The death of Balaji Haivatrao and subsequent loss of Subhan Mangal fort hit the Chief Commander of Bijapur forces, Fateh Khan like a mighty blow. The defeat of the warrior of Balaji Haivatrao’s stature was inconsolable. Fateh Khan regrouped his forces and prepared for a revenge battle. It was a known fact that Shivaji was camping in Purander fort. So, Fateh Khan raised his battle cry against the enemy and laid a siege to Purander fort.
Meanwhile, Shivaji had guessed that Fateh Khan would come for him to settle the score. He had made furious preparations to meet the challenge. Which included the mountainous heaps of large stones and boulders collected on the fort top. And his army was ready to face any attack.
Fateh Khan’s huge army was advancing in two columns. The left column was being led by Faltan Raja and the right one by commander Gatge. These columns were preceded by the group of the ferocious warrior Moose Khan. The path to the fort was very difficult with many kinds of hurdles blocking the progress of any intruder. Only the soldiers of exceptional courage could negotiate the hurdles and reach the walls.
The first line of soldiers that reached the wall was greeted by volleys of arrows, stones and spears. The advancing lines broke up in panic. The soldiers lay around dead and injured. Big boulders and stones were rolling down the walls crushing the enemies. Shivaji’s tactic of storing stones and boulders on the roof top was proving very effective. The enemy was losing heart and its soldiers were turning back to flee.
This scene angered the warrior Moose Khan. He challenged the fleeing soldiers, “Don’t run away like cowards! Stand your ground and fight back. Move forward. Utter shame will be to your soldier life to let a boy scare you away. Crush the enemy like soldiers of a great empire. Battle on!”
Moose Khan set an example by rushing forward raising the battle cry ‘Allah-O-Akbar!’ and waving his sword. He began to climb the wall. The other soldiers also turned back and followed him. The other commanders also ordered their units to move forward and join the attack.
On the other side, Shivaji was observing the progress of the battle. He would make his own move. Just when the enemy was reaching the walls the gates of the fort suddenly opened and then shut after letting out a small army of chosen soldiers.
The armies clashed amid respective war cries of ‘Har Har Mahadev’ and ‘Allah-O-Akbar’. Each fighter had picked up his choice enemy to battle with.
Sandoji swooped on Ashraf Khan. Bhairan confronted Minao Khan. Moose Khan was challenged by Jagtap Singh. Kawji who had joined Shivaji ran around furiously charging at several foes. Meanwhile Minao Khan was joined by Rattan Khan to deal with Godaji after Jagtap had been disposed off.
Godaji was fighting like a possessed soldier. His spear went into Moose Khan’s elephantine body. But Moose Khan pulled out the spear and broke it in two like a twig contemptuously. Bheemaji was trying to hold back Gatge who was pushing like a bull.
Moose Khan saw Godaji coming at him to make another attempt. They charged at each other and fought like mad bulls for quiet some time. Their swords flashed as they circled each other stalking to kill. Godaji was swift but Moose Khan packed more power. Suddenly, Godaji sprang in the air and his sword flashed down like lighting to split Moose Khan in two from shoulder down. He fell down like a split tree.
Bijapur soldiers wilted with the end of Moose Khan. Shivaji was watching down from the fort tower. He ordered a larger army to be let out the fort to tackle the enemy. The gates opened and fresh bands of soldiers poured out to confront the enemy. Their sight demoralised the enemy and its soldiers fell back and began to flee.
Fateh Khan was chased by Shiva soldiers but he succeeded in giving them a slip.
The enemy camp was raided and a treasure of cash and weapons were seized.
