Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj: Biography, Leadership and Legacy

PWOnlyIAS February 28, 2024 06:47 1188 0

Explore the legendary life of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, a visionary ruler who shaped the Maratha Empire, practiced tolerance, and left an enduring legacy in 17th-century India.

Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj: Biography, Leadership and Legacy

Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj: The Visionary Liberator of 17th Century Deccan

The period of the 17th century was an era of chaos and a general discontent among the Hindu population of the Deccan. People secretly desired for a saviour who could eliminate the injustice and promise them the land to call their own. The liberator finally arose. History names him as Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.

A small but efficient council of ministers along with the responsibility of his father’s Jagir in Pune, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj began to fulfill his dream of making a land free from injustice and religious intolerance. The first conquest came in 1647 at the age of sixteen. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj seized the Torna fort and gradually started annexing the neglected forts of Adilshahi in the vicinity of Pune.

Also Read: THE RISE OF MARATHAS (1674-1818)

Life Events of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj: Architect of the Maratha Empire

Event	Description
Birth of Shivaji Maharaj	Born at Shivneri on April 10, 1627, Shivaji Maharaj was the youngest son of Shahji and Jija Bai.
Early Childhood	In his early childhood, there was little interaction between Shahji and Shivaji as Shahji was occupied with his Kamatak campaign as a Bijapur noble from 1630 to 1636.
Surrender of Shivneri Fort	In 1636, Shahji surrendered Shivneri Fort, one of the seven forts he controlled, leading Shivaji and his mother to shift to Poona under the guardianship of Dadaji Konddev.
Marriage and Responsibilities	In 1640-41, Shivaji Maharaj married Sai Bai Nimbalkar, and Shahji entrusted the charge of his Poona jagir to him, under Dadaji Konddev’s guardianship. After Dadaji Konddev’s death in 1647, Shivaji Maharaj became the sole in charge of his Poona jagir as Shahji’s agent.
Friendship with Maval Chiefs	Shivaji Maharaj befriended the Maval chiefs in the west of the Poona district, who became the backbone of his army in the future. Jedhe Nayak of Kari and Bandal Nayak were among the first Maval chiefs to join Shivaji.
Attempt to Recover Shahji’s Possessions	Shivaji Maharaj aimed to recover all possessions held by Shahji in 1634 but surrendered in 1636. After Dadaji Konddev‘s death, Shivaji Maharaj planned to reclaim them but had to postpone due to Shahji’s arrest by Mustafa Khan, the Bijapuri commander.
Shivaji’s Diplomatic Efforts for Shahji’s Release	In 1649, Shivaji Maharaj unsuccessfully attempted to pressure the Adil Shahi ruler for his father’s release by forming an alliance with the Mughals. Shahji was eventually released on May 16, 1649, after surrendering Bangalore and Kondana to Bijapur.
Conquest of Forts	In 1648, Shivaji Maharaj occupied the fort of Purandar, providing an impregnable defense for the Marathas.
Conquest of Javali Fort	In 1656, Shivaji conquered the fort of Javli, stronghold of Maval chieftain Chandra Rao More. With its capture, Shivaji Maharaj gained control of another stronghold, Rain (later renamed Raigarh), which became the Maratha capital shortly after.
Expansion and Military Strength	The conquest of Javli not only opened the gate for further expansion towards south and west Konkan but also increased Shivaji’s military strength with Maval chieftains from More territory joining him.

