Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj: The period of the 17th century was an era of chaos and general discontent among the Hindu population of the Deccan. People secretly desired a savior 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.

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

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

• Bijapur Sultanate: Shivaji’s father Shahaji was to support the Bijapur 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 the 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, the boss port of the 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

Administration and Governance Model under Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj

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

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.

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

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

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

• 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

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?

1. 1627
2. 1647
3. 1665
4. 1674

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

1. Afzal Khan
2. Rustemjaman
3. Chanda Rao More
4. Siddi Johar

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

1. Battle of Pratapgarh
2. Battle of Kolhapur
3. Battle of Pavankhind
4. Battle of Salher

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

1. Treaty of Pratapgad
2. Treaty of Purandhar
3. Treaty of Salher
4. Treaty of Raigad

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

1. Persian
2. Arabic
3. Marathi
4. Sanskrit