Mastani, Rakma Bai Pg30 | All about MASTANI, Chimaji, Nana Saheb Pg31 - Page 19

Originally posted by RadhikaS0

Originally posted by: RadhikaS0

Why did Shahaji Raje and his elder son Sambhaji not join Shivaji Maharaj in his campaign for Swarajya? Why did they stay in Bengaluru, away from it all? Shahaji had been in the service of the AdilShahi and NizamShahi before Shivaji came of age. Did he remain in their service later too? I read on this thread that he gave Adilshahi a free hand in dealing with Shivaji for conquering forts. Incredible! Why was Shahaji not with his son? Did he have misgivings about his capability to win Swarajya? Was he afraid of the vengeance of the muslim rulers in neighbouring kingdoms?

 

What is the lifestory of Shivaji's elder brother? While we know about his step-brother, why is so little mentioned about his elder brother?

 

Why did Shahaji leave Jijabai behind? Why didnt he take her with him to Bengaluru?

 

 

Radhika, you have raised some very interesting questions.  I will try to answer as per my knowledge of the history of that time.  I will probably go into lot more details than you have asked for!  Well you asked for the information! 😆

 

You might be surprised to know Shahaji Raje was the first one to start the Swarajya campaign even before Shivaji's birth.  However, Shahaji Raje was not successful and his resistance was defeated twice.  Once before Shivaji's birth and once after when Shahaji Raje fought Mugals first for Nijamshahi and then on his own for 2 years.  Jijabai was fully supportive of Swarajya movement of Shahaji Raje.  (All this is also shown in the Marathi serial Raja Shiv Chhatrapati)  Hindavi Swarajya was a cherished dream of both Shahaji Raje and Jijabai.

 

If you remember, I had made a thread about the circumstances prevailing at the time of Shivaji Maharaj's birth

Link here

https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/topic/4798700

 

Shahaji Raje had left Jijabai in the care of elder son Sambhaji's in-laws and Jijabai was at Shivneri fort where she gave birth to Shivaji.  Sambhaji their elder son had gone with Shahaji Raje.

 

Shahaji Raje visited Jijabai and infant Shivaji sometime after the birth, but he did not have steady life and so Jijabai Shivaji were kept on Shivneri only.

 

After Shahaji Raje got some stability he sent Dadoji Kondadev his trusted specially chosen man to take responsibility of Jijabai and Shivaji.  Shahaji Raje told them to shift to his jagir in Pune and it was Dadoji Kondadev who again reconstructed Pune newly (Pune was burnt down completely by Murar Jagdev).

 

When Jijabai, young Shivaji and Dadoji with some select men reached Pune, they had to live in tents at first.  A Ganapati Idol was found near river and a Temple was constructed which is Kasba Ganapati Temple the presiding deity of Pune even today.  During Ganapati Utsav Kasba Ganapati has the first right in the procession.

 

Lal Mahal - Shivaji's residence was constructed near Kasba Ganapati temple and surrounding that Pune was developed.  Dadoji started young Shivaji's teaching and he used to take him everywhere with him when he visited the interior Maharashtra.

 

In this time Shahaji Raje had married Tukabai and got another son Ekoji.  He was establishing himself in Bengaluru.

 

After Shivaji Sai marriage (which took place after Shahaji Raje gave his permission, he was supposed to attend but could not at the last min) Shahaji Raje sent for Jijabai Shivaji to go to Bengaluru.

 

The entire Bhosale family was reunited in Bengluru where Shivaji's marriage to Soyrabai took place on Tukabai's insistence.  Shivaji Raje used to go to darbar with Shahaji Raje.  Sambhaji Raje and Shivaji Raje got along very well, he used to call Sambhaji - Dada Maharaj.  Sambhaji was also a brave warrior and he was a poet also.  It is said he used to write poetry in Sanskrit!

 

However, even at such young age Shivaji Maharaj did not like the constrictive rigid formal atmosphere of Bengluru, he was raised in the free open atmosphere where he interacted freely with everybody, the mavlas and village folks.  He resented bowing to Adilshahi customs.  I think there were 2-3 instances where some minor incidents happened which led to Jijabai and Shivaji realizing they did not want to stay in Bengluru.

