Which commander was sent by the Sultan of Bijapur in 1659 to capture Shivaji dead or alive?
The Sultan of Bijapur sent the massive general Afzal Khan in 1659 with the explicit mission to capture Shivaji, dead or alive. Khan’s vast army and reputation were intended to crush the rebellion. However, Shivaji famously preempted Khan at a meeting near Pratapgad, resulting in Khan’s dramatic death and a major victory for the Marathas. Answer is (D) Afzal Khan
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In 1659, the Sultan of Bijapur dispatched his most formidable general, Afzal Khan, to suppress Shivaji’s rebellion. Khan was confident in his ability to capture the ‘mountain rat’ through either force or treachery. Shivaji, anticipating a double-cross at their arranged meeting at the base of Pratapgad Fort, executed Khan using his Bagh Nakh (tiger claws). This decisive act eliminated the greatest threat to the nascent Maratha state, established Shivaji as a fearsome leader and led to the Marathas capturing significant Bijapur territory.