Suryaji was barely able to speak. He began, 'Maharaj, Tanaji realized we may not be able to climb the steep cliffs but he used his favourite ghorpad (Ghorpad is a monitor lizard in Marathi), Yashwanti. He tied a rope around its waist and it climbed up, securing a foothold using its sharp talons. We all were able to climb up soon. As soon as we entered the fort, the guards woke up and a fight began. We were outnumbered by the enemy troops- there were Arabs, Afghans, Rajputs and Pathans and we fought like men possessed. Tanaji was a tiger, slaughtering anyone who came his way. When some of the Mawals wanted to run and Tanaji saw Shelar mama down on the ground, he cut off the ropes and shouted, 'You fools! Here your mama lies on the ground and you can think of running away?' That was enough to challenge us and we fought like devils possessed.'