 

Jijabai did not want Shivaji to be raised under Adilshahi (Muslim) culture influence.  Shivaji was happier in Pune and so Shahaji and Jijabai decided to stay separately.  There was no acrimony, rather Shahaji Raje understaood Jijabai's concerns.  Shahaji Raje Jijabai both still held their Swarajya dream. 

 

It is said that Shahaji Raje said he will raise Sambhaji and she will raise Shivaji, let us see how they grow up.  Before leaving Bengluru, Shahaji Raje very generously bestowed the Pune jagir on young Shivaji.  Along with Dadoji Kondadev, some more prominent hand picked men like Shamrao Nilkanth, Balkrishna Dixit were entrusted with the responsibility of looking after Pune under Shivaji.

 

Shivaji Maharaj took oath of Swarjya at Rohideshwar Temple at the age of 15 on 15^th April 1645.  He took Rohida, Torna, Kondhana (later named Sinhagad), Purandar forts and defeated Fattekhan in next 2-3 years.

 

Shahaji Raje was always in touch by letters, messages, emissaries and he was fully supportive.  He wanted Sambhaji to win over Karnataka and Shivaji Maharaj - Maharashtra.

 

Shahaji Raje was arrested by Adilshahi in 1648 for Shivaji and Sambhaji's battles against them (Baji Ghorpade entered into Shahaji's chambers when he was sleeping and attacked and arrested, he was paraded insultingly by Afzalkhan and presented before Adilshah).

 

Sambhaji Raje was on a campaign then.  He had taken over Bengluru and won Kandarpi fort. 

 

Shivaji Maharaj, Jijabai and advisors were gravely concerned.  If Shivaji Maharaj had to surrender everything he had won to free Shahaji Raje it would have meant losing Swarajya battle before fully starting. 

 

Shivaji Maharaj the great tactician that he was - he sent letter to Mugal Shahjade Murad in Ahmedabad, with a hand of friendship and showed a desire for meeting.  Shivaji Maharaj wrote he was concerned for his father's safety as Adilshahi had unnecessarily arrested him.  Shahjade Murad responded promptly and their growing communication led to worry in Adilshahi.  Shahjade Murad sent letter to Shahaji Raje saying Shivaji Maharaj is desiring of friendship with Mugals and Shahjade Murad was requesting Adilshahi to free Shahaji Raje and had sent "poshakh (clothes/manvastra)".  Adilshahi could not stop this letter!

 

Adilshahi was worried about Shivaji Maharaj getting Mugal support so after negotiations a compromise was reached.  They freed Shahaji Raje and in exchange Shivaji Maharaj surrendered Kondhana fort and Sambhaji surrendered Bengluru and Kandarpi.

 

Sambhaji Raje had got a son meanwhile.  While on a campaign to take Kanakgiri fort with Afzalkhan, Sambhaji was betrayed by Afzalkhan and was killed.  Jijabai was devastated by this news.  Saibai was pregnant and when she delivered a son, Jijabai named him Sambhaji after her first born son.

 

After the arrest incident, not to put any restrictions on Shivaji Maharaj and not to risk Shahaji Raje's safety, Shahaji Raje declared that Shivaji Maharaj did not listen to his advice and behaved with an independent mind.

 

Adilshahi sent Afzalkhan with a huge army against forging Maratha Empire and to capture Shivaji.  Shivaji Maharaj killed Afzalkhan and defeated his army.  It was not just a defeat but also revenge for Afzalkhan's betrayal of Sambhaji and treatment of Shahaji Raje after his arrest.

 

Yes Shahaji Raje always stayed with Adilshahi.  He put forward the idea that all the states in South - Adilshahi, Nizamshahi, Kutubshahi should stay together and support Shivaji Maharaj and they should not let Mugals enter into South.

 

After various large defeats at hands of Shivaji Maharaj, Adilshahi came to conclusion that atleast a cordial relationship with Shivaji Maharaj was in their best interest.  Shahaji Raje was encouraged to visit Shivaji Maharaj and to get him to agree to join Adilshahi.

