock daily to Shambhuji at Panhala, and he openly assumed royal powers, ignoring the Government at Raigarh.

Shambhuji's first measures displayed a degree of sagacity and timely energy which was quite unexpected from a man of his character. He first made himself master of Panhala and then consolidated his possession of the South Maratha country and South Konkan before venturing on a contest with the forces of his rival at the capital.

v4.c64.s2.3

While his enemies at Raigarh were planning to imprison him, he guessed out the fact of Shivaji's death from the long cessation of news about him after the first reports of his illness; he then very promptly anticipated his enemies by taking possession of the fort of Panhala and confining its former governor. The letters he sent out to all the important personages and officers, appealing to them to support his rights as the eldest born, had effect. Every day large parties of soldiers proceeded to Panhala to join him. He next took charge of the Government of the neighbouring district through his own men. He ordered all the corn in Karwar city to be seized (about 15th April) and sent to Panhala, intending to make himself secure there. A week later, he sent down Ravji Pandit to summon all the governors of the Kanara coast to Panhala for delivering their accounts and cash balances to him. The same thing was done in South Konkan; as the Rajapur factors wrote on 27th April: "Shambhuji has taken upon him to govern and title of king. He has sent for all persons that were in command as subahdars, havladars etc. Some he imprisoned, and some he discharged of their employs."*

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Janardan N. Hanumanté, who held the Kolhapur district under Shivaji, and Hiraji Farzand, who had run away to Chiplun with Government treasure on hearing of that king's death, were arrested by Shambhuji's men. [Chitnis, ii. 3-4.]

v4.c64.s2.5

∗ Karwar to Surat, 19 and 26 April, 1680 in F.R. Surat 108; Rajapur to Bombay, 27 Apr. in O.M. 116.

v4.c64.s2.6

In the meantime, Annaji Datto had placed Rajaram on the throne at Raigarh, on 21st April, and shortly afterwards started for Panhala with the Peshwa, ostensibly for the purpose of recovering that fort and imprisoning Shambhuji.* But the news of the successful coups of Shambhuji disheartened them and they hesitated to attack him. [Soon, the hands of the selfish double-dealing ministers were forced by the army.] At the end of May the commander-in-chief, Hambir Rao Mohité, arrested Annaji and Moro Pant and took them as captives to Shambhuji at Panhala. There all the army chiefs assembled and recognized Shambhuji as their king.

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[Annaji was cast into prison, loaded with chains, and the rumour at first spread that he had been beheaded.] The Peshwa made a timely recantation and thus gained Shambhuji's favour mingled with distrust. The new king felt that his position was now absolutely secure and he could deliver the decisive attack upon his rival. He had already collected a force of 5,000 men and won their devotion by advancing them two months' pay. Then, after posting his own subahdars and other officers at different places, he set out for Raigarh, his army swelling to 20,000 men during the march.

v4.c64.s2.8

∗ Jedhe S But a Bombay letter to Surat 3 May, says, "Shambhu is proclaimed and put in his father's place Moro Pandit and Annaji Pandit etc are gone to Panhala to receive his order" (Not likely) Jedhe S is my authority for the conduct of the army

v4.c64.s2.9

The capital opened its gates to him (18th June.) Rajaram made no opposition, because he was incapable of making any. (A Government may possess all the resources of the State, but if it has a woman or child at its head, with division of command and jealousy among its agents, it can make no stand against a strong man of action with decision of character and concentration of authority in one hand, however small his original force may be.)

v4.c64.s2.10

For the first few days Shambhuji seems to have acted with combined vigour and thoughtfulness. On 12th July the Bombay factors write, "Shambhuji is publicly declared Rajah, the country begins to be well settled. Report speaks of him as very diligent and careful." Rajaram, though deposed, was treated "with all kindness," because he had been a mere tool in the hands of more designing men. But Annaji Datto, as the head of Soyra Bai's party, was "loaded with chains and put to great trouble."*

v4.c64.s2.11

∗ *Jedhe S; Bombay to Surat 30 June and 12 July in O. M. 116. Chitnis's story that Shambhuji put Soyra Bai to death and persecuted the ministers in Raigarh immediately after his accession is

v4.c64.s2.12

Shambhuji first sat on the throne on 20th July. The formal coronation was performed with full ceremony and splendour on 16th January 1681. A son and heir was born to him on 18th May 1682, who was destined to revive the Maratha kingship about 30 years later. It was Shivaji II., popularly known as Raja Shahu. [Jedhe S. supported by Portuguese records. Chitnis is wrong aboute date.]