ACUMEN OF CHATRPATI SHIVAJI MAHARAJ

Shivaji was a multi faceted personality. The following episode gives briefly one of his many facets, his uncanny strategic tactical acumen. Adilshah In late 1664 ,Adilshah of Bijapur sent a well equipped and strong force to defeat Shivaji and recapture his lost territories . The army was commanded by general Khawas Khan, the 2nd son of Khan Muhammad who was also a Vazirand Commander -in - Chief of the regime not long ago. So eager was to settle an old score with Shivaji that he quickly left Bijapur and proceeded via Nipani, Gadhinglaj, Ajra& Amboli ghat. He reached Kudal and set up a camp there. Adilshah also instructed one Baji Ghorpade to join Khawas Khan Baji was stationed at his native place Mudhol 50 miles SW of Bijapur. Baji Ghorpade was a sworn enemy of Shivaji's Bhonsale family . Some 16 years ago Baji had captured Shivaji's father Shahaji Raje treacherously in Gingee while Shahaji Raje was resting, . Baji never lost any chance to plot against Bhosle family members. Late Shahaji Raje had told his son Shivaji to punish Baji . When Shivaji came to know about Baji's involvement he decided to tackle Baji in his native place Mudhol itself before he joined Khawas Khan. Shivaji left Rajgadh which is close to Bhor near Pune on 1st Oct 1664. The shorter route would have been via Satara, Kolhapur, but it was an enemy territory so he purposefully chose an unconventional,circuitous route to befuddle the enemy. He went to Mahad, then Chiplun& Rajapur from where he turned eastwards and avoiding Kolhapur/ Hukkeri , made his way thru the dense Radhanagri forest area to Nipani-Chikodi-Kabbur& finally reached Mudhol. Baji was caught unaware and killed in the surprise attack. Shivaji thus avenged the humiliation inflicted on his father. The route taken by Maharaj & the places touched still exist. As if this was not enough,on the way back he followed the same route taken by Khawas Khan to reach Kudal, spreading the news through his intelligence net that it was Baji Ghorpade's army joining to assist Khawas Khan. Before reaching Kudal, Shivaji replaced his tired men with Bhils, Gonds& Kolis wielding bows&arrows who knew the terrain too well. Shivaji quickly tightened the noose around the Adilshahi army during night. Before attacking he sent a message to the besieged enemy to surrender or perish. The obstinate Khawas chose to fight . He lost leaving his army in shambles. Somehow he managed to escape and reached Bijapur alive. The tactical strategy had several elements like ; not to allow the enemy to join forces,baffle the enemy by taking the unconventional,circuitous route , catching the enemy by surprise and confusing the enemy by intelligence net work in spreading rumours. .