Now to that list one has to add one more i.e. garbage evidences. These are typically the exaggerations, half lies and outright lies in print or published as books. Once published, these are used as evidences without critical evaluation. In the above referred article, Adv. Gracias has used the garbage evidences without applying the analytical methods of evaluation.
Feeding 50000 Brahmins
Adv. Gracias quotes S. N. Sadashivan that, “At the instance of Gagabhat 11,000 Brahmins with their wives and children numbering in all 50,000 souls, had to be sumptuously fed and supplied with cloths and other necessities on a liberal scale for four months.” This is typical of a garbage evidence (?) in print.
Since Shivaji’s coronation event had to be kept secret, there prevailed speculation till March 1674, just two months before the date of coronation of 6 June 1674. It is evident from the letter by British representative Narayan Shenavi, (Shenoy?) from Raygad on 24 March 1674. He writes “It is not known whether he will be crowned in person or some other prince, for it is reported that a Prince of Nisamshay (Nijamshahi) race in his custody”. Secrecy about person to be coronated was maintained at Rayagad itself even after March 1674. Too much of publicity of coronation would have attracted attention of Shahi-kingdoms and Mughals to invade Shivaji. By keeping the speculation to go round, it was sort of avoided. Under these conditions, it is absolute exaggeration that Gagabhat arranged to invite 50,000 people belonging to Brahman clans and that they were fed for four months. There is another closer estimate of total number of people present at the time of coronation. It is a letter dated 16 July 1674 by Robert Smith who sent the figure of 20,000 people being present at the time of coronation. This comes close to Dutch records as a corroborative evidence. From the above discussion it can be understood as to why the Sadasivan’s book should be treated as a garbage reference.
Now to examine the statements of Adv. Gracias: “The Maratha empire was built on the courage and bravery of the ordinary people despite vehement opposition from the Brahmins as is well documented.”It was during Peshawa reign that Marathas achieved Imperial power such that three fourth of India from Attock to Tanjavur was under their control. On the contrary many a Maratha chieftains were opposed to Shahu. It shows not only he is ignorant of history but Adv. Gracias seems to be not comprehending the meaning of what it implies.
(The author is chemical engineer and a student of Indian history)
