Chhatrapati Sambhaji, born on 14 May 1657, gave a befitting reply to the Mughals and Portuguese.
Chhatrapati Sambhaji was an invincible warrior in Maratha history. They were taken captive due to treachery. Aurangzeb wanted them to accept Islam and accept his subordination. Got tongue-tied on denial. Eyes wide open. The body was cut into pieces. But Sambhaji’s answer till his last breath was denial. Sambhaji’s life was full of controversies, struggles and tragedies.
He was not just the son of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, but a warrior who spent most of his life in wars, political conspiracies, family differences and conflict with the Mughal Empire. The life of Sambhaji, born on 14 May 1657, is the story of a prince who adapted to extraordinary circumstances since childhood and ultimately did not bow down even in the face of inhuman torture.
False news of Shivaji’s death for absconding
At the age of nine, an incident happened in Sambhaji’s life, which left a deep impact on his mind and relationship with his father. In 1666, Shivaji reached Aurangzeb’s court in Agra. Son Sambhaji was with him. Shivaji was insulted in the court and he was put under house arrest. After this, Shivaji made a very bold plan and escaped from Agra by hiding in fruit baskets. Sambhaji was left behind. Later his father’s courtier Raghunath brought Sambhaji to Mathura. Whenever Sambhaji was taken to meet his father two weeks before Shivaji’s escape from Agra, he found him sick in bed and covered with a sheet.
One afternoon I also heard about my father’s death. But the reality was something else. Shivaji had already left Agra with the Brahmins invited by Kavindra Parmanand. The news of Shivaji’s illness and death was spread to confuse Aurangzeb and his soldiers. By the time Aurangzeb came to know the truth, Shivaji had reached his area beyond his reach.
Chhatrapati Shivaji.
Sambhaji returns amidst difficulties in disguise
Shivaji’s strategy was successful. His absconding enraged Aurangzeb. But the pain of his father leaving him remained on Sambhaji’s childhood mind. However the reality was not like this. It was not possible to escape from Aurangzeb’s occupation by taking Sambhaji with him. He gave the responsibility of evacuating Sambhaji safely to Raghunath. Then Keshav Trimal, Kavi Kalash joined them.
On the other hand, the angry mounted soldiers of Aurangzeb and the spies spread far and wide were searching for Shivaji and Sambhaji. Shivaji was now safe. Trimal brothers Keshav and Vishwanath took the responsibility of taking Sambhaji to them. Along with Sambhaji, both the brothers got their heads shaved. Dressed as a Brahmin. They continued moving forward through the difficult paths of fields and forests. Hair was growing. Found a barber in a village. He said in Marathi while strangling Sambhaji’s head. If Sambhaji had spoken, he would have been caught. He and his two companions pretended not to understand. He was a Mughal spy. More troubles came. But at last Sambhaji reached his father Aaba Saheb safely.
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and mother Jijabai.
Grandmother Jijabai’s death left Sambhaji neglected
Rajmata Jija Bai died on the eleventh day of Shivaji’s coronation. Sambhaji’s mother had already passed away. He was under the protection of grandmother Rajmata Jija Bai. Now he was between stepmothers Soyla, Putla and Sakwar. Political maneuvers had started in the royal court. After the death of Jija Bai, there was no control on the ambitious Maharani Soyla. Shivaji also had special love for Soyla.
Soyla considered her son Rajaram as the heir to the throne. His efforts were to keep Sambhaji away from his father. Sambhaji already had a plan in his mind to leave it under the control of Aurangzeb. Due to the increasing influence of his mother Soyla Bai, Sambhaji was feeling even more neglected. Sambhaji’s aggressive nature also upset his father. Although he was a very talented and courageous warrior, he did not accept his father’s strict control in matters of discipline. On the other hand, Shivaji wanted to create an organized and restrained polity, while Sambhaji was more aggressive and impulsive.
There came a time when Sambhaji went to the camp of Mughal commander Diler Khan for some time. This incident was extremely painful for Shivaji. Although Sambhaji later returned, this increased distrust in the father-son relationship. Some historians believe that Sambhaji felt neglected. He had proven his ability on the battlefield, but was constantly facing conspiracies in the court.
