by Ranjit Desai
‘What? Just sixty of you?’
‘Yes, Maharaj. We had studied the fort well. Some of them managed to climb the walls and then threw the ropes down for others to climb up. It was late and in the inky darkness, we could not see our own hands. There was just a single man with a torch patrolling. Our arrow pierced him and he died before he fell on the floor. We all then blew the horns we carried with us, making a huge noise. The fort woke up but no one dared come up, fearing us to be ghosts! At the signal of a whistle and our cries of “Har Har Mahadev!”, we all charged in and a carnage followed. Kondaji beheaded the fort-keeper with two strokes of his sword, and that was the end of the battle! Pant was waiting at the door which was opened soon and we took charge of the fort.’
‘That is unbelievable!’ Raje exclaimed. ‘I was unable to capture it but you sixty ghosts have performed a miracle,’ he added. Raje got up from his seat and said, ‘We must leave for Panhala tomorrow. I am sure the Adil Shahi troops will retaliate and we need to be prepared.’
Raje left the room and walked towards his quarters with a smile of satisfaction on his face. After many weeks, Raje slept soundly that night.
#
The next morning, at the crack of dawn, Raje got up and first visited the temple at the fort. As he returned from his darshan, the sun peeped over the eastern horizon, just behind the mountains. The early morning fog had descended into the valley. Raje could see small rivulets as they flowed down to the valley from Konkan Diva’s mountainous side. It was a wonderful sight. Raje said, turning towards Prataprao who walked with him, ‘Prataprao, we managed to capture Panhala. It is a huge relief for me. Our previous defeat had irked me no end.’
‘But the Adil Shahi troops are going to be restless now.’
‘But that is what I want! We have Qutb Shah’s men on our side. Once we defeat Adil Shah’s army, we will rule over the entire Deccan. We can then think of how to tackle the Mughals.’
Soon, Raje descended from the fort to reach the haveli at Pachad. Touching Jijabai’s feet, he said, ‘I apologize, Maa saheb. I got tied up with some arrangements and that’s why I’m late.’
‘Don’t make a fuss of it. At this age, I should be spending all my time in prayer but I cannot resist being involved in your campaigns. At times, I wish I was at Raigad instead of sitting here in Pachad.’
‘Then why don’t you come to Raigad?’ Raje said. He looked at his mother, her neck shaking a little with age, the crow’s feet around her eyes showing.
‘Shivba, I am in my seventies now. My daughters-in-law are there to look after you. Who knows how long I will last?’
‘Maa saheb!’ Raje exclaimed, unable to say anything further. The next morning, Raje marched towards Panhala.
#
The news of Raje’s arrival spread cheer in Panhala. Annaji dispatched Kondaji along with his troops to receive Raje, and seeing him, Kondaji dismounted and walked towards him. Walking with a straight back and sporting a saffron turban, he stepped forward with a sword in his left hand. His face was flushed with a mixture of pride and modesty as he removed his shoes before taking the final few steps to meet Raje.
Raje asked, as he hugged Kondaji, ‘Where is Annaji?’
‘He is waiting at the gate of the fort.’
‘Come on, let us not keep him waiting.’
Mounting their horses, they galloped towards the fort. The kettledrums and horns announced their arrival long before they reached the fort. Annaji rushed forward and showered gold flowers on Raje’s head who, overwhelmed with emotion, was dumbfounded.
Annaji said, ‘Maharaj, let us go in.’
Raje glanced at the main gate for a moment and looking at them, he said, ‘You two have won the fort. You must lead us in. You deserve the honour, Subedar Kondaji.’
Annaji and Kondaji could not believe their ears.
Raje said, ‘Now what are you waiting for?’
As they entered the fort, the drums and trumpets celebrated their arrival while the guns boomed across the fort.
Annaji said, ‘Raje, we managed to capture the fort with minimum damage. We would like you to inspect our loot. There is immense wealth we got hold of.’
‘I will see that later. Show me my sixty warriors first, for they are our real wealth.’
The warriors were given lavish gifts and honoured individually. Raje assured the safety of the prisoners and pardoned most of them. Panhala was finally in his control and he did not intend to lose it again.
#
The capture of Panhala had ignited a renewed sense of purpose in Raje. He had issued orders to Prataprao to gather as many troops at possible.
