Saath Kabar - 60 Graves!

On 20th November, 1659, the mighty Bijapur Sultanate’s General, Afzal Khan went to battle with Shivaji Maharaj at Pratapgarh. That Battle of Pratapgarh, would prove to be a turning tide in the fortunes of both the Marathas as well as the for the Bijapur Sultanate. Shivaji Maharaj, would emerge triumphant, in fact legendary post killing Afzal Khan with the Bagh Nakh. I will not go into that part of the story.

?There is, however, a darker story that has been over-shadowed under the bright lights of Shivaji’s victory. Both Shivaji and Afzal Khan, despite their military acumen and prowess were strangely huge believers in omens and occults.

?In the days preceding that battle, both apparently saw meteors raining down from the night skies and flashes of lightning on clear blue skies. And both consulted their astrologers. Shivaji Maharaj saw Goddess Tulja Bhavani appear in his dreams and asked for retribution for the desecration of the Tulja Bhavani Temple by Afzal Khan.

However, Afzal Khan’s astrologer held out sinister prophesies of his death in the hands of Shivaji Maharaj. Seized with that calamitous thought of what would happen to his wives and concubines in the event of his death – he downed them all in a step-well and then buried them in an exclusively built graveyard, known as Saat Kabar. All 63 of them with just one managing to escape!

If you happen to visit Bijapur in North Karnataka (now, Viajayapura), do try to visit that place. And, it isn’t easy to spot the place. See the Khooni Bawri (Murderous Stepwell) and the Saat Kabar (60 Graves). And, say a silent prayer to their souls.