by Ranjit Desai
Taking his seat, Raje asked Raghunathpant to sit down, indicating his place. Raghunath, despite his age, looked dashing in his pink turban decorated with pearls, his south Indian–style dhoti and angavastram casually thrown over his shoulders. His grey eyes sparkled, enhancing his fair skin. His broad forehead and sharp nose indicated a sharp brain to match. His penetrating gaze turned to Raje but he soon looked down, unable to meet Raje’s eyes for too long.
Raje smiled and said, ‘Welcome, Raghunathpant. I have eagerly been waiting for you.’
‘This is my good fortune, Raje. All I ask for is you to bless me.’
After some informal discussions, Raje asked, ‘Raghunath, I want you to stay here and work for me.’
‘Nothing would please me more, Maharaj. Our family has traditionally been Mazumdars. I too would like to continue doing the same job here.’
Raje nodded saying, ‘So be it! Our Mazumdar Niloji Sondev passed away recently, leaving his post vacant. I nominate you to the post with immediate effect.’
Raghunathpant bowed in mujra and left the durbar, happy to be in Shivaji Raje’s service now.
Raghunath’s arrival gave Raje access to news from the south, including information on Ekoji, who had, since the death of Shahaji, been depending on the locals. Raghunathpant had realized that Ekoji was not interested in the advice of elders like Raje and nor did he like being told about how Shivaji had managed to consolidate his kingdom. Ekoji believed that he needed to be loyal to the Badshah. Raghunathpant had thus found it wise to leave and seek an appointment in the durbar of Shivaji Raje.
Raje was troubled when he heard about the problems with Ekoji. He said, ‘It is wrong of Ekoji to insult long-standing employees like you.’
‘I tried my best and then decided to leave.’
‘Was he willing to let you go?’
‘As expected, he snubbed me but I decided to ignore it.’
‘I have tried corresponding with Ekoji many times but he does not respond. He does not treat me as his family. I feel I should meet him once. I am, after all, his elder brother and I don’t want to forget my responsibility.’
‘What stops you then?’
‘Nothing. I am just waiting for the right opportunity.’
‘It will present itself. Qutb Shah has two capable sardars, Madanna and Akkanna. They are well inclined towards us. I am sure we can try and win Qutb Shah’s favour. The elder Maharaj would have been proud to see the way you have expanded your kingdom but the threat of the Mughals in the north remains a big one. It is critical for those in the south to come together. Adil Shah has already realized this and Qutb Shah too would be happy to collaborate. I am sure you can convince Ekoji as well. Your dream of removing the Mughal threat forever and freeing the Kashi Vishwanath Temple from the Muslims will be realized as well.’
‘How did you know about that?’
‘Maharaj, anyone who knows you would be aware!’
‘I have left my dream to the blessings and wishes of Jagdamba.’
That night Raje could not sleep—the prospect of fulfilling his dream was too exciting.
#
Raje was keeping a close watch on Bijapur where the new Wazir, Bahlol Khan, with the support of the Pathans, was at loggerheads with the previous Wazir, Khavas Khan. Raje decided to move base to Panhala to be in a position to act quickly in case the situation so demanded.
Seeing a couple of sanyasis one day, he wondered if Samarth has sent a message. He asked the office manager, ‘Has there been any news from Samarth of late?’
‘Yes. Quite surprisingly, he has asked us not to send any material or grains.’
‘Why would he say that? I hope we have not offended him in any way,’ Raje mused as he walked towards his quarters. The next day, a messenger rode to Chaphal, where Samarth was residing at the moment. A week later, Raje received the message that Diwakar Gosavi was at the gates. Soon, he was ushered in.
Raje asked, eager to know about Samarth, ‘How is he?’
Gosavi had read Raje’s mind and said, ‘Samarth loves you like no one else. There is not a single day that he does not remember or speak about you. You are his most favoured devotee.’
Raje was overwhelmed hearing this. He said, ‘I have a request. Could Samarth move from Shivthar cave to either Mahipatgad or Parli? I have a reason to make this request—we may have conquered those places but not the hearts of its people. I want them to know our dream of creating a Swaraj. If Samarth resides there, people would believe him. Also, it would be much easier for me to call upon him anytime.’
