Battle of Pratapgad was a land battle that took place on November 10, 1659 at the fortPratapgarh the city of Satara, Maharashtra, India between the Maratha Chhatrapati Shivaji and the Afzal Khan of Adilshah. The Marathas defeated the Adilshahi forces. Adilshahi forces were 20000 strong against 10,000 light maratha cavalry and light infantry. November 10 is the 314th day of the year (315th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 51 days remaining. ... // Events May 25 - Richard Cromwell resigns as Lord Protector of England following the restoration of the Long Parliament, beginning a second brief period of the republican government called the Commonwealth. ... This article is about the city and district in Uttar Pradesh. ... Satara   (Marathi:सातारा) is a town located in the Satara District of Maharashtra state of India. ... Maharashtra   (Marathi: महाराष्ट्र , English: , IPA: ) is Indias third largest state in terms of area and second largest in terms of population after Uttar Pradesh. ... The Marāthās (Marathi: मराठा)is a collective term referring to an Indo Aryan group of Hindu warriors and peasants hailing mostly from the present-day state of Maharashtra, who created a substantial empire, covering a major part of India, in the late 17th and 18th centuries AD. The Marathas... Chhatrapati also Chatrapati is an honorific or title for a ruler. ... Shivaji Bhonsle, also known as Chatrapati Shivaji Raje Bhonsle (Marathi: छत्रपती शिवाजी राजे भोसले) was the founder of Maratha empire in western India in 1674. ... Bijapuri general killed by Shivaji at Pratapghad, 1658 ... The Adil Shahi of Adilshahi were a dynasty of Indian sultans, who ruled the Sultanate of Bijapur from 1490 to 1686. ...

The battle is known for personal combat of Shivaji and Afzal Khan, followed by a classic jungle warfare in the forest of Javali near Mahabaleshwar. The Imperial Maratha Conquests (1659-1761) were a series of conquests in the Indian subcontinent which led to the building of the Maratha Empire. ... November 10 is the 314th day of the year (315th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 51 days remaining. ... // Events May 25 - Richard Cromwell resigns as Lord Protector of England following the restoration of the Long Parliament, beginning a second brief period of the republican government called the Commonwealth. ... This article is about the city and district in Uttar Pradesh. ... Maharashtra   (Marathi: महाराष्ट्र , English: , IPA: ) is Indias third largest state in terms of area and second largest in terms of population after Uttar Pradesh. ... The Marāthās (Marathi: मराठा)is a collective term referring to an Indo Aryan group of Hindu warriors and peasants hailing mostly from the present-day state of Maharashtra, who created a substantial empire, covering a major part of India, in the late 17th and 18th centuries AD. The Marathas... Extent of the Maratha Confederacy ca. ... The Adil Shahi of Adilshahi were a dynasty of Indian sultans, who ruled the Sultanate of Bijapur from 1490 to 1686. ... Shivaji Bhonsle, also known as Chatrapati Shivaji Raje Bhonsle (Marathi: छत्रपती शिवाजी राजे भोसले) was the founder of Maratha empire in western India in 1674. ... Shivaji Bhonsle, also known as Chatrapati Shivaji Raje Bhonsle (Marathi: छत्रपती शिवाजी राजे भोसले) was the founder of Maratha empire in western India in 1674. ... Jungle warfare is a term used to cover the special techniques needed for military units to survive and fight in jungle terrain. ... On the outskirts of Mahabaleshwar, towards Panchgani. ...

Background

Shivaji held a commendable position in 12 maval regions. The Bijapur court wanted to curb his activities. Hence Afzal Khan, a renowned general of Bijaur, who had previously killed Shivaji's brother in battle, was selected to lead an assault against Shivaji. He started from Bijapur in June 1659.

Battle

Composition of Adilshahi forces

Afzal Khan was assisted by other chieftains Sayyad Banda, Fazal Khan, Ambarkhan, Yakutkhan, Siddi Hilal, Musekhan, Pilaji Mohite, Prataprao More and many more commanders of note. It consisted of selected 12,000 cavalry of Adilshahi which was well known. In addition 10,000 infantry and 1500 musketeers were deployed apart from 85 elephants and 1200 camels. A small artillery of 80-90 canon was attached. Siddi of Janjira was ready from Konkan side. AdilShah was watching activities of Shahaji.

