Everyone has heard the tales of valor of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. But very few people know about his son Chhatrapati Sambhaji Raje. Sambhaji was quite brave and famous for his valor. He had become proficient in the art of warfare and diplomacy by staying on the battlefield with Chhatrapati Shivaji since childhood. He fought 120 wars with the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb and in all Aurangzeb had to face defeat. The Mughal emperor Aurangzeb, the most powerful enemy of the Marathas at that time, played a major role in ending the rule of Bijapur and Golconda from India.
After the death of Shivaji Maharaj in 1680, Rajaram, son of his third wife Soyrabai, was placed on the throne. At that time Sambhaji was imprisoned in Panhala. At the same time, when Sambhaji got the news of Rajaram’s coronation, he occupied the fort by killing the fortress of Panhala fort. After this Sambhaji also captured Raigad Fort on 18 June 1680 and arrested Rajaram, his wife Janaki and mother Soyarabai.
At the same time, on 16 January 1681, Sambhaji Raje was duly coronated at Raigad Fort in Maharashtra. Aurangzeb was further troubled by this news. After the death of Shivaji, Aurangzeb felt that he would now easily capture the Raigad Fort. Disturbed by Sambhaji Raje’s might, Aurangzeb swore that he would not put his kimonsh (turban) on his head until Chhatrapati Sambhaji Raje was caught.
On the other hand, his supporters were dissatisfied with Rajaram not getting the throne. After which he requested Aurangzeb’s son Mohammad Akbar through a letter to attack Raigad and make it a part of the empire. Mohammad Akbar was familiar with the bravery of Sambhaji. Due to which he sent that letter to Sambhaji. Enraged by this treason, Chhatrapati Sambhaji sentenced all his traitorous feudatories to death. Taking advantage of this, Akbar fled south and took shelter of Sambhaji and put all his strength against Sambhaji.
Sambhaji defeated the Portuguese in 1683. After this he was living in Sangameshwar for some political work. But when he was about to leave for Raigad, on the same day some villagers told him their problem. Seeing the problems of the villagers, he kept only 200 soldiers with him and ordered the rest of the soldiers to go to Raigad. Taking advantage of this and betraying Sambhaji, his brother-in-law Garudji Shirke along with Mughal Sardar Mukran Khan attacked Sambhaji with five thousand army through secret route.
Let it be known that this was the path that only marathoners knew. Sambhaji Raje and 200 of his soldiers tried to fight the Mughal army but were unable to do so. After which Sambhaji was taken prisoner along with his special friend Kavi Kalash. At the same time, upset and angry with Sambhaji, Aurangzeb crossed all limits of cruelty and inhumanity. On March 11, 1689, Aurangzeb got the tongues of both of them removed, got their eyes removed and killed them.
Sambhaji Raje fought 210 wars in his short reign. The special thing is that his army did not lose a single battle. Out of which 120 were from Aurangzeb’s army and in all Aurangzeb had to see the face of everyone.