The battle of Pratapgad took place on 10 November 1659 at Pratapgad Fort in Satara between Shivaji and Afzal Khan of Bijapur. The slaying of Afzal Khan and defeat of the Bijapuri army set the dawn of Maratha’s national independence. This was the first ever victory of Maratha army over regular forces. They had so far only looted isolated convoys or fought with the small irregular forces.
Background
When Shivaji was in power, the two primary threats for Marathas in Deccan were Mughuls and Bijapur. Mughal Deccan at that time was governed by Aurangzeb. Shivaji was smart enough not to provoke Bijapur and Mughals at the same time. In March 1657, when the war between Bijapur and Mughals broke-up, Shivaji sided with Bijapur and raided south-western corner of Mughal Deccan. Aurangzeb later sent reinforcements and further raid attempts were crushed. However In September 1657, Shah Jahan fell ill and the preparations for a War of Succession began among his sons. Aurangzeb left Deccan and moved to Northern India. Bijapur made peace with the Mughals. Shivaji was also freed from all fear of the Mughals by this Moghul War of Succession, which kept Aurangzeb busy.
Bijapur govt decides to crush Shivaji by force
With the establishment of peace with Mughals, the Bijapur gained fresh vigor and decided to crush Shivaji. First, the Bijapur government asked Shahji (military commander in Bijapur court) to punish his rebel son, Shivaji. But he rejected Shivaji as his son and told the government to punish Shivaji freely without any consideration for his father’s feelings. Thereby, it was decided to crush Shivaji by force. The Bijapuri nobles knew this was not an easy task and were not in favor of the idea of any campaign among the hills and jungles of the Western Ghats. At Bijapur court, a command of the expedition against Shivaji was passed. Bijapuri general Afzal Khan accepted it and even boasted in open Court that he would bring Shiva as captive even without dismounting from his horse once.
Afzal Khan didn’t prefer open contest
The resources of Bijapur had been crippled by that war and impoverishment. Only 10,000 cavalry could be spared to accompany Afzal Khan. So Afzal Khan did not prefer an open contest with Shivaji. He was instructed to capture or murder of Shivaji by pretending friendship with him and offering him to secure his pardon from Adil Shah.
Afzal Khan’s Plan
Afzal Khan planned to achieve his goal by a combination of “frightfulness” and diplomacy. Shivaji was at Rajgarh. From Bijapur the expedition marched due north to Tuljapur. Afzal Khan’s strategy was to sweep round the southern part (which was Shivaji’s stronghold) and penetrate Pune through the east of Maratha kingdom or to provoke Shivaji into coming out and meeting the Bijapuri army in the open. At Tuljapur he ordered the stone image of Maa Bhavani to be broken and converted into dust in a hand-mill.
Shivaji left Rajgarh and went to Pratapgad in the south-west. Hence, Afzal Khan dropped off the pan of penetrating through Pune and turned west towards Pratapgad. On the way he committed sacrileges on the gods and outrages on the towns. After a fortnight, he reached Wai, 20 miles north of Satara.
He halted for some days at Wai devising means for luring Shiva out of the hills by diplomacy or capturing him by means of local chieftains.
Terror among Shivaji’s followers
The news of Afzal Khan’s arrival caused great terror and perplexity among Shivaji’s followers for two reasons:
So far, Shivajis’s followers had surprised some lesser known forts, looted isolated convoys, or fought with the small irregular forces of private jagirdars. This was their first encounter with the regular forces. The force of Bijapur was numbering 10,000 with artillery, transport and best equipped army and was led by a famous general Afzal Khan.
Secondly, Afzal Khan’s march from Bijapur to Wai had been a great success. He had freely looted and laid waste the territory of Shivaji that he had crossed. Tales of his irresistible strength and ruthlessness had reached the Maratha camp. Hence, Shivaji’s officers naturally shrank from the idea of resistance.
Shivaji’s dilemma and vision of Goddess Bhavani
At the first council of war, Shivajis’s officers urged him to make peace as the enemy was strong and hostilities would only cause a great loss of life to their side. This was the most critical moment in the career of Shivaji. He was in a great dilemma.
