Shivaji

by Ranjit Desai

  The news of the death of Viceroy Conde de Sao Vicente was a boost to Raje’s morale. That very evening he made plans to attack Goa. He did not need more than five hundred men for this task. He sent Bahirji and a few spies ahead while he decided to camp at Narve along the Panchganga River.

  The next morning, realizing that he had forgotten to carry his Shiva linga for his daily puja, he enquired after a Shiva temple nearby only to find one in an extremely dilapidated condition. By the time Raje completed his puja, a bael leaf floated down onto his ritual.

  It was a sign from heaven—the bael leaf was Lord Shiva’s favourite! Raje decided to rebuild the Saptakoteshwar temple. The work had started in earnest when Bahirji came from Goa, looking crestfallen. He said, ‘Raje, our plans were exposed and our men got caught. The new viceroy slapped our emissary and then threw all of them out of the city limits.’

  Despite the setback, Raje decided to stay in Narve. Scanning the horizon he said, ‘It is a pity that a handful of men from across the seas are able to take over a city thanks to the fluid loyalty of our own men. Thousands get converted to Christianity and we see our own temples being despoiled and destroyed. What a pity our own people are the cause of our downfall!’

  After ensuring that the temple was being rebuilt with care, Raje turned towards Kudal. He said, as he spurred on his horse, ‘We will certainly return one day, Tanaji. We will show these firangis what we are capable of!’ In the evening, he reached Kudal and camped there for the night.

  The next morning, a beaming Moropant came to Raje and said, ‘Maharaj, I have good news. The Sindhudurg Fort is ready.’

  ‘Wah! I have been waiting eagerly for this day. Come on, let us not wait anymore.’

  The camp moved immediately and soon, they reached Malvan. The waves, in the light of the morning sun, seemed gentle, as if creating small steps for Raje to reach Sindhudurg. He could not take his eyes off the magnificent fort, built on the Kurate Island, an imposing structure which resembled a giant turtle basking in the sun. Raje was reminded of Vishnu’s incarnation as the Kurmavatar.

  Raje stepped into a boat and as the boats moved towards the fort, Govind Vishwanath Prabhu, the leader, stepped forward to receive him. Raje, overwhelmed by the sight of the imposing fort, took the gold chain off his neck and gifted it to Prabhu as he bowed to receive him.

  Raje said, patting his back, ‘Prabhu, you have added a precious pearl to the string of the Swaraj. I feel blessed and am eager to see the fort now!’

  As Raje moved through a narrow passage, trumpets and kettle drums announced his arrival. Raje touched the threshold, bending in mujra, before entering. He inspected the small houses and ammunition store before he reached a well. Raje folded his hands in namaskar. It was really a miracle to have a well with sweet water on an island in the sea!

  ‘Moropant, this is truly God’s gift to us. Is the water supply enough?’

  ‘Yes, Maharaj. We haven’t faced a water crisis in the last three years. The water tastes really sweet.’

  It was noon by the time Raje finished his inspection. In the distance, he could see the Malvan coast. He said, looking at Annaji, ‘This fort will make the Abyssinians think twice now. The Sawants of Wadi too will not dare indulge in piracy. We must build our naval strength now and take charge of the entire Konkan.’

  Spending nearly a crore of gold coins, Raje performed the house-warming ceremony of the fort in a manner befitting the magnificence of the fort. After suitably rewarding the labourers, he appointed Rayaji Bhosale as the fort-keeper.

  That evening, Raje stood on the ramparts watching the waves lash at the walls of the fort in the light of the dying sun. A kaleidoscope of colours had filled the sky as the sun rushed eagerly to plunge into the western horizon. Lost in his thoughts, Raje stood looking at the waves for a long time. He said, letting out a deep sigh, ‘You know Moropant! Sindhudurg is a perfect example of the indomitable spirit of the Marathas. The waves may try repeatedly to crush the walls and the clouds their best to drown it but the fort stands unperturbed, with a well full of sweet water for its residents, and secure in the knowledge that its walls can challenge the strongest of the cyclonic winds.’

  For an evanescent moment Raje was restless before he stepped down the ramparts … the waves continued their pounding as everyone followed Raje down the steps.

  #

  A satisfied Raje returned from Sindhudurg. His mind now turned to Siddi of Janjira. It was an appropriate time to rout Siddi when key enemies like the Mughals, Adil Shah and the English were not much of a concern. Raje decided to launch a dual attack from land as well as the sea. Entering Siddi’s territory from the north of Mahad, Raje descended with his forces and looted Danda–Rajpuri and captured many forts on the way.

