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Shivaji Bhosle
Chhatrapati
Chhatrapati Shivaji Raje Bhosle (statue at Raigad)
Reign1674 - 1680
CoronationJune 6, 1674
SuccessorSambhaji
Wives
IssueSambhaji, Rajaram, and three daughters
FatherShahaji
MotherJijabai

Shivaji Bhosle, also known as Chhatrapati Shivaji Raje Bhosle (Marathi: छत्रपती शिवाजीराजे भोसले) (Born:February 19,1627, Died: March 4,1680) was the founder of Maratha empire in western India in 1674.

He is considered a great hero in India, particularly in the present-day state of Maharashtra. Using guerrilla tactics well-suited to the rugged mountains and valleys of the region, he annexed a portion of the then dominant Mughal empire and the Sultanate of Bijapur.

Stories of his exploits have entered into folklore.

Historical background

The land of Maharashtra , in south-central India, was ruled by a local dynasty, the Satavahanas from 300 BC to 230 AD. After which, it constantly morphed into many different kingdoms.

In 1292, Ala-ud-din Khilji, an Islamic invader, defeated the Yadavas of Devagiri, but the Yadavas continued to rule till 1310. A branch of the Yadavas ruled parts of Konkan and Khandesh regions of Maharashtra for a century thereafter[citation needed]. Although the Maratha capitals fell to invaders, the regional lords held their power base and influence.

In 1453, an invasion of Bahamani in the region of Vishalgarh resulted in a defeat of Yadavas. Over time, an understanding evolved between the sultanates, and the local regional lords and their erstwhile master Yadavas. The Yadavas became a vassal of Bahamani. In 1492, the Bahamani sultanate broke into five kingdoms each called a Shahi.

In 1565, the allied Deccan sultanates vanquished the Vijayanagara Empire at Talikota. By the time Shivaji began his military career, power in the region was shared by three Sultanates - Bijapur, Ahmednagar, and Golconda. Most of the Marathas continued as soldiers and noblemen of the Sultanates as the sultanates engaged in a continuous game of mutual alliances and aggressions.

Like his ancestors, Shahaji (Shivaji's father) was a major player in the Mughal Wars. At that time, Shahaji was a regent for the young Nizam. Together with the prime minister of Nizamshah, Malik Amber, he put up a stiff resistance to the advancing forces of the Mughal emperor and thereafter defeated them.

However, tired of the unsettled conditions, Shahaji Raje left Nizamshah's service and joined Adilshah of Bijapur, who gave him a higher title of 'Sar Lashkar' [1].

The Mughal emperor Shah Jahan again attacked the Kingdom of Nizamshah. At this critical hour, Shahaji Raje returned to the military service of Nizamshah to help stiffen-up the defences. Meanwhile, a prominent Maratha sardar Lakhuji Jadavrao was murdered on the order of the Nizam, and this was not acceptable to Shahaji, and it prompted him to raise the banner of independence and establish an independent kingdom.

Early life

Shivaji with Jijamata

It was during this unsettled period that Shivaji was born. His birth was in independent country, as proclaimed by his father, Shahaji. Perhaps, that was the main contributing reason for his life long desire for independence.

The actual date of Shivaji's birth was under controversy but now settled on date as 19 February 1627. Shivaji's grandfather Maloji Bhonsle claimed descent from the north Aryabharat kshyatriya clan ofSisodia .[2] Shivaji was born in Shivneri Fort, Junnar, 60 kilometres north of Pune and about 100 kilometres east of Mumbai. He was named Shiva, after the local Goddess Shivai, to whom his mother Jijabai had prayed for a son. Jijabai had several other sons before Shivaji who did not survive, except for Sambhaji who was with Shahaji in the South.

Shahaji attempted to build on the ruins of the Nizamshahi kingdom of Ahmednagar, but was defeated by a much larger combined force of the Mughals and Adilshah in 1636. He was forced to leave the region around Pune. He was inducted by Adilshah of Bijapur and was offered a distant jagir - land holdings, at present-day Bangalore. But he was allowed to keep his old land tenures and holdings in Pune.

Shivaji started his rise to power in what is now the state of Maharashtra in the Deccan or Southern region, close to the power centres of South-Central India.

Foundation of empire

Given these circumstances, Shahaji appointed the young Shivaji under the care of his mother Jijabai to manage the Pune holdings. A small council of ministers was appointed to assist Shivaji in the administration which included Shamrao Nilkanth as Peshwa(Prime Minister), Balkrishna Pant as Muzumdar, Raghunath Ballal as Sabnis and Sonopant as Dabir and Dadoji Konddev. Apart from these ministers, military commanders Kanhoji Jedhe and Baji Pasalkar were appointed to train and educate Shivaji. Assuming administrative responsibility in 1644, Shahaji had Lal Mahal built in Pune.

A royal seal was handed to Shivaji which reads in Sanskrit:

  • "This is the royal seal of Shivaji, son of Shahaji. This royal seal is for the welfare of people. This seal (the rule of the seal) will grow like the new moon grows."

Thus Shivaji started his career as an independent young prince of a small kingdom on a mission. Shivaji used the title of Raja (king) only after Shahji's death.


