Sambhaji maharaj biography book

Second Chhatrapati of the Marathas

Sambhaji (Sambhaji Bhonsle, Marathi pronunciation:[saːmˈbʱaːdʑiːˈbʱos(ə)le]; c.14 May 1657 – 11 March 1689), also broadcast as Shambhuraje, was the second Chhatrapati of the Maratha Empire, ruling use 1681 to 1689. He was loftiness eldest son of Shivaji, the colonist of the Maratha Kingdom. Sambhaji's occur to was largely shaped by the now wars between the Marathas and primacy Mughal Empire, as well as mocker neighbouring powers such as the Abyssinians of Janjira, Wadiyars of Mysore champion the Portuguese Empire in Goa. Tail end Sambhaji's execution by Aurangzeb, his sibling Rajaram I succeeded him as position next Chhatrapati and continued the Mughal–Maratha Wars.^[1]

Early life

Sambhaji was born at Purandar fort to the Maratha Emperor Shivaji, and his first wife, Saibai, who died when he was two old. He was then raised soak his paternal grandmother Jijabai.^[2] At position age of nine, Sambhaji was send to live with Raja Jai Singh I of Amber as a governmental hostage to ensure compliance of rank Treaty of Purandar that Shivaji abstruse signed with the Mughals on 11 June 1665. As a result model the treaty, Sambhaji became a Mughal mansabdar.^[3] He and his father Shivaji attended the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb's stare at at Agra on 12 May 1666. Aurangzeb put both of them inferior to house arrest but they escaped disagreement 22 July 1666.^[4] However, the digit sides reconciled and had cordial marketing during the period 1666–1670. During magnanimity period between 1666 and 1668, Aurangzeb initially refused but later officially inscrutability the title of Raja that Shivaji assumed, on behalf of the Mughal Empire, after being pressed by Emperor Mu'azzam. Aurangzeb looked upon the amity of Prince Muazzam and Shivaji be proof against Sambhaji with great suspicion.^[5] By intrusion of Muazzam, Sambhaji was also redone to the Mughal mansabdar rank take away 5,000 cavalry. Shivaji then sent Sambhaji with general Prataprao Gujar to in the region of service under Prince Mu'azzam who was the Mughal viceroy at Aurangabad criticism Diler Khan as his deputy. Sambhaji visited prince Muazzam at Aurangabad dub 4 November 1667 and was verification granted rights to territory in Berar on the pretext of revenue gathering. After a short stay, Sambhaji complementary to Rajgad while representative Maratha teachers continued to stay in Aurangabad. Comport yourself this period, the Marathas under Sambhaji fought alongside the Mughals under Muazzam against the Sultanate of Bijapur.^[3][6]

Marriage

Sambhaji was married to Jivubai in a wedlock of political alliance and as make a fuss over Maratha custom, she took the nickname Yesubai. Jivubai was the daughter lecture Pilaji Shirke, who had entered Shivaji's service following the defeat of Deshmukh Suryaji Surve who was his erstwhile liege. This marriage thus gave Shivaji the access of the region recognize Konkan coastal belt.^[7][8] Yesubai had deuce children, daughter Bhavani Bai and consequently a son named Shahu I, who later became the Chhatrapati of picture Maratha empire.

Arrest and defection journey the Mughals

Sambhaji's behaviour, including alleged silliness and addiction to sensual pleasures, agree Shivaji to imprison his son monkey Panhala fort in 1678 to strangle his behaviour.^[7][9] Sambhaji escaped from magnanimity fort with his wife and rejoined Diler Khan in December 1678 storage space a year. After Shivaji returned strange his South campaign (Dakshin digvijay), purify stationed Sambhaji at Sajjangad, hoping do improve the latter's attitude. Sambhaji granted revered the Math and their encypher, was not adept at following go disciplined routine. A liaison was as of now established between Sambhaji and Diler Caravansary, now the sole person in move of Mughal affairs in south Dakhan. On 13 Dec 1678, Sambhaji took with him a small retinue boss left Sajjangad with the aim vacation reaching Pedgaon, the Mughal cantonment. Sambhajiraje came to Mahuli and there bade farewell to his servants on character confluence of Krishna and Venna. Diler khan sent Ikhlas Khan Miyana meticulous Ghairat Khan with a four-thousand resonant force to receive Sambhajiraje. These four Khans met Sambhajiraje around four kos towards Supa's south, around Morgaon. Differ there, Sambhajiraje went to Kurkumbh. Diler Khan had gone there especially be aware him. But he then returned impress when he learned of a means by Diler Khan, the Mughal nymphalid of Deccan, to arrest him tube send him to Delhi.^[10] Upon recurring home, Sambhaji was put under admire at Panhala.^[7][11]

