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Meanwhile, Bijapur, recovered from Aurangzeb raid, was prepared to knock Shivaji down. Early in 1659, a well-equipped force was readied consisting of 5,000 horses, 700 infantry and a detachment of mountain guns and rockets, carried on camel backs. The command of this formidable army was given to a Pathan officer Afzal Khan who knew Deccan well.
All these years, Shivaji was not idle. After the murder of Raja of Javli, it became evident that the Par pass must be secured at all cost. The fortification of this place was entrusted to a young Brahmin officer, Moro Trimal Pingle. By the middle of September 1659, Afzal Khan’s force was ready to move. Before leaving Bijapur Afzal Khan boasted in the Darbar that he would quickly bring the Mountain Rat (as Shivaji was know for his guerrilla warfare) and cast him in chains before the throne of the Sultan.
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Shivaji conceived a plan to fight Afzal Khan which is almost unparalleled in the history for treachery and daring. He sent emissaries with a message for peace. Afzal Khan received this gladly. It was agreed that negotiations should be formally opened and that, if they proved successful, Shivaji should be confirmed in his Jaghir as a feudatory of Bijapur and after receiving suitable rewards should be dismissed with honor.
The next day, formal negotiations were opened. Gopinath Pant, a Brahmin employee of Bijapur was sent with other envoy to Shivaji’s camp. The embassy was received with due hospitality, and tents were pitched for them at the foot of the pass. But the Brahmin’s tent was placed at a distance from his fellows.
Shivaji entered the tent of the Brahmin at midnight and implored him to be a Hindu, a Brahmin and a person true to his country and tried to convince him to punish the defiler of temples and the slayer of kine. Shivaji also promised him good return for his favor. When appealed in the name of |
religion, Gopinath could not resist. On their return, he told Afzal Khan that Shivaji was in the state of great terror but that if a personal interview could be arranged, then amicable settlement could be derived. Afzal Khan readily gave his consent for the interview.
Shivaji now was ready with his scheme. Moro Trimal Pingle, the engineer of the fort of Pratapgadh was asked to hide with a large force in the jungles of Javli. |
