While Aurangzeb saw Sambhaji as a rebellious upstart, Sambhaji remains immortalized in Indian history as a martyr who refused to bow before tyranny. His defiance and sacrifice fueled the Maratha resurgence, which ultimately led to the decline of the Mughal Empire.
This article provides an in-depth, unbiased exploration of their conflict—tracing the events that led to Sambhaji’s capture, his heroic resistance, and his tragic execution, as well as the long-term consequences of Aurangzeb’s policies.
1. The Historical Backdrop: Mughal-Maratha Rivalry
The seeds of the Aurangzeb-Sambhaji conflict were sown decades before Sambhaji’s birth. It all began with Shivaji Maharaj (1630–1680), the founder of the Maratha Empire, who challenged Mughal dominance and established an independent kingdom in the Deccan region.
1.1 Aurangzeb’s Obsession with the Deccan
Aurangzeb had always viewed the Deccan region as an unfinished chapter in Mughal expansion. His father, Emperor Shah Jahan, had struggled to conquer the Deccan kingdoms, and Aurangzeb, during his tenure as Viceroy of the Deccan (1636–1644, 1652–1658), had developed a personal hatred for the Marathas, whom he saw as a thorn in the Mughal Empire’s side.
1.2 Shivaji vs. Aurangzeb: The First Major Clash
- In 1666, Aurangzeb attempted to imprison Shivaji in Agra, but the Maratha warrior escaped in a daring plan, humiliating the Mughal emperor.
- After two decades of battles, Shivaji expanded his empire and was officially crowned Chhatrapati (King) in 1674, marking the formal beginning of the Maratha Empire.
- By the time Shivaji passed away in 1680, he had laid the foundation for a powerful, independent Hindu kingdom, something Aurangzeb could not tolerate.
After Shivaji’s death, Aurangzeb saw an opportunity to crush the Marathas by exploiting the power struggle between Shivaji’s sons—Sambhaji and Rajaram. But Sambhaji emerged victorious and took charge as the second Chhatrapati in 1681.
Thus began the epic confrontation between Sambhaji Maharaj and Aurangzeb.
2. The Rise of Sambhaji Maharaj: A Fearless Warrior
2.1 Sambhaji’s Military Leadership and Early Raids
- Unlike his father, who sometimes preferred diplomacy, Sambhaji was an aggressive warrior.
- He launched raids deep into Mughal territories, including the famous attack on Burhanpur (1681), where his army plundered the Mughal treasury, delivering a massive blow to Aurangzeb’s prestige.
- He also allied with the Portuguese, British, and Siddis of Janjira, making him a formidable force in the region.
2.2 Aurangzeb’s Response: The Imperial Court Moves to the Deccan
Infuriated by Sambhaji’s continued resistance, Aurangzeb personally shifted his imperial court to the Deccan in 1681, determined to end the Maratha threat once and for all.
- For nearly eight years, Aurangzeb commanded his massive armies against Sambhaji, but the Maratha guerrilla tactics frustrated his forces.
- Despite Aurangzeb’s superior numbers and resources, he failed to capture major Maratha strongholds.
Sambhaji’s unyielding resistance forced Aurangzeb to spend the last two decades of his life fighting a losing war in the Deccan, ultimately leading to the Mughal Empire’s downfall.
3. The Capture of Sambhaji (1689): Betrayal and Treachery
Despite his military brilliance, Sambhaji was betrayed by his own nobles, leading to his capture.
3.1 The Ambush at Sangameshwar
- In early 1689, while resting at Sangameshwar, Sambhaji was ambushed by Mughal forces led by Muqarrab Khan.
- He and his close aide, Kavi Kalash, were captured, bound in chains, and brought before Aurangzeb.
- Sambhaji was publicly humiliated—his clothes were stripped, and he was paraded in front of Mughal troops as a warning to all rebels.
3.2 Aurangzeb’s Offer: Convert or Die
Once before Aurangzeb, Sambhaji was given two choices:
- Convert to Islam and accept Mughal rule.
- Face a brutal execution.
Sambhaji refused to bow down, showing unshakable defiance. According to Marathi sources, he insulted Aurangzeb, calling him a cowardly ruler who oppressed his own people in the name of religion.
Aurangzeb, enraged by Sambhaji’s fearless resistance, ordered a horrific execution.
4. The Brutal Execution of Sambhaji Maharaj (1689)
Aurangzeb wanted to set an example—he did not just want Sambhaji dead; he wanted his death to strike fear into the hearts of the Marathas.
4.1 The Inhumane Torture
- Sambhaji was tortured for several days in an attempt to break his spirit.
- His eyes were gouged out, and his tongue was cut off so he could not speak.
- His limbs were hacked off, piece by piece.
- Finally, on March 11, 1689, he was beheaded at Tulapur, and his body was thrown into a river.
4.2 The Maratha Reaction: A Martyr is Born
Instead of instilling fear, Sambhaji’s execution enraged the Maratha people. Local Marathas retrieved his body and secretly cremated him, vowing revenge.
- His younger brother, Rajaram Maharaj, took charge and continued the fight.
- The Marathas regrouped and launched a decade-long guerrilla war.
- By 1707, the Marathas had weakened the Mughal Empire, paving the way for their eventual dominance over India.
5. The Long-Term Impact: Aurangzeb’s Greatest Mistake
5.1 Aurangzeb’s Strategic Failure
- Sambhaji’s execution did not end the Maratha resistance—it strengthened it.
- Aurangzeb spent the last 20 years of his life fighting a war he could never win.
- His policies alienated Hindu rulers, leading to Mughal decline.
5.2 The Rise of the Marathas
- By 1750, the Marathas had become the dominant power in India, surpassing the Mughals.
- By 1857, the last Mughal emperor, Bahadur Shah Zafar, was merely a British puppet.
6. Conclusion: A Defining Chapter in Indian History
The struggle between Aurangzeb and Sambhaji Maharaj was a turning point in Indian history.
- Aurangzeb’s obsession with destroying the Marathas backfired.
- Sambhaji’s martyrdom inspired future generations, leading to the eventual downfall of the Mughals.
Today, Sambhaji Maharaj is celebrated as a fearless hero, while Aurangzeb is often remembered as the emperor who destroyed his own empire.