Execution of Sambhaji
| Part of the Deccan wars | |
 Mughal Forces capture Sambhaji | |
| Date | 19 February – 11 March 1689 |
|---|---|
| Duration | Three weeks |
| Venue | Tulapur arch |
| Location | Tulapur |
| Coordinates | 18°40′10″N 73°59′44″E / 18.6694°N 73.9955°E |
| Type | Execution by beheading |
| Cause |
|
| Reporter | Khafi Khan Ishwar Das |
| Organized by | Mughal empire |
Sambhaji the second Maratha king, was put to death by order of the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb in the 17th-century. 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. Aurangzeb was drawn to Southern India due to the vanquished rebel Akbar fleeing to the Maratha monarch, Sambhaji.[1][2][3][4] 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.
Background
After Shivaji's death, Sambhaji escaped from the Panhala fort and proclaimed himself king, eliminating all of Shivaji's ministers who opposed his succession.[5] Once on the throne, Sambhaji waged numerous campaigns against the Mughals, following in his father's footsteps.[6] 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.[6]
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.[6] The fall of the Deccan Sultanates marked the beginning of a new chapter in Deccan history known as the "Deccan Wars".[7]
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.[8]
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 was killed by a cannonball during the conflict.[9] 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 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.[10]
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.[11] Thus the Mughals captured Sambhaji, his minister Kavi Kalash, and twenty-five other officers.[10][12] 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.[11]
Execution
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.[13][12] According to the Mughal chronicler,Khafi Khan[a] and Ishwar Das Nagar, that very night, Sambhaji and Kavi Kalash were blinded with red-hot irons.[14] On 11 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.[15]
Aftermath
During his reign, Sambhaji was unable to accomplish much for his people. However, his death elevated him to the status of a martyr.[13] Sambhaji's son, Shahu, was held captive by Aurangzeb and was only released when he reached maturity.[16] 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.[6]
References
Bibliography
- Mehta, Jaswant Lal (1 January 2005). Advanced Study in the History of Modern India 1707-1813. Sterling Publishers Pvt. Ltd. ISBN 978-1-932705-54-6.
Sources
Notes
- ^ Khafi Khan wrote his chronicles decades after the execution.He is not believed to have been an eye witness to the trial and execution of Sambhaji or Aurangzeb's Deccan campaign
Citations
- ^ "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.
- ^ "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.
- ^ 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.....
- ^ 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.
- ^ Sharma, Sunita (2004). Veil, Sceptre, and Quill: Profiles of Eminent Women, 16th- 18th Centuries. Khuda Bakhsh Oriental Public Library. p. 139.
- ^ a b c d Richards, John F. (1993). The Mughal Empire. Cambridge University Press. pp. 217–223. ISBN 978-0-521-56603-2.
- ^ Richards 1993, p. 225.
- ^ Karandikar, Shivaram Laxman (1969). The Rise and Fall of the Maratha Power. Sitabai Shivram Karandikar. pp. 307–310.
- ^ Joshi, Pandit Shankar (1980). Chhatrapati Sambhaji, 1657-1689 A.D. S. Chand. p. 241.
- ^ a b Mehta 2005, pp. 49–50.
- ^ a b 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.
- ^ a b Richards 1993, p. 223.
- ^ a b Mehta 2005, p. 50.
- ^ Pāṭīla, Śālinī (1987). Maharani Tarabai of Kolhapur, C. 1675-1761 A.D. S. Chand & Company. pp. 46–48. ISBN 978-81-219-0269-4.
- ^ Mehta 2005, p. 51.
- ^ Johnston, Harry (1986). The Great Pioneer in India, Ceylon, Bhutan & Tibet. Mittal Publications. p. 252.