  Siddi, having heard of Raje’s attack, had locked himself up in his fort at Janjira. He was about to surrender when three of his comrades drummed up support and managed to ward off the attack till the rains began. Realizing that it would be impossible to capture the fort during the incessant rains, Raje was forced to retreat. Stationing a few ships in the creek a few miles from Janjira to ensure that Siddi remained under threat, he returned to Rajgad.

  The last six months had seen two unsuccessful campaigns. The first one was Goa and now, at the last moment, he’d had to retreat from Janjira. But Shivaji was content knowing that he’d been able to restore the temple at Saptakoteshwar and that he had captured Danda–Rajpuri, a strategic point in the creek near Janjira.

  The rains had nearly ended and one evening, after having been served dinner by Soyarabai, Raje strolled in the courtyard outside his room. Soyarabai, standing nearby, looked beautiful in a lovely black Chandrakala sari. Raje glanced at her as he said, ‘I have got a gift for you.’

  ‘Really?’

  ‘I paid a goldsmith at Danda–Rajpuri to buy this for you,’ he said, as he gave her a gold girdle.

  Soyarabai said, blushing red, ‘I love the gift but you have given it to me at the wrong time. I am not in a position to wear this anymore!’

  It took a moment for Raje to grasp the meaning of her words. He said, holding her hand, ‘Soyara, what you are giving me is far more precious. I don’t mind you not wearing it for some time.’

  Soyara, abashed at Raje’s words, quickly turned and left before he could stop her.

  #

  As the rains abated, Raje took some time to inspect the progress of work at Rajgad. He returned to Rajgad to find everyone a little tense. Veterans like Annaji Datto stood with their heads hung.

  Raje asked, ‘What’s the matter?’

  ‘Raje, Aurangzeb has demolished the Kashi Vishwanath Temple.’

  It was a bolt from the blue, stunning Raje into silence. Annaji continued, ‘Aurangzeb also razed the Shri Keshav Dev Temple in Mathura to the ground. He has imposed the dreaded jizya tax again. Maa saheb is very upset and has not touched even water for the last two days.’

  Raje rushed to Jijabai’s quarters. As he entered, he exclaimed, ‘Maa saheb!’

  Jijabai managed to get up, her hands shivering as she said, ‘Raje, Aurangzeb has managed to take his revenge. I feel orphaned now.’

  Raje’s heart wrenched at Jijabai’s anguish. He could not hold back his tears. Others, standing at the door, were in tears too. After a while, Raje managed to get a hold of himself and said, ‘Maa saheb, I take an oath today—I will never pardon Aurangzeb. From this day, he is my sworn enemy and I shall not stop till I rebuild the temple he has so mercilessly destroyed.’

  ‘Raje! Don’t get carried away and …’

  ‘No, Maa saheb, I am not saying this in the heat of the moment. I wish Mirza Raja were alive today. Aurangzeb has imposed the jizya tax to crush the very spirit of Hindus. There are twenty conditions in jizya, including not allowing you to rebuild a temple which has been previously destroyed; any Muslim has the right of entry into any Hindu shrine or household; Hindus cannot name their children after Muslims; they cannot keep weapons at home or wear jewellery; a Hindu c
annot build a house near a Muslim household; nor can they lament aloud the death of a loved one. If we don’t find a way to nip Mughal arrogance in the bud, it will be impossible to do so later.’

  ‘But what can we do?’

  ‘Quite a few things, Maa saheb! A single spark can start a fire. We need to make the people revolt in such a way that the Mughals are forced to turn their attention to the Deccan. Once they are here, we will teach them a lesson.’

  A wave of delight passed through those in attendance. Annaji said, ‘Just command us, Raje, and we shall ensure that not a single mosque survives.’

  Raje said, ‘Annaji, let not anger overrule your wisdom. Let us not take an eye for an eye. Balaji …’

  ‘Ji, Maharaj?’

  ‘We need to send an urgent message to Delhi. Bring your pen and paper.’

  When Balaji returned, Raje dictated a letter: ‘… you have destroyed our most sacred temple Kashi Vishwanath and had the audacity to build a mosque in its place. You must be gloating over your actions, but you must realize that while you may be the emperor in the north, it is we who rule the Deccan and it would not take much time for us to destroy all the mosques here and build temples over them. You may call yourself a Muslim but we seem to understand Islam better than you.

