The Beginning of New Ordeal

Drums were beaten and trumpets were pealed. Thousands of people gathered to witness the most rejoicing moment. Leonic Hindu leader who gave sleepless nights to Aurangzeb for not less than nine years, finally fell into the clutches of Mughal power. 

Sambhaji Maharaj and Kavi Kalash were arrested on 1 st February,1689 ( Julian Date ). Sheikh Nijam alias Muqarrab Khan captured both of them near Sangameshwar and the fate of these mighty nobles was sealed. Shekh Nijam (later on honoured as Muqarrab Khan) treated them in the most inhuman manner. Aurangzeb at that time was stationed at Akluj. Sambhaji Maharaj and Kavi Kalash were brought to Bahadurgad. Hence, Aurangzeb shifted his camp to Bahadurgad. Both of them were dressed in the clown’s attire. Their hands were locked and whole body was wrapped in chains. Even a slightest body movement could cost them severe pain. They were made sit on camel and paraded through entire camp. Spectators were pelting stones at these brutally oppressed captives. Every Mughal present in that camp was celebrating this moment in his own way. 

Few years back, in the same month of February, procession was organised to celebrate coronation ceremony of Sambhaji Maharaj. Today in the same pockets of Sahyadri procession was taking place but it was a mockery of his kingship! Years back this crowned emperor was adorned in expensive jewellery and at this hour of time he was wrapped in iron chains. Times were changed and so thus contemporary socio-political situation. 

Muqarrab Khan presented Kavi Kalash and Sambhaji Maharaj before the court. Finally moment had come for which Alamgir Baadshah struggled all his life even at the senile age of 70! Two protagonist who fought so vehemently, were staring at each other with the same spirit of supremacy. It was the second time leaders of paramount powers were standing in front of each other. Years back in Agra, Shivaji Maharaj visited Mughal darbar with Shambhu Raje. Then Shivaji Maharaj did not bow against Aurangzeb, following his doctrine Sambhaji Maharaj did not bow a little even today. Yet it was a moment of victory for Alamgir. Aurangzeb’s joy knew no bounds. Drops of marvel rolled down his eyes. He treasured this triumphant moment. 

On the pages of history similar incidence is noted centuries before. Raja Paurus did not allow the greatest conqueror to step into India. In due course of battle, Raja Paurus was arrested and presented to Alexander. When Raja Paurus was brought on knees, Alexander asked him “How should I treat you like?” Raja Paurus Replied “Treat me like a king.’’ Aurangzeb lacked the magnanimity shown by Alexander. Aurangzeb showed no courage to treat Sambhaji Raje like a king. Instead he inflicted terrible pains on Kavi Kalash and Sambhaji Maharaj. Without exchanging any words Baadshah sent them to prison. Next day, Rahullakhan went to talk to captives and offered them life at the cost of following conditions. 

1. Surrender all Maratha forts.

2. Disclosure of hidden treasure.

3. Exposure of Mughal disloyal Sardars who helped Marathas. 

4. Accept Muhammad Religion

It was crystal clear that Sambhaji Maharaj would never be agree with the terms and conditions stated above. This proposal was like adding an insult to injury. Just a day before Maratha king was made a point of public ridicule, Now when Rahulla Khan came with offer of clemency, Sambhaji Maharaj gave a free way to his long pent up anger. He refused the offer with all possible vehemence and loosened his tongue in abuse of Aurangzeb. The words were so harsh that Rahulla Khan could not dare to convey word to word conversation to his king. 

In response to this reply, Aurangzeb carried out a series of physical and even intense mental tortures. For Aurangzeb sins committed by Sambhaji Maharaj were beyond the hope of pardon. Every attempt to weaken Sambhaji Raje shocked the senses. Aurangzeb ordered to blind Sambhaji Maharaj. Heated iron rod was pierced into his eyes . Sambhaji Maharaj was consistently forced to turn into Islam to save his life. But he refused all the offers of clemency with great stoicism. Every day, every hour, every minute of dire physical harassment and inhumane torture was taking Sambhaji Maharaj closer to death. This man of unflinching attitude adhered to his core values and principles and did not embrace Islam. Kavi Kalash was also treated barbarically. Heart wrenching ordeal was carried out for 40 days. 

During the same time Aurangzeb shifted his camp from Bahdurgad to Tulapur. Here he decided to finally end his arch foe. Again for eight days both the captives were tortured to extract secrets. On 11 March 1689 (Julian Date) both of them were brutally killed. Their skin was peeled off, limbs were hacked off and their flesh was thrown to dogs. At the end both of them were beheaded. Mughals tortured them till every ounce of life source has been sapped out. Sambhaji Maharaj fought against Mughals literally till last drop remains in veins. Confluence of Bhima and Indrayani rivers silently witnessed sad end of their saviour. Hardly any traces were found even to perform rituals. Local people could only find their heads and performed last rites. Memorials of Sambhaji Maharaj and Kavi Kalash were built at Vadhu. In recent past, memorials have been raised on the confluence of Bhima and Indrayani rivers.

At last Aurangzeb established the arc of supremacy from Hindukush to Govalkonda and Rajputana to Bengal. Mughal juggernaut could see no threat from any pocket of India. Mughal kingship was challenged continuously for more than forty years. Shivaji Maharaj, Sambhaje Raje incessantly fought to oust Mughal from the throne. By diminishing Kutubshahi, Destroying Adilshahi and brutally killing Maratha King Aurangzeb became master of Hindusthan. At this moment Aurangzeb stood tall without a rival and without a peer. Historian Ranade writes in his account “Aurangzeb’s dream, which he cherished throughout his life, had thus been accomplished before he had been six years in the deccan. The whole country from Narmada to Tungabhadra lay at his feet. It seemed as if Shivaji and the men whom he led to victory had lived and died in vain. The great deluge against which Shahaji Raje and Shivaji Maharaj had struggled to protect the country for over sixty years, now swept over the land, carrying everything before it and there seemed no signs of any possible resistance.” 

