Early Life

Sambhaji lost his mother Sai bai at the age of 2. After her death, his paternal
grandmother Jijabai looked after him. Initially his stepmother, Soyarabai, also doted
on him a lot. Sambhaji was a tiger cub in the true sense. He was extremely
handsome and possessed immense bravery. He was a scholar of Sanskrit and
eight other languages. In 1666, he was married to Yesu bai, and later the couple
had a son Shahu. On June 6th, 1674 at the time of the coronation of Shivaji
Maharaj, he was declared the prince of the Sovereign Maratha Kingdom. Many
visiting dignitaries at the coronation ceremony have written about his acumen,
intelligence, personality and most important of all, his modesty. As a prince,
Sambhaji proved his bravery and military brilliance on more than one occasion. He
led and won his first war at Ramnagar at the age of 16. During 1675-76 he led
successful campaignsin Goa and Karnataka.
Estrangement and reconciliation with his father
The politics fuelled by the wife Soyarabai, of Shivaji Maharaj, with some
other courtiers led to Sambhaji's estrangement. For almost one year, Sambhaji left
Shivaji's kingdom and joined Aurangzeb's commander, Diler Khan as part of
politics. This came as a rude and extremely sad shock to Shivaji. This process
caused further widening of the rift between Sambhaji on one side, and Soyarabai
on the other. As a result, Sambhaji was not invited for Rajaram's wedding and
moreover he was not even informed of thesudden death of Chhatrapati Shivaji
Maharaj a few days thereafter. Rajaram was the child of Shivaji Maharaj &
Soyarabai.
Coronation
Soyarabai and her supporters plotted to arrest Sambhaji at the fort of Panhala,
where he was staying at the time of Shivaji's death. They wanted to crown
Rajaramand not allow Sambhaji to become the Maratha emperor. However
Sarnobat (the then Supreme Commander of the Maratha forces) and Soyarabai's
brother, Hambirrao Mohite supported Sambhaji since he was the rightful heir to the
throne. At the time of Shivaji's death, there was news of an impending attack of
Aurangzeb's army on Maharashtra and at such a crucial juncture, a strong leader
like Sambhaji was the need of the hour. Therefore Hambirrao did not support his
own sister and sided instead with Sambhaji.

Annaji Datto Sabnis and other courtiers namely Hiroji Bhosale (Farjad), Balaji Aavji
and Rupaji Mane were arrested for supporting Soyarabai and were punished in a
rather cruel way, by being killed when trampled upon by War-elephants. It was
chiefly because of Hambirrao's support that Sambhaji was able to ascend to his
rightful place on the Maratha throne in 1681.
Sambhaji Maharaj kept Aurangzeb away from North
India for 27 years
The remarkable things that Sambhaji Maharaj achieved in his short life had far-reaching
effects on the whole of India. Every Hindu should be grateful to him for that. He valiantly
faced the 8 lakh strong army of Aurangzeb and defeated several Mughal chieftains in
the battlefield forcing them to retreat. Because of this, Aurangzeb remained engaged in
battles in Maharashtra, thus keeping the rest of India free from Aurangzeb's tyranny for
a long time. This can be considered as the greatest achievement of Sambhaji Maharaj.
If Sambhaji Maharaj would have arrived at a settlement with Aurangzeb and accepted
his proposal of being a tributary prince, then within the next 2 or 3 years Aurangzeb
would have capturedNorth India again. However, because of Sambhaji Maharaj's
struggle, Aurangzeb was stuck in battles in South India for 27 years. This helped in the
establishment of new Hindu kingdoms in the provinces of Bundelkhand, Punjab and
Rajasthan in North India; thus providing safety to the Hindu society there.
War with the Mughals
It would be appropriate to examine the facile charge that Sambhaji lost his father's
kingdom to Aurangazeb. Let us see what was retained in Maratha hands and how
much was lost to the enemy at the time of his cruel death.

The details of the conflict as a whole, during Sambhaji's reign, the progress, if any,
of the Mughal armies and the gallant defense offered by the Marathas and their
aggressive and retaliatory tactics help us to evaluate the efforts of Sambhaji and
the Marathas to protect the gains of Shivaji. It also refutes the charge that Sambhaji
had lost everything.

