Thread by @varadadya

#StoryTime

Today lets learn something about "Baherji Naik" (Head of Intelligence Department of Chattapati Shivaji Maharajs Army). In Marathi his department was called as "Guptaher Khaata", which loosely translates to Intelligence Department.

Bahirji Naik was a PILLAR of a strong intelligence network (possibly the best of that time) working for Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. Around 3000 Soldiers (Mavlas) worked in this Intelligence unit and Bahirji Naik was head of all.

Without the contribution of this "Guptaher KHaata", the long standing dream of SWARAJYA would not have been achieved. Bahirji Naik, was the foundation of every war strategy prepared by Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.

This "Guptaher Khata" (IB) had the toughest of all jobs. They had to penetrate Enemy army and mingle amongst them. They had to collect information on Enemy movements, their important places, their important people, their ammunition strengths and their strategy.

Information is the key to any war strategy and Bahirji Naik was the one assigned with this job. Naik slowly built an army of Informants. Naik himself was a master in disguise. Naik would often disguise himself and get into the army of enemy to collect information.

Being a Master strategist himself, Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj was known to spend a lot on this "Guptaher Khaata".

Chatrapati often consulted Naik for expert advice. Such was the trust amongst the two gentlement, Chatrapati would call Naik as his "Third Eye".

Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj had taken a vow in Rayreshwar Temple, that he will dedicate his entire life and every ounce of blood in creation of a HINDAVI SWARAJAYA.

From the date of this Vow till his end of life. Bahirji Naik was a constant pillar of Support.

As said earlier Bahirji Naik would easily disguise himself and gain entry in enemy camp. He was a master in this skill.

He was such a master of disguise that in his later part of life, he ran a training camp for other Mavlas and he would teach the skill of disguising.

Bahirji Naik had a good knowledge of Hindi and Urdu. He was a smart talker too. Legend says, he would extract information from you and you wouldn't even realise that you have been played.

Soldier, Natya Sangeet Kalakaar, Old Man, Beggar - you name the character and Bahirji Naik would transform himself to that character.

To him, it was an art form and he was a artist.

Delhi sultanate was ruled by Mughal Shahi and Vijapur (in south) was ruled by Adilshahi.

Bahirji would often move around in their den, getting critical information for Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.

Risk was never too small for Bahiriji Naik, he clearly knew that if caught the end result would be Death. Yet he moved around in full confidence and the fact that he was never caught, is a testimony to his skill and hard work.

The Army that Bahirji Naik had built, contained of Informants of highest CHaracter. There was no room for "False Information". Incase if anybody was caught passing "False Information", Bahirji Naik would personally Punish him.
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This Army of Informants would often have a Code Language. One of the "Code Language" was Natya Sangeet.

Tribes in Maharashtra have people moving around Singing for Alms. These tribes are never doubted. Naik and his team of informants would often communicate in Songs.

Village side Marathi, is difficult to decipher to enemy informants and Information hidden as a part of lyrics of a "Folk Song" - was impossible to decode.

These tribes exist till today and their song communication is still a secret.

Similarly there is one more sub-tribe of Mavlas, who were master in Hiking and Trekking in tough terrains.

Most of information, would come on foot. So keeping in mind urgency, one would need brisk travelers as informants.

Bahirji Naiks team was a master at that.

They Trekkers (Soldiers) would know shorter routes and they had expertise in covering distance at the speed of light.

Sahyadri Mountain was Shivaji's Ally and he made best use of it.

Bahirji Naiks disguise game was so strong that often people of Maratha Army wouldn't recognize him (As one of their own).

He would slide in and slide out, of Chatrapatis Darbar and hardly anybody would notice his presence.

Few Soldiers of Maratha Army believed, there is no such person as Bahirji Naik, he is just a LEGEND created by word of mouth.

This misconception helped Naik. Enemy informants would think light of him and this helped Naik have a upper hand on them.

It was BAHIRJI NAIK, that bought information on Afzal Khan and his intentions. A Plan was devised to send a peace message to Afzal Khan.

A Meeting was arranged between Afzal Khan and CHatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, wherein it was agreed that there would be no weapons.

Naik`s Men knew beforehand, Afzal Khan hides a Dagger in his Coat. They kept, CHatrapati informed about it.

If not for many such minute pieces of critical information on Afzal Khan, Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, could not have killed Afzal Khan.

That day, Tiger Claw of Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj tore Afzal Khan apart. Warrior Shivaji, put in his entire strength to bring the 6 foot 7 monster down.

Sambhaji Kavji Kondhalkar, Shivaji's lieutenant and one of the accompanying guards, gave chase and beheaded Afzal Khan.

Later, the strategy to enter Lal Quilla to defeat Shahisti Khan was completely a Brain Child of Bahirji Naik.

He designed a Plan, he planned Entry and Exit routes. He was even part of execution.

It would be safe to call this incident as first SURGICAL STRIKE.

Kartalab Khan, has chosen UMBERKHIND to enter Konkan.

This information was bought to Shivaji by Bahirji Naik.

Battle of Umberkhind ensued, a war that resulted in an insulting loss to Adilshahi.

Lets remember Maratha Mavla Bahirji Naik, with Pride.

It was these soldiers who ensured, our Chatrapati Shivaji Maharajs safety.

Unsung Heroes.