Shivaji and His Times c5.s6.40

c5.s6.40

Shankaraji, the second of the three brothers, was able and clever, and used at first to manage the affairs of the fort, all the brothers living together. But Niloji, the eldest, urged by his designing and imperious wife, who had secretly corrupted the garrison, one day attacked and severely wounded Shankaraji and gained control of the fort. Shivaji, who had been coveting Purandar, came to its foot with his mother and army to spend the rainy season. On the occasion of the Dewali he was admitted as a guest. In the night of the third day he surprised and chained all the three brothers when fast asleep and seized the fort and all the property in it. After a time, at the entreaty of that holy man the Dev of Chinchvad (whose son had married Niloji's sister), he released the brothers, gave the village of Chamli to Shankaraji, restored the nayakship to Niloji, and employed their youngest brother Pilaji (alias Trimbakji) in his army. [Sahavichar.]