History of Shiv Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. And introduction, valor, coronation, war, war strategy, death, successor etc. Other features include the Maratha Empire.
Amazing biography of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj
The amazing and important introduction of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj is given below.
The one who dreamed of a united India. And is known as the God of Marathas in Maharashtra. History of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. Who was born on 19 February 1630 in Shivneri Fort of Pune. In some books, his birth is mentioned on 20 April 1627. His father Shahaji Raje Bhosale and mother’s name was Jija Bai. Shivaji Maharaj was born in her house. Whose real name was Shivaji Raje Bhosale. His height was 5’7″.
Note: It is said that he was named after Lord Shiva. However, some historians say that his mother had worshiped Goddess Shivai to get a son. After which he was named Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj after the name of Goddess Shivai.
His childhood was looked after by his mother Jija Bai. Mother Jija Bai was of a very religious nature. In which we can see him as a warrior. Who inspired Shivaji to become great by narrating stories of ideal men from Ramayana, Mahabharata and religious texts in his childhood. Apart from this, she also taught Shivaji qualities like intelligence, sensitivity, empathy and intuition. Jija Bai worked as a foundation for the character building of Shivaji. That is, the teachings of Guru Ramdas also had an influence on his character development. Shivaji’s spiritual guru was Samarth Ramdas Ji.
Description of all marriages of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj
Shivaji Maharaj married 8 times in his lifetime. His first marriage was with Saibai Nimbalkar on 14 May 1640. Who was his first and main wife. From whom he got 4 children. He got 2 children from his second wife named Soyrabai Mohite. He got 1 daughter from his third wife named Sakvarbai Gaikwad. Shivaji Maharaj also got 1 daughter from his fourth wife named Sagunabai Shirke. The fifth wife was known as Putlabai Palkar. The name of the 6th wife was Kashibai Jadhav. The name of the 7th wife was Laxmibai Vichare and the name of the 8th wife was Guwantabai Ingle.
The three swords of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj are quite popular. Whose names are Jagdamba sword, Bhavani sword and Tulja sword. Shivaji Maharaj used Bhavani sword in the war.
Valor
Those facts about Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj which show his bravery are mentioned below.
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj was a skilled soldier and was accepted as the administrator of the Marathas. He got army training and knowledge of administration from Dadoji Konddev. He was his political guru and mentor who also gave him knowledge of swordsmanship, horse riding and shooting in war strategy. Dadoji Konddev was working as the general of Bijapur Sultanate. Shivaji later got the strength of Maharana Pratap and amazing knowledge like Chanakya Niti.
Adilshah had imprisoned Shivaji’s father Shahaji
When Shivaji Maharaj had taken control of many areas of Bijapur, then the Adil Shah of Bijapur Sultanate kept trying to arrest Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and take major action against him. But he was unsuccessful in controlling Shivaji. Due to this, Adil Shah arrested Shivaji’s father Shahaji Bhosale in 1648. Shivaji was surprised to hear this news.
However, Shivaji did not stop. He immediately, with courage and patience, succeeded in freeing his father through guerrilla tactics. However, we have also been told that Shivaji had first met Aurangzeb Emperor Shahjahan from a political point of view to get his father released. And after Shahjahan declared Adil Shah, Adil Shah released Shivaji’s father Shahaji.
Death of Afzal Khan at the hands of Shivaji
However, even after 6 years, Shivaji’s enmity with the Adilshahi Sultanate did not end. Shivaji’s activities in Bijapur started increasing again. There came a time when Bijapur’s chief queen Badi Megham Sahiba challenged her courtiers and asked who is the person in Bijapur who has the courage to kill Shivaji Maharaj. Then the biggest fighter of the Adilshahi regime, Afzal Khan, roared.
The same Afzal Khan said, “Who is Chhatrapati Shivaji? I will bring him in chains and I will not even need to get down from the horse to carry out this incident.”
However, the enmity between Afzal Khan and Shivaji’s family was there for a long time. Shivaji’s father Shahaji Bhosale and Afzal both worked for Bijapur. Afzal Khan was the one. Who had imprisoned Shivaji’s father Shahaji Bhonsle in chains and brought him to Bijapur. When Afzal Khan decided to capture Shivaji Maharaj, then the conversation between both the sides continued through messages.
However, the time of the meeting was now near. A day before that, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj got his beard cut. Because Shivaji Maharaj had recognized him. If the situation changed, Afzal Khan could catch his beard. Due to which he may have to face defeat. This happened on 10 November 1659. When Shivaji Maharaj and Afzal Khan meet. Afzal Khan reaches to meet Shivaji with an army of about 20000.
Meanwhile, Afzal Khan very cleverly hugs Shivaji Maharaj and plots to kill him with a knife behind his back. Meanwhile, Shivaji Maharaj also very cleverly holds the Baghnakh hidden in his clothes in his hands. And he makes such a deadly attack on Afzal Khan’s chest that Afzal Khan dies on the spot. Due to which, Afzal Khan’s army also runs away from there.