Prataprao was a little surprised and asked, ‘Maharaj, why do you want to bring so many of our soldiers here?’
‘Prataprao, you are my commander-in-chief. I did not expect you to ask such a question! The moment Khavas Khan finds out that we have captured Panhala, he will be itching to teach us a lesson. We need to put fear in their hearts before they decide to do anything.’
Raje’s plans were put into action and, apart from fortifying Panhala with more troops, they managed to capture the forts at Parli and Satara within the next few weeks. The captures also led to a rich haul of gems and jewellery, which were loaded up into many bullock carts and deposited at the treasury at Raigad. Khavas Khan was further enraged when he heard of this and ordered his senior commander Bahlol Khan to attack Shivaji. He was given command of nearly ten thousand soldiers. Khavas Khan ordered his commanders at various cantonments to send reinforcements for Bahlol Khan.
When they heard of Bahlol Khan having left Bijapur and being camped at Umrani a few miles from Bijapur, Prataprao said, ‘Maharaj, let us wait for Bahlol Khan to come here. We will teach him a lesson.’
Raje said, a little dejectedly, ‘Prataprao, we cannot wait for him to come here. He will bring reinforcements with him. We need to attack him when he expects it the least.’
Prataprao stood up as Raje gave him his jewel-encrusted dagger from his waistband. Receiving the same with a mujra, Prataprao said, ‘I will return after defeating him.’
The next afternoon, Prataprao and his men left with the trumpets announcing their departure. The force disappeared in a cloud of dust as they galloped away towards their goal.
#
Marching through Miraj, Prataprao rapidly covered the distance of nearly a hundred miles to reach Umrani. They surveyed the camp surreptitiously and, then, in the dead of the night, managed to take over a lake which supplied water to the camp. The next morning, Bahlol Khan’s men woke up to find that they had been surrounded and that they had not a drop of water to drink. With the heat getting worse as the day progressed, their thirst added to the soldiers’ anxiety.
Finally, Bahlol Khan decided to lead the charge. Sitting in a howdah atop an elephant and swinging a naked sword, his troops marched forward to the shouts of ‘Deen! Deen!’ Suddenly, the march stopped, much to Khan’s surprise. A deathly silence prevailed for what seemed like an inordinately long period. Shading his eyes, Khan looked into the distance to see soldiers charging from all directions. The next moment, cries of ‘Har Har Mahadev!’ pierced the silence.
Like hail falling on tin roofs, the Maratha soldiers fell on Khan’s troops and a fierce battle erupted. Khan, seeing the Marathas moving inwards in a circle from all directions, and killing his men as they marched forward, lost all his resolve. But he had no way out.
By sunset, he hurriedly sent his messenger to Prataprao with the message, ‘I did not march on you of my own will but on the orders of the Sultan. Please assure Shivaji that I shall never go against you again.’
Prataprao’s heart melted at the appeal and allowed Khan to return. Raje was overjoyed to hear of the Maratha victory but was clearly disappointed with Prataprao who had allowed the enemy to escape. He sent him a note demanding an explanation: ‘Why did you allow Bahlol Khan to go scot-free when my explicit instructions were to kill him? On whose instructions did you do this?’
#
More than a month had passed since the defeat of Bahlol Khan. The monsoon had set in, and strong, cool winds blew on Raigad. The news of Raje’s arrival had reached the fort and everyone eagerly awaited his return. After ensuring that Maa saheb was comfortable at Pachad, Sambhaji had ascended the fort and was waiting for Raje.
That afternoon, he was resting in his quarters when Yesubai came in with Rajaram. They got along well and Rajaram loved to play with her. She chatted for a while, sitting at the edge of the bed when she suddenly got up seeing Soyarabai at the door. Adjusting her pallu, she was about to leave when Soyarabai berated her. ‘How many times have I told you not to feed Rajaram unless I tell you to?’ she said, looking at a plate of sweets kept on a table.
Turning to Sambhaji she said, ‘Raje asks me to involve myself in the administrative work but here you are, attached to your chamber. Annaji told me that an English envoy has arrived but you haven’t found the time to move out of your chamber yet. Shouldn’t you be more involved in administrative matters?’
