by Ranjit Desai
‘And so you decided to take this route? When are the Marathas going to wash away their sins? The Jadhavs fought against the Bhosales. If only they had worked together! We are working hard to ensure that no innocent person is thrown into jail for ten years again. We are against the torture and barbaric attitude of the Mughals.’
‘Raje, you talk about wanting our blessings, but you never asked for them when you captured Rohideshwar. You never even asked us what we thought.’
‘This is the usual Maratha habit! You don’t hesitate to lick the feet of the man who put handcuffs on you but are willing to take up cudgels against some imagined insult. Mama saheb, not only you, but even Maa saheb and Dadoji were unaware of my plans for Rohideshwar.’
Mudhojirao now looked down with embarrassment. Shivaji spoke, his voice filled with emotions, ‘Mama saheb, I have not captured you. If you fear the might of the Mughals, you are free not to join us. But don’t stop our campaign—this is my humble request.’
Mudhojirao said, ‘Raje, don’t embarrass me further. You have shown maturity far beyond your years and I feel ashamed. I promise you … I shall never come in your way again.’
Shivaji smiled and said, ‘I consider this your blessing. It is getting dark now and I will take your leave.’
‘No, you should not travel in the night. Go in the morning, or I will assume that you are still angry with us.’
‘Mama saheb, Maa saheb is waiting for me and will not eat a morsel till I return. If you would consider coming back with me, she will be really pleased.’
‘You are right! Let’s go,’ Mudhojirao said.
It was past midnight when they entered Pune. Dadoji was in the office and Jijabai came out and smiled the moment she saw Mudhojirao with Shivaji.
Mudhojirao was silent. He bent to touch Maa saheb’s feet but she stepped back hurriedly and exclaimed, ‘What are you doing? You are elder to me!’
‘I am too small a person, Rani saheb. I have realized this too late. Raje is much younger, and hence I did not touch his feet. My timid heart has been defeated today.’
Saibai came running and hugged her father tightly.
Maa saheb said, ‘She cried and created such a fuss! She was not willing to believe that all would be well. Raje, it was good that you brought Mama saheb along. Else, she would have believed the worst. Come on in now.’
As he stepped out of the office, Dadoji said, ‘Raje, you have performed an act braver than the capture of Rohideshwar. I am proud of you!’
But this satisfaction did not last long. Upon Mudhojirao’s return to Phaltan, a royal farman from Bijapur, expressing the Shah’s displeasure, reached him. Under the charge of abetting criminals, Ambar Khan, one of Adil Shah’s sardars, came marching into Phaltan without warning. Mudhojirao fell as he tried to resist and Bajaji was captured. It was a few days after this episode when disastrous news reached Pune; Bajaji, Sai’s brother, had been forced to convert to Islam. Adil Shah laughed with scorn knowing that the person whose sister was married to Shahaji Raje’s son was now a convert. Adil Shah had his daughter married to Bajaji out of sheer happiness. Sai was inconsolable.
‘Sai, don’t take it to heart. Bajaji may have been made a Muslim but he is still ours. We don’t consider him an outsider.’
‘How can that be?’ Saibai asked.
Shivaji let out a sigh and said, ‘There is no reason why we can’t take him back into our religion. Thousands have suffered because our religious leaders do not allow that. I realize this tragedy today and I promise you—I shall not rest in peace till Bajaji is one of us again.’
Sai’s body trembled with gratitude. She remained silent as she put her palm in Shivaji’s. No words were exchanged but a lot was said in that gesture.
#
Babaji Naras Prabhu had now shifted residence to Pune’s Lal Mahal Palace to avoid being arrested. Dadoji was worried for him as he was for Shivaji, knowing he may have to face Adil Shah’s wrath sooner or later. The repairs to the forts were almost complete and they were now being strengthened with cannons. They had fortified all the easy routes to the forts as well. The initial population of a thousand-odd people at Rohideshwar had now increased to nearly six thousand, which increased worries for Shivaji too, knowing that he had to take care of them.
The biggest worry for Shivaji was that Dadoji was getting old. He had aged considerably, especially in the light of recent events, but Shivaji was unable to find a solution to mitigate his fears. He would try and spend as much time with Dadoji whenever he visited Pune. Dadoji busied himself in the affairs of the jagir and spent the rest of his time in prayers.