Coronation
Complete information about the coronation of Veer Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj is given below.
Before Shivaji Maharaj became the king, Mughals, Dutch, Portuguese etc. used to see him as a robber. Because Shivaji Maharaj had won many lands in geographical situation. And he had carried out many robberies.
Shivaji Maharaj was coronated in Raigad fort on 6 June 1674. Even the preparations started 6 months before the coronation. At that time Shivaji Maharaj’s throne weighed 1280 kg. However, on this auspicious occasion of coronation, the Brahmins of Maharashtra also opposed it. Because before getting the title of king, Shivaji was counted as a Shudra. Due to which we have also been told that Shivaji Maharaj was coronated by Ghaghabhatt with his toe.
Mention of the massacre of Brahmins by Shivaji
On this auspicious occasion of coronation, Brahmins had issued an order of killing of Brahma against Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. Because when Shivaji Bhonsle killed Afzal Khan, a Brahmin who supported Afzal Khan, whose name was Krishnaji Bhaskar, was also killed by Shivaji. Then Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj freed himself from the sin of killing Brahma by gifting gold equal to his own weight to the Brahmins.
Meanwhile, on 5 June 1674, in Raigad fort, water was brought from far off places in all the four directions, from seas, ponds and rivers, and was brought to the fort. And Shivaji was anointed with the same water. Slowly the time came closer and the brave Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj sat on the throne. All the people of the state gathered around the palace. There was an atmosphere of peace. There was an echo of Vedha Mantras. Musical instruments etc. are played.
Description of the 8:00 am coronation day
It was morning on 6th June 1674. Just before 8:00. A program of gifts is organized by the people of the state and outsiders of the state in Raigad fort. In which many people give gifts to Shivaji. All trade policies are agreed upon among them. It was 9:00 in the morning. Then Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj sits on a huge elephant. And his commander Hambir Rao Mohite becomes the mahout. And to describe his subjects, he enters the palace. And on this day Shivaji issued an order to change the Persian words used in the palace to Sanskrit.
After the fall of Vijayanagara, this was the first Hindu empire in the south. Although Shivaji’s empire was smaller than the Mughal empire, he knew that competing with the Mughals in this way would probably prove to be challenging for him. That is why Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj started expanding his empire. And in the meantime Shivaji assumed the title of Chhatrapati and declared the existence of Hindavi Swarajya. In this way Shivaji was crowned. And further the struggle with the Mughals continued.
War policy
The war strategy which Shivaji used during his war was these war techniques.
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj considered hill forts as an integral part of his war strategy. He used to install three officers of the same level inside the fort. So that even if one of them meets the enemy, he would still fail to conquer the fort.
Description of the guerrilla strategy
Guerilla war strategy was the strength of his war. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj used to attack the enemies by breaking into small groups. Within a few moments of attacking, Shivaji’s army would immediately disappear and enter the forts situated on the mountain.
Description of the Navy policy
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj is also called the father of the Indian Navy. He built a powerful navy in 1657. Because he knew that to maintain control over the Konkan coast, he would need to acquire a strong naval power. Shivaji Raje Bhosale established naval forts. These include Jaigad, Vijaygad, Sindhudurg etc. Shivaji Maharaj also had 4 different types of warships during that period. Marathi history describes him as having 400 warships. However, according to contemporary English history, this number was never proved to be more than 160.
war
Most of Shivaji Maharaj’s life was spent in fighting with Mughals and Aurangzeb. We have mentioned them below.
Conquering Toran Fort first
In 1646, Adil Shah of Bijapur Sultanate fell ill. Due to his illness, his Bijapur Sultanate also became weak. When Shivaji Maharaj came to know about this weakness of Bijapur Sultanate, then at the age of just 16, Shivaji first attacked Torna Fort in 1646 and achieved victory. However, he also took control of the treasure found from here. And also awakened his war skills at a young age.
The next 2 years after Toran
After this, Shivaji Maharaj gathered the Marathas. And within the next 2 years, he took control of many important forts near Pune. These included Kondhana Purandar etc., which were considered to be the strong forts of Bijapur. However, he attacked Rajgarh, Baramati, Indapur near these and took control of them. Now Shivaji Maharaj moved towards the western part where he captured the city of Kalyan.
Description of the history of Shivaji in 1656
In 1656, Shivaji Maharaj captured Mahabaleshwar in the Javli valley. After this victory, Shivaji was inspired to conquer South and South-West Maharashtra.
Description of the history of Shivaji in 1658
After 1658, Aurangzeb ousted Shah Jahan and took over the power. Now the Mughals were focused on the princely states in the eastern part of India. Due to which their authority in Southern India started to diminish. They attacked the forts of Ahmednagar and Reshim. Due to which the relations between Aurangzeb and Shivaji Maharaj deteriorated. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj captured 40 forts in Southern India.
