History of Aurangzib, Based on Original Sources v4.c69.s5: § 5. Internal condition of the Maratha kingdom and Shambhuji's doings, 1685-1687.
History of Aurangzib, Based on Original Sources v4.c69.s5
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§ 5. Internal condition of the Maratha kingdom and Shambhuji's doings, 1685-1687.
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While Aurangzib was directing the full strength of his empire against Bijapur and Golkonda, Shambhuji made no adequate effort to meet the danger that threatened all the Deccani Powers alike. His soldiers plundered places in the Mughal territory as a matter of routine, but these raids did not influence the military situation. Aurangzib disregarded such pin-pricks, as he knew that he would be able to destroy Shambhuji for ever after he had put an end to the Adil-Shahi and Qutb-Shahi States. The Maratha king was not wise enough to follow any large and well-thought-out plan for diverting the Mughals from the sieges of Bijapur and Golkonda and averting their fall. Indeed, while he was sunk in pleasure, his Government was hopelessly weakened by rebellions among his vassals and plots among his courtiers, [ante Ch. 44 § 21.]
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∗ The *Jedhe Shakavali* states that Akbar went by ship to Persia in Falgun Shaka 1608 (=Feb 1687). This is supported by Kæmpfer (as quoted in Orme's *Fragments*, 292) who says that "Akbar arrived in that part of Arabia bordering on Persia in the beginning of the year 1687 . and at Isfahan on 24th January, 1688." Ishwardas (119) places Akbar's departure from India after Shah Alam's imprisonment (which took place in Feb 1687). Orme's statement (*Frag* 149) that Akbar embarked at Rajapur as soon as the monsoon was changed in Oct 1686 and arrived at Masqat in Nov, is evidently based on *O. C.* 5621, Madras to Surat dated 29 Sep 1687, which states, "Mr Dobson, belonging to Calicut, assures us he saw Sultan Akbar in November last at Masqat, and that he and his retinue were designed for Persia." Here the month must be wrong. Full history of Akbar's life in Persia, K. K. ii. 286-290, 450, 546; *Storia*, ii. 279, 322; *Ruqat* No 95, *M. A.* 484 (Ante, iii. ch 27 § 3).
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Within a few years of the accession of Shambhuji, nearly all the officers who had contributed to the glory of his father's reign disappeared. The Peshwa Moro Trimbak Pinglé died in October 1680. Annaji Datto (second only to the Peshwa in influence and ability) was put to death with his brother Somaji Datto (a civil administrator), Hiraji Farzand (a distinguished general), Balaji Avji (the cleverest of secretaries), Mahadji Anant and 23 other officers of leading positions, for their participation in the plot to kill Shambhuji and crown Rajaram (Aug.-Oct. 1681.) Raghunath Narayan Hanumanté was arrested in the Eastern Karnatak over which he ruled, in December 1680, and though taken back into State employ after a suspension of two years, in January 1683, died within four months of it (4th May.) His brother Janardan, followed him to the grave a month afterwards (28 June 1683.) Netaji Palkar, the most dashing of Shivaji's generals, is last heard of in July 1681, and he evidently died of age and the hardships endured during the many years spent by him in active service in Afghanistan as a forced convert to Islam and a Mughal captain. Avji Pandit (Avji Mahadev), whom the English describe as a person of great esteem and quality, who commanded the army next under the Peshwa in Shivaji's time, was dismissed in January 1682.
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In this dearth of talent at the Maratha Court and camp, Kavi-kalash's ability shone more conspicuously and his predominance became naturally unrivalled, while Shambhuji's affairs in the outlying parts of his dominions suffered from the lack of competent agents on the spot. The evil was aggravated by fresh conspiracies against the king, which were inevitably followed by the execution or at least imprisonment of more Maratha generals and ministers of leading positions. We hear of the arrest of Manaji Moré (a great general), Gangadhar Pant, Vasudev Pant, and Sahuji Somnath on 29th Oct. 1684 [J.S.] A few months later Hambir Rao (the commander-in-chief) is said to be in prison along with Rajaram. [Karwar to Surat, 8 Apr. 1685 in O.M. 118.] At all events, there is a surprising silence about Hambir Rao's doings after 1683 which shows that he was out of favour and office, even if not in prison. What could not the enterprising spirit, eye for the actual situation and promptness in seizing it, which Netaji and Hambir possessed, have done for Shambhuji in his war with the Portuguese and his attempt to raise Aurangzib's last siege of Bijapur?
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The Madras Karnatak, a kingdom in itself, had practically passed out of Shambhuji's control and was ruled by his brother-in-law Harji Mahadik with the title of Maharajah in semi-independence. (Vol. V, Ch. 51 § 2.)
