Our social media warriors

 The ongoing Israel-US's war on Iran has set cat amongst pegions within social media in India. Many hitherto united due to their hatred against current Modi-BJP disposition are not only highly divided about a war where the Government of India has taken a neutral stance, they are rabidly warring among themselves more than the current war, being already divided and taking opposite sides. It is often outrageous and occasionally outright funny to see their clash of thoughts and watch them debating on social media. Those having opinions about the ongoing war in the Gulf fall into the following categories.

1. The Indian Liberals - especially those from an Eastern state of India known to have a long Commie leaning are not unexpectedly staunchly anti-USA although their idol Russia and comrade China have long relinquished communism and have a perfectly working relationship with the United States. America is certainly not above criticism and they have every right to be critical of its policies. But here comes their hypocrisy - they don't send their kids to Moscow or Beijing, rather to Marlyland or Boston and try their best to get American Visa for themselves. (One of my college mates and a huge critic of America had his US Visa rejected). If Hypocrisy would be an event in the Olympics, they would win Gold medal hands down.

2. Hard core Bhakts and supporters of Modi/BJP - They love to hate Iran and have a crush on Israel. Since time immemorial they have been cheering every time the Jewish nation bombs Hamas, Gaza or Iran. Some of them even address Israel as "Salom Dost" (salute my friend). Don't think common Israelis ever reciprocate in same frenzy and address us Indians as "Namaste Mitron". Even if Modi hugged Netanyahu (the later reciprocated the former's hug by an apparently uncomfortable embrace not to be seen as diplomatically impolite in public), the Israeli Prime Minister's "Fraandly" response was more strategic than any meaningful friendship with Modi. I am sure the Isreali commoners share the same feelings, without having any great love for us.

A few of them who are rabid Muslim haters are supporting Iran because of their antipathy towards Trump ever since the American President, once the darling of India's right wing now turned into rabid Trump/America haters. They are behaving like jilted lovers ever since their idol Modi was ditched by his Fraand Dolaand for his new love Pakistan. They come with their own confused defense of their support for Israel but opposition to USA - we stand with the Iranian public but are against their Ayotollah leadership. They are against American attack on Iran, at same time they're for Israeli attack on Iran, as if the results of their attacks are any different. Have you ever heard of more confusing opinions ! Regardless, the deserve a Silver medal in hypocrisy.

3. Indian Muslims - No surprise or hypocrisy here. They were anti Israel and Trump from the beginning, they are still now. Most of their love towards Iran dwell on religious affinity rather than understanding of the complex Middle East crisis. While they are critical of killing of innocents in Gaza (I too consider killing of innocents as inhuman), they are conspicuously silent of the attack by Hamas on innocent Israelis and the atrocious atrocities of the Iranian Mullahs on their own citizens, especially women. Bronze medal in hypocrisy goes to them.

Regardless of what's happening in the Middle East, the issue is too complicated to be solved militarily. A long term political solution is the key no one is talking about. Forget laymen like us, even professional foreign policy analysts have no clue about any long lasting solution. Middle East, what a mess !

Happy Women's Day

 There is a song from Amitabh Bachchan's blockbuster movie "KHUDDAR" which was released in the year 1982 where the tall actor who was the unquestioned Superstar, King and the one man Bollywood industry sings onscreen the Kishore Kumar's song -

"MAA KA PYAAR, BEHAN KYA PYAAR,
KABHI KABHI DULHAN KYA PYAR,
TERE PYAAR KA RANG HAZAAR".

Roughly transliterated...

"Mother's love, Sister's love,
Sometimes the love of the beloved,
Their love comes colored in thousands".

March 8 being the Women's day reminded me of this song from my teenage years. The love of mother and sister is in its purest form, precious and unadulterated, like the clear Spring water bubbling out of the top of a glacial mountain. It is perennially pristine, unequivocally soothing, unwavering and unflinching. When I go to India, my mother's hug and caressing hands used to feel so soothing, something I longed for days, months and years. Mother's love is panacea to all ills plaguing mind and body, heart and soul. Unfortunately she is no more. I am yet to get over the loss and probably never will.

