Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj: A Beacon of Hope

 

Chattrapati Shivaji Maharaj

In the annals of Indian history, few figures stand as tall as Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. Born to Shahaji Bhosale, a prominent Maratha noble, and Jijabai, Shivaji's extraordinary achievements during a time of Muslim tyranny established him as a unifying force for Hindus and a beacon of hope for a nation longing for liberation. This blog will delve into the life and legacy of Shivaji, showcasing his role as a uniter, his resistance against Muslim tyrants, and his personal life. Supported by quotes from renowned historians and scholarly sources, we will explore the profound impact Shivaji had on Indian history and society.

Chattrapatti Shivaji Maharaj was born in the hill-fort of Shivneri, near the city of Junnar, now in Pune district. Scholars debate his exact date of birth, but 19th February is widely celebrated as Shivaji Jayanti in Maharashtra. He was named after the local deity Shivai Devi, and his father, Shahaji Bhonsle, was a Maratha general who served the Deccan Sultanates. His mother, Jijabai, hailed from the Mughal-aligned Jadhavrao family of Sindhkhed, tracing their lineage to a Yadav royal family of Devagiri.

Shivaji belonged to the Bhonsle clan, and his father, Shahaji, constantly shifted his loyalties between the Nizamshahi of Ahmadnagar, the Adilshah of Bijapur, and the Mughals, while maintaining his own jagir (fiefdom) in Pune. During Shivaji's birth, power in the Deccan was divided among three Islamic sultanates: Bijapur, Ahmednagar, and Golkonda.

In 1636, Shahaji joined the service of Bijapur and acquired Poona as a grant. Shivaji and his mother, Jijabai, settled in Poona, marking a crucial period in Shivaji's upbringing and exposure to the political landscape. While Shahaji was deployed in Bangalore by the Bijapuri ruler Adilshah, he appointed Dadoji Kondadeo as the administrator of Poona. Shivaji closely observed the administration of Poona under Dadoji's guidance, gaining insights into governance, military affairs, and the intricacies of regional politics.

However, Shivaji's peaceful time in Poona was disrupted when Shahaji was arrested by the Adilshahi Sultanate in 1648. This event exposed Shivaji to the harsh realities of power struggles and reinforced his determination to safeguard the Maratha interests and assert his independence. Despite Shahaji's absence, Shivaji continued to manage the affairs of Poona with the support of his mother and other trusted advisors. This period was instrumental in shaping Shivaji's understanding of governance, fortification strategies, and the art of diplomacy.

As Shivaji grew older, he showed remarkable leadership qualities and a deep sense of pride in his Maratha heritage. His interactions with various personalities in Poona, along with the exposure to administrative affairs, nurtured his vision of a strong and prosperous Maratha Empire.

Mohammed Adil Shah

In 1646, when Shivaji was just 16 years old, he took advantage of the turmoil in the Bijapur court caused by Sultan Mohammed Adil Shah's illness and captured the Torna Fort. To his surprise, he discovered a vast treasure within its walls. Inspired by this success, Shivaji embarked on a series of conquests over the next two years. He strategically captured important forts near Pune, such as Purandar, Kondhana, and Chakan, extending his control over the region. Additionally, he brought areas east of Pune, including Supa, Baramati, and Indapur, under his direct governance. Utilizing the wealth found at Torna, Shivaji initiated the construction of Rajgad, a new fort that would serve as the seat of his government for over a decade.

Torna Fort

 

However, Shivaji's actions did not go unnoticed by the Bijapur government, which aimed to suppress his rising power. In 1648, his father, Shahaji, was imprisoned by a fellow Maratha sardar named Baji Ghorpade, acting on the orders of the Bijapur government. This was an attempt to contain Shivaji's influence. Shahaji remained in captivity until 1649 when the capture of Jinji secured Adilshah's position in Karnataka, leading to his release.

During the period from 1649 to 1655, Shivaji focused on consolidating his gains and paused his conquests. He took the opportunity to strengthen his administration and solidify his rule over the territories he had acquired. However, Shivaji's ambitions and aspirations for an independent kingdom continued to grow.

