Chhatrapati Sambhaji Bhosal:-) A man who sacrifices his single drop of blood for the survival of Hindu dharma

         Chhatrapati Sambhaji Bhosal:-)

        
     A man who sacrifices his single drop of      blood for the survival of Hindu dharma 

Sambhaji Bhosale (14 May 1657 – 11 March 1689) was the eldest son of Chhatrapati Shivaji, the founder of the Maratha Empire, and his wife Saibai. He was successor of the realm after his father’s death. Sambhaji’s rule was largely shaped by the ongoing wars between the Maratha kingdom and the Mughal Empire, as well as the Portuguese in Goa. Sambhaji Raje Bhosle was a Great King, was a powerful warrior who fought with a Sword weighing 60 kgs. Had a record of undefeated wars he fought. Sambhaji was betrayed by Shirke clan ( relatives of his wife Yesubai) and captured, tortured, and executed by the Aurangzeb , and succeeded by his brother Rajaram.

Sambhaji drew the wrath of Emperor Aurangzeb when he gave asylum to Mughal prince Akbar who revolted against his father Aurangzeb and declared himself as the Emperor. Prince Akbar was escorted to Sambhaji by the Rajput commanders who were followers of the great warrior Durga das Rathod. However Prince Akbar left to Persia after getting disillusioned as Sambhaji was engaged in other local conflicts. The next seven years Sambhaji fought Mughals relentlessly and mostly succeeded. It is believed that he patronized a minister named Kavi Kulash from North India and historians claim that Kavi Kulash was responsible for Sambhaji’s waywardness. He was betrayed by one of his relatives Ganoji Shirke when he was in the fort of Sangameswar 20 miles from Ratnagiri that was impregnable. The Mughal commander Mukarrab Khan with his forces was led to the fort by the traitor in 1688 and Sambhaji was caught unawares on 01 Feb 1689. It is also learnt that the traitor Ganoji Shirke was annoyed with Sambhaji at the loss of hereditary WATAN that was abolished. He was taken to Aurangzeb where he was tortured severely and emperor offered to release him if he accepted Islam and gave out details od wealth, handed over all his forts and gave away the names of Mughal commanders who helped him.. But Sambhaji bluntly refused. Inhuman torture followed and Sambhaji’s tongue was cut off and his body was cut and pieces were thrown to dogs and down the river. But Sambhaji did not yield. Sambhaji was then blinded and finally hanged on 11 March 1689 at Tulapur. His head was cut off and stuffed and then it was paraded in towns. It is believed that the people of the Tulapur collected the pieces of Sambhaji as many they could , stitched them together and cremated him at Vadhu. Thus brave Sambhaji faded into to history having become a Martyr and he became a Dharma veer.

Some of the historians have depicted Sambhaji in most derogatory terms based on the writings of Muslim historians. Even eminent historian Sir Jadunath Sircar depicted him as wayward, alcoholic and fallen. His depiction is most tragic by the pseudo historians and Sambhaji’s greatness is no way reduced by such irresponsible writings. These are just not believable. They wrote that Sambhaji said, he would not accept Islam even if the emperor offered his daughter in marriage. He is accused by the historians as a rude one who accused Aurangzeb as the Hindu hater and resorting to ill governance. It could be true that Sambhaji in his younger days was a pleasure seeker. But having succeeded his father, he fought for Hindu cause and held the flag high. With death of Sambhaji, Aurangzeb believed that Maratha power was over, but it did not happen. For the next 20 years the emperor was stuck in Deccan fighting the rejuvenated and inspired Marathas under Rajaram, Tara Bai wife of Raja ram and the valiant commanders such as Santaji Ghorpad, Dhanaji Jadhav, Prahlad Niraji, Ramchadra Pant, Shankaraji malhar, Parashuram trimbak,. Finally Aurangzeb died of shame, exhausted fully, unable to succeed, dejected, humiliated and worn out. Probably not even a bird would have shed tears over the death of the much hated Aurangzeb when he died in1707 at Ahmednagar (3) (4). His body was relieved of his wretched soul that believed only in hate, treachery, cunningness and cruelty and was devoid of finer tastes and an iota of humility. Sambhaji shines gloriously in Indian history as bravest of brave and his firmness and bravery in face of certain death was far greater than what Shivaji displayed in the court of Mughals where he was insulted and was placed along with lower mansabdars. Sambhaji has become a martyr and immortal and a symbol of bravery of highest order.a The torch lit by Shivaji was upheld bravely by his son against all odds and Marathas became formidable power and Mahadaji sindhia in later years dictated terms to Mughal Empire and East India company in course of time.