Maharashtra before Shivaji (Shivaji Maharaj)

Shivaji Maharaj

           "Shivaji did not belong to Maharashtra alone; he belonged to the whole Indian nation.

       

     Shivaji was not an ambitious ruler anxious to establish a Kingdom for himself but a patriot inspired by a vision and political ideas derived from the teachings of the ancient philosophers. He studied the merits and faults of the systems of administration in Kingdoms existing at the time and determined his own policies and administration in the light of that Knowledge.  A devout Hindu, he was tolerant of other religions and established a number of endowments for maintaining sacred places belonging to them. As a general he was undoubtedly one of the greatest in Indian history ; he saw the need for and raised a navy to guard his coastline and to fight against the British and the Dutch. Pratapgad Fort built in 1656 stands today as a monument to his military genius.

              Shri Shivaji is a symbol of many virtues, more especially of love of country."

  Shivaji Maharaj was once a warrior, statesman, and patriot of India who set up the Maratha Empire in the seventeenth century. He was once a modern chief who fought tirelessly to free his humans from oppressive overseas powers and carry justice to the human beings of India. He used to be a grasp strategist, tremendous tactician, and a daring warrior, main his navy to severe victories towards adversaries a long way highest quality in number. Shivaji Maharaj is one of the most celebrated figures in Indian records and is viewed as a image of bravery and patriotism.

       Born in 1627, Shivaji used to be the eldest son of Shahji Bhosale, the chief of the Maratha Confederacy all through the time. At the smooth age of 16, Shivaji had already verified himself as a army chief and had installed a small kingdom in the location of cutting-edge Maharashtra. His kingdom rapidly increased and, in 1674, he declared himself the Chhatrapati (emperor) of the Maratha Empire. Shivaji Maharaj used to be a visionary chief who laid the foundations of a robust and unbiased kingdom. He used to be a company believer in justice and equality for all and was once an avid proponent of spiritual tolerance and freedom of thought. He used to be an capable administrator who made positive that the Maratha kingdom used to be well-governed and prosperous. He was once additionally an astute diplomat and solid alliances with the rulers of different Indian kingdoms, which helped amplify the Maratha Empire.

       Shivaji Maharaj used to be an inspiring chief who stimulated many of his followers to battle for their freedom and justice. He used to be a image of courage, patriotism, and justice, and an instance of real leadership. Even today, he stands as an proposal for many who combat for freedom and justice in India. Shivaji Maharaj is a image of many virtues and is remembered for his love of us of a and his dedication to justice and freedom for all. Shivaji Maharaj was once a legendary ruler who used to be a lot greater than simply King of Maharashtra. He used to be a chief who was once cherished and revered via the humans of the whole Indian nation. His imaginative and prescient and mission had been guided by means of the teachings of the historical philosophers, and he was once now not any person who sought to set up a kingdom for his personal self-interest.

       Shivaji Maharaj used to be a religious Hindu, however he used to be tolerant of different religions and believed in respecting all religions equally. He was once additionally an inspiring normal who used to be acknowledged as one of the best in Indian history. He diagnosed the want for a robust navy to shield his coastlines and battle towards the Dutch and British, and the Pratapgad Fort that was once constructed in 1656 stands as a testimony to his army genius. Shivaji Maharaj used to be a image of many virtues, particularly of his love for his country. He labored tough to create a lasting legacy that would be remembered for generations to come, and his values and standards proceed to be a supply of idea to the humans of India. He believed that all religions need to be respected, and that justice and equity have to be the guiding values of any appropriate administration. He was once a chief who used to be capable to deliver many humans collectively and construct a robust and unified nation.

       Shivaji Maharaj is an necessary parent in Indian history, and his legacy and teachings proceed to encourage human beings of all a long time and backgrounds. He was once a chief who used to be inclined to take dangers and make hard choices to make certain the well-being of his people, and his braveness and willpower will continually be remembered.

 Maharashtra before Shivaji

 

         Shivaji Maharaj Was a great man. We celebrate his birth anniversary with great pomp and reverence. It is a happy day for you children. You sing songs and 'powadas' in his honour. You garland his picture and say 'Shivaji Maharaj Ki Jai'. Who was this Shivaji Maharaj ? What was the great work he did that we celebrate his birthday every year ?