The Mughals started their aggression in 1681 in Nasik-Baglan in the northern
region of South Maharashtra. Till the year 1686, the Mughal forces had not
succeeded in capturing any forts. Though the Mughal forces captured some forts
during the last 2 years of Sambhaji's reign, Aurangazeb was forced to resort to
encouraging treachery. At the end of 1686, Salher fort was taken by the Mughals
after bribing the Killedar Asoji with a mansab. Ramsej was also won by treachery in
1687. At the end of 1688 and the beginning of 1689, Mughals got Harishgad,
Tringalwadi, Madangad, Mordant, Aundha and Karani by treachery. At the
beginning of 1689, Matabarkhan captured Trimabkgad by offering cash and
mansab to Shyamraj and Telangrao. Pattagad is an exception to this pattern. It was
captured after a straight fight. In short it can be said that the Marathas were in
command of almost all their territory till 1686 and in the end only the weapons of
treachery and not arms proved effective against them.

The Mughals turned to the central part of southern Maharashtra i.e. Talkonkan,
Kalyan-Bhiwandi, Kothalagad, Pune and Satara region from 1681. Matabarkhan
who had informed Aurangazeb about the difficulties in these regions, captured
Kalyan-Bhiwandi, Purgadi and other other forts in Talkonkan only after the death of
King Sambhaji.

The Mughals however succeeded in capturing Kothalagad at the end of 1684. Fort
Mahuli was captured by Matabarkhan on 21st Aug'1688 by giving a bribe of 2500
Ashrafis to Killedar Dwarkoji.

In the middle of the year 1684, even though Aurangazeb succeeded in taking
Surapur, Shirval and Supe, Sambhaji continued to hold all the important forts like
Rohida, Purandar, Shrivardhan, Rajmachi, Sinhagad, Rajgad and Raigad. At the
end of 1687, the Mughals were able to establish their hold on Satara, Parali,Nimb,
Chandan, Vandan, Karad, Majgaon and Masar by Sept'1689. From 1689 , the
Mughal posted their thanedar at Wai.

In south Konkan, the Marathas held Sangameshwar, Rajapur, Panhala, Malkapur,
Khelna, Pargad, Kopal, Bahaddurbanda, Shirole and Phonda till the end of
Sambhaji's reign.

In Goa, the Mughals established their rule in Antraj Mahal only from Feb'1689.

In North Konkan, the Marathas had retained their hold on Kulaba, Khanderi, Rajkot,
Sagargad, Padmadurga and Cheul and the region around these places.

In Karnataka, The Marathas lost Bengalore, Doddabalapur, Tumkur, Chikanhalli in
the year 1687-1688 while they succeeded in retaining their hold on Jingee, Tanjore
and territories surrounding these places.

One thing can be said for certain that Aurangazeb who was not wholly successful,
won a large part of the Maratha Kingdom immediately and only after Sambhaji's
death. The collective leadership under Chhatrapati Rajaram and Tarabai fought
very gallantly so that the Mughal emperor could not achieve what he had vowed to
do even after a long struggle of quarter of a century. He could never secure full
control over the Maratha state. His resolve and ambition to become the master of
the south soon after Shivaji's death was foiled by Sambhaji and his successor
Rajaram.

Well known historian Sir Jadunath Sarkar and Vincent Smith have very aptly opined
If Napolean could say that it was the Spanish ulcer which ruined me, Aurangazeb
could also say that the Deccan wars not only undid his own work, but also those of
his predecessors. No wonder Vincent Smith remarks that the Deccan was not
only the grave of his (Aurangazeb's) body but also his empire.