If he didn’t resist and made peace, all his hopes of independence would be shattered forever. Even if he escaped Bijapur government’s vengeance, he would have to end his days as a tame vassal of Bijapur. On the other hand if he resisted, it would forever close the door to friendly relations with Bijapur. Also, he must be prepared ever afterwards to defend his life and independence against the power of Bijapur, Mughals and other enemies without a single friend or protector.
For a night he contemplated these choices and decided to face Afzal Khan boldly instead of making peace. A legend, as old as his contemporaries, tells us that Shivaji’s sleep was broken by a vision of the goddess Bhavani who urged him to confront Afzal boldly and promised him victory and her full protection.
Next morning the council met again. Moved by Shiva’s manly words,appeal to their sense of honour, and report of the goddess’s blessings, they resolved on war. He now made his dispositions for the contest with the utmost forethought and skill. He left minute instructions for carrying on the government in the event of his being killed. The armies under Moro Trimbak Pingle and NetajiPalkar were summoned from Konkan and the Ghats respectively, and ordered to take post within easy reach of Pratapgad.
Afzal Khan’s message to Shivaji
Afzal Khan sent his land-steward Krishnaji Bhaskar to Shivaji with the following message:
“Your father has long been a great friend of mine, and you are, therefore, no stranger to me. Come and see me, and I shall use my influence to make Adil Shah confirm your possession of Konkan and the forts you now hold. I shall secure for you further distinctions and military equipment from our Government. If you wish to attend the Court, you will be welcomed.Or, if you want to be excused personal attendance there, you will be exempted.”
When Krishnaji Bhaskar with his envoy came to Shivaji with the message, Shivaji treated him with respect and at night met him in secrecy. He appealed to Krishnaji Bhaskar to tell him of the Khan’s real intentions as a Hindu and a priest. Krishnaji informed Shivaji that Khan planned some mischief.
Shivaji’s response
Shivaji then sent the envoy back with his agent, Gopinath Pant agreeing to Afzal Khan’s proposal of an interview on condition that the Khan gave him an assurance of safety. Gopinath’s real mission was to find out the strength of Afzal Khan’s army and other useful information about it and learn for himself what the Khan’s real aim was. Through Gopinath, Shivaji assured that no harm would be done to Afzal Khan during the interview, and Afzal Khan also gave similar assurance. But Gopinath, by using bribes liberally, learnt that Afzal Khan’s officers were convinced that Shivaji would be arrested at the interview, as he was too cunning to be caught by open fight.
On his return, Gopinath informed everything to Shivaji and urged him to anticipate the treacherous attack on himself by murdering Afzal at a lonely meeting and then surprising his army.
Shivaji insists Afzal Khan to meet nearer to Pratapgad
Considering information from Gopinath, Shavaji refused to meet Afzal Khan at Wai. Instead he insisted that Khan meet him nearer home and personally promise him safety and future protection. Afzal Khan agreed.
By Shivaji’s orders a path was created through dense forest from Wai to Pratapgad for the Bijapur army with arrangements of food and drink. By way of the Radtondi pass (below ‘Bombay Point’ of the Mahabaleshwar plateau), Afzal Khan reached Par, a village lying one mile below Pratapgad on the south and his men encamped in scattered groups in the Koyna valley.
Meeting preparation
Gopinath went up the hill and reported Khan’s arrival to Shivaji. The meeting was to take place the next day. The place chosen for the interview was the crest of an eminence, below the fort of Pratapgad, and overlooking the valley of the Koyna. From hill-side to interview place, soldiers were posted in ambush at regular intervals by Shivaji on both sides of the forest-path. Throughout the path, Tents were erected and richly decorated canopy with gorgeous carpets and cushions were set up. Then Shivaji prepared himself for the meeting.