One day, Shivaji returned from Torna carrying a walking stick. Giving it to Dadoji, he said, ‘Pant, this is a special cane. Very rarely do you get them so straight and I got this one especially for you.’
Pant examined the cane and said, ‘Raje, it is nice but … one needs the support of a son and not a cane in their old age.’
‘Pant, why don’t you take the medicine prescribed by the vaidyaraj?’
‘Don’t worry. Nothing is wrong with me. Now all I look forward to is …’ he said, pointing heavenwards.
Such talk from Pant would worry Shivaji but his preoccupation with Swaraj prevented him from dwelling on matters at home for long. Soon, he managed to capture the Rohida Fort and one more saffron flag fluttered in the wind now.
Rohideshwar, Torna and now Rohida—Shivaji was now moving forward rapidly. He had the backing of Jijabai but there had been no communication from Shahaji Raje except for a brief note saying, ‘Take care of Shivaji Raje; keep that in mind.’
Dadoji would hardly get any sleep, staying awake at night. He remembered the days he had spent in Adil Shah’s court and how he had earned his standing there. He had gained the confidence of Shahaji and was asked to accompany a pregnant Jijabai to Pune. He smiled, thinking of the trust reposed in him by Shahaji Raje. Dadoji sighed with relief in the knowledge that he had executed his responsibility with diligence and integrity.
It had been an eventful start at Pune, right from finding the right men to managing the few years of famine. He was worried that the jagir he had so lovingly built should not get destroyed in Shivaji Raje’s attempt to create a Swaraj. Dadoji tossed and turned as the thoughts kept turning in his mind … Raje … he had been merely six when they had entered Pune. He was a rare, talented and precocious child. If only Raje had not started this dangerous game of capturing forts, he would have easily won the title of Jagirdar! He learnt to fight with every weapon but did not go hunting in the forest. What he dreamt was of Swaraj and he dreamt with eyes wide open. And what would the result be?
The fate of Shahaji Raje’s revolt was no different from the one in Hampi, Devagiri or anywhere else. They were crushed by the mighty Mughals. Would Shivaji’s dream be fulfilled? And what if the dream were shattered? Dadoji could not imagine facing the elder Maharaj who had explicitly asked him to take care of Shivaji.
‘Not my fault!’ shrieked Dadoji loudly as he woke up from his dream. Gangabai, who was sleeping next to him, saw him drenched with sweat and asked, ‘What happened?’
‘Nothing,’ Dadoji replied and turned the other way. He wiped his brow and drank a little water. He looked at the small temple inside the room where a lamp flickered. Folding his hands, he prayed for a while and felt better. After a while he dozed off.
#
Shivaji returned in the late afternoon along with other riders. As he stepped into the courtyard, Balkrishna said, ‘Raje, Pant has asked to see you.’
Shivaji walked towards the office wondering why Pant wanted him urgently. Dadoji was in his chair, busy writing. He said, without looking up, ‘Come in, Raje. I was waiting for you. I believe you were in Shivapur. Did you see the forest that has been cleared?’
‘Which forest?’
‘Raje, you are not young now. Earlier, during the famine, you had urged a few hundred men to settle there. It looks like your memory is failing you!’
‘I don’
t understand …’
Pant smiled. ‘Nowadays you are not bothered about your work and it is likely that you forgot. Raje, I am told by Shamrao Nilkant that the land near Shivapur has been reserved for rehabilitation of people.’
Shivaji said, looking at the floor, ‘I am sorry. I had forgotten …’
Pant said, ‘Raje, you cannot build a Swaraj on the base of a weak foundation. Before you find people who are willing to lay down their lives for you, you need to make their homes safe and strong. Once you do that, people will automatically be drawn to you. I believe you had gone to Rohideshwar.’
Raje had gone to Rohideshwar when stationed at Shivapur but wondered who told Dadoji about it. Raje had gathered his Maval troops there. Was Dadoji aware of that too?
Dadoji gave a wry smile and asked, ‘Raje, how many Mavals did you gather at Rohideshwar?’
Raje let out a sigh and said, ‘Seven thousand.’
‘How many of them are going to stick with you?’
Raje raised his head up suddenly and anger flickered past his eyes for a moment. He said, ‘Pant, I am trying my best. I can do without your mocking remarks.’