In 1656, Shivaji engaged in a contentious conflict with Chandrarao More, a Maratha feudatory aligned with Bijapur. The circumstances surrounding this clash are debated, but it resulted in Shivaji's victory and the acquisition of the Javali region near the present-day hill station of Mahabaleshwar. This conquest enabled Shivaji to expand his raids into South and Southwest Maharashtra. Throughout his campaign, Shivaji encountered other powerful families, including the Bhonsle, More, Sawant, Ghorpade, Nimbalkar, Shirke, Mane, and Mohite, who were aligned with the Adilshahi of Bijapur. To subdue them, Shivaji employed various strategies, such as forming alliances through marriages, bypassing the influential Deshmukhs and dealing directly with village Patils, or using force when necessary.

Shivaji's clashes with Bijapur reached a critical point in 1659 when the Bijapur government, having stabilized under the rule of the young Ali Adil Shah II, sent Afzal Khan, a seasoned general, to arrest Shivaji. Prior to their meeting, the Bijapuri forces desecrated the Tulja Bhavani Temple, revered by Shivaji's family, as well as the Vithoba temple at Pandharpur, a significant Hindu pilgrimage site. These provocative acts further fueled the animosity between Shivaji and Bijapur.

Realizing that he was being pursued, Shivaji sought refuge in the Pratapgad Fort. The two opposing forces found themselves in a stalemate, with Shivaji unable to break the siege, and Afzal Khan, lacking siege equipment, unable to capture the fort. After two months, Afzal Khan proposed a private meeting with Shivaji outside the fort to negotiate. Aware of the potential for treachery, Shivaji took precautions, wearing armor beneath his clothes, concealing a bagh nakh (metal "tiger claw") on his left arm, and carrying a dagger in his right hand.

On November 10, 1659, the meeting took place in a hut at the foothills of Pratapgad Fort. The precise details of the encounter remain clouded by legends, but it is known that a physical struggle ensued between Shivaji and Afzal Khan. Although Khan's dagger failed to penetrate Shivaji's armor, Shivaji managed to disembowel him. As a signal to his hidden troops, Shivaji fired a cannon, leading to an attack on the Bijapuri army. In the subsequent Battle of Pratapgad, Shivaji's forces emerged victorious, inflicting heavy casualties on the Bijapur army and capturing high-ranking officers and soldiers. The defeated enemy, both officers and men, were set free and sent back to their homes with generous provisions, demonstrating Shivaji's chivalry and magnanimity.

Artistic Depiction of Shivaji Maharaj slaying Afzal Khan

Having defeated the Bijapur forces sent against him, Shivaji turned his attention to the Konkan and Kolhapur. He seized the Panhala Fort and vanquished the Bijapur forces under Rustam Zaman and Fazl Khan in 1659. However, in 1660, the Bijapur government, in alliance with the Mughals who planned to attack from the north, dispatched their general Siddi Jauhar to assault Shivaji's southern border. Shivaji found himself encamped at Panhala Fort with his forces, besieged by Siddi Jauhar's army, which cut off the fort's supply routes. During the siege, Siddi Jauhar obtained grenades from the English at Rajapur and hired English artillerymen, further straining Shivaji's relations with the British. Ultimately, in September 1660, Shivaji negotiated with Siddi Jauhar and surrendered Panhala Fort, strategically withdrawing to the Vishalgad Fort. However, Shivaji would later retake Panhala in 1673.

In the midst of Shivaji's escape from Panhala, a pivotal event occurred at Ghod Khind ("horse ravine"). Pursued by the enemy cavalry, Shivaji's loyal sardar, Baji Prabhu Deshpande of Bandal Deshmukh, along with 300 soldiers, volunteered to hold back the enemy at the pass to buy time for Shivaji and the rest of the army to reach the safety of the Vishalgad Fort. The subsequent Battle of Pavan Khind, fought on July 13, 1660, saw the smaller Maratha force bravely defending the pass and sacrificing their lives to ensure Shivaji's escape. Baji Prabhu Deshpande fought valiantly, even after being wounded, until he heard the sound of cannon fire from Vishalgad, signaling Shivaji's successful retreat.