       The time in which Shivaji Maharaj lived was that of the medieval period. In those days, monarchy or the rule of Kings prevailed everywhere. Many of the Kings pursued their own pleasures and enjoyments instead of the welfare of their subjects . But even in those days, there were some Kings who looked after the welfare of their subjects. The Moghul Emperor Akbar in the North and Emperor Krishnadevraya of Vijaynagar in the South are famous in history for their benevolent rule. Likewise, Shivaji Maharaj also commands great respect even today.

      Shivaji Maharaj established Swaraj in Maharashtra. Swaraj means self- government, our own rule. For about four hundred years before Shivaji Maharaj, Maharashtra was not free. A large portion of it was under the rule of the Nizamshah of Ahmadnagar and the Adilshah of Bijapur. These two Sultans had divided Maharashtra among themselves. They were not liberal in their outlook. They oppressed the people over whom they ruled. They were also sworn enemies of each other. They constantly fought against each other with the result that the people suffered and were harassed. The people could not get enough to eat, nor could they celebrate their festivals or worship their gods openly and freely. They were not sure of safety even in their own homes. There was injustice everywhere. In Maharashtra, there were many Watandars like Deshmukhs and Deshpandes who owned Jagirs. They loved only their Jagirs and not their country . The constant fighting among them brought great misery to the people. There was misrule everywhere. People were tired of this oppression and were very unhappy.

      Shivaji Maharaj saw all this. He undertook the noble task of establishing Swaraj in Maharashtra which would bring happiness to the people. He first brought to book the Watandars who fought among themselves. He then used them in his plan to establish Swaraj. He fought against the Powers that oppressed the people, and defeated them. He established 'Hindavi Swaraj' based on justice, fair play and equal treatment to people of all castes and religions. Shivaji Maharaj made no distinction between Hindus and Muslims. He honoured the saints of all religions. We draw inspiration from these noble deeds of Maharaj.

     During a period of about three to four hundred years before Shivaji Maharaj, many saints were born in Maharashtra. Their work helped Shivaji Maharaj in his successful effort of establishing Swaraj.

  He used to be born in 1630 in the well-known Shivneri Fort in Pune district of Maharashtra. His father used to be Shahaji Raje Bhosale, who served for a number of rulers of the time, usually the Adilshahi Sultanate of Bijapur. Shivaji Maharaj was once committed to the Hindu faith and way of life from a younger age. He obtained coaching in the use of weapons, army approaches and the administration of justice from his father. At the age of 16, he declared the independence of the Maratha kingdom and used to be topped the Chhatrapati King of the Maratha state. He fought many battles and grew to be a bold warrior and an extraordinarily profitable administrator. He was once a grasp strategist and took the initiative to construct a sturdy military and navy. He additionally set up forts in numerous places for the protection of his kingdom.

       Shivaji Maharaj believed in justice, equality, and equity for all. He used to be a robust suggest of spiritual tolerance. He created a sturdy navy pressure to shield his kingdom from the overseas invasions. He additionally mounted a robust administrative gadget and reformed the taxation system. He was once a effective ruler who unified Maharashtra and set up the Maratha Empire. Shivaji Maharaj's contribution to Maharashtra used to be immense. He fought many battles and defeated effective enemies. He unified Maharashtra and hooked up Swaraj, a gadget of self-rule. He set up a sturdy administrative machine and reformed the taxation system. He used to be a excellent chief and his legacy lives on to this day.

       We have fun his delivery anniversary with extremely good pomp and reverence. His title will continually be remembered as the outstanding leader who installed Swaraj in Maharashtra. He will continually be remembered as the top notch warrior and administrator who unified Maharashtra and mounted the Maratha Empire. We can study from his instance and try to convey about a simply and equal society in our very own time.

       Maharashtra was once a princely nation in the pre-Shivaji period. It used to be dominated by means of the Mughal Empire and was once the most essential phase of their empire. The situation of the human beings of Maharashtra all through the Mughal duration used to be miserable. They have been now not allowed to exercise their faith freely, their way of life and language had been suppressed, and their rights have been taken away from them. The human beings of Maharashtra at some point of the pre-Shivaji duration had been struggling to survive. They had been pressured to pay heavy taxes to the Mughals. The Maratha human beings of Maharashtra have been regarded to be the lowest classification by using the Mughals. They had been no longer allowed to exercise their personal faith and have been denied simple human rights.

