On Aurangzeb’s invitation Shivaji decided to attend the court of the Mogul empire at least for one time. He wanted to assess the northern empire.
Shivaji and his son, Shambhaji left Rajgarh for Agra accompanied by 350 soldiers. A royal welcome to him at Agra was rightfully expected. But his arrival was largely ignored.
It angered the proud Maratha. In protest he didn’t go to Mogul court the next day and nor on the following day. Hindu Rajas and Sardars of the Mogul court put pressure on Shivaji to present himself to Emperor Aurangzeb to set things right.
Shivaji and his son went to the court on the third day though not very enthusiastically. To impress the Maratha Aurangzeb was at his dazzling best. He sat on a jewel bedecked throne. He was in white shimmering silk dress. On his head was a high turban studded with sparkling diamonds and other gems.
Shivaji and Shambhaji paid obeisance to the Emperor and offered costly presents they had brought along.
Shivaji expected to be offered a seat of honour, But he and Shambaji were led to back row and made to stand alongside minor chieftains. Shivaji fumed and seethed at this humiliation.
In protest, he walked out of the court defiantly.
Aurangzeb could not tolerate the defiance. He ordered the arrest of Shivaji and his son. They were put in the care of Jailor Andaz Khan notorious for anti-Hindu attitude.
Raja Jai Singh’s son Ram Singh and other Rajput courtiers didn’t like it and they protested. Due to their pressure another Jailor, Siddi Faulad Khan was assigned the guard duty.
Although it was a tough time for Shivaji he didn’t lose his cool. He requested his soldiers to be allowed to go to their homes to enable them to pick up threads of their normal lives. Mogul court happily allowed it as it further weakened Shivaji. Only a few valets stayed back to take care of the father and the son. Meanwhile a specially fortified prison was being build for Shivaji and his son. Shivaji had to think of a way of escape before the transfer.
He hit upon an idea.
The news was spread that Shivaji was ill. He was bedridden all the time. The treatment of Hakims was refused. He would allow only Hindu vaids to touch him, the servants said. Hindu vaids checked him and declared that Shivaji Maharaj was suffering from some internal malady which was eating him.
A few weeks later recovery of health by Shivaji was claimed. Permission was sought to distribute sweets among poor and well wishers as thanks. Big baskets of sweets started coming out every day containing sweets for distribution. The guards checked the sweet baskets strictly. The guard liked the high quality sweets offered to them too.
Gradually baskets of sweets became a routine affair. The checking became lax. The guards infact were receiving sweets spiked with opium. So, they were becoming dopey.
Then, one day it was claimed that Shivaji’s condition had worsened. The guards were told not to disturb him or create noise as he needed rest. That day two baskets were taken out.
Those baskets didn’t contain sweets. In them were Shivaji and Shambhaji. The basket carriers were Shivaji’s soldiers who had stayed back.
The guards didn’t check the baskets. They could see the sleeping figure of Shivaji inside. But infact it was one of his servants who was putting on an act of ‘sleeping Shivaji’.
Out of the prison, near the Yamuna bank, Shivaji was met by rest of his soldiers who had stayed back in disguise. They were always in touch with Shivaji and knew the plot.
Meanwhile, the remaining servants of Shivaji also were able to give a slip to the guards.
On the other bank of Yamuna, Netaji Palkar was ready with horses. The party rode to Mathura where Shambhaji was entrusted to a friend. The rest of them got their heads shaved and put on saffron robes to become sanyasis. They had tongs, begging bowls and Khartal-Majeeras as well. The troop moved on as sanyasis visiting pilgrim centres of Kashi, Patna, Bhavnagar, Bijapur, Mahabaleshwar and reached Rajgarh on 20th November, 1676.
A message was sent into the fort that a sadhu party wanted to sing bhajans for Mata Jijabai.
The were called in. Infront of Jijabai they sang a bhajan. Suddenly, a sadhu rose and went to Jijabai. He touched her feet, Jijabai was puzzled.
Then, another sadhu spoke, “Mataji, look carefully. It is your son Shivaji Maharaj.” The truth suddenly dawned on Jijabai. She hugged her son and both wept for joy.
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