The love of the beloved comes next, with the disclaimer of "Kabhi Kabhi" (sometimes) tied to it. It reminds me of another Bollywood movie titled "DULHAN WOHI JO PIYA MAN BHAYE" - "Beloved is the one who keeps her Lover happy". In my opinion, it applies other way round too. It is also the duty of a lover to keep his beloved happy, the men to keep their women happy, yet our misogynistic society rarely mentions about it. (Bollywood is still a misogynistic institution, filled with nepotism and hypocrisy. Otherwise how could be a silly movie like "Animal" released few years ago where a woman asks a man to lick his shoes be a big hit making millions) ?

But unfortunately with the progress of time, in the age of cutting edge technology where thoughts can fly in twinkle of an eye, Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Robots are replacing humans, the world has become anything but respectable to the fairer sex. Women are still belittled, harassed, persecuted, suffer from inequality and often treated as sex objects. There are plenty of stories of battered women, not from slums but from the so called elitist families. Discussing it here is beyond the scope of this blog. But I can say with confidence that I personally know many Indians and folks of Indian origin here in America boasting openly about treating their women as doormats, humiliating their wives in public like drop of a hat to prove their masculinity and indulged in rampant cheating.

I am now reminded of the Hindi saying - "MUCHHE WOHI RAKHTE HAIN JIN KE APNI MARDANGI PAR SHAQ HOTI HAI". Roughly transliterated it means - "Those who keep Moustache are those who got doubts on their masculinity". Similarly, those who needlessly boss over their women have an inferiority complex about their masculinity. I remember a scene from movie "ARJUN PUNDIT" where actor Sunny Deol slaps actress Juhi Chawla. An angry and humiliated Juhi retorts back - "AGLI BAAR IS HAATH KISI MARD PE UTHANA (next time you better try hitting a man using this hand of yours). I consider it isn't masculinity, rather a cowardly, despicable act to physically hit a woman universally considered as the weaker sex.

One guy, who doesn't live very far off from me well known for conquering whores once bragged in front of me that women should be treated as slaves and physically beaten, then quoting an Odia proverb to drive his convoluted logic -

"NAARI, GADHA, BHRUTYA AAU  DHOLA,
TANKU JETE BADEIBA SETE BHALA".

Roughly translated

"Women, Donkey, Servants and Drum,
The more you beat, the better they Perform". 

It made me feel sick to my stomach. I told him impromptu on his face in no uncertain terms, LOUD and CLEAR, that I COMPLETELY DISAGREED with him and believe that beating women, animals or servants is not only utterly disgraceful, it is cowardice, despicable act and the ultimate form of indecency. 

The fairer sex is no more the weaker sex. Things are changing of late, though not as fast we would desire. Still facing hurdles in their life, women have come a long way, matching mano to womano. They have succeeded, equalled and even bettered men in myriads fields. We still have some catch up to do and miles to go before achieving the gender equality of accepting women as equals. On the occasion of Women's Day I salute all women who have made a significant difference to my life, contributing to it, shaping my knowledge and character, like a potter shaping pottery out of clay. Happy Women's Day to all !!!

Ides of March

 Beware of the Ides of March. As weather warms up with the arrival of spring, the month began with a turbulent world heating up Middle East as war and turmoil there continues unabated with no sign of Russia's war against Ukrain ending anytime soon. It is further accentuated by uncertain economic future ransomed by Trump initiated war.

Historically nothing new about a tumultuous March as it brings back memories from a major historical event tied to this month eons ago, when Julius Caesar, the scion of the great Roman Empire was murdered inside the Senate by his own insidious colleagues, many he believed were his friends.

Julius Caesar was a fascinating character in history, a great general and politician, a handsome, muscular, flat stomach man with a magnetic persona, the Knight-in-Shining armor darling of the Roman women presiding over 50 million people of the Great Roman empire at its zenith of power, extending from Britain to Syria, from Bavarian Alps to North Africa. 50 million was a gargantuan population 2,000 years ago.

With success comes jealousy, rivalry, enemies and backstabbers. This has been since time immemorial, a basic human nature unaffected by passage of time. Caesar was a victim of his own success. In the quest for power a person's near and dear ones (as usual) can be your worst enemies. We have this Odia adage - "ANTI CHHURI TANTI KATE" (the waist knife can cut your throat, or your so called near and dear ones are the first ones to backstab you). It was vindicated two millenniums ago that politics invariably and eventually trumps over military. Most who planned Caesar's assassination were his close friends, especially his closest buddy Brutus of "Et To Brutus" fame. Those were Julius Caesar's last words as Brutus pulled the dagger on him to snuff life from his body.