‘I am not taunting you,’ Dadoji said, his voice rising. ‘Do you think you were able to gather so many men on your own?’
‘Who else do you think helped?’
‘Elder Maharaj saheb.’
‘Pant!’
‘Listen, Raje. The region is not yet stable. You do not have the wherewithal to take up cudgels against the Shah and you cannot create a kingdom without wealth. The people you have gathered have come to help the Maharaj saheb’s son—not Shivaji. You need to build your credibility before you can attract men.’
‘I don’t mind waiting.’
‘Do you think Adil Shah will wait? Raje, what is your plan? What are your next steps? Let me hear what you have planned.’
Shivaji took a deep breath and said, ‘Kondana.’
‘Kondana? That is like slapping Adil Shah on the face. And you think capturing Kondana is child’s play?’
‘I cannot capture it by might alone but with some strategy and negotiations.’
‘If it is possible, do so,’ Pant said.
Shivaji could not believe what he was hearing. He knew he had Dadoji’s implicit support.
‘Raje, I am confident that whatever you do, you will think through it fully. I called you to have a look at this,’ he said, giving Shivaji a piece of paper.
Raje took the paper in his hand and asked, ‘What is it?’
‘A full report of the revenues from your twelve Mavals.’
‘Why should I see this? You are taking care of it, isn’t it?’
‘Raje, please don’t mistake me. Money is an important part of the Swaraj-building exercise. You need to understand where money comes from.’
‘Dadoji!’
Pant’s voice was choked with emotions as he said, after taking a deep breath, ‘Raje, I am like a ripe old leaf. I don’t know how long I will last and I am tired and old. Investigate out these men before you take them. Listen to everyone but do what you heart tells you. When I arrived in Pune with you, you were a young lad. The entire region was undisciplined and chaotic. We brought it under control using all the means at our disposal. I used to take you along everywhere and we roamed the villages and all the twelve Mavals. I made you familiar with the trees and bushes in the region. My work is showing results now and I am pleased. I wish Jagdamba blesses you with immense luck. There is no other desire in this frail body … you must be tired now. Go and meet Maa saheb. She must be waiting for you.’
That evening, after his meal, Shivaji sat in his room when he heard a shout, ‘Shivaji!’
Soon, Jijabai came in looking tense and said, ‘Dadoji is shivering. Hurry!’
They rushed to Dadoji’s room and Manohari and the others had gathered outside his quarters.
Dadoji was lying on his bed. Shivaji rushed to the bed and asked, ‘Pant, what happened?’ He shouted at the crowd, ‘Someone get a physician fast.’
Pant raised a weak hand and said, ‘No. There is no need now.’
Maa saheb put her hand to her mouth and said, ‘I hope he has not consumed something.’
Shivaji looked at Maa saheb with surprise and a cold shiver ran through his body. He looked at Pant and asked, ‘Pant, is that true?’
Dadoji was silent for a moment and then said, ‘Yes, it is. There is no use in getting the physician now.’
‘Dadoji, why did you do this? Why are you punishing us like this? What crime have we committed?’ He looked into Dadoji’s eyes and said, ‘Pant, if you are so tired of our fight for Swaraj, you should have told me so. I would have personally destroyed the Swaraj I built with my own hands …’
He put his head on Dadoji’s chest as tears flowed down his cheeks. Pant patted his head with shivering hands. He said, ‘Raje, don’t utter such words. I don’t have much time and have a lot to tell you, so listen.’
Shivaji lifted his head. Dadoji continued, ‘I am not angry at you and I am not going away disgusted. But I am an old man now and don’t have the bravery of youth. A mountain stream rushes through the valley, making friends with rocks and boulders on its way and becomes a river before it meets the ocean. The stream is not worried of the tumbles and falls it encounters on its way. But I am an old man—like a placid pond. Ponds shrink under the hot rays of the sun. I don’t have the energy you have, Raje …’
‘Pant!’
‘Listen to me, Raje! In the game you are playing, if you win, you will be remembered across the ages. But if you lose … Raje, everyone praises the victor but very few are willing to stand behind the defeated. A freedom fighter may soon be labelled a looter or a criminal. I worked all my life with dedication and integrity for the elder Maharaj. I am afraid of defeat in the evening of my life. Raje, a coloured cloth can afford to hide many stains but a white cloth cannot afford even a small smear. It can be seen by anyone.’
