Sambhaji

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Sambhaji
Raigad fort (official)
PredecessorShivaji I
SuccessorRajaram I
Peshwa
Born(1657-05-14)14 May 1657
Saibai
ReligionHinduism

Sambhaji (Sambhaji Bhonsle; Marathi pronunciation:

Mughal–Maratha Wars.[1]

Early life

Sambhaji was born at

Marriage

Sambhaji was married to Jivubai in a marriage of political alliance and as per Maratha custom, she took the name

Yesubai. Jivubai was the daughter of Pilaji Shirke, who had entered Shivaji's service following the defeat of Deshmukh Suryaji Surve who was his previous liege. This marriage thus gave Shivaji the access of the region of Konkan coastal belt.[7][8] Yesubai had two children, daughter Bhavani Bai and then a son named Shahu I
, who later became the Chhatrapati of the Maratha empire.

Arrest and defection to the Mughals

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.[7][9] Sambhaji escaped from the fort with his wife and rejoined Diler Khan in December 1678 for a year, but then returned home when he learnt of a plan by Diler Khan, the Mughal viceroy of Deccan, to arrest him and send him to Delhi.[10] Upon returning home, Sambhaji was put under surveillance at Panhala.[7][11]

Accession

When Shivaji died on 5 April 1680, Sambhaji was still held captive at Panhala fort. At that time,

Soyrabai, Shivaji's ambitious widow and Sambhaji's step-mother, along with influential courtiers such as Annaji Datto and other ministers conspired against Sambhaji, to prevent him from succeeding the throne.[7]: 48  In a rush, they installed Soyrabai's son, and Sambhaji's half-brother, Rajaram, then aged ten, on the throne on 21 April 1680.[12] Upon hearing this news, Sambhaji plotted his escape and took possession of the Panhala fort on 27 April after killing the fort 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 Soyarabai were imprisoned. Soon after, when there was another conspiracy attempt against Sambhaji with the help of Prince Akbar,[13] Aurangzeb's fourth son, some of Soyarabai's kinsmen from the Mohite clan and some of Shivaji's ministers such as Annaji Datto were executed on charges of conspiracy.: 48 [14]

Military expeditions and conflicts

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

Attack on Burhanpur

Bahadur Khan was in charge of the fort of Burhanpur who later entrusted Kakar Khan with the same. Kakar was performing the duty of collecting jizya tax from the Hindu citizens of Burhanpur. The Jizya was collected and stored at the Burhanpur fort. Sambhaji plundered and ravaged Burhanpur in 1680. His forces completely routed the Mughal garrison and punitively executed captives. The Marathas then looted the city and set its ports ablaze. He, in contrast to his father's practice, condoned casual rape and violence by his troops during the raid. Sambhaji then withdrew into Baglana, evading the forces of Mughal commander Khan Jahan Bahadur.[15]: 218 

Mughal Empire

In 1681, Aurangzeb's fourth son

Aurangabad and took over command of the Deccan campaign. The rebels were defeated and Akbar fled south to seek refuge with Sambhaji. Sambhaji's ministers including Annaji Datto, and other ministers took this opportunity and conspired again to enthrone Rajaram again. They signed a treasonable letter against Sambhaji in which they promised to join Akbar, to whom the letter was sent.[16][17] Akbar gave this letter to Sambhaji.[16] Enraged, Sambhaji executed the conspirators on charges of treason.[18]

For five years, Akbar stayed with Sambhaji, hoping that the latter would lend him men and money to strike and seize the Mughal throne for himself. Unfortunately for Sambhaji, giving asylum to Akbar did not bear fruit. Eventually, Sambhaji helped Akbar flee to

Persia. On the other hand, Aurangzeb after coming to Deccan never returned to his capital in the north.[19][20]

Siege of Ramsej (1682)

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.[21]

Aurangzeb tried attacking the Maratha Empire from all directions. He intended to use the Mughal numerical superiority to his advantage. Sambhaji had prepared well for the invasions and the Maratha forces promptly engaged the numerically strong Mughal army in several small battles using guerilla warfare tactics. However, Sambhaji and his generals attacked and defeated the Mughal generals whenever they got an opportunity to lure the Mughal generals into decisive battles in the Maratha stronghold territories. Sambhaji had devised a strategy of minimising the losses on his side. If there used to be an opportunity, then the Maratha army attacked decisively, however, if the Mughals were too strong in numbers then the Marathas used to retreat. This proved to be a very effective strategy as Aurangzeb's generals were not able to capture the Maratha territories for a period of three years.[21]

Mughal invasions of Konkan (1684)

