Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, 1657-89

Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj (born in 1657, coronated in 1680, death in 1689) was the second ruler of the Maratha Empire and the son of the legendary Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. A fearless warrior and skilled strategist, he led the Marathas in their resistance against the Mughal Empire, Portuguese, and Siddis. Despite facing immense challenges, he upheld his father’s legacy through relentless military campaigns and unwavering defiance against Aurangzeb. His capture, brutal torture, and execution by the Mughals turned him into a martyr, inspiring generations with his courage and sacrifice.

Birth and Early Life of Sambhaji

Sambhaji Raje Bhosale was born on 14 May 1657 at Fort Purandar in present day Pune, Maharashtra. Sambhaji’s was the eldest son of the legendary Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and his first wife Saibai. When Sambhaji was 2 years old, his mother Saibai after a brief illness died on 5 September 1659. After the death of his mother he was brought up by his grandmother Jijabai, mother of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.

Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj second wife was Soyrabai with whom they had a son, Rajaram.

Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and Conflict with Mughals

The Marathas were in direct conflict with Mughals. In 1665, Mughal ruler Aurangzeb sent his Rajput general Jai Singh I in their fight against Marathas. In mid-1665, Mughal general Jai Singh I besieged the fort of Purandar held by Maratha ruler Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and compelled the latter to come in terms with Mughals. As a result, on 11 June 1665 Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj signed Treaty of Purandar with Mughal general Jai Singh I.

Treaty of Purandar, 11 June 1665

The treaty was signed between Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj and Mughal general Jai Singh I of Amber. The terms of the Treaty were:

• 1. Shivaji gave up 23 forts, including Purandar, Lohagad, Kondana, and Tikona, to the Mughals.
• 2. Shivaji to keep the remaining 12 forts for himself.
• 3. Shivaji paid 400,000 gold hun (also known as pagodas) to the Mughals.
• 4. Shivaji agreed to become a vassal of the Mughal empire.
• 5. Shivaji was required to sent his son Sambhaji and 5,000 horsemen to fight for the Mughals in the Deccan and become a Mughal mansabdar.

Sambhaji, who was a child of 9 years, was taken as a political prisoner by the Mughal general Jai Singh I to ensure compliance with the treaty.

Shivaji at Mughal Court at Agra in 1666 and his Escape from Agra

In 1666, Mughal ruler summoned Shivaji and his son Sambhaji to attend the Mughal court in Agra. On 12 May 1666, Shivaji Maharaj and Sambhaji attended the Mughal court at Agra. In the Mughal court Shivaji was made to stand at court alongside relatively low-ranking nobles which offended Shivaji and he left the court. Aurangzeb put both of them under house arrest under Ram Singh, son of Jai Singh I. However on 17 August 1666, Shivaji his son Sambhaji hatched a plan and escaped and left Agra.

Shivaji Peace with the Mughals, 1666-70

After Shivaji’s escape from Agra, with the intervention of Mughal general Jaswant Singh, the hostilities between Shivaji and Mughals gradually decreased. In 1668, Aurangzeb agreed and also conferred the title of Raja on Shivaji. Sambhaji was restored as Mughal mansabdar with 5,000 horses. Shivaji sent Sambhaji to serve Prince Mu’azzam, the Mughal viceroy in Aurangabad and the second son of Aurangzeb. Sambhaji was also granted territory in Berar for revenue collection.

Reconquest by Shivaji, and His Coronation, 1674

By 1670, while Aurganzeb was occupied in fighting the Afghans, Shivaji expanded and strengthened his army. He also regained most of the forts surrendered as part of Treaty of Purandar. Raigadh fort was rebuilt and was made capital of the Maratha kingdom.

On 6 June 1674, Shivaji was crowned king of the Maratha with the title of Chhatrapati, in a lavish ceremony at Raigad by Gaga Bhatt, priest from Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh. He also took the title of Haindava Dharmodhhaarak (protector of the Hindu faith). Twelve days after the coronation, on 18 June 1674, Shivaji’s mother Jijabai, died. Therefore on 24 September 1674, Shivaji took his second coronation.

Confinement of Sambhaji, 1678

The relations between Sambhaji and his father Shivaji became complicated. Shivaji confined Sambhaji in Panhala Fort in Kolhapur. However, Sambhaji escaped from the fort and defected towards Mughals for almost an year.

