After Afzal Khan's defeat
Shivaji Raje killed Afzal Khan after that Adilshah sent a huge military force under the leadership of Siddi Jauhar to end Shivaji with 20 thousand cavalries, 35 thousand infantry, many elephants, cannons etc. After killing Afzal Khan in Pratapgad, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj attacked Adilshahi and took over an important stronghold like Panhalgad.
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| Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj |
At that time Shivaji Maharaj was at Meeraj. He was informed by the spies that the Adilshahi army is coming from Bijapur under the leadership of Siddi Jauhar and Mughal army is coming to capture Shivaji under the leadership of Shaista Khan. So Maharaj left the enclosure of Meeraj, with only 8000 infantry soldiers, 60 cavalry troops, came to Panhalgad on 2 March 1660 in terms of security.
Siddi Jauhar besieges Panhala
Siddi Jauhar came to Panhalgad after Shivaji Maharaj. Fazhal Khan, Rustume Zaman and Johar himself in the east, Sadat Khan, Bhai Khan, Siddi Masood and Baji Ghorpade were leading in the west. The remaining who took command of the siege in the south and north. The cordon was very strong. But the stronghold was also very strong. Nevertheless, in the dark of night, sometimes Marathas descended from the citadel and attacked Jauhar's army and immediately entered the citadel. On the other hand, Shaista Khan had captured Pune.
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| Panhala fort |
Seeing Shivaji in this situation, the chief of English Vakhar of Rajapur, Henry Rewhingtn, also joined with Jauhar. In the case of Afzal Khan, he assured Shivaji Maharaj not to help the enemies of Swarajya. But after seeing the exigency of the situation, He dispatched his envoy by giving 400 bearers, some cavalry and 5 palanquins. His modern cannons were also needed to Jauhar over long distances. Washington, along with his companions Mingham, Giffords, and Velji, arrived on 2 April to help Johar himself.
Shivaji Maharaj's plan to leave the fort in such a situation
Shivaji Raje got about 4 months in Panhalgad. The entire self-state was in anxiety. At Rajgad, Matoshree Jijau, all the fighters, not only the soldiers but the people also started worrying day and night. They wanted to save Maharaj by putting their life at stake. After all, Maharaj's spies found an inaccessible way to escape from the stronghold. But the enemy was also very careful this time.
Maharaj, after consulting with a few of his people, prepared a courageous plan. Someone (God knows) suggested that "There is a messenger in the citadel, which incidentally is named Shiva". He looked like a Shivaji Raje in appearance. His beard is also like that of the Shivaji Raje. If his costume (makeup) is like that of the Maharaj, anyone can be deceived. You can cheat the enemy in times of crisis by making him an imitation of Shivaji. Baji Prabhu took the responsibility of the rest of the system on his shoulder and decided to leave in the night of Aashadh Purnima.
Implementation of Plan by Shivaji Maharaj
Shivaji Maharaj asked Gangadhar Pant, "Is all arrangement done according to plan?" Pant read the letter written to Jauhar. "You are elder to me, if I pardon my crimes and promise my protection, we will come to meet you and we will do as you say." The King said, "Great! Now it should be spread on the citadel that we are going to meet Jauhar. "
Taking the letter, Gangadhar Pant went to meet the enemy on the second day. Jauhar read the letter very carefully. Jauhar asked, "When will Raja saheb come here?" Pant said, "If you take the responsibility of security, then Maharaj can come tomorrow night." Hearing this, Fazhal Khan son of Afzal Khan said, "Abba was talking to meet the same way." Jauhar said, "Your father went to meet Shivaji, but here Shivaji is coming to meet us if he tried to do something wrong, you know the consequences.
13 July 1660
According to Shivaji Maharaj's plan, on the night of Ashadh Purnima (July 13, 1660 AD), before the scheduled date of joining Jauhar, he had to leave the fort with great secrecy and go towards Vishalgad. There were a total of 6 thousand soldiers inside the fort. Shivaji Raje stepped outside his palace with 600 soldiers selected, including Baji Prabhu Deshpande among them. Together, another palanquin and 400 soldiers left the stronghold. Foremost, the detective was ahead in the pouring rain, showing the way without lighting a torch. The door of the fort opened slowly and then closed. Shivaji came out of the fort of Panhalgad after four months and ten days.
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| 13 July 1660 |
Despite Purnima, the light of the moon had nowhere to go. Due to the rainy season, thunderstorms and torrential rains also became favourable to the king. The talks of surrendering of Shivaji Maharaj had brought some relaxation in the enemy's circle. Detectives were moving forward Gradually crossed the circle. In this, the enemy's soldiers got some news. They shouted "Stop". But the soldiers of Baji increased their speed. At the same time, another palanquin and 400 hundred soldiers started running along the same route. While Maharaja's palanquin and 600 hundred soldiers proceeded on the second most inaccessible route.
Thank You !!!
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