Soyarabai left the room, dragging Rajaram behind her, before Sambhaji could react. Yesubai was bewildered. She asked, ‘Why was Aai saheb taunting you?’
‘She is part of the family,’ Sambhaji said, trying to make light of the situation. ‘Only strangers would not speak their mind. Now, I need to go the office and look into matters as she said!’ Sambhaji left quickly leaving a dumbfounded Yesu behind.
On reaching the office, Sambhaji found Annaji reading a letter. He enquired whether everything was in order and Annaji nodded in response. Sambhaji asked, ‘Any news of Aba saheb?’
‘No. He has left Panhala but is visiting a shrine for a holy dip and will then come here.’
‘You are lucky to be his confidante. You know everything,’ Sambhaji said, sighing. He continued, ‘I am told there is an English envoy waiting to meet me?’
‘Not here, but at the foot of the fort.’
‘Then please bring him here.’
‘Please do not misunderstand, but I thought it is better that Raje meets him.’
‘Why?’ Sambhaji asked, raising an eyebrow questioningly.
‘The envoy is a cunning fellow. He has come here with his own demands. It is better that …’
‘I can handle it. I have met many such merchants and their envoys before.’
‘They were mere merchants. This man is an emissary and showing such eagerness …’
‘Annaji!’ Sambhaji said, raising his voice a little. ‘I am the Yuvraj here and am managing the administration under Aba saheb’s orders. If you are worried about my age, let me remind you that that Aba saheb was younger than me when he captured Rohideshwar.’
‘That was different,’ Moropant muttered.
‘Why? Did he appear from the sky suddenly?’
‘Raje!’ Annaji exclaimed.
Sambhaji realized he had spoken out of turn. He said, ‘I should not have said that. Annaji, let the English envoy meet me here. If I slip up, Aba saheb will take care of it.’
‘The envoy is here to ask for compensation towards the damages inflicted by us at Rajapur. Prataprao had closed down their factory at Hubli. He is sure to raise these issues.’
‘Let him! We will tackle them,’ Sambhaji said. He asked, changing the topic, ‘Has Kondaji returned?’
‘Not yet. He is still at Panhala.’
‘He is a real hero. He managed to capture the fort with a mere sixty men. I believe you entered through the main door, didn’t you?’
Annaji’s forehead creased for a moment before he replied. ‘That is true. But finding a way to enter is as difficult as entering the fort, Raje.’
Sambhaji smiled. ‘Annaji, it requires some courage to face death.’ Sambhaji turned to leave without waiting for Annaji to reply.
The moment Sambhaji had left the room, Moropant said, ‘At times I am more scared of Sambhaji Raje than Raje himself. His aim is perfect and he hits where it hurts the most.’
‘After all, he is a hunter,’ Annaji said, sighing.
The next morning the envoy Tom Nichols along with his interpreter Shamaj came to the fort. Nichols was dressed in typical English fashion with socks, narrow trousers, a full-sleeved coat and a silk scarf around his neck. His grey smiling eyes twinkled as he looked around, and his hand stroked the cap he had placed on his thighs. His fair skin in the heat of the subcontinent had turned ruddy.
They all stood up as Sambhaji entered. He waved with his hand for the envoy to sit, pointing to a chair nearby. Nichols bowed and then stood up to request compensation for the closure of the English factories at Rajapur and Hubli. He asked to be allowed to transport timber and fuel without paying taxes.
Sambhaji listened to him with an expressionless face. He said, after hearing the envoy patiently, ‘I shall think about it and also apprise Maharaj when he returns in two or three days. The humid weather here will not suit you and I suggest you stay at the base. I hope your stay at Pachad has been made comfortable.’
The Englishman bowed once again and left.
As expected, Raje returned within the next three days. He was a little unwell with fever and cough. He said, as he rested on his bed, ‘Bal Raje, I am told you heard the envoy out patiently without letting him know your thoughts. That is good diplomacy!’
Sambhaji was surprised to find that his father had already been apprised of the meeting. Before he could react, Shivaji said, ‘Shambhu, I heard it from Annaji. I have not descended from the heavens with supernatural powers!’
Sambhaji said, a little hastily, ‘I apologize.’
