Now I will explain why Sinhagad capture was important in the grander scale of things.
A flutter of a butterfly creates a storm halfway around the globe.
A flutter of a butterfly creates a storm halfway around the globe.
After losing 23 forts to Aurangzeb , Shivaji laid low. Spent his time rebuilding. Also spent a year escaping from Agra and reaching Rajgad.
Sinhagad is a very important and strategic fort. Stone's throw from capital Rajgad , guarding the important route from Kalyan to Pune as well as Pune itslef.
As late as 1800s , British were busy asking for Sinhagad and Purandar from Bajirao II . Aurangzeb called it " Bakshidabaksh " (Gift from God) . So it was no minor place.
Yes , we have benefit of hindsight , but the process which culminates with the Battle of Salher , starts exactly two years previous with the ouster of Uday Bhan from Sinhagad.
" Shook Mughal Empire " is open to various interpretations. But it's capture eventually facilitated the capture of Salher , Battle of Vani Dindori , second raid of Surat , successful defense of Salher .. loss of entire Baglan region for Aurangzeb.
Yes it was very much a "surgical strike". Tanaji was outnumbered , also was at a height disadvantage. Probably would have caused a swift attack on Rajgad if we lost etc etc.
Interesting to note , that in the six months following the capture of Sinhagad , Lohagad , Purandar and Mahuli all fell. All had been Mughal forts since the treaty.
A loss at Sinhagad , re strategizing by Shivaji , a different outcome of our history , who knows ?
A loss at Sinhagad , re strategizing by Shivaji , a different outcome of our history , who knows ?
Like the raid of Surat , Sinhagad showed that Mughal generals could be fought and defeated. It was not an invincible force.
Jijamata winning a chess game and asking for Sinhagad is probably folk lore , but selecting Tanaji for the job was no accident.
It was a daring commando style raid that led to victory and Tanaji was martyred in the process. Diler Khan's success had been a huge Psychological blow , Tanaji's success restored the balance.
So did the capture of Sinhagad eventually dent the largest empire.. yes.
In short
*Sinhagad was in Feb 1670
*Sinhagad was in Feb 1670
Two years later (1674) Shivaji Maharaj was crowned the Chhatrapati. 300 years of inertia was pushed back.
Do you think with Sinhagad etc under Mughals it would be possible ?
Do you think with Sinhagad etc under Mughals it would be possible ?
Let us consider a hypothetical scenario where Tanaji fails. It wud directly bring into question Shivaji Maharaj's planning ,strategizing. Moreover , it would mean Shivaji had lost against Diler Khan and now he has lost against Uday Bhan too. Nothing succeeds like victory
Perspective.
Indeed victories at Purnadar , Lohagad , Mahuli equally important. But Sinhagad did not have a precedent. Chhatrapati Shivaji was shooting blind.
Indeed victories at Purnadar , Lohagad , Mahuli equally important. But Sinhagad did not have a precedent. Chhatrapati Shivaji was shooting blind.
Also the campaign (which ended at Salher) was partly in reaction to the demolition of Kashi Visheswar temple in Benares. But nevermind , we will continue blabbering how Shivaji was fighting for his kingdom , not for Hindus.
