Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj: The Visionary Warrior Who Defied Empires

He was born on February 19, 1630, in Shivneri Fort, Maharashtra. He was the son of Shahaji Bhonsale and Jijabai. They belonged to the Maratha caste which was considered to be a low caste at that time. He was a Bhonsle and was considered by the Brahmins as a Shudra! His uncle Dadoji taught him horse riding, archery and several other fighting techniques after his father left for Poone. Raised at a time of constant conflict, he was instilled with leadership skills and a sense of justice from a young age.

At the time of his birth, Ahmednagar was under Nizam Shah, Vijayapura was under Adil Shah, and Golconda was under Qutb Shah. Shivaji’s mother, Jijabai, was a great influence on him. His mother read stories from the great Hindu Epics such as The Ramayana and The Mahabharata. She instilled in him tremendous and virtuous qualities such as exemplary character, humility, respect for women, compassion, bravery, patriotism, and determination. Shivaji became a great devotee of the Hindu Goddess known as Bhavani. He and his followers used war cries of ‘Jai Bhavani’ and ‘Har Har Mahadev’.

Guru Ramdas was his spiritual guru and taught him many spiritual values. Ramdas was an ascetic and did not seek any material comforts, though he was the spiritual teacher of the King.

In the 16th century, the Mughal Empire controlled the Deccan region, while the Marathas were under the Adilshahi Sultanate. Shivaji’s father, Shahaji Bhonsle, initially fought against the Mughals but faced setbacks. Growing up amid these struggles, Shivaji became a skilled fighter. By 16, he led his own band of fighters. In 1647, he took control of Poona, marking the beginning of his conflicts with the Bijapur government. Over time, he captured several forts and established Raigad as his capital. Shivaji’s innovative guerrilla tactics helped him expand his domain, eventually leading to the formation of the Maratha Kingdom.

Shivaji realized the importance of a naval force at a very early stage and built a powerful navy. He believed that it would help to keep foreign invaders-- Dutch, Portuguese and British and pirates at bay. He built naval forts at Jaigarh, Vijaydurg, Sindhudurg and many other places and even had four different types of warships including Manjuhasm Pals, Gurabs and Gallibats. He is known as the father of the Indian Navy.

He was a brilliant war strategist and despite having limited resources, he introduced raiding warfare skills when he captured the 'Torna' fort at a very young age of 16 and gave the first major blow to the Sultan of Bijapur. By 1655, he captured the Kondan, Jawali and Rajgarh forts one by one occupying the entire Konkan and the Western Ghats.

By 1647, he had taken control of Poona, marking the beginning of his quest to establish the Maratha Empire. Known for his innovative military tactics, particularly guerrilla warfare, Shivaji captured several key forts, including Raigad, Sinhagad, and Purandhara, and expanded his influence across western India. He used guerrilla warfare and built a strong navy to protect his kingdom. Shivaji Maharaj focused on good rule, respect for all religions, and the well-being of his people. On June 6, 1674, he was crowned Chhatrapati at Raigad Fort, formally establishing the Maratha Empire.

Many are unaware of the fact that Chattrapati Shivaji Maharaj had eight wives. His first wife was Saibai, also known as Nimbalkar. She was the one who bore him Sambhaji as well as three daughters. She passed away at a very young age due to a prolonged illness.

His conquests began with the capture of the Bijapur outposts and the defeat of the influential allies of the sultans. His military brilliance led to several victories, including the defeat of Afzal Khan in 1659, where he lured him into the mountains and killed him. This victory earned him weapons and ammunition, solidifying his reputation as a formidable warlord.

He formed an army of Marathas where many soldiers were paid for their services throughout the year. Prior to this, the Marathas had no army of their own. The Maratha army was divided into several units and each unit had 25 soldiers. Both Hindus and Muslims were appointed to the army without any discrimination. An army of 2,000 men was brought up to 10,000 soldiers by Shivaji.

Shivaji implemented progressive governance, including revenue reforms, a disciplined military system, and religious tolerance for a just society.

When Shivaji Maharaj was trapped in the Panhala Fort by Siddi Johar's army, he devised a brilliant plan and escaped. He arranged for two palanquins to be carried out of the fort. In one was seated a barber who looked like him. That was taken out first and while the soldiers went after that Shivaji successfully dodged the 600 soldiers and escaped.

Alarmed by his growing power, Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb sent his viceroy to defeat him. After a daring raid, Shivaji's forces forced the viceroy to withdraw. Later, Shivaji attacked Surat, causing Aurangzeb to send Mirza Raja Jai Singh with 100,000 men, pushing Shivaji to seek peace. He was cheated and he and his son were imprisoned in Agra. His life and empire were at stake. Again, Shivaji devised a brilliant plan to escape. His escape from Agra, is one of the most famous and dramatic episodes of his life. According to the story, he disguised himself as a common traveller and used his intelligence to trick his captors. He had sweets on wheeled baskets sent to different parts of the city.

He and his son Sambhaji and a few loyal followers, hid inside the baskets, which were taken out of the fort and out of the city unnoticed. It was a huge blow to the Mughal Empire and humiliated Aurangzeb.

This daring escape is celebrated as one of the most iconic moments in Shivaji's life, highlighting his resilience, leadership, and determination to preserve his sovereignty against all odds. After his escape, Shivaji regained his lost territories, expanded his empire, and reformed his army. He also built a naval force, becoming the first Indian ruler to use sea power for defence and trade. In response, Aurangzeb intensified his persecution of Hindus, imposing taxes and destroying temples.

He died on April 3, 1680 . The exact cause of his death is unclear. He reportedly fell severely ill before his death on Hanuman Jayanti. Some myths suggest that his second wife, Soyarabai, poisoned him to make their son Rajaram the heir.

However, his stimulating life is a motivation to the youth of India. His vision of a Hindu Rashtra continues to inspire all future generations to this very day. His brilliant decisions and strong leadership made him one of India’s greatest kings, instilling the values of courage, honesty, and patriotism. His ideals of justice, good governance, and valour continue to inspire generations. Shivaji Jayanti is not just a celebration but a reminder of his legacy, instilling pride and patriotism in the hearts of millions across India.

Jai Hind! Jai Shivaji!