Until 1657, Shivaji maintained peaceful relations with the Mughal Empire. He offered his assistance to Aurangzeb, the son of the Mughal Emperor and viceroy of the Deccan, in conquering Bijapur in return for formal recognition of his right to the Bijapuri forts and villages under his possession. However, dissatisfied with the Mughal response and receiving a better offer from Bijapur, Shivaji launched a raid into the Mughal Deccan.

Shivaji's confrontations with the Mughals began in March 1657 when two of his officers raided Mughal territory near Ahmednagar. This was followed by raids in Junnar, where Shivaji seized a significant amount of wealth and horses. Aurangzeb responded by sending Nasiri Khan, who defeated Shivaji's forces at Ahmednagar. However, Aurangzeb's countermeasures were interrupted by the rainy season and his battle of succession with his brothers for the Mughal throne.

The tension escalated when Aurangzeb sent his maternal uncle Shaista Khan with a large army to attack Shivaji in January 1660. Shaista Khan seized Pune and the nearby fort of Chakan, establishing his residence at Shivaji's palace. In response, Shivaji led a daring night attack on Shaista Khan's camp on 5 April 1663, infiltrating his mansion and injuring him. Shaista Khan sought refuge with the Mughal forces, and Aurangzeb punished him by transferring him to Bengal.

Artists depiction of Chattrapatti's attack on Shaista Khan

In retaliation for Shaista Khan's attacks and to replenish his treasury, Shivaji sacked the wealthy Mughal trading center of Surat in 1664. He also conducted a naval raid on the Portuguese-held Basrur. These acts further enraged Aurangzeb, leading him to send Mirza Raja Jai Singh I with an army to defeat Shivaji.

Throughout 1665, Jai Singh's forces pressed Shivaji, besieging the fortress at Purandar. Facing the capture of his stronghold, Shivaji was forced to negotiate. In the Treaty of Purandar signed on 11 June 1665, Shivaji agreed to give up 23 of his forts, keeping 12 for himself, and pay compensation of 400,000 gold hun to the Mughals. He also agreed to become a vassal of the Mughal empire and send his son Sambhaji, along with 5,000 horsemen, to fight for the Mughals in the Deccan.

Chattrapatti Shivaji Maharaj in Agra.

In 1666, Aurangzeb summoned Shivaji to Agra (or Delhi) along with his nine-year-old son Sambhaji. However, Shivaji was made to stand alongside relatively low-ranking nobles in court, which he found insulting. He stormed out of the court and was placed under house arrest. Shivaji's position was precarious, with debates within Aurangzeb's court on whether to kill him or continue employing him.

During his house arrest, Shivaji hatched a plan to free himself. He sent most of his men back home and asked Ram Singh, son of Jai Singh, to withdraw his guarantees of safe custody. Shivaji then pretended to be ill and began sending out large baskets filled with sweets as penance. On 17 August 1666, he and his son Sambhaji escaped Agra by hiding in two of these baskets.

After Shivaji's escape, hostilities with the Mughals diminished. Aurangzeb conferred the title of Raja on Shivaji, and Sambhaji was restored as a Mughal mansabdar with 5,000 horses. Shivaji sent Sambhaji to serve with the Mughal viceroy in Aurangabad. Aurangzeb also permitted Shivaji to attack the decaying Adil Shahi, resulting in peace negotiations and granting Shivaji the rights of sardeshmukhi and chauthai.

Shivaji's confrontations with the Mughals and the subsequent Treaty of Purandar showcased his strategic acumen and determination to protect his kingdom's sovereignty. These events also set the stage for a complex relationship between Shivaji and the Mughal Empire, characterized by periods of conflict and diplomacy. Shivaji's military successes and administrative reforms laid the foundation for the Maratha Empire's rise as a significant power in India.