       The human beings of Maharashtra had been in dire want of a chief who ought to unite them and lead them to freedom. Shivaji Maharaj was once born in the small village of Shivneri in 1630. He used to be the son of a Maratha chief and used to be the embodiment of braveness and bravery. He was once the one who rose up towards the Mughal tyranny and fought for the rights of the humans of Maharashtra. Shivaji Maharaj was once a grasp of guerrilla warfare. He shaped an army of Maratha human beings and fought in opposition to the Mughals. He was once profitable in releasing Maharashtra from Mughal rule and organizing an impartial kingdom. He additionally safeguarded the subculture and faith of the human beings of Maharashtra and hooked up a robust and secure government.

      Shivaji Maharaj was once a notable chief who introduced about a drastic alternate in the lives of the humans of Maharashtra. He fought for their rights and gave them the freedom of training their very own faith except any fear. He additionally stood for justice for all and used to be a champion of human rights. Shivaji Maharaj was once additionally a remarkable ruler who added about a duration of peace and prosperity in Maharashtra. He prompted alternate and commerce and developed an environment friendly device of administration. He additionally supplied employment to many humans and expanded the dwelling requirements of the human beings of Maharashtra.

        Shivaji Maharaj used to be a extraordinary chief whose lifestyles and work have been celebrated with outstanding pomp and reverence. His birthday is celebrated each 12 months with gorgeous enthusiasm and reverence. People garland his image and chant 'Shivaji Maharaj Ki Jai' to pay their respects to him. The contribution of Shivaji Maharaj closer to the improvement of Maharashtra can in no way be forgotten. His legacy of courage, justice and freedom will stay etched in the minds of human beings for generations to come.

         He was once born in 1630 in a region known as Shivneri, close to the metropolis of Junner. His father, Shahaji Bhosale, was once a commander in the navy of the Adilshahi ruler, Malik Ambar. From his childhood, Shivaji was once educated in horsemanship, swordsmanship, archery and navy tactics. He used to be an exquisite strategist, and a courageous and fearless warrior.At the age of sixteen, Shivaji captured the castle of Torna close to Pune, and with the aid of 1659, he had prolonged his rule over a giant phase of western and southern Maharashtra. He fought and defeated effective Adilshahi, Mughal and Bijapur forces. He organised a sturdy navy and constructed a giant wide variety of forts to protect his kingdom. He was once a extraordinary statesman and a terrific social reformer. He added about reforms in the administration and furnished higher governance. He used to be a brilliant patriot, who fought tirelessly for the freedom of Maharashtra from overseas rule.

      The Maratha Empire below Shivaji Maharaj was once a gorgeous instance of the energy of patriotism, braveness and sacrifice. He confirmed that even a small kingdom can grow to be effective and can stand up towards effective forces. His legacy lives on, and we proceed to honour him with the aid of celebrating his delivery anniversary with extremely good reverence and devotion. We salute the fantastic Shivaji Maharaj, who was once instrumental in the upliftment of Maharashtra and the institution of Swaraj.      

 

Shivaji's Childhood

The Birthplace of Shivaji Maharaj at Fort Shivneri

 

           Birth of Shivaji : Those were very unsettled days. Shahjahan from the North had despatched a big army to conquer the Deccan. Pune, the principal town of Shahaji Raje's Jagir was burned to the ground by Adilshah of Bijapur. Shahaji Raje was in real trouble. He found himself between the devil and the deep, sea, and was constantly on the run.

                Jijabai was pregnant and the great question which worried Shahaji Raje was some place where she could remain in safety and peace. Then he remembered the Shivneri fort and decided to send Jiiabai there. Shivneri was a strong fort near Junnar in Pune district. It had steep cliffs on four sides, strong fortifications and massive doors. This strong fort was then in charge of Vijayraj, a relativa of the Bhonsales. He agreed to give protection to Jijabai. So Shahaji Raje left her there and marched against the Moghuls.

                 And then the golden day dawned. On the auspicious day of Phalgun Vadya Tritiya, in the year 1551 0f the Shaka era, that is, on 19 February 1630, to the sound of pipes and drums playing in the 'Nagar Khana', Jijabai gave birth to a son. All the residents of the fort were overjoyed. On the twelfth day, with appropriate ceremony, the child was named 'Shivaji' as the child was born on Fort Shivneri.

        Shivaji's Childhood : Shivaji Passed the first six years of his life in highly unsettled conditions. Even so, Jijabai did not neglect his education. Every evening she would light the household lamps and then call Shivaji to her. She would shower all her affection on him and tell him stories of Rama and Krishnsa, of Bhim and Abhimanyu. On other occasions she would recite to him the devotional songs of Namdeo, Dnyaneshwar or Eknath. Shivaji liked to listen to the exploits of brave men. Shivaji felt that on growing up, he should also display valour like them. Jijabai used to tell him stories of many pious persons and saints That instilled in him, a respect and honour for all saints and great men.

