Now Shivaji was back again with Dadoji. The visionary old man had already crafted a political agenda for his charge, young Shiva to build him up into a valiant crusader for Hindu revival.
The basic ideal was to create a large Hindu welfare state called ‘Swarajya’. The task was to begin with the merger of 24 Mawal regions around into Poona state. Each of these Mawal regions was run by a ‘Deshmukh’ family as its fiefdom.
These Deshmukhs were always at one another throat. Their pastime was foraging, looting, plundering and burning the neighbourhood Mawals. The people were fed up with Deshmukhs. It was really sickening scene. To run down one another they vied in playing lackeys to Bijapur court.
Dadoji and Shivaji first contacted those Deshmukhs who had anti-Muslim attitude and hated the empires. Swarajya dream was revealed to them as Shivaji’s idea. Deshmukhs were very receptive Shivaji and Dadoji felt greatly encouraged. The friendly Deshmukhs were asked to circulate the Swarajya idea of Shivaji among the subjects to see their reaction.
The response of the people was quite positive. Infact, it was what every one was praying for.
The common Hindu was very angry at the attack on his religion and the culture by the alien Muslim invaders. They felt deep anguish against at the destruction of their temples, slaughter of cows, forced conversions and abduction of their women. The arrogance and misdeeds of the Muslim officials of the empires added to their woes. They now felt that Shivaji’s Swarajya could be the dream where they would be able to live with honour and without any fear.
The people wanted to see the youngman who was promising them their dream paradise. They wanted to assess him, feel his leadership qualities and to judge how far Shivaji could carry the battle which was going to be fierce and long drawn out war of attrition. Shivaji had no problem in meeting the people. Dadoji had prepared his charge Shivaji admirably in public relations during those tours of Poona state. And he was always by the side of Shivaji to provide guidance.
Shivaji started going around the friendly Mawal regions to meet the people personally. He made an immediate impact. The people liked him and the young men adored him. Shivaji won the hearts of the people.
Wherever Shivaji went he created bands of young followers he could trust. Some solid plans were put into practice to enthuse the people. He got the destroyed temples rebuilt by his followers. It sentimentally endeared him to masses.
Gradually most of the Deshmukhs were in Shivaji’s camp. The Swarajya was slowly but surely becoming a reality. Some errant Deshmukhs ran to Bijapur court to complain against the activities of Shivaji. But by now Shivaji had become very powerful. Those traitor Deshmukhs were caught and severely punished. The people stood by Swarajya and its creator, Shivaji.
Now it was time for direct war.
One night, Shivaji collected his faithful followers in a cave 50 miles off Poona. They were his hand picked promising young men. They took an oath to dedicate their lives to the creation of Swarajya and its defence. The youngmen were given arms and their training began earnestly. It was the first battalion of Swarajya Army.
