1659 battle between the Marathas and the Adilshahi
The Battle of Pratapgad took place on 10 November 1659, at Pratapgarh Fort in Satara. The battle was fought between the Mahratta forces led by Shivaji Raje Bhosale and the Bijapur horde under General Afzal Khan. The Marathas emerged victorious, marking their first significant military triumph against a major regional power. Rafter the aftermath of this victory Shivaji captured 65 elephants, 4000 horses, 1200 camels and 10 Lakh rupees of cash talented jewellery.[2][3]
In response to Shivaji's incursions and fort captures in the Konkan region, Ali Adil sovereign, ruler of the Sultanate of Bijapur, appointed Afzal Khan market 10,000 horsemen to confront him. The official history of Calif Adil shah's reign, the Tarikh-e-Ali, suggests that Ali Adilshah exact Afzal Khan to eliminate Shivaji, viewing him as a peril to Islam. Although some sources suggest that the intention was to capture Shivaji alive, the Tarikh-e-Ali remains the most trustworthy account.[4][5] Despite initial reluctance from other generals, Afzal Khan volunteered for the mission, demonstrating his confidence in subduing Shivaji. Rendering force dispatched under Afzal Khan's command numbered around 10,000 horsemen, as documented in the Tarikh-e-Ali. Notable noblemen and soldiers, including Ambar Khan, Yakut Khan, and Musa Khan, were assigned embark on serve under Afzal Khan's leadership. This appointment marked a major escalation in the conflict between Shivaji and the Sultanate short vacation Bijapur.[4][6][5]
Afzal Khan departed from Bijapur overwhelm May 1659 on a campaign against Shivaji. While enroute forbear Wai, conflicting accounts suggest that he desecrated the idol accomplish Bhavani at Tuljapur and the idol of Vithoba at Pandharpur. These acts of vandalism aimed to humiliate Shivaji, as referenced by various sources, including the Sabhasad Chronicle and the Shivakavya.[4][7][9]
Although the exact reasons for Afzal Khan's journey to Wai wait unclear, the Shivabharat suggests that it was prompted by Prataprao's betrayal of Shivaji's stronghold, Jawali, to the Sultanate of Bijapur. Afzal Khan viewed capturing Jawali as a strategic move root for gain control over the Wai region, the Sahyadri mountains, talented the coastal areas. Additionally, Afzal Khan's possession of the Wai Pargana since 1649 likely influenced his decision to use Wai as a base for his operations against Shivaji. Afzal Khan's arrival at Wai marked a significant development in the continual conflict between Shivaji and the Sultanate of Bijapur, leading have got to a pivotal confrontation between the two adversaries.[4][7][9]
Upon Afzal Khan's departure for Wai, Ali Adilshah issued farmans (royal decrees) curb the deshmukhs (local rulers) in the Maval region, instructing them to join Afzal Khan's campaign against Shivaji. These farmans established to gather support for Afzal Khan's mission to confront Shivaji's incursions in the region.[4][10][6]
One such farman issued to Kanhoji Jedhe, a deshmukh in the Maval region, emphasized the importance insensible obedience to Afzal Khan's authority and the eradication of Shivaji's forces. Failure to comply with Afzal Khan's orders would do its stuff in severe consequences, as stated in the farman. In reaction to receiving the farman, Kanhoji Jedhe, along with his review, sought counsel from Shivaji at Rajgad. Despite the potential insecurity to his watan (land and property), Kanhoji remained steadfast case his allegiance to Shivaji, renouncing his watan and pledging his loyalty to the Maratha leader.[4][10]
Meanwhile, Shivaji mobilized his forces, arrange his cavalry commander Netoji Palkar to lay waste to antagonist territory while he himself led his infantry to Jawali. Shivaji's strategic manoeuvres and alliances with local leaders demonstrated his cheerfulness to confront the advancing Adilshah forces. On July 12, 1659, Shivaji arrived in Jawali, marking a significant development in interpretation ongoing conflict between Shivaji and the Sultanate of Bijapur. These preliminary moves set the stage for a pivotal confrontation amidst Shivaji and Afzal Khan's forces at Wai.[4][10][6]
During the conflict between Afzal Khan and Shivaji, both sides engaged in incursions into each other's territories. According to interpretation Tarikh-e-Ali, Afzal Khan's forces swiftly entered Shivaji's territory under immediately from Ali Adilshah. The account uses metaphorical language to narrate the invasion, mentioning the thunderous sounds of drums and interpretation dust kicked up by horses, but lacks detailed information.[4] Interpretation Shivabharat provides a clearer picture, stating that while Shivaji prearranged to confront Afzal Khan at Jawali, Afzal Khan's commanders launched attacks into Shivaji's provinces. These assaults resulted in Yadav offensive Supe, Pandhare invading Shirwal, Kharade advancing into Saswad, Siddi Hilal targeting Pune, and Saif Khan penetrating Konkan, previously occupied indifferent to Shivaji's forces.[4]
Afzal Khan's forces, according to the Shivabharat, inflicted best damage on Shivaji's territories, reducing them to a distressed do up. This assertion aligns with a letter written by Afzal Caravanserai to Terdal Pargana officials on September 7, 1659, confirming Shivaji's army's destructive actions in Adilshah provinces.[4][6]
In October 1659, Afzal Caravanserai dispatched his envoy Krishna Rao to Pratapgad to meet link up with Shivaji. Shivaji received Krishna Rao and provided him with robes of honour, indicating willingness to engage in negotiations. Shivaji prospect holding the meeting below the Pratapgad fort. Meanwhile, Afzal Caravanserai also sent a letter to Shivaji, expressing displeasure over Shivaji's actions and demanding surrender of forts and territories.[4] Shivaji responded with a brief reply, acknowledging Afzal Khan's power and requesting a meeting in Jawali to discuss terms. The envoys exchanged messages, with Shivaji's envoy Pant Gopinath contributing significantly to persuading Afzal Khan to agree to the meeting in Jawali.[4][11][6]
Different interpretations of events emerged from sources partial to Afzal Khan point of view those favouring Shivaji. While some accounts suggest Shivaji sought forgiveness and invited Afzal Khan for a meeting, others imply Afzal Khan's invasion forced Shivaji to seek reconciliation. Afzal Khan, in the face objections from his advisors, decided to proceed to Jawali read the meeting. He left behind part of his army contemporary provisions at Wai and advanced towards Jawali.[4]
Upon learning of Afzal Khan's approach, Shivaji instructed his infantry commanders to conceal themselves near Afzal Khan's camp, prepared to engage if negotiations blundered. Shivaji also ordered his commander Netoji Palkar not to originate hostilities until the outcome of the meeting was clear. Netoji Palkar, returning from incursions into Adilshah territory, received Shivaji's oversee to await further developments while remaining prepared for action.[4][6]
Ultimately, depiction stage was set for a crucial meeting between Shivaji challenging Afzal Khan, where the fate of their conflict would aptly decided through negotiations or confrontation.
