Shivaji killed Afzal Khan

Shivaji raja became invincible and uncapturable at the hands of Bijapur Nawab, as well as, the Muguals at Agra. The gurrilla-war craft was beyond their imagination and control . Muslim rulers in India were familiarwith the war practices of Rajputs and other warrior communities of India who use to come out in open and stood face to face with the enemy. Either they use to win or loose the war field but never ran way back from the war place. As they were scattered and ununited and individually small in number, they were usually defeated and overpowered by the enemy. Hence they lost the kingdoms. They were mostly beheaded and captivated and their womenflok was snatched and entered into the winner's harem. As a result by the mid seventeenth century, India was completely under Muslim rulers. The public was directionless and leaderless and weak. They also accepted the Muslims rulers as their ultimate emporers and aakka.
But, Mata Jijabai had a great hatred in her mind towards these invader; She trained her son Shivaji on the very different track of warcraft. She gave her son a very strange philosophy of life. She never pumped the vanity and idea of high blood and high and royal family theory in the young mind of her son. She gave a very free hand to him to play with and choose his friends from any class of society. His childhood friends or team-mates included Dalits, sudra and service class families like barbars and mathadys (sons of soil) and ghaties etc.,. But all of them were very loyal to Shivaji and his mother. Even Mata Jijabai also loved them like her own son. All the horses and weaponys of Jijabai's father were allowed to be used by the team of Shivaji. This resulted into a small but strong pack of fighters and rescuers to the kidnapped girls of Syhadri or the Puna region. In the nights, this team of fearless young swordsmen aging not more than 16 years of age, use to have hiking tracking, wandering and racing through the mountains and ravines and forests of Syhadry and western Ghats. Each and every route of the whole region was familiar and known to this team. Horse riding to the range of 250 to 300 miles in a night was the usual manoeuver of these youngsters. They were experts in climbing over the high mountains and cliffs with the help of a small raptile known as Gohi which use to climb over the cliffs on certain orders and use to stop at a particular spot on getting command by its master, and a strong rope was tied over its waist. The team workers used to climb over the cliff through this help silently. The majority of this team were matchless in swordmenship; one among them named Jiva who was a barnar by caste, was the most close friend of Shivaji. It is said that without Jiva's help, shivaji would have lost his life and battles.
When, the revenues were collected by force by Shivaji from the Zagirdars and patils of the region, under pressure and threat of life and cutting down of fingres on refusal, the complaints were filed in the court of Bijapur. Only at the age of 16 a fort was captured by this young team. The Fortess governors or kiledar were dared not to come down of the hills and loot away the poor villagers of their wealth, animals and girls. Because the team Shivaji on information and knowledge of such mischief used to climb over the fortress from back, cut down the limbs of these Muslim fortowners and free down the girls. These acts of shivaji became the great news to the villages and the general public. The treasures which used to be sent by the Bijapur Golkunda Mysore to Muguals at Agra and Delhi were looted and the soldiers were killed except one or two to complain of the event. The army of Nawabs and Muguls were afraid of passing through this route. Shivaji never believed in face to face fight and loose the battle or morcha. His war theory was based on Victory by all means over the groups of an enemy.
Shivaji's sword came out of Maharashtra and Marathwada, he won the Gujrat, Madhaya pradesh and Rajasthanetc and established his rule over there by appointing his most powerful swants like Gaikwas, Holkar, Scindhiyaand Peshwas.
Bijapur Nawab had a great general known as Afjal Khan who was very tall and stout and brave. He had a raputation of never losing a war in his life time and had a great terrified impression over his enemy. Nawab asked Afjal khan to face Shivaji but also warned him of this Pahadi Chuha or the most cunning warrior, and his war stratgy. He also causioned him to take a great care of his life and prestigue.
Afjal Khan was knowing all the war tricks of Shivaji. He could access his defeat if it took place in the war field. So he sent a message of Peace and truce to Shivaji with a condition of armless meeting in isolation and at the top of any mountain. Shivaji knew the bad intentions of this Muslim general and planned it thoroughly to face him. His loyal team- fellows instructed Shivaji not to believe him. They equipped Shivaji to wear a iron cap under his turban. As Shivaji was only 5 feet in height but Afjal Khan was more than 7 feet in height, they calculated a risk of hidden dragger with Afjal Khan and an attack from the upper side on head. Shivaji was mostly using a bagh nakh for point blank and hand to hand fight, so he also took baghnakh under his gown.
An the Pratapgarh mountain, in Maharashtra, the meeting was arranged for talks of peace and truce. The army of Afjal Khan was waiting down the hill but one or two close assistants of both were allowed to accompany the warriors but they were not allowed to intreapt or attack. On the top of the hill, both Afjal Khan and Shivaji stood at a distance of 100 yards and they were supposed to embrace each other by walking down half the way towards the center. Shivaji asked his Jiva to keep a close watch over the two muslim patedar or swordsmen of Afjal Khan as in his acessment, based on the fighting skill and knowledge, they seemed smart and may rush to cut him, while he embraces Afjal khan. Jiva assured Shivji that you fearlessly meet Afjal Khan and leave the other matters to him.
As Shivaji came near Afjal Khan and spread his arms to embrace, Afjal Khan took out his dragger and with a great force tried to stab Shivaji on his head. The iron cap saved Shivaji and the dragger slipped off to earth. Meanwhile, Shivaji took his baghnakh out of his garments and entered it into the stomack and lower parts of Afjal Khan. His intestines were pulled out with a great strength and force and swiftness. Afjal Khan cried hoarshly and fell down on ground. Jiva rushed towards the two soldiers of Afjal Khan with a lightening and lion's speed and valcity, with a great war roar, and cut down both of them into pieces. Afjal Khan was also beheaded and it was sent to their mother Jijabai as a great gift of victory and bravery. Mother Jijabai ordered a state honour bruial of the body of Afjal Khan on Pratapgarh itself which is in a tomb shape still today.

