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Maloji Bhosle, a subordinate in the government of Ahmednagar was an ambitious and able man. With his capabilities he captivated his overlords, the Jadavs. Soon he and his son Shahji were admitted among the Jadav household. Maloji’s terms with his overlords can be identified with his audacity to demand the hand of his daughter for Shahji, his son. Lakhaji refused the proposed match. Maloji was not seen for a time. He suddenly reappeared one day as a man of considerable wealth. Goddess Bhavani was said to have revealed to him a great treasure of gold buried beneath an anthill. He spent much of his money in pious works – repairing temples, building tanks, and feeding Brahmins.
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He was also equipped with a considerable regiment of cavalry. Now, Maloji was no more the despised dependant as he was a few years ago. Lakhaji accepted the proposal. In April 1604, Shahji married Jijabai, daughter of Lakhaji Jadav. Maloji was raised to the rank of commander of 5,000 horses and was presented with the Jaghirs of Pune and Supe and the forts of Chakan and Shivneri.
Maloji died in 1619, and his son Shahji returned to the service of Ahmednagar and took a leading part in the confused and varying story of intrigue, treachery, and bloodshed, which marked the last years of that state. After changing sides several times, and even trying to raise his own kingdom, he was compelled to abandon Ahmednagar to its fate till 1637 when Emperor Shah Jehan took it over. Shahji had entered the service of Bijapur by this time and when Shah Jehan made peace with the latter kingdom, it was stipulated that this turbulent leader should be given up to the Mughals. |
This however was easier said than done. Shahji, not without the connivance of Bijapur, promptly fled with his followers to the Deccan hills. He played hide-and-seek with the general sent to arrest him. Finally, Shah Jehan anxious to wind up affairs in the Deccan granted him pardon on condition that he returned to the service of Bijapur.
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