It is well said that along with Aurangazeb's person, his ambition to annihilate
the Marathas was also buried deep in the Deccan. One may also add that the
generation of brave patriots created by Shivaji held against the forces of
Aurangazeb for Twenty Five years of agonising privations and against a vast and
well equipped force. It can be said that world's history records few, if any, struggles
of such heroic grandeur and inspiring resistance, led by a young king, his still
younger brother and a women. Herein lies the real success of the genius of Shivaji.
Reference : Short Resume - page 234 CHHATRAPATI SAMBHAJI by DR.KAMAL
GOKHALE,Navakamal Pub.,Pune
War with the Portuguese
Sambhaji Maharaj fought against the Portuguese in Goa who were very active in
the forceful conversions of Hindus through various means like the Inquisition. He
was very angry with them due to these conversions & the demolition of Hindu
Temples in Goa. The Portuguese were very frightened of being assaulted by
Sambhaji Maharaj, and this reflects in their letter to the British in which they wrote,
Now-a-days Sambhaji is the most powerful person and we have experienced it.
Efforts for Reconversion to Hinduism
We all know that Shivaji Maharaj reconverted Netaji Palkar to Hinduism. However,
it is important to note that Sambhaji Maharaj had established a separate
department in his province for the 'reconversion ceremony' of the Hindus who had
earlier converted into other religions. There is a story of a Brahmin named 'Kulkarni'
of Harsul village in the history of Sambhaji Maharaj. Kulkarni had been forcibly
converted to Islam by the Mughals. He tried to reconvert into Hinduism, but local
Brahmins in his village did not pay any heed to him. In the end, Kulkarni met
Sambhaji Maharaj and told him about his misery. Sambhaji Maharaj immediately
arranged for his reconversion ceremony and reconverted him into a Hindu.This
noble initiative of Sambhaji Maharaj helped many converted Hindus to reconvert
back into Hinduism.
Capture and Execution
In early 1689, Sambhaji called his commanders for a strategic meeting at
Sangameshwar in Konkan. In a meticulously planned operation, Ganoji Shirke
(brother of Sambhajis wife Yesubai) and Aurangzeb's commander, Mukarrab Khan
attacked Sangameshwar when Sambhaji was about to leave the town. A small
ambush followed and Sambhaji was captured by Mughal troops on 1 Feb, 1689. He
and his advisor, Kavi Kalash were taken to Bahadurgad. Aurangzeb humiliated
them by parading them wearing clown's clothes. Later, Sambhaji and Kavi Kalash
were tied upside down to camels with Mughal soldiers throwing stones, mud, and
cow dung at them.

When they were brought face to face with Aurangzeb, the latter offered to let
Sambhaji live if he surrendered all the Maratha forts, turned over all his hidden
treasures and disclosed the names of all the Mughal officers who had helped him.
Sambhaji refused, and instead sang the praises of Mahadev (Lord Shiva).
Aurangzeb ordered him and Kavi Kalash to be tortured to death. Sambhaji and Kavi
Kalash were brutally tortured for over a fortnight. The torture involved plucking out
their eyes and tongue and pulling out their nails. The later part involved removing
their skin. On March 11, 1689, Sambhaji was finally killed, reportedly by tearing him
apart from the front and back with 'Wagh Nakhe (Tiger claws, a kind of weapon),
and was beheaded with an axe. This grievous death was given to him at Vadhu on
the banks of the Bhima river, near Pune.

After every torture, Aurangzeb would ask him if he had had enough and wanted to
convert but the courageous king kept refusing. By doing so he earned the title of
Dharmaveer (Protector of Dharma) by which he is known to this day. Aurangzeb
ordered for Sambhaji's body to be cut into pieces and be thrown into the river.
Residents of the nearby village named 'Vadhu' collected as many pieces of his
body as they could find, sewed them together and performed the final rites on his
body. These villagers later went on to use the surname 'Shivle' or 'Shivale', as per
spelling preference, which means sewing in the Marathi language.
Immediate aftereffects of Sambhaji's execution
With Sambhaji's death, the Maratha confederacy was thrown in disarray. He was
succeeded as by his younger brother Rajaram who became the leader of the
Marathas. The Commander in chief of the Maratha army, Mhaloji Ghorpade, who
succeeded Hambirrao Mohite, died in the ambush at Sangameshwar. A few days
after Sambhaji's death, the capital Raigad fell to the Mughals and Sambhaji's wife
and son were captured. However, Sambhaji's torture and heroic death unleashed
an unprecedented unity and heroic spirit amongst the Marathas. Aurangzeb
continued his grim war against the Marathas for another 18 years but could not
subjugate the Maratha state.

