Rojnishi: Maratha history in Portuguese records of Lisbon

8/14/2019 Rojnishi: Maratha history in Portuguese records of Lisbon

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FROM THEFriEDITORIAL DESK

Out of the confidence of few, diffidence of many, and cooperation of all,

ROJNISHI is born. When the new year started with a much publicized national

meet of astrologers in the capital, my naturally Indian mind was for a momentswayed by thoughts of horror-scope. Whatever the role the stars may be playing, eventhe most diffident of us who chose an executive editor must have had some confidencein their choice! I cannot vouch for the invisible and eerie influences, but this firstissue ofROJNISHI in hands is a witness to what effective good-will and coopera-tion can achieve.

ROJNISHI is a Marathi term of Persian origin and with historical nuances. Itstands for a record of daily performance of an official. As a Newsletter of our HistoryAcademy of teachers and researchers in history, ROJNISHI is meant to be a "re-

cord" of the pulse and routine performance of historical scholarship in the juricdictionof Poona University. The spontaneity of the response that alone can promoteROJNISHI may be taken as an indicator of that pulse. We look forward to seeingROJNISHI grow into a truly representative andreliable index of the academic calibreof historical talent around us. Initially, it may, be more an index of enthusiasm.However, we resolve not to lose sight of the challenge.

ROJNISHI will come out twice a year, that is, around January and July. it willprovide forum to novices and veterans alike. The contents of this first issue testify to

this. The contents will give also an idea of our programme with its scope and limita-

tions. It will be biased in favour of Western Indian History, will give preferentialtreatment to well-researched essays and to new archival sources, and will accommodate

miscellaneous items, such as news of historical interest, book reviews, etc. as per spaceavailable. Contributions can come in English OFMarathi, and they should betyped in double-space. They should reach the Editorial Board, c/o Department ofHistory, University of Poona, before the end of December/June. Material forpublication will be selected by the Executive Editor with the help of expert opinion.

ROJNISHI thanks very specially Dr. M. E. Cherian, President of Spicer MemorialCollege (Pune) for his financial guarantee to the initial three issues to the tune of

Rs. 2,500/- per issue. May his generosity inspire more generosity from more quarters.Gratitude is recorded also to Prof. A. R. Kulkami, to whose inspiration this News-letter owes its existence and its name. An expression of thanks goes also to thehistorians who have gladly consented to associate themselves with ROJNISHI asmembers of the Advisory Board. Finally, ROJNISHI acknowledges the cheerful andsteady support of every staff-member of the Department of History (University ofPoona).

Apprater Academy Dr. T. R. de Souza, S. J.Utitietsity ofPoona. Executive Editor

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The new ci ty was to be the last extra-

vaganza of a dy ing empire. This future washidden from those who planned it to bea showpiece to impress and dazzle thesubject population with the imperialpower. The designer of Viceroy's House,Sir Edwin Luyten, was employed to

create a school of Indo-British architec-

ture. Th i s hope was never fulfilled.

The author traces Hindu-Muslim

antagonism to urban strains of conges-

tion. This is open to debate, but the

municipalization and politicization of

Dclhi did bring its citizens into the arenaof national politics. This happened mostly

in 1920's with the influx of politicallyaware outsiders who moved from Calcuttato Delhi.

The book has useful additional aids forthe reader. However, two more maps, oneshowing more details of the suburban

extensions after 1880's and the othershowing the new capital in relation to thecantonment and civil lines would havemade the picture clearer for the reader.

Dr. (Snit.) Samita Gupta

9[New Archival Documents 1

1. A Modi Document from Lisbon Archives

The accompanying letter is from theAjuda Library of Lisbon. It was addressed

by the Pratinidhi of the Marathas, Par-shuram Pandit, to the Portuguese viceroyof Goa. It belongs to a critical period ofMaratha history, that is ., when Maratha

country was invaded by the Mughals.The letter reminds the Portuguese of their

friendship with the Marathas and at thesame time sounds a note of warning that

they should not exploit the political sit-uation and disturb the Marathas whilethey were engaged in a life and deatin

struggle with (the imperial forces ofAurangzeb. If they misbehave, death and

destruction will be carried into their terri-

tory, and they will not he pardoned un-der ainy circumstances. If they have com-plaints against the Maratha sardars, they

could be settled by mutual consultations.They should not fall into the trap ofsmall people who are likely to poison their

ears in order to realize some selfish in-te reAs .

