Meanwhile, Shivaji had made all possible preparations for the crowning event of his life. He spent the night in prayer of Bhavani. He dressed in white Indian robe, but underneath it he donned a shirt of fine mail (flexible armor). In his belt was a bichva, a scorpion dagger, a favorite Maratha weapon and a good Bhavani sword. Concealed in the palm of his left hand was the terrible tiger’s claw, long steel hooks fitting to the fingers used for assassination. Then, accompanied by his old and tired comrade Tanaji Malusare, he descended slowly from the gateway of the castle. Above the plateau, a sentry had been posted. “When you see me strike,” Shivaji had given orders, “Don’t think of me, sound the charge, whether I stand or fall.”

Shivaji then descended hesitatingly and in apparent fear fell on the feet of Afzal Khan. Afzal Khan stooped to raise him up and at the same moment the Maratha chief, as if he was to embrace him, struck into his stomach with the tiger claw. Afzal Khan immediately staggered back and took out his sword to counter the assault but the edge was turned by Shivaji’s coat of mail. His officer tried to rescue his master but the efforts went in vain as it was an unprepared attack.