Aurangzeb spent the last 25 years of his life in the Deccan, in constant warfare to
vanquish the Marathas. He died in 1707, at Ahmednagar, Maharashtra. In 1737,
within 50 years of the torture and death of Sambhaji, the Maratha - Jat Allied armies
entered Delhi and re-established Hindu rule over all of western, central and much of
northern India. It was the first time after 1192, when Prithviraj Chauhan was
defeated by Mohammed Ghori, that a Hindu army was in control of Delhi except for
a brief period by Hemu in 1556. The Maratha Empire would remain the
foremost military power in India till they lost power to the British after 3 Anglo-
Maratha wars, the last of which ended in 1818.
Legacy
There is some dispute amongst historians about Sambhaji's ability as a ruler.
These disputes came mainly from British & Mughal historians like Khafikhan &
Grand Duff. These historians have portrayed him as ineffective and an alcoholic.
Other historians, notably S.G. Shevde, portrayed Sambhaji as a capable ruler.
However many historians like Babasaheb Purandare, Shivaji Savant have revealed
the truth about him to society.

Mrutyuche aavhaan peluni, toch varasa aamhaala dila l
Shivrayaancha Shambhu chaava, Hindu mhanuni amar jahala ll
(Coming from the same legacy that confronted death,
Shivajis son Shambhu, became immortal as a Hindu)
The above two lines encapsulate the spirit of an independent
nation and dignity advocated by Shivaji and his son, Sambhaji, to
the people of Maharashtra.
Sambhaji Maharaj was born to Shivaji and his first wife Saibai on
Purandar fort on 14th May 1657 (12th day in the first half of
month of Jeshtha, Shake 1579). When he was only two years old,
his mother passed away. Shivajis mother, Jijabai, took on the
responsibility of raising Sambhaji. Keshavbhat and Umaji Pandit
were his tutors. There are records found in the historical memoirs
of the members and the secretaries of those times of Sambhaji
having received training in the disciplines of horse-riding,
armoury, and body building.
Sambhaji was taught reading and writing. He was taught law,
order and politics. He was taught to worship his father. He was
also taught not to be too proud when he would be handed the
reins of the empire. If a lawless heir were born to a king, then the
entire kingdom and the royal family would be wiped out; hence it
was imperative that the future king should know law and order.
He was also routinely made to sit with senior officials in court to
familiarize him with day-today business. To infuse leadership
qualities in the young Sambhaji, Shivaji Maharaj took the young
Sambhaji with him on his missions or encouraged him to lead a
small army of about 5000-10000 men. This structured, formal
and informal instruction moulded Sambhaji Maharaj in his
formative years.
During these formative years, one event certainly enriched
Sambhaji Maharajs experience and that was of his escorting
Shivaji Maharaj to Agra. It was during this period that he
encountered the many facets of Chhatrapati Shivaji and was
subconsciously influenced by his personality. He was exposed to
Shivajis political and tactical acumen and was a witness to his
immense courage. After their escape, he spent a few years in
disguise and closely experienced the social fabric of the State.
This experience was to later help him immensely during his reign
as a King. The experiences of being held hostage with King Mirza
or giving out royal orders also helped him as a future ruler.
Having spent a good amount of his time in enemy precincts since
a young age, he was able to learn a lot about their way of
working.
Sambhaji was not only capable academically, in weaponry, court
administration, martial arts and in leading armies but was also
proficient in Hindi and Sanskrit languages. He authored four
prose compilations, BuddhaBhushan being one of them. Out of
the two sections, one deals withSwakul (own lineage)
and Swakavya Varnan (description of own poetry) while the other
deals with Rajniti (politics) and Durg Nirupan (information about
forts).
He led many a battle post Chhatrapati Shivajis coronation.
However, it was only after the death of Shivaji that people truly
recognized the personality of Sambhaji. He proved that he was an
able successor as proficient and valiant as Chhatrapati Shivaji.
In just nine years, he managed to win 128 battles and brought
glory upon his fathers name. During this time when religion was
playing havoc in the Konkan region he handled the fanatics; he
also attacked the Portuguese in Goa. During one such attack, he
demonstrated his fearlessness and disregard for his own safety
and rode all the way through the middle of a creek; he managed
to reconvert the Hindu thus managing to keep alive Shivajis
work; he brought Aurangzeb to his knees with his incessant
attacks and made him head south. As an aggressive warrior and
a competent administrator, Sambhaji, thus handled his empire
well.
Chhatrapati Sambhaji has this inscription on his royal seal
Shri Shambo ShivajaTasya mudra ghauRiva Raajate
YadamKasevini lekha varTaTe Kasya no pari
(The Royal Seal of Sambhaji, son of Shivaji, shines radiantly in
the brilliant sky
Even the crescent moon that halos great men acquiesces to this
seal)
Chhatrapati Sambhaji always put up a brave face to the adverse
circumstances he encountered all his life. His ability to ward off
the Mughal invasion with a meagre army of about 30,000-35,000
against Aurangazebs experienced and mighty army of over
7,00,000 stood testimony to this. Double-crossers, traitors and
conspirators always made matters worse. One such traitor caused
his arrest In the year 1689. The Mogul, Murkharab Khan arrested
Sambhaji at Sangameshwar when he was proceeding to Raigarh
from Vishalgarh and brought him to Tulapur. He was brutally
treated and mercilessly tortured by Aurangzeb in an attempt to
coerce him to change his religion. He died, heroically standing by
the strength of his religious beliefs and for the independence of
his homeland.
A samadhi of Chhatrapati Sambhaji has been erected at Vadu in
Pune district. On visiting thesamadhi, a poet aptly described the
king as under:
kaviRajKushal, rajKaaryaDhurnadhar ha sinhaCha Chava l
pidhyaPidhyana det prerana gheii yethe visava ll
(The versatile King among poets, the adept ruler, this progeny of
a lion
Rests here, inspiring generation after generation)
Death: 11 March 1689











