THE STORY OF ICHALKARANJI
saved the people from religious persecution and political despotism, had united all Maharashtra into a great nation, and had opened to men of ability and ambition a vast field of endeavour in which they could work for the religious and political betterment of the Mahrattas. Maloji Ghorpade was one who readily accepted the challenge which Shivaji had thrown out to all brave subjects of Maharashtra, and he quickly placed himself in a position in which he could do valiant service for the new empire; whilst, recognising that there was a greater work to be done in the future even than had been accomplished in the past, Maloji trained each of his three sons in the arts of war and statesmanship, one of the three, Santaji Rao, especially distinguishing himself in Shivaji's Carnatic War for which he received the particular approbation of Shivaji.
It was this Santaji who first saw in the young Narayan the makings of a future soldier. Shortly after Gangabai and the boy had settled down near the camp of Maloji Ghorpade, Naro Pant showed that he was not an ordinary child. Although full of life and energy, he seemed to spurn the usual childish games and tricks, and found his greatest recreation and enjoyment in listening to the glowing and heart-stirring accounts told him by Maloji's Shilledars and Bargeers of the heroic exploits of Shivaji and his captains. No stories are more thrilling than the adventures of Tanaji Malusare and Netaji
10