Flourishing Hindavi Swarajya was like a sore in Aurangzeb’s eyes. Hence, immediately after the sudden death of Shivaji Maharaj Alamgir started for his Deccan campaign. Seemingly, it was just a matter of few battles but Mughals faced strong retaliation from Marathas. Under the leadership of Sambhaji Maharaj Marathas gave pitched fights and launched harassing raids. Sambhaji Maharaj’s reign as a ruler was full of expeditions and events. He leaded every war from the front. Despite of political instability he did not allow Mughals to capture even an inch of Maratha Empire. 

1682 – 1689 these seven years portrayed Sambhaji Maharaj as a distinguished military general, unparalleled administrator and truly a man of great political wisdom. He preserved the borders of Hindavi Swarajya with all possible strength. Continuous struggle to protect Maratha kingdom was not less than a Herculean task. Back to back attempts of human treachery made it even worst. But there were few compassionated souls like Hambirrao Mohite who shouldered the responsibility and when time arrived without any hesitation they embraced martyrdom. Now, Sambhaji Maharaj laid down his entire life the in the cause of Swarajya. This gruesome death stirred the inner conscious of every Maratha. Ostensibly, Mughals killed Sambhaji maharaj and thrown Hindavi Swarajya into disarray. But as rightly said, ‘The tyrant dies and his rule is over, the every martyr dies and his rule begins!’ 

Aurangzeb killed Shambhu Raje but his exemplary life and inspiring martyrdom ignited various Sambhajis in the pockets of Maharashtra. These Sambhajis further raised in protest. Deeming light at every home that day, had a power to ignite fire of hope. As said in Bhagwat Geeta, ‘Aatman is indestructible, neither weapons can pierce it nor fire can burn it.’ Similarly the idea of nationality was deep rooted in the soul of every Maratha. Neither weapons could pierce it nor could fire burn it! Rather this martyrdom strengthen the belief over nationality. Mughals could never destroy the zeal to protect and expand boundaries of Swarajya. 

Next few years was not a tranquil time for Marathas. Various strongholds of Swarajya were targeted. Raigad where entire power was concentrated fell in the hands of Mughals. Rajaram Maharaj had to flee to Jinji. For next ten years swarajya was devoid of any kingship and yet we fought. Martyrdom so attained by Sambhaji Maharaj generated strong sense of ownership amongst Marathas. Further Marathas became so mighty that they turned the tide against Mughals. 

Such was the power of martyrdom! 

When Sambhaji Maharaj was killed (11 March 1689 Julian Date) according to Hindu calendar it was the last day of the year. Just a day before the New Year Maratha Empire was put in the darkness. According to Hindu belief, Gudhipadva the first day of New Year ushers in new hope and encourages fresh start. Similarly, in the pages of history, this is a time where era of Sambhaji Maharaj ends and new year begins… rather new era begins with Brighter Sacrifices and Greater Accomplishments! Chants of war cries were reverberated over entire Sahyadri ranges! Spirit of patriotism took the flag of Hindavi Swarajya to the faraway lands!

समरभूमिचे सनदी मालक शतयुद्धांचेमानकरी

रणफंदीची जात अमुची कोण आम्हा भयभीत करी ||

पोलादी निर्धार अमुचा असुर बळाची खंत नसे

स्वतंत्रतेच्या संग्रामाला विजयावाचून अंत नसे 

श्रद्धा हृदयातील आमुची वज्राहुनी बलवंत असे

मरण मारुनी पुढे निघाले गर्व तयांचा कोण हरी 

रणफंदीची जात अमुची कोण आम्हा भयभीत करी ||

(We are the hereditary owners of this battle field. We are ready to fight thousand wars to establish our authority over motherland. We are the warriors of supreme dexterity, no enemy can deter us from achieving our dream of Hindavi SWARAJYA. The battle won’t end unless we win. No matter how giant the enemy is, our iron will to institute our kingship remains steadfast. In this struggle death is our constant companion, by killing the fear of death we go one step beyond and vow to instate our rule.) 

The era of Sambhaji Maharaj at a glance (All are Julian Dates)

1. 16,January 1681 – Sambhaji Maharaj coronation ceremony on Raigad

2. 30, January 1681 – Attack on Burhanpur

3. 1, June 1681 -- Sambhaji Maharaj meets Akbar

4. October, 1681 – Ministers were killed. ( Annaji Datto, Balaji Chitnis, Hiroji Farzand, Somaji Datto ) 

5. February, 1682 – Battle of Janjira

6. 1682 – 1687 – Ramshej Siege

7. October, 1683 – Portugese were defeated

8. November, 1683- Goa Campaign 

9. January, 1685 – Sambhaji Maharaj devastated Khandesh and baroch

10. September 1686 – Aurangzeb annexed Bijapur

11. January 1687 – Kutubshahi was destroyed

12. October 1687 – Battle of Wai ( Hambirrrao Mohite was killed )

13. January, 1688 – Akbar reached Iran

14. December, 1688 – Sambhaji Maharaj’s fight Against Shirke

15. 1, February 1689 – Sambhaji Maharaj was captured

16. 11, March 1689 – Sambhaji Maharaj attained martyrdom 

17. Next Rajaram Maharaj came to power

References : 

1. Marathyanche Swatantryasamar – G.S.Puranik

2. New History of The Marathas – G.S.Sardesai

Aditi Kajrekar