In 1647, Tanhaji’s father, Kaloji Malusare trains him in sword-fighting, later succumbing to a Mughal plunder in Umrat. 17 years later in 1664, a now-adult Tanhaji with his younger brother Suryaji, commands Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s Maratha Army to attack an intruding Mughal cavalry. Tanhaji: The Unsung Warrior
In 1665, the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb dispatches one of his generals the king of Amer Jai Singh to capture Shivaji to stop his rapid imperial expansion in Deccan, thus he captured Shivaji along side his 23 forts under his control. Later, the Mughal general Beshak Khan orders a quick vacation of the strategic fortress Kondhana, insulting Jijabai, Shivaji’s mother, who swears to remain barefoot until the Marathas recapture the fort. Tanhaji is informed about the treaty as well. Five years later, Shivaji Raje’s spy informs him about Aurangzeb’s plan to assign the Kondhana fort to his Rajput general Udaybhan Rathod and to use it as a base for Aurangzeb’s southern imperial expansion. Raje plans to recapture Kondhana, considering himself to lead the campaign as Tanhaji, though an able general, can’t be employed due to his son Rayba’s upcoming wedding. Meanwhile, Tanhaji celebrates Holi with his family. Marathas begin their war preparations and Shivaji warns his generals to keep Tanhaji from knowing about the campaign. Tanhaji arrives at Rajgad for inviting Shivaji to Rayba’s wedding. Chandraji Pisal, a Maratha general, who’s attempting to usurp Shivaji Raje’s throne, discloses to Tanhaji the secret plan at his nephew Chultya’s recommendation. Tanhaji convinces Shivaji and Jijabai to permit him to lead the campaign and postpones Rayba’s wedding.
Elsewhere, Udaybhan reaches Burhanpur while the Marathas discuss his route possibilities. Tanhaji coins an attack plan but Pisal sends Chultya to warn Udaybhan about this, his scheme being that of sabotaging Tanhaji’s mission and getting him killed so as to make Shivaji Raje appoint him as in-charge of the mission. Pisal intends to become influential enough to overthrow Shivaji Raje and join hands with Udaybhan. Udaybhan is also bringing an imprisoned Kamla Devi en route, the sister of his Rajput general Jagat Singh.