Know About The Marathas: Sambhaji Raje Bhosale
Updated: Dec 6, 2025, 19:51 IST
The history of the Maratha Empire of India is marked by the courage and sacrifice of its rulers. One of the less understood yet brilliant warriors was Chhatrapati Sambhaji Raje Bhosale. Sambhaji Maharaj, a rigid person with unwavering loyalty to Swaraj, was a characterful individual who played a historic role in ensuring that the dream his father, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, had created was not lost. This paper discusses the life, trial, and heritage of this heroic king of the Marathas, whose life is worth knowing and emulating.
Early Life: Born to Lead
Shivaji Maharaj and Saibai had a son, Sambhaji Raje Bhosale, who was born on 14 May 1657 at Purandar Fort. He had been educated at a tender age in war, administration, diplomacy, as well as in Sanskrit studies. He was also reputed to have a great memory and intelligence and was considered a scholar who was able to learn many languages, among which Sanskrit was his first language, followed by Hindi, Marathi, and Persian. Despite his early life at a time when there was a political complication and also when he was held captive by the Mughals, Sambhaji Maharaj was a strong and willful person.
Ascension to the Throne
Sambhaji Raje was the second fortune bearer of the Maratha Empire after the demise of Shivaji Maharaj in 1680. His first reign was full of difficulties, such as internal plots and the increasing danger of Mughal expansion by Emperor Aurangzeb. Sambhaji Maharaj was fast and restructured the rule and reinforced military plans to defend Maratha lands.
Warrior Against the Mughal Onslaught
Sambhaji Maharaj is also remembered as having fearlessly fought against the huge military invasion waged by Aurangzeb. He was the leader of the Maratha forces against the Mughal Empire for almost nine years, and the Mughal Empire had unleashed enormous resources to suppress the Maratha power. His tactics, such as guerrilla warfare, defense of forts, and speedy cavalry strikes, caused large regions of casualties to the Mughals.
He was able to protect important forts such as Raigad and make sure that the influence of the Maratha was distributed throughout the Deccan. His valor on the battlefield made him earn the name Dharmaveer, meaning his devotion to the cause of defending Dharma and the sovereignty of his subjects.
Martyrdom: A Sacrifice Never Forgotten
In 1689, Mughal troops took Sambhaji Maharaj by deceit. He never joined the other faith, and even in extreme torture, he did not give in to advising Maratha secrets. His early demise at the age of 32 was one of the most heroic sacrifices in the history of the Indians. His martyrdom sparked a greater Maratha action, which eventually reduced the Mughal power in the later years.
Legacy of a True Maratha Hero
Sambhaji Raje Bhosale is remembered today as a person who was courageous, devoted, and never ashamed. His leadership prepared the groundwork for the eventual defeat of the Mughals by the Marathas, and his sacrifice is inspiring to the generations. History does not give him due recognition, but he is one of the most courageous kings of India, who preferred honor to life and freedom to fear.