Shivaji

Shivaji Bhonsle, also known as Chhatrapati Shri Shivaji Maharaj (February 19, 1630 - April 3, 1680) was the founder of the Maratha empire in western India in 1674.

Military adventures

Afzal Khan's campaign was largely successful as he was a brilliant strategist.He tried to garner support of local landlords of the mountainous region who were militarily never defeated by any invaders .They nominally acknoweldged the suzernity of Adil Shahi or Nizam Shai .Their support was quite crucial to reduce Shivaji.However ,Kanhoji Jedhe, a powerful baron was directed by Shahali to counteract these moves.Through his agency ,Shviaji was able to garner the support of those barons except a few.Shivaji was a brilliant staregist asn had always used different tactics on different occassions.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

He took the position at Pratapgad which was strategically advantageous to suit any mountain infantry action . Shivaji and Afzal Khan both wanted to eliminate each other.A meeting was arranged at the foothills of the above fort. Each had supposedly dispensed with attendants and weapons. Nevertheless, both men came to the meeting armed. Amongst Shivaji's hidden arsenal was a small but effective weapon called 'wagh nakhi'- the claws of the tiger. It consisted of an iron finger-grip with four curving razor claws which could be hidden by closing the palm. As the two men hugged each other, Afzal Khan nearly stuck a dagger at Shivaji?s side, but the Maratha passed his arm around the Khan?s waist and, to quote from the biography by Jadunath Sarkar, "tore his bowels open with a blow of steel claws".

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Following Shivaji's attack on Khan, Khan's private secretary, Krishnaji Bhaskar Kulkarni attacked Shivaji with his sword. But Shivaji?s bodyguard Jiva Mahal (Mahalya) saved Shivaji. In Marathi the pithy phrase was coined: ?Hota Jiva Mhanun Wachala Shiva? (Because of Jiva, Shivaji survived the attack.) Afzal Khan was killed, and Maratha warriors who had been hiding in the surrounding scrub rushed out and attacked the Bijapur army, taking their stores, treasure, horses and elephants, and enrolled many of his men 30th Nov,1659 . Shivaji celebrated his success over Afzal Khan by conquering more of the Konkan coast between Mumbai and Goa.

Related Topics:
30th Nov,1659 - Mumbai - Goa

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Shivaji buried the head of the vanquished general with honour at the same fort.Even today it stands well decorated over there.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Now Adil Shah sent one Abyssinian general of repute, Siddi Jauhar 1660 .Shivaji took the position at the fort Panhal, near prsent day Kolhapur as it was situated on the borders of his dominion.Meanwhile mughals also sent their continegents under celebrated Shaista Khan who camped at Poona .Shivaji in a brilliant move decided to break the siege of the fort ,so that enemy would scatter.Then war would be fought on a vast territory with a an amzing speed. Accordingly on the dead of the full moon night,he passed through the siege.Meanwhile enemy chased and caught some portion of his troops.The caught king turned out to be an imposter of Shivaji.He was a barber, namely Shiva.Again enemy chased him.By that time Shivaji had reached at a strategic location , Ghod Khind, a gorge.It was very narrow so as to pass only a few soldiers at a time.Baji Prabhu, a gallant general alonwith Bandal mavalees took the position to defend the pass till Shivaji reached another fort Vishal Garh .

Related Topics:
Abyssinian - 1660 - Panhal - Kolhapur - Poona - Vishal Garh

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Shivaji attacked another siege at base of that fort with such a vigour that it was broken.Meanwhile in a heroic manner Baji Prabhu successfuly defended the pass with 300 soldiers.He was badly wounded , but he gave up only when he heard the sound of canons blasted by Shvivaji from the fort that he had reached safely.After crossing the pass ,enemy attacked Shivaji at the fort.But again they were beaten badly and repulsed with heavy losses.They left teh battlefield never to return again.To please Siddi Jauhar,Shivaji vacated the fort ,Panhal garh.That said place is called as 'Pavan khind' and even today youths trek on the same route .Distance is around 50 km,almost a Marathon .This battle is quite akin to Battle of Thermopylae .Both battles were fought at a pass, defended by 300 soldiers and invading army in a large number(minimum 5000).

Related Topics:
Marathon - Battle of Thermopylae

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~