The Ruler of People: Sambhaji Maharaja

The Maratha Empire was an Indian power that dominated much of the Indian subcontinent in the 17th and 18th centuries. The empire formally existed from 1674 with the coronation of Chhatrapati Shivaji and ended in 1818 with the defeat of Peshwa Bajirao II. The Marathas are credited to a large extent for ending Mughal rule in India. This podcast is about the Maratha empire during the reign of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj. It talks about the rise of the Maratha empire and how they were successful in defeating the Mughal empire in many of their battles.

Sambhaji Maharaj, also known as Chhatrapati Sambhaji Bhosale, was a ruler of the Maratha Empire who reigned as the 2nd Chhatrapati from 1681 to 1689.

Today, May 14, marks the 363rd birth anniversary of the great ruler. The day is celebrated across the state of Maharashtra and in some other parts of the country. To commemorate his birth anniversary, shows and public gatherings are organised every year in Maharashtra

Sambhaji Maharaj, also known as Chhatrapati Sambhaji Bhosale, was a ruler of the Maratha Empire who reigned as the 2nd Chhatrapati from 1681 to 1689.

Born on May 14, 1657, Sambhaji Bhonsale was the eldest son of Shivaji, the founder of the Maratha Empire. He succeeded to the throne after his father’s death and ruled it for nine years.

Sambhaji Maharaj’s reign witnessed several wars between the Maratha Kingdom and the Mughal Empire. He was instrumental in shaping the Maratha Kingdom and is highly regarded for his valour and wisdom.

He was kidnapped through deceit by Aurangzeb after Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s death and tortured to death for refusing to convert to Islam, as per historians.

Sambhaji was sent to live with Raja Jai Singh of Amber as a political hostage at the age of 9.

Sambhaji was well-educated and known to be sophisticated. He was well versed in a few languages other than Marathi.  Sambhaji married Jivubai in a marriage of political alliance. The union gave Shivaji Maharaj access to the Konkan coastal belt. Sambhaji’s behaviour was a matter of debate. He was called irresponsible by many and his addiction to sensual pleasures let him imprison his son at Patiala fort in 1678.

Shivaji’s capture and execution by the Mughals was a brutal one. Aurangzeb had ordered Sambhaji and Kavi Kalash to be tortured to death. The process took over a fortnight. He died on March 11, 1689, at the age of 31.