Chapter 9 – Pratapgad makes History
1. Form a correct word from the given letters.
(a) r t P a p a g d a
Ans: Pratapgad
(b) j a i i S v h
Ans: Shivaji
(c) n h l z A a f k a
Ans: Afzalkhan
2. Write the answer in one sentence.
(a) What challenge did Afzalkhan accept?
Ans: Afzalkhan accepted the challenge put forward by Badi Saheba, to march against Shivaji and put an end to his rebellion.
(b) What message did Afzalkhan send Shivaji in a spirit of apparent friendliness?
Ans: In a spirit of apparent friendliness, Afzalkhan sent a message to Shivaji saying, “You are like a son to me. Come and see me. Return our forts, and I shall see that Adilshah makes you a Sardar at his court.”
3. Give the answer in two or three sentences.
(a) Why did Shivaji have to use some strategic move to fight Afzalkhan?
Ans:
(i) Shivaji knew that Afzalkhan was full of strategy and had a huge army.
(ii) He could never succeed in an open battle against Afzalkhan.
(iii) His only hope was a strategic move; hence, Shivaji shifted his capital from Raigad to Pratapgad to take Khan by surprise and fight against him.
(b) What did Shivaji say to his Sardars before going to Afzalkhan?
Ans: Before going to meet Afzalkhan, Shivaji said to his sardars that
(i) He was sure that Goddess Bhavani would see that we succeeded.
(ii) If things go wrong and he is killed, do not lose heart and install Sambhaji on the ‘gadi’.
(iii) Follow the advice of Maasaheb, fight for Swaraj, extend its boundaries, and make the subjects happy.
4. Give reasons.
(a) Afzalkhan became very angry when he learnt that Shivaji had moved to Pratapgad.
Ans: Afzalkhan became angry when he learned that Shivaji had moved to Pratapgad because:
(i) Afzalkhan was aware of the difficulties in conquering Pratapgad.
(ii) It was surrounded by thick forest and high hills.
(iii) There was no proper approach road to the fort, and it was very difficult to move his artillery.
(b) Gloom spread over the whole of Bijapur.
Ans:
(i) The Maratha troops chased and destroyed the whole of the Khan’s powerful army as soon as Afzalkhan was killed by Shivaji.
(ii) Fazalkhan, Afzalkhan’s son, who escaped with great difficulty, reached Bijapur.
(iii) His account of the disastrous campaign spread gloom over the whole of Bijapur.