His mother made an indelible impression on him with her teachings,with her love to the land & to the people of land.He used to play with his poor friends in childhood,which provided him consensus that what people need. In addition to this, Shivaji learned much from his father's failed attempts at political independence: his exceptional military capabilities and achievements, his knowledge of Sanskrit, Hindu ethos, patronage of the arts, his war strategies and peacetime diplomacy. He was inspired and informed by his family's vision of independence and freedom.

Furthermore, his mother, having lost her father and three brothers to a devious plot hatched by the local Nizamshah, was opposed to who she considered alien rulers due to their derision and callousness toward the local population. Jijabai thusly instilled in Shivaji a natural love for self-determination and an aversion to external political domination.

Her piety and commitment to indigenous culture and her recounting of tales from the great Indian epics of Mahabharata and Ramayana molded Shivaji's character and helped him to be peerless (as confirmed by even otherwise inimical chroniclers, Khafi Khan especially) in his tolerant attitude towards other religions as well as in his fair and kind treatment of women and non-combatants.

Shahaji's vision, Jijabai's teachings and motivation, and the able training by military commanders such as Gomaji Naik and Baji Pasalkar were the main influences which groomed Shivaji into a brave and fearless military leader as well as a responsible administrator. Young Shivaji, energetic and enthusiastic as he was, wasted no time in setting off on a path of freedom and glory.

Confrontation with the local Sultanates

At the age of 17 Shivaji carried out his first military action by attacking and capturing Torna fort of the Bijapur kingdom, in 1643. By 1647 he had captured Kondana and Rajgad forts and had complete control of the Pune region.

By 1654 Shivaji had captured forts in the Western Ghats and along the Konkan coast. In a bid to sabotage this move of the Marathas under Shivaji's able leadership, Adilshah had his father - Shahaji arrested by deceitful means, and he sent one army against Sambhaji, Shivaji's elder brother at Banglore (with Farradkhan at its head) and another against Shivaji at Purandhar (with Fattekhan at its head). However both Bhonsle brothers defeated the invading armies securing the release of their father. Afzal Khan was then sent to destroy Shivaji, in an effort to put down what was seen by Bijapur as a regional revolt.


Battle of Pratapgarh

Main article: Battle of Pratapgarh

Afzal Khan, after leaving Bijapur to confront Shivaji, first desecrated the temples at Tuljapur and Pandharpur. The intent was to get Shivaji out in the open to face him in a pitched battle. Instead Shivaji, sent a letter saying he was not eager to face Afzal Khan and sought some type of understanding. Shivaji decided to confront Afzal Khan under the guise of diplomatic negotiations. A meeting was arranged between Afzal Khan and Shivaji at the foothills of fort Pratapgad .

Shivaji, acutely aware of the danger facing him, prepared carefully and deligently for this encounter, he secretly armed himself with sharp metal razor weapon called Wagh Nakh (Tiger Claw), and Chilkhat (Armour) prior to a meeting arranged by Afzal Khan. Afzal Khan embraced him before the commencement of supposed negotiations and then surreptitiously proceeded to stab him with a Khanjjar (Middle-eastern dagger) hidden in his clothes. Shivaji survived the attack unscathed, protected by body armour he wore under his clothes, in response Shivaji counter attacked Afzal Khan with 'Wagh Nakh'and 'Bichwa' spilling his blood and entrails on the ground.

Thereupon, Afzal Khan's Hindu deputy, Krishnaji Bhaskar Kulkarni and his bodyguard Sayyed Banda attacked Shivaji with a sword but Jiva Mahala, Shivaji's personal bodyguard fatally struck them down with a single stroke of Dandpatta (medieval weapon). Meanwhile a stunned and wounded Afzal Khan managed to stumble out of the tent to get help but was immediately slain by Shivaji's associate Sambhaji Kavji, prior to getting help or raising an alarm.

In the ensuing battle of Pratapgarh in the dense forests, which was fought on November 30, 1659 Shivaji's armies routed Bijapur's forces and emerged victorious. This victory made Shivaji the hero of Maratha folklore and a legendary figure among his people.

All contemporary powers of the Indian subcontinent were shocked with the outcome of this decisive battle. Immediately after the battle, Shivaji in the brilliant and lightning moves of cavalry conquered the area between Pune right up to the Panhala fort (near Kohlapur)stretching over 200 km.

Subsequently, a shaken Bijapuri Sultan sent an imposing and elite Pashtun army to subdue and defeat Shivaji once and for all. In the resulting war of Panhalgadh, Bijapur's Pashtun (Afghan) army was decimated by the Marathas, who killed thousands of Pashtuns. This surprising and improbably crushing defeat of the elite Muslim force in the Deccan raised the hopes and confidence of the Hindus across India and helped to coalesce the emerging Maratha nation as a united force under Shivaji's able leadership.

The confidence of the Marathas was now on the rise and an inspired Shivaji began to aggressively expand his kingdom by pushing the boundaries of Mughal and Sultanate Kingdoms out of his homeland, Maharashtra. This in turn made him a high level threat to the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb, who now identified Shivaji as a major enemy of the Mughal Empire.

