The Encounter
The Meeting: Both leaders agreed to a peaceful truce meeting inside a decorated tent (shamiyana) with a limited number of guards.
Anticipated Treachery: Expecting betrayal from Afzal Khan—who had a known history of killing opponents during negotiations—Shivaji Maharaj wore chain mail armor beneath his clothes and concealed a baghnakha (tiger claws) and a bichuwa (dagger).
The Attack: During their embrace, Afzal Khan attempted to stab Shivaji Maharaj, who retaliated by using his baghnakha and dagger to fatally wound Afzal Khan.
Aftermath: Following the initial clash, Afzal Khan's bodyguard Bada Sayyed attacked Shivaji Maharaj but was struck down by Jiva Mahala. Afzal Khan was later beheaded, leading to the rout of the Bijapur army at the Battle of Pratapgad.
Watch a historical overview and breakdown of how Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj encountered and defeated Afzal Khan: