Most of the contemporary chroniclers have taken for granted the
soft corner for Shivaji in Mirza Jaisingh’s heart. There are about 26
letters available, which suggest that Jaisingh was one of the most
trusted generals of Aurangzeb. After defeating Shivaji, it was
Jaisingh’s suggestion that Shivaji be called to Delhi. Aurangzeb
accepted it. It was Jaisingh’s suggestion that Shivaji be kept in
house arrest. Aurangzeb accepted it. It was Jaisingh’s suggestion
again that he must not be harmed, for any injury to his health may
culminate into a rebellion amongst recently subdued Marathas. It was
Jaisingh’s reasoning that Shivaji be kept as captive in Delhi to
blackmail Marathas, but must not be harmed. Aurangzeb accepted this
suggestion too. Later, he has publicly admitted the folly of his of
accepting this particular suggestion of Jaisingh. Aurangzeb was in
favor of killing off Shivaji. Jaisingh shows a complex mixture of
emotions when it comes to Shivaji and Sambhaji. He was seeing a Hindu
state coming into existence in spite of all odds. Nevertheless, he
was a faithful servant of Aurangzeb.
It was not very sensitive of Jaisingh to keep nine-year-old
Sambhaji as captive in his camp until all the terms of the Maratha -
Mughal treaty were implemented. As a politician, Jaisingh was brutal
and ruthless. However, he had an emotional side as well. It is
documented that both Shivaji and Mirza Jaisingh had deployed
mercenary assassins to finish each other. However, both failed.
The clauses of the treaty were also quite harsh on the part of
Marathas. Shivaji had to cede 23 forts and region giving revenue of
400,000 rupees to Mughals. Shivaji was left with 12 forts and region
of 100,000 rupees. Shivaji had to accept supremacy of Aurangzeb and
forced to serve Aurangzeb as an ordinary Jagirdar. Shivaji and
Marathas were practically finished, thanks to the shrewd politics of
Jaisingh and Aurangzeb.
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