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Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj

Read this article to know about the Great Maratha warrior who created an empire in western India from the sultans of Bijapur and the Mughals.

Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj (1630–1680) founded the Maratha Empire. 19th February 1630, he was born in Shivneri Fort near Pune. His father was a Maratha general under the Adilshahi sultans of Bijapur. Chhatrapati Shivaji led his family’s armed resistance to Mughal rule after his death in 1665. Shivaji raided Mughal towns and forts in Maharashtra and India. In 1674, he defeated Afzal Khan at Pratapgarh. From there, he began acquiring more territories and forts across the Western Ghats until he had established an empire spanning almost all of present-day Maharashtra except the Thane district, including territory that would later be part of princely states like Baroda (now Vadodara), Kolhapur, Satara, Goa, and southern parts of Karnataka including Bangalore. He created a government with its capital at Raigad Fort (present-day Nagaon), where he lived in the summer, and Panhala Fort near present-day Kolhapur district headquarters in Karveer; or Nagarghar/Pune city, where the university campus is situated.

Biography of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj

Maharaja Chhatrapati Shivaji was born on 19th February 1630, in the village of Shivneri, near Pune. His father’s name was Shahaji Bhosale, and his mother’s name was Jijabai.

Family background:

Shivaji was born into a family belonging to the Maratha caste, which had risen from being one among the lower castes in society to becoming rulers of an independent kingdom by the mid-eighteenth century under the leadership of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, who established his rule at Raigad Fort (present-day Rajgad) in Maharashtra. People belonging to this caste were once considered untouchables by Brahmins. Still, they had managed to rise above their social status due to hard work and determination.

Shivaji’s father, Shahaji Bhosale, was a military commander in the army of Bijapur Sultan Adilshah. He had married Jijabai at an early age, and within a few years, she gave birth to Shivaji, born on 19th February 1630.

History of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj

In 1627, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj was born in the fort of Shivneri, near Pune in Maharashtra. His father, Shahaji Bhonsle, was a general in Adilshahi of Bijapur. At that time, he was brought up by his mother, Jijabai, who taught him good values and wisdom. In 1638 Shahaji Raje was captured by Bijapur general Afzal Khan and brought to Bijapur as a prisoner along with his family, where he remained till 1645, when it fell into Maratha hands as a result of their victory over Sultanate forces at Talikota and Rangoonwadi. During this period, both Jijabai and Saibai died due to illness (malaria) while they were going from Satara towards Poona for some religious function, leaving behind young Shivaji alone with his three brothers – Sambhaji, Rajaram & Shambhuji. They were then minors under the tutelage of their uncle Yesubai & grandmother Tarabai, respectively.

Shivaji Maharaj married Saibai Chauhanika in 1640 but did not have any son during her lifetime, which caused him great distress because, according to then-prevailing customs, only a son could inherit property after the father’s death without any dispute between heirs or family members, so he adopted Tanaji Malusare as a son who proved himself worthy successor after the death of Sambhaji(1680).

After attaining a majority in 1645 and taking over the reins of administration from his grandmother Tarabai, Shivaji Maharaj began to consolidate his power in Maharashtra by defeating the Mughals and other Muslim rulers. He fought battles against Mughal forces led by Afzal Khan at Pratapgad (1659) and against Adilshahi forces led by Siddhi Johar at Kolhapur (1661). In 1674 he captured Bijapur city, which was then under the control of the Adilshahi dynasty but later on handed it over to his grandson Shahu as a token of gratitude for helping him fight against Aurangzeb, who was trying to capture it back.

Administration of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj

Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj was a great leader, military commander and administrator. He had a vision for the future of his kingdom. His administrative abilities were good, and he knew how to use money in the best possible way to strengthen his country. All these qualities helped him to make Maharashtra a strong and United Kingdom under him.

Shivaji was a great leader and military commander. He had a vision for the future of his kingdom. His administrative abilities were good, and he knew how to use money in the best possible way to strengthen his country. All these qualities helped him to make Maharashtra a strong and United Kingdom under him.

Shivaji was a great leader and military commander. He had a vision for the future of his kingdom. His administrative abilities were good, and he knew how to use money in the best possible way to strengthen his country. All these qualities helped him to make Maharashtra a strong and United Kingdom under him. Shivaji was a great leader and military commander. He had a vision for the future of his kingdom. His administrative abilities were good, and he knew how to use money in the best possible way to strengthen his country. All these qualities helped him to make Maharashtra strong.

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Who were the Marathas?

Answer: The Marathas were a group of warriors who lived in India during the 17th century. They were led by Chhatrapa...Read full

How many children did Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj have?

Answer: Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj had four sons: Sambhaji, Rajaram, Shambhaji, and Sambaji II; he also had two dau...Read full

What does Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj mean?

Answer: Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj means “Great Leader”.

What does the word "Chhatrapati" mean?

Answer: “Chhatrapati” means “king” or “emperor.” It comes from Sanskrit and is a...Read full

What are some of his notable achievements?

Answer: He started a navy and defeated Portuguese ships in 1664 at the Battle of Kolaba. He also established a counc...Read full