Aurangzeb then decided to attack the Maratha capital Raigad Fort directly from the North and the South directions. He made a pincer attempt to surround the Maratha Capital that led to Mughal invasions of Konkan (1684). The Mughals were badly defeated due to the Maratha strategy and the harsh climate of the region. These failures forced Aurangzeb to look away from the Maratha Empire and search for success against the Qutb Shahi dynasty and Adil Shahi dynasty. Under Sambhaji (1680–89) the Marathas ranged up and down western India.[22]

Siddis of Janjira

The Marathas under Shivaji came into conflict with the

Abyssinian descent settled in India, over the control of the Konkan coast. Shivaji was able to reduce their presence to the fortified island of Janjira. Sambhaji continued the Maratha campaign against them, while at that time the Siddis formed an alliance with the Mughals.[23] 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.[24]

Portuguese and English

Watan Patra (grant document), by Chh. Sambhaji

Having failed to take Janjira in 1682, Sambhaji sent a commander to seize the Portuguese 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.[24]: 171 

The

Francisco de Távora, 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.[26]

Meanwhile, in 1684 Sambhaji signed a defensive treaty with the English at Bombay, realising his need for English arms and gunpowder, particularly as their lack of artillery and explosives impeded the Maratha's ability to lay siege to fortifications. Thus reinforced, Sambhaji proceeded to take

Mysore

Much like his father Shivaji's Karnataka campaign, Sambhaji attempted in 1681 to invade

Chikkadevaraja. Sambhaji's large army was repelled,[27] as had happened to Shivaji in 1675.[28] Chikkadevraja later made treaties and rendered tribute to the Maratha kingdom during the conflicts of 1682–1686. Chikkadevraja however began to draw close to the Mughal Empiror 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.[29][30]

Capture and execution

Stone arch at Tulapur confluence where Sambhaji was executed
Capture of Sambhaji I

In the 1687 Battle of Wai, the key Maratha commander Hambirrao Mohite was killed and troops began to desert the Maratha armies. Sambhaji and 25 of his advisors were captured by the Mughal forces of Muqarrab Khan in a skirmish at Sangameshwar in February 1689. Sambhaji's positions were spied upon by the officials close to him, who conveyed this information to Muqarrab Khan. A contemporary French Governor of Pondicherry from the same period mentions the "Close Brahmans" were the culprits.[31] This is the only hard proof sustained after centuries regarding this capture; hence stands tall against all the conspiracy theories told by novelists & novice historians.

Martin's Diary mentioned that the close Brahmins betrayed Chatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj from Memores De Francois Martin Fond Vol.3 page 33 March 1689 (1665-1694)[32]

François Martin (Pondicherry), the first French Governor General of Pondicherry had mentioned in his diary the culprits of Sambhaji Maharaj's capture. Martin's diary says that the close Brahmins betrayed Sambhaji Maharaj, hence Sambhaji was captured by Mughal army, thereafter the whole south India was in a major chaos at the time.[31]

Accounts of Sambhaji's confrontation with the Mughal ruler and following torture, execution and disposal of his body, vary widely depending on the source, though generally all agree that he was tortured and executed on the emperor's orders.[7]: 50 

The captured Sambhaji and Kavi Kalash were taken to Pedgaon, Ahmednagar Bahadurgad in-present-day Ahmednagar district, where Aurangzeb humiliated them by parading them wearing clown's clothes and they were subjected to insults by 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.

ulema of the Mughal Empire sentenced Sambhaji to death on-allegations of the atrocities his troops perpetrated against Muslims-in Burhanpur, including plunder, killing, dishonour and torture.[15]

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

Aurangzeb ordered the execution of Sambhaji and Kavi Kalash. They were tortured and blinded and were executed by beheading en 11 March 1689

Bhima river near Pune.[7]
: 50 

Other accounts state that Sambhaji challenged Aurangzeb in open court and refused to convert to Islam. Dennis Kincaid writes, "He (Sambhaji) was ordered by the Emperor to embrace Islam. He refused and was made to run the gauntlet of the whole Imperial army. Tattered and bleeding he was brought before the Emperor and repeated his refusal. His tongue was torn and again the question was put. He called for writing material and wrote 'Not even if the emperor bribed me with his daughter!" So then he was put to death by torture".[35]

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 the rivers at Tulapur.[37][38] Other accounts state that Sambhaji's remains were fed to the dogs.[39]

Governance

Statue of Sambhaji at Tulapur.

