The Catastrophic Capture

The two Prime Empires; Adilshahi of Bijapur and Kutubshahi of Govalkonda were destroyed by the Mughals in the years 1686 and 1687 respectively. The two strong support pillars of Maratha Empire were gone. Sambhaji Maharaj tried his best to fight for them, but alas Aurangzeb used his most infamous weapon, the weapon of treason. At this vital time, Chief In Commander Hambirrao Mohite stood strong and fought the Mughals, taking by hand the versed and experienced Adilshahi Sardars. However the stifling of these two empires was in all the ways to affect the Maratha Empire.
The Mughals now spread along the eastern and southern regions of the Hindavi Swarajya. Sambhaji Maharaj was in dismay by the happenings and soon another poignant tide was to follow. In the month of October 1687 the Mughals attacked Vai. Hambirrao Mohite, with his force marched towards Vai. A forceful battle took place. On a spur of moment Hambirrao Mohite was hit by the enemy weapon (probably a cannon ball) and succumbed on the battle field. He had proved himself as a loyal server to the throne till his last breath. Sambhaji Maharaj was bewailed by this sudden loss. However there was no time for sorrow, Aurangzeb now launched his attack from all three sides. Since the Adilshahi and Kutubshahi princely states were annexed by his army, he had ample time & entire might at his disposal for making in-roads into Maratha territory. 

1) Shahjada Azzam camped around Chakan. 

2) Sahabuddin camped around Rajgad. 

3) SheikhNizam aka. Mukkarabkhan intruded Kolhapur- Panhala. 

Sambhaji Maharaj was thus fighting on all the fronts. At a fateful time round October- November 1688 Ganojiraje Shirke (Yesubaisaheb’s elder brother) turned disloyal towards Sambhaji Maharaj and joined hands with Mukkarabkhan!!.History tells us that no other weapon is as destructive to any empire as its faithless and disloyal servers. They possess the power to destroy any empire from its roots. The best example we can see is the downfall of Adilshahi and Kutubshahi. GanojiShirke had a strong desire to execute Kavi Kalash and place Shahu Maharaj on the throne. He also launched an attack on Kavi Kalash, but Kavi Kalash without opposing him marched towards Vishalgad. Sambhaji Maharaj heard of Shirke’s attack at Kavi Kalash, immediately left Raigad and marched towards Vishalgad. On hearing this Shirke ran towards Sangameshwar. Sangameshwar is situated on the west of the Sahyadri Ranges. It lies on the joint of two river banks namely the Shastri and Sonavi .Sambhaji Maharaj along with Kavi Kalash, Malhoji Ghorpade, Santaji Ghorpade, Khandoballal Chitnis marched towards Sangameshwar. The Marathas destroyed the region of “Shirkan”. Shirkan was the name for the regions that were possessed by the Shirkes, which included Dabhol, Sangameshwar, Prabhavali and Shrungarpur. Around the same time Sambhaji Maharaj got to know about Zhulfikarkhan marching towards Raigad with a huge force. Therefore he decided to leave for Raigad as soon as possible. 

After things were brought under control at Shirkan, Sambhaji Maharaj and Kavi Kalash marched towards Panhalgad. He was to leave for Raigad shortly after. However, at the same time Mukkarabkhan entered and stationed at Kolhapur.It therefore became a great risk to move through that route. Thus Sambhaji Maharaj decided to move to Vishalgad and then via Sangameshwar reach Raigad. Aurangzeb, who was at the time stationed at Akluj, was aware of all these proceedings. As decided Sambhaji Maharaj along with Kavi Kalash, Maloji Ghorpade, Santaji Ghorpade, Khandoballal Chitnis and a handful of force reached Sangameshwar. Aurangzeb was aware of Sambhaji Maharaj’s whereabouts. He saw this situation as an opportunity to capture Sambhaji Maharaj. He immediately ordered Mukkarabkhan to march towards Sangameshwar. Mukkarabkhan with 1000 infantry and 2000 cavalry started his march to Sangameshwar. The Marathas were stationed at Desai’s residence.

On 1st February 1689 (Julian Date)Sambhaji Maharaj was to return to Raigad. The Marathas were unaware of Mukkarabkhan’s forces following them. And suddenly the Mughals launched an attack. The Mughals were large in number. They almost doubled the Marathas and therefore it was important to plan a strategic move which would lead to the escape route. Sambhaji Maharaj’s plan was to attack invincibly with the possessed force, break the barrier and escape towards Raigad. As decided the Marathas descended on the battle field. A fierce battle took place. Sambhaji Maharaj accompanied by Kavi Kalash, Khandoballal Chitnis, Maloji and Santaji Ghorpade fought with great valour.After an hour into the battle field Khandoballal Chitnis, Santaji Ghorpade along with a few Marathas managed to escape by breaking the barrier. However Sambhaji Maharaj, Kavi Kalash and Maloji Ghorpade were firmly surrounded by the enemy. And a sudden turn of events took place. Maloji Ghorpade was hit by the enemy and got killed. Sambhaji Maharaj with a full force attacked a side of the Mughal army and successfully broke the barrier. However Kavi Kalash was hit by an arrow and fell on the ground. Sambhaji Maharaj turned his horse over and proceeded to save Kavi Kalash. 

Sambhaji Maharaj along with Kavi Kalash yet again managed to escape .They hid in a cellar. Unfortunately Mukkarabkhan’s son had seen them hide. He along with a few soldiers moved towards the cellar and within a few minutes came out with Sambhaji Maharaj and Kavi Kalash! He presented them in front of Mukkarabkhan. Mukkarabkhan was overwhelmed. He was bewildered. Sambhaji Maharaj and Kavi Kalash were made to sit on elephants with chains wrapped around their wrists and ankles. Mukkarabkhan sent this “Felicitous News” to Aurangzeb. He was at the time stationed at Akluj. Aurangzeb ordered Mukkarakhan to bring Sambhaji Maharaj and Kavi Kalash to Bahadurgad. Mukkarabkhan left Sangameshwar. 

The total distance being 230 miles, Mukkarabkhan covered it in just 15 days. And on 15th February 1689(Julian Date) reached Bahadurgad. Both Sambhaji Maharaj and Kavi Kalash were presented before Aurangzeb wrapped in chains. Mukkarabkhan’s chest widened with pride. What Aurangzeb saw was astonishing and unconvincing. He couldn’t believe his own eyes. His long cherished dream had come true after years of struggle and hard work. He was crying tears of joy. Aurangzeb got down from his throne, kneeled on his knees and thanked Allah. Kavi Kalash upon seeing this, right away composed a line; 

“हे राजन, तुवा तप तेज निहारके तखत तज्यो अवरंग” meaning “ Look my King, upon seeing your luminosity Aurangzeb has kneeled before you and surrendered his throne”. Aurangzeb immediately ordered his guards to extirpate KaviKalash’s tongue! This was just the beginning of a month old torture. What was to follow was extreme violation, agony along with severe mental and physical assault. Bahadurgad was to witness the most heart wrenching ordeal in its history. 

JANHAVI DATAR

References

Raja Shambu Chhatrapati – Vijay Deshmukh

Kasba-Sangameshwar te Vadhu-Tulapur- Mrutunjayacha Akhercha Pravas – Article by Parag Limaye.