Shivaji Maharaj

Also Read: Shivaji Maharaj Jayanti 2024: 394th Birth Anniversary of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj

Shivaji’s Confrontation with Bijapur: Triumphs and the Battle of Pratapgad

Bijapur Sultanate: Shivaji’s father Shahaji was to support the Bijapuri Sultanate – a three sided relationship between Bijapur, Ahmednagar, and Golconda, as a general.
By 1645: Shivaji procured control of a few keys from under the Bijapur Sultanate around Pune.
Mohammed Adil Shah: Following his prosperity, he had arisen as a danger for Mohammed Adil Shah who provided the request to detain Shahaji in 1648.
Shivaji Victories: Shahaji was delivered on condition that Shivaji stayed under the radar and kept from additional triumphs. Shivaji Maharaj continued his victories after Shahaji’s demise in 1665.
Clash of Pratapgad:
- The Skirmish of Pratapgad occurred in 1659, at Pratapgad Stronghold in Satara. General Afzal Khan’s Bijapur troops and the Marathas led by Chhatrapati Shivaji fought in the battle.
- The Marathas arose successfully, denoting their most memorable critical military victory against a significant territorial power.

Aurangzeb’s Confrontation: Shivaji’s Struggle Against the Mughals

Aurangzeb and Shivaji: Aurangzeb considered him to be a danger to extension of his majestic expectation and focused his endeavors on killing the Maratha danger
Deccan Challenge: Aurangzeb sent the Mughal military leader of Deccan, Shaista Khan against Shivaji Maharaj whom he crushed. He went after Surat, boss port of Mughals and pillaged it.
Treaty of Purandar: In 1665, the Treaty of Purandar was signed after an enraged Aurangzeb sent his chief general Jai Singh I and a 150,000-strong army to be defeated by Raja Jai Singh of Amber.

Shivaji’s Diplomatic Shift: From Allies to Adversaries with the English

British Deceit: Starting days of his rule, Shivaji Maharaj kept up with warm associations with the English till they upheld the Bijapuri Sultanate in a showdown against him in the capture of Post of Panhala in 1660.
Shivaji against British: So in 1670, Shivaji Maharaj moved against the English in Bombay for them not selling him war material.

Shivaji Maharaj’s Strategic Triumphs and Expansion

Event \ Conquered Forts	Description
Singh Garh/ Kondana (1643)-	Shivaji’s forces vs. Adil Shahi Sultanate served as a strategic fortress overlooking Pune.
Rohind and Chakan (1644-45)–	Shivaji’s forces vs. Adil Shahi Sultanate Rohida served as a pivotal fort protecting the region, Chakan was a crucial town in trade routes
Toran (1646)	Shivaji’s forces vs. Adil Shahi Sultanate secured the territory around Pune.
Purandar (1648)	Shivaji’s forces vs. Adil Shahi Sultanate stronghold of the Marathas
Rajgarh/ Raigarh (1656)	Shivaji’s forces vs. Bijapur Sultanate became the capital of the Maratha empire
Supa (1656)	Shivaji’s forces vs. Bijapur Sultanate contributed to expanding Maratha influence in the region
Panhala (1659)	Shivaji’s forces vs. Adil Shahi Sultanate one of the largest forts in the Deccan.
Captured Javli	Captured from Maratha chief Chanda Rao More
Raided Portuguese settlement at Daman	Received tribute from them
Battle of Pratapgarh (c.1659 CE)	Fought between Afzal Khan (representing Adil Shah of Bijapur) and Shivaji
Battle of Kolhapur	Fought between General Rustemjaman (represented by Adil Shah of Bijapur) and Shivaji
Battle of Pavankhind (c.1660 CE)	Fought between Siddi Johar (represented by Adil Shah of Bijapur) and Shivaji
Struggle with Aurangzeb	In 1660 CE, Aurangzeb sent Mughal governor Shaista Khan against Shivaji. Shivaji Maharaj attacked Shaista Khan’s camp at Poona in 1663 and wounded him.
Treaty of Purandar (c.1665 CE)	Signed between Shivaji and Raja Jai Singh; Shivaji Maharaj agreed to meet Aurangzeb
Battle of Salher	Defeated Mughals in Battle of Salher (1672)
Coronation at Raigad fort (1674)	Crowned and assumed the title Maharaja Chhatrapati

Also Read: Navy Day and Shivaji’s Maritime Legacy: A Tribute to Maratha Naval Prowess

Administration and Governance Model under Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj

The Maratha administration can be studied under three heads-
- Central Administration;
- Revenue Administration; and
- Military Administration.