Sambhaji Bhosale (14 May 1657 11 March 1689) was the eldest son
of ChhatrapatiShivaji, the founder of the Maratha Empire, and his first
wife Saibai. He was successor of the empire after Shivaji's death. Sambhaji's
rule was largely shaped by the ongoing wars between the Maratha kingdom
and the Mughal Empire, as well as other neighbouring powers such as
the Siddis, Mysore and the Portuguese in Goa. Sambhaji was captured,
tortured, and executed by the Mughals, and succeeded by his brother
Rajaram.
Contents
[hide]
1 Early life
2 Accession
3 Attack on Burhanpur
4 War against the Mughal empire
5 War with Siddis of Janjira
6 Portuguese and the English
7 War with Mysore
8 Capture and execution
9 Succession
10 See also
11 References
12 Further reading
13 External links
Early life[edit]
Sambhaji was born at Purandar fort to Saibai, Shivaji's first and favourite wife.
His mother died when he was two and he was raised by his paternal
grandmother Jijabai. At the age of nine, Sambhaji was sent to live with
Raja Jai Singh of Amber, as a political hostage to ensure compliance of
the Treaty of Purandar that Shivaji had signed with the Mughals on 11 June
1665. later on... As a result of the treaty, Sambhaji become a Mughal sardar
and served the Mughal court of Aurangzeb and the father and son duo fought
along the Mughals against Bijapur. He and his father Shivaji presented
themselves at Aurangzeb's court at Agra on 12 May 1666. Aurangzeb put
both of them under house arrest but they escaped on 22 July 1666.
Sambhaji was married to Jivubai in a marriage of political alliance, and per
Maratha custom she took the name Yesubai. Jivabai was the daughter
of Pilajirao Shirke, who had entered Shivaji's service following the defeat of a
powerful Deshmukh who was his previous patron. This marriage thus gave
Shivaji access to the Konkan coastal belt.
[1]:47

Sambhaji's behaviour, including alleged irresponsibility and "addiction to
sensual pleasures" led Shivaji to imprison his son at Panhala fort in 1678 to
curb his behaviour. Sambhaji escaped from the fort with his wife and defected
to the Mughals for a year but then returned home unrepentant, and was again
confined to Panhala.
[1]:551

Accession[edit]
When Shivaji died in the first week of April 1680, Sambhaji was still held
captive in Panhala fort. Shivaji's widow and Sambhaji's stepmother, Soyarabai
Mohite, started making plans with various ministers to crown her
son Rajaram as the heir to the Maratha kingdom and the ten-year old Rajaram
was installed on the throne on 21 April 1680. Upon hearing this news,
Sambhaji plotted his escape and took possession of the Panhala fort on 27
April after killing the commander. On 18 June, he acquired control of Raigad
fort. Sambhaji formally ascended the throne on 20 July 1680. Rajaram, his
wife Janki Bai, and mother Soyrabai were imprisoned. Soyarabai was
executed in October 1680 on charges of conspiracy.
[1]:48[2][3]