Historians differ on how close Brutus was to Caesar. Some say they were extremely close. Others say it wasn't so, as Brutus once unsuccessfully rebelled against Julius and was pardoned by the later for he was the son of Caesar's mistress. He always had a grudge against Julius to settle, for he harbored the humiliation of often taunted for his mother's allegedly affair with Caesar. It is said Brutus's mother simply couldn't resist and succumbed to Julius's charm. Personal anger and jealousy can be a lethal concoction leading a person to get vindictive. Brutus was waiting for the opportune moment to push the dagger on Julius to backstab him.

The role of another Mistress of Caesar, the powerful Egyptian Queen Cleopatra in this imbroglio can't be ignored. She was from Royal Egyptian bloodline with a legendary blend of beauty and brain, a talented woman who spoke multiple languages and dabled in politics and medicines with equal aplomb. Cleopatra who was rumored to take bath in pure milk to preserve her beauty accentuated Caesar's ambition to be the ruler of great Roman empire by suggesting subjugation of Senate - the people's elected body. She too fell for Julius Caesar's irresistible charm.

Power could be an addictive aphrodisiac and its still now. Thousands years down the road we have seen democratically elected leaders soon developing dictatorial tendencies - Indira Gandhi, Trump, Modi and many more included. Cleopatra, who was the daughter of a politician from Egypt's powerful establishment and quite familiar with the palace intrigues saw this coming. It is said that based on a dream she had the night before her husband's Brute(al) assassination, she warned Julius Caesar to be on guard. But drunk with sheer public adulation, fame and the accompanied over confidence he chose to ignore her, least expecting an assault to come from his close friends on his familiar Senate floor.

Power often prevents the powerful from being aware of the vacuum surrounding them, keeping them myopic not to be able to see the approaching storm, leaving them off guard and vulnerable. China's all powerful President Xi Jinping who has consolidated power in China, the second largest powerful country in world couldn't see Corona virus coming. Trump ignored it only to pay a price of getting defeated after his first term. In India, Indira Gandhi, the iron lady Prime Minister with dictatorial tendencies was assassinated at the peak of her power when she was a pan Indian cult figure.

From Shakespeare's novel it looks as if the attack on Caesar was impromptu on that fateful Spring day inside the Roman Senate. But the sinister plot to kill him was hatched long before and later implemented to perfection. Gladiators were kept ready as back up, in case the best laid plan went wrong. Caesar was assassinated on the Senate floor as planned.

Plenty of water has flown in the river Tibur (the bank on which the city of Rome was established ) since that fateful day in the month of March. Guns, bombs, missiles have replaced dagger as the killing machine. Humans can fly into space and their thought can travel at twinkle of their eyes, with the world shrunk to a global village as Artificial intelligence and Robots take over.

Yet for quest of absolute power politics, the backroom deals, back stabbing, jealousy,  assassinations, leaders with dictatorial tendencies vying to consolidate power hasn't changed over the past 2000 years. The basic human nature hasn't changed at all. March has just started, we are not done with it yet. Beware of the Ides of March.

Israel - US launched strike on Iran

 Middle East is boiling again as Israel and America have launched attack on Iran behind the smokescreen of talks going on between US and Iran. It is rumored that the Iranian Supremo Ali Khamenei has been eliminated, though we all know that truth is the first casualty of war. Here are the major forces who are in action and what's in stake for them.

1. USA - I remember in 1996 US firing Monica missiles on targets in Afghanistan at peak of Bill Clinton's Lewinsky scandal. Fast forward 30 years to 2026. It's time for "Epstein" missiles to fall on Iran. Also pro-Israeli Jewish lobby is very strong in USA, a country which has more Jews than any country including Israel. American jews are extremely rich, powerful and influential. Their writ runs in any US Administration, regardless of Republican or Democrat. Trump who promised to end American involvement in overseas wars is true to the salt of his fellow Republicans is involved in wars, dancing to Netanyahu's tune. With US $38 trillion national debt and still growing,. the country can at least afford a war at this juncture.

Israel - The country seems to be obsessed with Iran and fully using America to do its dirty work. Ever since Israel was formed in 1948, followed by immediate recognition from US and UK the country along with its middle east neighborhood is in perpetual turmoil with no end in sight. Now too both countries have come swinging in support of the Zionist state unlike most of their NATO partners. But end of Iranian regime doesn't mean that Israel will be allowed to live in peace and tranquility. A place as complicated as Middle East can't be solved militarily, it needs a long term political solution.