 

Shahaji Raje visited Maratha Empire for the first time in 1661-62 and was eagerly and warmly welcomed on Rajgad.  He admitted to Jijabai that she raised Shivaji Maharaj and gave her full credit.  Shahaji Raje fully supported Hindavi Swarajya and advised Shivaji Maharaj to be wary of Aurangzeb.  He came on the pretext of wanting to get Shivaji Maharaj to join Adilshahi but of course he did not suggest any such thing.

 

Shivaji Maharaj bowed at his father's feet and said whatever he has earned it is at his father's feet, for his service.  While leaving Shahaji Raje blessed Shivaji Maharaj and assured him he will be successful in dealing with Shaistakhan.

 

It is very interesting how Shivaji Maharaj kept Shaistekhan interested with conciliatory gestures and letters so that Shahaji Raje's visit could go off without any disturbance!

 

Shahaji Raje went back to Adilshahi, and he was killed in a riding accident in 1664, while Shivaji Maharaj was on Surat campaign.  Jijabai wanted to go sati but Shivaji Maharaj reached Rajgad in time and stopped her.

 

Incidentally Baji Ghorpade who had arrested Shahaji Raje was from Mudhol and Jijabai never forgot this betrayal of her husband by Ghorpade.  She sent a letter to Shivaji Maharaj reminding this when he was on campaign in that area and he attacked Mudhol and killed Baji Ghorpade.

 

If only Shahaji Raje, Sambhaji Raje (Sr.) and Shivaji Maharaj had joined forced and fought for Hindavi Swarjya, who knows what might have happened.  However, as Abhay wrote so beautifully, history is a tale of what ifs!

 

So Shahaji Raje was an absentee father most of Shivaji Maharaj's life but he was always a moral support blessing dream of Hindavi Swarjya.  Shahaji Raje was lucky enough to see the dream turned into reality by his son Shivaji Maharaj.

Edited by MaddyO - 7 years ago

Such wonderful and informative discussions 👏

This 27-28 years of Maratha history from Shivaji's death to Aurangzeb's death is something that I find very fascinating. The events happening during this era were so unfortunate yet so interesting. Unfortunate because Shivaji Maharaj fought for 30-40 years to build the kingdom from scratch, survived a few huge setbacks, and everything was brutally destroyed, not just the kingdom and people, but his own family too!! At the same time it is fascinating because his heirs, not just his sons but his daughter in laws and his army fought so hard for the cause, amid the toughest situations, against a very strong army, when they didn't even have proper leader and guidance.

@Abhay, thanks for the details on relation between Yesubai and Rajaram. So now we are clear that they shared cordial bond and were fighting together against Aurangzeb and Mughals. 😊

@Maddy, I find your posts familiar and I can relate to them, most probably because our source of information is from the same books, Shriman Yogi in most of the cases.

As for the show, it is going great. The historical tracks interest me more. But the childhood incidents of Baji makes way for right blend of entertainment into the history!

@Maddy, such a descriptive and informative post. I usually don't have patience to write such long posts, lol. Appreciate it very much, you have explained almost everything.

To add to it, I think though Shahaji Raje could not directly help Shivaji because he was working for Nijam Shahi and Adil Shahi later, he had great influence, indirectly or even directly on everything that Shivaji Maharaj did. The two Shahis were considered to be very much shrewd and brutal, who didn't even spare their own Sardars when they did something against them or were becoming so powerful that they could become threat to their masters. There are many examples of Maratha Sardars getting killed through conspiracies, even Shahaji Raje were captured once or twice. (But since he was very strong and influential, he had to be released).

For this same reason, Shahaji could not leave his job and join or support Shivaji directly. There is one incidence where Shahaji's influence at Bijapur kingdom saved Shivaji Raje from Adil Shaha's wrath. It was during young days of Shivaji when he had just started building his own kingdom. There is also one incidence in later years (which I mentioned above), where Shahaji was captured by Adil Shaha, and Shivaji used his position and influence in Deccan to release him. The father son duo wre complementing each other so well!!

Originally posted by: RadhikaS0

Someone asked why Balaji and Dhanaji shifted allegiance to Shahuji after his release.

