India Are Inseparably Associated; but to Glean More Than a Few Jewels from the Inexhaustible Mine at Our the WONDERFUL EXPLOITS of SIVAJI
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Permission to use Heritage History documents or images for commercial purposes, or more information about our collection of traditional history resources can be obtained by contacting us at [email protected] Original Copyright 1909 by Victor Surridge. 2 Distributed by Heritage History 2009 PREFACE TABLE OF CONTENTS Romance and India are inseparably associated; but to glean more than a few jewels from the inexhaustible mine at our THE WONDERFUL EXPLOITS OF SIVAJI ................................... 4 disposal is impossible within the limits of a single volume. This SIVAJI IS CROWNED KING ....................................................... 9 is in no sense a history; rather has it been the endeavour in the following pages to touch lightly upon the more romantic events AN EMPIRE IN ITS DEATH-GRIPS ........................................... 15 in our empire story, and to trace by a series of picturesque incidents the gradual evolution of India, from the warring and ANGRIA, THE PIRATE ............................................................ 22 troubled condition in which it was found by the hardy merchant- adventurers of old, to its present proud position as "the brightest HOW THE BRITISH FOUGHT THE PIRATES .............................. 26 jewel in the Imperial Crown." DUPLEIX PLAYS AT KING-MAKING ....................................... 32 THE COMING OF CLIVE ......................................................... 36 HOW BENGAL WAS WON ..................................................... 43 UNSETTLED TIMES ................................................................ 51 GOVERNOR VERSUS COUNCIL .............................................. 56 HOW HASTINGS RAISED MONEY FOR THE WARS .................. 62 OF MYSORE, MARATHAS, AND MUTINY ............................... 68 THE UNSHEATHED SWORD .................................................... 77 THE GOLDEN KING ............................................................... 83 THE VALLEY OF DEATH ........................................................ 88 HOW THE SEPOYS GAVE THEMSELVES UP TO THE DEVIL ..... 98 THE END OF THE COMPANY ................................................ 107 EPILOGUE ............................................................................ 117 Original Copyright 1909 by Victor Surridge. 3 Distributed by Heritage History 2009 Your Majesty's glory, he has deposed the governor and vested himself with the authority of this miserable one." CHAPTER I "How say you?" interrupted the king. "This is Shahji's son?" THE WONDERFUL EXPLOITS OF SIVAJI "Even so, Your Majesty. We humbly pray you to look with favour upon our master Sivaji, that by your royal approval of a patriotic deed you may strike terror into the hearts of those Over two and a half centuries ago—in the year 1646 to base ones who seek to stir up the kingdom into sedition and be precise—a travel-stained band of men entered the courtyard revolt." of the royal palace of Bíjapur, a city with which the fates have dealt hardly, and which to-day is little more than a ruin. But at The king plucked uneasily at his beard. "Shahji," he the time of which we are writing Bíjapur was the capital of a muttered to himself—"Shahji, the powerful noble and general in large and important kingdom in the southern portion of the command of the Bíjapur army! How came his son thus to take peninsula, and was inhabited by a brave and warlike people. the law into his own hands?" The men dismounted from their shaggy mountain ponies "Tell me," he commanded sternly, "how old is this and looked about them curiously. It was evident that they had capturer of forts?" come from afar, for their hair was long and matted, and their "Your Majesty, he is but nineteen years." speech rough and uncouth; and the splendidly dressed officer of the guard, who had been eyeing them with suspicion, mentally The king's brow cleared, and a broad smile passed round decided that they were Maráthás, or tribesmen who lived in the the Court. What manner of youth was this who seemed so wild hilly country in the far west. anxious for his country's welfare? Certainly it was not a matter to be taken seriously. So the messengers were dismissed with the "Behold, we bear important tidings!" hey cried. "We promise that their petition should receive attention at a later date, must see His Majesty Muhammad Adil Shah." while the courtiers smiled to themselves over what they When they were at length admitted, the monarch, in the considered a very excellent joke. presence of a brilliant court, asked them their business. This is the first glimpse we have of the renowned Sivaji. "We have come to tell Your Majesty that Sivaji, son of A Hindú boy, of martial spirit and keen imagination, fed from Shahji, has taken the fort of Torna." his earliest years on the wonderful exploits achieved by the legendary heroes of India, burning to follow in their steps and to A murmur of surprise and incredulity went the round of do noble deeds for his country and his religion, we see him in the assembled courtiers, but the king, raising his hand to company with a few boyish friends and a ragged band of low- command silence, bade the messengers continue their narrative. caste natives capture an important fort. The tried men of war "May it please Your Majesty," they resumed, "our lord surrender in astonishment to these inexperienced youths, while Sivaji has been troubled in his mind since many days. Long has the aged Governor delivers up his sword in mute dismay. Sivaji he considered with sorrow that the fort was not maintained in a has placed his foot on the first rung of the ladder of fame. manner befitting the safety of the country. But now, zealous of Original Copyright 1909 by Victor Surridge. 4 Distributed by Heritage History 2009 The youthful hero lived with his guardian at Poona. The fingering naked swords and keeping an anxious lookout for old man was very much shocked by his ward's daring actions, danger. Suddenly there was a thunder of horses' feet, and Sivaji but his lectures and entreaties made no impression; the spirit of at the head of three hundred men swept like a whirlwind upon adventure was in Sivaji and he would not be restrained. The them. The escort fled in every direction, and the booty was borne aged tutor took to his bed in despair, and shortly afterwards died. with all speed to the young bandit's mountain fastness. On his deathbed his dying eyes seemed to see something of the Bíjapur, lacking its treasure, sat up in indignation and future in store for the boy, for he called him, and bade him go on alarm. "Treachery!" muttered the king. "Shahji must be as he had begun. concerned in this. He is using his son to plot against me!" And "My son," he murmured with faltering accents, "I pray so the doughty general, who was fighting his country's battles far that you will continue your campaign for independence. Protect away, was treacherously seized and conveyed to the capital. Brahmins, kine and cultivators; preserve the temples of the With tears in his eyes he protested his innocence; but the king's Hindús from violation; and follow the fortune which lies before heart was black with suspicion. The veteran soldier was thrown you." And so saying, the old man expired. into a dungeon, and the door built up save for a tiny opening. "If Thus was Sivaji left his own master. His father was far your son does not submit within a certain period," he was told, away fighting in the wars. Poona, as the map will show, is some "the aperture shall be for ever closed." The unhappy parent, face distance from Bíjapur. It is situated in the Maráthá country, a to face with death, sent an urgent appeal to his too-enterprising wild and mountainous region, very difficult of access. Sivaji offspring, and the growling of the mountain tiger ceased for a crouched in his native hills like one of the cunning mountain time to trouble the ears of Bíjapur. tigers, and made himself stronger and stronger. By bribes and A few lines are here necessary to explain the general other means he got possession of several forts. Men occupying position of India at this period. In 1526 Babar the Lion, a fierce posts of honour and distinction were glad to enter his service.