CHHATRAPATI SAMBHAJI MAHARAJ

 

CHHATRAPATI SAMBHAJI MAHARAJ

A WARRIOR KING IGNORED IN HISTORY

SARASIJ MAJUMDER

The legendary fights between Shivaji, an Aurangzeb is somewhat chronicled in the history books,  but his son-SAMBHAJI didn’t get the place he deserves. I will share you his acts, and deeds which immortalized him . And he carried forward the fight for independent ‘MARATHA EMPIRE’, till his death.

THE LEGACY OF A FEARLESS MARATHA MONARCH:

Sambhaji Raje Bhosale, known as Chhatrapati Sambhaji, was frequently referred to as Shambhu Raje, Second Maratha ruler, particularly in Maharashtra, he earned the epithet “Dharamveer” for his unwavering devotion, love, and sacrifices for the Hindu Dharma. Considered by many as the most formidable Maratha monarch after Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, Sambhaji Raje Bhosale left an indelible mark on history.

However—he is not occupied the place of a ‘DOT’ in our history text books of school.

Birth and Early Life:

He was born on May 14, 1657, at Purandar Fort, near Pune. He was the eldest son of Shivaji Maharaj, and his first wife, Saibai Nimbalkar. Every year on 14 May Maharashtra observes his birthday as Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj Jayanti. 

Sambhaji’s early years were marked by a combination of royal privilege and rigorous training. His mother, Saibai, passed away when he was just two years old, which deeply affected his childhood. 

At the age of nine, Sambhaji was sent to live as a political hostage at the Mughal court of Emperor Aurangzeb as part of a peace treaty of Purandar. 

FAMILY DISPUTE AND POLITICAL ESTRANGEMENT:

After the death of his mother, Saibai, Sambhaji’s relationship with his stepmother, Soyarabai, became strained. Soyarabai  favoured her own son, Rajaram, and sought to place him in the position of power, which led to a rivalry between Sambhaji and Rajaram.

The politics fuelled by the wife Soyarabai, along with some other courtiers, led to Sambhaji’s estrangement. Sambhaji was accused of plotting against his father and was briefly imprisoned by Shivaji Maharaj. The charges against Sambhaji were partly influenced by the political manoeuvrings of Soyarabai and her faction, who sought to undermine his position. However, Sambhaji managed to escape from imprisonment and sought refuge with the Mughals for a short period.

SERVING IN MUGHAL ARMY:

For almost one year, Sambhaji left Shivaji’s kingdom and joined Aurangzeb’s commander, Diler Khan.  This process caused further widening of the rift between Sambhaji on one side, and Soyarabai on the other. As a result, Sambhaji was not invited to Rajaram’s wedding and he was not even informed of the sudden death of   Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj a few days thereafter. Soyarabai and her supporters plotted to arrest Sambhaji at the fort of Panhala, where he was staying at the time of Shivaji’s death. 

CORONATION:

Despite internal challenges, Sambhaji’s actions and strategic ability enabled him to overcome the conspiracies and secure his position as the ruler.  Sarnobat (the then Supreme Commander of the Maratha forces) and Soyarabai brother, Hambirrao Mohite supported Sambhaji since he, as eldest son,  was the rightful heir to the throne. 

His coronation not only symbolized the continuity of Shivaji’s legacy but also emphasise the critical need for strong and unified leadership to defend and expand the Maratha Empire amidst external threats and internal discords.: 

At the time of Shivaji’s death, there was news of an impending attack of Aurangzeb’s army on Maharashtra and at such a crucial time, a strong leader like Sambhaji was the need of the hour. 

LONG WAR  AGAINST AURANGZEB:

 Sambhaji Maharaj valiantly faced the 8 lakh-strong army of Aurangzeb and defeated several Mughal chieftains on the battlefield forcing them to retreat. 

Because of this, Aurangzeb remained engaged in battles in Maharashtra, thus keeping the rest of India free from Aurangzeb’s tyranny for a long time. 

If Sambhaji Maharaj had arrived at a settlement with Aurangzeb and accepted his proposal of being a tributary prince, then within the next 2 or 3 years Aurangzeb would have captured Rajasthan, and  North India again. 

This helped establish new Hindu kingdoms in the provinces of Bundelkhand, Punjab, and Rajasthan in North India.

The frequent battles and strategic conflict between the Marathas and Mughals not only highlighted Sambhaji’s unwavering resilience and military skill but also exposed the complexities of Mughal warfare. 

Though the Mughal forces captured some forts during the last 2 years of Sambhaji’s reign, Aurangzeb was forced to resort to encouraging treachery. He could never secure full control over the Maratha state. 

The Mughals started their aggression in 1681 in Nashik-Baglan in the northern region of South Maharashtra. 