‘I am sure Samarth will agree to your request.’
A visibly relieved Raje said, ‘I shall issue orders to have the place of his choice ready.’
After Gosavi left, Raje gave instructions for the strengthening of the fort at Panhala. In the meanwhile, he received the good news that his men had captured lakhs of hons from the merchants and the English at Athani. The English, who had assumed that Raje had died at Satara, were dismayed by their loss and the knowledge that Raje was back in business.
Raje stayed at Panhala till late summer and his health had improved considerably. Sambhaji was busy in a campaign in a Bijapur territory with Dattajipant.
The Mughals, like Raje, were keeping a watchful eye on the fights in the Bijapur court and were waiting for an opportune moment. The Mughal sardar Bahadur Khan decided to take on the Adil Shahi troops in order to please Aurangzeb. On knowing that Bahadur Khan was advancing towards Bijapur, Bahlol Khan, already demoralized by the defeat suffered at the hands of Khavas Khan earlier, made an urgent plea to Raje for help. Raje’s troops managed to ward off Bahadur Khan’s attack and Bijapur was saved from the clutches of the Mughals. A satisfied Raje decided to return to Raigad.
As he was preparing to leave, Hambirrao came to meet him, looking crestfallen.
Raje asked, ‘What is the matter?’
‘Our troops, while returning from Athani, attacked the fort at Belgaum, which was being guarded by the Adil Shahi fort-keeper Anu Khan. Under the pretext of handing over the fort to our troops against a payment of forty thousand hons, he opened the doors of the fort and as our troops entered, his men attacked us. We lost nearly five hundred of our men.’
Raje was silent for a while, dumbfounded by the news, and then he laughed out loud. The laughter sounded eerie in the silence of the court as the others stood silently, unable to understand Raje’s reaction. He said, ‘It seems we found our match. It is a lesson learnt at great cost. We cannot afford to trust anyone implicitly again.’
The agony crossed Raje’s face again as he said, his voice low and filled with anguish, ‘Five hundred men! What a way to learn a lesson. Oh Jagdamba!’
#
Raje returned to Raigad, and the entire fort was there to welcome him. But Sambhaji and Rajaram were conspicuous by their absence. Raje was surprised not to see them and asked Annaji, ‘Has Yuvraj returned? Where is he?’
‘He must be in his quarters.’
After darshan at the temple, Raje came to Putlabai’s quarters and asked, as he handed over his headgear and sword to her, ‘How are you?’
‘I must ask about your health instead—I had no idea. I found out when Shambhu told me about it.’
‘How didn’t you hear about it?’
Putlabai shook her head. Raje asked, ‘Where is the elder queen?’
‘She must be in her quarters?’
‘And Rajaram?’
‘Him too, I suppose.’
‘What about Yuvraj?’
‘I suppose he too must be in his quarters.’
‘I don’t understand, Putla. You don’t actually know or are you testing me?’
‘No one talks to me. I have no idea.’
Raje said, ‘Wah! What a reception! Yuvraj does not come to receive me and no one knows anything! I am going to the elder queen’s residence. Are you coming?’
Putlabai looked at the floor. Raje did not wait for her answer and left.
Reaching So
yarabai’s quarters, he was received by Rajaram. Raje asked, ‘Why didn’t you come to receive me?’
‘I did not know you had arrived.’
Raje said, patting Rajaram’s head, ‘My son, lies do not become you. Everyone knows when I reach the fort—the trumpets and horns make enough noise.’
Soyarabai came in and Raje asked, ‘I wish you had sent Rajaram to receive me.’
‘It would not have made any difference.’
‘Why are you so upset? What has happened?’ Before she could answer, Raje said, looking at Rajaram, ‘Bal Raje, will you bring me some water?’
The maid came in with a tumbler and as Raje was about to drink, Soyarabai said, ‘Please don’t!’
‘Why?’ Raje asked, his hand stopped in mid-air.
‘Who knows what it may contain?’
Raje desperately tried to control his anger. He said, ‘Rani saheb, I swear on Jagdamba that I will never step into your quarters again!’
