History of Aurangzib, Based on Original Sources v4.c69.s6: § 6. Capture and execution of Shambhuji.
History of Aurangzib, Based on Original Sources v4.c69.s6
- Language
- English
§ 6. Capture and execution of Shambhuji.
v4.c69.s6.1
After the conspiracies against Shambhuji in June 1680 and October 1681 had been crushed, there was a fresh plot in October 1684, in consequence of which he threw Manaji Moré, Gangadhar and Vasudev Pandit, and Sahuji Somnath into prison, where they remained confined till his death. Things then continued quiet at his Court for four years. But in October 1688, the Shirké family again rose against him; they attacked Kavi-kalash and drove him into Khelna for refuge. Shambhuji marched from Raigarh to the rescue of his favourite, defeated and routed the rebels at Sangameshwar, and then went to Khelna. He arrested Prahlad Niraji and many other ministers and leading people on suspicion of complicity in the late rising, and after provisioning Khelna fort, started with Kavi-kalash for returning to his capital. On the way he arrived at Sangameshwar, 22 miles n. e. of Ratnagiri city, and the sacred junction of the Alak-nanda and Varuna rivers, where Kavi-kalash had laid out fine gardens and built nicely-decorated mansions for his master. Here, after sending his army and family back to Raigarh, Shambhuji plunged into drinking and merry-making, with a small escort and in utter carelessness. All vigilance was abandoned, as he believed the place to be impenetrable to Mughal arms.
v4.c69.s6.2
Shaikh Nizam, "chief among the servants of Qutb Shah," had been induced to desert to the Mughals during the siege of Golkonda (28th May, 1687.) His pre-eminent position and ability had been recognized by the Emperor immediately creating him a 6-hazari with the title of Muqarrab Khan and a cash reward of one lakh of Rupees, and giving high commands to his relatives, so that the mansabs held by this family totalled 25,000 men. (M.A. 296, 320.) This able and active general had been detached to lay siege to Panhala (1688). He sent out clever spies to get news about Shambhuji's whereabouts and movements.
v4.c69.s6.3
Muqarrab Khan, on hearing of Shambhuji's unguarded life of debauchery at Sangameshwar, lost no time. Taking with himself only 2,000 picked troopers and 1,000 infantry, he made a forced march from his camp at Kolhapur. Very great hardship was undergone in crossing the jungles, broken ground and lofty passes of the Western Ghats, at such a rapid pace. At every stage he had to leave many stragglers behind. But with his officers and some 300 troopers he arrived at Sangameshwar "with the speed of lightning and wind," covering the intervening 90 miles in two or three days. Shambhuji had been warned of the approach of an enemy force, but had rebuked his spies for their pains, saying, "You careless fellows, you are mad. Can any Mughal troops reach here?"* (M.A. 321.)
v4.c69.s6.4
When the invaders entered the town, Kavikalash offered them battle. [M.A.] He was wounded by an arrow in his right hand, and being unable to fight, dismounted. The Maratha force that had been hurriedly armed and assembled, being now without a leader, broke and fled Shambhuji and his minister then hid themselves in a hole in the floor of the latter's house. The Mughal general who had learnt of the hiding-place from his spies, without caring to pursue the fugitive army, surrounded Kavi-kalash's house. His son Ikhlas Khan with a party of brave men entered the room by the narrow steps, dragged the Rajah and his minister out of the hole by their long hair, and took them to the general on his elephant outside * Twenty-five of Shambhuji's chief followers with their wives and daughters were taken prisoner at this place Shambhuji was placed behind Muqarrab Khan on his elephant, and the other captives, heavily chained, on elephants, horses and camels and removed under strong guard with every precaution against escape or rescue, (1st February 1689) (M A 320-22, K K ii. 386, J S. for date.)
v4.c69.s6.5
∗ K. K., ii. 385, adds that he ordered the tongues of his spies to be cut out, (evidently a graphic touch from Khafi Khan's imagination.) Chitnis (ii. 18) says that the Mughal general (miscalled Elchi Beg) marched unopposed by pretending that he was an ambassador charged with proposals of peace.