                Children from poor families came to play with Shivaji. Sometimes he visited them in their huts and shared their simple meal of onion and bhakri with great relish. They invented interesting games to pass the time. The children of the Mavlas were like birds in the forest. They would imitate the sound of the cuckoo or parrot or tiger to perfection. Their pastime was building small forts of earth and making earthern elephants and horses. They played hide and seek, or played with a ball or top. Shivaji joined them in all these games and became popular with them.

       Shivaji, the iconic Maratha warrior and founder of the Maratha Empire, surpassed the first six years of his existence in noticeably unsettled conditions. Despite these conditions, his mom Jijabai did now not forget about Shivaji's education. Every evening, she would mild the family lamps and name Shivaji to her. She would bathe him with love and inform him testimonies from the Ramayana, Mahabharata and Puranas. She would additionally recount the tales of courageous guys and their feats of valor, instilling in Shivaji a want to emulate them.

     Jijabai additionally informed him testimonies of many pious humans and saints, imparting in him a gorgeous recognize and reverence for their deeds. Shivaji was once additionally uncovered to the existence of humans from extraordinary backgrounds. He regularly visited the huts of his terrible buddies and shared their easy meal of onion and bhakri with incredible relish. The youth of the Mavlas have been like birds in freedom and Shivaji admired their freedom and independence.

      At the equal time, Jijabai additionally made positive that Shivaji obtained a formal education. She taught him about the Vedas and Puranas, how to read, write and recite shlokas. She additionally instilled in him a experience of morality, justice, and honor. This early training helped structure Shivaji's character, which in flip helped him come to be the terrific leader that he is remembered as today.

      Shivaji's childhood was once spent in turbulent times, but no matter the unrest, he was once capable to get hold of a acceptable training and grow to be the fantastic chief that he is remembered as today. It is a testimony to the dedication of Jijabai that no matter the circumstances, she used to be nevertheless in a position to supply her son the schooling and ethical basis that would put together him for the future.

Shivaji with his Friends

         Shahaji Raje towards the Moghuls : Shahaji Raje returned to Nizamshahi all right, but he did not get any peace of mind there. Nizamshah himself was a fickle- minded person who readily believed all gossip. Hence, many conspiracies and petty rivalries infested the court. This led to the Killing of Lakhujirao Jadhav openly in the court at the instigation of Nizamshah himself. Shahaji Raje could not withstand this. Infuriated, he left Nizamshahi and joined the Moghuls. Shahjahan, the Moghul Emperor, made him a Sardar at his court.

           In the meantime, secretly joining hands with the Moghuls, Fattekhan Killed Nizamshah. There was complete anarchy in the state. It became evident that Fattekhan was treacherously planning to enable the Moghuls to swallow Nizamshahi. In return, the Moghuls rewarded him with the territory under the control of Shahaji Raje. Shahaji Raje was enraged and so he left the services of the Moghuls. He decided to teach them a lesson using all his might.

          Founding of a New Nizamshahi : In order to forestall the Moghul Emperor and Vazir Fattekhan, Shahaji Raje found out a child heir from the Nizam's family and on the fort of pemgiri near Junnar, declared him as the new Nizamshah. Thus, he established an altogether new Kingdom which included the territory between the rivers Godavari and Nira. Shahaji Raje fought vigorously to protect this new state. Initially, Adilshah was with him in these efforts. But later, the Moghul Emperor Shahjahan himself marched South upon Shahaji Raje and threatened Adilshah. Adilshah then signed a treaty of friendship with him against Shahaji Raje.

            Shahaji Raje  now began to fight the joint forces of the Moghuls and Adilshah using guerrilla tactics. But he could not sustain the war all by himself. In 1636, unwillingly, he signed a treaty of peace with Moghuls. He could not create his own Kingdom as the times were not favourable for him. But his daring spirit kindled a confidence among the Marathi people. This proved useful for Shivaji in establishing Swaraj a few years later.

     Jijabai and Shivaji in Karnatak : After the downfall of the Nizamshahi established by Shahaji Raje, its territory was divided by the Moghuls and Adilshah amongst themselves. Shahaji Raje's Jagir of Pune and Supe lay within Adilshah's share. He gave it to Shahaji Raje on his behalf. Now Shahaji Raje joined the Adilshahi services. Adilshah assigned to him, the task of conquering the territories in distant Karnatak, far away from Pune. Some time after the departure of Shahaji Raje to Karnatak, Jijabai and Shivaji also joined him there.

