Execution of Sambhaji

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Execution of Sambhaji
Part of the Deccan wars
Sambhaji Maharaj Captured by Mughals at Sangameshwar.jpg
Mughal Forces capture Sambhaji
Date19 February – 11 March 1689 (1689-02-19 – 1689-03-11)
DurationThree weeks
VenueTulapur arch
Location Tulapur
Coordinates 18°40′10″N73°59′44″E / 18.6694°N 73.9955°E / 18.6694; 73.9955
Type Execution by beheading
Cause
Reporter Khafi Khan
Ishwar Das  [ hi ]
Organized by Mughal empire
OutcomeDeath of Sambhaji
Arrests Sambhaji, Kavi Kalash and twenty-five Maratha officers
Convicted

The execution of Sambhaji was a significant event in 17th-century Deccan India, where the second Maratha King was put to death by order of the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb. The conflicts between the Mughals and the Deccan Sultanates, which resulted in the downfall of the Sultanates, paved the way for tensions between the Marathas and the Mughals. Following the death of Shivaji, his son Sambhaji ascended to the throne and conducted several campaigns against the Mughals. Unlike his father, Sambhaji tolerated instances of rape and murder committed by his army during these conflicts. [1] Aurangzeb was drawn to Southern India due to the vanquished rebel Akbar fleeing to the Maratha monarch, Sambhaji. [2] [3] [4] [5] The Maratha King was then captured by the Mughal general Muqarrab Khan. Sambhaji and his minister Kavi Kalash were then taken to Tulapur, where they were tortured to death.

Contents

Background

Portrait of Sambhaji Sambhaji painting late 17th century.png
Portrait of Sambhaji

Sambhaji, the son of the first Maratha King Shivaji, faced imprisonment during his father's reign due to his irresponsible behavior and indulgence in sensual pleasures. Shivaji took the step to arrest him, and kept him as a captive in Panhala fort. A theory suggests that the arrest of Sambhaji was caused due to his attempt to violate a Brahmin's wife. [6] [7] Sambhaji managed to escape from the fort, and sought refuge with the Mughal forces under Diler Khan. However, he soon realized that Diler Khan intended to send him to Delhi as a prisoner, prompting Sambhaji to return. Upon his return, he was once again captured by the Marathas. [8] [9]

After Shivaji's death, Sambhaji escaped from the Panhala fort and proclaimed himself king, eliminating all of Shivaji's ministers who opposed his succession. [10] Once on the throne, Sambhaji waged numerous campaigns against the Mughals, following in his father's footsteps. However, unlike Shivaji, he condoned the atrocities committed by his army. During his raid of Burhanpur, the inhabitants of the fort endured rape, torture, and robbery. [1] To the Nobles of Burhanpur, Sambhaji's raid was more than just a disruption of public order; it was seen as an attack on the Muslim community by a non-believer. If the Mughal Empire failed to protect the lives and property of Muslims, it was believed that Aurangzeb's titles as ruler should not be acknowledged during the Friday congregational prayers. Under pressure from the Marathas and Aurangzeb's rebellious son, Akbar, Aurangzeb launched a campaign towards the Deccan region. [1]

During the Mughal siege of Golconda and Bijapur, Muslim Ulema from Bijapur questioned Aurangzeb about how he could justify waging war against fellow Muslims. Aurangzeb's response was that the Sultan had harbored and aided Sambhaji, who had been causing harm to Muslims across the region. Aurangzeb also condemned Abul Hasan for the additional offense of relinquishing control of his state to his two Brahmin ministers. [1] The fall of the Deccan Sultanates marked the beginning of a new chapter in Deccan history known as the "Deccan Wars". [11]

Aurangzeb Aurangzeb-portrait.jpg
Aurangzeb

Capture of Sambhaji

While Aurangzeb was besieging Golconda and Bijapur, Sambhaji observed his movements from the fort of Panhala. Following the capture of Bijapur and Golconda, a significant amount of wealth and military resources fell into Mughal hands. After seizing these two key forts, Aurangzeb deployed Sarja Khan, a seasoned general from Bijapur familiar with the Deccan terrain. [12]

