History of Aurangzib, Based on Original Sources v5.c73.s2.4

v5.c73.s2.4

Immediately after hearing of Shambhuji's capture, Changoji Katkar, the qiladar of Raigarh, with the support of Yesaji Kank, the old Mavlé captain and comrade of Shivaji's youth, took Rajaram out of prison and seated him on the throne (8th February). The State officers confined by the late king,—some in 1684 and others only two months ago—were all released. Shambhuji's heir Shahu was a boy of six only, and therefore the dowager queen, Yesu Bai, very wisely supported Rajaram instead of urging the claims of her own son. It was not a time for woman's rule or infant's rule. Even before the capture of Shambhuji, a Mughal army had been detached in December 1688 under the able general Zulfiqar Khan, against his capital, and now (February 1689) the fort was invested in right earnest. [M. A. 331, 327.] As the besiegers strengthened their posts, Rajaram wisely decided not to risk his all by shutting himself up in that fort, but to go out of it in time, raise forces from the country at large, and with them try to drive away the besiegers of Raigarh.