Shivaji’s spies were all over Wai. They were reporting the developments at Afzal camp everyday. He was waiting for the right movement to make his move. He spoke to his confidants, “Friends, Afzal Khan is the biggest challenge we are faced with. Bijapur has sent a very large army under him to destroy us. We can’t face the enemy in the open battle. It has too many guns. But sending Afzal Khan is Bijapur’s biggest mistake. Although he is big and mighty yet he is a fanatic and stupid. He has made their army campaign as his own personal war against Hinduism. This is the advantage we have and we must seize the opportunity. If we somehow kill him the battle will be over. That how I read the present situation.”
All the advisers and commanders agreed with his clever analysis. The commanders asked him to make next move and devise the plan using his guile.
Shivaji left the fort and went to Rajgarh to seek the blessings of his mother. Jijabai said, “Shiva, I know the problem you are facing. It is the biggest challenge of your life. My blessing are always with you. But son, be careful. I have been told that Afzal is a demon. He should die. He killed your brother treacherously. That score also has to be settled for the family honour. Consult and seek the guidance of wise and the experienced elders of your camp. May goddess Bhavani bless you and provide her protection.”
Camping at Wai, Afzal ordered his commanders to fan out in Swarajya with soldiers and destroy Shivaji’s rule and his symbols of authority. All his supporters are to be executed.”
Naikji Podre captured Sirwal. Kalyani Jadhav rampaged in Soopay region. Kharrate hoisted Bijapur flag on Saswad. Hilal stormed into Mawal regions. Saif Khan ravage Konkan and wiped out Swarajya influence. All over Bijapur flags were going up and saffron flags were being torn to pieces. One by one the forts were falling to the enemy.
Meanwhile, Shivaji remained holed up in his inaccessible and impregnable fort of Pratapgarh. His commanders were losing patience and itching for a fight. Shivaji stayed calm even when the news arrived that his wife Saibai had passed away.
All through the monsoon Afzal Khan carried on relentlessly the outrageous acts to draw Shivaji out in open without any success. He was getting tired of waiting. At last, he decided to send his envoy to meet Shivaji at Pratapgarh fort.
The envoy, Krishnaji Bhaskar carried Afzal’s letter which read—‘His Majesty, the Emperor of Bijapur E mpire, Ali Shah Adil is unhappy at your misdeeds. The damage you did to our empire begs for words. I still can pardon you if you present yourself with folded hands to my camp and return all our illegally acquired territories. I guarantee you safety and will be merciful. Don’t forget that I am a friend of you father. You are like my nephew. Trust me and surrender. Or I will wipe out your kingdom. Rivers of blood will flow. Blood of your people. You know our power. Come and make peace with me.”
Shivaji read the letter and discussed the matter with his confidants till late night.
At midnight he paid a visit to the envoy in the guest chamber of the fort. Krishnaji was puzzled. Shivaji apologized for the intrusion and requested for an audience which was granted by the envoy.
Shivaji spoke, “Respected sir, you are a Brahmin, the holy priest for Hindus. Being a Hindu myself I look up to you reverently. I wish to put my case before you frankly. I didn’t create Swarajya for my own selfish reasons. My aim was to give Hindus a place where they could live with dignity and honour. Before my arrival fanatic Muslims were desecrating our temples, killing cows, dishonouring our women and they were tormenting our masses. I know that you are in the service of Bijapur. I only need a hint about Afzal’s real intentions.”
Krishnaji frowned and stared into the eyes of Shivaji. Then, after some pondering he said, “Right, I am a servant of Bijapur. So are a large number of other Hindus because hurting the feelings of Hindus is not the policy of Bijapur court. Only the fanatics like Afzal subvert the Bijapur Empire’s wars into their own personal Jehads against Hinduism. They do bad things to temples and Hindu symbols which pains us and we admire your endeavour. I would like to help you in some ways if it does not amount to betrayal of the Empire.”
Shivaji smiled and said, “Sir, I understand your position. Please do us a favour. Arrange my meeting alone with Afzal Khan near this fort for my own emotional security as I will be facing a great commander of a great empire.”
Krishnaji nodded his head, “I think…it can be arranged. Don’t see any problem.”
The following day, Krishnaji Bhaskar formally attended Shivaji’s court in the presence of ministers and commanders. After formal discussion Shivaji addressed the envoy, “Sir, it is very kind of the commander Afzal Khan Janab in giving me a chance of making honorable peace instead of assaulting my fort with his superior army. For me, as a friend of my father he is like a respected uncle. How can I disobey his orders? I request him kindly to pay a visit to Jawli to enable me to greet and meet him. My envoy Gopinathji Pant will accompany you with my letter carrying the invitation to commander Afzal Khan. Sir, we all thank you for your kind visit to our fort.”
Gopinathji presented Shiva’s letter to Afzal Khan which read—‘O greatest warrior of all times, one whose valour makes enemies tremble, one whose name makes kings sweat yet whose kind heart bleeds for a small chieftain like me and wishes to guide me into the correct path Sir, your kind willingness to grant me a meeting will be the greatest honour for me. I humbly request you to arrive in this beautiful countryside, Jawli, so that I summon courage to present myself to the presence of your goodself. I shall explain how that treacherous Mogul Prince Aurangzeb misguided me into capturing the lands and the forts of Bijapur Empire. The forts will be returned with due apology and all other corrective steps taken. Being a friend of the father of mine you are my honourable uncle. As your nephew I exercise my right to request you to pay a visit to Jawli to give me the due chance to extend my humble hospitality to you which will be high mark of my life. I shall feel rewarded by my great uncle.”
Afzal Khan read the letter with great satisfaction and a satanic smile lit up his face on and off.
Gopinathji was just waiting for that positive gesture and he added, “O great sir, the truth is that Shivaji is very frightened of you and is sorry. He realises the wrongs he has done to your empire foolishly. So, he won’t ever gather courage to present himself at Wai. But if you arrived at Jawli it will become his bounden duty to present himself to you. And we earnestly wish for your visit.”
Krishnaji also added how royally he was treated and how Shivaji infact appeared scared.
Afzal consented to go to Jawli although his advisors were apprehensive. They talked of Jawli terrain, ravines, hills, forests and narrow paths not fit in elephants and camels. One of them even pointed to the tricky nature of Shivaji who would not hesitate in hatching any plot.
But Afzal laughed arrogantly, “Don’t be stupid. That rat won’t ever even dream of killing me. He is already begging for mercy. Prepare for the march to that place. No more arguments.”
Gopinathji went back a happy man. Shivaji’s men at once started to make preparations for the meeting.
Meanwhile, a large part of Bijapur army set out from Wai to Jawli The terrain was more problematic than they had anticipated. The paths were very narrow, which passed through deep ravines, gorges, rocky hillsides and winded around high hills. A large part of war materials, camels, elephants and even horses were lost.
At last, the army camped on the bank of the river Kumudwati below Pratapgarh fort. On all the sides mountains rose up creating an eerie atmosphere.
A delegation from the fort arrived to welcome the visitors. On behalf of Shivaji, the delegation invited all the non-soldier officials of Bijapur with the Afzal Khan party to the fort to help Shivaji’s aid select suitable presents for the sub-commanders. Afzal Khan obliged. The officials were treated very lavishly and an impression was created that Shivaji was ready to fall at the feet of Afzal Khan.
