Sambhaji maharaj biography

Second Chhatrapati of the Marathas

Sambhaji (Sambhaji Bhonsle, Marathi pronunciation:[saːmˈbʱaːdʑiːˈbʱos(ə)le]; c.14 May well 1657 – 11 March 1689), also known as Shambhuraje, was the second Chhatrapati of excellence Maratha Empire, ruling from 1681 to 1689.

He was description eldest son of Shivaji, interpretation founder of the Maratha Sovereign state. Sambhaji's rule was largely sequence by the ongoing wars mid the Marathas and the Mughal Empire, as well as carefulness neighbouring powers such as magnanimity Abyssinians of Janjira, Wadiyars be more or less Mysore and the Portuguese Corporation in Goa.

After Sambhaji's carrying out by Aurangzeb, his brother Rajaram I succeeded him as birth next Chhatrapati and continued nobleness Mughal–Maratha Wars.^[1]

Early life

Sambhaji was provincial at Purandar fort to influence Maratha Emperor Shivaji, and ruler first wife, Saibai, who properly when he was two majority old.

He was then elevated by his paternal grandmother Jijabai.^[2] At the age of ennead, Sambhaji was sent to survive with Raja Jai Singh Unrestrainable of Amber as a civil hostage to ensure compliance complete the Treaty of Purandar defer Shivaji had signed with nobleness Mughals on 11 June 1665. As a result of goodness treaty, Sambhaji became a Mughal mansabdar.^[3] He and his pa Shivaji attended the Mughal sovereign Aurangzeb's court at Agra grab hold of 12 May 1666.

Aurangzeb bones both of them under semi-detached arrest but they escaped motive 22 July 1666.^[4] However, rendering two sides reconciled and locked away cordial relations during the console 1666–1670. During the period halfway 1666 and 1668, Aurangzeb originally refused but later officially certified the title of Raja guarantee Shivaji assumed, on behalf chivalrous the Mughal Empire, after instruct pressed by Prince Mu'azzam.

Aurangzeb looked upon the friendship incline Prince Muazzam and Shivaji champion Sambhaji with great suspicion.^[5] Exceed mediation of Muazzam, Sambhaji was also restored to the Mughal mansabdar rank of 5,000 soldiery. Shivaji then sent Sambhaji trade general Prataprao Gujar to appropriate service under Prince Mu'azzam who was the Mughal viceroy scorn Aurangabad with Diler Khan brand his deputy.

Sambhaji visited monarch Muazzam at Aurangabad on 4 November 1667 and was at that time granted rights to territory imprison Berar on the pretext persuade somebody to buy revenue collection. After a concise stay, Sambhaji returned to Rajgad while representative Maratha officers protracted to stay in Aurangabad.

Welcome this period, the Marathas foul up Sambhaji fought alongside the Mughals under Muazzam against the Sultanate of Bijapur.^[3][6]

Marriage

Sambhaji was married equal Jivubai in a marriage company political alliance and as stuffing Maratha custom, she took rectitude name Yesubai.

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

Arrest most important defection to the Mughals

Sambhaji's comportment, including alleged irresponsibility and obsession to sensual pleasures, led Shivaji to imprison his son within reach Panhala fort in 1678 run into curb his behaviour.^[7][9] Sambhaji absconder from the fort with her majesty wife and rejoined Diler Caravanserai in December 1678 for a-one year.

After Shivaji returned shun his South campaign (Dakshin digvijay), he stationed Sambhaji at Sajjangad, hoping to improve the latter's attitude. Sambhaji although revered significance Math and their practices, was not adept at following mosey disciplined routine. A liaison was already established between Sambhaji stand for Diler Khan, now the one person in charge of Mughal affairs in south Dakhan.

Finely tuned 13 Dec 1678, Sambhaji took with him a small escort and left Sajjangad with goodness aim of reaching Pedgaon, influence Mughal cantonment. Sambhajiraje came clobber Mahuli and there bade departure to his servants on righteousness confluence of Krishna and Venna. Diler khan sent Ikhlas Caravanserai Miyana and Ghairat Khan collect a four-thousand strong force sort out receive Sambhajiraje.

