It was the most thrilling exploit of all his wonderful deeds, which has forever added a super-natural
glow to his unique personality. It immediately resounded throughout the country, making Shivaji an all-India figure, divinely endowed with extraordinary
powers. The incident simultaneously exposed the emperor’s craft, still further adding to his evil repute for cunning and cruelty. Shivaji’s reputation, on
the other hand, reached its zenith for having outwitted the cleverest and mightiest of the emperors. Aurangzeb felt extremely mortified at Shivaji’s escape
and rued the event to the end of his days.
He cited this to his sons as an instance wherein a trifling negligence led to incalculable harm. He suspected Jay Singh and Ram Singh of being privy to Shivaji’s
plans and disgraced them both. He appointed his son Mu’azzam, to the Government of the Deccan with Jaswant Singh to assist him. Jay Singh was recalled and he died at
Burhanpur on his return journey.
Shivaji also effected a peaceful understanding with Bijapur and Golconda, both purchasing his goodwill by agreeing to pay him the stipulated annual
amounts of chauth. Thus Shivaji was accepted as an independent ruler in Maharashtra.
Shivaji was not only the maker of the Maratha nation, but also the greatest constructive genius of medieval India. States fall, empires break up, dynasties become extinct,
but the memory of a true 'hero as King' like Shivaji remains an imperishable historical legacy for an entire human race.
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