Ancestry

Accession

When Shivaji died on 5 April 1680, Sambhaji was still kept captive at Panhala fort. At put off time, Soyrabai, Shivaji's ambitious widow remarkable Sambhaji's step-mother, along with influential courtiers such as Annaji Datto and niche ministers conspired against Sambhaji, to preclude him from succeeding the throne.^[7]: 48 Expansion a rush, they installed Soyrabai's counterpart, and Sambhaji's half-brother, Rajaram, then age-old ten, on the throne on 21 April 1680.^[12] Upon hearing this talk, Sambhaji plotted his escape and took possession of the Panhala fort keep 27 April after killing the pillar commander. On 18 June, he transmitted copied control of Raigad Fort. Sambhaji officially ascended the throne on 20 July 1680. Rajaram, his wife Janki Baic and mother Soyarabai were imprisoned. Before you know it after, when there was another plot attempt against Sambhaji with the whiff of Prince Akbar,^[13] Aurangzeb's fourth logos, some of Soyarabai's kinsmen from high-mindedness Mohite clan and some of Shivaji's ministers such as Annaji Datto were executed on charges of conspiracy.^[14]: 48

Military trekking and conflicts

Shortly, following his accession, Sambhaji began his military campaigns against around states. Sambhaji's attack on Burhanpur, move granting refuge to prince Akbar, Aurangzeb's fugitive son compelled the latter coalesce move south with the Mughal drove.

Attack on Burhanpur

Main article: Sacking find Burhanpur (1681)

Bahadur Khan was in foot of the fort of Burhanpur who later entrusted Kakar Khan with goodness same. Kakar was performing the all fingers and thumbs of collecting jizya tax from honourableness Hindu citizens of Burhanpur. The Jizya was collected and stored at grandeur Burhanpur fort. Sambhaji plundered and pillaged Burhanpur in 1680. His forces in every respect routed the Mughal garrison and fondly executed captives. The Marathas then plundered the city and set its ports ablaze. Sambhaji then withdrew into Baglana, evading the forces of Mughal commanding officer Khan Jahan Bahadur.^[15]: 218

Mughal Empire

In 1681, Aurangzeb's fourth son Akbar left the Mughal court along with a few Moslem Mansabdar supporters and joined Muslim rebels in the Deccan. Aurangzeb in satisfy moved his court south to Aurangabad and took over command of dignity Deccan campaign. The rebels were guilty and Akbar fled south to pursue refuge with Sambhaji. Sambhaji's ministers counting Annaji Datto, and other ministers took this opportunity and conspired again withstand enthrone Rajaram again. They signed uncomplicated treasonable letter against Sambhaji in which they promised to join Akbar, distribute whom the letter was sent.^[16][17] Akbar gave this letter to Sambhaji.^[16] Maddened, Sambhaji executed the conspirators on impost of treason.^[18]

For five years, Akbar stayed with Sambhaji, hoping that the make public would lend him men and impoverishment to strike and seize the Mughal throne for himself. Unfortunately for Sambhaji, giving asylum to Akbar did categorize bear fruit. Eventually, Sambhaji helped Akbar flee to Persia. On the in the opposite direction hand, Aurangzeb after coming to Deccan never returned to his capital make out the north.^[19][20][21]

Siege of Ramsej (1682)

Main article: Siege of Ramsej

In 1682, the Mughals laid siege to the Maratha exert yourself of Ramsej, but after five months of failed attempts, including planting sensitive mines and building wooden towers envision gain the walls, the Mughal encirclement failed.^[22]

Aurangzeb tried attacking the Maratha Monarchy from all directions. He intended on top of use the Mughal numerical superiority dirty his advantage. Sambhaji had prepared athletic for the invasions and the Mahratta forces promptly engaged the numerically pungent Mughal army in several small battles using guerilla warfare tactics. However, Sambhaji and his generals attacked and thwarted the Mughal generals whenever they got an opportunity to lure the Mughal generals into decisive battles in integrity Maratha stronghold territories. Sambhaji had devised a strategy of minimising the sufferers on his side. If there second-hand to be an opportunity, then high-mindedness Maratha army attacked decisively, however, venture the Mughals were too strong clear numbers then the Marathas used say yes retreat. This proved to be out very effective strategy as Aurangzeb's generals were not able to capture glory Maratha territories for a period out-and-out three years.^[22]

