With the tragic death of Shree Dharamveer Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, Aurangzeb's lifelong dream of capturing the Deccan was fulfilled. The whole territory from the Narmada to the Tungabhadra lay at his feet. However, the savagery of the desert barbarian Aurangzeb hardened the hearts of the Marathas and impelled them to protect their own and their... Continue Reading →
On the history trail: Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj tortured to death in the most barbaric way ever seen by Aurangzeb
Shock, quickly followed by a wild outburst of rejoicing was witnessed when Aurangzeb and his men received the news of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj's capture at Akluj. The young king who had tried his best to follow in the footsteps of his father, the late Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj had terrorized Aurangzeb and the Mughals in his... Continue Reading →
On the history trail: Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj betrayed and captured by Aurangzeb at Sangameshwar
The wily Aurangzeb continued to put pressure on the Marathas by despatching Shahâb ud-Din and his son, Chin Qilich Kamaruddin Khan to grab their territory in North Konkan and Baglan. Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj was outraged on hearing the devious tactics employed by father and son to win over the Marathas. He launched a furious... Continue Reading →
On the history trail: Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj subjugates the Portuguese in regal fashion
Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj's bloody beginning gradually eased into a more restrained reign and he began his operations on the Siddi of Janjira and the Portuguese of Chaul who had been cowed into submission by Aurangzeb in his typical tyrannical manner. The Siddi has been appointed as Aurangzeb's admiral and was egged on to step... Continue Reading →
On the history trail: Aurangzeb captures Bijapur and Golconda after failing to make inroads in the Maratha territory
The year of 1682 - 1683 presented Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj a great opportunity to strike a mentally and physically weak Aurangzeb either at his treasured palace or as Muhammad Akbar suggested to ride through Gujarat into Rajputana. It is unclear why Sambhaji Raje did not take advantage of Aurangzeb's invasion but one surmise that it... Continue Reading →
On the history trail: Aurangzeb fails to capture key Maratha forts (Siege of Ramsej)
Though it is indeed difficult to comprehend how and why the largely Hindu Rajput kings swore allegiance to the Muslim invaders from the time of Babur, power and wealth since time immemorial have been dangerous temptations that have successfully enticed many to swerve from their rightful duty to their Motherland. Such was the case with... Continue Reading →
On the history trail: Muhammad Akbar rebels against Aurangzeb and seeks refuge in Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj
The year of 1679 saw Aurangzeb begin a full-fledged war against the princes of Rajputana. Though, the Rajputs had always sworn allegiance to the Mughals since the time of Babur, Aurangzeb wished to stamp his authority on this rich region and annex it to the Mughal empire. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj was quick to denounce... Continue Reading →
On the history trail: Bloody beginning to Chhatrapati Sambhaji’s reign
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj was a genius way ahead of his time. In the midst of uncertainty, savagery, brutalism and widespread plunder by the desert barbarian, Aurangzeb, Shivaji Raje was a beacon of hope for Hindus. He was a self-taught man who had no experience in the workings of a great capital or court or camp... Continue Reading →
On the history trail: The Grand Meeting of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj with Ekoji I (Vyankoji Bhonsle)
After the decisive rout of Sher Khan Lodhi, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj headed towards Tanjore to meet his half-brother Ekoji to effect a reasonable division of their father’s holdings. He encamped at Tirumalavadi (Thirumalvadi) that lies on the north bank of the Coleroon River, a few miles from Tanjore. As Maharaj was awaiting the arrival... Continue Reading →
On the history trail: The Karnatak Campaign (Forts of Gingee and Vellore captured) by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, pursuant to the arrangement made by Raghunath Pant with the ministers of Golkonda court headed to Bhagyanagar from Raigad at the end of January 1677 leaving Moropant Pingle and Annaji Datto in charge of the Deccan. The presence of Maharaj and his mighty army alarmed the citizens of the city who went... Continue Reading →
On the history trail: The Karnatak Campaign (Capture of the Fort of Kopbal) by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj
Though Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj was at peace with Bijapur, the threat of a Mughal invasion loomed large. It was necessary to arrange for more funds to support the army and man the forts. Maharaj conceived a plan for acquiring territory down south in the rainy season of 1676 as he resided in Panhala. Ekoji,... Continue Reading →
On the history trail: Sea Power of the Marathas under Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj
A long stretch of the Konkan coast had come under the Marathas but, it was imperative that this coast was secured and therefore, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj spent a great deal of time to ensure the loyalties of the local nobility by either destroying them or receiving a substantial tribute from them. The Abyssinian State... Continue Reading →
On the history trail: The Battle of Umrani and the sacrifice of Senapati Prataprao Gujar
When the political intrigues in the Bijapur court had reduced the state to hopeless confusion and the Marathas continued to capture their lands, the regent Khawas Khan decided to send a large army to wrest back Panhala under the commander Abdul Karim Bahlol Khan. The news of this fresh advance reached Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj who... Continue Reading →
On the history trail: Hubli raided by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj
Following the triumph at Panhala, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj decided to press forward his advantage and capture lands which were under the rule of the Bijapur Adil Shahis. After the capture of the forts of Parali and Satara (captured on 26 July 1673), Maharaj had extended his dominion to the east of Ghatmatha over the present... Continue Reading →
On the history trail: Fort of Panhala retaken by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj
Though there were constant skirmishes between Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and the Mughals, the former's relationship with Bijapur was relatively peaceful. His power was acknowledged by all the southern states. The chief minister of Bijapur, Abdul Muhammad paid chauth to Maharaj to prevent him from plundering Bijapur. Even Qutub Shah of Golkonda was in awe of him... Continue Reading →
On the history trail: Conquest of South Konkan by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj
The wanton interference by the English outside the purview of their trade relations with Indian rulers and invaders at the siege of Panhala did not go unnoticed by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. After Kartalab Khan and Rai Bagan were mousetrapped at Umberkhind and sent back with their honour intact, Maharaj appointed Netaji Palkar to keep an... Continue Reading →
On the history trail: Siege of Panhala
The resounding victory of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in The Battle of Pratapgad and death of Afzal Khan left the Bijapur kingdom weak and open to attack. Maharaj understood that this was only the beginning of a long-drawn battle as Badi Saheba and Adil Shah would retaliate soon. He took advantage of the chaos that had... Continue Reading →