Under his clothes, he wore a coat of chain armour. Below his turban he placed a steel cap for the protection of the skull. He concealed weapons in his left hand and right sleeve. In his left hand, he carried a set of steel claws (bagh nakh) fastened to the fingers by a pair of rings. In his right sleeve he carried a thin sharp dagger called the scorpion (bichwa). He took two companions – Jiv Mahala and Shambhuji Kavji. Both were men of extraordinary courage and agility. Each of them carried two swords and a shield. Then they walked down to the foot of the fort and waited.
Interview between Shivaji and Afzal Khan
Afzal Khan started from his camp at Par, with a strong escort of more than a thousand musketeers. Gopinath objected to it, mentioning that such a display of force would scare away Shivaji from the interview. Therefore, Khan should go along with only two bodyguards exactly as Shivaji had done. So, he left his troops at some distance and made his way up the hill-path in a palki. He was accompanied by two soldiers and a famous swordsman named Sayyid Banda as well as two Brahman envoys, Gopinath and Krishnaji.
Once Afzal Khan arrived in the tent, messengers were sent to Shivaji, who was waiting below the fort. Shivaji advanced slowly towards the tent and saw Sayyid Banda. He demanded that the man should be removed from the tent. This was done and at last Shivaji entered. Four men were present from each side – the principal, two armed retainers and an envoy. Shivaji appeared unarmed like someone who had come to surrender, while Afzal Khan had his sword. The attendants stood below. Shivaji mounted the raised platform and bowed to Afzal Khan.
Shivaji kills Afzal Khan
Afzal Khan rose from his seat, moved forward a few steps, and opened his arms to receive Shivaji in his embrace. Shivaji only came up to the shoulders of Afzal Khan. Suddenly Afzal Khan tightened his clasp, and with his left arm held Shivaji’s neck with an iron grip. With his right hand Afzal Khan drew his dagger and struck Shivaji at the side. The hidden armour of Shivaji protected him from the blow. Shiva felt being strangled and groaned in agony. Recovering in a moment, Shivaji passed his left arm round Afzal Khan’s waist and tore his bowels open with steel claws (Bagh Nakha). Then with the right hand he struck the bichwa into Afzal Khan’s side. The wounded Afzal Khan relaxed his hold, and Shivaji set himself free. He jumped down from the platform, and ran towards his own men outside. Afzal Khan cried out, “Treachery ! Murder ! Help ! Help!”
The attendants ran up from both sides. Sayyid Banda confronted Shivaji with his long straight sword and cut his turban into two. This blow made a deep dent in the steel cap beneath the turban. However Shivaji remained safe. Shiva quickly took a rapier from Jiv Mahala and began to parry. At that time Jiv Mahala came with his other sword and cut off the right arm of the Sayyid, and then killed him. The bearers placed the wounded Khan in his palki and started to move. But Shambhuji Kavji slashed at their legs, made them drop the palki, and then cut off Afzals head. He carried the head in triumph to Shivaji.
Afzal Khan’s army routed and plundered
Freed from danger, Shivaji and his two men went to the summit of Pratapgad and fired a cannon. This was the signal for his troops, who had ambushed themselves in the valleys to initiate attack. The troops attacked the Bijapuri camp from all four sides. Afzal Khan’s officers and soldiers panicked at the news of Afzal Khan’s death and this unexpected attack. For them, the region was unknown and enemies seemed to be coming from every bush. Shivaji’s troops also closed the way of escape and forced the enemy to fight. The attack lasted for three hours and the Bijapuri soldiers tried for desperate defense before being defeated. The carnage in the Bijapuri army was terrible. According to a report 3000 men were killed. Shivaji’s army also obtained rich booty.
The chief among the captured prisoners were one sardar of high rank, two sons of Afzal Khan, and two Maratha chiefs (fighting on the side of the Bijapuri army). All the captured women and children, Brahmans and camp-followers were immediately released. One section of the Bijapuri army, consisting of Afzal Khan’s wives and eldest son, Fazl Khan managed to escape.
After this victory, the Marathas poured into South Konkan and the Kolhapur district, capturing the fort of Panhala, defeating another Bijapuri army, and making extensive conquests.
Reference: Shivaji and his times – Jadunath Sarkar
