Shivaji's Intelligence Bureau: How Bahirji Naik Built Swarajya's Spy Network

In this episode, Lucas and Luna dive deep into the shadowy world of Shivaji Maharaj's espionage system — the network that gave Swarajya its edge. They focus on Bahirji Naik, the legendary spymaster who orchestrated intelligence operations from the Sahyadris to the Mughal court. How did a shepherd boy become the eyes and ears of the Maratha kingdom? What was the role of the Chitnis in encoding messages? And how did Shivaji's spy network compare to other early modern intelligence systems? Lucas unpacks the training, the disguises, the coded language, and the brutal price of betrayal. Along the way, they touch on the famous Afzal Khan episode — not the assassination itself, but the intelligence that made it possible. A fascinating look at how information, not just swords, built an empire. #ShivajiMaharaj #BahirjiNaik #SpyNetwork #MarathaEmpire #Swarajya #Chitnis #Intelligence #Mavala #Sahyadri #AfzalKhan #Pratapgad #HindaviSwarajya #Espionage #CodedMessages #ChhatrapatiShivaji #IndianHistory #History #FexingoHistory Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo