There are lots of king records in history books, but very few remain in people's hearts as their idols after the centuries. One such warrior king was the second emperor of the Maratha Empire, Chatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj. The only warrior in Indian history who remains undefeated in war throughout his life has astonishing scripture knowledge.
Childhood
Born on 14 May 1657 at Purander in Pune. The life of this warrior king is full of hardship from the beginning. When he was two years old, their mother (Saibai) lost their life due to illness. After that, their grandmother Jijabai take care of them. At the age of nine, Sambhaji was sent to live with Raja Jai Singh of Ajmer as a political hostage to ensure compliance with the Treaty of Purander that Shivaji Maharaj had signed Mughals on 11 June 1665. As a result of the treaty, Sambhaji became a Mughal Mansabdar. (Youngest Mansabdar of India ever). The same year they accompany their father (Shivaji Maharaj) to the court of the Mughal emperor in Agra. When they were put on house arrest by the Mughal emperor, they assist their father in fleeing from this cage.
At a teenage age, he killed a lion with bare hands by tearing its mouth to defend his soldiers who were badly hurt. At the age of thirteen, they master 13 languages, which include regional and foreign languages. (like English, Sanskrit, etc.). At the age of 13 they wrote prolegomena like Budhaushanam, Naykabhed, Nakshikha, and Saatsatak. They marry the daughter of a knight name Yashubai and have two children name Princess Bhavanibai and Prince Shahu. Prince Shahu later becomes the fifth emperor of the Maratha Kingdom.
Ascending to throne and military tactics
At the age of 23, they were crowned as the second emperor of the Maratha Empire after the death of Chatrapati Shivaji. (The founder of Maratha Empire) Their Coronation ceremony took place at Panhala Fort on day 16th Jan 1681. They face several oppositions from their stepmother name Sourabai and other influential courtiers sucha as Annaji Datto and another minister. Later these ministers were sentenced to death by King Sambhaji for plotting against the king. He was very close to a North Indian Pandit who was his Mentor named Kavi Kalash. He was given the title of 'Chandogamatya' by Sambhaji Maharaj. Later, Kavi Kalash becomes the loyal friend of King Sambhaji and remains with them throughout their entire life, including their last days.
After ascending the throne, they encourage agriculture activities in Maratha states. The government of Sambhaji gave promise of safety to Maratha, who had returned from the Mughal Side, and asked them to carry out their previous work of cultivation. The motto of the government of Sambhaji was :
“श्री शंभो: शिवजातस्य मुद्रा द्यौरीव राजते, यंदकसेविनी लेखा वर्तते कस्य नोपरी|“
Besides being well versed in scripture and a furious warrior. They were great innovators too. During a campaign against Mysore King, they innovate the first-ever leather jacket and fire arrow. He had built a causeway of 800 meters during the campaign against Siddhi’s of Janjira but could not proceed further due to the Mughal invasion of Kalyan Bhiwandi. They won 127 battles without seeing a single face of defeat throughout their life. They used a 65 Kg weight sword during battles. The most astonishing war they won through 37000 Maratha warriors faced against 500000 Mughal Army.
A historian says that “Sambhaji got addiction of winning wars, War was like a wine for him and winning was like an addiction to him.” Later this line was misrepresented by another historian during the colonial period of India.
Death
The demise of this great warrior is miserable. A warrior, who leads his army to won every war, was captured by a mere 3000 warriors of the Mughal army due to betraying their brother-in-law (Ganoji Shirke). They directed Mughal Knight Mukarb Khan and his army towards King Sambhaji’s location. When they (King Sambhaji) were returning from Sangmeshwar after a secret meeting along with their companions, middle of their journey, they were ambushed by the Mughal Army, and they were lost that battle and get seized by Mughal Army. When they were presented in front of Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb, there was no trace of fear seen in their eyes. In such a situation, Kavi Kalash wrote a poem saying that ;
यावन रावनकी सभा शंभु बंध्यो बजरंग ।
लहू लसत सिंदूरसम खूब खेल्यो रणरंग ।
रबि छबि लखत खयोत बदरंग ।
राजन् तव तेज निहारके लखत त्यजो अवरंग ।।
(English Meaning: In this court of Yavan (Here referred to Aurangzeb) disguised as Ravan, Sambhaji looks like Bajarang (Lord Hanuman), who is tied with chains. Sindoor is applied on Bajarang’s body, and your whole body is bleeding. When the sun rises in the sky, all other stars lose their power. In the same manner, Aurangzeb has left his throne because of your arrival.)
Emperor Aurangzeb put front three conditions to King Sambhaji, and if King Sambhaji fulfill these conditions, he will grant Sambhaji a Title of “Tributary Prince.” These conditions were like this;
- To tell the location of Treasury of Maratha Empire to the Mughal Emperor
- To tell names of his benefactor
- To turn into Islam
Sambhaji refused the above conditions and suffered inhuman torture at the hands of Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb. Aurangzeb was considered a cruel emperor among all the Mughal emperors. He ordered his people to torture Sambhaji upto the death. He comes every night and keeps the same conditions again. Sambhaji and Kavi Kalash faced this inhuman torture for 40 days. Mughal emperor Aurangzeb finally admitted his defeat and ordered his subordinate to cut Sambhaji Maharaj's body into pieces Tulapur on the bank of the holy river Bhima.
This brave and mighty warrior passed away on 11th March 1689. For his contribution to the Maratha Empire and inhuman suffering in the hands of Aurangzeb due to his strong faith in the Hindu religion. People grant the title of “Dharmveer” to this second emperor and undefeated warrior of the Maratha Empire.
*Information given in this article is collected from various sources and books. I am not one of the images shown in this article
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