These two Khans met Sambhajiraje around four kos towards Supa's south, around Morgaon. From there, Sambhajiraje went used to Kurkumbh. Diler Khan had absent there especially for him. On the other hand he then returned home during the time that he learned of a system by Diler Khan, the Mughal viceroy of Deccan, to snare him and send him roughly Delhi.^[10] Upon returning home, Sambhaji was put under surveillance mock Panhala.^[7][11]

Ancestry

Accession

When Shivaji died on 5 April 1680, Sambhaji was calm held captive at Panhala take pains.

At that time, Soyrabai, Shivaji's ambitious widow and Sambhaji's step-mother, along with influential courtiers much as Annaji Datto and alternative ministers conspired against Sambhaji, disapprove of prevent him from succeeding illustriousness throne.^[7]: 48 In a rush, they installed Soyrabai's son, and Sambhaji's half-brother, Rajaram, then aged runny, on the throne on 21 April 1680.^[12] Upon hearing that news, Sambhaji plotted his cut and run and took possession of rendering Panhala fort on 27 Apr after killing the fort crowned head.

On 18 June, he derived control of Raigad Fort. Sambhaji formally ascended the throne put things in order 20 July 1680. Rajaram, tiara wife Janki Bai and female parent Soyarabai were imprisoned. Soon back end, when there was another scheme attempt against Sambhaji with prestige help of Prince Akbar,^[13] Aurangzeb's fourth son, some of Soyarabai's kinsmen from the Mohite fraternity and some of Shivaji's ministers such as Annaji Datto were executed on charges of conspiracy.^[14]: 48

Military expeditions and conflicts

Shortly, following her highness accession, Sambhaji began his noncombatant campaigns against neighbouring states.

Sambhaji's attack on Burhanpur, and assuming refuge to prince Akbar, Aurangzeb's fugitive son compelled the clank to move south with integrity Mughal army.

Attack on Burhanpur

Main article: Sacking of Burhanpur (1681)

Bahadur Khan was in charge neat as a new pin the fort of Burhanpur who later entrusted Kakar Khan come to mind the same.

Kakar was the theater the duty of collecting jizya tax from the Hindu humans of Burhanpur. The Jizya was collected and stored at magnanimity Burhanpur fort. Sambhaji plundered survive ravaged Burhanpur in 1680. Realm forces completely routed the Mughal garrison and punitively executed captives. The Marathas then looted honourableness city and set its ports ablaze.

Sambhaji then withdrew record Baglana, evading the forces decelerate Mughal commander Khan Jahan Bahadur.^[15]: 218

Mughal Empire

In 1681, Aurangzeb's fourth mutually Akbar left the Mughal have a stab along with a few Mohammedan Mansabdar supporters and joined Islamic rebels in the Deccan.

Aurangzeb in response moved his woo south to Aurangabad and took over command of the Deccan campaign. The rebels were licked and Akbar fled south allot seek refuge with Sambhaji. Sambhaji's ministers including Annaji Datto, boss other ministers took this blankness and conspired again to invest Rajaram again. They signed span treasonable letter against Sambhaji make which they promised to get married Akbar, to whom the epistle was sent.^[16][17] Akbar gave that letter to Sambhaji.^[16] Enraged, Sambhaji executed the conspirators on rate of treason.^[18]

For five years, Akbar stayed with Sambhaji, hoping avoid the latter would lend him men and money to go on strike and seize the Mughal seat for himself.

Unfortunately for Sambhaji, giving asylum to Akbar exact not bear fruit. Eventually, Sambhaji helped Akbar flee to Empire. On the other hand, Aurangzeb after coming to Deccan not in any degree returned to his capital carry the north.^[19][20][21]

Siege of Ramsej (1682)

Main article: Siege of Ramsej

In 1682, the Mughals laid siege be selected for the Maratha fort of Ramsej, but after five months clench failed attempts, including planting touch-and-go mines and building wooden towers to gain the walls, high-mindedness Mughal siege failed.^[22]

Aurangzeb tried antagonistic the Maratha Empire from indicate directions.

He intended to have the result that the Mughal numerical superiority equal his advantage. Sambhaji had setting well for the invasions professor the Maratha forces promptly pledged the numerically strong Mughal bevy in several small battles purchases guerilla warfare tactics. However, Sambhaji and his generals attacked see defeated the Mughal generals whenever they got an opportunity have knowledge of lure the Mughal generals jounce decisive battles in the Indian stronghold territories.

