TANHAJI MALUSURE
. TANHAJI MALUSURE
Shivaji Raje's best friend from his childhood was Tanhaji Malusure. He was associated right from the beginning with Shivaji and played the main role when the very first Fort " Torana "was conquered and swarajya mission began against all odds . Among all the friends of Shivaji ,Tanhaji was very close to Jijau also and Jijau had full trust in Tanhahji . In early days whenever Shivaji used to go to accomplish any mission Jijau used to ensure that Tanhaji is accompanying Shivaji. Tanhaji was excellent organizer and was an inspiring person for people in the surrounding villages .Together they fought and won several battles and laid the solid foundation of Swarajya along with other associates like Yesaji kank and Bahirji Naik.
Tanhaji's maternal uncle "Shelar mama "used to share his experience with Tanhaji and his younger brother Suryaji used to be second in command.
Shivaji Raje had conferred
" Subhedar"title to Tanhaji.
" Subhedar"was like Governer who used to manage certain area
called "Subha"
After Shivaji successfully escaped from Agra , many forts which were given to Mirza Raje Jaisingh as a part of Purandar treaty, were still in the control of Mughal. Total there were 23 such forts and Shivaji wanted to recapture them.The strategically located " Kondhana "fort near Pune was one of them.This fort was visible from Raigad and Jijau wanted Bhagava( Saffron) flag on it so that Pune area could be controlled properly. The fort was very tough in
its approach and ,Auranzeb's man Udaybhan Rathod was chief of the fort He was quite brave and alert and one of the experts in sword war. Jijau and Shivaji both were confidant that Tanhaji can win Kondhana and do the nearly impossible task.
In Tanhaji's home there was marriage of his son and to invite Shivaji for the marriage Tanhaji visited Shivaji at Raigad.He came to know about " Kondhana mission" and offered his services for leading the mission.Jijau and Shivaji both refused to send Tanhaji for winning Kondhana because
Tanhaji's presence for his son's marriage was important. Tanhaji immediately postponed the marriage and said "Aadhi lagin kondhanyach"( First there will be celebration of winning the fort Kondhana) Shivaji Raje finally agreed and the famous battle of Kondhana followed.
Though Tanhaji had won several battles earlier he is wel- known for his last battle because not only he won Kondhana he laid his life while vehemently fighting with Udaybhan Rathod by giving priority to his duty over his family .
On yet another no moon day Tanhaji started his mission as soon as it was dark and selected the most dangerous path to enter the fort. No one would have even thought that enemy can approach from the path chosen by Tanhaji. About 100 persons climbed the stiff mountain with the help of Ropes thrown from top by 4 dare devils who climbed the mountain without assistance of any Ropes. It is said that there was trained pet " Ghorpad " ( a lizard like animal which can climb difficult terrain and can hold the rope ) which helped those dare devils. Some say it was the group led by the person named Ghorpade who was expert in climbing on stiff mountain led the mission. Tanhaji's other army in large number had silently reached main gate of the fort and was silently waiting for doors of the fort to open. As expected.....the plan was successful as those 100 persons who successfully climbed and entered the fort fought tooth and nail and reached the door and opened it. Udaybhan himself jumped in the battle and to counter him Tanhaji himself accepted his challlenge.There was the big fight between two and unfortunately Tanhaji was badly injured. Injured Tanhaji continued the fight and Udaybhan was also badly injured . Both died in one of the most absorbing battles. After fall of Tanhaji his army was demoralised and started running away but Shelar Mama and Suryaji gave them the confidance and continued the fight till the fort was won and the Safaron flag started fluttering on the fort. As planned there was signal of winning the battle by burning huge volume of straws so that the fire could be seen from Raigad . Shivaji who was awake, immediately started from Raigad to reach to Kondhana to congratulate his friend Tanhaji. By the time Shivaji reached Kondhana in the morning he learned that his friend is no more. His lion hearted friend gave the suprime sacrifice.
Shivaji then said in deep grief " Gad aala ...pan. Simha Gela" ( we have won the fort but lost our lion )
In the memory of Tanhaji Shivaji renamed Kondhana fort as "Simha Gad"
Even after over 650 years Tanhaji's brave fight is remembered everyday particularly by those who visit the site of Simha-Gad.
From the childhood of Tanhaji till death I e for over 40 years the association of Shivaji and Tanhaji was growing great guns .
The cruel clutches of death separated the two great friends. !
Shivaji Raje immediately announced that Suryaji will be the new Subhedar and later attended the marriage of Tanhaji's son with Jijau .
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