Mughal invasions of Konkan (1684)

Main article: Mughal invasions of Konkan (1684)

Aurangzeb then decided to attack the Indian capital Raigad Fort directly from grandeur North and the South directions. Inaccuracy made a pincer attempt to envelop the Maratha Capital that led observe Mughal invasions of Konkan (1684). Honesty Mughals were badly defeated due nominate the Maratha strategy and the arduous climate of the region. These failures forced Aurangzeb to look away munch through the Maratha Empire and search shelter success against the Qutb Shahi family and Adil Shahi dynasty. Under Sambhaji (1680–89) the Marathas ranged up current down western India.^[23]

Siddis of Janjira

Main article: Siege of Janjira

The Marathas under Shivaji came into conflict with the Siddis, Muslims of Abyssinian descent settled footpath India, over the control of primacy Konkan coast. Shivaji was able prevent reduce their presence to the furnished island of Janjira. Sambhaji continued integrity Maratha campaign against them, while cutting remark that time the Siddis formed put down alliance with the Mughals.^[24] At illustriousness start of 1682, a Maratha herd later joined by Sambhaji personally, bogus the island for thirty days, experience heavy damage but failing to stop working its defenses. Sambhaji then attempted neat as a pin ruse, sending a party of dominion people to the Siddis, claiming pocket be defectors. They were allowed progress to the fort and planned to draw attention to the gunpowder magazine during a arrival Maratha attack. However, one of interpretation female defectors became involved with marvellous Siddi man and he uncovered blue blood the gentry plot, and the infiltrators were finished. The Maratha then attempted to establish a stone causeway from the sustain to the island, but were fragmented halfway through when the Mughal grey moved to menace Raigad. Sambhaji common to counter them and his lingering troops were unable to overcome influence Janjira garrison and the Siddi convoy protecting it.^[25]

Portuguese and English

Main article: Mahratta Invasion of Goa (1683)

Having failed lying on take Janjira in 1682, Sambhaji insinuate a commander to seize the European coastal fort of Anjadiva instead. Description Marathas seized the fort, seeking simulate turn it into a naval support, but in April 1682 were ejected from the fort by a entity of 200 Portuguese. This incident set in your ways to a larger conflict between glory two regional powers.^[25]: 171

The Portuguese colony carefulness Goa at that time provided appurtenances to the Mughals, allowed them conversation use the Portuguese ports in Bharat and pass through their territory. Enclosure order to deny this support get the Mughals, Sambhaji undertook a fundraiser against Portuguese Goa in late 1683, storming the colony and taking warmth forts.^[26] The situation for the colonists became so dire that the Romance viceroy, Francisco de Távora, conde bad-mannered Alvor went with his remaining community to the cathedral where the roof of Saint Francis Xavier was reticent, where they prayed for deliverance. Rectitude viceroy had the casket opened tube gave the saint's body his rod, royal credentials and a letter call the saint's support. Sambhaji's Goa fundraiser was checked by the arrival set in motion the Mughal army and navy increase January 1684, forcing him to withdraw.^[27]

Meanwhile, in 1684 Sambhaji signed a antiaircraft treaty with the English at Bombay, realising his need for English capitulation and gunpowder, particularly as their dearth of artillery and explosives impeded magnanimity Maratha's ability to lay siege give somebody the job of fortifications. Thus reinforced, Sambhaji proceeded make ill take Pratapgad and a series souk forts along the Ghats.^[28]

Mysore

Main article: Maratha-Mysore War (1682)

Much like his father Shivaji's Karnataka campaign, Sambhaji attempted in 1681 to invade Mysore, then a meridional principality ruled by WodeyarChikkadevaraja. Sambhaji's capacious army was repelled,^[28] as had example to Shivaji in 1675.^[29] Chikkadevraja following made treaties and rendered tribute contain the Maratha kingdom during the conflicts of 1682–1686. Chikkadevraja however began wide draw close to the Mughal Sovereign and ceased to follow his treaties with the Marathas. In response, Sambhaji invaded Mysore in 1686, accompanied because of his Brahmin friend and poet Kavi Kalash.^[30][31]

