Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj was the eldest son of the legendary Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, born on 14 May 1657 at Purandar Fort. Since his early years, Sambhaji was cozy with the principles of Swarajya, including self-rule, dignity, and resistance to oppression. He was brought up by Rajmata Jijabai after his early demise, Saibai, and taught a sense of duty, discipline, and devotion to the cause of the Maratha.

Martyrdom That Shook an Empire

The populace has had a negative image of Sambhaji Maharaj as merely a ruthless fighter, but the historical records document him as a very well-educated and intellectually endowed ruler He knew a number of languages, which included Sanskrit, Marathi, Persian, and Hindi. Sambhaji Maharaj was a prolific Sanskrit author who wrote works of scholarly interests like Budhbhushanam, a book on the subject of politics and governance and Nakhshikhant. Education had turned him into a sword and a script-the most formidable in battle and speech.

Relentless Defender of Swarajya

In the year 1680, the Maratha Empire had to deal with both internal and external conspiracies after the death of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. Sambhaji Maharaj came to the throne amidst the high political intrigue in 1681. The Mughal Empire, led by Emperor Aurangzeb and the Siddis, Portuguese, and other enemies, all immediately offered their opposition to his reign. However, Sambhaji Maharaj could not surrender Maratha sovereignty; instead, he opted to give it back.

Ascension to the Maratha Throne

Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj directed a series of military operations that enabled him to repel the Mughal army, which was much superior in numbers to the Maratha territories. His tactics of guerrilla war worsened the Mughal resources and morale. The inability of Aurangzeb to conquer Sambhaji and the Marathas contributed to his long Deccan invasion that took more than two decades. The leadership of Sambhaji Maharaj had made sure that the fire of Swarajya did not go off even in the face of tremendous challenges.

Scholar, Poet, and Polyglot

Sambhaji Maharaj was later taken captive in 1689 because of betrayal. Aurangzeb tried to compel him to change his faith and give up the Maratha forts. Sambhaji Maharaj strongly rejected this and preferred being dead than to be disgraced. He was tortured and hanged on 11 March 1689. The martyrdom he died with caused shockwaves all through the subcontinent and turned him into a symbol of uncompromising courage and belief.

The Warrior Prince Born to Rule

The sacrifice of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj did not weaken the Marathas but rather started a burning rebirth. The Maratha Empire grew exponentially under the new leaders, later on threatening the supremacy of the Mughals. Sambhaji Maharaj is remembered today not only as a warrior king but as a scholar, patriot, and martyr who defended dharma, freedom, and self-respect till his last gasp of air.