Battle of Kolhapur

Main article: Battle of Kolhapur

To counter the loss at Pratapgad and to defeat the nascent Maratha power, another army, this time numbering at over 10,000 was sent against Shivaji, commanded by renowned Bijapuri general Rustemjaman. With cavalry of 5000 Marathas, Shivaji attacked them near Kolhapur on 28 December, 1659. In a swift movement, Shivaji lead a full frontal attack at the center of the enemy forces while other two portions of his cavalry attacked the flanks. The hand to hand combat was ferocious, the action was interspersed with the Maratha war cry - 'Har Har Mahadev' (hail to Lord Shiva) and 'Allahu Akbhar' (God is Great) the Muslim war cry. In a bloody pitched battle, the Bijapuri forces folded under the ferocious Maratha onslaught and in the ensuing panic, Rustemjaman fled the battlefield.

Shivaji's Mavali/Maratha soldiers clearly demonstrated their courage and martial tendency by fearlessly attacking in a pitched battle the combined and formidable Bijapur army made up of elite forces of Arab, Abyssinian, Persian and Afghan mercenaries. This news made the mighty Mughal empire more alarmed at the successes of the upstart Maratha Shivaji, who was now derisively called 'Mountain Rat' by the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb. He was now actively preparing to bring the full might and resources of the Mughal Empire to bear down on the potential Maratha threat, as he was not one to tolerate any potential challenge to his rule.

Battle of Pavan Khind

Main article: Battle of Vishalgarh
In the battle of Panhala Raja, Shivaji escaped through this pass

In 1660, Adil Shah sent Siddi Johar - an Abyssinian general of great repute. He was eager to put down Shivaji once again, and this time he committed all the manpower and resources available to him in his kingdom to this end. He ordered his large and imposing army north to Kolhapur, Maharastra to confront and defeat Shivaji once and for all.

At that time Shivaji was camped at the fort Panhala with a small part part of his army, near present day Kolhapur, on the borders of his dominion. Siddi Johar's very large and intimidating army camped near Panhala, cutting off supply routes to the fort. Shivaji, in a bold move, decided to escape to a nearby fort Vishaalgad, where he could regroup his soldiers to fight a decisive battle.

Shivaji sent misleading messages to Siddi Johar indicating that he was willing to negotiate and was looking for accommodation, understanding and mercy. With this news Adilshahi soldiers relaxed somewhat, and Shivaji escaped under the cover of that very stormy night. However, Johar's soldiers captured a small group of the Marathas apparently including Shivaji, only to realize he was a look-alike dressed like Shivaji, also named Shiva sent out to create a diversion and facilitate the real king's escape. It did not take much time for Siddi Johar's soldiers to realize that the imposter was Shivaji's barber and that Shivaji and his army were headed to Vishaalgad.

A large enemy cavalry, in hot pursuit of Shivaji's infantry and foot soldiers would probably have overtaken and captured him. Sensing that enemy cavalry was fast closing in on them Shivaji sought to avoid defeat and capture. And indeed, this very likely eventuality was avoided by Shivaji in a last minute rear-guard defensive move. Baji Prabhu Deshpande, a brave Sardar along with 300 Maratha soldiers, volunteered to fight to the death to hold back the enemy at Ghod Khind to give Shivaji and the rest of the army a chance to reach the safety of Vishaal Gad.

In the ensuing battle of Pavan Khind, Baji Prabhu Deshpande fought relentlessly, at times with scimitars curved swords in both hands. He was almost fatally injured but he held on for precious minutes and only succumbed to his injuries after hearing cannon fire from Vishaal Gad, signalling Shivaji had reached safety of the fort.

Ghod Khind was covered with blood of 300 Marathas who willingly gave up their lives and fought to the last man for the cause of freedom, along with that of 1286 of Adilshah's brave and elite troops. Baji Prabhu Deshpande and his men's bravery, sacrifice and heroic stand at Pavan Khind is a very popular story in the annals of the great and illustrious Maratha history. And has been recited as a folk lore in Maharashtra in many inspiring renditions.

Thereafter a truce was made between Shivaji and Adilshahi through Shahaji, acknowledging and formally recognizing the independence of Shivaji's Kingdom. Also, as the terms of peace, the fort at Panhala was awarded to Siddi Johar.

This remained the situation until the death of Shahaji. Henceforth the Marathas became a formal and recognized power in the Deccan. Ghod Khind (khind = "narrow pass in mountainous terrain") was renamed Pavan Khind (Sacred Pass) in honor of Bajiprabhu Deshpande and the soldiers who selflessly fought and died to save their king and country. A small memorial stands even today in the pass in recognition of the heroism of Bajiprabhu and his courageous men.

This battle was one of the last serious challenges to Shivaji from the regional sultanates, from now on the attention of the mighty Mughal empire would be firmly focused on danger posed by the emerging Maratha nation under the able leadership of Shivaji and his potential challenge to their supremacy in the Indian sub-continent.

Clash with the Mughals

Shahiste Khan

In 1660, the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb sent Shaista Khan, his maternal uncle with a large army to defeat Shivaji in the Deccan. Within three years in 1663, Shivaji had lost most of his conquests to a relentless attack by a well-trained, well supplied and vastly larger Mughal army.

