Who is Tanaji Malusare

Tanaji Malusare was a close friend and a loyal, courageous Maratha chieftain of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. He played a pivotal role as a subedar in Shivaji’s Maratha Empire and the establishment of the Hindavi Swarajya. Tanaji was a childhood friend of Shivaji, and they grew up playing together. He is famously known for his significant role in the Battle of Sinhagad in 1670.

On the day of Tanaji’s son Raiba’s wedding preparations, Tanaji visited Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj to invite him. However, he learned that Shivaji Maharaj was planning an attack on Kondhana Fort. Without hesitation, Tanaji volunteered to lead the attack, prioritizing this mission over his son’s wedding. Shivaji Maharaj had many chieftains in his army, but he specifically chose Tanaji for this crucial task. Although the mission was successful, Tanaji lost his life in the battle. On hearing the news, Shivaji famously remarked, “The fort is won, but my lion is lost” (in Marathi – “Gad ala, pan Singh gela”).

Tanaji was born in the 17th century in Umarathe, near Mahad in the Konkan region of Maharashtra. He shared a deep bond with Shivaji since childhood, and Tanaji fought alongside Shivaji in many battles. He was also with Shivaji when they met Aurangzeb in Agra, where both were deceitfully imprisoned by Aurangzeb. Together, they devised a plan and managed to escape by hiding in a box of sweets.

When Shivaji’s mother, Jijabai, expressed her unease seeing the green flag over Kondhana Fort, Shivaji Maharaj gathered his soldiers and asked who would reclaim the fort. Tanaji bravely accepted the challenge, vowing to bring back the fort. Accompanied by his brother Suryaji Malusare and uncle, Tanaji led a troop of 342 soldiers.

Strategically significant, the Kondhana Fort was crucial for Shivaji Maharaj’s objectives. On a dark night, Tanaji and his troop scaled the steep cliffs of the fort with the help of a monitor lizard called a “ghorpad,” known for its ability to climb vertical surfaces and carry the weight of men tied to ropes attached to it. Once inside, they launched a surprise attack on the fort’s Kalyan Gate.

The fort

was defended by Udaybhan Rathod, appointed by the Mughal prince Jaysingh, and a fierce battle ensued between Tanaji’s forces and Udaybhan’s 5,000 Mughal soldiers. Although Tanaji was gravely injured and ultimately martyred in the battle, he led his men to victory. The news of Tanaji’s death deeply saddened Shivaji Maharaj, who expressed his grief with the famous words, “We have won the fort, but I have lost my lion.”