When Shivaji Maharaj met Bundelkhand Kesri Chatrsaal

The meeting is a monumental event in India’s history. It laid the foundations of Hindu rule in Bundelkhand – a pivotal and strategically very important province.

The content of what Maharaja Chhatrasal said to Shivaji is brought out beautifully by Lal Kavi (actual name Gorelal Purohit) in Chhatraprakash.

Chhatrasal Bundela said

पिता हमारे सुबा दोडे I तुर्कन पर अजमेय खांडे I 
तिन चम्पती के नंद हम, ससि नववाई काहि I 
हम भूले सियो वृथा, हितु जानी कै वाहि I 
एड एक शिवराज निबाही I करे अपने चित कि चाही I 
आठ पातशाही झुक झोरे, सुबनी बांधी डआंड ले छओरे I

ऐसे गुण सिवराज के I बसे चित में आई I 
मिलिवोई मन में धन्यो I मनसी मत जो बनाई I

Loosely translated it means: “My father (Champat Rai) ravaged the province and rose against the Turks (Mughals). But his three sons have not been able to live up to his ideals. Only Shivaji has been able to follow what is correct and do what his heart says. Eight rulers have been defeated by him. 

“I am much inspired by these deeds of Shivaji. Hence I want to meet Shivaji and obey whatever is asked of him.”

Chhatrasal Bundela intended to join the growing armies of Chhatrapati Shivaji, but Shivaji gave a beautiful reply, in which he tried to stir Chhatrasal’s patriotic feelings for the liberation of his own Bundelkhand from tyrannical Mughal rule. He wanted Chhatrasal Bundela to free and work for the prosperity of his rayat in Bundelkhand, rather than just be a sardar in the Maratha army in the Deccan.

Shivaji’s reply is also found in Lal Kavi’s Chhatraprakash –

सिवा किसा सुनि कैकही तुमि छत्री सिरताज I 
जीत अपनी भूम को, करो देश को राज I 
करो देश को राज छतोरे, हम तुमतै कबहुं नाही न्यारे I 
दैरी देस मुगलानको मारो, दबटी दिली के दल संहारौ I

तुरकन की परतीत न मानो I तुम केहार तुरकन गज जानो I 
तुरकन में ना विवेक विलोक्यो I मिलन गये उन्हे तुम रोकयो I

Translation: Chhatrasal, you are like the crown jewel of kshatriyas. You should fight and win back your lands and rule over them. I am not different than you. Fight and defeat the Mughals. Make their armies run away. Do not trust the Turkis (Mughals). You are a lion, and the Turks are elephants. They are untrustworthy, you go to meet them, they will put hurdles in front. 

Thus, inspired by Chhatrapati Shivaji, Maharaja Chhatrasal Bundela returned to his Bundelkhand. Then began the long struggle to liberate Bundelkhand from the despotic rule of the Mughals. It is said that Chhatrapati Shivaji also granted Maharaja Chhatrasal Bundela, a sword.

Credit : Aneesh Gokhale