Shaista Khan, seized Pune and the nearby fort of Chakan. His vast and professional army numbering over 100,000 was more than a match for Shivaji's troops and he was an experienced commander who had defeated Shahaji (Shivaji's father) in this region in 1636. Although he held Pune for almost a year, he had little further success. He had set up his residence at Lal Mahal, Shivaji's palace, in the city of Pune.

Shahiste Khan kept the security in Pune very tight. Shivaji planned a daring attack on Shaista Khan amidst tight security. One day in April 1663, a wedding party had obtained special permission for a procession and Shivaji planned an attack on that very night. The Marathas disguised as the bridegroom’s procession members entered Pune. Since many Maratha Sardar's served in the Mughal army, Shivaji and his men cleverly made their way through the rings of Mughal defenses around Lal Mahal.

After overpowering and slaying of the palace guards they broke into the mansion by breaking through a wall. Shivaji confronted Shaista Khan and with a slash of his sword he severed three of Shaista Khan's fingers as he scampered in an attempted to flee Shivaji's attack via an open window. The Khan narrowly escaped death and was taken to a safe place by his servant maids. Shaista Khan lost his son, many of his guards, and soldiers in the raid.

Within twenty-four hours of this daring attack, Amir-ul-Umra, Shaista Khan left Pune and headed North towards Agra. An angered Aurangzeb transferred him to distant Bengal as a punishment for bringing embarrassment to the Mughals with his very personal and ignoble defeat in Pune. [3]

Surat and Mirza Raja Jai Singh

Thereafter, in 1664 Shivaji invaded Surat an important Mughal trading city and looted it to replenish his now depleted treasury and also as a revenge for the capture and looting of Maratha territory by Shaiste Khan.

Shivaji acquired immense wealth from Surat, which was then one of the largest and an important trading centers in the Mughal Empire. The money was sorely needed for expanding and strengthening of his army, upgrading of equipment, safeguarding of captured territories, etc. Following the raid on Surat, Gujarat, Shivaji continued to capture forts belonging to both Mughals and Bijapur and to expand his dominions.

Aurangzeb was enraged and sent a renowned Rajput General, Mirza Raja Jai Singh I, a Hindu Raja, to defeat Shivaji with another imposing and huge army. Jaisingh's blistering attacks with a well armed, and an army numbering well over one hundred thousand were successful against the much smaller Maratha force. As a result Shivaji agreed with Mughal peace terms at Purander in 1665.

In the treaty of Purander, that was signed between Shivaji and Jaisingh, Shivaji agreed to give up all of his 23 forts and 400,000 rupees to the Mughals. He also agreed to become a Mughal Sardar and serve the Mughal court of Aurangzeb. Shivaji's clandestine intentions in becoming a Mughal Sardar were to defeat his enemies, the Bijapur and Golconda Kingdoms using Aurangzeb's army and then to take on the mighty Mughals.

Trip To Agra and Escape

In 1666, Aurangzeb summoned Shivaji to Agra, along with his six year old son Sambhaji on the occasion of his fiftieth birthday. In the court, on 12 May 1666, Aurangzeb made Shivaji stand behind mansabdar's (Commanders) of his court, considered as an insult by him. Offended, by this petty gesture, Shivaji stormed out of court and was promptly placed under house arrest, under the watch of Fulad Khan, Kotwal of Agra.

From his spies, Shivaji learned that Aurangzeb treacherously planned to shift him to Raja Vitthaldas's Haveli and then to kill him. As a result Shivaji planned his escape, he feigned sickness and requested and sent back all his followers back to Deccan. Thereafter, on his request, he was allowed to send sweets and gifts to saints, fakirs, temples in Agra as offerings for getting well.

After several days of sending out boxes containing sweets, Shivaji disguised himself as a palanquin bearer and managed to escape without being recognized. Sambhaji, his six year old son had been smuggled out a couple of days earlier. Thereafter, Shivaji and his son fled to the Deccan (Southern region) to the safety of their homeland. Some accounts claim that Shivaji and Sambhaji, both hid in the sweet boxes and escaped.

In the years 1667-69, Shivaji adopted a low profile and began to aggressively build up his army. The Mughals had the impression that he was now a spent force and would not cause them any more trouble. However, Shivaji was on a war-footing, directing efforts for an all out war by increasing the size of his army, acquiring arms, horses, armour and other war materials. Then in January 1670 Shivaji launched a major, concerted and multi-pronged assault on Mughal garrisons in Maharashtra.

The force of Shivaji's attacks was overwhelming and within six months he had regained most of his old territory and more. His army was much larger now: about 40,000 cavalry, backed by 60,000 infantry, a strong navy and a potent artillery. From 1670 to 1674 Shivaji continued to actively and aggressively expand his territory at the expense of the Mughals who were now facing the depletion of their treasuries and were stretched to their limits.

Shivaji rapidly expanded his kingdom to include major portions of Maharashtra and pushed far in to the south into Karnataka and Tamilnadu.