Veer Shivaji’s great escape from Aurangzeb’s jail in Agra

Veer Shivaji maharaj was winning the areas after areas in Gujarat, Vindhyachal, Madhya Bharat and Rajasthan and arresting the muslim governors and the land revenue collectors one after the other, and establishing further his own sovereign rule there and appointing his own governors namely Gaikwad in Baroda and Gujarat, Holkar in Indore, Sciendia in Gwalior and Peshwas in Maharastra and central India; this had disturbed emperor Aurenzeb to the last limit. He lost all his temperaments and patience due to the growing victories and leadership of Shivaji. All his communications and the transfer of riches and treasures with the south Indian nawabs was cut off by Shivaji. He was terrorized with the idea of losing his regime in India. Ultimately he took the shelter of Mirza Raja Sawai Mansingh of Jaipur who was also his courtier, to make a move of friendship with Shivaji. He sent him to Maharashtra to bring Shivaji to Agra by any means.

Mansingh met Shivaji and offered a hand of friendship from Auranzeb’s side and also offered a big post or RUTBA in his court at Agra. Shivaji, first of all, demoralized him by pointing out his helplessness and disobedience in mughal army who used to dismantle the temples of India and killing the Indian Hindu population in villages. Man Singh had no answer and explanation to the question and kept quite. Still Shivaji respected a guest to his state and agreed to his terms of accompanying him to Agra. They proceeded towards Agra. Son of Mansingh, Raja Ram Singh was accompanying them. On the other side Shivaji also took his son. In the way, at khandwa Raja Mansingh expired and directed his son to escort Shivaji and his team to Agra and he also explain the agreed terms of Shivaji to Auranzeb.

In Agra, in the court of Auranzeb, Shivaji was presented. His minor son was also there in the court. Auranzeb was sitting on the high throne and the rest everyone were standing. Shivaji was also given the standing position in the second row of the officers. The first row was of the officers who had the status or RUTBA of more than 30 thousand horses with them. Shivaji was made to stand in the second row who had 30 thousand horse’s army under them. Shivaji objected this status, as he had the status of his own more than 30 thousand horses in his own state and that status was not promised and was not offered in the court but Raja Ram Singh pointed out to Shivaji to keep silence and wait, till the time, he is not recommended to Auranzeb. In the court Auranzeb wasted his time uselessely consulting his molwis and mullas and the others on very ordinary topics and the useless discussions with the courtiers. Much more time was wasted in such a nuisance.

Shivaji was tired of standing with his son and waiting some attention of Auranzeb. Being tired and exhausted, ultimately, he came out of the row and left the court without permission of Auranzeb and took a seat behind the court hall. Auranzeb became very furious on this disobedience and unetiquetted manner of Shivaji. He bursted into anger and lost his senses and temperament and rosed

on his feet and gave a very loud order of arresting Shivaji and putting him into jail with his son.

According to the court’s etiquette all his weapons and swords were taken away previously from him before entering into the court, so his army took over him easily and he was put under arrest. He was sent to the ‘Sadar Kotwali’ building of Agra which had a very strong walls and high gates. A very cruel ‘Kotwal’ was given the charge of keeping a watch on Shivaji. The main gate of that building was more than 25 feet high from that height a man cannot dare to jump. In the ceiling of the gate there were strong hooks on which a cot was hanging with a rope on which Shivaji was tied upon and on his finger a ring was put on the stretched hand which was hanging out of cot and which was supposed to be visible from the ground all the time. The ropes were tied up around Shivaji and the cot, Only once or twice a day that cot was loosen down in the day to do the loo activities. This continued till further order.

On the strong recommendations of Raja Ramsingh to Aurangzeb Shivaji’s son was released and dispatched to Maharastra. Shivaji’s strong gang of eight warriors remained in disguised around the Sadar Kotwali. Shivaji pretended of some disease and illness to the Kotwal and asked him to convey his wish to Auranzeb to distribute some sweets to the poor as a gesture. The request was accepted by him. The friends of Shivaji arranged for big quantity of sweets in big boxes for distribution among the poor. The Kotwal was requested that the boxes of sweets should be touched by Shivaji himself as a custom. All the incoming and outgoing boxes were strictly checked. One day, a very confidential and loyal warrior friend of Shivaji put himself in place of Shivaji and he wore the ring on his hand. The short heighted and elastic body of Shivaji was made to hide into the boxes of sweets. That particular box was taken out of the boundaries of Kotwali on the shoulders of labourers. The ropes were pulled over to lift the cot to the ceiling of the gate. For some hours the ring was in view of the soldiers who were standing on the ground and later on after some hours when the cot was brought down to the ground they found that the man who was lying on the cot was not Shivaji. They immediately executed that person into pieces.

Immediately out of the Sadar Kotwali building Shivaji came out of he box and along with his seven strong friends rushed to the Yamuna river. Which had chilling water. The air was also very cold and the strong breeze was blowing. Nobody can think of escaping through the river route in that cold season. Shivaji and his fellows swam through the furious river fastly to the other side of the river and rushed towards Mathura. Because they knew the usual tactics of search and following to Maharastra will begin, so they discarded that route which was beyond the imagination of Auranzeb’s army.

While on foot journey, they reached to Mathura, they knocked a door which was the in- laws house of one of his friends. He explained them their intentions and asked for some very simple clothes of Sadhues and got themselves bald and without loss of time this gang (team) of Sadhus proceeded towards Banaras. Later on, this gang of brave soldiers but humble Sadhus reached Chennai and from South India to pune in 1 year.

One day when Mata Jijaji was sitting in balcony of her palace in a very sad mood she saw a sadhu begging for some alms from her. Blessing her with the long life of his son Shivaji. She was extremely amazed to hear the voice of Shiva but she din’t recognized the sadhu. But later on she got an instinct of calling that sadhu inside the palace, it was her surprise he was Shiva.

This was a great act of bravery, planning, loyalty and the sacrifice. This was a great blow to the security of Mughals and this was the high time for Mata Jijabai to arrange for the coronation of the great warrior son Veer Shivaji.

Since then Shivaji climbed on the throne which had a chhatra. Therefore, we recognize him as Cshhatrapati Shivaji.

Narrated by Shri.Khandekar ji- my rev. teacher in D.A.V.High School,Ajmer in 1945 and

Compiled by: Shivraj Goyal,

A/101, Chitrakut CHS.