Sambhaji inherited the governance system created by Shivaji. He continued with most of his father's policies. The administration of the state was managed by Sambhaji with the help of Chandogamatya and the council of eight ministers.[40] According to P. S. Joshi, Sambhaji was a good administrator who gave impartial justice to his subjects.[41]

Measures against drought

Maharashtra witnessed severe drought during the reign of Sambhaji (1684–88). Sambhaji had to take several administrative measures to tackle the situation. Sambhaji continued Shivaji's policies by helping poor farmers. Shankar Narayan Joshi has stated that his approach against famine was very constructive and he provided solutions to many complicated problems. His policies of water storage, irrigation and developing crop patterns exhibited his progressive policies.[42]

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

Encouragement to agricultural activities

Sambhaji encouraged the agricultural activity in the Maratha state. Agriculture was the backbone of the rural Maratha economy. He encouraged people to cultivate more and more land. The government of Sambhaji gave promises of safety to the Marathas who gained independence from the Mughals and asked them to carry out their previous work of cultivation in their territories. It also called back the people who had absconded because of their inability to pay taxes and asked them to carry on their previous work of cultivation.[42]

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

Sambhaji tried to increase the income (revenue) from these agricultural activities. He also made efforts to cultivate more wasted or barren lands.[37]

Religious policy

P. S. Joshi states that Sambhaji, his ministers and officers took interest in supporting the cultural and religious activity in the state. They honoured and encouraged learning by granting land, grains and money to scholars.[41]

Innovations

Sambhaji used many innovations during his campaigns, one such innovation was when he made jackets from leather for his soldiers to ensure protection from lethal arrows fired by the Mysore army during his campaign against Mysore which was highly successful, as, after the initial defeat of the Maratha army due to the poisonous arrows, the Maratha army was able to negate the arrows and achieved victory by using these leather jackets.[17][page needed]

Literary contributions

Sambhaji was sophisticated, educated and well-versed in a few languages besides Marathi. Keshav Pandit was employed for Sambhaji's education. Keshav Pandit, alias Keshav Bhatta of Shringarpur, was an erudite scholar in the Nitishastra and Sanskrit language and literature. He seemed to have deeper knowledge of the different forms of Sanskrit literature, Hindu jurisprudence and the Puranas. He also seems to have made Sambhaji familiar with the famous works of different sciences and music written by ancient scholars in the Sanskrit language. Keshav Pandit composed Dandaniti on Maratha jurisprudence and also composed the Sanskrit biography of Sambhaji's brother titled 'Shri Rajaramacharitra' detailing his early campaigns and escape to Jinji.[2][43]

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

Succession

The Maratha Kingdom was put into disarray by Sambhaji's death and his younger half-brother

Shahu and Shivaji's widow, Sakvarbai were captured; Sakvarbai died in Mughal captivity.[47] Shahu, who was seven 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 Emperor Muhammad Azam Shah, son of Aurangzeb. After his release, Shahu had to fight a brief succession war with his aunt Tarabai, Rajaram's widow who claimed the throne for her own son, Shivaji II.[48][49][50] The Mughals kept Yesubai captive to ensure that Shahu adhered to the terms of his release. She was released in 1719 when the Marathas became strong under Shahu and Peshwa Balaji Vishwanath.[51]

In popular culture

Films and television shows based on Sambhaji's life have been produced in India. These include:

Books

  • Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj (Vasudeo Sitaram Bendrey)
  • Sambhajiraja Jwalajwalantejas (Dr. Sadashiv Shivade)
  • Sambhaji Maharajanchi Patre (Dr. Sadashiv Shivade)
  • Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharajanchi Rajneeti (Dr. Kedar Phalke)
  • Maharadnyi Yesubai (Dr. Sadashiv Shivade)
  • Senapati Hambirrao Mohite (Dr. Sadashiv Shivade)
  • Chhatrapati Sambhaji ek Chikitsa (Dr. Jaisingrao Pawar)
  • Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj Sanskrut Sahitya (R.A. Kadam)
  • Paramanandkavyam (S.M.Ayachit, Dr. Sadashiv Shivade)
  • Swarajya Rakshanacha Ladha (Mohan Shete, Pandurang Balakawade, Sudhir Thorat)
  • ShambhuPratap DinVishesh (Uday A. Sankhe)
  • Sambhajikalin Patrasarsangraha (S. N. Joshi)