This important letter, though undated,

appears to have been written between

1700-1701. The influence of Persian lan-

guage on official Marathi correspondence

in the 1 7th century is evident ;n this let-ter. The political situation in the Marathacountry after thc death of Rajaram in1700 had become unstable, and as suchit was not possible for the Marathas tofight against the Mughals and the Por-tuguese at the same time. Thus whilethreatening the Portuguese, the Pratinidhi

also pleads for the continuation of their

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riendship. This indirectly suggests the im-portance of the Portuguese power, though

a decadent one in the 17th century, in

he political situation in the Deccan. TheMarathas did not want the Portuguese

to remain neutral in this Maratha,

Mughal conflict which began from 1689

after the cruel execution of Sambhaji.

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2. A Portuguese MS of the GoaHistorical Archives No. 1879

Reccbida, cm 11 de

Dczembro de 1772Punem 20 de Novembrode 1772

Noticia

Dada pclo patmar gcntio morador

de Punim, portador da Carta do Pe. Fre

This document has been selected and introduced by Prof. A. R. Kulkarni, Dept. of

History University of Poona)


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Leandro de Madre de Deos.

Que no dia 4 a feira 18 de Novembro de1772 de manha falcceu Madan Rao nocitio chamado Thevar :-; que na mesmatarde foi queimado o seu cadaver, e juntocorn elle morreo a sua mulher quei-mada: que o Pe Fre Leandro se

achava no dito citio que na ma0aSexta feira 20 de Novembro expedio o

ditd Padre com cartas a eta carte aonow:tante junto corn hum companheiro,ao qual deixara em Chieoddy

-por se achar

doente, e que elle presentara a csta 'Cortehontern 30 de Novembro. Que em Thevar

se :'achavao .Ragoba, Naraona Rao IrmaoMadou Rao, Saca Rama Bapu, Moro

Panta, e todos os mais Ministros e Cabos,

e ,tambem Trimbaca Rao Marna. Queao tempo de sahir ciaqle. cit

i o o noticiante,

estariao ally dez mil cavallos, e se tinhae-Zpedio ordem,

pa . ajuntar as mais

Tropas, pela noticia q. havia chegado deq o filho de Ragoji Bounsulo vinha mar-

chando repentinarnente sabre Punem, e sedizia q o excrcito seria couza de vipte mil

cavalos. Que se falava q acabadci os diasde nojo, haviao de nassar todos a Satara,

c thydeclarar a solemnide. sermonial dogoverno de Pradan em name de NaraenaRao corn authoridade de Rama R.aza.

English translation

Received on 1st December 1772Poona, 20 November, 1772

News conveyed by a Hindu messenger,

resident in Poona, and _bearer of aletter from Friar Leandro de Madre

de Deos.

He reported that Madhav Rao died ata place called Thevur in the morning of

18th November 1772, a Wednesday. Thatsame evening his body was cremated, andalong with him his wife was burnt. Father

Leandro was present at the site, and he

sent this messenger and a companian withletters to this Government On the

morning of Friday, 20th November. The,

messenger had to leave, his companion at

Chicoddy because he fell sick, and he

reached the destination alone yesterday,

that is, on 30th November. Raghoba,Narayan Rao, brother ofMadhav Rao,

Sakharam Bapn, Moropant, and all the

other Ministers and Sardars, and also,

Trimbak Rao Mama were present at

Thevur. When the messenger left that

place, there were about ten thousand,

horses, and orders had been issued for

more troops because of the alarm received

that the son of Raghoji Bhosle wasmarching on Poona with about twenty

thousand cavalry. He reported that soon

after the mourning was over, all would -

meet in Satara for the solemn enthrone-

ment of Narayan Rao as Pradhan with

authority of Ram Raja.

Ekplanatory Remarks :

Fr. Leandro was a priest who was in

Poona for many years and was attending

to the spiritual needs of the Goan

Christians serving in Maratha army. It

is clear from many other Portuguese

documents of this time that the Portuguese

were following closely the dissensions in

Maratha politics. It may be interesting

to note also that a Portuguese doctor,Manuel Francisco Goncalves, was sent to -

Poona at the request of Maratha court to-

attend to Madhav Rao in his illness in _

1771.

(This document is selected and translated

by Dr. T. R. de Souza, Dept. -of History,

University of Poona.)

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