S.V.Road, Malad (W) Mumbai 400064

9819077429, 66929496

Grandfather of Shivaji

It is a practice in ruling classes of Rajasthan only the eldest son is declared as king after his father's death.the other son's are serving their elder brother,in the capacity of DARBAI.Either they have to accept the designation or have to quit the boundaries of the elder brother's kingdom.These unaccepted brother's earned their livelihood by adopting a profession of dacoity,loot or serve some other king of some other states.As these Rajput's are very expert in the art of fighting they soon gain a status of their own or become the respectable commander's of the armies of other kings.
One great such Rajput character who was second son of his father(name unknown) came to Maharastra and served a Maratha monarch near pune.very soon he became a respectable commander in the court of his master.On one social function the maratha monarch organized a get together function in which their families were also to be invited.at that time Shivaji's father was of the age of five years and he accompanied his father.When other honorable commander's were busy in their discussions their children were playing in the court yard.The daughter of that maratha monarch which is known by the name of Jijabai and was also of the age of five was also playing with the other children.Their activities were also observed by their elderly people of the court.on seeing the togetherness of Jijabai and the father of Shivaji the monarch remarked that what a great couple is this (IN DONO KI JODI KITNE SUNDAR LAG RAHE HAI).On this remark the grandfather of Shivaji objected and asked his master that couple word is used only be used for husband and wife.So you honor your word and marry my son with your daughter.The monarch was very upset on the question and asked him either you gain some status as the owner of some land or forget this idea at all.
Immediately he resigned from his post and came out of his state and later on within some years he established his own small kingdom.After that he met his old employer and made him aware of his present status.The monarch was very sincere to his wordings and married both the children.
But Jijabai had a great superiority complex with her husband and still considered him as a servant's son of her father.Meanwhile Shivaji was born and Jijabai returned to her father's palace and remained there.Shivaji's father couldn't stand her attitude and left for some good service elsewhere and perhaps got to the nawab of Bijapur.There he married again and had another son.
Jijabai was of a very firm and brave character and she brought up her son shiva like a great warrior and gave all the knowledge of warship and leadership to this tiny boy of 5feet height with a broad chest and high courage.The boy shiva was very active spirited and clever.He never confined to the boundaries of the palace of her maternal grandfather and used to come down the hill of the fort and used to play with the strong and courageous boy's of the poor parents.A very fearless gang was created by shiva which was very similiar in character and had a great love for giving some relive to the suffers and the downtrodden.All the members of the gang was expert in horse riding climbing the rocks and used to do horseriding for the whole night and used to go miles together.From the very start these brave men were aware of the paths and vallies of sahyari region.
The sub leutinets of Bijapur nawab's army who were given the charge of the fortresses of the region known as KILEDARS were very notorious and cruel in their deeds.They used to come down their forts and were looting the masses of their riches food and girls.Shivaji was much annoyed of their activities and the general harassment to the public by these powerful high ups.Shivaji used a particular reptile which was commanly known as GOHELI.They used it as an anchor and it used to climb over the vertical cliffs of the forts and long ropes were tied to it.Shivaji used to climb over these forts by this route as it was not guarded that properly as the maingates were closed down after their acts.The GORILLA war tactics were beyoned their imagination either they were highly injured by him and his gang or used to leave the forts and the slaves were released to go to their kins.This brave attitude of Shivaji won the hearts of the general masses of the region.
Jijabai asked Shivaji that the people are cooperating with you but how will you bear the expenses of their food and armoury unless you have a treasure under your command.So you should go to the small governers to give you the revenues.Shivaji acted upon the advice and approached these collectors who refused to cooperate as this revenue was deposited with Bejapur nawab.they also remarked on shivaji that you are not the king rather you are a leader of what is known as DALITS.The whole matter was brought up in front of Jijabai and she asked him to create a terror and fear in the hearts of these revenue collectors by cutting their fingers that they dare not to deny your command in future.
The effort yeilded the results and the revenues were directed in the treasury of Jijabai as these revenue collectors refused to cooperate to the nawab of bejapur.In the later period shivaji gained the true popularity to the masses he also organised them under the flag of jai maharastra and he became the voice of the people as he relived them of their miseries.
Later on he proceeded to the areas of gujrat,madhya pradesh,gwalior upto ajmer and freed the masses of the tyranny of the muslim rulers.He gave the charge of the areas won by him governing to his leutinets or samanths like holkar to indor,sindyas to gwalior,peshwas to maharastra and baroda to gaikwad.
His aim was to get India free from the foreign invaders his own people deceived him and also he had a very short life span.
this write up is based on the stories of shivaji narrated by shri khandekar a school teacher in dav high school ajmer.(compiled by shiv raj Goyal)
the next writeup will be based on the escape of shivaji from agra jail.