Among the many inscriptions in the Thanjavur Big Temple, a marvellous creation of the imperial Cholas, the largest record dates to the Maratha period. These inscriptions, which trace the genealogy of the Bhonsala family of Thanjavur, narrate a story that unfolds like a thriller. Bhonsala Vamsa Charitra, published by the Sarasvati Mahal Library, vividly recounts the encounter between Chhatrapati Shivaji, wearing tiger-claws, and Afzal Khan, one of the most gripping episodes in history. “The inscriptions are found on the south-western walls near the Vinayagar Temple. Written in Marathi, this is the largest inscription of Serfoji II. It describes the history of the Maratha kings and also contains praise for the Danish missionary, Rev. Friedrich Christian Schwartz. The account further records how Serfoji sent his army and offered financial assistance to the British during the war against the Marudu brothers,” M. Nalini writes in her book Rajarajisvaram.

V. Srinivasachari and S. Gopalan, editors of Bhonsala Vamsa Charitra, have documented the entire history in Marathi and Tamil, besides presenting a brief version in English. Through the book, not only does the confrontation between Shivaji and Afzal Khan — a general of the Adil Shahi dynasty of the Bijapur Sultanate — unfold vividly before the reader but also the events that followed Afzal Khan’s death. Krishnaji Pant, a Brahmin and minister of Afzal Khan, continued the fight with Shivaji after the fall of his master.

‘Celebrated victory’

However, according to Bhonsala Vamsa Charitra, this celebrated victory of Shivaji was achieved through the blessings of Sree Jagathambika Tulja Bhavani, the tutelary deity of the royal family. She is said to have appeared in Shivaji’s dream, advising him to leave Pune for the fort at Jawali to outmanoeuvre Afzal Khan. The deity is believed to have told him, “I shall bring about the samhara [killing] of Afzal Khan through you there itself.”

Shivaji left for the Jawali Fort after strengthening the forts in the Pune region. He sent secret messages to the fort commanders, instructing them to allow Afzal Khan’s forces passage towards Jawali. “I will meet him on the grounds of the Jawali Fort. If the agreement is broken, we shall beat the nagara [drum]. At that signal, all your forces must surround his men, prevent them from entering the fort, and kill the enemies wherever you find them,” he said.

When Afzal Khan learnt that Shivaji had reached the Jawali Fort, he sent a letter through Krishnaji Pant. In the letter, he accused Shivaji of capturing Adil Shahi forts, killing his generals, looting his treasures, denigrating Islam, demolishing mosques, and seating himself on a throne adorned with precious gems. However, he expressed his willingness to make concessions on account of Shivaji’s father Shahaji being a friend of the Sultan. In return, Shivaji was asked to hand over the forts under his control and return to Poona. Afzal Khan added that any settlement reached would be conveyed to the Sultan.

Shivaji received Krishnaji Pant and suggested that he meet Afzal Khan at the Jawali Fort for talks. On receiving this message, Afzal Khan, despite warnings from his ministers about Shivaji’s alleged deceit, set out eagerly to meet him. “There were ill omens, but Afzal Khan paid no heed to them. He reached the Jawali Fort and sent a message to Shivaji,” the book records.

Before the meeting took place, Shivaji was informed that Afzal Khan, after leaving Vaijapur, had plundered territories under his control and killed his elder brother Sambhaji. His father Shahaji is said to have performed the final rites and later died in grief. Afzal Khan arrived in a palanquin in the company of Krishnaji Pant and some bodyguards. Shivaji met him with a few bodyguards. Even as the talks were in progress, Afzal Khan embraced Shivaji and held him tight before stabbing him with a knife. Since Shivaji was wearing an iron jacket, he escaped the attack. Then he attacked Afzal Khan with his tiger-claws and tore apart his stomach, releasing his entrails. A terrified Afzal Khan covered his stomach with a blanket and fought Shivaji. Dodging his attacks with his dagger, Shivaji made a cut on the top of Afzal Khan’s left arm, drawing the dagger down to the lower side of the other arm. He fell unconscious and died on a Thursday in 1581, corresponding with Vihari Varudum.

Offer of help

The fight did not end with Afzal Khan’s death. Krishnaji Pant picked up Afzal Khan’s sword and started fighting with Shivaji. “You are a Brahmin. My dharma will not allow me to kill you. We worship Brahmins, since they are our gurus and have a status on a par with the Devas. You may leave this place by dropping your knife. I will open the roads for you. If you prefer to stay here, I will provide you with food and clothing,” the inscriptions recall Shivaji as telling Krishnaji Pant.

Though he continued his attack, Shivaji began to withdraw without retaliating. A bodyguard, however, struck back, convincing himself that saving the king was paramount. Krishnaji died. “The nagara was sounded, and the Maratha warriors killed the soldiers of Afzal Khan waiting outside. Shivaji treated the captured soldiers with honour and allowed them to go free,” say the inscriptions.