Sunday, June 19, 2011

Chatrapathi Shivaji and his great escape

We all have been listening stories from our parents and grandparents, and also telling stories to our kids. Have you ever thought if there is any story which moulded your personality??

Today we will listen to the story of a boy who turned into a great Kshatriya (warrior). This boy's thoughts and deeds are greatly influenced as he listened to his mother's stories during childhood. He is none other than Chatrapathi Shivaji Maharaj and it was his mother Jijabai who cultivated morals and ethics to him by telling him stories from Ramayana, Mahabarata, and other saints and kings. These stories kindled him the flame of freedom and made him to take oath for Swarajya.
Shivaji Maharaj was well known for his cleverness and planning. Once Shivaji Maharaj wanted some wealth for his kingdom and looted Surat, a place under the control of Aurangazeb's kingdom. This made Aurangazeb very angry and he wanted to tactically attack Shivaji. So he thought of a plan. He decided that he should send a 'Lion' to overpower this lion. He chose for task the King, Raja Jayasimha (incidentally, 'Simha' means a lion.) Jayasimha was a great warrior and also a clever general. Though he is mighty, it was a shame that he was subservient to a foreigner who was ruling the land! Jayasimha proceeded south with his large army. He won over the Sultan of Bijapur to his side. The battle against Shivaji began. All of a sudden Shivaji wrote a letter to Jayasimha informing him that he would agree to a friendly compromise. What was more, he met Jayasimha and told him that he would remain loyal to the Badshah at Delhi.

All were baffled on Shivaji's sudden peace agreement and bowing down to Badshah. Many thought -that there lay behind this some secret plan. It is possible that Shivaji had planned to go to Delhi on the pretext of serving the Badshah as a dependent and then to put an end to the life of Aurangzeb in a direct encounter. This was perhaps a venture of greater heroism and sharper strategy than ever before in his life. Accordingly, Shivaji proceeded to meet the Emperor, Aurangzeb. His son Sambhaji also accompanied him. At home, in the land of freedom, all were filled with great anxiety.

Shivaji reached Agra in order to meet Aurangzeb. The latter too was equally tactful. He did not allow Shivaji to be near him and bid him stay at a distance in the court besides Aurangazeb's servants. His insult was a great disappointment to Shivaji's hopes.  Aurangzeb did not , keep the promise that he would treat him with respect. Naturally Shivaji was greatly enraged. Ignoring Aurangzeb he left the court.

Aurangzeb was not such a fool as to let an enemy who had come within his reach escape easily. So Shivaji was now in great danger. He ordered Shivaji to be imprisoned and to be executed also.

In spite of the gravity of the situation Shivaji did not lose heart. At this critical hour his intellect and his courage shone more brightly and he made some plans. Suddenly Shivaji took ill and his health became worse. Shivaji begged Aurangzeb to allow his Maratha soldiers to return back. Aurangzeb felt relieved and permitted them to go. Shivaji began distributing sweets to the Fakirs, mendicants and ascetics of the town hoping that his illness may be cured. He began sending gifts also to the wealthy in the town. Aurangzeb permitted all these and did not have any doubts. No Vaidya or Hakim could improve Shivaji's condition. The day of Shivaji's execution had been fixed. On the previous day Shivaji's illness grew very serious, and he lost consciousness.

As usual the baskets that would carry the sweets were brought in. Shivaji who was lying on his sickbed suddenly jumped into one of the baskets and so did his son Sambhaji. Immediately the servants put on the lids and carried the baskets away.

The sentries who had been examining the baskets were convinced by long custom that they contained nothing but sweets. Polad Khan, the chief of sentries though checked some baskets, did not chance upon checking the baskets hiding Shivaji and Sambhaji. That was by the grace of Goddess Bhavani. He must have meant 'Let him live' when he said, 'Let the baskets go.'

Inside the prison where Shivaji had been lying a little while before, a friend of Shivaji by name Hiroji lay down. He put on the royal ring, which Shivaji had given him. He lay down, with his hand, which showed this ring thrust out. The rest of the body had been covered with the blanket.  The day to execute Shivaji came and the 'Shivaji' who was lying there got up and covered the place with pillows and blankets. Putting on his usual clothes, he came out and announced to thesentries that the condition of Shivaji was very serious and that it was a matter of a few hours for Shivaji. He said he- was going to bring some medicine. So saying he went out. He went away and did not return. Inside, on the couch, lay the huddled imitation of Shivaji. Outside the prison the sentries stood with swords drawn.

As the day for execution dawned Polad Khan came in. There was a strange silence and he grew suspicious. When he saw no movement in Shivaji's body, he thought he might have died and pulled the blanket. He was shocked to see just the bare bed and the pillows! Shivaji had disappeared. You can imagine the feelings of Polad Khan, and more important still, of Aurangzeb. Aurangzeb at once ordered his army to capture Shivaji and the army set out in all directions.

By this time Shivaji and Sambhaji had already mounted the horses that were kept in readiness for them and proceeded south. They dashed away at great speed. On the way they were sheltered comfortably in the Maths established by Swami Samarth Ramdas.

Shivaji and Sambhaji dressed in the robes of a 'sanyasi' reached Raigadh. For a while even his mother Jijabai could not recognize her son. Later, she was happy to learn their escape and safe return. When the news of Shivaji's escape from Agra reached the ears of his enemies in the south, they were all speechless and helpless. Not just that Shivaji's fame spread all over India. Shivaji had thrown dust into the eyes of the greatest schemer and politician like Aurangzeb and had escaped from the latter's capital.

Indeed this story is very interesting as we listen to it. Shivaji Maharaj's clever and excellent planning mind could be seen very well from this story.
June 13th marked the coronation day of Shivaji Maharaj. Let us all take with us the great qualities Shivaji Maharaj displayed in his life, the same way as he took it from the stories told by his mother Jijabai.

Let us now listen to a song by Sant Samartha Ramadas on Shivaji.

Story Courtesy: Story from our 5th standard english book.
Song Courtesy: Song referred by Ajey Gotkhindikar


1 comment:

  1. Now I know how a mother has so many stock of bed time stories:)..

    ReplyDelete