2017-04-06 Thu

“Shivaji dealt a massive blow at the Mughals, a blow whose cleverness of design and neatness of execution and completeness of success created in the Mughal Court and camp as much terror of his prowess, and belief in his possession of magical power, as his coup against Afzal Khan had done among the Bijapuris.” –Sarkar.

Aurangzeb decided to send one of his most able ministers- Shaista Khan to defeat Shivaji. Khan arrived at Aurangabad in January 1660 and quickly seized Pune, the center of Shivaji’s realm. On his way, he destroyed many temples in Maharashtra and also captured the forts of Chakan and Kalyan and north Konkan after heavy fighting with the Marathas. The Marathas were banned from entering the city of Pune while Mughals distanced themselves from the locals; an error. Shaista Khan brutally ruled the region for more than 3 years while Shivaji patiently waited for the right opportunity.

Shaista Khan had taken residence at Lal Mahal, Shivaji’s childhood home. This was an error on Shaista Khan’s part as this being Shivaji’s childhood home he would know every nook and corner of it.

One of Shivaji’s spies in Khan’s army had obtained permission for a marriage procession to enter Pune on 5th April 1663. Shivaji and nearly 400 of his men entered Pune disguised as bridegroom’s procession members while others entered into small parties dressed as laborers and soldiers working under Khan.

At midnight, the whole city was dark with light only at places where soldiers were stationed. Shivaji and his forces quickly entered the palace by making a hole in the kitchen and on entering swiftly slayed the cooks. They then began to dig a hole in Khan’s bedroom, quickly but quietly. However, the noise awoke the maid-servants who quickly awoke Shaista Khan. Khan was unprepared for this sudden attack and tried to escape through the window. However, Shivaji had already entered his chamber and was successful in cutting his forefingers with his sword before he could escape.

Though Shaista Khan escaped, his son, Abdul Fatih Khan along with forty attendants and six women were killed. Taking advantage of the confusion, Shivaji and his army fled Pune. Selected troops hidden outside Pune attracted the Mughal army with torches while Shivaji managed to escape to Sinhagad via a different route.

Shivaji’s night raid on Shaista Khan was probably one of the bravest acts in medieval history. He was now considered one of the most daring and courageous warriors of all time while also affirming his leadership skills. Mughals now considered him to be an incarnation of Satan and no place was considered fool-proof against his entering.