Thrilling chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Stories:

 1. Combat Shivaji's with Afzal Khan at Pratapgad. Shivaji Maharaj and his army fought to overthrow tyranny of the unjust Adilshah of Bijapur and establish "Hindavi Swarajya" (self-rule of Hindu people). In an attempt to put down this regional revolt, Adilshah sent Afzal Khan, an experienced general and veteran to destroy Shivaji. [caption id="attachment_5121" align="alignleft" width="240"] The fort of Pratapgad.Source: www.flickr.com[/caption]    With the aid of a superior army, marched Afzal Khan, desecrating Hindu temples at Tuljapur and Pandharpur hoping to draw Shivaji to the battle field and destroy him and his small army. But instead of falling to this trap, Shivaji Maharaj sent Afzal Khan a letter, pretending that he was afraid of the mighty general and requested a meeting at Pratapgad to further negotiate.    On November 10, 1659, the two met in a hut at the foothills of Pratapgad, armed only with a sword and attended by a follower, as decided in the agreement earlier. But Shivaji knew that a foul person like Afzal Khan cannot be trusted as he had executed another ruler in a same way before. Hence, he wore an armor beneath his clothes, as a protection, concealing his "tiger-claw" and a dagger. [caption id="attachment_5120" align="alignright" width="279"] Source: shivajimaharaj.in[/caption]    When Shivaji entered the hut, Afzal Khan got up and welcomed him with a hug. As predicted by Shivaji, Afzal Khan then attacked the back of Shivaji with a dagger but it was stopped by his armor. Shivaji then, quickly used his tiger-claw and inserted it in the stomach of the mighty Afzal Khan and tore it apart, thus killing him and serving a huge blow to the Adilshahi empire. The defeat of the mighty Afzal Khan by the hands of Shivaji Maharaj was rewarded by an immense increase in his prestige and the faith of Marathas in him was re-affirmed.