  ‘What good is a religion if it does not tolerate and respect others? How can you call yourself a true Muslim when you forcibly convert Hindus and impose taxes like jizya? We are not going to tolerate such deeds anymore. I shall rest in peace only when I have overthrown you and rebuilt the temples you have mercilessly destroyed. I hope your god gives you the strength to face us!’

  Raje paused for a moment when Jijabai said, ‘Shivba!’

  ‘Maa saheb, we cannot afford to be weak now. It is because of the majority of the population being afraid that such men have the courage to commit atrocities. If only Mirza Raja had shown the courage to turn his back on Aurangzeb! Bullies get emboldened when the meek back out. We cannot allow this anymore.’

  Jijabai remained silent and did not say a word.

  Raje, restless after his dispatch to Aurangzeb, decided to act immediately and got busy strengthening his forces. He issued orders to collect as much ammunition as possible. That evening when Raje was at the summit of the fort, he was surprised to find Prataprao Gujar and Ravji Somnath there. They were supposed to have gone to Aurangabad to oversee Sambhaji’s jagir.

  Seeing Raje’s reaction, Prataprao Gujar said, ‘Raje, there is nothing to worry about. When we reached Aurangabad, we found that Aurangzeb had issued orders for us to be captured. He did not know that Shahzada Muazzam does not support his father; and hence, we were alerted in advance. We left the city immediately and returned here.’

  Raje heaved a sigh of relief. Prataprao continued, ‘Maharaj, Ravji managed to loot some Mughal territories before reaching here.’

  ‘Is that so?’ Raje asked.

  ‘What else could I do, Maharaj? I remember Aurangzeb had taken back the one lakh rupees he had promised for our travelling expenses to Agra. I thought it was right that I collect the same by looting Berar on my way back. However, I managed twenty lakhs!’

  ‘That’s fantastic!’ Raje exclaimed, slapping Ravji’s back.

  ‘You have taken the lead in thumbing our nose at Aurangzeb. Our troops can now be taken care of for the next two years, and we have Muazzam on our side. It is a good beginning indeed.’

  #

  The Maval region, which had lain comatose for the last four years, now throbbed with a renewed sense of life and vigour. Young men were eagerly joining Raje’s forces. Swords, hanging on walls and rusting, were now being sharpened. The atrocities of the Mughal empire had reached their zenith and every day, Raje would find more and more men eager to join him.

  Raje put forth his plan. ‘Let’s first capture the forts we lost. We had surrendered twenty-seven forts to Mirza Raja and he has rendered them defenceless by destroying their ramparts. It would be an easy task for us. Moropant Peshwa, Nilopant Mazumdar and Annaji—you need to use your political wisdom to recapture them. The hill forts can be taken by our Mavals.’

  One fine morning, as per the plan, Raje directed the first batch of his troops to enter Mughal territory. He was helped greatly by Prataprao, the Senapati, who had united all the scattered Marathas and made them into one cohesive force.

  Raje, under his own supervision, selected two thousand men including expert marksmen and those who knew how to use the spear well. Dressed in gold-embroidered turbans and specially designed angarkhas, they looked regal.

  Jijabai asked, ‘Raje, what will these men do?’

  ‘Guard me.’

  ‘So you have finally started taking care of yourself?’

  ‘Maa saheb, till my task is complete, I cannot afford to allow myself to be caught unawares. Till the Lord’s task is complete, I cannot be lax.’

  That evening, Jijabai met Raje as he returned from his inspection of the fort with Tanaji, Yesaji and Suryaji. Jijabai, despite her age, stood erect as she addressed Raje, ‘What is the plan now?’

  ‘We have been deliberating where to begin, Maa saheb.’

  ‘Come with me,’ Jijabai gestured as she moved towards the ramparts. Pointing to the magnificent Kondana Fort, she said, ‘That is where you should begin!’

  Raje was taken aback and exclaimed, ‘Kondana?’

  ‘Yes! I see that every morning and my heart aches to know that the enemy occupies it.’

  ‘Maharaj, that’s it! We shall recapture it now,’ Tanaji said excitedly.

  For a moment, Raje was lost in thought. Kondana and Purandar were the two forts which the Mughals guarded zealously. Kondana’s fort-keeper Udaybhanu, a tough Rajput, guarded his fort with two thousand selected men. It was not an easy task to retake the fort.

