Question

When did the Battle of Pratapgad take place?
a. 1670
b. 1659
c. 1665
d. 1669

Answer 1

Hint:
Afzal Khan was an eminent general of Bijapur. He was selected to lead an assault against Shivaji. He started at Bijapur in 1659. Shivaji met Afzal Khan on 10th of November, 1659. Shivaji then killed him in a truce negotiation.


Complete solution:
The Battle of Pratapgad was fought on the 10th of November in the year 1659. This battle took place at the fort of Pratapgad near the town of Satara in Maharashtra, India. This land battle was fought between the forces of the Maratha king Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and Adilshahi General Afzal Khan of Bijapur. It was fought for supremacy in the Deccan (Southern) region. It was won by the Marathas and Maratha forces were established as a dominant player in the Southern region. It was their first notable military victory against a great regional power. Also, it led to the ultimate establishment of the Maratha Empire.

In this war, the Maratha army utilized the "Guerrilla warfare" tactics in order to defeat the large and heavily outnumbered army of the Adilshahi General Afzal Khan in the mountainous area of Pratapgad. Surprisingly this technique of attack was one of the most successful strategies in the Deccan province benefiting Maratha forces.


Hence, the correct answer is option B.

Note:
Among all the forts possessed by Maratha king Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, the Pratapgad fort is particularly significant as it is the only hill fort built by him. It is situated a little more than 1,000 m above sea level in the hill of Pratapgad in Javali valley. It is surrounded by dense forests. Pratapgad was conceptualised by Shivaji after he took over the valley of Javali from the Morey family bearing the title of Chandra Rao - the Marathi jagirdar of Javali in the battle of 1656.