‘What for? What you said is absolutely correct. I too learnt from my experiences. I also learnt that it is good to take benefit of someone else’s experience. Anyway, Annaji, let us meet the envoy tomorrow. Shambhu, what do you think he wants?’
‘He is demanding compensation for the closure of their factories at Rajapur and Hubli.’
‘I see! By the way, how is the elder Rani saheb? I am told she is not well. Did you visit her?’
‘No, I was busy …’
‘Well, you should have.’ Raje did not elaborate further and seeing him being quiet, Sambhaji quietly stepped out of the room.
The next morning, Nichols was presented in front of Raje. He stood up as soon as Raje’s arrival was announced and bowed on seeing him enter.
Raje said, as they took their seats, ‘Tell me what we can do for you.’
‘While we were negotiating a treaty, your men attacked our factory at Hubli. Our president is now in two minds about the future of our factory.’
Raje smiled, irking the envoy who continued, ‘Were you aware of the men looting our factory?’
‘We are keen to keep friendly relations with the English.’
‘Then why this attack?’
‘How can you be sure that it was our men who attacked?’
‘I can prove it!’
‘Things happen sometimes inadvertently.’
‘You had promised to compensate us for the attack at Rajapur.’
‘I have not denied that.’
‘Similarly, we request you to look into Hubli too.’
‘That is not possible!’
‘Why?’
‘I had given you my word for Rajapur, but you must recall why we attacked Rajapur in the first place. You allowed the enemy to use your cannons against us. Why are you getting involved in the politics of this country?’
Nichols swallowed nervously. Raje looked into his eye and said, ‘When we looted Surat, we were insulted by your men, a mere thirty of them. We could have easily taken over your harbour and destroyed your ships but we wanted to extend a hand of friendship. It seems you are forgetting that.’
‘We too are keen on being friends. I am told your ships are due to arrive from Mecca. I am sure you would not wish that we capture them?’ The English envoy asked, the threat masked in a question.
Raje was unflustered. He said, ‘Sure, go ahead. If such a thing were to happen, I can promise you not a singl
e ship of yours would be able to land on Indian shores ever again. I know you gave refuge to Siddi Sambool at your harbour in Mumbai, lest you forget we have an eye on all your activities.’
Nichols had not expected such a calm but decisive response from Raje. He said, trying to improve the situation, ‘Maharaj, there seems to be a misunderstanding. Sambool begged for our help but we refused.’
Raje remained silent. Assuring Nichols that he would consider his requests, Raje bid him farewell. In the meahwhile, Raje’s troops had captured Satara, much to his satisfaction. He was now waiting for the rains to end.
#
Soon it was time for Dussehra. For the Shastra puja, the worship of weapons, all types of arms—from a simple dagger, sword, sabres, spears and lances to tiger claws—were on display. Sambhaji took Rajaram, holding his hand, for a tour of the weapons. He said, pointing towards one, ‘Look! This sword was gifted by Mirza Raja to Aba saheb. And the one over there—that was the same tiger claw used by Aba saheb to confront Afzal Khan.’
Rajaram was looking at Sambhaji’s sword intently. Seeing his small sword next to it, he made a face. He said, ‘Will you give me yours?’
Before Sambhaji could answer, he heard someone say, ‘Swords are never requested for—they must be demanded.’
Sambhaji turned to see Soyarabai coming in. He said, greeting her, ‘But one needs to wrest them from enemies—not from brothers.’
Putlabai was impressed by Sambhaji but Soyarabai was not silenced easily. She said, ‘And what if the brother does not give you one?’
Sambhaji, unperturbed by the barb, replied, ‘If that happens, he is not really a brother then.’
He walked out with Rajaram in tow.
Putlabai, unable to contain herself, said, ‘Such a fine pair! Their love for each other is amazing.’
Soyarabai muttered under her breath but loud enough for Putlabai to hear, ‘Well, I wonder sometimes whether the wise are clever or the ignorant are gullible.’
Raje’s arrival at the fort spurred everyone into action. All the queens were waiting for him—Soyarabai, Sagunabai, Kashibai and Putlabai. He said, looking at Soyarabai, ‘I will take both Sambhaji and Rajaram to the base of the fort. When Maa saheb comes here tomorrow, they can accompany her.’