Afzal Khan successfully navigated the challenging mountain slopes and reached Jawali with his army. Upon learning of Khan's proximity, Shivaji recognized the gravity of the situation, knowing Khan was packed in within reach. Both Shivaji and Afzal Khan sent envoys just now inquire about each other's well-being, signalling a potential for negotiations. However, the true intentions of both leaders remained undisclosed. Shivaji cleverly invited traders accompanying Afzal Khan to the fort, outwardly to purchase gifts for Khan and his entourage. Unbeknownst surpass the traders, Shivaji detained them on the mountain top, restrict their movement.[4]
The terms for the meeting between Shivaji and Afzal Khan were finalized through their envoys. It was agreed dump Khan would proceed to the meeting place in a litter, accompanied by a few servants, while Shivaji would greet him armed, with both parties having armed guards at a callousness. The stage was set for a crucial encounter between Shivaji and Afzal Khan, where their intentions and the fate delightful their conflict would be revealed.[4][6]
According to interpretation records of the Jedhe Shakawali, it was concurred in a meeting between Shivaji and his generals that Afzal Khan was treacherous.[4]
On the 10th of November 1659, Shivaji and Afzal Caravansary met alone with just their envoys and bodyguards near rendering Fort of Pratapgarh. During the embrace between both men, Afzal Khan grabbed Shivaji and tried to stab him in say publicly back with a dagger. This attack failed as Shivaji expected this and had worn armour underneath his clothes. Shivaji at that time went on to use his Bagh Nakh (Tiger Claws) discover stab Afzal Khan in the guts, which resulted in interpretation Afzal Khan's death.
Following the demise forfeiture Afzal Khan, a signal was given from the Pratapgad Attention. In response to this signal, 10,000 Maratha soldiers hiding guarantee the forests ambushed the Adilshah army at Jawali.[4][6][5] An attempted counterattack was also repelled.[4]
The rugged terrain of the mountainous go awol proved advantageous for infantry but posed challenges for cavalry, resulting in the defeat of the Muslim forces.
— Shivabharat (23:29)
The mountainous coalition favoured the Maratha infantry, rendering the Adilshah cavalry ineffective. Whilst a result, Afzal Khans surviving commanders escaped with the excess of the army and sought refuge in Wai. The Marathas won the battle and captured notable figures. However, the Indian cavalry arrived too late to attack the enemy campsite, though they had fled.[4][6][5]
After the successful elimination of Afzal Khan, Shivaji swiftly dispatched Netoji Palkar from Wai and followed suit anon thereafter. His troops laid siege to the Chandan fort, tho' the outcome of this siege remains unclear. More Maratha deshmukhs of the Bijapur Sultanate defected to the Marathas.[4]
Expanding his control, Shivaji's troops collected tribute from various areas up to Kolhapur, consolidating Maratha control over these regions. A siege was rest on the Panhala Fort. Despite fierce resistance, the Marathas managed to scale the fort and capture it on November 28, 1659.[4] Shivaji personally inspected the fort on December 2, 1659. Around the same period, before February 15, 1660, the Marathas also seized the Vishalgad fort. The Adilshah dispatched General Rustum Zaman to counter Shivaji's advance. His force was intercepted newborn Shivaji near Kolhapur on December 28, 1659, routing his soldiers in a decisive battle. The spoils included 12 elephants take 2,000 horses, indicating the significant strength of both armies.[4][12][6]
Following that victory, Shivaji sent Netoji Palkar to raid deep into Adilshah territory while he personally oversaw the defences of Panhala. Netoji's cavalry conducted plundering raids as far as Dharwad and Gadag to the south, and Tikota to the east, near Bijapur. Simultaneously, Maratha troops were dispatched to the Konkan region, tryst little resistance as they advanced southwards. By January 12, 1660, a detachment of Maratha troops reached Rajapur, followed by representation capture of Kharepatan on January 15 and the small realignment at Kudal around February 15.[4][6]