Page 95 - Lavender-B-8

Tanaji buckled his sword and stepped out of the room. He ordered his men to be ready to
accompany him. The news spread and soon the soldiers assembled outside his house.

After his wife had applied tilak on his forehead and performed the arti, Tanaji took leave
of her.

Leading an army of horsemen, he rode fast
to reach Raigarh Fort. Tanaji walked straight

into Shivaji’s room and found him sitting in a
pensive mood.

‘Raje, I’m here at your service,’ said Tanaji
bowing.

‘Oh! my Sinha has come!’ exclaimed Shivaji.

He embraced Tanaji and said, ‘Come, sit down.
We have a difficult assignment. Ma Sahib feels
5
that the other forts are not safe so long as we

do not recapture Kondana Fort.

‘Udai Singh Rathor is in command of the
Mughal forces. His men are guarding the
three gates. His sons are also with him. All of
them are brave fighters. There is also the killer
elephant Chandrawati. She is a force by herself.

I have thought and thought, but can’t find a
way of capturing the Fort. You are the only one
who may be able to find a way.’

The lines deepened on Tanaji’s brow. Then he spoke. ‘I have a plan. The fort is guarded
only on three sides. We will try to enter from the west.’

‘What?’ Shivaji sprang up. ‘Enter from the west? You’re not planning to climb that

precipice? It is unassailable.’

Tanaji said coolly — ‘No, Raje, it is not the way I intend doing it.’ He then explained his
plan to Shivaji in detail.

‘It is a daring plan,’ said Shivaji anxiously. ‘Very difficult to execute. Everything depends
on just one thing.’ accompany: to go along with

‘Yes, it is difficult, Raje, but not impossible. We will assembled: gathered
pensive: serious
prepare well and we will succeed.’ Tanaji sounded precipice: a very steep rock face or cliff,

confident. especially a tall one
unassailable: unable to be attacked
execute: put a plan into effect
5 Queen Mother
95