App Store

Google Play

Details page - Device banner - 894x1036

היכנס לעולם אינסופי של סיפורים

תקשיב ותקרא

Vikrant Pande

The story of the Marathas starts with Shivaji for most of us. The action happened in what is called the Deccan and its geography and politics plays an important role. We must understand what the Deccan means, who ruled there and what was the condition of the Deccan part of India before, and when, Shivaji was born.

Sanket Mhatre

Storytel Original IN

History of Marathas

History of Marathas EP01 - Deccan before Shivaji

The founder of the Marathas, the most revered Chhatrapati Shivaji has fascinating anecdotes which are motivating, stirring and touch the listener.

History of Marathas EP02 - A true hero is born

Badi Saheba addressed the august gathering, ‘Usne asmzat-e-shahi ko lalkara hai. ‘The very might of Bijapur has been challenged.’ We need to take our revenge; put him in his place. It is for the sake of our religion. This kafir needs to be punished. Who is the brave man who can do this? Huh? Come on, I am waiting for one of you to pick up the paan.’

Little did Afzal Khan know that Shivaji was well prepared and was going to kill him.

History of Marathas EP03 - Killing of Afzal Khan

Shiva the barber was unperturbed. ‘There is no point in showing your anger. Raje is gone. Flown away! I got a chance to wear his clothes and pretend to be him for an hour. What else do I need. This is my reward.’
‘Haramzaade!’ Siddi shouted again and plunged his sword into Shiva’s chest. Shiva’s face contorted with pain and he stumbled back. He steadied himself for a bit, holding a pillar inside the tent. He could not afford to show his back to the enemy. Even when he was acting like Shivaji he had to be one!
He said, raising his hand to his forehead as he said, ‘Raje, ha maaza shevat cha muzra.’ It was his last salute to Raje. Shiva collapsed the next moment, dead.

When Shivaji has men like him, how could he not live up to their expectations

History of Marathas EP04 - Valourous acts at Panhala and Godkhind

It was late in the night when the group reached Pune. The soft diffused light of the ashtami moon spread over the ground. The guards at the gate came out adjusting their guns hearing the horses. One of the guards challenged,
‘Kaun hai?’
One of Ibrahim’s men stepped forward and slapped the guard hard shouting, ‘Badtameez! Khansahab ko pehchanta nahin?’
The other guards hastily bent in mujras and salaams. The route was now clear. Ibrahim moved forward in a casual yet dignified manner as if nothing had happened. It was silence all over sans the intermittent warning shouts of the guards parading the area. Most of the Mughal troops were tired of the day long Ramzan fast and were fast asleep after a heavy meal.

History of Marathas EP05 - Attack on Shaista Khan

‘I did not come here just to receive the royal honour. My son is a panch hazari Mansabdar under the Badshah. He can be made to stand wherever the Badshah wishes him to. But I am not a servant of the Badshah! I am a Raja in my own right!’
The three of them returned, unable to convince Shivaji. They explained the situation to the Badshah when Ram Singh said, ‘Alijah! It seems the hot Agra weather has not suited Raje. Please pardon him. He will present himself soon.’
‘I can understand his feelings,’ said Aurangzeb. 
‘Ram Singh, please sprinkle my special gulab jal on him to cool him down. Please request him to come back. We will then talk.’

History of Marathas EP06 - Visit to Agra

Aurangzeb behaved like a man possessed. He was unable to believe what he had just seen and heard. Had Shivaji really vanished as described by Fulaad Khan? He wondered whether Shivaji could walk through walls and materialize elsewhere. He was not willing to take chances with his own life and ordered strict security around himself. A maulvi accompanied him all the time. Ram Singh’s mansabdari was taken away.

History of Marathas EP07 - Escape from Agra

Suryaji was barely able to speak.

He began, ‘Maharaj, Tanaji realized we may not be able to climb the steep cliffs but he used his favourite ghorpad (Ghorpad is a monitor lizard in Marathi), Yashwanti.
He tied a rope around its waist and it climbed up, securing a foothold using its sharp talons. We all were able to climb up soon. As soon as we entered the fort, the guards woke up and a fight began. We were outnumbered by the enemy troops- there were Arabs, Afghans, Rajputs and Pathans and we fought like men possessed. Tanaji was a tiger, slaughtering anyone who came his way. When some of the Mawals wanted to run and Tanaji saw Shelar mama down on the ground, he cut off the ropes and shouted, ‘You fools! Here your mama lies on the ground and you can think of running away?’ That was enough to challenge us and we fought like devils possessed.’

History of Marathas EP08 - Capture of Sinhagad

Sambhaji and Kavi Kalash were stunned into silence. Was it really happening or was it a dream? Ikhlas Khan had tied the two. Out of sheer desperation and anger, he slapped Sambhaji. Kaviraj, seeing Ikhlas Khan touching Raje’s face, spat at him in disgust. Ikhlas Khan was enraged now and took out a whip tied around his waist. He whipped Sambhaji and Kavi in frustration before tying them on a horse back. Their clothes had been torn apart. They were made to wear a green dress, like the other soldiers.

History of Marathas EP09 - Sambhaji, the Lion’s cub

The Badshah growled once more. He dismissed the men holding the weapons and indicated to a group of men who wore iron claws. At his glance, two of them came near Sambhaji. One of them behind him and one facing him. From his neck to the spine and from his throat to his stomach, the men pulled his skin down as the trumpets and horns started blowing. The men shouted Deen Deen! Skin peeled off Sambhaji’s back, neck, chest and stomach. His whole body was a bloodied mess.
But Sambhaji did not allow his voice to be heard by anyone present. He did not scream or shout. Clenching his teeth he bore the intense and almost unbearable pain. His body, now red with blood, shivered from head to toe. Like the milk which gathers at the base of the Shivalinga, his blood gathered at his feet. Aurangzeb laughed hysterically, seeing Sambhaji’s body now peeled like the way a butcher skins a goat.