Treaty of Purandar

One of the most important and significant story of Maratha Swarajya.

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When the fight between Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and Mughal was at its peak, Aurangzeb sent Mirza Raja Jai Singh down south to sort the issue by talk, battle, or any means possible. Raja Jai Singh was a clever man and resort mostly to diplomatic solution rather than violence as he was not particularly fan of it. But knowing the Maratha’s he knew that before talk there will be a battle with them. He strategically chose Purandar fort and laid a siege. Diler khan his second in command started heavy bombarding’s of cannons on the walls of Purandar, however their build was very strong and sturdy. Khan understood that, if he wants the advantage, then he had to capture the neighboring fort first. After 15 days of battle, khan captured the Vajragad, which helped him in bringing down the outer walls of Purandar. Murar Baji Deshpande a Maratha general and fort’s commandant decided to attack with some 700 selected soldiers. As Mughal forces were ascending towards the inner part of the fort (balekilla) marathas attacked them from all sides. A severe close combat battle was fought then. Even though heavily outnumbered, Maratha warriors showed a never seen valor and skills. 500 Pathans and Bahila infantrymen were slain by Murar Baji and his men in the first attack. But Mughal forces were ten times the Maratha, every single of them fight till last breath. Murar Baji fought so fiercely, courageously and tremendously, khan astonished by him stopped his men for a moment. So much impressed by his skills, khan asked Murar baji to join his side and offered a post and money. As every other Maratha Murar Baji was loyal and dedicated to Shivaji Maharaj and Hindavi Swarajya, not just that the offer made him so much more furious, he refused indignantly. And marched towards khan who was few yards away with anger, khan shot the arrow that killed him. Diler khan praised the lord for creating this warrior.

After the death of Murar baji Mughal forces advanced to the inner fort where other Maratha fighters retreated, and families were taking shelter. Shivaji Maharaj understood that the fall of his general means fall of the fort and to avoid further loss of Maratha forces and their families he agreed for the peace talk. Jai Singh came with the five terms agreement.

1.      Shivaji Maharaj had to give up his 23 forts, which include Purandar, Rudramal, Kondana, Karnala, Lohagad, Isagad, Tung, Tikona, Rohida fort, Nardurga, Mahuli, Bhandardurga, Palaskhol, Rupgad, Bakhtgad, Morabkhan, Manikgad (Raigad), Saroopgad, Sagargad, Marakgad, Ankola, Songad, and Mangad.

2.      Shivaji Maharaj kept twelve forts and an area worth an income of 1 lakh huns.

3.      Shivaji Maharaj had to help Mughals when necessary.

4.      Shivaji Maharaj's son Sambhaji was tasked with the command of a 5,000-strong force to fight for Mughals as Mansabdar.

5.      If Shivaji Maharaj wanted to claim the Konkan area under Bijapur's control, he would have to pay 4 million (40 lakh) hons to the Mughals.

Shivaji Maharaj also agreed to visit Agra and meet Aurangzeb.

Jai Singh allowed 7000 people including 4000 Maratha soldiers to come out of the Purandar.

Later, Shivaji Maharaj did visit Agra. There, in Aurangzeb’s court, he had the infamous eye-to-eye confrontation with Aurangzeb. After that, he was put on house arrest. However, he escaped right under their noses, never to be defeated again. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj a great visionary, master strategist and clever diplomat ruled throughout his life aggressively. Treaty of Purandar is considered as one of the very few times he had taken the soft spot. Suitable to his nature, Shivaji Maharaj soon then started a campaign to take back the forts lost in the Treaty.