Chhatrapati Shivaji - 12

The conch is blown, wedding regalia worn! Fort Torana is waiting like a bridegroom!

A naturally invincible geographical region like Sahyadri is rare. With towering peaks, horrifying gorges, and invincible fort-citadels this region had fallen into slavery only due to negligent and stupid Yadav kings. The Sahyadri sought a brilliant revolutionary. The forts situated on the might arms of Sahyadri suffered miserably under Sultan's rule. As if they were calling out to the youth, "Wake up and Fight. Put the crown of freedom on my head. Climb my arms. Hide in my heart. Fight from behind my ears. Victory will definitely be yours. We will be free!"

Fort Torana was one impenetrable fort in the invincible Sahyadri. This fort waited patiently with Dhruva's firm resolve and Ahalya's devotion for revolution. In Velhe province of Pune district. This tough fort is in Pune's south-west direction in Kanad basin ten miles as the crow files. Torana is strong. Toran's wealth is huge precipices and great canyons reaching deep into the netherlands. Only breeze would have guts to climb this fort. Only water would have the heart to descend. The Budhala post of this fort is in attach stance like a buffalo. The pinnacle of the fort seemed unconquerable even to wind. There is a narrow, just spanning four fingers, track to go there. Underneath is a sheer valley.

Such a fort Torana and many such forts had gone under Sultan's heels. Not one or two, but three hundred and fifty year of slavery. The sun and the Moon rose and set in darkness. Actually this mountainous strange land was fit to be ruled by Marathas and tigers. But the entire Maval region bowed to Sultans for generations together. Without anger. Minds were dead. Only living corpses remained. Goddess Bhavani of fort Torana killed demon Mahishasur. Raje waited for an opportunity to capture Torana.

To be continue......

Chhatrapati Shivaji - 11

Today's Dream, tomorrow's reality! Dreams with wings of ability!

Shivaji turned ten. This was marriageable age at that time. Jijau fixed Raje's wedding. The girl was very sweet natured and of attractive looks. She was the daughter of Phaltan's Naik-nimbalkar. Her name was Saibai. Marriage was solemnised on 16th May 1640. Soon Rajes left for Bangalore to meet Shahajiraje.

By this time the profile of Pune Jehagir was greatly transformed. This was probably the glorious dream of freedom of the Maval land and Sahyadri. People experienced freedom in this small Jehagir. Jijau, Shivaji and Dadoji Konddeo arrived in Bangalore. Sahaji was overwhelmed with happiness and appreciation. During this journey Shivaji became better acquainted with the condition of the country, the people and the region of Sultans. The experience in Vijapur filled his heart with loathing. Every moment just one sentiment kept blooming in this mind...Freedom! Enough, we no more want to stay in Sultan's slavery. Our country, our flag, our leader, our troops, and we would hold our heads high. We would creat a self-rule of dharma, hard-working people, and culture. This idea took hold of Raje completely. Even Shahajiraje realised that this Sun's luminance could not be hidden in darkness.He bid Jijau and Raje to proceed to Pune, and gave them his blessings. The returned after two years(1642).

And dreams of freedom were seen amongst friends from Maval, in valleys, temples, and forests. While playing, studying, visiting temples, in fact all the time Raje and his companions were obsessed with one thought.....freedom, good reign, and good dharma. The volcanic-born Sahyadri was waiting for this pious uprising by Shivaji. He was very keen to get immersed in the red colour of freedom. Shivaji's dreams and strategies were forming the Sahyadri's heart. Shivaji worshipped Sayhyadri. Really, Sahyadri had volunteered to accept the command of Raje's future war.

To be continue......

Chhatrapati Shivaji - 10

Nurtured  by mother and Natured ! Shivaji acquires royal stature!

Shivaji was growing under  Jijau's loving wings in Lalmahal and Dadoji's tutelage  in the  valleys and cliffs of Maval land, learning ,playing . The Sahyadri around whispered thoughts of complete freedom in Shivaji ears. Baji  pasalkar ,Mankoji  Dahtonde ,Bapuji Narhekar and such senior swordsmen trained him and armed him. He was equally interested in the red earth of the gymnasia,horse riding pastures ,ground s of weaponry  and strategic meetings and discussions. He became expert in weapons .  In the Lalmahal and in temples he would get engrossed in listings to epics and mythology ,politics and justice ,sciences and sayings.On the ground he would get fully engrossed in the horse riding ,spear throwing ,sword welding,aiming ,running, long jumping, playing hide and seek  in difficult mountainous terrain. Sometimes would mount  an elephant. His  mind and body was getting ready.  He became very fond  of people and the terrain of Maval. He loved  them.

Raje treated everyone with love. His behaviour was playful. But his dignity never slipped.He remembered  recognised  everyone he came in contact. He greeted everyone fondly. Everyone loved him. Everyone felt that Raje belonged  to him. Scared   and fed up of Sultan's tyranny  the Maval folks starting bonding to Shivaji with love. Minds started  becoming one.

In the company of Dadoji Konndeo,Sono Viswanath Dabir , Balkrishanpant Mujumdar and Jijau, Raje started understanding  the intricacies of politics. In the cunning machinations of  Sultan, simpletons did not  survive and would never  survive . Raje understood this. Cunning Shaukins  survived but  Dharamraj  of righteous conduct was defeated. Astute Krsna was needed .He fully understood the loyal and hard-working poor peoples mentality. Their love was his  strength.

To be continue......