Administration	Description
Central Administration	The Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj government was carried out by the Ashta Pradhan framework. Shivaji Maharaj had a gathering of senior advisers to exhort him on issues connected with the state yet he was not limited by it. The Peshwa was the first among ministers akin to the Prime Minister of today. Shivaji Maharaj made no office hereditary The framework was established on antiquated Hindu standards. The most elevated court was ‘Hazar Majils’ of the court of the lord. The Panchayats dealt with questions between different gatherings in the networks and the lawbreaker cases were chosen by the town ‘Patel’
Supreme Sovereign	Chhatrapati as the supreme sovereign
Ashtapradhan	Team of eight ministers (Ashtapradhan) directly reporting to Shivaji Maharaj
	Peshwa: Head of general administration and representative of the king
	Majumder: Responsible for maintaining the financial health of the kingdom
	Pandit Rao: Responsible for overseeing spiritual well-being, fixing religious dates, and overseeing charitable programs
	Dabir: Foreign Secretary advising the king on foreign policies
	Senapati: In charge of overseeing military organization, recruitment, training, and strategic advising
	Nyayadhish: Chief Justice overseeing law formulation and enforcement
	Mantri: Chronicler keeping records of the king’s daily life
	Sachiv: Superintendent in charge of royal correspondence
Provinces	Shivaji Maharaj divided the kingdom into four provinces, each headed by a Mamlatdar
Village	Village was the smallest administrative unit, headed by a Deshpande
Language	Promoted the use of Marathi and Sanskrit in court instead of Persian
Religion	Tolerant of all religions and strictly against caste discrimination
Revenue Administration	Jagirdari System: Eliminated Jagirdari System, replaced with Ryotwari System Mirasdars: Supervised Mirasdars with hereditary rights in land Kathi system: Revenue based on Kathi system of Malik Amber
Introduced Chauth and Sardeshmukhi taxes	Chauth (1/4th standard paid to Marathas) as safeguard, Sardeshmukhi (additional levy of 10%) from areas outside the kingdom
Military Administration	Maintained strong military force with strategic forts and naval presence Paid ordinary soldiers in cash, chiefs and military commanders through jagir grants. Army consisted of Infantry (Mavali foot soldiers), Cavalry (Horse riders and equipment holders), and Navy

Flourishing Arts and Culture: Shivaji’s Impact on Language, Religion, and Arts

Shivaji’s Marathi Revival and Sanskrit Renaissance

In his court, Shivaji Maharaj supplanted Persian with Marathi, and stressed Hindu political and elegant practices.
Shivaji dispatched one of his authorities to make an exhaustive dictionary to supplant Persian and Arabic terms with their Sanskrit counterparts.
This prompted the creation of ‘Rajavyavaharakosa‘, the thesaurus of state utilization in 1677

Shivaji’s illustrious seal was in Sanskrit: Artistic Expression of Swaraj

Except for Netoji Palkar, the marks of Shivaji’s priests and authorities are all in Sanskrit or Marathi.
The seal otherwise called a Rajmudra had engravings of lines written in Sanskrit. Through these lines, he offered his thanks towards his Father
The regal seals additionally assisted Shivaji Maharaj with communicating the possibility of swaraj as it showed his obligation to the government assistance of subjects and managing the kingdom for assistance and welfare of his subjects.

Shivaji Maharaj

Strict approach: Shivaji Maharaj is known for his liberal and lenient strict arrangements.
Shivaji not only permitted Muslims to practice without fear of harassment, but he also provided endowments to their ministries.
Hindus were relieved to be able to freely practice their religion under a Hindu ruler.

Forts

The strongholds he constructed are Sindhudurg, Rajgad, Pratapgad, Raigad and so forth.
Raigad Fort: A hill fortress near Mahad, Maharashtra, it served as the capital of the Maratha Empire. Raigad is renowned for its steep cliffs and the iconic ‘Takmak Tok’ platform where Shivaji Maharaj was crowned.

