Afzalkhan, Bijapuri General– Episode.

There are two major ‘Points of difference’ from current thinking and published history books.

(A) How much was Shivaji’s Kingdom at that point of time?

(B) Strength and Deployment of Afzalkhan’s troops against shivaji.

Shivaji’s accepted kingdom at that time consisted of

(a) Pune and Maval.

(b) Konkan from Kalyan to Mahad

(c) Javali, territory of More’s Jagir captured by Shivaji.

The points of difference are

(a) Extent of Javali Pargana was up to Helwak on Koyana.

(b) Konkan, from Mahad to Chiplun, (i.e. Suvrnadurg Pargana and part of Dabhol Pargana) was held by Shivaj.

These are shown in Map 1.

Deployment of Afzalkhan’s Troops

Afzalkhan is stated to have only 10-12,000 troops at Wai and he brought them up to Javali, at the foot of Pratapgad.

The point of difference on aspect of total strength of Afzalkhan’s army and it’s deployment are,

(a) Afzalkhan had troops in Pune region. (Accepted by most of the Marathi Historians, but its significance not properly appreciated.)

(b) Siddi of Janjira had brought up troops in Mahad area. (Stated by Sir Jadunath Sarkar, but its effect not discussed by any.)

(c) Bijapuri troops were brought up in South Javali Pargana. (Not accepted nor considered by any, but laying siege and capture of Wasota after six months accepted by some Maratha Historians, but significance not appreciated. )

(d) Afzalkhan had mobilized considerable troops in Dabhol area. [Not accepted by any. But flight of three Afzalkha’s vessels (Total tonnage of 1,100 Tons.) to Rajapore or subsequent deployment of troops of Jagirdars of Dabhol area in Panhala battle is accepted.]

(e) Shahistekhan was appointed by Aurangzeb and started with 70,000 troops, in July 1659, from Agra. (Accepted, but its effect, on negotiations between Afzalkhan and Shivaji, not properly considered.)

Afzalkhan had 35-40,000 troops and its deployment is shown in Map 2.

The whole episode needs rethinking.