On the other hand, Shivaji feared that Sambhaji’s aggressive nature could create trouble for the state in future. This was the reason why distance usually remained between father and son. Still, it would be wrong to say that both were opposed to each other. Shivaji was aware of Sambhaji’s talent and Sambhaji understood the greatness of his father. Their differences were more political and temperamental.
Sambhaji Maharaj.
All-out struggle as soon as he ascends the throne
Shivaji died in 1680. After this a struggle for succession broke out in the Maratha court. Soyrabai group tried to install Rajaram on the throne. But Sambhaji quickly took control of the situation and eventually became Chhatrapati. As soon as he assumed power, he faced challenges from all sides. The Mughal Empire wanted to eliminate the Marathas. Siddi, Portuguese and other powers were also active in the south. Internal conspiracies were different. In such difficult times, Sambhaji took the responsibility of protecting the Maratha kingdom. Sambhaji adopted an aggressive policy. Under his leadership, Maratha armies continuously attacked the Mughals. He attacked a prosperous Mughal city like Burhanpur and caused huge damage. This attack was a big blow for the Mughals.
Mughal emperor Aurangzeb.
Took a stand not only against the Mughals but also against the Portuguese
Sambhaji’s attacks were not limited to the Mughals. He also launched an aggressive campaign against the Portuguese. Maratha pressure increased around Goa. He continued his struggle against the Siddis also. The biggest thing was that Sambhaji directly challenged Aurangzeb at a time when the Mughal Empire was at the peak of its power. Aurangzeb himself had come to the south and had resolved to end Maratha power. But Sambhaji did not allow him to achieve decisive success for almost nine years. Sambhaji’s biggest success was that he did not allow the Maratha state established by Shivaji to disintegrate. If he had not shown determination in the initial years, it was possible that Maratha power would have ended soon.
His fighting ability, courage and quick decision making power were extraordinary. He himself used to enter the battlefield. He had influence among the soldiers. But he also had limitations. He was not as successful in maintaining long-term diplomatic balance as his father. Many times his harsh behavior alienated his colleagues. Even within the court he could not establish complete stability. He spent most of his reign in wars. Keeping the state afloat at such a time was his biggest achievement.
Betrayal made me a prisoner
The most tragic chapter of Sambhaji’s life began in 1689. He was in Sangameshwar when the Mughal army suddenly attacked. The family betrayed. Sambhaji and his close associate poet Kalash were taken captive and were presented before Aurangzeb. The Mughal emperor wanted Sambhaji to accept Islam and Maratha resistance would end. But Sambhaji refused to bow down. After this the process of inhuman torture started.
Medha Deshmukh Bhaskaran wrote in her book “Sambhaji Maharaj” that Aurangzeb, sitting in a temporary tent, had his eyes fixed on Sambhaji who was in chains. A fat man carrying an earthen pot in which embers were burning, approached Sambhaji and shouted loudly to open his mouth. Sambhaji looked at him with contempt. By now the tongs kept on these embers had turned red. The impatient courtiers were making noise with joy. Till then Zulfikar moved ahead. He brutally pressed his cheeks and pulled out his tongue which was stuck between the tongs.
Maratha struggle intensified after Sambhaji’s sacrifice
The inhuman tortures on Sambhaji did not stop here. Amidst unbearable pain, he was once again put behind bars in the tunnel. When he regains consciousness, he sees Aurangzeb standing beyond the bars. Bhaskaran wrote, “Sambhaji was staggering but controlled himself. Without any fear, he made eye contact with Aurangzeb. Aurangzeb was not used to this. He said, “His attitude has not relaxed yet. The time has come to take out his eyes.” Later, Queen Yeshu gets the news in Raigarh that the Mughals took out the tongue and then the eyes of her husband Sambhaji. Similar cruelty was done to fellow poet Kalash. Later, each of Sambhaji’s limbs was cut off in the Koregaon cantonment. With this, on March 11, 1689, the life and nine years of rule of Chhatrapati Sambhaji ended.
Aurangzeb thought that Maratha power would break after the death of Sambhaji. But the opposite happened. The Marathas started a more intense struggle. Later this conflict became a major reason for the fatigue and decline of the Mughal Empire. Further Rajaram, Tarabai and Maratha commanders continued the struggle. Ultimately the same Maratha power later became influential in the whole of India. He was born under the huge shadow of his father Shivaji, but he immortalized himself in history with his sacrifice.
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