Amber Jayanti

Sambhaji, son of Shivaji and the second Chhatrapati of the Maratha Empire, ruled from 1681 to 1689. His reign was marked by continuous warfare against the Mughal Empire under Aurangzeb, as well as conflicts with other regional powers. Early in his life, Sambhaji experienced periods of political hostage and house arrest with his father under the Mughals, even briefly defecting to them. His ascension to the throne followed his father's death amidst conspiracies by some Maratha nobles. Sambhaji's rule saw military expeditions, such as the plundering of Burhanpur, and internal purges to counter plots against him. Despite facing external pressures and internal dissent, he continued his father's administrative systems and encouraged agricultural development. Sambhaji was also a scholar who authored works in Sanskrit. His reign ended with his capture and execution by Mughal forces in 1689, leading to his martyrdom and continued popularity among some groups.

Born the eldest son of Shivaji, the founder of the Maratha Empire, Sambhaji's early life was intertwined with political maneuvering. At the age of nine, he was given as a political hostage to the Mughal Empire to ensure his father's adherence to the Treaty of Purandar. He later accompanied his father to Agra, where both were placed under house arrest by Emperor Aurangzeb before managing to escape. Following his father's return, Sambhaji was confined at Panhala Fort, with theories suggesting this was due to alleged personal behavior or transgressions. He later briefly defected to the Mughal Empire, serving under Diler Khan and even fighting against his father's forces, before eventually returning to the Maratha side.

Sambhaji ascended the throne in 1681 after his father's death, facing immediate and sustained conflict with the Mughal Empire. His rule was largely defined by ongoing wars against Aurangzeb's vast forces, alongside engagements with other powers like the Siddi of Janjira and the Portuguese in Goa. Early in his reign, Maratha forces under Sambhaji disrupted Mughal supply lines and conducted raids. He also took decisive action against internal threats, executing influential figures after uncovering plots to poison him. By the mid-1680s, Mughal advances began to reclaim Maratha strongholds, and desertions became more frequent. Sambhaji's tactics, such as burning villages to deny supplies to the Portuguese, alienated some Maratha landowners.

Beyond his military and political activities, Sambhaji was also a scholar. He authored several works in Sanskrit and Hindustani, including the political treatise 'Budhbhushanam'. Despite his moderate administrative and military successes, historians often view his reign negatively, citing personal issues and war crimes committed by his soldiers, which included atrocities against civilians. Sambhaji implemented drought relief measures and supported agricultural development, continuing his father's administrative framework. His brutal torture and execution by the Mughals elevated his status to that of a martyr, and he remains a popular figure in modern India, particularly among Hindu nationalists. His son, Shahu I, later succeeded him as Chhatrapati.