VALIANT BATTLE OF SANGRAMGARH

                               VALIANT     BATTLE OF SANGRAMGARH
                                             Dr K Prabhakar Rao

                       Sangramgad is located at Chakan near Pune and  an important fort during the rule of Shaivaji Maharaj. The fort was commanded by Firnagoji Narsala a reputed warrior in Maratha Army. The forts has become famous for the battle against Mughal  forces commanded by Shaista Khan in 1660. He was the  maternal uncle of emperor Aurangzeb.Shaistakhan was sent by the empror to crush the Maratha king at all costs. He chose to attack Chakan fort as first target with a force of 10000 men and guns.
               Firangoji Narasala was prepared for this attack, however, even though he had only 200 soldiers. Just before this attack Shivaji had asked his commander to leave the fort. However, Firangoji decided not to abandon the fort and instead started a fierce guerrilla war against the Mughals and defended the fort in this way for almost two months.The Mughals tried another way of taking the fort. They dug a tunnel up to the fort; which was a challenge because of the water around it. They filled this tunnel with explosives and blew up the wall of the fort. This was a major setback for Firangoji and his soldiers; 75 soldiers died in this attack. The Mughal army rushed into the fort; fierce fighting ensued and many Maratha soldiers were killed.
Shaista Khan was astonished by Firangoji's bravery, and offered him Mughal Sardari. But Firangoji refused to accept it; instead Shaista Khan gave him and his soldiers safe passage. Firangoji came to meet Shivaji and apologized for surrendering the fort. But Shivaji was very happy with him as he had defended a small fort for almost 2 months. He said "if it took 60 days for Shaista Khan to take a small fort, imagine how many days will be required to capture an entire swarajya (kingdom). Shaista Khan will be here for few days, he is not going to take Sangram Durg with him. Whatever you have done is praiseworthy". Shivaji rewarded Firangoji and made him Killedar of the Bhupalgad (Bhupal fort )
                 Shivaji Maharaj could succeed in his mission of establishing Swarajya owing to the unstinted support and bravery and commitment  from his Generals and men. Shivaji Maharajs credentials attracted all the brave warriors around him and made common cause of liberating Hindus from the oppression from the Mlechhas ( Mughals). Where such men have gone today? Has the blood of our ancestors become watery? If we look at our failures today in liberating ourselves from the corrupt regimes that rule us in India, we have to hang our heads in shame. Why the spirit of Shivaji Maharaj has gone into hibernation today? A point to ponder over indeed.