Battle of Sinhagad

Bust of Tanaji on top of Sinhagad Fort, Pune

One fort on the outskirts of Pune, Kondana, was still under Mughal control. Uday Bhan Rathod, a brave Rajput was the fort keeper.He lead an army of about 1500 Rajputs and Mughals for the protection of the fort. Uday Bhan had maintained strict vigil around the fort. On February 4, 1670 Shivaji deputed one of his most senior and trusted generals, Tanaji Malusare, to head a mission to capture Kondana.

Tanaji Malusare surveyed the fort and its defenses very meticulously for some days. The fort was extremely well guarded. One very sheer cilff caught Tanaji's eye. This side was least guarded as one could not possibly imagine climbing the fort from this steep side. Tanaji decided to scale this cliff to enter the fort. He used a monitor lizard named "Yeshwanti" with a rope tied around its body for climbing this cliff on a moonless night.

Common Indian Monitor (Varanus bengalensis) found locally in present day Maharashtra is the species of Monitor Lizard is also known as ghorpad in Marathi. These Monitor lizards are famous for their ability to cling to smooth surfaces, and were traditionally trained for this purpose by herders in the area.

As the advance party reached the top, they threw ropes for others to climb. Meanwhile Tanaji's brother Suryaji had moved close to the gates of the fort, namely Kalyan Darwaja, with another 300 Mavalas (Maratha Soldiers). The gates were soon opened and once inside, all his soldiers joined Tanaji in the surprise attack.

Tanaji and Uday Bhan came face to face and a fierce fight ensued. A solid blow from Uday Bhan broke Tanaji's shield. He continued the fight until another fatal blow from Uday Bhan staggered Tanaji and a counter blow then killed Uday Bhan. Seeing their leader mortally wounded, the Maratha soldiers became tentative and started to back-up and retreat. Suryaji, witnessing the disquiet stepped in to rally them and to get them to be back on the offensive. His exhortations lifted the Maratha spirit to overcome their fear. The Marathas now determinedly commenced their attack on the Mughal defenders with great courage and ferocity and captured the fort in short order.

This battle is quite popular in Marathi folklore and is retold as a reminder of the glory and sacrifice that was the Maratha war of Independence.

When Shivaji learned that he had lost his brave,loyal and trusted friend, he said "Gad ala puun sinha geyla", meaning We have won the fort, but lost the Lion. Thenceforth Kondana fort has been called Sinhagad (the Lion fort) in honour of the great Tanaji Malusare.

Coronation

Shivaji was formally coronated Chhatrapati ("Chhatrapati= Chief, head or King of Kshatriyas", representing the protection he bestowed on his people) on June 6, 1674 at the Raigad fort, and given the title Kshatriya Kulavantas Sinhasanadheeshwar [Chhatrapati]] Shivaji Maharaj. Pandit Ganga Bhatt, a renown Brahmin from Varanasi, officially presided over the ceremony declaring that Shivaji's ancestor's were truly Kshatriyas who descended from the solar line of the Ranas of Mewar.

He was bestowed with the Zaanva, in Hindi the Janeu (sacred thread), with the Vedas and was bathed in an abisheka. Shivaji had insisted on an Indrabhishek ritual, which had fallen into disuse since the 9th century. Henry Oxinden (later Acting President of the Bombay Presidency) from the British East India Company was present at the ceremony.

Thus Shivaji become a “shakkarta” (he started his own calendar). A few days later a second ceremony was carried out, this time according to the Bengal school of Tantricism and presided over by Nischal Puri.

Southern expedition (Dakshin digvijaya)

At the end of 1676, Shivaji launched a wave of conquests in southern India with a massive force of 50,000 (30,000 cavalry & 20,000 infantry). The first major alliance made by the monarch was with Abul Hasan, the Qutb Shahi Sultan of Golconda. They began a campaign against the Bijapur Karnataka, including the Shivaji's own half-brother, Vyankoji Bhonsla. He defeated and captured the forts at Vellore and Gingee in modern-day Tamilnadu. These victories proved quite crucial during future wars. Jinjee served as Maratha capital for 9 years during 27 years of war.

Death and succession

Chhatrapati Shivaji died at 12 noon, 3rd April, in 1680 at Raigad, after running a fever for three weeks. The funeral ceremony was arranged in Raigad in presence of his son Rajaram, and Soyarabai. After Shivajis death, his elder son Sambhaji and Tarabai (wife of Rajaram), fought for control of the kingdom. After a brief struggle Sambhaji was crowned king.

Aurangzeb's son, Prince Akbar, rebelled against his father and was sheltered by Sambhaji. Aurangzeb and his entourage moved to the Deccan in 1681 to coordinate the assault on the Marathas. Initially successful, the Moghul forces were dealt a fatal blow by Maratha forces with 'lightning fast and highly mobile tactics initially developed and adopted by Shivaji.

Eventually a broken, defeated Aurangzeb retreated in sickness from the Deccan in 1705. The final Moghul withdrawal came two years later. He had spent most of his resources and manpower trying to defeat the Marathas and ended up significantly weakening the once mighty Mughal Empire. Auranzeb's hiers never again challenged the Marathas and finally were overtaken and dominated by the Peshwas' Maratha Sardars, namely Scindias and Holkars, within eighty years of Shivaji's death.