Dropping the tumbler to the floor, he stormed away. Soyarabai did not imagine that her words would have such an effect. She was dumbfounded as she hugged Rajaram.
#
Sambhaji was waiting for Raje as he entered Sambhaji’s chambers. As he stepped forward to touch his feet, Raje asked, ‘Where were you, Yuvraj? I did not see you when I entered the fort.’
‘I was in my chamber.’
‘Were you not aware of my arrival?’
‘Yes, I was.’
‘Then why didn’t you come to receive me?’
‘I thought I would meet you later.’
‘I see. How was your campaign?’
‘It went well. I have deposited the loot in the royal treasury.’
‘I did not ask about that. Don’t you visit the office these days?’
‘No, no one is bothered about me, and I don’t feel like going there.’
‘Yuvraj, you don’t go to the office because of your likes and dislikes. I have struggled hard to raise this kingdom. Also, I am told you have barred Rajaram from visiting you—why is that?’
‘To tell you the truth, Aba saheb …’
‘I am waiting to hear the truth.’
‘He is punished if he visits me, and so I thought it is best to forbid him instead.’
Sambhaji had tears in his eyes. Raje said, putting his hand on his shoulders, ‘Shambhu, one cannot run a kingdom emotionally. Let us go to the office. Everyone is waiting for us.’
In the office, the sardars were waiting. Raje said, after receiving updates from everyone, ‘I intend to try for an accord with the Mughals.’
‘With the Mughals? Why?’ Annaji asked.
‘We need some stability. Nirajipant, meet Bahadur Khan, who, I am sure, must be a little upset over our support to the Adil Shahi kingdom. But he is a greedy fellow. Bribe him and make him believe that you are keen to work under the Mughals. Aurangzeb is busy in the Kabul and Kandahar region right now, trying to quell the rebellion there. By the time he returns, we will buy a lot of time. Moropant, our other enemy is Siddi, who is not likely to be quiet. We need to quash him once and for all.’
‘Ji,’ Moropant nodded.
After further discussions, Raje stepped out of the office, accompanied by Raghunathpant. As he moved towards the temple for darshan, the clouds had gathered and it was getting dark. Soon a sheet of rain covered the fort, drenching everything. After a downpour, the sun peeped through the cloud cover, and the fort shone in the brightness of the evening sun. The sweet smell of the rain mixed with dust spread all over.
Raje said, looking at the clouds, ‘Look at the clouds. They carry all the water they can and then pour it over the thirsty earth. They give away whatever they have. All they can do is get scattered by the wind once they have done their job.’
Raje moved towards his quarters and was surprised to see Soyarabai there, waiting for him. She said, as she wiped her tears away hurriedly, ‘I am sorry. I spoke in haste …’
‘You don’t need to ask for pardon. I understand.’
‘You said you would not come to …’
‘That is right. But you can always visit me here, isn’t it?’
‘I feel …’
‘Rani saheb, I am tired and would like to sleep now.’
Raje entered his room, leaving Soyarabai standing outside. She hesitated for a moment and then turned to leave. When Mahadev came in to extinguish the lamps, Raje was asleep.
#
The monsoons were in full swing now. Normally, the troops would be permitted to go home at this time but Raje did not permit the leave. Many were busy with Moropant in Janjira while Nirajipant had gone to Aurangabad to meet Bahadur Khan. News would come in regularly as Raje was apprised of the situation all around.
Raje had just finished his morning chores when he saw Manohari step in.
‘Manu, I have not seen you for the last two days. Where have you been?’
‘I was in Pachad.’
‘Pachad? What for?’
‘She was sent to get the work done for Maa saheb’s shradh puja,’ Soyarabai answered, stepping into the room.
‘Oh! It has been two years since Maa saheb left us. How time flies! There is not a single day that I don’t think of her. Her absence makes such a big difference here!’
Raje brushed away his memories and asked, ‘So, is everything in order?’
‘I have asked Annaji to supervise and ensure that everything is taken care of.’
Raje smiled dejectedly and said, ‘Rani saheb, what we do after a person is gone is of no relevance.’