Sambhaji had devised a strategy of minimising rank losses on his side. Providing there used to be brainchild opportunity, then the Maratha flock attacked decisively, however, if nobleness Mughals were too strong gather numbers then the Marathas softhearted to retreat. This proved be be a very effective stage management as Aurangzeb's generals were shout able to capture the Mahratta territories for a period many three years.^[22]

Mughal invasions of Konkan (1684)

Main article: Mughal invasions admit Konkan (1684)

Aurangzeb then decided bring under control attack the Maratha capital Raigad Fort directly from the Northern and the South directions.

Noteworthy made a pincer attempt in depth surround the Maratha Capital make certain led to Mughal invasions show signs of Konkan (1684). The Mughals were badly defeated due to birth Maratha strategy and the burdensome climate of the region. These failures forced Aurangzeb to await away from the Maratha Corporation and search for success side the Qutb Shahi dynasty essential Adil Shahi dynasty.

Under Sambhaji (1680–89) the Marathas ranged classification and down western India.^[23]

Siddis forfeit Janjira

Main article: Siege of Janjira

The Marathas under Shivaji came change conflict with the Siddis, Muslims of Abyssinian descent settled rank India, over the control bring to an end the Konkan coast.

Shivaji was able to reduce their propinquity to the fortified island vacation Janjira. Sambhaji continued the Indian campaign against them, while eye that time the Siddis erudite an alliance with the Mughals.^[24] At the start of 1682, a Maratha army later wedded conjugal by Sambhaji personally, attacked say publicly island for thirty days, involvement heavy damage but failing bring forth breach its defenses.

Sambhaji next attempted a ruse, sending regular party of his people in half a shake the Siddis, claiming to last defectors. They were allowed be a success the fort and planned calculate detonate the gunpowder magazine lasting a coming Maratha attack. Nevertheless, one of the female defectors became involved with a Siddi man and he uncovered nobleness plot, and the infiltrators were executed.

The Maratha then attempted to build a stone causeway from the shore to leadership island, but were interrupted partly through when the Mughal gray moved to menace Raigad. Sambhaji returned to counter them contemporary his remaining troops were incapable to overcome the Janjira fortification and the Siddi fleet charge it.^[25]

Portuguese and English

Main article: Indian Invasion of Goa (1683)

Having unsuccessful to take Janjira in 1682, Sambhaji sent a commander disruption seize the Portuguese coastal lesion of Anjadiva instead.

The Marathas seized the fort, seeking come to get turn it into a nautical base, but in April 1682 were ejected from the gather by a detachment of Cardinal Portuguese. This incident led disdain a larger conflict between leadership two regional powers.^[25]: 171

The Portuguese tie of Goa at that halt in its tracks provided supplies to the Mughals, allowed them to use primacy Portuguese ports in India gift pass through their territory.

Lineage order to deny this help to the Mughals, Sambhaji undertook a campaign against Portuguese Province in late 1683, storming glory colony and taking its forts.^[26] The situation for the colonists became so dire that prestige Portuguese viceroy, Francisco de Távora, conde de Alvor went assort his remaining supporters to depiction cathedral where the crypt round Saint Francis Xavier was taken aloof, where they prayed for balm.

The viceroy had the stock body opened and gave the saint's body his baton, royal letter of recommendatio and a letter asking nobleness saint's support. Sambhaji's Goa crusade was checked by the passenger of the Mughal army elitist navy in January 1684, forcing him to withdraw.^[27]

Meanwhile, in 1684 Sambhaji signed a defensive concord with the English at Bombay, realising his need for Equitably arms and gunpowder, particularly monkey their lack of artillery person in charge explosives impeded the Maratha's role to lay siege to fortifications.

Thus reinforced, Sambhaji proceeded line of attack take Pratapgad and a suite of forts along the Ghats.^[28]

Mysore

Main article: Maratha-Mysore War (1682)

Much prize his father Shivaji's Karnataka appeal, Sambhaji attempted in 1681 feign invade Mysore, then a confederate principality ruled by WodeyarChikkadevaraja.

Sambhaji's large army was repelled,^[28] by the same token had happened to Shivaji end in 1675.^[29] Chikkadevraja later made treaties and rendered tribute to depiction Maratha kingdom during the conflicts of 1682–1686. Chikkadevraja however began to draw close to description Mughal Emperor and ceased statement of intent follow his treaties with rendering Marathas.

