History of Aurangzib, Based on Original Sources v4.c64.s7: § 8. Kavi-kalash, the favourite of Shambhuji.
History of Aurangzib, Based on Original Sources v4.c64.s7
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§ 8. Kavi-kalash, the favourite of Shambhuji.
v4.c64.s7.1
Shambhuji’s character and conduct made it impossible for any of the old servants of the State to regard him with that love and devotion which Shivaji had inspired among all ranks of the people. His cruel vengeance on all who had sided with Rajaram separated many of the leading Maratha families from him by a river of blood, while his rudeness, caprice and violence of spirit made even the highest of his officers feel insecure and unhappy in his service. On his part, he could never forget that practically all the notable ministers and generals had at first given their assent to removing him from the line of succession. He, therefore, felt that he stood absolutely alone and friendless in his native country; and his whole reign was in fact disturbed by frequent conspiracies and desertions among his officers and rebellions among his vassals.
v4.c64.s7.2
In this forlorn situation he seemed to have gained a truly devoted servant. A Kanauji Brahman, who had been the hereditary priest of the Bhonslé family at Allahabad, arrived at Raigarh shortly before Shambhuji’s grand coronation. He was deeply versed in Sanskrit theology and popularly believed to be a master of necromancy. He soon made his way into the Rajah’s heart, and gradually monopolized his trust and the supreme control of the administration, while Shambhuji rapidly became a *faineant* king, blindly following the minister’s advice, and devoting all his time to wine and women, with fitful outbursts of martial vigour. Already in November 1682 he was known in Bombay as “the chiefest minister of State” along with Prahlad Niraji.
v4.c64.s7.3
¹ O M 116 "The conspirators against S was (sic) Annaji Pandit, Rajaram s mother and Hiraji Farzand who would have brought Akbar in but he would not but immediately gave S notice of it by a messenger, which hath so much gained on the Rajah that he hath promised the Sultan 30 000 horse that are making ready to accompany him to Burhanpur" [8 Sep] "S is now at Rairi For plotting against his life, he hath put to death Annaji Pandit Hiraji Farzand Bowji (?) P, and five more (bound and put under elephants' feet) Twenty more are to suffer death [12 Oct] "Rajaram's mother is dead by report poisoned by Shambhuji Rajah's contrivance" [27 Oct]
v4.c64.s7.4
This new Sejanus was ennobled with the title of *Kavi-kalash* or Pinnacle of Poets. But he was a foreign Brahman and his administration ended in Shambhu’s ruin and the fall of the Maratha kingdom. Hence, the local Brahmans and the Maratha patriots alike have cherished the bitterest hatred to his memory. They have vented their spite by perverting his name from *kalasha* (pinnacle) to *kalusha* (sin)! The vulgar in Maharashtra easily swallowed the tale (Chit. ii. 7) that this minister, by performing many hideous *tantrik* rites and occult practices on the pretence of increasing Shambhuji’s health wealth and dominion through supernatural agency, really destroyed the young Rajah’s intelligence and will-power and made him the helpless slave of his magic.* The foreign favourite's wife is supposed to have seconded his wicked efforts by her marvellous cunning.