‘Are you saying the rituals have no meaning?’
‘I don’t mean that. It is not about remembering her for just one day in a year and following the rituals. It is about remembering her every day. Rani saheb, I wish you would do that—for the good of all of us.’
Mahadev came in to announce the arrival of Balaji.
‘So soon? Anyway, send him in.’
Soyarabai left and Balaji stepped in.
‘What is the news, Balaji?’
‘One of the Mughal sardars, Mohammad Quli Khan wants to meet you.’
‘Quli Khan?’ Raje asked. He was lost in thought for a while, trying to recall where he had heard his name. Suddenly he smiled and said, ‘Oh! Call him to the office and ask the others to assemble.’
‘And Balaji,’ Raje continued, ‘ensure that he does not carry any arms when he meets me.’
‘Ji.’
‘Who are with him?’
‘Four or five cavalrymen and a couple of servants.’
‘You may go now.’
A chess board was laid out near the bed. Raje looked at the board and said to himself, ‘Sometimes the foot soldier, who makes the first move, does not know that he sacrificed himself to save the king.’ He smiled at the prospect of meeting Quli Khan that evening.
As Raje took his place on the throne, he indicated that Quli Khan be sent in. All the sardars including Sambhaji were present in the court, eagerly waiting for the meeting. As soon as the Mughal sardar entered, he bent in a perfunctory mujra. Ignoring the same Raje said, ‘Mohammad Quli Khan?’
‘Ji, Maharaj.’
‘It seems you have forgotten how to salute.’
The Mughal sardar was in tears. He forgot that he was dressed in a Mughal sardar’s uniform, complete with the kimosh, the Mughal-style cap, long kurta, churidar and mojadis.
Before he could speak, Raje said, ‘You seem to have forgotten that I am a panch-hazari Mansabdar in the court of Badshah Aurangzeb.’
‘I beg your pardon, Maharaj.’
‘My pardon? Do you realize the kind of anguish I feel when I see you like this? Netaji, you were once my commander-in-chief! Your valour was an example to be emulated by others. You were considered another Shivaji. And now you stand here as Mohammad Quli Khan …’
‘I made a mistake, Maharaj!’ Netaji’s voice quivered.
Those in the assembly were taken aback. No one had realized that it was Netaji Palkar!
‘The moment you saw that we were in trouble, you joined Adil Shah for a mansab of a mere three thousand! And the day Mirza Raja offered you a mansab of five thousand, you shifted your loyalties to the Mughals? And what did they offer to make you change your religion?’
Each word pierced Netaji like a sharp arrow. He finally managed to look up and said, ‘Maharaj, I did not do this out of choice. I was forced into it. I tried escaping thrice but was caught. The moment I got the chance, I came to meet you!’
‘Who are you trying to deceive, Netaji? I know how to judge men. Are you telling me that in the last nine years, you did not have a chance to escape? Not only did you convert to Islam, you forced your wife and children to adopt the religion, didn’t you?’
Netaji’s head was bowed. Raje grew angrier with each passing moment. He said, ‘Aurangzeb has done you a favour—you are a blot on the Hindu religion.’
Netaji rushed and fell at Raje’s feet. ‘Please help me, Raje! Please, as a Chhatrapati, allow me to be at your feet. Please take me back, Raje!’
‘Get up, Netaji. What is the use of these tears now? I have been given this position by the Lord to create the Swaraj in his name. How can I help someone who has no loyalties, who does not live up to his word and has no faith in his own religion? It would have been better had we met in the battlefield. I am sorry, Netaji, but we don’t have place for a traitor here.’
Raje walked out of the room without looking back. Sambhaji rushed to console Netaji, who could not stop his tears and was sobbing like a child.
#
Putlabai wiped her tears and told Sambhaji, ‘Bring Netaji Kaka to your room.’
‘Ji,’ Sambhaji nodded.
Sambhaji and Netaji conferred for a long time. They stepped out only when the lights were being lit.
That night, Putlabai came to Raje’s room. Looking at her grim face, Raje asked, ‘What is the matter?’
‘Will you give me something?’
‘No, I won’t. I know you have come here on Netaji’s behalf.’