If we see even the little snippets on this thread, there were fuzzy lines between the various players of the time - the Marathas, the Mughals, the Adilshahis, the Nizamshahis etc. Loyalties were constantly shifting and alliances were made and remade as per the exigencies of the situation. Even the foreign entities were dallied with or kicked away as per convenience. Then, as now, there was no concept of permanent friends or enemies in politics. Only attaining one's goal mattered. 

Coming back to Balaji and Dhanaji, it's clear that most people considered Shahuji to be the rightful heir to the throne. They had accepted Tararani and her son as the rulers in Shahuji's absence because the throne could not be left empty - someone had to lead the Marathas in their fight against the Mughals and others and administer the kingdom. This lacuna was filled admirably by Tararani. She deserves as much praise for her capability as any male king after Shivaji Maharaj. 

Things changed after Shahuji's release. One reason being that mentioned above. Second reason could be that Tararani's son was incompetent as a ruler. A third reason could be a patriarchal tendency to wish to see a king ruling the people. (Though this seems doubtful as both Balaji and Dhanaji fully accepted Tararani's capabilities as a ruler.) 

What might have been the possibilities if Tararani and Shahuji had joined hands? 

Edited by neesha119 - 7 years ago

Transferred from here : https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/post/140662666

My comments in bold black below.

Originally posted by: MaddyO

Replied in bold black above.






Edited by history_geek - 7 years ago

Originally posted by: neesha119

Dear Abhay,

Lovely to read your posts after such a long time. Wow you are a  storehouse of  information.  I am loving this serial and characters are etched so nicely. The best is the script .. dialogues  are excellent. 

Abhay you have so much knowledge so I am very curious to know why did Balaji Vishwanath take Shahu Rajes side when he was released from Mughal custody , and why did he ditch Tara rani when he was working for her.

Why did the loyalties shift? When tara rani was adding all responsibilities on him , he was coaching her son, then how come he turned against her??

Was it because Tara rani was  selfish and  extremely ambitious person bu yet it was deceit of her trust on him. Of course there must be  reasons that Balaji detested  her. She was not loved but by many people, I read. 

Can you throw some light on this aspect. Just curios to know. 

Thanks Neesha. Nice to see you again. All the members writing on this thread are amazingly well read in Maratha history. It is great to have all of you here.

Before i answer you, do check out the old comment on this thread. We discussed this topic earlier too. :)

Read point number 2 and 3. Link :
https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/post/140008631

After reading above link, continue : A brother of Shivaji - Bhanji Kaka, who was in Mughal employment helped Balaji. From 1695 to 1699, Shahu ji was kept confined at banks of river Bhima. Through Bhanji Kaka, Balaji came in touch with Shahu ji and served him there ocassionaly, at that time.

So, this proves, Balaji knew Shahu ji from early times. But Shahu ji was a young child that time. I also mentioned in my old comment (link above) that Balaji had secret means through which he could contact Zinat un Nissa Begum and safe guarded interests of Shahu ji through her.

Now, why he helped Shahu ji. Let us understand.

Tara Bai, when Shahu ji was released from Mughal captivity, said - "Shivaji died in 1680. And he had asked that the kingdom will be inherited by his younger son Rajaram, not Sambhaji. Sambhaji, instead, lost the kingdom and it was her husband Rajaram who built the Maratha dominions again from 1689 till his death in 1700. And from then till 1708, she was fighting the Mughal Empire and hence the present Maratha state is the creation of Rajaram and hence her son Shivaji Raje should get the throne, because the kingdom was lost by Sambhaji and hence his son Shahu has no right to the throne."

{
She also said that the prince in Aurangzeb's custody was an imposter. In reality Tara Bai's arguments hardly made any impression on ministers because his husband Rajaram in 1689 while becoming Chatrapati had declared that he was holding the throne on behalf of his nephew Shahu ji. Also, the commanders all these years were fighting to secure release of Shahu Ji. And the masses were emotionally attached as they thought the eldest son was the rightful heir.
}

Hence, now, Tara Rani, decided to bind her ministers into her favor by asking all of them to take oath on boiled milk and rice to remain loyal to her. Such oath was not taken lightly that time. It is like giving a vachan. Many took oath. Some remained undecided but they did not protest. Except Dhanaji Jadhav and Khando Ballal, who said that they would support Tara Bai if the prince was really an imposter.