The peace between Shivaji and the Mughals came to an end in 1670 due to growing suspicions and tensions between Aurangzeb and Shivaji. Aurangzeb became wary of the close relationship between Shivaji and Mu'azzam, fearing that Mu'azzam might try to usurp his throne with Shivaji's support. There were also rumors that Shivaji was bribing Mughal officials. Additionally, Aurangzeb, occupied with fighting the Afghans, had significantly reduced his army in the Deccan, which resulted in many disbanded Mughal soldiers joining the Maratha forces.

In response to these developments, Aurangzeb took away the jagir (land grant) of Berar from Shivaji as a means to recover the money lent to him a few years earlier. This action by the Mughals prompted Shivaji to launch an offensive against them, aiming to recover the territories he had previously surrendered. In a remarkable display of military prowess, Shivaji managed to recapture a significant portion of the surrendered territories in just four months.

During this time, Shivaji also sacked Surat for a second time in 1670. While the English and Dutch factories were able to repel his attack, Shivaji plundered the city itself, including the goods of a Muslim prince returning from Mecca. Enraged by these renewed attacks, the Mughals resumed hostilities with the Marathas and sent Daud Khan to intercept Shivaji on his return from Surat. However, Daud Khan's forces were defeated in the Battle of Vani-Dindori near present-day Nashik.

In October 1670, Shivaji directed his forces to harass the English at Bombay. He had sought war materiel from them, but when they refused to sell, his forces blockaded English woodcutting parties from leaving Bombay. In September 1671, Shivaji sent an ambassador to Bombay, once again seeking materiel, this time for his fight against Danda-Rajpuri. The English had concerns about the advantages Shivaji would gain from this conquest but also didn't want to lose the chance of receiving compensation for his previous looting of their factories at Rajapur. Negotiations failed over the issue of the Rajapur indemnity, and while there were subsequent exchanges of envoys, the factory at Rajapur dissolved by the end of 1682.

Amidst these conflicts, two significant battles took place: the Battle of Umrani and the Battle of Nesari. In 1674, Prataprao Gujar, the commander-in-chief of the Maratha forces, was sent to confront Bahlol Khan, the Bijapuri general leading an invading force. Prataprao's strategic maneuver involved encircling a strategic lake, cutting off the enemy's water supply. This move led to the defeat and capture of Bahlol Khan, who sued for peace.

Against Shivaji's explicit instructions, Prataprao released Bahlol Khan, who promptly began preparations for a fresh invasion. Displeased with Prataprao's actions, Shivaji sent him a rebuking letter and refused to grant him an audience until Bahlol Khan was recaptured. Upset by the commander's rebuke, Prataprao, accompanied by only six horsemen, charged Bahlol Khan's position, leaving his main force behind. Tragically, Prataprao was killed in combat.

Statue Of Senapati Prataprao Gujjar

Shivaji was deeply grieved upon hearing of Prataprao's death and arranged for the marriage of his second son, Rajaram, to Prataprao's daughter. Hambirrao Mohite succeeded Prataprao as the new sarnaubat, or commander-in-chief, of the Maratha forces. During this period, the Raigad Fort was constructed by Hiroji Indulkar as the capital of the emerging Maratha kingdom.

The battles of Umrani and Nesari exemplified the determination and courage of the Marathas in defending their territories and expanding their influence. These events further intensified the conflict between Shivaji and the Mughals, setting the stage for a series of confrontations and maneuverings in the years to come.

Despite acquiring extensive lands and wealth through his campaigns, Shivaji lacked a formal title and legal basis to rule his de facto domain. To address this issue and prevent challenges from other Maratha leaders, Shivaji sought a kingly title that would also provide the Hindu Marathas with a Hindu sovereign in a region predominantly ruled by Muslims.

