The untimely death of RajaramMaharaj ushered in ray of hope in Mughal camp. From the seventeen years of zealous war against Marathas Aurangzeb learnt that key lies at forts. Hence, an aged emperor embarked upon an expedition to capture Maratha forts. Six years of strenuous camp life fetched him four major forts, Satara( 21 April, 1700 ), Panhala (28 May, 1701), Vishalgad(4 June, 1702) and Sinhagad (8 April, 1703). He also captured few minor forts such as Vasantgad, Samangad, Vardhangad, Vakinkheda etc. 1699 to 1705 Aurangzeb travelled across the length and breadth of Maharashtra.
After conquering VakinkhedaAurangzeb stationed near Devpura in October 1705. Wearied of his ill health, emperor shifted the camp to Bahadurgad. Maratha raided his entourage on their way to Bahadurgad. Mugal forces became habitual to such surprise attacks and back to back raids. Despite of it all they lacked the ability to adapt the desired agility. Perilous condition of emperor’s camp was escalating with every passing day. After completing Ramzan rituals Aurangzeb marched towards Ahmednagar on 14th January, 1706. From Bahadurgad to Ahmednagar, mere 80 kmstook almost a week of Mughal forces. Maratha exploited every opportunity to loot the royal camp. This stretch costed few hundred lives and a huge sum.
This was the beginning of the end!
Dire situation of imperial camp :
Protracted war over twenty years caused royal treasury more harm than good. Incessant battles galloped few hundred thousand skilled soldiers. Daily mortality rate was high due to huge number of men crowded together, accumulation of filth and flies and unbearable stench. Hunger and scarcity of grain prevailed since years. Considering the immense degradation of human resources, the counsel who dared to suggest to halt the southern conquest, used to be the recipient of Aurangzeb’s wrath. One by one able and vigilant officers passed away and senile emperor was surrounded by inefficient officers and upstart nobles. Hence, emperor had to exert himself in every affair.
Shahu in Captivity:
After the fall ofRaigad in 1689 Yesu Bai ( SambhajiMaharaj’s Wife ) and Shahu ( Yesu Bai’s Son ) became Mughal captives. Emperor assured that Yesu Bai and Shahu were accommodated in his close vicinity. Both of them lived in a closed quarters next to emperor’s tent. During these 25 years of southern conquest, all the domestic affairs were looked after by Aurangzeb’s daughter Zinat-un-Nisa-Begam. She developed deep sense of empathy towards Yesu Bai and her son. Thus, the seeds of reverence towards Mughal in Shahu’s heart were sown. Shahu spent adolescence years and early adulthood in Mughal camp. Due to lack of training in martial arts Shahu could not develop himself as a warrior. He could not get any exposure to learn his religion. On the contrary he came in close contact with orthodox Mughal court practices. Thus he developed respect for Muslim faith. Aurangzeb became more politic than vengeful in case of Shahu as against SambhajiMaharaj. He proclaimed Shahu as the legitimate Maratha king and gave him the title of ‘Raja’. Further emperor conferred upon Shahu the dignity of seven thousand commanders. Inhumane death of SambhajiMaharaj could not inflict terror in the heart of tough Maratha nation. Thus emperor tried to break the unity amongst Maratha officers by asserting Shahu’s claim on Maratha throne against Tara Bai’s son. Aurangzeb ordered Zulfikarkhan to write to eminent Maratha officers to accept Shahu’s kingship. Emperor further incentivized these officers by granting revenue rights over six provinces in Deccan. Maratha officers were wise enough to understand the politics hidden in those letters. They hailed the kingship of Rajaram’s son and spoiled the Mughal plot.
Military landscape of Hindustan:
Aurangzeb concentrated all his military power and political might on Maharashtra, rest of the Hindustan was left devoid of any national leadership. Gradually Maratha forces started becoming more powerful than Mughal military. NemajiShinde plundered the rich province of Malwa and Gujrat. PidNayak and HinduraoGhorpade conquered Pennukonda fort and established their strong hold in Karnataka. Meanwhile DhanajiJadhav continued with his policy of fire and plunder in Aurangabad. Baadshah ordered Zulfikarkhan to take on Dhanaji. Dhanaji left Aurangabad and marched towards Tuljapur. He further looted Vijapur and entered Karnataka. Zulfikarkhan pursued Dhanaji throughout this long route. Both the armies crossed the flooding rivers such as Godavari, Bhima, Krishna, Tungabhadra. April, 1706 to February 1707, this episode lasted for ten months without any substantial gain for Mughals. Zulfikarkhan vigorously pursued Dhanaji. But followed the same fate as his fellow commandants. While Aurangzeb was entangled in Maharashtra, Bundelas under Chhatrasal asserted their independence. Rajput launched combined revolt. Jat and Sikhs rose in rebellion. This was truly a period of resurrection against the unjust Mughal rule.
Last few days:
Economic condition of royal treasury was so piteous that Aurangzeb’s wives and daughters had to starve. Aurangzeb could see no one capable enough to carry forward his legacy. Akbar, his rebel son died in Iran in 1704.Kambaksha preferred negotiations, an easy way of settlement over exerting himself on battlefield to prove his worth. Muajjam, lacked military expertise and political wisdom. Azam was better skilled at the art of war. But lived the life of extravagance and selfpraise. During his last days Aurangzeb wrote a letter Azam and Kambaksha advising them to be friendly. He prepared a will proposing peaceful partition of his empire between his three living sons. On 20th February, 1707 Aurangzeb offered his morning prayers. Unconsciousness crept on and Alamgir breathed his last!
Exactly 25 years before in March, 1682 Aurangzeb entered in Maharashtra with the steel resolve to annihilate Maratha power. Under the fierce leadership of SambhajiMaharaj Maratha army gave pitched fight! Meanwhile Baadshah eradicated Qutubshahi and Adilshahi. Hecarried out gruesome death ordeal of SambhajiMaharaj. Aurangzeb defeated the rulers of Qutubshahi, Adilshahi and in turn killed the fighting spirit of their armies. In case of Maharashtra, he killed the ruler, expecting his fellow men to surrender. But Maratha kingdom did not give up even when their fortune was at its lowest ebb. SambhajiMaharaj’s brutal death ignited the spirit of nationalism. RamchandraAmtya, Shankaraji Narayan Sachiv, Santaji – Dhanaji offered amicable leadership. Sudden death of RajaramMaharaj led to the rise of TararaniSaheb. ShivajiMaharaj laid the foundation of Swarajya and all these leaders worked hard to protect the home rule in extremely difficult circumstances. ShivajiMaharajinstalled sustainable political and military organization in available resources whereas Aurangzeb exhausted all his resources in these 25 years. ShivajiMaharaj planted men who could protect and expand Maratha Kingdom. Whereas Baadshah could not raise leaders to keep intact the Mughal rule. The spirit of nationalism prevailed over the vengeful Mughal ambition.
This freedom struggle strengthened Swarajya, which got transformed into Samrajya in the near future. On the other hand, it depleted Mughal power and caused downfall of the towering empire! Alamgir Aurangzeb Badshah breathed his last with a weakened Mughal empire and a confident Maratha power!
Here ends an ERA….
Aditi Kajrekar
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