Tara Bai sent Bapuji Bhonsle to find if the Shahu in Mughal camp was real Shahu. Similarly, Dhanaji sent Khando Ballal to find the same. Khando Ballal was convinced that this was indeed the real Shahu and returned.





Tara Rani sent his favorite minister Parashuram Triambak (whom we see in the show daily), Dhanaji and Khando Ballal to fight Shahu ji when he was returning.

Balaji Vishwanath already knew that this was the Real Shahu. Now, Shahu ji made a plan. Through, Balaji and Khando Ballal he called Dhanaji for a secret meeting (it may be a letter not a meeting) one day before this battle, and won him to his side. They decided to wage a sham battle against Shahu the next day. So, in actual battle, Dhanaji and Khando Ballal remained inactive and Parshuram was beaten back.

As i mentioned, almost all the ministers had taken that oath on boiled milk and rice, which was not taken lightly in those days. Only Dhanaji and Khando Ballal had taken a "conditional oath" that they will support Tara Rani if this Shahu was an imposter. Hence, their oath was not broken by changing sides as this was no imposter but the real Shahu.




Another minister, Shankarji Malhar  had also taken an oath to support Tara Rani. But now he came to know this was the real Shahu. He wanted to support Shahu ji but was bound by oath to support Tara Rani. After winning the above mentioned battle , Shahu ji came along with Dhanaji, Khando Ballal and Balaji, etc. to meet Shankarji to also merge him in his party. But this man of high ideals who was oath bound, committed suicide as he could not break the oath and neither join Shahu ji despite his best intentions !! Such were the men of those times!

I hope all this gives an idea why Balaji deserted Tara Rani. Balaji was not the main player. It was Dhanaji and since Balaji was his close aide hence both sailed in the same boat. Actual rise of Balaji took place when Shahu became Chatrapati. Dhanaji died soon in 1708.

All these years the Marathas were fighting to secure release of Shahu ji. They were emotionally attached to him. Tara Rani thought that since she had given a life to the dying Maratha empire, hence her son should be the king. She was right and wrong both. As the throne was rightfully, the property of son of Sambhaji, as her late husband Rajaram had said.

Also her own ministers were jealous of each other. One of them, Ramachandra wrote to Shahu ji encouraging him to attack and take possession of throne. He was jealous of the influence of Parashuram Triambak. See this old comment on page 3 to know what the name of which sardar. I have mentioned pictures and character sketch of these ministers from the show and explained them. More is here :

https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/post/139935431

PS : On a related note, just after the marriage of Shahu ji, Aurangzeb opened up negotiations for release of Shahu ji through his son Kambaksh and he called meeting with Dhanaji Jadhav who was the senapati of Tara Rani Saheb. Since, Balaji was the only person on whom Dhanaji relied, hence i think, he made Balaji party to these negotiations. I hope this will be the next track in our show.


Last Few Updates on this thread :

Zinat un Nissa & Marriage of Shahu Ji and his sister / Cousins
Page 18 and 19
https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/post/140600612

https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/post/140714511

An Interesting narration of
https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/post/140716560

Link to index on page -1
https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/post/139854215

Edited by history_geek - 7 years ago

Originally posted by: _goofyCat_

@Maddy, such a descriptive and informative post. I usually don't have patience to write such long posts, lol. Appreciate it very much, you have explained almost everything.

To add to it, I think though Shahaji Raje could not directly help Shivaji because he was working for Nijam Shahi and Adil Shahi later, he had great influence, indirectly or even directly on everything that Shivaji Maharaj did. The two Shahis were considered to be very much shrewd and brutal, who didn't even spare their own Sardars when they did something against them or were becoming so powerful that they could become threat to their masters. There are many examples of Maratha Sardars getting killed through conspiracies, even Shahaji Raje were captured once or twice. (But since he was very strong and influential, he had to be released).

For this same reason, Shahaji could not leave his job and join or support Shivaji directly. There is one incidence where Shahaji's influence at Bijapur kingdom saved Shivaji Raje from Adil Shaha's wrath. It was during young days of Shivaji when he had just started building his own kingdom. There is also one incidence in later years (which I mentioned above), where Shahaji was captured by Adil Shaha, and Shivaji used his position and influence in Deccan to release him. The father son duo wre complementing each other so well!!

