necessity, but advised the Emperor to leave Shiva at Agra. "When I prayed that Shiva might be permitted to return home, affairs [in the Deccan] were in a different condition. Now that they have changed altogether [against us,] it is not at all politic to send him to this side. Please detain him in such a way that his officers may not despair [about his return] , go over to Adil Shah and raise disturbances [against us.] It would be expedient to leave Shiva at Agra. He ought to be conciliated and assured that he would be summoned to the Court after it had arrived in the Deccan. His son should, as a
matter of policy, be kept with the Emperor, in order that his followers may not be thrown into despair, but may loyally serve us." [H. A. 194a, 197a.] But the war in the Deccan steadily went against the Mughals, and Shiva's hope of an early release grew dimmer and dimmer.
§7. Shivaji's escape from Agra.
He, therefore, turned to his own inner resources to effect his liberation.*[1] After a few days of captivity, he made a loud profession of submission and fear and entreated courtier after courtier to intercede with the Emperor for his pardon, but with no success.
- ↑ * Shivaji's escape from Agra: A. N. 971 (one sentence only!); Bernier, 190, (same); Storia, ii. 139-140; Sabh. 52-55 and K. K. ii. 198-201, 217-220, (most detailed); Dil 59-61; Chit. 115-118; Dig. 249-254 T. S. 23a-25a; Fryer, ii. 65; Forrest.
