Sambhaji: The Resilient Heir of the Maratha Empire

 

Chattrapatti Sambhaji Maharaj

Continuing our journey through the remarkable history of the Maratha Empire, we now turn our attention to a pivotal figure in the dynasty's lineage - Sambhaji Maharaj. As the eldest son of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, Sambhaji inherited not only the legacy of his father's vision but also the weight of leading a nation in the face of formidable challenges. This blog will delve into the extraordinary life of Sambhaji, highlighting his military prowess, strategic brilliance, and enduring spirit in the face of adversity.

Sambhaji's ascension to the throne of the Maratha Empire came at a time of great uncertainty. With the demise of Shivaji, the young prince found himself at the helm of an empire under siege from both internal dissent and external powers seeking to extinguish the Maratha flame. Yet, Sambhaji rose to the occasion with unwavering determination, proving himself to be a worthy successor to his father's legacy.

In this blog, we will delve into the complexities of Sambhaji's character, exploring his achievements, challenges, and enduring legacy. By examining the various aspects of his life, we will gain a deeper understanding of his role in shaping the destiny of the Maratha Empire and leaving an indelible mark on the pages of Indian history.

Chhattrapati Sambhaji Maharaj or Shambhuraje, was the second Chhatrapati of the Maratha Empire, ruling from 1681 to 1689. He was born at Purandar fort to the Maratha Emperor Shivaji and his first wife Saibai on14th May 1657. Unfortunately, his mother passed away when he was just two years old, and he was raised by his paternal grandmother Jijabai. At the tender age of nine, Sambhaji was sent to live with Raja Jai Singh I of Amber as a political hostage to ensure compliance with the Treaty of Purandar, which Shivaji had signed with the Mughals on 11 June 1665. Consequently, Sambhaji became a Mughal mansabdar.

Chattrapatti Shivaji and future Maharaj Sambhaji in Mughal Court

Both Sambhaji and Shivaji attended the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb's court at Agra on 12 May 1666, where they were put under house arrest. However, they managed to escape on 22 July 1666. Subsequently, the two sides reconciled, and from 1666 to 1670, they maintained cordial relations. During this period, Aurangzeb initially refused but later officially recognized Shivaji's assumed title of Raja on behalf of the Mughal Empire, under the persuasion of Prince Mu'azzam. However, Aurangzeb viewed the friendship between Prince Mu'azzam, Shivaji, and Sambhaji with great suspicion.

Prince Muazzam

Through the mediation of Mu'azzam, Sambhaji was reinstated with the Mughal mansabdar rank of 5,000 cavalry. Shivaji then sent Sambhaji, along with General Prataprao Gujar, to serve under Prince Mu'azzam, who was the Mughal viceroy in Aurangabad with Diler Khan as his deputy. Sambhaji visited Prince Mu'azzam at Aurangabad on 4th November 1667 and was granted rights to territory in Berar under the pretext of revenue collection.

After a brief stay, Sambhaji returned to Rajgad while Maratha representatives continued to reside in Aurangabad. During this period, the Marathas, under Sambhaji's leadership, fought alongside the Mughals, led by Mu'azzam, against the Sultanate of Bijapur.

Sambhaji got married to Jivubai, who adopted the name Yesubai in accordance with Maratha customs. Yesubai was the daughter of Pilaji Shirke, a noble who joined Shivaji's service after the defeat of Deshmukh Suryaji Surve, his previous liege. This strategic marriage granted Shivaji access to the vital Konkan coastal belt, expanding his dominion.

Sambhaji and Yesubai were blessed with two children. Their daughter, Bhavani Bai, carried forward the lineage of the Bhonsle family, while their son, Shahu I, would later ascend to the prestigious position of Chhatrapati, becoming the ruler of the Maratha Empire.

Panhala Fort

In 1678, Sambhaji's behavior led to his confinement in Panhala Fort by his father, Shivaji, due to concerns over his indulgence in sensual pleasures. Despite being held under close supervision, Sambhaji managed to escape with his wife. He sought refuge with Diler Khan, but soon discovered the viceroy's hidden agenda to hand him over to the Mughals. Realizing the danger, Sambhaji made the bold decision to return home. Shivaji, recognizing the risks involved, placed him back under supervision in Panhala Fort.

Rajaram 1

Upon Shivaji's demise in early April 1680, Sambhaji found himself still confined within the walls of Panhala Fort. However, the political landscape quickly shifted as his stepmother, Soyrabai, and influential courtiers conspired against him, aiming to prevent his ascent to the throne. Seizing the opportunity, they hastily installed Rajaram, Sambhaji's half-brother, as the new ruler on 21 April 1680. This act of betrayal set the stage for a series of dramatic events that would shape Sambhaji's future.