v4.c69.s6.6
The news of the capture soon reached the imperial camp at Akluj and caused a wild outburst of rejoicing in all parts of the imperial dominions. The Muslims in particular were exultant, a great terror had been lifted from their hearts The peasants hoped that they would now live in peace. The Court and the army felt that this success had put the dome and crown on their final victories over Bijapur and Golkonda and that their work in the Deccan had reached its completion. In the pardonable hyperbole of the Court historian, "The merry music of victory resounded through the sky...... Peace and security were restored. Disorder sank down, Satan was chained." (M.A. 320.) Ten thousand Rupees were immediately sent by the Emperor to the tomb of the saint of Kulbarga for distribution as a thanks-offering.
v4.c69.s6.7
∗ According to Khafi Khan Shambhuji had rapidly shaved off his hair and beard smeared himself with ashes and put on the disguise of a sannyasi but he was recognised by the necklace of pearls he wore under his dress and the gold rings round the fetlocks of his horse I have followed the account of the official history (M A) based on contemporary records
v4.c69.s6.8
On 15th February the imperial camp reached Bahadurgarh, when the captives were brought there, under guard of Hamid-ud-din Khan. By the Emperor's orders, the oppressor of the Deccan was made a mark of public ridicule. Four miles outside the encampment, Shambhuji and Kavi-kalash were dressed as buffoons with long fool's caps and bells placed on their heads, mounted on camels, and brought to Bahadurgarh with drums beating and trumpets pealing. Hundreds of thousands of spectators lined the roads, to gaze at Shambhuji as at a new kind of wild beast or demon. Thus degraded, the captives were slowly paraded through the entire camp and finally brought to the Emperor who was sitting in full darbar for the occasion. At the sight of the prisoner, Aurangzib descended from his throne and kneeling down on the carpet bowed his head to the ground in double thankfulness to the Giver of this crowning victory.* After he had looked at them, the captives were removed to prison.
v4.c69.s6.9
"The night before the arrival of Shambhuji nobody slept in the expectation of seeing the grand spectacle; and the day following was a veritable Id or day of universal rejoicing." (M.A. 322.)
v4.c69.s6.10
According to one account (K. K. ii. 388), some of the Emperor's counsellors wanted to spare Shambhuji's life and thus induce him to order his officers to surrender all his forts peacefully. Ishwardas (156 a) says that Ruhullah Khan was sent by Aurangzib to learn from Shambhuji where he kept his treasures hidden and which of the imperial officers used to correspond with him. Fretting with bitterness of soul at being publicly insulted and now driven to despair, Shambhuji spurned at the offer of life, loosened his tongue in abuse of the Emperor and his Prophet, and scurrilously asked for one of Aurangzib's daughters to be given to him as the price of his friendship. The envoy without daring to report such a speech, sent only a hint about its nature to the Emperor.
v4.c69.s6.11
∗ K. K. (388) narrates a tradition that when Aurangzib was thus praying, Kavi kalash addressed impromptu Hindi verses to Shambhuji saying, "O Rajah! even Aurangzib dare not sit on the throne in thy presence, but must kneel to do thee homage!" Ishwardas (155b) says that Shambhuji refused to bow to the Emperor, though urged to do so.
v4.c69.s6.12
The Maratha Rajah had sinned beyond hope of pardon. That very night his eyes were blinded and next day the tongue of Kavi-kalash was cut out. (M. A. 323.) The Muhammadan theologians pronounced a decree that Shambhuji should be put to death on account of his having "slain captured and dishonoured Muslims and plundered the cities of Islam." The Emperor, seeing no chance of getting anything out of Shambhuji, consented to his death. After undergoing a fortnight of torture and insult, the captives were removed with the imperial camp to Koregaon, on the bank of the Bhima, 12 m. n. e. of Puna, (on 3rd March), and there they were put to a cruel and painful death on 11th March, their limbs being hacked off one by one, (M. A. 325; Ish. 156 b) and their flesh thrown to the dogs. (Storia, ii. 311.) Their severed heads were stuffed with straw and exhibited in all the chief cities of the Deccan to the accompaniment of drum and trumpet. (K. K. ii. 389; Ish. 156 b.)
v4.c69.s6.13
The captor of Shambhuji was rewarded with the title of Khan-i-Zaman Bahadur Fath Jang, a cash gift of Rs. 50,000, a suit of royal robes, horses, elephants, jewelled arms, and promotion to the rank of a 7-hazari. His son Ikhlas Khan was created a 5-*hazari* and Khan-i-Alam. All other officers of the expedition were promoted. (M.A. 324.)