Bribery: At the end of 1686, the Salher fort was taken by the Mughals after bribing the Killedar Asoji offering a Mansab. Ramsej was also won by treachery in 1687. 

Control over Forts: At the end of 1688 and the beginning of 1689, Mughals got Harishgad, Tringalwadi, Madangad, Mordant, Aundha and Karani, all by BRIBES, and   TREASON.

Cash Proposal: In 1689, Matabarkhan captured Trimabkgad by offering cash and Mansab to Shyamraj and Telangrao. 

Fort Mahuli was captured by Matabarkhan on 21st August 1688 by giving a bribe of 2500 Ashrafis to Killedar Dwarkoji.

The Marathas were in command of almost all their territory till 1686 and in the end, only by treachery and not by war ultimately Aurangzeb got back some part.

SAMBHAJI’S DEATH: Aurangzeb who was not otherwise successful, won a large part of the Maratha Kingdom back immediately and only after Sambhaji’s death.

MARATHA-PORTUGUESE CONFLICT –

The Maratha-Portuguese conflict during Sambhaji Maharaj’s reign was a significant chapter in the Maratha Empire’s history. As the Marathas sought to expand their influence along the western coast of India, they frequently clashed with the Portuguese, who controlled key coastal territories and trade routes.

Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj fought against the Portuguese in Goa who were very active in the forceful conversions of Hindus through various means like the ‘Inquisition’. 

He was very angry with them due to these conversions & the demolition of Hindu Temples in Goa. 

The Portuguese were very frightened of being assaulted by Sambhaji Maharaj.

This is reflected in their letter by Portuguese  to the British in which they wrote, ‘Sambhaji is the most powerful  warrior  as we have experienced it’. 

OTHER ASPECTS OF HIS RULE:-

On Sambhaji Maharaj Initiative,  Reconversion Efforts to Restore Hindu Faith and Heritage Was Started.

Political And Administrative Reforms:

Sambhaji Maharaj had established a separate department in his province for the ‘reconversion ceremony’ of the Hindus who had earlier converted to other religions.  He tried to reconvert people into Hinduism back, but local Brahmins in his village did not support

Apart from his military prowess, Sambhaji Maharaj was also deeply invested in the welfare of his subjects. 

He focused on streamlining the administration of the Maratha Empire, introducing reforms to ensure justice, economic prosperity, and social stability. 

Sambhaji Maharaj was a patron of the arts and encouraged the growth of literature, poetry, and theatre during his reign. 

He composed poetry in various languages, including Marathi and Persian, leaving behind a rich cultural legacy.

He commissioned the writing of the famous Marathi epic, “Bud Bhushanam,” which chronicled the life and achievements of his father, Shivaji Maharaj. 

SAMBHAJI MAHARAJ’S CAPTURE AND TRAGIC EXECUTION:

In early 1689, Sambhaji called his commanders for a strategic meeting at Sangameshwar in Konkan. In a meticulously planned operation, Ganoji Shirke (brother of Sambhaji’s wife Yesubai) and Aurangzeb’s commander, Mukarrab Khan, attacked Sangameshwar when Sambhaji was about to leave the town. A small ambush followed, and Sambhaji was captured by Mughal troops on 1 Feb, 1689. He and his advisor, Kavi Kalash, were taken to Bahadurgad. 

After capture they were brought face to face with Aurangzeb, the latter offered to let Sambhaji live if he surrendered all the Maratha forts, turned over all his hidden treasures, and disclosed the names of all the Mughal officers who had helped him. Sambhaji refused, and instead sang the praises of Mahadev (Lord Shiva). Aurangzeb ordered him and Kavi Kalash to be tortured to death. Sambhaji and Kavi Kalash were brutally tortured for over a fortnight. On March 11, 1689, Sambhaji was killed, reportedly by tearing him apart from the front and back with ‘Wagh Nakhe’ (‘Tiger claws’, a kind of weapon), and was beheaded with an axe. 

This grievous death was given to him at Vadhu on the banks of the Bhima River, near Pune. Residents of the nearby village named ‘Vadhu’ collected as many pieces of his body as they could find, sewed them together, and performed the final rites on his body. These villagers later went on to use the surname ‘Shivle’ or ‘Shivale‘, as per spelling preference, which means ‘sewing’ in the Marathi language.

Sambhaji Maharaj fought 120 battles against the then-mighty Mughals and other enemies of Marathas. He did not lose a single one. The only time when he faced defeat was when he was ambushed at Sangameshwar. He was captured by Aurangzeb due to treachery of his own brother-in-law, and other ranks.

Source:--

1.0 History and Culture of the Indian People,  Volume VIII |||THE MARATHA SUPREMACY, By Dr. R.C.Majumder.

Image:- Google.