  ‘Are you worried, Raje?’ Jijabai asked.

  ‘I wonder if we should …’ Raje hesitated.

  ‘Let us not think of it then. We can always plan later.’

  ‘Maa saheb, this is an opportune moment to snub the Badshah,’ Tanaji interrupted. ‘It is decided now! Let us take Kondana.’

  ‘It is not a task in which we want to fail,’ Raje countered.

  Tanaji fell at Raje’s feet, much to his surprise, and said, ‘Raje, I have never asked you for anything. Please grant me my wish.’

  ‘What do you want, Tanaji? You are my most precious jewel. What can I give you?’

  ‘Let me lead the charge on Kondana. If I lose, you will never see my face again!’

  ‘Tanaji!’ Raje muttered as he, choked with emotions, was unable to say anything more.

  The next morning, Tanaji formally took leave of Raje. Suryaji was to accompany him.

  As he bent to touch Jijabai’s feet, she said, ‘Tanaji … take care.’

  ‘Don’t worry, Maa saheb!’ Turning to Raje, he said, ‘Raje, look out for our signal on the night of Navami. You will know that we have won.’

  Raje patted his back saying, ‘I will be awake and waiting for your signal, Tanaji.’

  Tanaji stood up proudly. Raje could not help admire his straight posture, his chest puffing out proudly and his luxuriant whiskers adding to his personality. For a brief moment, their eyes met and then, turning abruptly, Tanaji left. Raje stared at his retreating figure for a long time.

  Raje received news over the next four days of Tanaji having summoned the Mavals for the attack. He knew that Tanaji was familiar with the fort. The dark, imposing and tapering precipices, the strong fortifications which he himself had constructed—Raje was aware that the task was fraught with danger. All Raje could do now was pray for Tanaji’s success.

  The day of Navami arrived. Raje, unable to contain his anxiety, felt time was crawling by. The night sky, resplendent with stars, could not soothe his tormented mind as he kept looking at the imposing fort.

  Raje was surprised to see Jijabai enter his quarters.

  ‘Maa saheb, you haven’t gone to sleep?’

  ‘I couldn’t.’

&
nbsp; Sleep eluded everyone as they sat expectantly, unable to do anything except wait.

  As the gong announced the midnight hour, Raje said, ‘Maa saheb, I suggest you sleep for a while. I am sure Tanaji will win.’

  ‘How can I sleep when our beloved men are busy fighting?’

  Raje went back to the terrace and looked out in the darkness. He was about to turn when a flickering flame at Kondana attracted his attention. He shouted, ‘Maa saheb, we have won! The fort is ours!’

  Pointing in the direction of the fort, he said, ‘Have you seen a better constellation in the sky than this? Look at the flame announcing our victory. I need to go now. I have promised to meet him at the gates.’

  ‘At this hour?’

  ‘Yes! I cannot wait to meet him now, Maa saheb! I must go.’

  Raje descended the fort and mounted his horse. The soldiers were waiting for him. Within minutes, they vanished in the darkness. Dawn was just breaking over the horizon as they reached the base of Kondana. The Mavals, seeing their Maharaj, saluted. To Raje’s surprise, no one said a word and the silence, as they entered the fort, was unbearable. Seeing a crowd, he turned towards it. The men moved aside. It was a sight Raje had not imagined.

  Tanaji lay on the ground as if in deep sleep. His face looked serene despite the wounds on his cheeks and temple. Raje glanced at the blue scarf around his neck. He had gifted Tanaji the scarf when he had left for the attack. A sob escaped Raje’s lips as he could not control his tears.

  ‘Oh, Bhawani Mata!’ he exclaimed.

  With trembling hands, he removed the scarf. Tanaji! He had been a constant companion since the beginning. He had played a crucial role during Afzal’s attack. Memories came flooding back and his tears flowed unchecked.

  ‘Tanaji!’ Raje exclaimed. ‘Why did you lie to me? You promised that you would be at the gates to receive me! Why did you not keep your word?’

  He turned to Suryaji and asked, ‘What happened?’

  He said, his voice barely audible, ‘Maharaj, we had managed to climb up the walls of the fort with around three hundred men when the soldiers guarding the fort woke up. By the light of the torches, they started attacking us. Tanajirao managed to confront Udaybhanu. They both duelled and in the process, Udaybhanu managed to break Tanaji’s shield. As they both collapsed to the ground, our Mavals, losing heart, started running away.’