In December 1687, the Battle of Wai unfolded between the Maratha forces under the command of Hambirrao Mohite, dispatched by Sambhaji, and the Mughal forces led by Sarja Khan. Despite the Maratha forces emerging victorious, Mohite tragically lost his life to a cannonball during the conflict. [13] Sambhaji's military strength dwindled after the battle, prompting him to relocate with a smaller contingent of soldiers. His camp faced encirclement by Mughal agents within the confines of the Raigarh and Panhala hills. The Maratha faction led by Soyarabai and the Shirkes betrayed Sambhaji by divulging his movements to the Mughals, resulting in the revelation of Sambhaji's whereabouts. They provided daily updates on his movements to the Mughals, ultimately leading to Sambhaji's failure to safeguard himself, despite his efforts to protect the kingdom. [14]

Sambhaji was caught off guard by the Mughal commander Muqarrab Khan, resulting in a battle at Samgamneshwar where the Marathas suffered casualties, leading to their defeat. Five Marathas were killed, and the remaining fled. Sambhaji's minister, Kavi Kalash, was captured, while Sambhaji himself managed to escape and seek refuge in a temple. However, the Mughals discovered his hiding place, and despite his attempts to flee, Sambhaji was apprehended on 1 February 1689. [15] Thus the Mughals captured Sambhaji, his minister Kavi Kalash, and twenty-five other officers. [14] [16] Muqarrab Khan transported them to Akluj, where Aurangzeb was. Upon receiving the news of their capture, Aurangzeb was pleased and renamed the place Asadnagar to commemorate the event. [15]

Execution

Tulapur stone arch, where Sambhaji was executed Tulapur arch.jpg
Tulapur stone arch, where Sambhaji was executed

The two prisoners, Kavi Kalash and Sambhaji, were taken to the Imperial encampment near the Bhima river. Despite Sambhaji's royal status, he was not accorded the same respect as the Mughals granted to the rulers of Bijapur and Golconda. Instead, he and his ministers were humiliated by being dressed as buffoons in long fool's caps with bells attached, mounted on a camel, and paraded through the Mughal camps amidst the beating of drums and the pealing of trumpets. They were then presented to Aurangzeb, who was offering a thanksgiving prayer. [17] [16] Aurangzeb offered to spare Sambhaji's life on the condition that he complied with his demands;

  1. Surrender all his forts
  2. Disclose all his hidden treasuries
  3. Expose the name of the Mughal officers working with Marathas [17]

Aurangzeb also offered him to become a Muslim. [18] During the interrogation with the Mughal officers, Sambhaji insulted both the emperor and the Islamic prophet Muhammad. As a result, a panel of Ulema sentenced him to death for the killing and capturing of Muslims. [16]

According to Maratha sources, Aurangzeb, wanting to spare Sambhaji's life, offered him the choice to convert to Islam. Sambhaji replied that he would do so only if Aurangzeb gave him his daughter. [18] Mehta, however, suggests that Sambhaji was ordered to surrender all his forts, disclose hidden treasures, and name Mughal officers conspiring with the Marathas in exchange for his life. In response, Sambhaji angrily demanded "one of Aurangzeb’s daughters as the price of his friendship." [17] Upon hearing this, Aurangzeb ordered Sambhaji to be tortured to death. According to Khafi Khan and Ishwar Das Nagar, that very night, Sambhaji and Kavi Kalash were blinded with red-hot irons. [19] On 21 March 1689, at Koregaon on the River Bhima, where Aurangzeb was encamped, Sambhaji was beheaded. Aurangzeb's dream was thus fulfilled before he had been six years in the Deccan. The entire region from Narmada to Tungabhadra now lay under his dominion. The land where Shivaji had once fought was subdued, and no signs of resistance remained. [20]

Aftermath

Statue of Sambhaji Vadhu Tulapur - Statue of Sambhaji Maharaja.JPG
Statue of Sambhaji

