May 14th is celebrated with pride as the birth anniversary of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Raje by people across Maharashtra. The Maratha ruler was the eldest son born to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj-Maharani Saibai and was known for his brave tactics and strategic warfare. Sambhaji succeeded the throne after Shivaji Maharaj’s untimely death. The valiant king fought the Mughals and established the rule of Swarajya in the Maratha kingdom. On the occasion of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj Jayanti, here are the best episodes from Swarajyarakshak Sambhaji that you need to revisit today.

We begin with Sambhaji’s coronation which is probably the best moment in the history of the Marathas. The Marathas were without a king for quite long before Sambhaji Maharaj arrived on the scene and re-wrote history. Following his father Shivaji Maharaj’s ideals, Sambhaji ascended the throne amidst pomp and celebration in the capital. Everyone across the kingdom was overjoyed to see the people’s king on the throne.

Watch an episode where Sambhaji launches an attack on Aurangzeb.

Just a fortnight after his coronation, Sambhaji sacked the wealthy city of Mughals called Burhanpur, presently in Madhya Pradesh. The Maratha king himself lead the attack accompanied by his commander Hambirrao Mohite. Sambhaji entered the city in disguise and looted the city for about three days before returning to Raigad. This was a major breakthrough for Sambhaji who made his intentions very clear with this attack.

Sambhaji arranged his stepbrother Rajaram’s wedding to the daughter of Hambirrao Mohite Tarabai. Even as Sambhaji was busy planning his next move against Aurangzeb, he looked after their marriage. Rajaram and Tarabai’s marriage changed the entire dynamics of the family. The two were both responsible for taking the dream of Sambhaji forward after his death.

After much speculation, Sambhaji finally was able to get hold of the traitor Anaji Pant. The chief secretary of the Maratha army tried to betray the king several times. Sambhaji sensed his betrayal and captured him ultimately. He was ordered to be crushed with an elephant’s foot. Sambhaji felt that Anaji deserved this punishment as he had betrayed the trust of Marathas.

Sambhaji wanted to infiltrate Siddhi Johar’s forces and sent his best man Kondaji to enter the enemy camp. He strategically planned an attack on Siddhi by disguising Kondaji as an accomplice. Even though Sambhaji couldn’t succeed in this plan, the unique setup of Janjira needs to be revisited today.

Unfortunately before Sambhaji could establish Swarajya, he was captured by Aurangzeb’s forces who lured him into a trap. Mughal commander Muqarrab Khan was responsible for this capture. He was subjected to extreme torture by Aurangzeb in the enemy camp. However, Yesubai didn’t lose hope and prepared to rescue Sambhaji. This episode will certainly fill you with pride!

Which of these episodes do you like the most? Comment below and tell us!

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