See also

References

Notes

Citations

  1. .
  2. ^ a b Joshi, Pandit Shankar (1980). Chhatrapati Sambhaji, 1657–1689 A.D. S. Chand. pp. 4–5.
  3. ^ .
  4. . Retrieved 5 June 2016.
  5. ^ Chhatrapati Sambhaji, 1657-1689 A.D. by Shankar Joshi, pg. 17
  6. ^ Sarkar, Jadunath (1920) [1919], Shivaji and His Times (Second ed.), London: Longmans, Green and Co., p. 185
  7. ^ . Retrieved 7 April 2016.
  8. . Retrieved 26 July 2016.
  9. ^ Govind Sakharam Sardesai (1946). New History of the Marathas. Phoenix Publications. p. 251.
  10. .
  11. . Retrieved 5 June 2016.
  12. . Retrieved 5 June 2016.
  13. .
  14. ^ Sunita Sharma; K̲h̲udā Bak̲h̲sh Oriyanṭal Pablik Lāʼibrerī (2004). Veil, sceptre, and quill: profiles of eminent women, 16th- 18th centuries. Khuda Bakhsh Oriental Public Library. p. 139. Retrieved 30 September 2012. – "By June 1680 three months after Shivaji's death, Rajaram was made a prisoner in the fort of Raigad."
  15. ^ a b John F. Richards (1995). The Mughal Empire. Cambridge University Press. pp. 217–223.
  16. ^ .
  17. ^ a b Gokhale, Kamal Shrikrishna (1978). Chhatrapati Sambhaji. Navakamal Publications.
  18. ^ Gokhale, Kamal Shrikrishna (1978). Chhatrapati Sambhaji. Navakamal Publications.
  19. .
  20. .
  21. ^ a b Itihas. Director of State Archives, Government of Andhra Pradesh. 1976. pp. 100–103. Retrieved 3 August 2013.
  22. .
  23. .
  24. ^ . Retrieved 1 October 2012.
  25. .
  26. . Retrieved 2 October 2012.
  27. ^ . Retrieved 2 October 2012.
  28. ^ Pran Nath Chopra (1992). Encyclopaedia of India: Karnataka. Rima Pub. House. Retrieved 2 October 2012.
  29. ^ B. Muddhachari (1969). The Mysore-Maratha relations in the 17th century. Prasārānga, University of Mysore. p. 106. Retrieved 2 October 2012.
  30. ^ A. Satyanarayana; Karnataka (India). Directorate of Archaeology & Museums (1996). History of the Wodeyars of Mysore, 1610–1748. Directorate of Archaeology and Museums. p. 94. Retrieved 2 October 2012.
  31. ^ a b A. Martineau; Societe De Lʼhistoire Des Colonies Francaises 28, Rua Bonaparte (1934). Memores De Francois Martin Fondateur De Pondichery. Societe De Lʼhistoire Des Colonies Francaises 28, Rua Bonaparte, page 33.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  32. ^ A. Martineau; Societe De Lʼhistoire Des Colonies Francaises 33, Rua Bonaparte (1934). Memores De Francois Martin Fondateur De Pondichery. Societe De Lʼhistoire Des Colonies Francaises 28, Rua Bonaparte, 28page 33.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  33. . Retrieved 29 September 2012.
  34. . Retrieved 6 March 2012.
  35. ^ . Retrieved 2 October 2012.
  36. ^ "Maasir-1-Alamgiri". archive.org. Retrieved 14 May 2017.
  37. ^ a b c Gokhale, Kamal Shrikrishna (1978). Chhatrapati Sambhaji. Pune: Navakamal Publications. p. 23.
  38. ^ Organiser. Bharat Prakashan. January 1973. p. 280. Retrieved 2 October 2012. "When they were finally thrown away, the Marathas brought Sambhaji's head to Tulapur and consigned if to fire at the confluence of the Bheema and Indrayani rivers."
  39. . Retrieved 7 April 2016.
  40. .
  41. ^ .
  42. ^ a b c Joshi, Shankar Narayan (2015). Sambhajikalin patrasarsangraha (shake1602- shake1610). Pune: Bharata Itihasa Sanshodaka Mandala. p. 39.
  43. ^ "Budhabhushanam Of Shambhuraja HD Velankar BORI 1926". archive.org. p. n11. Retrieved 7 April 2018.[dead link]
  44. ^ "Budhabhushanam Of Shambhuraja HD Velankar BORI 1926". archive.org. p. n13. Retrieved 7 April 2018.[dead link]
  45. ^ Studies in Indian Cultural History Volume 2 By Parshuram Krishna Gode, pg. 105, [1][2]
  46. ^ "Budhabhushanam Of Shambhuraja HD Velankar BORI 1926". archive.org. p. n15. Retrieved 7 April 2018.[dead link]
  47. .
  48. ^ Manohar, Malgonkar (1959), The Sea Hawk: Life and Battles of Kanoji Angrey, p. 63
  49. . Retrieved 24 June 2011.
  50. .
  51. ^ The Quarterly Review of Historical Studies. Institute of Historical Studies. 1971.
  52. .
  53. ^ "Rajit Kapur on playing Aurangzeb in the multi-lingual Chhatrapati Sambhaji, "Got to play a negative historical character for the first time"". Bollywood Hungama. 28 January 2024. Retrieved 1 March 2024.

External links

  • Media related to Sambhaji at Wikimedia Commons
Sambhaji
House of Bhonsle
Born: 14 May 1657 Died: 11 March 1689
Regnal titles
Preceded by Chhatrapati of Maratha Empire
16 January 1681 – 11 March 1689
Succeeded by