Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj History and Biography

Shivaji Bhonsle popularly known as Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj was an Indian ruler and the founder of the Maratha Empire. Shivaji fought many battles with the Adilshahi Sultanate, not accepting it. Shivaji is also considered the hero of the Hindus. Shivaji Maharaj was a brave, intelligent and fearless ruler. He was very much interested in religious work. He used to practice Ramayana and Mahabharata very carefully. In the year 1674, Shivaji Maharaj was crowned and got the title of Chhatrapati. Let us read in detail about his biography.

Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj History and Biography: Early life

Shivaji Maharaj was born on February19, 1630 in the Shivneri fort. His father's name was Shahji Bhosle and mother's name was Jijabai. Shivneri fort is near Pune. His mother named him Shivaji after Lord Shivaay. His mother used to pray to Lord Shivaay for a healthy child. Shivaji's father Shahaji Bhonsle was a Maratha general, who worked for the Deccan Sultanate.

At the time of Shivaji's birth, Deccan was in power in three Islamic sultanates Bijapur, Ahmednagar and Golconda. Shivaji was extremely devoted to his mother Jijabai. His mother was very religious. His mother used to tell Shivaji the stories of war from childhood and the events of that era, especially his mother used to tell him the major stories of Ramayana and Mahabharata. Hearing that, Shivaji had a profound impact on him. Because of these two texts, he continued to defend Hindu values ​​throughout his life. During this time, Shahaji got married for the second time and along with his second wife Tukabai went to Karnataka for military campaigns on behalf of Adilshah. He left Shivaji and Jijabai to Dadoji Konadeva. Dadoji taught Shivaji about basic fighting techniques such as horse riding, fencing and shooting.

Shivaji Maharaj was married to Saibai Nimbalkar on 14 May 1640 in Lal Mahal, Poona (Pune).

Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj History and Biography: Shivaji Maharaj invaded Adilshahi empire

Shivaji Maharaj attacked Kondana Fort in the year 1645, without informing the Adilshah army. After this, the Adilshah army arrested Shivaji's father Shahaji. The Adilshah army demanded that he would help his father when he left the fort of Kondah. Shahaji died in 1645 after his father's release. After the father's death, Shivaji started attacking again.

In the year 1659, Adilshah sent his bravest commander Afzal Khan to kill Shivaji. Shivaji and Afzal Khan met on 10 November 1659 in a hut near the fort of Pratapgarh. A condition was placed between the two that they both brought only one sword with them. Shivaji did not trust Afzal Khan and hence Shivaji put armor under his clothes and put a tiger nail on his right arm and went to meet Afzal Khan. Afzal Khan attacked Shivaji but he escaped due to his armor, and then Shivaji attacked Afzal Khan with his Tiger's Claw. The attack was so deadly that Afzal Khan was badly injured, and died. After this, Shivaji's soldiers attacked Bijapur.

Shivaji defeated Bijapur's army in the Battle of Pratapgarh on 10 November 1659. Shivaji's army started attacking continuously. Shivaji's army killed 3000 soldiers from Bijapur, and arrested Afzal Khan's two sons. Shivaji captured a large number of weapons, horses, and other military goods. This made Shivaji's army stronger, and the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb considered it the greatest threat to the Mughal Empire.

Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj History and Biography: Shivaji Maharaj's first match with Mughals

Aurangzeb, the ruler of the Mughals, shifted attention from North India to South India. He already knew about Shivaji. Aurangzeb made his maternal uncle Shaista Khan the Subedar in South India. Shaista Khan reached Pune with his 150,000 soldiers and started looting there. When Shivaji attacked him with his 350 Mavlo, Shaista Khan ran away after saving his life and Shaista Khan lost his 3 fingers in this attack.In this attack, Shivaji Maharaj killed the son of Shaista Khan and 40 of his soldiers. Shaista Khan took refuge from the Mughal army outside Pune and Aurangzeb removed Shaista Khan from South India and became the Subedar of Bengal.

Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj History and Biography: When there was robbery in Surat

Shivaji's power was further strengthened after this victory. But after some time Shaista Khan along with his 15,000 soldiers destroyed many areas of Shivaji by burning them, Shivaji later started looting the Mughal territories to avenge the devastation. Surat was then a gateway for Hindu Muslims to perform Haj. Shivaji ordered the traders of Surat with 4 thousand soldiers to be looted, but Shivaji did not make any common man a victim of his loot.

Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj History and Biography: Inviting and capturing Shivaji Maharaj in Agra

Shivaji Maharaj was called to Agra where he was told that he was not given due respect. Against this, he took out his anger at the court and accused Aurangzeb of deceit. Aurangzeb imprisoned Shivaji and put 500 soldiers on Shivaji. However, on his request, he was allowed to send sweets and gifts daily to the saints, fakirs and temples of Agra praying for his health.This process continued for a few days. One day Shivaji ran away from Sambhaji, sitting in a basket of sweets and becoming a laborer himself. Shivaji then spread rumors of Sambhaji's death to save himself and Sambhaji from the Mughals.