Description of Shivaji’s attack on Shahista Khan in 1663
Aurangzeb who had realized the power of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, appointed his maternal uncle Shahista Khan as the governor of Pune in the south to control him. Under his command there was an army of about 1.50 lakhs. Shahista Khan kept looting Maval for about 3 years. Seeing these activities of Shahista Khan, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj attacked Shahista Khan in April 1663. Due to which four of his fingers were cut. And on the other hand, the Marathas killed Shahista Khan’s son Abul Fateh. In the meantime, Shivaji Maharaj’s treasury was also exhausted.
To replenish his exhausted treasury, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj looted the port city of Surat in 1664. Surat used to be a big trading center of the Mughals. On 13 February 1665, Shivaji launched a naval attack on Basrur, which was occupied by the Portuguese in Karnataka, and carried out a large loot.
Description of Shivaji’s raid on Purandar fort in 1665
Meanwhile, Aurangzeb was quite surprised by Shivaji’s attack on Shahista Khan and the large loot in Surat. However, Aurangzeb did not stop. He sent Rajput general Jai Singh with an army of about 15000 to defeat Shivaji Bhonsle. This army destroyed small rural areas and laid siege to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s forts and continued to try to put pressure on Shivaji Maharaj. In 1665, when the Mughal army laid siege to the Purandar fort and was trying to capture it, on 11 June 1665, Jai Singh and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj attacked the Purandar fort on behalf of the Mughals. Meanwhile, Shivaji Maharaj had decided to leave his 23 forts. Now he had approximately 12 forts left.
Description of the Digvijaya campaign between 1676 and 1678
Time passed and progress kept on going. After his coronation, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj started moving towards the southern part. He named this campaign as Dakshin Digvijay. To move ahead easily in the south, he made a treaty with the Subedar of Aurangabad and Qutubshah of Golconda. This campaign of his lasted from 1676 to 1678. Where in Mumbai his empire had spread from Konkan to Belgaum, Dharwad and Mysore in the west. To challenge Aurangzeb. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj kept on expanding his kingdom continuously. Aurangzeb’s southern policies failed because of Shivaji.
Maratha Empire
Mention of the entire Maratha Empire. We have highlighted below.
First of all, Marathas were considered as a slavery. Where Shivaji Maharaj and his opponents were in India. Like Aurangzeb and the expansion of the Mughal Empire etc. Apart from these, at that time in India. Many European companies were arriving from a business point of view. And all these companies were trying to strengthen themselves. At that time Mysore and Bengal were also engaged in making themselves the best.
Amidst so many conflicts. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj who first established the Maratha Empire. And became the founder of the Maratha Empire. And his cabinet is called Ashtapradhan. In which Peshwa was kept to look after the governance of the entire state. Apart from this, Amatya, Sumant, Chitnis, Senapati, Judge, Panditrao, Vakayanvis etc. were included. Who had full powers of the Maratha Empire. However, he not only established the Maratha Empire. But also strengthened and strengthened them. And meanwhile Pune became the centre of politics of Maratha Empire. Where Peshwa was considered the real head of the empire. And all the powers of the empire were kept with Peshwa.
death
The reason for the death of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj is defined below.
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj died at the age of 50 on 3 April 1680 in Raigad Fort. Where at present, Shivaji Maharaj’s Samadhi Sthal is also built inside the Raigad Fort. By going there we can get more information related to his death. After a long period of time has passed, getting the basic information about his death may prove to be challenging for us.
But according to the research of some historians, Shivaji died naturally. Under which we have been told that his health deteriorated.
Mention of the second incident of Shivaji’s death
However, another statement proves it. When on 3 April 1680, Hanuman Jayanti was being celebrated with great pomp in Raigad Fort. And all the people of the fort were busy on this auspicious occasion of Hanuman Jayanti. Then Shivaji’s eldest son Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj who had gone to Kolhapur for important work of the palace. Then some cunning ministers of Raigad fort thought this time to be appropriate. And then some of Shivaji’s ministers mixed poison like intoxicating substance in his medicines and made him drink it. Where in the end Shivaji also vomited blood. And this depicts the process of his last breath.
Successor
After the death of Shivaji, his successor Sambhaji Maharaj is mentioned here.
Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, who after the death of his father Shivaji, decided to take over the throne. He became Sambhaji Maharaj, the successor of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and took the title of Chhatrapati. His coronation took place in January 1689 AD. His gurus were Keshav Bhatt and Umaji Pandit. Sambhaji Maharaj made Raigad his capital.
Although Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj was the eldest son of Shivaji, whose mother Saibai Nimbalkar was the main wife of Shivaji.
Features
Important features related to Shivaji Maharaj are mentioned here.
When Shivaji Maharaj was born in 1630, there were three Islamic sultanates in the western part of India. Nizamshahi of Ahmednagar, Adilshahi of Bijapur and Qutubshahi of Golconda were situated there. There was always a subject of conflict between these three sultanates.
Aurangzeb had given the title of king to Shivaji.
When Shivaji Maharaj was 16 years old, Dadoji Kondev died.
Even today we get to see stories of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj among the people of Maharashtra.
Aurangzeb used to address Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj as a mountain rat.
In Shivaji’s kingdom, coins were used in his name.
Conclusion
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