Attack on Burhanpur[edit]
Bahadurkhan Kokaltash, a relative of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb was in
charge of Burhanpur, a Mughal stronghold. He left Burhanpur with a portion of
his army to attend a wedding, giving the charge of the city to Kakarkhan.
Sambhaji tricked Mughals into thinking that Marathas were going to attack
Surat that had been plundered twice by Shivaji, but Hambirrao Mohite, the
commander of the Maratha army, surrounded Burhanpur.
[citation
needed]
Sambhaji than plundered and ravaged the city in 1680,
[when?]
his forces
completely routed the Mughal garrison and punitively executed captives. The
Marathas then looted the city and set its ports ablaze. In contrast to his
father's tactics, Sambhaji permitted torture and violence by his forces.
Sambhaji then withdrew into Baglana, evading the forces of Mughal
commander Khan Jahan Bahadur.
[4]

War against the Mughal empire[edit]
Main article: Maratha War of Independence


Statue of Sambhaji at Tulapur
Sambhaji gave shelter to Sultan Muhammad Akbar,
[when?]
the fourth son of
Aurangzeb, who sought Sambhaji's aid in winning the Mughal throne from his
emperor father. Upon the death of Shivaji, Aurangzeb came to Deccan in
1680 CE with about half a million troops and 400,000 animals.
[citation needed]
He
defeated the Adilshahi (Sultanate of Bijapur) and Qutubshahi (Sultanate of
Golconda) empires, acquiring two generals, Mukarrabkhan and Sarjakhan,
from Qutubshahi and Adilshahi empires respectively. He then turned his
attention to the Maratha kingdom, engaging Sambaji's armies.
[citation needed]
In
1682 the Mughals laid siege to the Maratha fort of Ramsej, but after five
months of failed attempts, including planting explosive mines and building
wooden towers to gain the walls, the Mughal siege failed.
[5]

War with Siddis of Janjira[edit]
Entering the 1680s, the Marathas came into conflict
[why?]
with the Siddis, who
were Muslim of African descent settled in India and held the fortified island
of Janjira. At the start of 1682, a Maratha army, later joined by Sambhaji
personally, attacked the island for thirty days, doing heavy damage but failing
to breach its defenses. Sambhaji then attempted a ruse, sending a party of his
people to the Siddis, claiming to be defectors. They were allowed into the fort,
and planned to detonate the gunpowder magazine during a coming Maratha
attack. However, one of the female "defectors" became involved with a Siddi
man, and he uncovered the plot and the infiltrators were executed. The
Maratha then attempted to build a stone causeway from the shore to the
island, but were interrupted halfway through when the Mughal army moved to
menace Raigad; Sambhaji returned to counter them, and his remaining troops
were unable to overcome the Janjira garrison and the Siddi fleet protecting
it.
[6]

Portuguese and the English[edit]


Sambhaji with his infant son Shahuji.
Having failed to take Janjira, in 1682 Sambhaji sent a commander to seize the
coastal fort of Anjadiva instead. The Marathas seized the fort, seeking to turn
it into a naval base, but in April 1682 were ejected from the fort by a
detachment of 200 Portuguese. This incident led to a larger conflict between
the two regional powers.
[6]:171

The Portuguese colony of Goa at that time provided supplies to the Mughals,
allowed them to use the Portuguese ports in India and pass through their
territory. In order to deny this support to the Mughals, Sambhaji undertook a
campaign against Portuguese Goa in late 1683 storming the colony and
taking its forts, while local Goans uprose against the Europeans.
[citation
needed]
The situation for the colonists became so dire that the Portuguese
viceroy, Francisco de Tvora, conde de Alvor went with his remaining
supporters to the cathedral where the crypt of Saint Francis Xavier was kept,
where they prayed for deliverance. The viceroy had the casket opened, and
gave the saint's body his baton, royal credentials, and a letter asking the
saint's support. Sambhaji's Goa campaign was checked by the arrival of the
Mughal army and navy in January 1684, forcing him to withdraw.
[7]