     Shivaji's childhood in Maharashtra had been very hectic. He and Jijabai had to rush continuously from one fort to another. At that time, young Shivaji used to hear the stories of the brave deeds of his father. Jijabai and Shivaji got some peace when they arrived in Karnatak. Shahaji Raje defeated many kings in Karnatak. Adilshah awarded him with the Jagir of Bangalore. Shahaji Raje then made the city of Bangalore his headquarters. He lived there with all the trappings of a king and began to summon the court.

Shivaji's Education

      Beginning of Shivaji's Education : Shahaji Raje himself was a scholar of Sanskrit. In the Bangalore court, he had under his patronage, artists and scholars of various languages. He appointed intelligent teachers for Shivaji. Shivaji's education began when he became seven years old. Soon, Shivaji became skilled in the art of reading and writing. He began to read the stories from 'Ramayan','Mahabharat' and 'Bhagwat', on his own. To teach him warfare, Shahaji Raje had appointed some teachers. They began to teach Shivaji to ride a horse, to wrestle, to use swords and Dandpatta. Thus, at the age of twelve, Shivaji became acquainted with different branches of learning and arts.

          Soon, Adilshah sent Shahaji Raje on an expedition to conquer the Stated of the Nayakas  (local chiefs) in Karnatak. Before setting out upon the expedition, Shahaji Raje Sent Shivaji and Jijabai to Pune. With them, he sent elephants, horses, an infantry, a treasury, a flag, as also trusted ministers, brave generals and renowned teachers.

        Rejuvenation of Pune : Jijabai and Shivaji returned to Pune. Shivaji remembered his childhood days which he had spent on Shivneri. He could see the lofty peaks of the Sahyadri again and he became very happy. Pune at that time was not such a big city. It was totally devastated by Shahaji Raje's enemies.

      Properties were damaged. Houses were demolished. Temples had collapsed. The frightened people had fled from their villages. Fields had become barren. Thick forests had grown. Wolves roamed in the countryside. Pune, thus, was totally in shambles and ruins.

        When the people living around came to know that Jijabai has returned to Pune with Shivaji, they took heart. Jijabai called all of them and reassured them that they would be safe in Pune. People started settling in Pune, cultivating their lands. Jijabai had the dilapidated temples repaired. In the temples, worship began morning and evening. The town was again throbbing with people. Thus, Pune was totally transformed.

      The Achievements of Dadaji Konddev : When Jijabai and Shivaji were in Karnatak, Dadaji Konddev looked after the Pune Jagir. He was the 'Subhedar' of Kondana also. He was very faithful. He was strict, efficient and honest in his work. He was also just, and a strict disciplinarian. He served with devotion. At about this time, a big wada or residence was built in Pune by the orders of Shahaji Raje. It came to be known as 'Lal Mahal'. To encourage the peasants to till their lands, Dadaji gave them concessions in the land tax for a few years. He offered prizes for destroying the wolves which infested the countryside and harassed the peasants. Many wolves were killed. He raised peasant patrols to protect life and property from gangs of thieves who roamed the countryside. He fixed land revenue according to the quality of the soil. He thus made the people happy. In the fields of agricultural reform and revenue collection, the work done by Dadaji Konddev and the Nizamshahi Vazir Malik Amber is considered to be very important.

      Shivaji's Education : When Shivaji returned to Pune, his education continued under the supervision of Jijabai. While returning from Bangalore, Jijabai and Shivaji were accompanied by eminent teachers sent by Shahaji Raje. They taught him many sciences, branches of learning and languages.

     Shivaji acquired the Knowledge of excellent administration, war tactics, fort architecture, selection of horses and elephants, ways of escaping from difficult enemy territories and many other things. Shivaji's progress in education pleased Jijabai very much.

          What Veermata Jijabai Taught Shivaji : Jijabai was no ordinary woman. She was the daughter of the mighty Sardar Lakhujirao Jadhav and the wife of the brave and valiant Shahaji Raje. She had inherited the Knowledge of politics and warfare from her infanct. In her was witnessed the confluence of the martial tradition of the famous Houses of the Jahhavs and Bhonsales. She was a freedom loving person with a great sense of pride. She had learnt through bitter experience that however much a Maratha Sadar dis----------