Shivaji Death, April 1680 and Succession Issue

Shivaji died on 3 April 1680 at the age of 50. After the death of Shivaji, his second wife Soyarabai hatched plans to crown her 10-year old son Rajaram. When Shivaji died, Sambhaji was still held captive at Panhala fort. Sambhaji with the help of some ministers escaped from Panhala fort and took control of Raigadh fort.

Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, 1680-89

Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj formally ascended the throne on 20 July 1680 as Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj. Soyarabai was captured and executed. Rajaram and his wife Janki Bai were imprisoned.

Military expeditions of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj

1. Conflict with the Mughal Empire (1681–1689)

Aurangzeb’s Invasion and Maratha Resistance: 
The Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb launched a full-scale invasion of the Deccan in 1681, aiming to crush the Marathas. Sambhaji Maharaj, despite limited resources, effectively resisted the mighty Mughal army using guerrilla warfare and strategic fort defenses.

Battle of Burhanpur (1681)
One of Sambhaji’s earliest military successes was the plundering of Burhanpur, an important Mughal city and trade hub. This raid demonstrated his ability to strike deep into enemy territory, causing significant economic and logistical damage to the Mughal administration. The Marathas looted vast amounts of wealth and disrupted Aurangzeb’s supply chains.

Defensive Campaigns in the Deccan
From 1681 to 1689, Sambhaji continuously harassed Mughal forces through lightning-fast raids, fortifying strongholds like Raigad, Panhala, and Vishalgad. His ability to regroup and counter Mughal advances frustrated Aurangzeb, who found himself trapped in an unending conflict.

2. Conflict with the Portuguese (1683–1684)

Goa Expedition (1683)
The Portuguese, controlling Goa and its surrounding territories, were a significant power in western India. They had earlier engaged in diplomatic and trade relations with the Marathas but later sided with the Mughals. Sambhaji launched an invasion of Goa in 1683, capturing multiple Portuguese outposts.

Portuguese Retreat & Treaty
Facing Maratha aggression, the Portuguese sought assistance from the Mughals and avoided a direct confrontation by negotiating a temporary peace. Though the campaign did not result in complete conquest, it weakened Portuguese influence in the region and forced them into a defensive stance.

3. War Against the Siddis of Janjira (1682–1688)

Strategic Importance of Janjira
The Siddis of Janjira, a powerful naval force backed by the Mughals, controlled key coastal territories and posed a threat to Maratha naval ambitions. Sambhaji launched several campaigns to capture Janjira and eliminate this strategic threat.

Siege of Janjira (1682–1683)
Sambhaji’s army besieged Janjira but faced difficulties due to its formidable fortifications and naval support from the Mughals and the British. Despite multiple attempts, Janjira remained unconquered, though Marathas weakened Siddi influence in the Konkan region.

4. Conflict with the English East India Company

Maratha-English Trade Disputes
The English East India Company had commercial interests in western India, and disputes arose over trade routes and Maratha-controlled ports. Though Sambhaji did not engage in large-scale battles with the British, there were instances of naval skirmishes and trade disruptions.

Sambhaji Maharaj’s military expeditions reflect his strategic foresight, resilience, and ability to challenge formidable adversaries. Despite facing an empire as vast as the Mughals, he managed to sustain the Maratha resistance for nearly a decade. His campaigns against the Portuguese and Siddis showcased his ambition to establish Maratha dominance over the western coast.

Also  read: Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj death

However, his eventual capture in 1689 marked a tragic end to his military career. Despite this, his military campaigns laid the groundwork for the eventual success of the Marathas under later leaders like Chhatrapati Rajaram and Peshwa Bajirao. From a historical perspective, Sambhaji Maharaj remains a warrior-king whose expeditions shaped the future of the Maratha Empire and Indian history.

Sources:

Shivaji and His Times by Jadunath Sarkar published by Manohar Books in 2025
Shivaji: The Great Maratha by Ranjit Desai published by Harper Perennial in 2017
The Life and Death of Sambhaji by Medha Deshmukh Bhaskaran published by Penguin in 2021
Sambhaji by Vishwas Patil, translated by Vikrant Pande published by Eka in 2022