Careerstalk: Roar of the Maratha- "Chhava- Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj" "ती जागा जिथे संभाजी महाराजांना छळलं गेलं." ("असं दैवत जे मिटलं पण कोणापुढे झुकलं नाही.")

"Chhava" — the word itself echoes strength, legacy, and valor. It means the offspring of a lion, and in the pages of Indian history, there is no better embodiment of this title than Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj. The fearless and brilliant son of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, Sambhaji was not just a prince, but a warrior forged in the fire of sacrifice and responsibility. His life was a testament to unshakable courage, deep intellect, and unwavering loyalty to his land and dharma. In every sense, he was the true heir to the lion—Shivaji Maharaj—and carved his own powerful chapter in the Maratha Empire's legacy.

"ती जागा जिथे संभाजी महाराजांना छळलं गेलं." ("असं दैवत जे मिटलं पण कोणापुढे झुकलं नाही.")

The Place of Torture – Tulapur

The place where the heart-wrenching chapter of his torture unfolded is Tulapur, a small village near Pune in Maharashtra. Originally known as Nagargaon, it lies at the confluence of the rivers Bhima, Bhama, and Indrayani. It was here, in 1689, that Sambhaji Maharaj was captured by Mughal forces and subjected to unimaginable torture on the orders of Aurangzeb.

Historians and locals recount the inhuman brutality he faced for over 40 days—his eyes were gouged, nails pulled, tongue cut, skin flayed—yet he never betrayed his people, never converted his faith, and never bowed down to tyranny. His final words, “I will not convert,” still echo in the hearts of proud Indians.

The body parts of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj were collected by a brave and loyal follower named Shivale Deshmukh, a resident of Sangameshwar or Tulapur (as per different historical sources).

After Sambhaji Maharaj was tortured and executed by Aurangzeb's army in 1689, his mutilated body parts were thrown into the river near Tulapur. Despite the fear and strict surveillance by Mughal forces, Shivale Deshmukh gathered the scattered remains of Sambhaji Maharaj with utmost respect and reverence. He then performed the last rites and helped construct a samadhi (memorial) for the great Maratha warrior.

Today, that samadhi exists in Tulapur, and it stands as a symbol of loyalty, sacrifice, and valor.