Refusing to accept this usurpation of his birthright, Sambhaji meticulously planned his escape from Panhala Fort. On 27 April, he executed a daring maneuver, eliminating the fort commander and taking control of the stronghold. Determined to secure his position, Sambhaji further strengthened his grip on power by capturing Raigad Fort on 18 June. With these strategic victories, he fortified his claim and demonstrated his unwavering resolve.

Finally, on 20 July 1680, Sambhaji officially ascended the throne as the Chhatrapati of the Maratha Empire. His reign was marked by a firm determination to safeguard his realm and preserve the legacy of his father, Shivaji. Yet, challenges continued to arise, and Sambhaji swiftly confronted threats to his rule.

One such threat materialized in the form of a conspiracy orchestrated with the assistance of Prince Akbar, Aurangzeb's fourth son. In response, Sambhaji acted decisively, ensuring the security of his reign. Those involved in the plot, including some of Soyrabai's relatives from the Shirke clan and prominent ministers who had served under Shivaji, such as Annaji Datto, were held accountable and faced severe consequences.

Sambhaji's ability to navigate treacherous political waters and maintain a firm grip on power showcased his astuteness and resilience. Despite facing numerous challenges and betrayals, he emerged as a resolute leader, determined to uphold the Maratha legacy and protect the interests of his empire.

After ascending to the throne, Sambhaji, the ruler of the Maratha Empire, launched a series of military campaigns against neighboring states. One of his early conquests was Burhanpur in 1680. The fort of Burhanpur was initially under the control of Bahadur Khan, who later entrusted Kakar Khan with its defense. Kakar Khan was responsible for collecting the jizya tax from the Hindu citizens of Burhanpur. Sambhaji attacked Burhanpur, defeated the Mughal garrison, and executed captives. The city was looted, and its ports were set ablaze. Sambhaji then withdrew to Baglana, evading the pursuing forces of Mughal commander Khan Jahan Bahadur.

In 1681, Aurangzeb's son Akbar left the Mughal court and joined Muslim rebels in the Deccan. Aurangzeb moved his court to Aurangabad and took command of the Deccan campaign to suppress the rebellion. Akbar sought refuge with Sambhaji, who was urged by his ministers to conspire against Sambhaji and enthrone his younger brother Rajaram. Akbar handed over a treasonous letter to Sambhaji, which led to the execution of the conspirators. Akbar stayed with Sambhaji for five years, hoping for support in his bid for the Mughal throne. However, Sambhaji was unable to help him, and Akbar eventually fled to Persia. Meanwhile, Aurangzeb focused on the Deccan and did not return to his capital in the north.

In 1682, the Mughals laid siege to the Maratha fort of Ramsej but failed to capture it after five months of attempts. Sambhaji employed guerilla warfare tactics and engaged the numerically superior Mughal army in small battles. The Marathas would attack decisively if the opportunity arose but would retreat if the Mughals had overwhelming numbers. This strategy prevented the Mughals from capturing Maratha territories for three years.

Aurangzeb decided to attack the Maratha capital, Raigad Fort, from the North and South directions in 1684. However, the Mughals suffered defeats due to the Marathas' strategies and the harsh climate of the region. These failures forced Aurangzeb to shift his focus away from the Maratha Empire and seek success against other dynasties in the Deccan.

The Marathas had conflicts with the Siddis, Muslims of Abyssinian descent settled in India, over control of the Konkan coast. Sambhaji continued the campaign against the Siddis, but his attempts to capture the fortified island of Janjira failed. The Marathas made several unsuccessful attempts, including a ruse to infiltrate the fort, but were unable to breach its defenses. Additionally, they faced interruptions when the Mughal army moved to threaten Raigad. Sambhaji returned to counter the Mughals, and his remaining troops couldn't overcome the Janjira garrison and the Siddi fleet.

Sambhaji also launched an attack on Portuguese Goa in late 1683, storming the colony and taking its forts. However, the arrival of the Mughal army and navy in January 1684 forced Sambhaji to withdraw from Goa. During this time, Sambhaji signed a defensive treaty with the English at Bombay, recognizing the need for English arms and gunpowder to strengthen his forces.

In terms of external conflicts, Sambhaji attempted to invade Mysore, a southern principality ruled by Wodeyar Chikkadevaraja, in 1681. However, his large army was repelled, similar to his father Shivaji's previous campaign in 1675. Later, Chikkadevaraja made treaties with the Marathas and paid tribute to the Maratha kingdom. However, he eventually aligned with the Mughals, breaking his treaties with the Marathas. In response, Sambhaji invaded Mysore in 1686, accompanied by his Brahmin friend and poet Kavi Kalash.