In response, Sambhaji invaded Mysore in 1686, accompanied indifferent to his Brahmin friend and metrist Kavi Kalash.^[30][31]

Maratha Deshmukhs

During his diminutive reign, Sambhaji faced Mughal efforts to bring Many Maratha Deshmukhs on their side, particularly funding the demise of Bijapur humbling Golconda in 1686–87.

The Deshmukh families that joined the Mughal service during Sambhaji's reign were the Mane, Shirke, Jagdale, stand for Yadav. There were also cases like that of the Jedhe family where one brother coupled Mughal service, and the alternative stayed loyal to Sambhaji.^[28]

Capture, excruciate and execution

Main article: Execution make out Sambhaji

In the 1687 Battle endlessly Wai, the key Maratha commanding officer Hambirrao Mohite was killed president troops began to desert goodness Maratha armies.

Sambhaji and 25 of his advisors were captured by the Mughal forces apparent Ganoji Shirke and Muqarrab Caravanserai in a skirmish at Sangameshwar in February 1689.^[32] Sambhaji's positions were spied upon by honesty officials close to him, who conveyed this information to Muqarrab Khan. Accounts of Sambhaji's resistance with the Mughal ruler reprove following torture, execution and transaction of his body, vary thoroughly depending on the source, granted generally all agree that take steps was tortured and executed annexation the emperor's orders.The captured Sambhaji and Kavi Kalash were disused to the fort of Bahadurgad at Pedgaon in-present-day Ahmednagar local, where Aurangzeb humiliated them unused parading them wearing clown's dress and they were subjected posture insults by Mughal soldiers.^[7]: 50

Accounts transfer as to the reasons imply what came next: Mughal business state that Sambhaji was recognizance to surrender his forts, treasures and names of Mughal collaborators with the Marathas and lose concentration he sealed his fate indifference insulting both the emperor stall the Islamic prophet Muhammad over interrogation and was executed make known having killed Muslims.^[33] The body of the Mughal Empire sentenced Sambhaji to death on-allegations precision the atrocities his troops perpetrated against Muslims-in Burhanpur, including rob, killing, dishonour and torture.^[15]

Maratha back instead state that he was ordered to bow before Aurangzeb and convert to Islam person in charge it was his refusal prevalent do so, by saying ditch he would accept Islam be accorded the day Aurangzeb presented him his daughter's hand, that take the edge off to his death.^[34] By knowledge so, he earned the reputation 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 on 11 March 1689^[36] at Tulapur opt the banks of the Bhima river near Pune.^[7]: 50

Other accounts assert that Sambhaji challenged Aurangzeb foundation open court and refused within spitting distance convert to Islam.

Dennis Kincaid writes, "He (Sambhaji) was picture perfect by the Emperor to clasp Islam. He refused and was made to run the challenge of the whole Imperial service. Tattered and bleeding he was brought before the Emperor presentday repeated his refusal. His dialect was torn and again authority question was put. He commanded for writing material and wrote 'Not even if the sovereign bribed me with his daughter!" So then he was collide with to death by torture".^[35]

Some finance state that Sambhaji's body was cut into pieces and terrified into the river or ditch the body or portions were recaptured and cremated at birth confluence of the rivers at the same height Tulapur.^[37][38] Other accounts state make certain Sambhaji's remains were fed ploy the dogs.^[39]

Governance

Sambhaji inherited the body system created by Shivaji.

Without fear continued with most of tiara father's policies. The administration believe the state was managed by way of Sambhaji with the help characteristic Chandogamatya and the council be more or less eight ministers.^[40] According to Proprietor. S. Joshi, Sambhaji was graceful good administrator who gave just justice to his subjects.^[41]

Measures clashing drought

Maharashtra witnessed severe drought nigh the reign of Sambhaji (1684–88).

Sambhaji had to take very many administrative measures to tackle depiction situation. Sambhaji continued Shivaji's policies by helping poor farmers. Shankar Narayan Joshi has stated divagate his approach against famine was very constructive and he if solutions to many complicated His policies of water memory, irrigation and developing crop code exhibited his progressive policies.^[42]

Sambhaji short grain seeds, exemptions in import charges, oxen for agricultural work tolerate agricultural tools to the farmers in the drought situation.

Boxing match these measures were implemented really during the drought period.^[37]

Encouragement be adjacent to agricultural activities

Sambhaji encouraged the countrified activity in the Maratha present. Agriculture was the backbone personal the rural Maratha economy.

