Explained: Why did Uddhav Thackeray say ‘Afzal Khan ki aulaad’ in election campaign?

In 1657, with Shah Jahan ill, Aurangzeb left his post as viceroy of the Deccan and marched north. Shivaji seized the space to expand his ambitions, and in a series of raids across the Konkan and northern areas of the Adil Shahi kingdom, became master of some 40 forts and several prosperous towns in the northern Konkan. The challenge of subduing him was taken up by Bijapur noble Afzal Khan.

THE BUILD-UP

According to Sir Jadunath Sarkar’s authoritative Shivaji and his Times, Afzal Khan put together a force of 10,000 cavalry and marched from Bijapur to Wai, plundering Shivaji’s territory along the way. Shivaji called a council of war at the mountain fort of Pratapgarh, where most of his advisers urged him to make peace.

THE CHOICES

It was a critical moment in Shivaji’s career. Afzal was ruthless and Shivaji knew capitulating would abort his ambitions and reduce him to a vassal of Bijapur. But taking Afzal on would mean closing the door of reconciliation, and risking all that he had won.

THE DREAM

Legend has it that as Shivaji spent a restless night, Goddess Bhawani appeared in a dream and advised him to fight, giving him the protection of her blessings. Next morning, Shivaji sought the counsel of his mother Jijabai, who too blessed him. Shivaji then announced his decision to his war council.

THE MEETING

Afzal was invited for a meeting on November 10, 1659 in a luxurious tent erected on a ledge of the hill below Pratapgarh fort, overlooking the village of Par in the Koyna valley below, where the Bijapur army had camped. He went with two trusted aides, Jeev Mahala and Shambhuji Kavji. His generals Moro Trimbak Pingle and Netaji Palkar were already in the area.

THE PREPARATION

Shivaji wore a coat of armour under his tunic and a steel cap under his turban. On the fingers of his left hand he wore a set of steel claws known as waagh nakh, and up his right sleeve, he concealed a thin dagger called bichhwa.

THE TREACHERY

As Shivaji entered the tent, Afzal spread his arms in an embrace. He was a big man, and Shivaji’s head came up only to his shoulders. Suddenly, Afzal tightened his left arm around Shivaji’s neck, and drawing his long dagger with his right hand, stabbed at Shivaji’s side. The blow was, however, repelled by Shivaji’s armour, who, writes Sir Jadunath, “passed his left arm around the Khan’s waist and tore his bowels open with a blow of the steel claws. Then, with the right hand, he drove the bichhwa into Afzal’s side”.

THE VICTORY

As Afzal staggered, Shivaji ran out, where a hand-to-hand combat began. Jeev Mahala killed Afzal’s swordsman Sayyid Banda, and Shambhuji Kavji cut off Afzal’s head. In the valley, Moro Trimbak and Netaji Palkar attacked the Bijapur army. In three hours, the Marathas put 3,000 to the sword, and snatched 65 elephants, 4,000 horses, 1,200 camels, 2,000 bundles of clothing, and cash and jewellery worth 10 lakh.

THE LEGACY

Wandering bards composed ballads on Shivaji’s victory, which went on to be read as a glorious chapter in the history of the Maratha nation, and the triumph of Hindu resistance against Islamic imperialism. It is an important chapter in the Shiv Sena’s political narrative.