Afzal Khan Tomb

Why in news?

• Recently, the Supreme Court (SC) has sought reports from the Maharashtra government on the demolition drive conducted around the tomb of Afzal Khan.

About Afzal Khan:

• Afzal Khan was a general who served the Adil Shahi dynasty of Bijapur Sultanate.
• He played an important role in the southern expansion of the Bijapur Sultanate by subjugating the Nayaka chiefs who had taken control of the former Vijayanagara territory.
• In 1659, the Bijapur government sent Afzal Khan to subjugate Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, a former vassal who had started acting independently.
• He was killed at a truce negotiation meeting with Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, and his army was defeated at the Battle of Pratapgad

History of Afzal Khan’s tomb:

• With Shivaji’s rise and increasing control of the region, Afzal Khan was seen as the man to subdue him in the Deccan. Khan marched from Bijapur to Wai, plundering Shivaji’s territory along the way.
• Shivaji called a council of war at the fort of Pratapgarh, where most of his advisers urged him to make peace.
• Shivaji was not eager to back down and he set up a meeting with Khan.
• Afzal Khan was killed 1659 when during a meeting, an embrace between the two turned into an attack in which Shivaji emerged victorious.
• Khan’s remains were buried at the fort and a tomb was constructed on Shivajij’s orders.
• The tower is still known by the name ‘Afzul Buruj’ at Pratapgarh.

PRACTICE QUESTION:

Consider the following statements:

1. Afzal Khan was a military general who served Marathas

2. Afzal Khan was a contemporary of Chatrapati Shivaji

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Answer