Capture of Samhaji

These military campaigns by Sambhaji aimed to expand the Maratha Empire, defend its territories, and challenge the Mughal authority in the Deccan region.

In the Battle of Wai in 1687, the Maratha commander Hambirao Mohite was killed, and desertions started to occur among the Maratha armies. Sambhaji's positions were spied upon by his own relatives, the Shirke family, who had defected to the Mughals. Ganoji Shirke, Sambhaji's brother-in-law, informed Muqarrab Khan, a Mughal commander, of Sambhaji's location. As a result, Sambhaji and 25 of his advisors were captured by Muqarrab Khan's forces in a skirmish at Sangameshwar in February 1689.

Different accounts provide varying details regarding Sambhaji's confrontation with the Mughal ruler, his subsequent torture, execution, and disposal of his body. However, most sources agree that he was tortured and executed on the orders of the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb. After being captured, Sambhaji and Kavi Kalash were taken to Bahadurgad, where they were humiliated by being paraded in clown's clothes and subjected to insults by Mughal soldiers.

Mughal accounts claim that Sambhaji was asked to surrender his forts, treasures, and disclose the names of Mughal collaborators within the Maratha ranks. According to these accounts, Sambhaji sealed his fate by insulting the emperor and the Islamic prophet Muhammad during interrogation. The ulema of the Mughal Empire sentenced Sambhaji to death, alleging that his troops had committed atrocities against Muslims in Burhanpur, including plunder, killing, dishonor, and torture.

Stone arch at Tulapur where Chattrapatti Sambhaji was executed

On the other hand, Maratha accounts state that Sambhaji was ordered to bow before Aurangzeb and convert to Islam. It is believed that Sambhaji's refusal to do so, along with his statement that he would accept Islam only when Aurangzeb presented him with his daughter's hand, led to his death. This act earned him the title of Dharmaveer, meaning "protector of dharma." Aurangzeb ordered the execution of Sambhaji and Kavi Kalash, subjecting them to a prolonged and brutal process that included plucking out their eyes, tearing off their tongues, pulling out their nails, and removing their skin. Sambhaji was ultimately executed on March 11, 1689, reportedly torn apart from the front and back using metal "tiger claws" and beheaded with an axe at Tulapur on the banks of the Bhima River near Pune.

There are also accounts stating that Sambhaji openly challenged Aurangzeb in court and refused to convert to Islam. According to one such account by Dennis Kincaid, Sambhaji was ordered by the emperor to embrace Islam, but he refused. He was then made to run through the gauntlet of the entire imperial army, suffering injuries. Despite the torture, he maintained his refusal to convert. It is said that he called for writing material and wrote, "Not even if the emperor bribed me with his daughter!" Subsequently, he was put to death through torture.

Regarding the disposal of Sambhaji's body, various versions exist. Some accounts claim that his body was cut into pieces and thrown into the river, while others suggest that the body or its parts were recaptured and cremated at the confluence of rivers at Tulapur. There are also accounts stating that Sambhaji's remains were fed to dogs.

Statue of Sambhaji Maharaj at Tulapur

Sambhaji Maharaj's enduring legacy lies not only in his military achievements but also in his indomitable spirit in the face of adversity. He demonstrated remarkable leadership qualities, strategic acumen, and a deep sense of loyalty to his empire and people. His contributions to the Maratha Empire and his unwavering commitment to defending its independence continue to inspire generations, leaving an indelible mark on the pages of Indian history.

Sambhaji Maharaj's life serves as a testament to the resilience and determination of the Maratha people and their unwavering pursuit of freedom and self-governance. His story reminds us of the sacrifices made by those who fought for their principles and the enduring legacy they leave behind. Sambhaji Maharaj's extraordinary journey will forever be etched in the annals of history as a testament to the indomitable human spirit and the pursuit of justice and sovereignty.

Bibliography:

1. 1. Sawant, Shivaji. "Sambhaji: A Historical Novel." Continental Prakashan, 1986.
2. 2. Joshi, Shankar. "Chhatrapati Sambhaji, 1657–1689 A.D." S. Chand, 1980.
3. 3. Gordon, Stewart. "The Marathas 1600–1818." Cambridge University Press, 1993.
4. 4. Rana, Bhawan Singh. "Chhatrapati Shivaji." Diamond Pocket Books, 2004.
5. 5. Joshi, Pandit Shankar. "Chhatrapati Sambhaji." S. Chand and Co., 1980.
6. 6. Richards, John F. "The Mughal Empire." Cambridge University Press, 1995.
7. 7. Bhave, Y.G. "From the Death of Shivaji to the Death of Aurangzeb: The Critical Years." Northern Book Centre, 2000.