भारतीय इतिहास के ६ स्वर्णिम पृष्ठ (वीर सावरकर - विदेशी आक्रान्ताओं पर विजय गाथा)

called Nawabs, Nizams, Raos, Kings and courtiers presented themselves in the magnificent Darbar in the afternoon. Everyone of them, the political as well as the civil administrators, nay, even the imperial army in Punjab, vowed allegiance to the Peshwa at Poona and Raghunathrao was honoured as the representative of that Peshwa. Every one of them tendered his homage in the form of rich gifts to Raghunathrao. At night, the whole city was gloriously illumined. Dazzling fireworks were displayed everywhere. Even the neighbouring cities round about Lahore celebrated that feast of light and fireworks display. 1068. What was the setting or the location of this triumphant assembly— this feast of light? It was no other than the recreation grounds of the greatest of the Moghal Emperors, like Akbar, Jahangir, Shahjahan and others—the extensive courtyard of the most famous Shalimar gardens of Lahore!! The Marathas had thus reduced the Muslim imperial power to serfdom! 1069. At the news of this glorious Maratha victory, there was literally a shower on Raghunathrao of the congratulatory letters written not only by the numerous Kings and courtiers, Sardars of various ranks and the learned Shastri-pandits, who were openly or secretly endeavouring beyond all measure in the cause of Hindu-Padpadshahi throughout the length and breadth of India, but by the self-less ascetics, also. As has been said in Paragraph 991, the various writers of these multifarious congratulatory letters were so much overcome by a sense of pride and jubilation over this unconceivable Maratha victory, that they could not convey their feeling in simple prose. These could only be conveyed through some mythological imagery, a sample of which can be had in this one sent to Raghunathrao on the 5th of May, 1758, by a Maratha General in Delhi, Antaji Mankeshwar, who was in the habit of writing nothing but simple political reports and yet who was one of the higher officers in the Maratha army. 1070. “Received your Excellency’s favour (of 13th April). How can I express adequately the excessive joy I felt at the news in your Excellency’s letter about the victory at Lahore, the destruction of the enemy and the acquistion of the terrirories there? (Your Excellency’s) fame has spread far and wide in Hindusthan (North India). The high-born Emirs and Umraos and Governors, all are overawed! It is your Excellency alone who avenged the wrong of the whole of Hindusthan (North India)! As such, your Excellency’s success vies with the mountains! Your Excellency is (destined to be) successful. How can this poor servant of