Shivaji and His Times c10.s6: §6. Street procession at Raigarh
Shivaji and His Times c10.s6
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§6. Street procession at Raigarh
c10.s6.1
When the presentations were over, the Rajah descended from his throne, mounted his best horse, decked with gorgeous trappings, and rode to the palace-yard. There he mounted the finest elephant in his stable, dressed out most splendidly for the occasion, and then rode through the streets of the capital in full military procession, girt round by his ministers and generals, with the two royal banners, *Jari-pataka* and *Bhagwe-jhanda*, borne aloft on two elephants walking in the van, while the generals and regiments of troops followed with their respective flags, artillery and band. The citizens had decorated their houses and roads in a manner worthy of the occasion. The housewives waved lighted lamps round him and showered fried rice, flowers, holy grass, &c., on his head. After visiting the various temples on Raigarh hill and offering adoration with presents at each of them, he returned to the palace.
c10.s6.2
On the 7th began a general distribution of gifts to all the assembled envoys and Brahmans and of alms to the beggars, which lasted twelve days, during which the people were also fed at the king's expense. The more distinguished pandits and sannyasis were not included in this alms-giving, as these men got only 3 to 5 Rupees and the women and children a Rupee or two each.
c10.s6.3
A day or two after the coronation the monsoon burst, the rains set in with violence, and the weather continued wet for some time, to the intense discomfort of the assembled crowd. On the 8th, Shivaji took a fourth wife without any state or ceremony. Shortly before this he had married* two others. (Letter of Oxinden, 27 May; Oxinden's Memorial under date 8 June.)
c10.s6.4
After the coronation was over, Jija Bai died on 18th June, in the fulness of years and happiness, leaving to her son her personal property worth 25 *lakhs* of *hun*, "some say more." When the period of mourning for her was over, Shivaji sat on the throne a second time, to celebrate his purification after her funeral. (Dutch Records.)