Thanks Rashmi 😳  Replying to your post above this comment also. 

I am no researcher so my information is based on my reading.  Though I have read book by Babasaheb Purandare and also read Chhava (realized this later!) that was only the one time.  In case of Shriman Yogi I have read it multiple times - entire book and sometimes just chapters as per mood.  So that is what I most remember.

Yes you are right, Shahaji Raje was a very powerful influential personality and he was heavyweight in both Nijamshahi and Adilshahi.  He could not leave Adilshahi for many reasons I think - one of them was he was well settled in Bengluru with his another family and also Sambhaji Raje.  It was his intention that Sambhaji Raje conquer Karnataka.

Also by the time Shivaji Maharaj's Swarajya took shape, Shahaji Raje was old, he was in his 60s and maybe too late to start again.  Guess lot of factors combined to make him remain with Adilshahi.


About long post, Radhika is a friend and I know she is not well versed with Maratha history and I wanted to explain in detail.  She is one of my favorite writers and Abhay and me have been trying to get her to become a regular on PB forum 😳😆

LOL, for sure you were never part of JA forum.  Otherwise you would not have said long post!  What I wrote was almost regular writing on JA forum.  There used to be L O N G posts, some here from JA forum like Abhay, Harshu will vouch.  I remember Diksha had almost run out of palette colors in her discussion once!  Diksha is another wonderful writer from JA.

I will share a somewhat funny incident.  I started watching JA quite late and once I started enjoying it I wanted to join the JA forum.  JA forum had a kind of reputation, it was not for faint hearted 😉😆.  So I was nervous when I made a thread there, I thought I had written quite a long post.  One of the first replies were from Abhay (who I did not know then) and he wrote something like what a short and concise post.  I privately wondered if he was being sarcastic! 😆😆  I asked my friend and she said no no he means it, your post is short by JA standard!

Once I got to know Abhay, I read all his threads and there were 4-5 active ones with almost 100+ pages each filled with information!  So when Abhay comments on very less activity on this forum he really means it 😆

Originally posted by: history_geek

Transferred from here : https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/post/140662666

My comments in bold black below.

LOL my replies in pink!




Replied in bold black above.

Stone Inscription

Seal of Sambhaji

Originally posted by: history_geek

Why Balaji supported Shahu Ji ?
Role of Zinat un Nissa, Dhanaji Jadhav, Parashuram Pratinidhi

Thanks Neesha. Nice to see you again. All the members writing on this thread are amazingly well read in Maratha history. It is great to have all of you here.

Before i answer you, do check out the old comment on this thread. We discussed this topic earlier too. :)

Read point number 2 and 3. Link :
https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/post/140008631

After reading above link, continue : A brother of Shivaji - Bhanji Kaka, who was in Mughal employment helped Balaji. From 1695 to 1699, Shahu ji was kept confined at banks of river Bhima. Through Bhanji Kaka, Balaji came in touch with Shahu ji and served him there ocassionaly, at that time.

So, this proves, Balaji knew Shahu ji from early times. But Shahu ji was a young child that time. I also mentioned in my old comment (link above) that Balaji had secret means through which he could contact Zinat un Nissa Begum and safe guarded interests of Shahu ji through her.

Now, why he helped Shahu ji. Let us understand.

Tara Bai, when Shahu ji was released from Mughal captivity, said - "Shivaji died in 1680. And he had asked that the kingdom will be inherited by his younger son Rajaram, not Sambhaji. Sambhaji, instead, lost the kingdom and it was her husband Rajaram who built the Maratha dominions again from 1689 till his death in 1700. And from then till 1708, she was fighting the Mughal Empire and hence the present Maratha state is the creation of Rajaram and hence her son Shivaji Raje should get the throne, because the kingdom was lost by Sambhaji and hence his son Shahu has no right to the throne."

