History of Aurangzib, Based on Original Sources v4.c69.s5.3

v4.c69.s5.3

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.