Iran - It has done the strategic mistake of trying to be the hero of the Muslim world by taking on Israel which is more than thousand miles from Iran and both countries don't share a common border. In its zeal to be the darling of the Isramic world it started to poke Israel. This hasn't gone well with the Saudi Arabia led Sunni world of Middle East for whom Shia Iran is more dangerous than Zionist Israel. Iran is paying the price of taking the Israel bull by horn when the other Middle East Sunni dominated nations have compromised with it,grudgingly accepting Israel's existence to coexis with the Jewish state.

China - It is a country which ruthlessly follows its self interest policy with long term goal to dislodge America from its position of world's superpower. This war gives it an opportunity to test its weapons against American's with whom it is fast catching up. It is shrewd enough not directly get involved in a war, although it is a major buyer of Iranian oil. In one way we can see it as a proxy war between China-Russia versus US-Israel axis.

Russia - A long time partner and weapons supplier to Iran, it is busy in its war in Ukraine. Economically not in great shape, its war ridden economy benefits from high gas price due to the turmoil in the Middle East. Trump's softness towards Russia is pretty well known and American President will make sure that Putin is kept in good humor. Don't be surprised if top officials of the present Iranian regime end up finding asylum in Moscow.

India - Incidentally Prime Minister Modi was in Israel just few days ago when Israel-US were openly plotting to launch an attack on Iran. Incidentally Donald Trump already went public mentioning America was preparing to strike Iran. The recent public show of hospitality and extension of red carpet by Netanyahu towards Modi is not due to Israel's love for India, but as a timely strategy. Not that Netanyahu loves our Vishwaguru's white beard or fake laugh, being mostly isolated these days even by its erstwhile friendly western European nations, Israel is desperate for any support from any quarter in any form. In that context it doesn't hurt Israel to court India. No more, no less.

There are folks on social media fed with fake propaganda of India being a Vishwaguru are demanding India to intervene to stop the war. Let's be realistic here setting our jingoism aside. Do you think that US and Israel will listen to India and stop the war ? What leverage it has got to impress Israel and USA to change their mind to stop the war ? Modi was in Israel only few days ago when Israel was already in preparation for the war. What magic India has to stop the war at this moment ? The best option for India would be to follow a wait and watch policy as it won't do anything, as it cannot do nothing. Let's just keep fingers closed and hope for the best for the entire world.

Two men of February - Manoj Das and Khushwant Singh

 As we March into the month of March, February is the month I remember for giving birth to two great Indian writers - Manoj Das an Odia writer of international fame and Khushwant Singh, who needs no introduction. Both are my favorites whose simple, crispy and lucid style of writing without using many bombadistic words has a tremendous influence on me. 

Both are unique and contradictory in their own way  - One known for his sagacious and the other for his salacious writings. Manoj Das's writing touches the simple truth and philosophy of life. He never hurts a fly. But Khushwant Singh never spared anyone, including himself and his Sardar community by his self deprecating jokes, often mocking at his own religion and community.

Books by both authors are enchanting writing and make a fabulous read. Manoj Das was an excellent story tellers, his philosophical writing was way beyond to comprehend for a layman tyro like me. Both have some serious writings to their credit - Manoj Das with his philosophical stuff which can only be understood and appreciated by folks at an higher level of intellect (not me). Khushwant Singh is known for his volumes of "History of Sikhs" which is regarded as an authentic treatise and researched encyclopedia about the Sikh community and the religion.

Manoj Das was a vegetarian and spiritual person to core. Khushwant Singh loved his Spirits in the form his Scotch every evening. Prayers and Devotional songs were Sri Das's company during the evening, while the old Sardar cherished the company of wine and women his company. The fairer sex were attracted towards his intellect. He listened to their sorrows (most women have their secret sorrows to share) and his company was a soothing balm for them. The Sardar was smart enough to figure out Indians mind's hypocrisy and obsession with sex which he catered well in his work. Manoj Das never veered into that territory in his writing which was clean as a whistle.

Unlike poles are known attract each other. Manoj Das's short stories were serialized by Khushwant Singh when the later edited "THE ILLUSTRATED WEEKLY", the most widely read and circulated magazine in 1970s. Those days many were desperate to get their short stories published in Illustrated Weekly magazine. But Khushwant Singh would include Manoj Das's short stories which he found to be uniquely unique, very authentic and original.

