Shivaji Maharaj Jayanti 2023:Tanaji: Shivaji' Maharaj's Brave Army Commander Who Died Unsung

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Subedar Taanaji Malusare was a brave commander in chief, a selfless friend, a reliable confidant, a favourite childhood buddy, and a pillar of support, who meant the world to Shivaji Maharaj. Always together through thick and thin, they had grown up more or less like twins, shared the joys and sorrows of life, planned their first conquest and won, and continued with their war victories, sharpened guerilla tactics, spent endless hours in planning the strategies, and just did everything that worked well to bring about Hindu rejuvenation. He rose to an iconic status with the valour and resilience he displayed in the Battle of Singhagad in 1670 against Mughal fort keeper Udaybhan Rathore.

The Treaty Of Purandar

In 1665, Shivaji had to sign the treaty of Purandar with Mughas which meant handing away the Maratha Fort Kondhana to the Mughals. Kondhana was an important and strategic place that was very well fortified. After the treaty, the fort was heavily guarded by Rajput, Arab and Pathan troops night and day to ensure safety. Jai Singh the Mughal army chief had appointed the very capable Udaybhan Rathore for this job.

Rajmata Jijabai's Fury

Shivasji's mother Rajmata Jijabai was furious that she had to compromise with Mughals and decided to get back the fort at any cost. It seemed like an impossible conquest that Shivaji had to embark upon. At that moment, he could recall only Tanaji, his right hand man, who was the only heroic force who could fulfil this. Tanaji, without blinking an eyelid, carried out the royal instructions and marched with his 1000 mavals and reached the fort in 1670 February. For a moment he had forgotten that he had his own sons wedding to be performed on the same day.

Tanaji's Preparations For The War

Tanaji also had planned to bring his favourite pet Ghorpad, which was a great help to him during his guerilla warfare times. The job of Ghorpad was to cling on to the top of the hill with a rope tied to it so that Tanaji could climb using the rope and reach the top of the hill. This fort had two doors, one well protected and the other, that was opposite the deep cliff with no guards. Tanaji ordered his Ghorpad to climb up and start moving. Somehow, this time, the Ghorpad fell totally silent and resisted fiercely despite nudging him several times. Finally, after Tanaji flashed his sword and threatened the Ghorpad, the unwilling pet climbed upwards and clung to the hillfort. Tanaji and his warriors climbed up one by one and headed towards the other door of the fort.

The Clash Of The Titans

Maratha attack, however, was outwitted quickly by the enemy forces who surrounded them in no time. But Tanaji had an attitude that was bigger than the situation and the enemy army. Udaybhan was almost a 7 footer, huge and massive, gifted with martial skills, whom Tanaji had pitted himself against for hours together in sword fight till his body gave up and collapsed to a warrior's death. Their gory fight has been written in history as one of the best sights that a warrior can ever get to see in his lifetime. What a heroic end!

After The Victory

Sight of his lifeless body was enough for the rest of Shivajis warriors who thundered into the fort, under the leadership of his brother Suryaji Malsure, pulverized the enemy army and Udaybhan, won their battle, and marched back towards their Fort. Tanaji's lifeless body, and the Vijay Dhwaj were carried side by side back to Shivaji's fort where Tanaji had served his entire lifetime. His deathly silence conveyed to Shivaji that the mission was accomplished.

Tanaji's bravery went unsung and uncelebrated due to obvious reasons. The only soul in this world who had not left Shivaji even one moment, in times of his grief and happiness, had now left him forever. The heroic journey was completed and the brutal realization filled Shivaji with a remorse. Submerged in grief, Shivaji renamed the fort as Singh gad (lions fort) and noted sadly that "Gad ala pan Sinha gela" which meant "The fort has come but the Lion is gone." There is no better way one could describe the celestial bond that these two bosom friends shared better than the above statement. He was a warrior with a touch of saintliness, and a saint with a fervor of a warrior. He was a role model, both ways, no doubt.