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BOOK-NOTICE
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virtual ruler, the Queen Mother Beri Sahiba, and useful information about it and learn for himself it became necessary to crush Shivaji if possible what the Khan's real aim was. Through Gopinath (pp. 67-68). But the command of the expedition Shiva vowed that no harm would be done to Afzal against him went a-begging at the Bijapur Court, during the interview, and Afsal, on his part, gave till Afzal Khan accepted it” (p. 68). However, similar assurances of his honesty of purpose. But when the push came, he did not feel strong enough Gopinath learnt by a liberal use of bribes that (he had no inore troops at his command than had Afzal's officers were convinced that he had so Shivaji) to openly attack the rebels." Indeed, arranged matters that Shiva would be arrested at he was instructed by the Dowager Queen to effect the interview, as he was too cunning to be caught the capture or murder of Shivaji by 'pretending by open fight. On his retum, Gopinath told it friendship with him and offering to secure his all to Shiva and urged him to anticipate the perdon from Adil Shah" (p. 69). "Ho planned treacherous attack on himself by murdering Alzal to effect his purpose by a combination of fright. | at a lonely meeting and then surprising his army. fulness and diplomacy. From Bijapur the expe
"Shiva', taking the hint from Gopinath, feigned dition marched duo north to Tuljapur, one of the terror and refused to visit Wai, unless the Khen holiest shrines in Maharashtra and the seat of met him nearer home and personally promised him Bhavani, the guardian goddess of the house of safety and future protection. Afzal agreed to make
Bhopala. Afzal's strategy was either to make a this concession. By Shiva's orders path was eeep round Shiva's line of southern fortresses and cut through the dense forest all the way from penetrato to Puna through the exposed eastern
Wai to Pratapgarh and food and drink were kept
Wai to Pra Aank of the Maratha kingdom, or to provoke Shive, ready for the Bijapur army at various points by a grose outrage on his faith, into coming out
of it. By way of the Radtondi pass (below * Bom. of his fastnesses and meeting the Bijapuri army in
bay Point of the Mahabaleshwar plateau), Afzal the open. At Tuljapur he ordered the stone image
Khen marched to Par, & village lying one mile of Bhavani to be broken and pounded into dust in
below Pratapgarh on the south, and his men hand-mill" (p. 70). In addition, he plotted to
encamped there in scattered groups, deep down in win over Maratha chiefs, and continued his 'fright
the valley near every pool of water at the source fulness 'by further acte of sacriloge (p. 70). While he was proceeding in this manner, Afzal Khan
"Gopinath' was sent up the hill to report the "gent his land-steward Krishnaji Bhaskar to Shivaji
Khan's arrival. The meeting was arranged to take with a very Alluring mebeage, saying, 'Your father
place next day. The place chosen for the interhas long been a great friend of mine, and you are,
view was the crest of an eminence, below the fort therefore, no stranger to ne. Come and sea me,
of Pratapgarh, and overlooking the valley of the and I shall use my influence to make Adil Shah
Koyna. On both sides of the forest path leading confirm your possession of Konkan and the forta
up the hillside to the pavilion picked soldiers were you now hold. I shall secure for you further distinctions and military equipment from our
posted in ambush at intervals by Shivaji. Here Government. If you wish to attend the Court,
he erected tents and set up a richly decorated you will be welcomed. Or, if you want to be
canopy with gorgeous carpets sad cushions worthy excused personal attendance there, you will be
of royal guest. Then he prepared himself for exempted" (p. 71).
the meeting. Under his tunic he wore a coat of
chain armour and below his turban he placed Shivaji Wa Dow much perplexed and his followers
steel cap for the protection of the skull. What seriously alarmed, tales of Afzal Khan's strength
offensive arme he had, nobody could see ; but and ruthlesenese having reachedthe Maratha camp.
concealed in his left hand was a set of steel claws " This was the most critical moment in the career
(baghnakh) fastened to the fingers by a pair of rings, of Shivaji," but he appealed to his men's sense of honour and they resolved on war (pp. 72.73).
and up his right sleeve lay hidden a thin sharp
dagger called the scorpion To get a clear view of Shivaji's subsequent darger called me
(bichwa) His comactions and of the story of his murder of Afzal panion wer
i panions were only two, but both men of extra ordiKhan a long quotation from Mr. Sarkar's book is
nary courage and agility-Jiv Mahala, an expert
gwordsman, and Shambhuji Kavji, the murderer necessary (pp. 7479)
of Hanumant Rao More. Each of them carried "Then came Afrai's en voy, Krishnaji Bhaskar, with the invitation to a parley. Shive treated him
two swords and a shield. with respect, and at night met him in secrecy and "As the party was about to descend from the
fort & saintly female figure appeared in their solomnly appealed to him as a Hindu and a priest to tell him of the Khan's real intentione, Krishnaji midat. It was Jija Bai. Shiva bowed to his
mother. She blessed him saying, Victory bo yielded so far as to hint that the Khan seemed to harbour some plan of mischief. Shivaji then yours!' and solemnly charged his companions sont the envoy back with Gopinath Pant, his own to keep him safe; they vowed obedience. Thep agont, agreeing to Afzal's proposal of an interview, they walked down to the foot of the fort and waited. provided that the Khan gave him a solemn aneur. "Meanwhile Afzal Khan had started from his 1000 of safety. Gopinath's real mission was to camp at Par, with strong enoort of more than And out the strength of Ain's army and other thousand muakotoor Gopinath objooted to it,