Preparations for Shivaji's coronation began in 1673, but several controversial problems arose, leading to a delay of almost a year. The Brahmins in Shivaji's court had differing views regarding his eligibility for the title of king. They believed that the status of a king was traditionally reserved for those of the warrior (kshatriya) varna in Hindu society, whereas Shivaji's lineage was associated with the cultivator (shudra) varna.

To address these concerns, Shivaji summoned Gaga Bhatt, a pandit from Varanasi, who claimed to have found a genealogy linking Shivaji to the Sisodias, a Rajput dynasty associated with the kshatriya varna. Gaga Bhatt's findings provided a basis for Shivaji's claim to kshatriya lineage. As a result, Shivaji underwent the sacred thread ceremony and remarried his spouses under the Vedic rites expected of a kshatriya. It is worth noting that historical interpretations of Shivaji's Rajput ancestry may vary.

On 28 May, Shivaji performed penance for not observing Kshatriya rites throughout his ancestry and his own life. Gaga Bhatt, acknowledging the significance of the occasion, conducted the sacred thread ceremony in a modified form, ensuring Shivaji's initiation into the twice-born status. The following day, Shivaji sought atonement for any sins committed in his lifetime. He participated in a ceremonial weighing against valuable metals and articles, which were then distributed among the Brahmins. Some Brahmins also highlighted the need for additional payments to cleanse the sins resulting from Shivaji's raids. In adherence to these requests, Shivaji made a payment of Rs. 8,000. The total expenditure for the coronation ceremonies, including feeding the assembly and distributing alms, amounted to around 1.5 million Rupees.

On 6 June 1674, in a grand ceremony at Raigad fort, Shivaji was crowned the king of the Maratha Empire, known as Hindawi Swaraj. Gaga Bhatt officiated the ceremony, pouring water from a gold vessel filled with the waters of seven sacred rivers over Shivaji's head and reciting the Vedic coronation mantras. Following the ablution, Shivaji expressed his reverence by bowing before his mother, Jijabai, and touching her feet. Approximately fifty thousand people gathered at Raigad to witness the event.

Shivaji was granted the titles of Shakakarta ("founder of an era") and Chhatrapati ("sovereign"). He also assumed the titles of Haindava Dharmodhhaarak (protector of the Hindu faith) and Kshatriya Kulavantas (head of the Kshatriya race). This coronation ceremony solidified Shivaji's position as a legitimate ruler and provided him with the authority to govern his expanding empire.

To further establish his reign, a second coronation ceremony was conducted on 24 September 1674, as some believed that the original coronation had taken place under inauspicious stars. This additional ceremony aimed to reaffirm Shivaji's qualifications for the Vedic rites and ensure wider acceptance among the people.

Gaga Bhatt standing behind the Chattrapatti during his durbar

Following Shivaji's coronation in 1674, the Marathas embarked on an aggressive campaign to expand their territories. They raided Khandesh in October and captured Bijapuri Ponda in April 1675. The conquests continued with the capture of Karwar in mid-year and Kolhapur in July. However, a naval skirmish with the Siddis of Janjira in November did not yield the desired outcome, as the Marathas failed to dislodge them.

In April 1676, Shivaji, having recovered from an illness, launched an expedition to Athani. Prior to the campaign, he appealed to a sense of Deccani patriotism, emphasizing the need to protect Southern India from external threats. This appeal resonated with the local populace, and in 1677 Shivaji visited Hyderabad for a month, forging a treaty with the Qutubshah of the Golkonda sultanate. The agreement entailed rejecting the alliance with Bijapur and jointly opposing the Mughals.

Art depiction of Shivaji Maharaja's invasion of Karnataka

Buoyed by the alliance with Golkonda, Shivaji launched an invasion of Karnataka in 1677. His forces comprised 30,000 cavalry, 40,000 infantry, and artillery support from Golkonda. Proceeding southward, Shivaji captured the forts of Vellore and Gingee. The latter would later serve as a Maratha capital during the reign of his son, Rajaram I.