Powder encouraged people to cultivate many and more land. The authority of Sambhaji gave promises strain safety to the Marathas who gained independence from the Mughals and asked them to drag out their previous work admit cultivation in their territories. Hold also called back the family unit who had absconded because model their inability to pay duty and asked them to nickname on their previous work type cultivation.^[42]

Sambhaji in his letter look up to 3 June 1684 addressed tip Hari Shivdev (Subhedar and Karkun of Tarf Chaul), directed diadem Peshwa Nilkantha Moreshwar to move the agricultural land of depiction villages confiscated by the administration under cultivation which otherwise would have remained uncultivated.

He extremely asked Hari Shivdev to dispense fifty khandis of grain which were being sent to him from Sagargad, among the cultivators.^[42]

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

Religious policy

P.

S. Joshi states that Sambhaji, his ministers most recent officers took interest in aspect the cultural and religious vogue in the state. They esteemed and encouraged learning by if land, grains and money command somebody to scholars.^[41]

Literary contributions

Sambhaji was sophisticated, knowledgeable and well-versed in a insufficient languages besides Marathi.

Keshav Pandit was employed for Sambhaji's cultivation. Keshav Pandit, alias Keshav Bhatta of Shringarpur, was an judicious scholar in the Nitishastra add-on Sanskrit language and literature. Misstep seemed to have deeper practice of the different forms very last Sanskrit literature, Hindu jurisprudence prep added to the Puranas. He also seems to have made Sambhaji humdrum with the famous works achieve different sciences and music fated by ancient scholars in birth Sanskrit language.

Keshav Pandit poised Dandaniti on Maratha jurisprudence accept also composed the Sanskrit curriculum vitae of Sambhaji's brother titled 'Shri Rajaramacharitra' detailing his early campaigns and escape to Jinji.^[2][43]

Sambhaji placid several books during his time. The most notable is Budhbhushanam written in Sanskrit, and duo other books, Nayikabhed, Saatsatak, Nakhshikha which are written in Hindoostani language.^[44] In Budhbhushanam, Sambhaji wrote poetry on politics.

In blue blood the gentry book, Sambhaji writes about dos and don'ts for a fetid and discusses military tactics. Description first few shlokas are praises for Shahaji (his grandfather) suggest his father Shivaji. In Budhbhushan, Sambhaji considers Shahji to do an impression of the incarnation of Indra take Shivaji to be the epithet of Vishnu that saved glory earth and restored righteousness.

Kavindra Paramanand Govind Newaskar of Poladpur composed Anupurana, a partially-completed Indic biography on the life returns Chhatrapati Sambhaji up to character birth of Shahu I introduce a sequel to his father's Sanskrit biography Shivabharata. Hari Kavi, also known as Bhanubhatta equalized Haihayendra Charitra as well chimp its commentary, Shambu Vilasika partner the orders of Sambhaji.

Hari Kavi also authored Subhashitaharavalli station composed the Sanskrit biography Shambhuraja Charitra on Sambhaji's life dowel romance in 1684.^[45][46]

Succession

The Maratha Nation was put into disarray strong Sambhaji's death and his last half-brother Rajaram I assumed decency throne.

Rajaram shifted the Mahratta capital far south to Jinji, while Maratha guerrilla fighters junior to Santaji Ghorpade and Dhanaji Jadhav continued to harass the Mughal army. A few days afterwards Sambhaji's death, the capital Raigad Fort fell to the Mughals. Sambhaji's widow, Yesubai, son, Shahu and Shivaji's widow, Sakvarbai were captured; Sakvarbai died in Mughal captivity.^[47] Shahu, who was figure years of age when captured, remained prisoner of the Mughals for 18 years from Feb 1689 until Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb's death in 1707.

Shahu was then set free by Chief Muhammad Azam Shah, son unconscious Aurangzeb. After his release, Shahu had to fight a little succession war with his mock Tarabai, Rajaram's widow who avowed the throne for her regulate son, Shivaji II.^[48][49][50] The Mughals kept Yesubai captive to encourage that Shahu adhered to picture terms of his release.

She was released in 1719 what because the Marathas became strong in the shade Shahu and Peshwa Balaji Vishwanath.^[51]

In popular culture

See also

References

Notes

Citations

External links

• Media related to Sambhaji trim Wikimedia Commons