But Shivaji this time had a surprise for the enemy. He had decided to change his tactics. He had deployed his army on the both sides of the path that led to the fort. The sides were high grounds. As Rustam’s army walked through the trap Shivaji soldiers pounced down on it from both sides. It was a complete surprise. Bijapur soldiers were cut down before they could realise what was happening.
Another feather in the cap of Shivaji.
Another challenge
Now Bijapur roped in an estranged commander named Siddi Johar to lead a fresh assault army to Panhalgarh. He set out with a force of 20,000 horse mounted soldiers and 40,000 foot soldiers. Some more units joined this force on its way. Siddi Johar was a cunning and reputed warrior.
He laid siege to Panhalgarh fort and began raiding other nearby forts. Meanwhile Mogul and Qutub empire had decided to go the help of Bijapur Empire as they realised that Shivaji was infact raising Hindu empire inimical to Muslim empires. Mogul empire sent a large army under Shaista Khan. Golconda also sent a big force. For Shivaji it was not possible to face so large armies.
So, he played a trick. He left the fort through a secret passage. Through main gate a look-alike of Shivaji was carried out in a palanquin. The enemy seized it. The soldiers took the look-alike to Siddi camp under the impression that they had captured the prize Shivaji. Siddi was overjoyed. A sub-commander who knew Shivaji well wouldn’t believe it. He went to the camp to identify the captive. He declared at once that it was not Shivaji.
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