14/05/2026
Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, the eldest son of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, was born on May 14, 1657, at Purandar Fort. Known as "Chhava" (lion’s cub), he was the second Chhatrapati of the Maratha Empire and is revered as a "Dharmaveer" for his supreme sacrifice to protect Hindavi Swarajya and his faith. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]
Unwavering Sacrifice and Martyrdom [1]
Capture & Torture: In February 1689, Sambhaji Maharaj was captured by the Mughal forces of Aurangzeb at Sangameshwar.
Refusal to Convert: Aurangzeb, determined to crush Maratha resistance, demanded that Sambhaji surrender his forts, disclose the state treasury, and convert to Islam.
40 Days of Torture: Despite enduring brutal torture for over 40 days—which included blinding, peeling of skin, and tearing out his tongue—Sambhaji Maharaj refused to abandon his religion or surrender his Swarajya.
Final Moments: On March 11, 1689, at Tulapur on the banks of the Bhima River, he was brutally executed by beheading, but he remained defiant until his final breath. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]
Legacy
His sacrifice did not break the Maratha spirit, but instead ignited a fierce, renewed resistance that led to the decline of the Mughal Empire in the Deccan. [1, 2]