Shivaji Maharaj

Pratapgad Fort: Situated in Satara district, it played a pivotal role in Shivaji’s military strategy. The fort is known for the Battle of Pratapgad, where Shivaji’s forces defeated the mighty Afzal Khan.

Shivaji Maharaj

Sindhudurg Fort: Constructed on an island off the Malvan coast, it was a key naval base for Shivaji’s maritime activities, guarding the Konkan region.

Shivaji Maharaj

Rajgad Fort: Located near Pune, it was one of Shivaji’s earliest conquests and served as a stronghold for the Maratha kingdom. Rajgad offers breathtaking views and intricate fortifications.

Shivaji Maharaj

Torna Fort: Known as Prachandagad, it was the first fort captured by Shivaji in 1646. Torna symbolizes his daring military tactics and marks the beginning of his illustrious conquests.

Shivaji Maharaj

Shivaji Maharaj was a contemporary of Samarth Ramdas and inspirer of Shivaji. He was an Indian Marathi Hindu holy person, savant, artist, author and otherworldly expert.
Namdev: Bhakti Pioneer and Catalyst for Spiritual Transformation and National Awakening
- Namdeva popularized the bhakti movement throughout Maharashtra as well as India
- The whole credit of changing the mind of the priest- ridden and ceremonial creed of people towards the love of God- goes to Namdeva.
- Namdeva who was born in 1270 A.D in Maharashtra preached intense love and devotion to God.
- He opposed idol worship in religion and the caste system in society.
- Played a crucial role in awakening Maratha Nationalism

Some facts about Shivaji Maharaj: The Epitome of Leadership, Secularism, and Military Ingenuity

Fact	Description
Shivaji’s Secularism	Shivaji Maharaj was tolerant of all religions and opposed caste conflicts. He accommodated various religious beliefs and even helped individuals convert to Hinduism if they wished. He married his daughter to a converted Hindu.
Derivation of Shivaji’s Name	Shivaji’s name was derived from a regional deity called Shivai, not Lord Shiva. He was revered for his heroic deeds, which led to him being regarded as god-like.
Father of the Indian Navy	Shivaji recognized the importance of naval power early on and built a strong navy to fend off foreign invaders and pirates. He constructed naval forts and various types of warships, earning him the title “Father of the Indian Navy.”
Shivaji’s Military Strategy	Despite limited resources, Shivaji employed raiding warfare tactics to capture forts and territories from the Sultan of Bijapur. He strategically occupied key forts, expanding his control over the Konkan and Western Ghats.
Shivaji’s Offer to Aid Aurangzeb	Shivaji offered assistance to Aurangzeb in conquering Bijapur but faced repercussions when his officials raided Mughal territory, hindering the conquest.
Formation of the Maratha Army	Shivaji organized an army of Marathas, paying soldiers throughout the year. He integrated Hindus and Muslims into the army without discrimination, expanding a force of 2,000 men to 10,000 soldiers.
Shivaji’s Respect for Women	Shivaji advocated for women’s honor and opposed violence against them. He issued strict orders to safeguard women during raids, punishing those who harmed or assaulted them severely.
Escape from Panhala Fort	When besieged at Panhala Fort, Shivaji orchestrated an escape by using a decoy palanquin A barber resembling him led the decoy, diverting soldiers’ attention while Shivaji slipped away, evading capture.
Proponent of Guerrilla Warfare	Shivaji was skilled in guerrilla tactics and geographic knowledge, earning him the moniker “rat of the hills.” He focused on attacking small enemy groups but refrained from raiding religious or civilian sites.
Shivaji’s Patriotism	Shivaji prioritized fighting for India’s freedom over his kingdom’s interests. He inspired soldiers to fight for the nation’s cause, emphasizing the establishment of a free state and disregarding loyalty to individual kings.
Shivaji’s Compassion	Shivaji displayed mercy to surrendering enemies, welcoming them into his army based on their skills rather than backgrounds. He refrained from raiding religious sites and homes, reflecting his caring and compassionate nature.
Chhatrapati Shivaji Jayanti	Chhatrapati Shivaji Jayanti is celebrated on February 19th each year to commemorate the birth anniversary of Shivaji Maharaj.
Height	Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj was of average height, estimated to be around 5 feet 6 inches (approximately 168 cm).