This war of 27 years, was a tribute to Shivaji's genius, in which even after his death, Maratha people fought as a part of his army to expel Aurangzeb out of the Deccan to preserve the Maratha self-rule swarajya and expand upon Shivaji's goals of independent Maharashtra and Hindustan.

Shivaji's leadership and successes contributed significantly to stiffening up of Hindu assertiveness and resurgence in post Islamic India. He was the first of many great Indian leaders and the most successful in the fight for freedom, for Swaraj.

Ruins of the Raigad Fort, which served as a capital for Maratha Empire.

Rule

Shivaji was an able and competent administrator and established a government that included such modern concepts as cabinet (Ashtapradhan mandal), foreign affairs (Dabir) and internal intelligence.[4] Shivaji established an effective civil and military administration. He also built a powerful navy and erected new forts like Sindhudurg and strengthened old ones like Vijayadurg on the west coast. The Maratha navy held its own against the British, Portuguese and Dutch till Maratha internal conflict brought their downfall in 1756.

Shivaji is well known for his benevolent attitude towards his subjects. He believed that there was a close bond between the state and the citizens. He encouraged all socio-economic groups to participate in the ongoing political/military struggle. To this day he is remembered as a just and welfare-minded king. He brought revolutionary changes in military, fort architecture, society and politics.

Shivaji occupies a special place in the hearts of Marathi peoples and many others in India due in part to his, well documented, high moral code of conduct and his unrelenting drive toward the liberation of India from alien power of the Mughals and the Nizams. He laid the foundations of the modern Marathi identity and infused it with strong martial, moral and chivalric traditions. In his times he squarely and unflinchingly faced daunting challenges such as repeated invasions by huge Mughal and regional Sutanate armies, that would have defeated a lesser leader.

Shivaji successfully lead and marshalled his forces to cope and overcome several major enemy invasions of this territories. He was also relentless and inexorable in expanding his kingdoms boundaries. His success was based on his fierce determination to establish a free and independent homeland (Vatan), and the high level of loyalty and respect he inspired in his followers due to his great leadership and high moral character.

In the earlier years of Shivaji's leadership he commanded a small force of loyal followers, they had few resources and lacked for military hardware and equipment. He overcame these initial shortcomings by extensive use of hit-and -run guerilla type tactics, and he sought to capture as much equipment from his enemies as possible. His strength and confidence grew with every success he achieved while his military vulnerabilities decreased.

He was an innovator and an able commander, he successfully used effective tactics including hit-and-run, strategic expansion of territories and forts, formation of highly mobile light cavalry and infantry, adoptation of strategic battle plans and formations whereby he succeeded in out-maneuvering, time and time again, his vastly bigger and determined enemies.

Toward the end of his reign he had built up the Maratha forces to be over one hundred thousand strong, and was able to effectively keep the attacking Mughal forces in check and tied down while expanding his kingdom southward to Gingee, Tamil Nadu.


After the coronation, Shivaji successfully established a viable and growing kingdom that was stable and well defended. A large standing army and construction of several strategically placed forts served as a Hindu bulwark against aggressive Islamic powers. His brilliant strategic and tactical maneuvering on battlefields and his acute administrative skills helped him to lay the foundations of the future Maratha empire in India.

Character

During his long military career and his many campaigns his strong warrior code of ethics and deep seated and uncompromising spiritual values directed him to offer protection to houses of worship, non-combatants, women and children. He always showed respect, defended and protected places of worship of all denominations and religions.

Shivaji was once offered as a war booty an extremely beautiful young lady, by an uninformed Maratha captain. She was the daughter-in-law of a defeated muslim Amir (local ruler) of Kalyan, Maharashtra. Shivaji was reported to have told the lady that her beauty was mesmerizing and that if his mother was as beautiful as her, he would have been beautiful as well. He told her to go back to her family in peace, unmolested and under his protection.

His behaviour, was noted by those around him, to be always of the highest moral caliber. Throughout his career he boldly risked his life, treasure and well being to openly challenge his immensely larger enemies to uphold his cherished values of justice, freedom and independence. He clearly and unambiguously embodied the virtues and ideals of a true nobleman.

Chhattrapati Shivaji's greatness was based not as much on his successes on or off the battlefields, or on the strength of his arms, or his clever strategies or tactics but was truly based on his selfless and relentlessly fierce focus on the independence of his homeland from Islamic rulers that dominated India. He did not spend any resources on projects designed for self-aggrandizement or vanity, instead all the attention, energy and sacrifices were directed toward the lofty goals of freedom and independence of his (Vatan) homeland.

As a result of Chhattrapati Shivaji's selfless and dedicated service to his peoples and nation, his impeccable conduct, and his unparalleled courage and daring, he struck a deep chord with his followers and the citizenary. The high level of loyalty and respect he earned from his followers and subjects sets him apart from most other Indian kings or chieftans in the recorded Indian history. Even today he is venerated in India and especially in the state of Maharashtra with awe and admiration and is viewed as a hero of epic proportions.

