The Execution of Sambhaji was a significant event in 17th-century Deccan India, where the second Maratha King was put to death by order of the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb. The conflicts between the Mughals and the Deccan Sultanates, which resulted in the downfall of the Sultanates, paved the way for tensions between the Marathas and the Mughals. Following the death of Shivaji, his son Sambhaji ascended to the throne and conducted several campaigns against the Mughals. Unlike his father, Sambhaji tolerated instances of rape and murder committed by his army during these conflicts. This led Aurangzeb to launch a campaign against the Marathas, resulting in the capture of the Maratha King by the Mughal general Muqarrab Khan. Sambhaji and his minister Kavi Kalash were then taken to Tulapur, where they were tortured to death.

Sambhaji, the son of the first Maratha King Shivaji, faced imprisonment during his father's reign due to his irresponsible behavior and indulgence in sensual pleasures. Shivaji took the step to arrest him. Sambhaji managed to escape from the Panhala fort, where he was held captive, and sought refuge with the Mughal forces under Diler Khan. However, he soon realized that Diler Khan intended to send him to Delhi as a prisoner, prompting Sambhaji to return. Upon his return, he was once again captured by the Marathas.^[1][2]

After Shivaji's death, Sambhaji escaped from the Panhala fort and proclaimed himself king, eliminating all of Shivaji's ministers who opposed his succession.^[3] Once on the throne, Sambhaji waged numerous campaigns against the Mughals, following in his father's footsteps. However, unlike Shivaji, he condoned the atrocities committed by his army. During his raid of Burhanpur, the inhabitants of the fort endured rape, torture, and robbery.^[4] To the Nobles of Burhanpur, Sambhaji's raid was more than just a disruption of public order; it was seen as an attack on the Muslim community by a non-believer. If the Mughal Empire failed to protect the lives and property of Muslims, it was believed that Aurangzeb's titles as ruler should not be acknowledged during the Friday congregational prayers. Under pressure from the Marathas and Aurangzeb's rebellious son, Akbar, Aurangzeb launched a campaign towards the Deccan region.^[4]

During the Mughal siege of Golconda and Bijapur, Muslim Ulema from Bijapur questioned Aurangzeb about how he could justify waging war against fellow Muslims. Aurangzeb's response was that the Sultan had harbored and aided Sambhaji, who had been causing harm to Muslims across the region. Aurangzeb also condemned Abul Hasan for the additional offense of relinquishing control of his state to his two Brahmin ministers.^[4] The fall of the Deccan Sultanates marked the beginning of a new chapter in Deccan history known as the "Deccan Wars.".^[5]

While Aurangzeb was besieging Golconda and Bijapur, Sambhaji observed his movements from the fort of Panhala. Following the capture of Bijapur and Golconda, a significant amount of wealth and military resources fell into Mughal hands. After seizing these two key forts, Aurangzeb deployed Sarja Khan, a seasoned general from Bijapur familiar with the Deccan terrain.^[6]

In December 1787, the Battle of Wai unfolded between the Maratha forces under the command of Hambirrao Mohite, dispatched by Sambhaji, and the Mughal forces led by Sarja Khan. Despite the Maratha forces emerging victorious, Mohite tragically lost his life to a cannonball during the conflict.^[7] Sambhaji's military strength dwindled after the battle, prompting him to relocate with a smaller contingent of soldiers. His camp faced encirclement by Mughal agents within the confines of the Raigarh and Panhala hills. The Maratha faction led by Soyarabai and the Shirkes betrayed Sambhaji by divulging his movements to the Mughals, resulting in the revelation of Sambhaji's whereabouts. They provided daily updates on his movements to the Mughals, ultimately leading to Sambhaji's failure to safeguard himself, despite his efforts to protect the kingdom.^[8]

Sambhaji was caught off guard by the Mughal commander Muqarrab Khan, resulting in a skirmish at Samgamneshwar where the Marathas suffered casualties, leading to their defeat. Five Marathas were killed, and the remaining fled. Sambhaji's minister, Kavi Kalash, was captured, while Sambhaji himself managed to escape and seek refuge in a temple. However, the Mughals discovered his hiding place, and despite his attempts to flee, Sambhaji was apprehended on February 1, 1689.^[9] Thus the Mughals captured Sambhaji, his minister Kavi Kalash, and twenty-five other officers.^[8][10] Muqarrab Khan transported them to Akluj, where Aurangzeb was. Upon receiving the news of their capture, Aurangzeb was pleased and renamed the place Asadnagar to commemorate the event.^[9]

The two prisoners, Kavi Kalash and Sambhaji, were taken to the Imperial encampment near the Bhima river. Despite Sambhaji's royal status, he was not accorded the same respect as the Mughals granted to the rulers of Bijapur and Golconda. Instead, he and his ministers were humiliated by being dressed as buffoons in long fool's caps with bells attached, mounted on a camel, and paraded through the Mughal camps amidst the beating of drums and the pealing of trumpets. They were then presented to Aurangzeb, who was offering a thanksgiving prayer.^[11][10] Aurangzeb offered to spare Sambhaji's life on the condition that he complied with his demands;

1. Surrender all his forts
2. Disclose all his hidden treasuries
3. Expose the name of the Mughal officers working with Marathas^[11]

Aurangzeb also offered him to become a Muslim.^[12] During the interrogation with the Mughal officers, Sambhaji insulted both the emperor and the Islamic prophet Muhammad. As a result, a panel of Ulema sentenced him to death for the killing and capturing of Muslims.^[10] At this point, Sambhaji told the Ulema to tell Aurangzeb that if he will give him the Emperor's daughter, he will become a Muslim.^[12]

Upon hearing this, Aurangzeb ordered Sambhaji to be tortured to death. According to Khafi Khan and Ishwar Das [hi], that very night, Sambhaji and Kavi Kalash were blinded with red-hot irons.^[13][11][14] On March 21, 1689, at Koregaon on the River Bhima, where Aurangzeb was encamped, Sambhaji was beheaded. Aurangzeb's dream was thus fulfilled before he had been six years in the Deccan. The entire region from Narmada to Tungabhadra now lay under his dominion. The land where Shivaji had once fought was subdued, and no signs of resistance remained.^[15]

During his reign, Sambhaji was unable to accomplish much for his people. However, his death elevated him to the status of a martyr.^[11] Sambhaji's son, Shahu, was held captive by Aurangzeb and was only released when he reached maturity.^[13] Following these events, the Mughals reached their peak in terms of territorial expansion, establishing the farthest extent of Indian Muslim dominion in the subcontinent. Despite this, conflicts between the Marathas persisted. Rajaram, the brother of Sambhaji, sought refuge in the Jinjee fort in the south, while Maratha officers continued their raids in the northern Deccan region.^[4]