Meanwhile, in 1684 Sambhaji signed a defensive treaty with the British at
Bombay, realising his need for British arms and gunpowder, particularly as
their lackings of artillery and explosives impeded the Maratha's ability to lay
siege to fortifications. Thus reinforced, Sambhaji proceeded to
take Pratapgad and a series of forts along the Ghats.
[8]:91

War with Mysore[edit]
Much like his father Shivaji's Karnataka campaign, Sambhaji attempted in
1681 to invade Mysore, then a southern principality ruled
byWodeyar Chikkadevaraja. Sambhaji's large army was repelled,
[8]:91
as had
happened to Shivaji in 1675.
[9]
The Chikkadevraja later made treaties and
rendered tribute to the Maratha kingdom during the conflicts of 1682-1686.
The Chikkadevraja however began to draw close to the Mughal empire and
ceased to follow his treaties with the Marathas. In response, Sambhaji
invaded Mysore in 1686, accompanied by his Brahmin friend and poet Kavi
Kalash.
[10][11]

Capture and execution[edit]


Stone arch at Tulapur confluence where Sambhaji was executed.
The 1687 Battle of Wai saw the Maratha forces badly weakened by the
Mughals. The key Maratha commander Hambirao Mohite was killed, and
troops began to desert the Maratha armies. Sambaji's positions were spied
upon by Shirke clan Marathas who had defected to the Mughals. Sambhaji
and 25 of his advisors were captured by the Mughal forces of Muqarrab
Khan in a skirmish at Sangameshwar in February 1689 .
[1]:47

The captured Sambhaji and Kavi Kalash were taken to Bahadurgad, where
Aurangzeb humiliated them by parading them wearing clown's clothes, and
they were subjected to insults by the Mughal soldiers. Accounts vary as to the
reasons for what came next: Mughal accounts state that Sambhaji was asked
to surrender his forts, treasures, and names of Mughal collaborators with the
Marathas, and that he sealed his fate by insulting both the emperor and the
Islamic prophet Muhammad during interrogation, and was executed for having
killed Muslims.
[4]
Maratha accounts instead state that he was ordered to bow
before Auguranzeb and convert to Islam, and it was his refusal to do so that
lead to his death, lending a religious martyrdom to the narrative.
[12][verification
needed]
By doing so he earned the title of Dharmaveer ("protector
of dharma").
[13]
Aurangzeb ordered Sambhaji and Kavi Kalash to be tortured
to death; the process took over a fortnight and included plucking out their eyes
and tongue, pulling out their nails, and removing their skin. Sambhaji was
finally killed on 11 April 1689, reportedly by tearing him apart from the front
and back with wagh nakhe (metal "tiger claws") and beheading with an axe
at Tulapur on the banks of the Bhima river, near Pune.
[citation needed]

Some accounts state that Sambhaji's body was cut into pieces and thrown
into the river, or that the body or portions were recaptured and cremated at
the confluence of rivers at Tulapur. The inspiring sacrifice of Chhatrapati
Sambhaji yielded him the honour of "Dharmaveer", meaning, Brave man
sacrificing for religion. The assassination of Sambhaji made marathas to come
togather. They rebuilt their army and ultimately defeated Mughals.
[14][15]

[1]

Succession[edit]
The Maratha confederacy was thrown into disarray by Sambhaji's death, and
his younger step-brother Rajaram assumed the throne. A few days after
Sambhaji's death, the capital Raigad fell to the Mughals and Sambhaji's wife
and son were captured. Rajaram shifted the Maratha capital far south to Jinji,
while Maratha guerrilla fighters under Santaji Ghorpade and Dhanaji
Jadhav continued to harass the Mughal army. Sambhaji's wife and son,
Shahu, who was 7 years of age, remained prisoners of the Mughals for 18
years from February 1689 until Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb died in 1707
when the son Shahu was set free by Emperor Muhammad Azam Shah son of
Aurangzeb. However, Sambhaji's wife and Shahu's mother was still held
captive to ensure good behaviour by Shahu and her release could be
obtained only in 1719 when Marathas became strong enough
under Chhattrapati Shahu's rule.