Afzal Khan arrived first at the pavilion erected for the meeting at Pratapgad. However, Shivaji realising that his adversary was too powerful agreed to one to one meeting, with Afzal Khan who was notorious for treachery and cruelty. Famous General of Bijapur Army Afzal Khan was sent on strong punitive expedition to bring Shivaji to book. In the later half of 1657 Shivaji entered Konkan, by middle of 1658 Shivaji secured whole of North Central Konkan, Kalian, Bhivandi, Mahuli and forty forts were captured.ДЁ. He took over Dabhol and his forces crossed the Bhima River and plundered Mughal territory in Ahmednagar District. In Nov 1656 Sultan of Bijapur died and this gave Shivaji an opportunity to raid Bijapur territory. This helped him in establishing a charismatic control over his people. In both encounters, he came out successful. His early clash with two powerful adversaries was epitomized by two dramatic personal encounters with the Commanders-in-Chief of the enemyвЂ™s forces Afzal Khan in 1659 and Shaista Khan in 1663. The whole of Pune District was now under ShivajiвЂ™s rule.Д§. In Sep 1656 Shivaji paid a friendly visit to his uncle Shambhaji, who was not administering the Pargana of Supe in satisfactory manner and took him prisoner. Shivaji renamed the stupendous hill fort of Riari as Raigad and it became his capital later. Shivaji defeated Chandra Rao in a clever move and captured Javli on and brought surrounding areas under his control. Troops were trained to march long distances and to scale perpendicular heights with the help of gharpeo (Lizzards). Shivaji attended to his armyвЂ™s organisation and training.

Shahji was later released from jail and invested with a robe of honour.Д¦. This was first major success in battle for Shivaji. Adil Shah tried to secure Bangalore, Kondana from ShahjiвЂ™s son, however hisДЄrmies were defeated by Shambhaji and Shivaji.

ShivajiвЂ™s small beginning at territorial expansion received a setback as Sultan Adil Shah imprisoned Shahji for alleged disloyalty and rebellious activity of his son Shivaji. This shows that Shivaji had already begun to harbour thoughts of independence.ДҐ. It is GodвЂ™s wish that we establish our own rule and be independentвЂќ. The God whose abode is on the hills of your valley has given us the inspiration and He will fulfill the wishes of all of us to establish our own Raj. On his referring this enquiry to Shivaji, the latter wrote to him on 17 April 1645, вЂњWe are not disloyal to the Shah. The Deshpande of Rohida was asked by the Sultan to explain why he had allowed this act of indiscipline. He took possession of Fort of Rohida near Pune. By 1645 when he was only 18 years old, Shivaji gathered a band of one thousand Mavles. The legitimate aspiration of the son of a Hindu Chieftain was supposed to be advancement in service under a muslim overlord, but Shivaji was cast in a different mould and nursed ambitions of attaining вЂњHindu SwarajвЂќ.Д¤. He wanted to become an independent and sovereign ruler so that he could protect his people from the depredations of the Muslim rulers. Shivaji did not relish the idea of service under his fatherвЂ™s overlord, the Sultan of Bijapur. Mavles (locals) were pleased to see their SirdarвЂ™s son visiting them so often despite hazards and hardships of movement in that difficult terrain.ДЈ. An inner urge kept taking him to the remote countryside which in those days was extensively covered with jungles. From his mother young Shivaji imbibed a deep religious spirit. He initiated Shivaji in to the art of administration and ingrained in him a love for his country. Dadaji Kondadev took particular care in the up bringing When Shahji was exiled from Maharashtra, he left his wife Jijabai and Shivaji in the care of a shrewd and able Brahmin, Dadaji Kondadev whom he had appointed Administrator of his Pune jagir. Thus when the son arrived, he was named Shivaji.Дў. Jijabai vowed that if she were blessed with a son, she would name him after the God. JijabaiвЂ™s loyalty was to Shahji and she was naturally very disturbed by the fact that it was her own father who was in hot pursuit of her husband. Leaving his pregnant wife Jijabai at Shivneri fort, Shaji was eluding his pursuers. At that time his father, Shahji Bhonsle was being pursued by his fatherвЂ“inвЂ“law Lukhuji Jadhav with the borrowed might of the Mughals. On 10th April 1627 Shivaji was born at Shivneri, some 50 miles, North East of Pune.

Maharana pratap episode 154