Writings styles of both eminent writers were poles apart. The Sardar, a master of glut of smut, thrived on liberal dosage of crude humor, fart and sex, whereas Manoj Das's revolved on nature and life, the subtle humor hovering around its vagaries. No wonder Khushwant Singh who rejected many stories sent to him published many short stories written by Manoj Das because of the authenticity in the later's writing. Sri Das eulogized the witty Sardar as "JANE NIRBHIKA LEKHAKA" (One fearless writer). It is proved by the fact he dared to take head on the likes of Bal Thackarey and Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale at a time most other journos when expected to bend, volunteered to crawl before the those self proclaimed lords and myopic hate mongers).

Manoj Das, in his tribute to Khushwant Singh after the later's death has described how liquor used to flow during evenings at the Sardar's party, while Manoj Das would be sipping his endless glasses of Tomato juice. These two great writers formed a unique bond in diversity, of mutual trust and respect. The old Sardar still kept writing well into his late 90s and may Sri Manoj Das too. Khushwant Singh lived until 99 and Manoj Das late 80s. Kudos to both.

Urban legends from Childhood days

 Like many from my generation, I grew up amidst several Urban legends (few Rural too) in Odisha. For a long time I believed them as gospels written on stone. Here you go :

Jeff Thompson was known to be the fastest bowler during my childhood days. It was then said, to Sunil Gavaskar, the better known cricketer of our time, once the ball came out of Thompson's hand it looked like a woman's Sindoor (Vermilion dot which adores Hindu women's forehead as a symbol of marriage). A la Hindu women, it was destined for Gavaskara's (Sunny's last name pronounced in a thick Odia accent) forehead.

But our little Gavaskara knew about this folklore attributed to him. Because the Little Master had the height advantage of having a small height, readily ducking Thompson's "bounsara" missiles without getting hurt. As we know in India, cricket is more skewed towards the batsmen (probably the reason why we rarely produce quality fast bowlers). So whatever supposedly came out of our Gavaskara's mouth who dominated in the 1970s and 80s was treated as the gospel.

A guy in our neighborhood used to say that the world's fastest bowler was Lillian Thomson. Many would be wondering how can be a woman be the world's fastest bowler in a male dominated sport. Fast bowlers are known to hunt in pairs, so he innoculosly combined Lillie and Thompson duo as Lillian Thomson. But unfortunately later on we alluded the guy as "Gullian" Thompson (Gullia in Odia means a person who kills light hearted jokes).

In the 1979s a person from near my ancestral village near Puri, Odisha got into the Civil Services, undoubtedly the most cherished job those days when government was the largest employer in the country. The legend goes like this. In the UPSC interview panel he was questioned - "What's Half Circle, Full Circle, Half Circle A, Half Circle, Full Circle, Right Angle A". Instantly came his answer - "Coca Cola", which catapulted him to a top rank above the rest who were not brilliant enough to answer this question correctly. Not sure if that question prompted George Fernandez, the champion Socialist of that era to drive Coke and IBM out of India. It's rumored he toiled hard to nationalize the Tatas, the largest private sector of the time. Glad sanity prevailed, nothing of that sort happened.

And this one beats all - the myth about Mahatab's head. A widely circulated story attributed to the brain of late Dr. H.K. Mahatab, a Congressman and ex-Chief Minister of Odisha and the Governor of the state of Maharastra. Considered to be a wily politician of his time, it is said after his death America secretly fetched his head from Odisha to investigate and explore the secrets behind his masterly shrewd political brain.

It is still rumored to be well preserved is some remote research lab in the United States as the American scientists still can't fathom the depth of his immense political acumen and shrewness. Source of this GULLI (a light hearted joke) is most likely the Old Town area of Bhubaneswar where he lived and still has a lot of fan following. Many credit him for being the Founding Father of the New Capital city of Bhubaneswar who influence with Nehru tipped Bhonsara in its favor rather than the originally panned Anugul as the capital city of Odisha. Never know one day I might stumble upon a mummified head in some museum in US with a slab underneath it 'The Brainiest Head in the history of Mankind'. 
 
The story about his head is a devotional lie which transformed itself into a well believed truth. No wonder Goebbels, Hitler's propaganda Minister during the days of Nazi Germany famously said - "A lie repeated hundred times becomes the truth". We have an Odia proverb - "TINI TUNDARE CHHELI KUKURA - " a goat can be a dog if three mouths say so". The meaning is self explanatory as lies after lies peddled these days are believed as gospels by gullible folks.