{
She also said that the prince in Aurangzeb's custody was an imposter. In reality Tara Bai's arguments hardly made any impression on ministers because his husband Rajaram in 1689 while becoming Chatrapati had declared that he was holding the throne on behalf of his nephew Shahu ji. Also, the commanders all these years were fighting to secure release of Shahu Ji. And the masses were emotionally attached as they thought the eldest son was the rightful heir.
}

Hence, now, Tara Rani, decided to bind her ministers into her favor by asking all of them to take oath on boiled milk and rice to remain loyal to her. Such oath was not taken lightly that time. It is like giving a vachan. Many took oath. Some remained undecided but they did not protest. Except Dhanaji Jadhav and Khando Ballal, who said that they would support Tara Bai if the prince was really an imposter.

Tara Bai sent Bapuji Bhonsle to find if the Shahu in Mughal camp was real Shahu. Similarly, Dhanaji sent Khando Ballal to find the same. Khando Ballal was convinced that this was indeed the real Shahu and returned.

Parshuram Triambak

Tara Rani sent his favorite minister Parashuram Triambak (whom we see in the show daily), Dhanaji and Khando Ballal to fight Shahu ji when he was returning.

Balaji Vishwanath already knew that this was the Real Shahu. Now, Shahu ji made a plan. Through, Balaji and Khando Ballal he called Dhanaji for a secret meeting (it may be a letter not a meeting) one day before this battle, and won him to his side. They decided to wage a sham battle against Shahu the next day. So, in actual battle, Dhanaji and Khando Ballal remained inactive and Parshuram was beaten back.

As i mentioned, almost all the ministers had taken that oath on boiled milk and rice, which was not taken lightly in those days. Only Dhanaji and Khando Ballal had taken a "conditional oath" that they will support Tara Rani if this Shahu was an imposter. Hence, their oath was not broken by changing sides as this was no imposter but the real Shahu.

Shankar Malhar

Another minister, Shankarji Malhar  had also taken an oath to support Tara Rani. But now he came to know this was the real Shahu. He wanted to support Shahu ji but was bound by oath to support Tara Rani. After winning the above mentioned battle , Shahu ji came along with Dhanaji, Khando Ballal and Balaji, etc. to meet Shankarji to also merge him in his party. But this man of high ideals who was oath bound, committed suicide as he could not break the oath and neither join Shahu ji despite his best intentions !! Such were the men of those times!

I hope all this gives an idea why Balaji deserted Tara Rani. Balaji was not the main player. It was Dhanaji and since Balaji was his close aide hence both sailed in the same boat. Actual rise of Balaji took place when Shahu became Chatrapati. Dhanaji died soon in 1708.

All these years the Marathas were fighting to secure release of Shahu ji. They were emotionally attached to him. Tara Rani thought that since she had given a life to the dying Maratha empire, hence her son should be the king. She was right and wrong both. As the throne was rightfully, the property of son of Sambhaji, as her late husband Rajaram had said.

Also her own ministers were jealous of each other. One of them, Ramachandra wrote to Shahu ji encouraging him to attack and take possession of throne. He was jealous of the influence of Parashuram Triambak. See this old comment on page 3 to know what the name of which sardar. I have mentioned pictures and character sketch of these ministers from the show and explained them. More is here :

https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/post/139935431

PS : On a related note, just after the marriage of Shahu ji, Aurangzeb opened up negotiations for release of Shahu ji through his son Kambaksh and he called meeting with Dhanaji Jadhav who was the senapati of Tara Rani Saheb. Since, Balaji was the only person on whom Dhanaji relied, hence i think, he made Balaji party to these negotiations. I hope this will be the next track in our show.


Last Few Updates on this thread :

Zinat un Nissa & Marriage of Shahu Ji and his sister / Cousins
Page 18 and 19
https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/post/140600612

Yesu Bai stays back @ Fall of Raigad & Escape of Chatrapati Rajaram
Aurangzeb's Love Affair and Zeb un Nissa's tragic story
Page 23

https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/post/140714511

An Interesting narration of

Sambhaji's desertion to Mughal Camp and Return Back
13th December 1678   to   4th December 1679
Yesu Bai, Sakhubai, Mahadaji and Bajaji Nimbalkar
Page 23

https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/post/140716560

Link to index on page -1
https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/post/139854215

Edited by neesha119 - 7 years ago

Awesome post abhay😃