Chhatrapati Shivaji was well aware of the deceitful policy of the Mughals. That's why he was not at all in favor of going around the royal court. One day he got a letter. Through the letter, he got an invitation to come to Aurangzeb's court. Shivaji felt that perhaps after meeting he would announce to make him his Viceroy in Deccan. Will give a large army under his leadership to capture Bijapur and Golconda. This was also told to Shivaji through a letter.
Aurangzeb's Viceroy Mirza Raja Jai Singh, posted in the south, tried his best to send Shivaji to Aurangzeb's court. In his book 'Shivaji and His Times', famous historian Jadunath Sarkar has mentioned many interesting things related to this incident. He writes that there was no truth in the things that were said to Shivaji before meeting Aurangzeb.
Mention of royal honor in the letter, but got insult
Shivaji felt that after meeting he would get permission to collect Chauth in Bijapur. After a long discussion in the Maratha court, it was decided that he should leave for Agra. On March 5, 1666, he handed over the responsibility of the throne to Mata Jijabai and left for Agra.
It was clearly written in the letter received by Shivaji that he would be brought to the court with royal honors and would also be able to go back home. The king would welcome, but it did not happen. When he reached Agra on May 9, Aurangzeb sent a small orderly to welcome him. The time to meet Aurangzeb was fixed on 12th May. When the orderly called his name in the court, Shivaji along with his son Sambhaji and 10 companions reached in front of the emperor.
In the court, he was asked to stand behind in a long line. They were at such a distance that even the sight of the king could not reach there. Finally after some time he reached in front of Aurangzeb. Along with giving 2 thousand gold seal and 6 thousand rupees as a gift, he saluted Aurangzeb 3 times, but the emperor did not even reply. Shivaji did not like this behavior of Aurangzeb.
What was Aurangzeb's attitude towards Shivaji, everyone was able to understand it. The emperor issued an order to keep him at Jaipur Sarai outside the city of Agra. Mughal soldiers silently started monitoring them. In the order of the emperor, Shivaji was told not to leave the building. Shivaji had understood Aurangzeb's intention. He felt that the emperor wanted him to commit a mistake and taking advantage of it, Aurangzeb would order him to be killed.
Shivaji used the trick
Realizing the situation, Shivaji changed his strategy. Instead of being sad, he started being happy. Shivaji started sending food and drink items for the soldiers. As a result, after the first few days, the searches of those who met him were stopped.
One day Shivaji made an excuse of illness. They started moaning so loudly with pain that the soldiers standing outside the palace could hear their voices. Even during this time, he started sending fruits and eatables out in big boxes and baskets.
…and ran away sitting in the basket like this
The Mughal soldiers were sure that there were food and drink in it. That's why he had left to investigate. Shivaji took advantage of this. He sat in the basket and his orderlies took him out. Shivaji put his step brother Heroji Farzand on the bed in his place. He kept lying like this for a day and a half.
When the soldiers noticed that their voices had stopped coming, they came inside. Was shocked to see the view here. When Aurangzeb was told about Shivaji's escape, he got furious. Aurangzeb got a big blow from this incident because he could not succeed in his plan.
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