Revolution in military organisation

Shivaji's genius is most evident in his military organisation which lasted till the demise of the Maratha empire. He was one of the pioneers of commando actions (though the term "commando" is modern).[5] Shivaji was responsible for a lot of changes in military organization. These include -

  • A standing army belonging to the state called paga;
  • Horses belonged to the state; no individual in his army was allowed to own horses;
  • Creation of part time soldiers from peasants who used to work for eight months in the field and supported four months in war. This light infantry was his innovation and they were the ones who excelled in commando like actions;
  • The introduction of an intelligence department, a navy, and regular chain-of-command;
  • Introduction of field craft viz. Guerilla warfare, commando actions, flank attacks;
  • Innovation of weapons and innovative use of traditional weapons like tiger claw or 'Baghnakh'. 'Vita' was a weapon invented by Shivaji;
  • Militarisation of almost the entire society, including all classes, with the entire population of settlements and villages near forts involved in their defense.

Forts

Main article: Shivaji's Forts
Pratap Gad

Shivaji constructed a chain of 300 or more forts running over a thousand kilometres across the rugged Western Ghats.Each were placed under three officers of equal status lest a single traitor should deliver it to the enemy. The officers (sabnis,Havladar,sar-i-naubat) acted jointly and provided mutual check.

Promotion of Sanskrit

The house of Shivaji was one of the Indian royal families who were well acquainted with Sanskrit and promoted it. The root can be traced from Shahaji who supported Jayram Pindye and many like him. Shivaji's seal was prepared by him.

Shivaji continued this trait and developed it further. He named his forts as Sindhdurg, Prachandgarh, Suvarndurg etc. He named Ashta Pradhan (council of ministers) as per Sanskrit nomenclature viz. Nyayadhish, Senapati etc. He got Rajya Vyavahar Kosh (a political treatise) prepared.

After his death Sambhaji, who was himself a Sanskrit scholar (his verse - Budhbhushanam), continued it. His grandson Shahu spent his entire childhood in Mughal captivity, which affected his taste. But even he showered gifts on learned Brahmins. Serfoji II from the Thanjavur branch of the Bhosle continued the tradition by printing the first book in Marathi Devnagari.

Sambhaji issued one danapatra (donation plaque) which is in Sanskrit composed by himself in which he writes about his father as:

  1. Yavanarambha gritat mlechakshaydiksha: It means shivaji has taken oath and was on mission to finish off invaders
  2. Dillindraman pradhvanspatu: who has defeated the Mughal king of Delhi
  3. Vijayapuradhishwar prathtarmanya bhujchachayay: Whose help was sought by Adilshahi King of Vijapur

Religion

As per legend, the family diety of the Bhonsles, goddess Bhavani gave a divine sword to Shivaji.

Chhatrapati Shivaji was a devout Hindu and he respected all religions within the region. Shivaji had great respect for Warkari saints like Tukaram and Sufi Muslim pir Shaikh Yacub Baba Avaliya of Konkan .[6].

He also visited Mouni Maharaj temple and Samadhi at Patgaon (Bhudargad Taluka near to Gargoti) in Kolhapur district. Shahaji had donated a huge piece of land to Shaha-Sharif Durga of Ahmednagar.

Shivaji allowed his subjects freedom of religion and opposed forced conversion. The first thing Shivaji did after a conquest was to promulgate protection of mosques and Muslim tombs. One-third of his army was Muslim, as were many of his commanders: his most trusted general in all his campaigns was Haider Ali Kohari; Darya Sarang was chief of armoury; Ibrahim Khan and Daulat Khan were prominent in the navy; and Siddi Ibrahim was chief of artillery.

Shivaji had respect for the Sufi tradition of Islam.[7] Shivaji used to pray at the mausoleum of the great Sufi Muslim saint Baba Sharifuddin. He also visited the abode of another great Sufi saint, Shaikh Yacub of the Konkan, and took his blessings. He called Hazrat Baba of Ratnagiri bahut thorwale bhau, meaning "great elder brother".

Kafi Khan, the Mughal historian and Bernier, a French traveler, spoke highly of his religious policy. He also brought back converts like Netaji Palkar & Bajaji in toHinduism. He prohibited slavery in his kingdom.

Shivaji applied a humane and liberal policy to the women of his state.[7] There are many instances in folklore ,which describes Shivaji's respect for women, irrespective of their religion, nationality, or creed.

Shivaji's sentiments can be seen in an admonishing letter he wrote to Aurangzeb, in which he wrote: "Verily, Islam and Hinduism are terms of contrast. They are used by the true Divine Painter for blending the colours and filling in the outlines. If it is a mosque, the call to prayer is chanted in remembrance of him. If it is a temple, the bells are rung in yearning for him alone."[7][8][9]

Remembering the King

A statue of Shivaji in the Birla Mandir, Delhi

Because of his struggle against an imperial power, Shivaji became an icon of freedom fighters in the Indian independence struggle that followed two centuries later. He is remembered as a just and wise king and his rule is called one of the six golden ages in Indian history.