After this, Shivaji Maharaj left Banaras after leaving Sambhaji with a Brahmin in Mathura. Aurangzeb suspected Jaisingh and got him murdered by poisoning him. Shivaji signed a second treaty with the Mughals in 1668, after being initiated by Jaswant Singh (friend of Shivaji). Aurangzeb recognized Shivaji as the king. Shivaji's son Sambhaji received a mansabdari of 5,000 and Shivaji was returned to the districts of Poona, Chakan and Soupa, but remained the suzerainty of the Mughals over Sinhagad and Purandar. In 1670, Shivaji looted Surat city for the second time, Shivaji got the property of 132 lakhs from the city and while returning, Shivaji once again defeated the Mughal army in Surat.

Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj History and Biography: Accession of Shivaji Maharaj

By 1674, Shivaji's empire had greatly expanded. After the establishment of an independent Hindu nation in western Maharashtra, Shivaji wanted to crown his coronation, but the Brahmins strongly opposed him. Because Shivaji was not a Kshatriya, he said that bring proof of Kshatriya only then he will be crowned. Balaji Rao ji sent proofs of relation of Shivaji to the Sisodia dynasty of Mewar, after which he came to Raigad satisfied and he was crowned. Even after the coronation, the Brahmins of Pune refused to recognize Shivaji as the king. After this, Shivaji established the Ashtapradhan Mandal.

Apart from the envoys, representatives of various states, foreign traders were also invited to this ceremony. Around 5000 people from Raigad gathered in this ceremony. Shivaji was given the title of Chhatrapati. His mother died 12 days after his coronation. For this reason, he was again crowned for the second time on 4 October 1674. The ceremony, which took place twice, cost about Rs 50 lakh. The establishment of Hindu Swaraj was announced in this ceremony.

Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj History and Biography: Shivaji Maharaj encouraged Sanskrit

Shivaji had a good knowledge of Sanskrit in his family and Sanskrit language was promoted. Shivaji carried forward this tradition and named his forts in Sanskrit such as Sindhudurg, Prachandgarh, and Suvarnadurga. His Rajpurohit Keshav Pandit himself was a Sanskrit poet and scribe. He revived many of the old rules of the court and encouraged the use of Marathi and Sanskrit languages ​​in official works.

Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj History and Biography: Religious work of Shivaji Maharaj

Shivaji was a staunch Hindu, he respected all religions. Muslims had religious freedom in their state. Shivaji also donated for the construction of many mosques. Like Hindu pundits, Muslim saints and fakirs had equal respect. He also had many Muslim soldiers in his army. Shivaji used to promote Hindu culture. He often started his campaigns on Dussehra.

Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj History and Biography: Shivaji Maharaj's Navy

Shivaji raised his army quite efficiently. He also had a large Navy. The chief of which was Mayank Bhandari. Shivaji established an efficient and progressive civilized rule with the help of disciplined army and well established administrative organizations. They adopted innovative methods in military strategy, including methods such as a sudden attack on enemies.

Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj History and Biography: Shivaji Maharaj's administrative skills

Shivaji is known as an emperor. He did not get much education as a child, but he was still well versed in Indian history and politics. Shivaji had prepared a board of eight ministers, known as Ashtapradhan, to help with administrative work. In this, the ministers called Pradhan, Peshwa had the highest importance after the king. Amatya was finance minister sees the actions of Revenue, and Minister kept the king of the daily operations of accounting. The secretary used to work in the office. Sumant had worked was foreign minister that all out. General was head of the army. Panditrao used to do charity and religious work. The judge supervised legal matters.

The Maratha Empire at that time was divided into three or four divisions. Each province had a Subedar called the Prantapati. Each Subedar had an Ashtapradhan Committee. The judiciary was based on the ancient system. Shukracharya, Kautilya and Hindu theology were judged as the basis. The Patel of the village used to investigate criminal cases. The income of the state was a landlord, revenue was also charged from Sardeshmukhi. Sardeshmukhi was a tax levied to guarantee the security of neighboring states. Shivaji used to call himself the Sardeshmukh of the Marathas and in this capacity Sardeshmukhi tax was collected.

Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj History and Biography: Character of Shivaji Maharaj

Shivaji Maharaj received Swaraj's education from his father, when his father was arrested by the Sultan of Bijapur, Shivaji, like a model son, got his father to make a treaty with the Sultan of Bijapur and get him released.It was only after the death of his father that Shivaji got his kingdom tilak. All subjects respected Shivji and that is why there was no internal rebellion during Shivaji's reign. He was a great army hero as well as a good diplomat. He easily defeated his enemy.

Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj History and Biography: Death of Shivaji Maharaj

After being ill for three consecutive weeks on April 3, 1680, this heroic Hindu emperor became immortal in history forever, and at that time he was 50 years old. Shivaji Maharaj was a brave man who devoted his entire life to the Maratha, Hindu Empire. The first name in Maratha history comes from Shivaji. Today, not only in Maharashtra but also in the whole country, the birth anniversary of Veer Shivaji Maharaj is celebrated with great pomp and show.