Shivpratap Day 10 November 1659

Shiv Pratap Day

Some people call it Kalpavriksha because it fulfils everyone's wishes & desires. Kavi Bhushan calls it the moon of the earth because its kingdom is growing by leaps and bounds.

Shiv Pratap Day

Some call it a lion because of its war prowess, while others consider it to be a real lion god. Because just like Narasimha tore the stomach of Hiranyakashapu, in the same way, Shivaraya removed Afzal Khan's intestine with his vaghnakh.

Background

Sultan Adilshah of Bijapur died on 1 November 1656. This created an atmosphere of anarchy in Bijapur. Taking advantage of this situation, Aurangzeb attacked Bijapur and Shivaji Raje attacked him instead of supporting Aurangzeb. As a result, Aurangzeb became angry with Shivaji Raje. And on the orders of Shah Jahan, Aurangzeb made a treaty with Bijapur. During this time, Shah Jahan fell ill. Hence Aurangzeb went back to North India.

Sultan Adilshah II of Bijapur also breathed a sigh of relief after Aurangzeb returned to Agra. Now Shivaji Raje was the most powerful enemy of Bijapur. The Sultan asked Shahaji Raje to keep his son under control. But Shahaji had expressed his inability to do this.  Shivaji must be stopped, Begum asked the court and challenged all her chiefs by asking who would stop Shivaji. No one was getting ready. Afzal Khan took a foot forward to kill Shivaji Raje And he marched on the Marathi Swarajya with a large army. To end Shivaji Raje, Begum sent Afzal Khan (Abdullah Bhatari) against Shivaji Raje.

Proposal of treaty

Afzal Khan travelled in 1659 with a huge army equipped with gunpowder and horsemen. Afzal reached Pratapgad looting on the way. Shivaji Raje was very angry but he knew that his military capability was limited. Therefore, he introduced diplomacy and kept silent. Afzal Khan was the architect of the arrest of his father Shahaji Raje and the death of his elder brother Sambhaji. Afzal Khan sent a message of friendship with his envoy Krishnaji Bhaskar to Shivaji Raje for negotiation. Through this, he sent the message that, if Shivaji Raje accepts the orders of Bijapur, the Sultan will give him the right to all the areas which were under Shivaji's control. At the same time, Shivaji Raje will get an honoured position in the court of Bijapur.

Shivaji's ministers and advisors were in favour of this treaty. But Shivaji Raje did not like this thing. He gave proper respect to Krishnaji Bhaskar and kept it in his court and sent his messenger Pant Gopinath Bokil to Afzal Khan to take a look of the situation. Shivaji Raje felt from Gopinath and Krishnaji Bhaskar that Afzal Khan wanted to arrest him by plotting the treaty.

Shivaji also sent a valuable gift to Afzal Khan while giving his answer to diplomacy. And in this way, Afzal Khan agreed to a treaty.

Preparation for meeting

Vaghnakh

While preparing for himself, he shortened his long beard. He wore an armour hat on his head.  He hides the bichwa(weapon) in his left hand, he puts a new belt in his sleeve, rubs it on his feet and tightens it. With such strength, Shivaji Raje was ready to come under the fort.

As soon as Afzal Khan approached the Sadar, he was surprised to see the shamiana. Khan sent a message to meet the Shivaji Raje early. Shivaji Raje had come down from the fort. Jiva Mahala came along with Shivaji Raje. The bodyguard of Afzal Khan Sayyad Banda was standing with Khan. Jiva Mahala went towards the shamiana with Shivaji Raje.

Pratapgad

Historical Moment

On 10 November 1659 Afzal Khan reached the negotiating point with his army. The patriotic comrades who loved Shivaji Maharaj were very concerned about the safety of Shivaji Raje. But in the heart of Shivaji Raje, it was decided to strengthen Swarajya. Shivaji wore his crate, Bakhtiar, kurta and tunic. And wearing a cap on his head, wore a cap, wore a Vaghnakh (Tigers claws) in one hand and went to meet Afzal Khan.

Meeting with Afzal Khan

The hypocrite Afzal Khan invited Shivaji Raje to hug him. Afzal Khan, a man with a long body, was about to hit the stomach by pressing the neck of Shivaji, who reached the shoulder in his armpit, in a moment, Shivaji tore Khan's stomach from the Vaghnakh hidden in his left hand and killed him. Here Syed Banda, the bodyguard of the Khan, came with a move on the Raje. Just as he was about to strike, Jiva Mahala cut off Syed Banda's hand and saved Raje. From that incident, one quote is famous in Marathi (होता जीवा म्हणून वाचला शिवा).

As soon as the hint of the death of Afzal Khan was ready, the standing Mavali army attacked Khan's army under the leadership of Moropant Pingale and Netaji Palkar. And defeated the bombarded army in open war. And the goods Afzal Khan looted while coming to Pratapgad, he took it into his possession.

Learnings

Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj put an end to an insidious gallant chieftain and his army with indomitable courage, unmistakable plan & unique wisdom. The task was very difficult, but with the courage of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, Marathi army defeated the Afzal Khan's large army. At a crucial moment, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj showed a good example of Smart intelligence. It teaches us to be alert at every time of life or in any situation.

Never Give Up.

Thank You !!!