Chhatrapati Shivaji
Name: Shivaji Bhonsle
Date of Birth: February 19, 1630
Birthplace: Shivneri Fort, Pune district, Maharashtra
Parents: Shahaji Bhonsle (Father) and Jijabai (Mother)
Reign: 1674–1680
Spouse: Saibai, Soyarabai, Putalabai, Sakvarbai, Laxmibai, Kashibai
Children: Sambhaji, Rajaram, Sakhubai Nimbalkar, Ranubai Jadhav, Ambikabai Mahadik,
Rajkumaribai Shirke
Religion: Hinduism
Death: April 3, 1680
Seat of Power: Raigad Fort, Maharashtra
Successor: Sambhaji Bhonsle
He was born on 19th February, 1630 at the Shivneri Fort to Shahaji Raje
and Jijabai. He was a warrior and a Maratha king who had the utmost
courage to stand against the Mughal rule. His original name was Shivaji
Bhosle but due to his administration and leadership he earned the title of
"Chhatrapati" or the "Chief of the Kshatriyas".
The beginning of the 17th-century witnessed the rise of new Warrior class
Marathas when the Bhonsle family of the Poona district got military as well
as a political advantage by Ahmednagar kingdom of being local. Therefore,
they took privileges and recruited a large number of Maratha sardars and
soldiers in their armies. Shivaji was an expert soldier and an efficient
administrator. Here, we are giving the list of Battles fought
by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj for the general awareness.
Chhatrapati Shivaji was one of the bravest, most progressive and sensible
rulers of India. The founder of the Maratha Kingdom, Shivaji was born to be
a natural leader and fighter on 19th February, 1630 in the prestigious
Shivneri Fort. Till date, the day is celebrated as Shiv Jayanti with great
rigour and traditional style by Maharashtrians.
Shivaji established a royal name for himself in history with his
administrative skills by upholding the Swarajya values and the Maratha
heritage. He was known for his bravery and tactics with which he won
numerous wars against the Mughals. Remembering the greatest Maratha
ruler on his birthday, here are some interesting facts about Shivaji.
Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj was the founder of the Maratha
Empire in western India. He is considered to be one of the
greatest warriors of his time and even today, stories of his exploits
are narrated as a part of the folklore. With his valor and great
administrative skills, Shivaji carved out an enclave from the
declining Adilshahi sultanate of Bijapur. It eventually became the
genesis of the Maratha Empire. After establishing his rule, Shivaji
implemented a competent and progressive administration with the
help of a disciplined military and well-established administrative
set-up. Shivaji is well-known for his innovative military tactics that
centered around non-conventional methods leveraging strategic
factors like geography, speed, and surprise to defeat his more
powerful enemies.
Chhatrapati Shivaji was the founder of the Maratha Empire in
the Indian subcontinent. The early life of Shivaji is a topic of
great interest in the popular culture of India, especially in
the Maharashtra state, where he spent most of his life. This article
describes Shivaji's life from his birth until the age of 19 years
(1630-1649).
Shivaji was born at the hill fort of Shivneri on 1 March 1630, which
corresponds to 19 February 1630 of the Julian calendar used by
the contemporary English traders in India. At the time of his birth,
the families of his father Shahaji and his mother Jijabai both
served the Ahmednagar Sultanate in military and administrative
capacities, although they subsequently transferred their
allegiance to the Mughal Empire and the Bijapur Sultanate at
different times.
As a servant of Bijapur, Shahaji was deputed in
southern Deccan after 1636, and did not see Shivaji for several
years. Shivaji and his mother remained in Pune in northern
Deccan, where Shahaji's subordinate Dadoji
Kondadeo administered the family's jagir (feudal land grant) in
Shivaji's name. As a teenager, Shivaji started acting
independently of the Bijapur government, against the advice of
Shahaji and Dadoji. He captured several hill forts at the expense
of other vassals of Bijapur, and by the age of 15, started calling
himself a raja (king).
After Dadoji's death in 1647, Shivaji assumed full control of his
father's jagir in the Pune region, and eliminated local challenges
to his authority. He then invaded the northern Konkan region,
making inroads into the territory of the Siddis of Janjira. He
subsequently tried to form an alliance with Mughals against
Bijapur, and ultimately ended up fighting both these powers to
establish a kingdom that evolved into the Maratha Empire.