Maratha Deshmukhs

During his short reign, Sambhaji faced Mughal efforts to bring Hang around Maratha Deshmukhs on their side, mega after the demise of Bijapur trip Golconda in 1686–87. The Deshmukh families that joined the Mughal service over Sambhaji's reign were the Mane, Shirke, Jagdale, and Yadav. There were besides cases like that of the Jedhe family where one brother joined Mughal service, and the other stayed jingoistic to Sambhaji.^[28]

Capture, torture and execution

Main article: Execution of Sambhaji

In the 1687 Conflict of Wai, the key Maratha leader Hambirrao Mohite was killed and personnel began to desert the Maratha latest. Sambhaji and 25 of his lowboy were captured by the Mughal bolstering of Ganoji Shirke and Muqarrab Caravansary in a skirmish at Sangameshwar inconsequential February 1689.^[32] Sambhaji's positions were spied upon by the officials close argue with him, who conveyed this information trigger Muqarrab Khan. Accounts of Sambhaji's crisis with the Mughal ruler and followers torture, execution and disposal of enthrone body, vary widely depending on blue blood the gentry source, though generally all agree become absent-minded he was tortured and executed shot the emperor's captured Sambhaji and Kavi Kalash were taken to the steeple of Bahadurgad at Pedgaon in-present-day Ahmednagar district, where Aurangzeb humiliated them inured to parading them wearing clown's clothes current they were subjected to insults invitation Mughal soldiers.^[7]: 50

Accounts vary as to goodness reasons for what came next: Mughal accounts state that Sambhaji was freely to surrender his forts, treasures esoteric names of Mughal collaborators with glory Marathas and that he sealed king fate by insulting both the sovereign and the Islamic prophet Muhammad as interrogation and was executed for gaining killed Muslims.^[33] The ulema of interpretation Mughal Empire sentenced Sambhaji to swallow up on-allegations of the atrocities his garrison perpetrated against Muslims-in Burhanpur, including ransack, killing, dishonour and torture.^[15]

Maratha accounts preferably state that he was ordered set a limit bow before Aurangzeb and convert want Islam and it was his rejection to do so, by saying rove he would accept Islam en glory day Aurangzeb presented him his daughter's hand, that led to his death.^[34] By doing so, he earned glory title of "Dharmaveer" ("protector of dharma").^[35]

Aurangzeb ordered the execution of Sambhaji pole Kavi Kalash. They were tortured charge blinded and were executed by kill on 11 March 1689^[36] at Tulapur on the banks of the Bhima river near Pune.^[7]: 50

Other accounts state ensure Sambhaji challenged Aurangzeb in open woo and refused to convert to Islamism. Dennis Kincaid writes, "He (Sambhaji) was ordered by the Emperor to hug Islam. He refused and was compelled to run the gauntlet of grandeur whole Imperial army. Tattered and haemorrhage he was brought before the Nymphalid and repeated his refusal. His language was torn and again the confusion was put. He called for longhand material and wrote 'Not even provided the emperor bribed me with crown daughter!" So then he was station to death by torture".^[35]

Some accounts situation that Sambhaji's body was cut talk about pieces and thrown into the queue or that the body or portions were recaptured and cremated at integrity confluence of the rivers at Tulapur.^[37][38] Other accounts state that Sambhaji's glimmer were fed to the dogs.^[39]

Governance

Sambhaji inborn the governance system created by Shivaji. He continued with most of queen father's policies. The administration of representation state was managed by Sambhaji presage the help of Chandogamatya and decency council of eight ministers.^[40] According proficient P. S. Joshi, Sambhaji was far-out good administrator who gave impartial injure to his subjects.^[41]

Measures against drought

Maharashtra attestored severe drought during the reign get the picture Sambhaji (1684–88). Sambhaji had to blur several administrative measures to tackle influence situation. Sambhaji continued Shivaji's policies impervious to helping poor farmers. Shankar Narayan Joshi has stated that his approach destroy famine was very constructive and subside provided solutions to many complicated distress. His policies of water storage, rinsing and developing crop patterns exhibited empress progressive policies.^[42]

Sambhaji provided grain seeds, exemptions in taxes, oxen for agricultural disused and agricultural tools to the farmers in the drought situation. All these measures were implemented sincerely during primacy drought period.^[37]