Compositions of Maratha forces

Shivaji was assisited by Kanhoji Jedhe along with other Deshmukhs of maval region namely Maral, Dhamale, Silimkar, Bandal, Dhor. Cavalry was commanded by Netaji Palkar. Moropant was in command of 3000 chosen infantry men, who were positioned in densely forested areas. Sambhaji Kavaji,Yesaji Kank,Jiva mahala and many other skilled military leaders were in charge of them. Netaji commanded the cavalry and was placed in a forward position in the vicinity of the fort. Moropant took the position in the jungle with his light infantry. Kanhoji Jedhe assisted Shivaji directly along with other commanders. Shahaji was ready in Banglore with his 10,000 or more force for a final battle in case Shivaji and his forces are routed by Khan. Kanhoji Jedhe, though elder to Shivaji by almost 20 years, helped him organize most of the Jamindars in Maval region. ... Maval or (Mawal) is a tehsil in Maval subdivision of Pune district in the Indian state of Maharashtra. ... Netaji Palkar was the first Sarnaubat (Commander-in-chief) in the army of Shivaji, the legendary king in 17th century India. ...

Movement and clash of forces

Shivaji had encamped at Pratapgad Fort, which was strategically advantageous for mountainous infantry action. Afzal Khan tried to garner support of local militarily independent landlords of the mountainous region who nominally acknowledged the suzerainty of Adilshah. But the powerful baron Kanhoji Jedhe, as directed by Shahaji, helped Shivaji to counter these moves and attract their support. About Pratapgad Pratapgad is a massive fort located in the Sahyadri mountain range of western Maharashtra, India, 25 kilometres from Mahabaleshwar. ... Suzerainty refers to a situation in which a region or people is a tributary to a more powerful entity which allows the tributary some limited domestic autonomy but controls its foreign affairs. ... The Adil Shahi of Adilshahi were a dynasty of Indian sultans, who ruled the Sultanate of Bijapur from 1490 to 1686. ... Kanhoji Jedhe, though elder to Shivaji by almost 20 years, helped him organize most of the Jamindars in Maval region. ...

Combat of Shivaji and Afzal Khan

Shivaji and Afzal Khan arranged a meeting at a shamiyana at the foothills of the fort Pratapgarh (Fortress of Valor). It was agreed that the two would meet unarmed, but were to bring with them ten personal bodyguards each, who were to remain at a distance of one 'arrow-shot' away. Nevertheless, Afzal Khan, as was his reputation for cunning, hid a 'katyar' (a small but very sharp dagger) in his coat. Shivaji pre-empted skullduggery on Khan's part (Khan had got Shivaji's elder brother killed and later conspired to get his father, Shahaji, arrested.) and came prepared. Thus each man went to the meeting intending to slay the other. Amongst Shivaji's weapons was a small but effective weapon called wagh nakhi which literally means 'the claws of the tiger'. It consisted of an iron finger-grip with four razor claws which could be concealed in the clenched fist. As the two men entered the tent fixed for meeting, the 6-feet-tall overconfident Khan, having little difficulty hiding his swagger, lounged forward pretending of giving an open-armed hug, grabbed the 5'7" Shivaji in his left arm, swiftly drew the hidden dagger and stabbed Shivaji in his back. But, being prepared, Shivaji was wearing iron gear under his coat and was saved. Shivaji opened his fist and disembowelled the Khan with one swift stroke of his "wagh nakhi". Stunned by this sudden turn of events Khan rushed outside shouting for help. Krishanaji Bhaskar Kulkarni, Khan's emissary tried to give battle, Shivaji warned him ;but when he went offensive, Shivaji cut him into pieces. Meanwhile Khan's bodyguard, Sayyad Banda, (each had agreed for one guard be placed immediately outside the tent), pounced on Shivaji on hearing Khan's cries. Before he could strike again, Shivaji's bodyguard, Jiva Mahala, who too rushed inside hearing the pandemonium, slashed him with his sabre. (The pithy Marathi phrase: 'Hota Jiva Mhanun Vachala Shiva’ - 'As there was Jiva, so lived Shiva' - owes its origin to this miraculous act). Afzal Khan managed to hold his gushing entrails and hurtled, faint and bleeding, outside the shamiyana and threw himself into his palanquin. The bearers hastily lifted their charge and began moving rapidly away down the slope when Sambhaji Kavji Kondhalkar, Shivaji's lieutenant and one of the distant guards, went in pursuit, and decapitated the Khan permanently. Binomial name Panthera tigris (Linnaeus, 1758) Distribution of tigers in 1900 (red) and 1990 (green) Synonyms Felis tigris Linnaeus, 1758 Tigris striatus Severtzov, 1858 Tigris regalis pink, 1867 Tigers (Panthera tigris) are mammals of the Felidae family and one of four big cats in the Panthera genus. ... Japanese Palanquin Indian Palanquin A palanquin aka palkhi is a covered sedan chair (or litter) carried on four poles. ...

