With the news of Shivaji’s escape came also that of Ram Sing’s disgrace and dismissal from Court. If the son had so signally incurred the royal displeasure, might not Aurangzeb vent his anger also on the father? Rumours came to him that Mussulman courtiers, jealous of the high office and enormous fame of the old Rajput, were accusing him of complicity in Shivaji’s escape. This accusation was terrible to one of Jai Sing’s loyalty. “May God give death,” he cried, “to the man who cherishes the very thought of such an act of ill faith!” It is tragic that at the end of so long and distinguished a
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