Sambhaji Maharaj
Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj Balidan Din is the death anniversary of Sambhaji Maharaj (Sambhajiraje Shivajiraje Bhonsle, 14 May 1657 – 11 March 1689), also known as Shambhuraje. In 2025, Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj Balidan Din date is March 29, Saturday. It is believed that Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj was executed on Phalgun Amavasya, a day before Gudhi Padwa, the traditional Marathi New Year.
Sambhaji Maharaj ruled from 1681 to 1689 as the second king (Chhatrapati) of the Maratha Empire, a prominent state in early modern India. He was the eldest son of Shivaji, the founder of the Maratha Empire.
In the 1687 Battle of Wai, the key Maratha commander Hambirrao Mohite was killed and troops began to desert the Maratha armies. Sambhaji and 25 of his advisors were captured by the Mughal forces of Muqarrab Khan in a skirmish at Sangameshwar in February 1689.
Aurangzeb ordered the torture and execution of Sambhaji and Kavi Kalash. According to Khafi Khan and Ishwar Das Nagar, Sambhaji and Kavi Kalash were blinded with red-hot irons first. Both were executed by beheading on 11 March 1689 at Tulapur on the banks of the Bhima river near Pune.
Some accounts state that Sambhaji’s body was cut into pieces and thrown into the river or that the body or portions were recaptured and cremated at the confluence of the rivers at Tulapur. Other accounts state that Sambhaji’s remains were fed to the dogs.