School texts in Maharashtra glorify Shivaji's period and he is considered the founder of the modern Marathi nation; his policies were instrumental in forging a distinct Maharashtrian identity. Indeed, Marathi Hindus (Brahmins, Dalits, Marathas, CKPs, Saraswats and Bhandaris), Muslims, Christians and Buddhists, all consider him as a hero.[10] A popular quotation:

"Maratha tituka melavava
Maharashtra Dharma vadhavava"

translates "Bring as many people into Maratha domain as possible; and grow the Maharashtra Creed "[10]

A political party, the Shiv Sena, as well as a militant organization, the Sambhaji Brigade, claims to draw inspiration from Shivaji.

Indian Navy has the School of Naval Engineering named INS SHIVAJI.

The Maratha Light Infantry, one of the oldest and distinguished regiments of the Indian Army has "Bol Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj ki Jai" as its battle cry.

The World Heritage site of Victoria Terminus and Sahar International Airport in Mumbai were renamed Chatrapati Shivaji Terminus and Chatrapati Shivaji International Airport respectively in Shivaji's honour, as have many public buildings and spaces in Maharashtra in recent years. The Interstate Bus Terminal of New Delhi has also been named after Shivaji.

In the novel The Ark, the Indian ship is named Shivaji.

Literature and Movies

Shivaji is a source of inspiration for a number of artists, directors, actors, writers, shahir (ballad composer), poets and orators. In Marathi, Bhalaji Pendharkar directed on the movie, 'Raja Shivaji' in which the main role was played by the famous Marathi actor Chandrakant Mandhare. Apart form this movie, 'Maratha tituka melawawa','Gad ala pan sing gela' and many more movies specially in Marathi were made on his and his associates' life.

Sriman yogi is a novel written on Shivaji's life by Ranjit Desai. Raja Shivachhatrapati is an biography authored by Babasaheb Purandare on his life wich was later brought out as Jaanata Raja (जाणता राजा), a musical tale of Shivaji's life. Kusumagraj has composed a famous poem on Shivaji's general Prataprao Gujar' Vedat Marathe vir daudale sat'. performed Lata Mangeshkar and Hridayanath Mangeshkar.

Marathi playwright Vasant Kanetkar wrote 'Raigadala Jevha Jaag Yete' (When Raigad awakes), a play based on the complex relationship between Shivaji and Sambhaji. Shahir like Tulsidas and Agandas had written heroic ballads on him. Kavi Bhushan has composed in Hindi, a famous work 'Shivraj Bhushan'.

Associates

Some of Shivaji's close associates were also his primary army chieftains, and have entered folklore along with him. These include:

Under Shivaji, many men of talent and enterprise rose into prominence. They carried forward his mission and ensured the defeat of the Mughals in the War of 27 years. These include Ramchandrapant amtya, Santaji Ghorpade, Dhanaji Jadhav, Parsoji Bhosale, Harji raje Mahadik and Kanhoji Angre.

Accounts of contemporary foreign travellers

Many foreign travellers who visited India during Shivaji's time wrote about him.

  • The Abbe Carre was a French traveller who visited India around 1670; his account was published as Voyage des Indes Orienteles mele de plusiers histories curieuses at Paris in 1699. Some quotes: "Hardly had he won a battle or taken to town in one end of the kingdom than he was at the other extremity causing havoc everywhere and surprising important places. To this quickness of movement he added, like Julius Caesar, a clemency and bounty that won him the hearts of those his arms had worsted." "In his courage and rapidity he does not ill resemble that great king of Sweden, Gustavus Adolphus."
  • The French traveller Francois Bernier wrote in his Travels in Mughal India. "I forgot to mention that during pillage of Sourate, Seva-ji, the Holy Seva-ji! Respected the habitation of the reverend father Ambrose, the Capuchin missionary. 'The Frankish Padres are good men', he said 'and shall not be attacked.' He spared also the house of a deceased Delale or Gentile broker, of the Dutch, because assured that he had been very charitable while alive."

References

  1. ^ ShivaShahi Retrieved on 2006-12-24
  2. ^ Gupta, M. L. Glimpses of Indian History. Anmol Publications. p. 87. ISBN 8126111860.
  3. ^ "Itihaas - Shivaji assumes the title of Chattrapati". Sify Corporation. Retrieved 2006-11-20. {{cite web}}: |first= missing |last= (help)
  4. ^ Kamat, K. L. "Short Bio: Maratha King Shivaji". Kamat's Potpourri. Retrieved 2006-11-19.
  5. ^ Kasar, D.B., Rigveda to Raigarh making of Shivaji the great, Mumbai: Manudevi Prakashan (2005)
  6. ^ Patil, Vishwas - "Sambhaji", Mehta Publishing House, Pune (2006) ISBN 81-7766-651-7
  7. ^ a b c Zakaria, Rafique, "Communal Rage in Secular India", Popular Prakashan, Mumbai (2003)
  8. ^ Central Chronicle Letter D. Pande. Retrieved on 2007-03-07
  9. ^ Book Review IMC India. Retrieved on 2007-03-07
  10. ^ a b Purandare, Babasaheb - "Shivrayancha Itihaas" series in Maharashtra Times, 2004-2005

See also

Preceded by
new state
 Chhatrapati of the
Maratha Empire
1674–1680 		Succeeded by
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