(E Book 232) The Sacrifice of Purandar’s Hero  Murarbaji

(E Book 232) The sacrifice of Purandar’s Hero  Murarbaji

By 30 March 1665, the Mughal forces began tightening the noose around Purandar from Saswad, initiating a strategy to isolate Rajgad, Sinhagad, and Lohagad.

Mirza Raje likely devised the following strategy during the siege of Purandar— Based on gathered intelligence, meetings were held to assess the fort’s layout, identify locations for cannon platforms (damdama), and estimate the labor, craftsmen, timber, iron tools, hammers, cannon carts, and demolition supplies required. As pressure on the fort increased, it was anticipated that Shivaji Maharaj might personally engage in battle, prompting daily consultations between Diler Khan and other key commanders. Instead of focusing solely on Purandar, Mughal forces were deployed along routes leading to Sinhagad, Lohagad, and Rajgad, aiming to cut off Shivaji’s supply lines and recruitment efforts—thus isolating the commanders of Purandar and Vajragad.