Shivaji - the great Maratha warrior

 On the birthday of Chhatrapati Shivaji let me present you a fascinating story about the life and time of the great Maratha warrior. It's a rare success story of a small time Hindu Chiftain who went on to built a Maratha empire of his own and was christened as CHHATRAPATI (Emperor) in an age when Muslim rulers dominated most of India. Showing uncanny guile and leadership, he was one of very few Hindu Kings in a thousand year span who successfully survived the onslaught of his enemies, including the Badshah of Bijapur and Nizam of Hyderabad who were in his surrounding neighborhood, not to mention the mighty Mughals under Aurangzeb in North.

Shivaji was tactical in his approach and a master strategist. He was prudent enough to use these three elements - "Flattery, Bravery and Bribery" to win over his rivals, as and when needed. He was not a foolhardy like the Rajputs, who although very brave lacked guile and strategy, perennially facing defeat. Shivaji was unmatched, for he used his guts along with classic guerilla warfare tactics and pre-emptive strikes, altogether forming an explosive combination for success. 

He attacked Shayast Khan, the Mughal General inside the later's own den in the middle of night. The burly Mughal was lucky, as he barely escaped alive with few of his fingers chopped off by non other than Shivaji himself. After almost killing Shayast Khan he planned his escape well in advance, letting loose the Bullock carts carrying flames he brought along with him. As the faltering Mughals took time to recuperate, they ended up chasing the Bullock carts only to find that they have been duped and misled by Shivaji, giving him and his band of merry men precious enough time to to escape in the darkness.

But non of his several escape escapades matched the breaking free from his house arrest by the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb in Agra. Shivaji was invited to The Emperor's birthday-cum-coronation ceremony after the middle son of Shah Jahan earned it after eliminating his potential rivals. The Mughal Emperor was sitting on his peacock throne when the Maratha King along with his son Sambhaji who was a boy arrived at the Diwan-e-Khas (The gathering of the Elites). Badshah Aurangzeb was fanned by his attendants who sprayed cool mist around him on a hot day in mid May, right in the middle of North Indian summer.

It was the only occasion they ever met. The day was very special for Aurangzeb - his birthday and the day of coronation to the crown which he had earned by successfully eliminating his own blood brothers. Though there were many eminent personalities present at Court to grace the occasion, Aurangzeb's Cobra like piercing eyes (as described by Shivaji himself) were prying on the Maratha icon laced with suspicion and apprehension at the man he named as "MOUNTAIN RAT". He knew about Shivaji from the days when his father sent him to Deccan to deal with him. The man had frustrated him time and again. Shivaji had a history of making spectacular escapes when surrounded with all escape routes closed only to resurface earning this sobriquet. Now the same man was standing right in front of him, so his look was fixated on Shivaji.

Ignored and feeling humiliated being made to seat behind those whom he once defeated, Shivaji lost his cool on that hot summer day in the Mughal capital city of Agra. Exhibiting flaired temper he protested his humiliation at top of his voice. Shivaji's protest in front of Aurangzeb was tantamount to sacrilege, never heard of in the history of Mughal rule. The standard protocol in front of a Mughal Emperor was to keep the head down, speak softly with handkerchief on face, that too only when asked to do so, never out of turn. A person in front of Emperor was not supposed to return showing his back to the "Badshah". He must bend and walk backwards until out of sight of the Alamgir (Lord of the World). But what Shivaji Raje did was unthinkable. He turned his back to Aurangzeb and went out of the Durbar (Gathering of the Elites) in haste. 

By this act of defiance Shivaji blatantly broke every protocol of Mughal book of etiquette in front of "Jahapanah" (Emperor) which was considered a sacrilege. The Scion of Mughal Empire, Aurangzeb the ruthless, observed this, but didn't show his reaction in public. He sent his faithful, one of his trusted Hindu Rajput lieutenants to pacify Shivaji and bring him back to his court. But to his chagrin the Maratha Chieftain refused to oblige. This became the much talked about incident on a day the third son of Sah Jahan after ruthlessly killing all his brothers waited for six long for his imprisoned father to die to ascend the throne. Aurangzeb asked those present around him solicitating their opinion on how to deal with Shivaji. The fact that a Hindu provincial Chief misbehaved and refused Aurangzeb didn't go well with his queens and the courtiers. All opined in unison that Shivaji should be severely punished.

