|
At the end of the campaign, on the advice of the Raja, Shivaji determined to go to Delhi to interview the Emperor and to try to obtain better terms. He was received coldly by the Emperor to whom he refused to pay the profound obeisance required as per the Persian ettiquettes. As the meet was a failure, Shivaji expressed his desire to return, but he and his son were asked to stay. The situation was getting serious. But as Jai Singh had given him the promise of his safety, he accepted the request, because a Rajput never breaks his promises. Ram Singh, who was assigned the duty of Shivaji’s security thought that Shivaji’s life was no longer safe.
|
Shivaji had been in habit of sending huge baskets of sweets to be distributed among the beggars. For several days he feigned in fever and remained in bed. One day the attendant saw him apparently asleep as usual. But in reality it was Hiraji Pharjand, a faithful follower who had consented to take his place. Shivaji and his son Sambhaji had been smuggled out in the baskets of sweet and were heading towards Mathura at the moment. Here he met faithful Tanaji, and shaving off his beard and whiskers and smearing his face with ashes, he was quickly lost in the crowd. When he reached Allahabad, Sambhaji broke down. He left his son with a faithful Brahmin and traveled towards Deccan. |
|
