History of Aurangzib, Based on Original Sources v5.c73.s2.6

v5.c73.s2.6

The plan of operations for the future was thus arranged: Rajaram was to be escorted to Jinji by Prahlad Niraji (as his chief counsellor) with a number of generals like Dhana Jadav, Santa Ghorparé and some others. The supreme control of affairs in the homeland was vested in Ramchandra N. Bavdékar, the *Amatya*, with his head-quarters first in Vishalgarh and latterly in Parli, assisted by Shankaraji Malhar (the *Sachiv*) and certain other officers. All officials and captains in the homeland were to take their orders from Ramchandra and obey him like the king himself. The commands of this dictator of the West were not to be upset even by the king on appeal. The supreme authority thus conferred on Ramchandra was designated by his new title of *Hakumat-panah*. Ramchandra had an inborn genius for command and organisation. He gathered round himself the ablest lieutenants, men like Parashuram Trimbak and Shankaraji Narayan, and managed to make the mutually jealous and contentious Maratha guerilla leaders act in concert, though his orders lacked the prestige and authority which the king's presence in Maharashtra could have given to them and though he was confronted by a tireless clever and powerful enemy like Aurangzib. Ramchandra's masterly insight and consummate tact were proved by his exact adaptation of his policy and plan of operations to the genius of his countrymen and the actual situation in the midst of which he had to work.