New Delhi: Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj’s life as the second Maratha Emperor has been shrouded in myths and misconceptions numerous times. One such persistent myth is the one regarding the Maratha campaign of 1683 against the Portuguese, involving heinous acts like rape of Christian women in Goa and surrounding regions. But a cautious reading of history, backed by fact-based evidence and reliable historians, presents an entirely different and accurate image of Sambhaji Maharaj as a ruler. It is time to correct these misconceptions and to offer tribute to the memory of a chivalrous and just-minded ruler.
Context of the 1683 Campaign Against the Portuguese
In 1683, Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj launched a military campaign against the Portuguese territories in Goa. This was not an arbitrary act of violence but a calculated one, meant to chastise the Portuguese for their relentless violation of treaties, proselytizing by aggression, and their partiality towards the Mughal Empire. The Portuguese had been consciously part of aiding Aurangzeb’s Mughal forces in their attempt to wipe out the Maratha kingdom. They also harassed Hindus and other non-Christian groups in their territories through the Goa Inquisition, a brutal institution with hundreds of atrocities against its name.
As a ruler, Sambhaji Maharaj struggled to defend his country and its subjects from foreigners. His campaign was aimed at eradicating the Portuguese presence from the region and stopping their expansionist activities.
The Allegations and Their Origins
The accusations of Maratha soldiers raping Christian women in the 1683 campaign are largely rooted in Portuguese colonial accounts and Jesuit missionary histories. These accounts were biased in nature and sought to present non-Christians, particularly Hindu rulers like Sambhaji Maharaj, in a bad light. The Portuguese state, which was both condemned by its own nationals and the Church for its failure to protect Goa, sought to demonize the Marathas as a way of justifying itself.
Among the most significant sources of these accusations are the works of Jesuit chronicler Francisco de Sousa, who described the Maratha army as savage and accused them of atrocities with no supporting facts. But these must be read with a critical eye. They were not impartial witnesses; they were agents of a colonial establishment with a stake in maligning their rivals.
The Character and Conduct of Sambhaji Maharaj
Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj’s character stands in stark contrast to the accusations leveled against him. Contemporary Marathi bakhars (chronicles) such as Sabhasad Bakhar and Chitnis Bakhar highlight Sambhaji’s deep adherence to Hindu dharma and his sense of justice. He was known for his respect toward women, regardless of religion or caste.
Historian Govind Sakharam Sardesai, in his New History of the Marathas, emphasizes Sambhaji’s military acumen, bravery, and commitment to dharmic principles. Sardesai does not mention any incidents of mass rapes or atrocities against women during the 1683 campaign.
Refuting the Accusations based on Historical Facts
1. Shortage of Independent Verification: Imbriques such as neutral foreign travelers and envoys, like the English and Dutch who toured India while Sambhaji ruled, don’t write these reported atrocities in their historical reports and dispatches. The probability of occurrence, should any happen, even to such extents claimed, means these occurrences could well be noticed by them to record them.
2. Maratha Code of Conduct: The Maratha war code, rooted in Hindu warfare principles (Dharma Yuddha), clearly prohibited the killing of innocents and injury to women. Sambhaji Maharaj’s own upbringing as a child by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, who was renowned for his respect towards women and stern discipline of troops, suggests that he would have had comparable standards to uphold.
3. The Portuguese Sources: The bias in Jesuit and Portuguese reports is identified by Dr. A.R. Kulkarni and other researchers. They were not merely documenting events; they were also participating in religious and political propaganda to acquire the support and funds of Europe for their colonial efforts.
Sambhaji Maharaj: A Defender of Dharma and Justice
Sambhaji Maharaj’s life must be understood in its true context. Despite being under constant attack by the Mughals and other enemies, he maintained a courageous defense of his people. His resistance to Aurangzeb’s expansionist plans brought him the ire of both the Mughals and their European allies, like the Portuguese.
He was an educated scholar well acquainted with Sanskrit, Marathi, Hindi, Persian, and Portuguese and an excellent poet. His work, Budhbhushanam, indicates a thoughtful and religious mind committed to the ideals of dharma.
When Sambhaji Maharaj was finally taken prisoner by the Mughals in 1689, Aurangzeb offered to spare his life if he converted to Islam. Sambhaji refused, and chose death rather than dishonor, and endured frightful torture without ever renouncing his religion or his honor. This final sacrifice is eloquent proof of his character.