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In May 1685, after Aurangzib had advanced to Sholapur to direct the siege of Bijapur, the Marathas tried to enter the fort of Ahmadnagar by escalade at night, but the attempt was defeated by the vigilance of the qiladar Sayyid Zain-ul-abidin Bukhari. (Dil. 186.) A month after the fall of Bijapur, the Marathas appeared near Mangalvide (Oct. 1686), but could do nothing. (M.A. 283.) The Emperor now "turned his arms against Shambhuji and laid siege to a famous castle," evidently Panhala, (O.C. 5534, dated 30th Nov. 1686.) Many Maratha forts fell into his hands from this time onwards, and the Marathas gained only isolated successes over small detachments or grain convoys of the imperialists.* In May 1687, the Maratha qiladars of Salhir (named Asuji in M.A. and Krishnaji by Ishwardas) and Saluna (? Sangola) sold their forts to the Mughals. (M.A. 297.) Kohaj fort (Thana district) was taken by Vikram (ex-Rajah of Jawhar) in March 1688, Hulgarh by Hasan Ali Khan (July), Samangarh by Bahadur Khan (Sep.), and Mahuli was offered by its qiladar for the same price as Salhir. [Jaipur records.]
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∗ Ishwardas's account of these operations is given in the appendix to this chapter, as I am doubtful about the correctness of his dates and order of events.
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As we have seen before (Ch. 44 § 21 & 24), there were frequent rebellions desertions and plots against Shambhuji after 1684, in addition to his family feud with the Shirkes and the intrigues of his other ministers against Kavi-kalash. On 12th February 1685, the English factors in Khandesh record a wild rumour: "Some time before this ......there was a report that a great Brahman had invited Shambhuji Rajah to a feast and clapped him in prison because he was remiss in his actions, and had set up Ram-Raja in his room." But they in the same letter contradict this rumour as false. A little later, 2nd March, the Karwar traders write, "It hath been for some time credibly reported here that Shambhuji is killed by some of his own people; which we are the more apt to believe is true, because there are so many desais and other people up in rebellion in his country, who formerly stood in great awe of him." They repeat the same rumour a month later: "Some say that Ram-Raja and Hambir Rao, that were both in prison, are got out and flown to Sharza Khan [who was said to have come to Ramghat with 6,000 horse.]......Here are various reports concerning Shambhuji Rajah. Some say he is dead, others say not; but in all probability we judge he is dead, or else he would have appeared before this to appease the rebels that are got together to destroy and spoil his country." [Karwar to Surat, 8 April 1685, in O.M. 118.] In January 1686 the state of things had not improved, and the English report that "the considerable persons who have revolted against Shambhuji Rajah are grown so strong as in appearance may be the downfall of the Rajah." [O.C. 5461.]
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The economic decay of the Maratha kingdom through Shambhuji's supine rule, the corruption of his officers, and the disorder caused by the rebels, is graphically described in the English factory records. They tell us,—"Europe commodities are afraid to come into Shambhuji's country by reason of his ministers' exactions; who not only take custom of us [the importers], but the [native] merchants too, with a peshkash exacted according to the quality [i.e., rank] of the person, which is really our loss." [Karwar 4 Sep. 1683.]
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In May 1685, owing to the disturbed condition of the Karwar region, slaves became so cheap that they could be had at a pagoda (Rs. 5) a head, while the normal price was thrice as much.
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At the same time the Surat factors write, "In former years there was a quantity of pepper about 1,500 khandi, it grew in and near about Rajapur; but now grows not the tenth part since that place hath been in Shivaji's hands;—not only the pepper is lost, but decayed in trade [so] that it is a miserable poor town [now.]"
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The cause of the ruin of trade and industry was misrule. The Karwar factors write (Nov. 1684): "This Government is eager and hungry after present interest, which suits ill with the rules of saving so much recommended to us [by the Directors at Home.] ...With the Rajah down to the Plowman the infection of peshkashing is so prevalent that nothing can be well done without it, or withstand it." Bombay writes on 2nd April 1685: "The weavers that came from Thanah and Chaul was about a twelve month since when the latter [town] was besieged by Shambhuji; and since there is come none... There was in number about 600 families [of weavers],—400 for want of encouragement did forsake this place in Keigwin's time, 150 of the remainder are dead; so that they are now about 50 [families.]"
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Near Karwar the ways were molested by Dalvi Desai, one of Shambhuji's revolted vassals. [O.M. 118, Bombay to Surat, 18 July, 1685.] In January next the evil was aggravated. "Karwar factory is under a great deal of trouble, [and the inland] parts under sufficient unhappiness and misery from the continually (sic) robberies etc. committed not only by the Rajah's own people in power, that in all places press severely on those that are under their government to supply the Rajah's wants, and fill their own pockets,—but likewise from considerable persons who have revolted against Shambhuji Rajah and are grown so strong ... that in his dominions there is little or no safety, and at best a great deal of hazard: trade in general obstructed." [O.C. 5461.]
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Shambhuji's absorption in pleasure and his failure to show himself to the public by appearing against the rebels at the head of his army, confirmed the popular belief that he was dead. The fall of such a king could not be long delayed, when an enemy like Aurangzib became free from other works.