It was a long day. A tired Aurangzeb was seen twitching his moustache using his left hand as he scrolled a string of pearl beads which he religiously carried with him chanting "Bismillah Rahim" (O God, the Benevolent, the Merciful). He announced to the Court - "Allah has given us this beautiful gift called sleep". Saying this he called it a day, needing some rest. The very next morning, on Emperor Aurangzeb's order Shivaji was put under house arrest in Agra.

Kingship is better than kinship. Aurangzeb had no qualms about killing his own brothers. Though the de facto Emperor, he couldn't be crowned until Sah Jahan was dead. So Aurangzeb had no patience to wait any longer as the old man was still alive in the Agra fort more than 6 years after he sent his brothers to the abode of Allah. It was rumored that he poisoned his father as the old man Shah Jahan took too long to die. Shivaji expected no mercy from such a man. In fact the day Shivaji escaped, Aurangzeb had plans to send him to a Haveli and kill him there.

Many were surprised by Shivaji's cool, nonchalant behavior even if he was imprisoned by no other than the ruthless Aurangzeb. But the wily Maratha was not to sit idle. He was silently plotting his next move. Successfully feigning illness, he ordered crates of sweets to be sent out to the mendicants of Agra as gifts of charity in leau of blessings for his early recovery from his feigned illness. This continued every day.

One night he changed his dress with one of his trusted attendants, a barber who shaved off his well trimmed beard and moustache, put his son in one of the sweet crates and carried it disguised as a bearers on his way out. Next morning the attendant sent out a message to the guard that Shivaji Raje had trouble sleeping last night and was catching up with sleep, hence he shouldn't be disturbed. It was well past noon when the guards got suspicious only to find that Shivaji had already made his escape the previous night.

Aurangzeb was immersed in his royal duties when he got the news of Shivaji's escape. He was furious and aghast that the "Mountain Rat" didn't escape from one of his forts in Marathwada area, but right under his nose in the capital city of Agra - the seat of Mughal Supremacy. Now a man possessed, ruthless yet religious man, he threw his string of pearl beads to the ground. As the courtiers were shivering, speculating the next head to roll, the infuriated Emporer ordered them out. As he often did at times of crisis, alone he knelt down praying facing West towards Mecca -" Ya Allah, what has happened. The infidel has escaped right under my nose" !

Meanwhile in the outskirts of Agra, the fastest horses of the Maratha cavalry fanned by six of Shivaji's most trusted lieutenants, all burly, strapping six feeters were waiting for their diminutive Raje to take him towards safety. (Shivaji was a short height man surrounded by tall well built generals). He was smart enough not to immediately ride the horse out of Agra as he expected tight scrutiny on the surrounding roads. He waited few days for things to cool down, took a circuitous route North-East towards Mathura and Kashi, as he knew that surveillance would be tight Southbound to Deccan which he needed to cross before getting into his familiar territory of Marathwada region. His small but devoted entourage travelled in night, resting in dense forests during the day to avoid undue suspicion. 

Shivaji was disguised as a mendicant. He still had days to reach his Fort, but sent out instructions to his folks to fire cannon from the Fort to keep his pursuants at tenterhooks. The news of the celebratory cannons shots reached the Mughals which they construed as Shivaji's safe arrival at his fort, thus lessening the intensity of search. Shivaji outsmarted them yet again, but this time no other than Aurangzeb, the Emperor of India who fumed for a long time on the aftermath of Shivaji's Houdini act.

A great lesson for those who love history, that a battle isn't won by strength or number of soldiers alone, not by emotions but by using shrewd strategies and smart moves. Shivaji had the acumen to read it well and it was his secret sauce for survival and success. But sadly the man who made some of the incredible escapes in history couldn't escape communicable diseases and died in 1680 when he was only 50 years old, succumbing to Typhoid as per the symptoms recorded by the historians, a water born disease he contracted during the marriage ceremony of his second son Rajaram. He never recovered from it.

Wish the man who frustrated Aurangzeb to no end lived longer. The Mughal King who was at least a decade older than Shivaji, lived much longer, at least more than quarter of a century after Shivaji's death and died in 1707. He was the harbinger of the end of Mughal empire. It was followed by  rise of Marathas and then the British who were still trading in India but watching the political developments with great interest. Shivaji once said about the British - "The Englishmen aren't mere traders. They are very shrewd and can steal from right under your nose without you even knowing it". He was so prophetic.