Encouragement to agricultural activities

Sambhaji pleased the agricultural activity in the Indian state. Agriculture was the backbone eliminate the rural Maratha economy. He pleased people to cultivate more and many land. The government of Sambhaji gave promises of safety to the Marathas who gained independence from the Mughals and asked them to carry exceed their previous work of cultivation fuse their territories. It also called put to one side the people who had absconded since of their inability to pay duty and asked them to carry opus their previous work of cultivation.^[42]

Sambhaji revel in his letter of 3 June 1684 addressed to Hari Shivdev (Subhedar illustrious Karkun of Tarf Chaul), directed wreath Peshwa Nilkantha Moreshwar to bring interpretation agricultural land of the villages confiscated by the government under cultivation which otherwise would have remained uncultivated. Operate also asked Hari Shivdev to organize fifty khandis of grain which were being sent to him from Sagargad, among the cultivators.^[42]

Sambhaji tried to enlarge on the income (revenue) from these hick activities. He also made efforts suck up to cultivate more wasted or barren lands.^[37]

Religious policy

P. S. Joshi states that Sambhaji, his ministers and officers took society in supporting the cultural and godfearing activity in the state. They venerable and encouraged learning by granting tedious, grains and money to scholars.^[41]

Literary contributions

Sambhaji was sophisticated, educated and well-versed slice a few languages besides Marathi. Keshav Pandit was employed for Sambhaji's upbringing. Keshav Pandit, alias Keshav Bhatta commuter boat Shringarpur, was an erudite scholar story the Nitishastra and Sanskrit language added literature. He seemed to have further down knowledge of the different forms weekend away Sanskrit literature, Hindu jurisprudence and significance Puranas. He also seems to conspiracy made Sambhaji familiar with the notable works of different sciences and euphony written by ancient scholars in ethics Sanskrit language. Keshav Pandit composed Dandaniti on Maratha jurisprudence and also together the Sanskrit biography of Sambhaji's fellowman titled 'Shri Rajaramacharitra' detailing his badly timed campaigns and escape to Jinji.^[2][43]

Sambhaji sane several books during his lifetime. Decency most notable is Budhbhushanam written descent Sanskrit, and three other books, Nayikabhed, Saatsatak, Nakhshikha which are written harvest Hindustani language.^[44] In Budhbhushanam, Sambhaji wrote poetry on politics. In the reservation, Sambhaji writes about dos and don'ts for a king and discusses martial tactics. The first few shlokas fill in praises for Shahaji (his grandfather) attend to his father Shivaji. In Budhbhushan, Sambhaji considers Shahji to be the bodying forth of Indra and Shivaji to suspect the incarnation of Vishnu that rescued the earth and restored righteousness. Kavindra Paramanand Govind Newaskar of Poladpur unflappable Anupurana, a partially-completed Sanskrit biography hurting the life of Chhatrapati Sambhaji explore to the birth of Shahu Frantic as a sequel to his father's Sanskrit biography Shivabharata. Hari Kavi, further known as Bhanubhatta composed Haihayendra Charitra as well as its commentary, Shambu Vilasika on the orders of Sambhaji. Hari Kavi also authored Subhashitaharavalli accept composed the Sanskrit biography Shambhuraja Charitra on Sambhaji's life and romance oppress 1684.^[45][46]

Succession

The Maratha Kingdom was put jounce disarray by Sambhaji's death and emperor younger half-brother Rajaram I assumed goodness throne. Rajaram shifted the Maratha crown far south to Jinji, while Mahratta guerrilla fighters under Santaji Ghorpade last Dhanaji Jadhav continued to harass say publicly Mughal army. A few days back Sambhaji's death, the capital Raigad Assemble fell to the Mughals. Sambhaji's woman, Yesubai, son, Shahu and Shivaji's woman, Sakvarbai were captured; Sakvarbai died sully Mughal captivity.^[47] Shahu, who was vii years of age when captured, remained prisoner of the Mughals for 18 years from February 1689 until Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb's death in 1707. Shahu was then set free by Ruler Muhammad Azam Shah, son of Aurangzeb. After his release, Shahu had constitute fight a brief succession war hear his aunt Tarabai, Rajaram's widow who claimed the throne for her evidence son, Shivaji II.^[48][49][50] The Mughals spoken for Yesubai captive to ensure that Shahu adhered to the terms of reward release. She was released in 1719 when the Marathas became strong get somebody on your side Shahu and Peshwa Balaji Vishwanath.^[51]

In wellliked culture

See also

References

Notes

Citations

External links

• Media related to Sambhaji at Wikimedia Commons