History of Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj
Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj
!! Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj !!
Shivaji Maharaj is one of the great national heroes of India. He created an independent and sovereign state in Maharashtra based on justice, welfare of the people and tolerance of all religions. The aims, objectives and politics of the Maratha Swarajya led by Chhatrapati Shivaji gave a new direction to the contemporary politics of India. In course of time, his movement assumed the form of an all-India struggle; A struggle that was to change the political map of India.
Shivaji Maharaj was born on February 19, 1630 at Shivneri Fort near Junnar in Pune district. Shivaji Maharaj's mother Jijabai was the daughter of Lakhuji Jadhavrao of Sindkhed. His father Shahjiraje Bhosale was a prominent warlord in the Deccan. At the time of Shivaji Maharaj's birth, most of Maharashtra was under the control of Nizamshah of Ahmednagar and Adilshah of Bijapur. The Portuguese and the Siddis were two maritime powers in the Konkan coastal belt. The British and Dutch who were engaged in expanding their trade also had factories on the coast. From the time of Emperor Akbar I, the Mughals wanted to expand their power in the south. The Mughals launched a campaign to conquer the Nizamshahi kingdom. Adil Shah of Bijapur allied with the Mughals in this campaign. Shahjiraja tried to save the Nizamshahi, but he could not withstand the combined might of the Mughals and the Adilshahi. A.D. In 1636 the Nizamshahi kingdom came to an end. Shahjiraja then became the Sardar of Adilshah of Bijapur and was posted in Karnataka. The region between the Bhima and Nira rivers, comprising Pune, Supe, Indapur and Chakan Parganas, which had been given to Shahaji Raja as a jagir, was continued by Adil Shah. Shahaji Raje was also given Jagir of Bangalore. Veermata Jijabai and Shivaji Raje stayed with Shahaji Raje in Bangalore for a few years until Shivaji Raje was twelve years old. Shahaji Raja entrusted the administration of Pune Jagir to Shivaji Raje and Veermata Jijabai. Shivaji Raje grew up in the hills and valleys of Pune Division under the guidance of his mother Jijabai.
{ Foundation of Swaraj }
A number of small spurs run eastward from the sahyadris in the Pune region. The extremely rugged valleys enclosed by these are usually known as the Mavals or Khores each named after stream running through it, or after the principal village. Collectively they are known as the Mavals. The inhabitants of this region who are called the Mavalas, were an extremely hardy people. Shivaji Maharaj started the work of founding the Swaraj in this region which is full of hills and valleys and is not easily accessible. He skillfully utilized the geographical features of Maval region for the purpose of the foundation of the Swaraj. He created a feeling of trust and affection in minds of the people. Many associates, companions and Mavalas joined him in his work of founding Swaraj. The objective of Shivaji Maharaj in founding the Swaraj is clearly expressed in his official seal or Mudra which is in Sanskrit. Through this Mudra, Shivaji Maharaj assured his people that the ‘ever-increasing like the crescent-moon, the kingdom of Shivaji, son of Shahaji, will always seek the welfare of the people’.
the medieval period, forts carried much significance. With a firm hold over a fort, one could defend as well as control the surrounding area and could rule the land. In case of an enemy’s invasion, it was possible to protect the people taking shelter in the fort. The forts situated within the jagir of Shivaji Maharaj were not under his control, but were under the control of Adilshah.. Therefore an attempt to capture the forts meant to challenge the Adilshahi power. Shivaji Maharaj decided to acquire the forts that were within his own jagir. He captured the forts of Murumbdev (Rajgad), Torna, Kondhana, Purandar and laid the foundation of the Swaraj. Shivaji Maharaj was steadily but cautiously aiming at extending and consolidating his power. Those sardars who appreciated his aim were brought to his side, but some sardars in the Adilshahi opposed him. It was necessary to bring them under control for the purpose of founding the Swaraj.
{ The Establishment of Maratha Navy }
When Shivaji Maharaj became master of a long coastal strip, he deemed it necessary to undertake the construction of a Navy. Shivaji Maharaj realized that the one who had a navy, controlled the sea. To protect his own territory from the Siddi's depredations, to protect the merchant ships and ports in order to secure and enhance revenue incomes derived from maritime trade and customs duty, he concentrated on building the Navy.
There were four hundred ships of various kinds in the Navy. They included battleships like Gurab, Galbat and Pal.
{ A Peoples’ King }
The Swaraj established by Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj comprised of large areas of Nashik, Pune, Satara, Sangli, Kolhapur, Sindhudurg, Ratnagiri, Raigad and Thane districts of Maharashtra. It also included parts of Belgaum, Karwar and Dharwad districts of Karnataka and Jinjee, Vellore and their neighbouring areas in state of Tamil Nadu. He set up an efficient and sound system for the administration of this Swaraj. The administration was divided into eight departments. A minister was appointed at the head of every department. His council of eight ministers was known as the Ashta-Pradhan Mandal. Shivaji Maharaj followed a policy of encouraging agriculture. He paid attention to the welfare of the peasantry. He was also equally concerned about the growth of trade and protection of industries. Thus he turned the Swaraj into a surajya a state which sought the welfare of all. He was a great military commander, an outstanding general and a statesman. He had a clear concept of military organization.
His military organization consisted of infantry, cavalry and navy. Strict discipline, rapid movements, excellent intelligence service and continuous attention to defence marked his military organization. He used to take utmost care to protect his subjects especially at the time of enemy invasions. Shivaji Maharaj was also keen to see to it that the soldiers did not in any way cause any harm to the subjects. He followed a tolerant religious policy. The greatest achievement of Shivaji Maharaj was to inculcate the spirit of independence in his people. By his great deeds and achievements, Shivaji Maharaj created an altogether a new order of things. Shivaji Maharaj’s personality and message are as relevant today as they were in the past.
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