During his reign, Sambhaji was unable to accomplish much for his people. However, his death elevated him to the status of a martyr. [17] Sambhaji's son, Shahu, was held captive by Aurangzeb and was only released when he reached maturity. [21] Following these events, the Mughals reached their peak in terms of territorial expansion, establishing the farthest extent of dominion in the subcontinent. Despite this, conflicts between the Marathas and Mughals persisted. Rajaram, the brother of Sambhaji, sought refuge in the Jinjee fort in the south, while Maratha officers continued their raids in the northern Deccan region. [1]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Richards, John F. (1993). The Mughal Empire. Cambridge University Press. pp. 217–223. ISBN   978-0-521-56603-2.
  2. ↑ "History Of Aurangzib,vol.5 : Sarkar,jadunath : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive". Internet Archive. 1 July 2015. p. n128. Retrieved 23 February 2025. With the accession of Shambhuji the scene changed. The flight of the rebel prince Muhammad Akbar to the Maratha Court forced Aurangzib to march to the Deccan to watch this new danger to his throne and to personally guide the operations of his troops. He arrived at Aurangabad on 22nd March 1682, and soon began a well-planned and vigorous offensive against the Maratha power.
  3. ↑ "History Of Aurangzib,vol.5 : Sarkar,jadunath : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive". Internet Archive. 1 July 2015. p. n14. Retrieved 23 February 2025. The flight of the defeated rebel (Akbar) to the Maratha king drew Aurangzib to Southern India, where he was destined to spend the last 26 years of his life in tents and to wear out the empire's revenue, army, and organised administration as well as his own health in an unending and fruitless struggle.
  4. ↑ Ashraf, Syed Dawooo (23 October 2016). "Full text of "Mughal Administration Of The Deccan 1658 1707 With Special Reference To Maharashtra"". Internet Archive. p. 19. Retrieved 23 February 2025. Aurangzeb came to the Deccan with the main intention and aim to watch and check the activities of his rebel son Akber, Sambhuji the Maratha King.....
  5. ↑ Ashraf, Syed Dawooo (23 October 2016). "Full text of "Mughal Administration Of The Deccan 1658 1707 With Special Reference To Maharashtra"". Internet Archive. p. 49. Retrieved 23 February 2025. During his reign Aurangzeb was not satisfied with the Mughal gains in the Deccan and his son Prince Akbar was in rebellion and fled to the Deccan so he personally arrived in the Deccan and spent there the second half of his reign.
  6. ↑ Rajaram Narayan Saletore (1978). Sex in Indian Harem Life. Orient Paperbacks. p. 143. During his life-time his son Sambhaji's conduct was a source of grief and vexation to him. When Sambhaji attempted to violate a Brahman's wife, Shivaji confined his son for a time in Panhala fort and, after his release, placed a strict watch over him.
  7. ↑ Raghunath Vinayak Herwadkar (1994). A forgotten literature: foundations of Marathi chronicles. Popular Prakashan. p. 52. ISBN   978-81-7154-779-1. He further adds that Sabhasad, the chronicler of Shivaji, may not be correct literally in this respect, but the implication therein appears to be probable.24 Jadunath Sarkar comments on this point: "Shambuji (was) a grownup youth notorious for his violent temper and self-indulgent character. . .Shambuji's own conduct brought matters to a crisis. For having violated a beautiful Brahmin woman who was visiting the palace on a religious festival, the prince was removed to Parli [Sqjjangad) ...
  8. ↑ Mehta, Jaswant Lal (1 January 2005). Advanced Study in the History of Modern India 1707-1813. Sterling Publishers Pvt. Ltd. p. 47. ISBN   978-1-932705-54-6.
  9. ↑ Bhave, Y. G. (2000). From the Death of Shivaji to the Death of Aurangzeb: The Critical Years. Northern Book Centre. p. 35. ISBN   978-81-7211-100-7.
  10. ↑ Sharma, Sunita (2004). Veil, Sceptre, and Quill: Profiles of Eminent Women, 16th- 18th Centuries. Khuda Bakhsh Oriental Public Library. p. 139.
  11. ↑ Richards 1993, p. 225.
  12. ↑ Karandikar, Shivaram Laxman (1969). The Rise and Fall of the Maratha Power. Sitabai Shivram Karandikar. pp. 307–310.
  13. ↑ Joshi, Pandit Shankar (1980). Chhatrapati Sambhaji, 1657-1689 A.D. S. Chand. p. 241.
  14. 1 2 Mehta 2005, pp. 49–50.
  15. 1 2 Kulkarni, G. T. (1983). The Mughal-Maratha Relations: Twenty Five Fateful Years, 1682-1707. Department of History, Deccan College Post-Graduate Research Institute. p. 74.
  16. 1 2 3 Richards 1993, p. 223.
  17. 1 2 3 4 Mehta 2005, p. 50.
  18. 1 2 Eraly, Abraham (17 September 2007). Emperors Of The Peacock Throne: The Saga of the Great Moghuls. Penguin Books Limited. pp. 480–491. ISBN   978-93-5118-093-7.
  19. ↑ Pāṭīla, Śālinī (1987). Maharani Tarabai of Kolhapur, C. 1675-1761 A.D. S. Chand & Company. pp. 46–48. ISBN   978-81-219-0269-4.
  20. ↑ Mehta 2005, p. 51.
  21. ↑ Johnston, Harry (1986). The Great Pioneer in India, Ceylon, Bhutan & Tibet. Mittal Publications. p. 252.
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