With reference to the Treaty of Purandar, 1665, consider the following statements:
1. It was signed between the Shaista Khan of Deccan and the Marathas.
2. According to this treaty, Shivaji had to accept the suzerainty of Mughals.
Which of the statements given above is/are not correct?
Explanation:
Statement 1 is not correct; Aurangzeb deputed Raja Jai Singh of Amber, who was one of the most trusted advisers of Aurangzeb, to deal with Shivaji.
- Unlike Shaista Khan, Jai Singh did not underestimate the Marathas rather he made careful diplomatic and military preparations.
- Jai Singh planned to strike at the heart of Shivaji's territories i.e. fort Purandar where Shivaji had lodged his family and his treasure.
- In 1665, Jai Singh besieged Purandar (1665), beating off all Maratha attempts to relieve it. With the fall of the fort at sight, and no relief likely from any quarter, Shivaji opened negotiations with Jai Singh.
Statement 2 is not correct; After hard bargaining with Shivaji, the following terms we agreed upon (Treaty of Purandar) −
- Out of 35 forts held by Shivaji, 23 forts were surrendered to the Mughals; Remaining 12 forts were left with Shivaji on condition of service and loyalty to the Mughal throne.
- Territory worth four lakhs of huns a year in the Bijapuri Konkan, which Shivaji had already held, was granted to him.
- The Bijapur territory worth of five lakhs of huns a year in the uplands (Balaghat), which Shivaji had conquered, was also granted to him. In return for these, Shivaji was to pay 40 lakhs huns in instalments to the Mughals.
- Shivaji asked them to be excused from personal service. Hence, a mansab of 5,000 was granted to his minor son, Sambhaji.
- Shivaji promised, however, to join personally in any Mughal campaign in the Deccan but there was no clause for accepting Mughal Suzerainty.