Shivaji could not stop his tears. He said, ‘Pant, you were the one who taught me to welcome defeat with the same stoicism as victory.’
Pant shook his left hand and said, ‘No, Raje. I am not afraid of such a defeat. When Maharaj saheb sent me from Bengaluru to take care of you and Maa saheb, he said, “Dadoji, my treasure is in your hands now. Take care of it as you would your own life. I am entrusting this task to you with full confidence.” I was mindful of just one thing—that I should not let him down … Raje! Water!’
Raje gave him a sip of water and wiped his brow.
Dadoji said, ‘Maa saheb, there is some gangajal and tulsi in the temple. Raje, put my head in your lap.’
Raje wiped his tears and gently placed Dadoji’s head in his lap. Looking at Jijabai, Dadoji said, ‘Maa saheb! I am lucky to see the tears in Raje’s eyes at the end of my life. Even gods will be jealous of this!’
Pant took the gangajal and put a tulsi leaf on his tongue. The sobs from the women in the room were getting louder. Shivaji sat silently, holding Dadoji’s head in his lap. Dadoji said, each word now taking a lot of effort, ‘Maa saheb, take care of Raje. He is grown up now … you will see his valour and his good fortune … don’t be timid like me … Raje … !’
Shivaji’s tears fell on Dadoji’s forehead. His lips quivered and he heard the words, ‘Don’t cry. I take your leave now …’
Pant raised his hand to wipe Shivaji’s tears as he spoke his final words, ‘Raje!’ The hand raised to wipe the tears fell down limply.
#
S
hivaji could not bear the loss of Dadoji. He remembered his teachings, his voice, his remonstrations, his praise and everything else besides. Dadoji’s presence had never allowed him to miss his own father and now he had left a void that was impossible to fill. He would never see Dadoji walking around in Lal Mahal again. He would not see the old, frail Dadoji sitting in one of the rooms reciting Sanskrit shlokas again. Dadoji’s place in his office, where he sat terrifying every one with his meticulous and demanding work, woul
d be empty forever. The very utterance of Dadoji’s name was enough to send tears rolling down Shivaji’s and Maa saheb’s cheeks and Shivaji did not feel like staying in Lal Mahal Palace.
But he did not have much time to think of his own sadness. It was important that he stabilized his Swaraj before Bijapurkars took notice. The treasury had twenty-five thousand hons and Raje sent a message to Shahaji, along with the news of Dadoji’s demise, requesting permission to use the money. Shahaji Raje sent his approval immediately. Shivaji’s plan was to negotiate for the fort of Kondana. Bapuji Narhekar of Khedbare, who was also Shivaji’s havaldar in Pune, was a good friend of the Kondana fort-keeper, Siddi Ambar. He used this friendship to turn Siddi Ambar into an ally and on an auspicious day, Kondana became a part of the Swaraj. Siddi Ambar continued to manage Kondana as a fort-keeper for Shivaji.
With the growing Swaraj, Shivaji moved to Khedbare from Pune. His next target was the fort at Purandar. The provinces of Baramati, Supe and Indapur were already under his control and, in order to take care of them, he needed Purandar. The fort was managed by Nilkantrao, a favourite of Shahaji Raje and Dadoji and Shivaji thus hesitated to attack Purandar. Soon after, Nilkantrao passed away and left behind three sons—Niloji, Sankraji and Pilaji. After his father’s death, Niloji became the fort-keeper but was unwilling to give his brothers their share of the wealth. Pilaji and Sankraji started visiting Shivaji, hoping to use his influence to get what was theirs.
Reassuring both brothers Shivaji said, ‘Pilaji, I would love to help you but I am helpless. If you invite me to the fort, I can put in a word to Nilojirao then.’
‘Raje, Diwali is just a few days away. We can invite you on that pretext,’ Pilaji said.
‘That is fine. I will be camping at the foothills for darshan at the temple there. I can spend the five days of Diwali at the fort.’
The plan was thus finalized. As planned, Shivaji reached a day before Diwali. The three brothers waited to receive him at the temple. Yesaji, Tanaji, Jiva Mahala, Sambhaji and Kavji had accompanied Shivaji and were also present. Raje had darshan and sat down on the bench in the temple premises.