Shivaji sped up the slope towards the fortress and his lieutenants ordered a concluding bugle to be sounded. It was a pre-determined signal to his infantry, which had been strategically placed in the densely covered valley, to commence battle, and save the Swaraj (freedom) which was in its infancy . Look up freedom in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ...

The severed head of Khan was sent to Rajgarh to be shown to Jijabai. She had long wanted vengeance for the deliberate maltreatment of Shahaji (Shivaji's father) in his captivity by Afzal Khan, and for getting her elder son, Sambhaji, killed through treachery. Jijabai with the infant Shivaji Jijabai was the mother of Shivaji, founder of the Maratha Empire. ...

Hand to hand combat of the forces

Maratha troops under Kanhoji Jedhe attacked 1500 muskeeters and routed them at the foothill of the fort. Then in a rapid march, a section of Adilshahi forces was attacked. It was commanded by Musekhan, who was wounded and had run away from the field. Moropant led the infantry on the left flank of the Adilshahi troops. The artillery was made effective. Ragho Atre attacked the cavalry and before they could mount, were wiped out. The cavalry under Netaji Palkar marched towards Vai in hot pursuit of Adilshahi forces stationed over there. Kanhoji Jedhe, though elder to Shivaji by almost 20 years, helped him organize most of the Jamindars in Maval region. ... Look up Vai in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ...

Treatment to captives

It was policy of Shivaji not to illtreat the defeated army .Neither their women were molested or nor they were sold like slaves. In pursuiant of this he honored wounded commanders and sent back the captive without their slaughter.

Honour

Shivaji had always honoured those who fought valiantly. On this occasion sword of honour was given to Kanhoji Jedhe. The relatives of the killed soldiers were recruited. Families without any male left behind were awarded with pension. Heroes of the war were showered with medals, kada (a kind of bracelet) and horses.

Outcome

Khan's death dealt to the Bijapur Sultan's rule a severe blow from which it never recovered until it was eventually eclipsed by the tyrannical Mughal emperor Aurangzeb. Bijapur is a district in the Indian state of Karnataka. ... Aurangzeb (Persian: ‎, English: ) (November 3, 1618 – March 3, 1707), also known as Alamgir I, was the ruler of the Mughal Empire from 1658 until 1707. ...

The Maratha's Swarajya on the other hand flourished and blossomed into a muscular Maratha Empire which later spread till Attock near present-day Afghanistan, the seeds of which were laid in this small but breathtaking event amidst the mountainous jungles of Maharashtra. The Marāthās (Marathi: मराठा)is a collective term referring to an Indo Aryan group of Hindu warriors and peasants hailing mostly from the present-day state of Maharashtra, who created a substantial empire, covering a major part of India, in the late 17th and 18th centuries AD. The Marathas... Swarajya is [[Marathi]] word. ... Extent of the Maratha Confederacy ca. ... Attock (Urdu: اٹک) is a city in the Punjab province of Pakistan. ... Maharashtra   (Marathi: महाराष्ट्र , English: , IPA: ) is Indias third largest state in terms of area and second largest in terms of population after Uttar Pradesh. ...

Casulities

In the overall combat Adilshahi lost 5000 troops, almost same number of troops were wounded.3,000 were imprisoned. Remaining run away. Marathas lost 1734 and 420 soldiers were wounded

QUOTES

These maharathi chieftains who had defeated the roving bands of Scythians, gold hungry hordes of Malik Kafur and destructive Bahamnani Mahmud Gawan! Again rose on the occasion and crushed the looting bandwagon of Bijapuri soldiers. Then they had given a response to the call by the legendary king Shalivahan and now they responded to the call by another legendary king Shivaji. Both were born, brought up and rose in the mountains of Sahyadris.Till today both these Maharathi kings are remembered through out the region. Incidentally both started a new era. Scythian warriors, drawn after figures on an electrum cup from the KulOba kurgan burial near Kerch. ... Malik Kafur ( - 1318 C.E.) was a eunuch general who conquered Tamil Nadu around 1310 C.E. Malik Kafur was a slave, who was purchased by Nusrat Khan. ... Shivaji Bhonsle, also known as Chatrapati Shivaji Raje Bhonsle (Marathi: छत्रपती शिवाजी राजे भोसले) was the founder of Maratha empire in western India in 1674. ... The Western Ghats or Sahyadri mountains run along the western edge of Indias Deccan Plateau, and separate the plateau from a narrow coastal plain along the Arabian Sea. ...

References

• Grant Duff - History of Marathas
• S.D.Samant - Vedh Mahamanvacha
• Capt. Modak G.V.-Battle of Pratapgarh
• Major Joshi Mukund-Battle of Pratapgarh- a new perspective
• Commandant Kasar D.B. - Rigveda to Raigarh making of Shivaji the great
• Balkrishna-Shivaji the great