Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj - Akash Bhat
LESSER-KNOWN DETAILS ABOUT THE BATTLE OF PRATAPGAD
In the year 1659 Adil shah sent Afzal khan with the army of 75000 soldiers to destroy Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj with his empire. He was the main soldier, warrior and minister in Adil Shahi Sultanate.
He was the Subedar of Wai province. He was very powerful physically. His height was 7.3 ft. due to the same he was very popular as a strong man from Adil Shahi Sultanate. Whole India was not daring to fight with Adil Shahi Sultanate due to Afzal Khan.
Badi Begum Sahiba of Adilshahi Sultanate sent him to kill Chhatrapati Shivaji on any cost. He started his operation against Chhatrapati Shivaji from “wai”. He destroyed many temples like Tulja Bhavani Temple. He destroyed so many villages, killed villagers to torture Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.
DETAILED VIEW ABOUT THE WHOLE BATTLE
Chhatrapati Shivaji chose Pantaji as a lawyer to communicate with Afzal Khan. Pantaji was very sharp minded, who did his job nicely. He presented Chhatrapati Shivaji is fearing Afzal Khan and he wanted to invite him in his kingdom near Pratapgad. Pantaji succeeded in the communication with Afzal Khan and he brought him as per the planning of Chhatrapati Shivaji.
He used very polite language to convince Afzal Khan. In every letter he showed himself weak in front of Afzal Khan. Both of them met in a tent at foothills of Pratapgad fort on 10th November’1659. In the battle of Pratapgad, Jiva Mahale was selected by Chhatrapati Shivaji as a bodyguard during the meeting with Afzal Khan. Chhatrapati Shivaji instructed him to pay attention only on the bodyguard of the Afzal Khan named Sayyed Banda.
As per the instruction, Jiva Mahale just concentrated on Sayyed Banda, He never involved himself in the encounter between Chhatrapati Shivaji and Afzal Khan. In the meeting with Afzal Khan he prepared himself to take defense from Afzal Khan’s any attack.
He used bullet proof jacket inside the clothes and a head guard inside the crown. Both things saved his life during the encounter with Afzal Khan. Afzal Khan called Shivaji to hug him. Shivaji was alert, finally khan caught Shivaji & attacked with weapon khanjeer.
Shivaji used waghnakh & torn the stomach of Afzal Khan. Chhatrapati Shivaji used Wagh Nakh to kill him. Sayyed Banda attacked on Chhatrapati Shivaji at the same time, Jiva Mahale cut down Banda’s hand from the shoulder.
Jiva Mahale followed the instruction which was given by Chhatrapati Shivaji. Chhatrapati Shivaji killed Afzal Khan diplomatically. He signalled his troops to start the great assault on the Adil Shahi Sultanate.
With minimum manpower Chhatrapati Shivaji gained big victory against Adilshahi. He killed Afzal Khan and gained lot of wealth which was the great damage to Adil Shahi Sultanate . The most appreciable thing is the diplomacy played by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.