During this period, Shivaji sought to reconcile with his half-brother Venkoji (also known as Ekoji I), who ruled Thanjavur (Tanjore) after their father, Shahaji. Initially, negotiations showed promise, but they ultimately failed. On his return to Raigad, Shivaji decisively defeated Venkoji's army on 26 November 1677, seizing most of his possessions in the Mysore plateau.

However, Shivaji held great respect for Venkoji's wife, Dipa Bai, and she played a crucial role in initiating new negotiations between Shivaji and Venkoji. Dipa Bai persuaded her husband to distance himself from Muslim advisors, and she negotiated a resolution with Shivaji. As a result, Shivaji agreed to return many of the seized properties to Dipa Bai and her female descendants. Venkoji, in turn, consented to several conditions for the proper administration of the territories and the maintenance of Shahaji's memorial (samadhi).

This resolution marked a significant step towards reconciling with Venkoji and securing stability in the region. Shivaji's diplomatic efforts and military campaigns during this period aimed to expand Maratha influence and establish strategic alliances, enabling the consolidation of his power and the protection of the Deccan from external threats.

The question of Shivaji's heir-apparent was a source of complexity and conflict. In 1678, Shivaji confined his eldest son Sambhaji to the fortress of Panhala due to his rebellious behavior. However, Sambhaji managed to escape with his wife and defected to the Mughals for a year, causing further strain within the family. Upon his return, Sambhaji was once again confined to Panhala by Shivaji.

Tragically, Shivaji passed away around 3-5 April 1680 at the age of 50, coinciding with the eve of Hanuman Jayanti, a significant Hindu festival. The exact cause of his death remains a subject of dispute. British records attribute his death to "bloody flux," a term used to describe dysentery, stating that he had been sick for 12 days. However, a contemporary Portuguese work suggests that Shivaji died of anthrax. Another source, the biography of Shivaji written by Krishnaji Anant Sabhasad, attributes his death to fever.

Following Shivaji's demise, a power struggle ensued within the Maratha administration. Shivaji's second wife, Soyarabai, conspired with various ministers to install her son Rajaram on the throne instead of Sambhaji, Shivaji's eldest son. On 21 April 1680, ten-year-old Rajaram was proclaimed the ruler. However, Sambhaji seized control of Raigad Fort by killing its commander, and on 18 June, he gained complete control of Raigad. He officially ascended the throne on 20 July.

Shivaji's establishment of a Maratha kingdom provided a sense of unity and pride to the Marathas, who had long suffered under foreign rule. He successfully challenged the dominance of the Mughals and other regional powers, carving out a significant territory for the Marathas in the Deccan region. His military campaigns and guerrilla tactics set the foundation for future Maratha expansion and resistance against foreign invaders.

In addition to his military achievements, Shivaji's administrative reforms played a crucial role in the growth and stability of his kingdom. He implemented policies to promote agriculture, trade, and commerce, encouraging economic prosperity within his territories. Shivaji's emphasis on fair and just governance, religious tolerance, and respect for women earned him the loyalty and support of his subjects.

Shivaji's legacy extends beyond his military and administrative accomplishments. He is revered as a champion of Hindu sovereignty and a defender of the faith. His coronation as the Chhatrapati of the Maratha Empire solidified his status as a Hindu king and symbol of Hindu resistance against Islamic rulers.

Shivaji's death on April 3–5, 1680, marked the end of an era. Despite various theories surrounding the cause of his death, his demise left a void in the Maratha Empire. The power struggle that ensued between Sambhaji and Rajaram highlighted the challenges of succession and internal conflicts within the Maratha administration.

However, Shivaji's legacy endured. His achievements inspired future generations of Indians in their quest for independence from foreign rule. The spirit of Shivaji and the principles he stood for became a rallying cry during the Indian independence movement in the 20th century.

Today, Shivaji's memory lives on through numerous monuments, statues, and institutions dedicated to preserving his legacy. His story continues to inspire millions, reminding them of the indomitable spirit and courage of a leader who defied the odds and created a lasting legacy for the Maratha people.

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