Conclusion:

Shivaji breathed new life into a people that for centuries had resigned itself to serfdom and led them against Aurangzeb, a powerful Mughal ruler. Above all, he was one of the few rulers of his time who practiced true religious tolerance. It is very well made known by MG Ranade that Chhatrapati was the most genius Maratha ruler, who manifested the Maratha aspirations. Ranade is the first historian, who has written in detail about Chhatrapati Shivaji’s administrative system and compared Shivaji with Napoleon in organization and building of civil institutions.

Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)

When was Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj born?

1627
1647
1665
1674

Who was the Maratha chief from whom Shivaji captured the fort of Javli?

Afzal Khan
Rustemjaman
Chanda Rao More
Siddi Johar

In which battle did Shivaji successfully defeat Afzal Khan, representing the Bijapur Sultanate?

Battle of Pratapgarh
Battle of Kolhapur
Battle of Pavankhind
Battle of Salher

What was the treaty signed between Shivaji and Raja Jai Singh, representing the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb?

Treaty of Pratapgad
Treaty of Purandhar
Treaty of Salher
Treaty of Raigad

What was the primary language promoted by Shivaji in his court?

Persian
Arabic
Marathi
Sanskrit

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Frequently Asked Questions

Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj was a prominent ruler in 17th-century India known for his valor, administrative reforms, and establishment of the Maratha Empire in Maharashtra.

Shivaji conquered several forts and territories, including Singh Garh/Kondana, Purandhar, Rajgarh/Raigarh, and Panhala. He also captured Javli from Maratha chief Chanda Rao More.

Shivaji implemented a decentralized administration, dividing his kingdom into provinces and promoting the use of Marathi and Sanskrit. He established a council of eight ministers (Ashtapradhan) to oversee various aspects of governance.

Shivaji engaged in both diplomatic alliances and military conflicts with neighboring powers. He faced challenges from the Bijapur Sultanate, engaged in battles with the Mughals, and had interactions with the English East India Company.

Shivaji promoted Marathi and Sanskrit languages, commissioned works like the 'Rajavyavaharakosa' to replace Persian terms, and fostered a tolerant environment for religious practices, supporting both Hindus and Muslims.

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Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj: Biography, Leadership and Legacy

Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj: The Visionary Liberator of 17th Century Deccan

Life Events of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj: Architect of the Maratha Empire

Shivaji’s Confrontation with Bijapur: Triumphs and the Battle of Pratapgad

Aurangzeb’s Confrontation: Shivaji’s Struggle Against the Mughals

Shivaji’s Diplomatic Shift: From Allies to Adversaries with the English

Shivaji Maharaj’s Strategic Triumphs and Expansion

Administration and Governance Model under Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj

Flourishing Arts and Culture: Shivaji’s Impact on Language, Religion, and Arts

Shivaji’s Marathi Revival and Sanskrit Renaissance

Shivaji’s illustrious seal was in Sanskrit: Artistic Expression of Swaraj

Tolerance and Harmony: Social Inclusivity under Shivaji’s Maratha Rule

Forts

Shivaji’s Era and the Legacy of Namdev: Contemporary Saints, Sovereignty, and Social Reform

Some facts about Shivaji Maharaj: The Epitome of Leadership, Secularism, and Military Ingenuity

Conclusion:

Frequently Asked Questions

Who was Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj?

What were some of Shivaji's significant conquests?

What was Shivaji's approach to administration?

What were Shivaji's diplomatic relations with other powers?

What was Shivaji's legacy in arts and culture?

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