SHIVAJI

India carries a rich historical background where the history witnessed many significant incidents along with the great Indian royal leaders. Under the royal history of India, the “Battle of Pratapgad” and the “Agra escape” are two famous incidents that have shown the great bravery of a royal leader of India. 

The royal leader was named Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, a great ruler who created a royal name in the history of India on his own. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj has made a great contribution which adds a feather to the crown of India’s royal history. There are many significant facts about Shivaji that every Indian must be aware of. In the present context, some of his contributions and achievements are discussed.

Who is Shivaji under Indian history 

Shivaji,an Indian ruler during the 17th century who is formally known as Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. Shivaji was born on 19th February in 1630 at Shivneri fort, Junnar city, Pune. Shivaji was a son of Shahaji and Jijabai who was crowned in the year 1674 at the age of 44 years. 

Shivaji started his kingdom from the Raigad fort on 6th June as a crowned head of Maratha Swaraj through a luxurious royal ceremony. According to the Hindu calendar, it was the trayodashi of Jyeshtha month in the year 1596. As described by the historians Shivaji was the founding father of the Maratha Kingdom in India. 

Chhatrapati Shivaji maharaj 

Shivaji Bhonsle, also known as Shivaji Maharaj was considered the king of the people in the history of India. Shivaji’s strong determination, iron willing power, dominance, and heroism are significant in the history of India that is to be followed. He was also a courageous ruler who had no bound in his royal pathway. Simultaneously Shivaji was the king who used to live for the people. Shivaji was recognized in his kingdom for fighting as a warrior against injustice for the well-being of the people. 

The royal Maratha Kingdom holds a prestigious position among the all empires of that century created by Shivaji Maharaj who refused to survive as a serf. His continuous courage to his kingdom made him considered an eminent combatant during his time. Shivaji Maharaj is also considered for his innovative military strategist and as a skilled administrator. In the history of royal India,Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj is considered a heroic warrior. 

Shivaji Maharaj has become like a beacon of hope for the people during the difficult times of Mughal rule. In his youth, Shivaji Maharaj has served as the ‘Jahagirdar’ to the king of Bijapur and some other areas in Pune. Shivaji was trained with various warfare skills by Dada Konadev, who wanted Shivaji to survive in any diverse situation. 

Why was Shivaji called Chhatrapati? 

Shivaji adopted the title ‘Chhatrapati’ on his own in 1674 which generally means a protector. Historians believe that Shivaji has given birth to the Maratha Empire from the declining Adilshahi sultan of Bijapur, where he had officially crowned himself as the ‘Chhatrapati’ at his kingdom of Raigad.  As the term suggests Shivaji, as a protector of his kingdom and people has proposed a progressive and proper civic regime that is well organized to serve his kingdom.

Achievements of Shivaji Maharaj as a king 

Along with all other significant factors as a king, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj has developed the Maratha Empire and further established the kingdom at all Indian levels. Shivaji has built an efficient management system promoting the revenue to increase the income. Shivaji entered the Warfield in his teenage years only. After some time when Shivaji was crowned as the Maratha king, he inhabited the Jinji, Vellore, and Hubli. 

His various warfare activities such as the war of Pratapgad in 1659, where the emperor killed Afzal Khan very strategically and consequently the Sultan of Bijapur recognized his vanquishment. Shivaji defeated many forts and territories belonging to the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb. In the year 1664, the attack of Surat also played a significant role in his kingdom. 

How Shivaji died 

The great emperor Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj died on 3rd April in 1680 at the age of 50 years. The Maratha emperor died due to dysentery and high fever.

Conclusion

In the above discussion, an overview of the life of Shivaji Maharaj has been given where the good deeds and the achievements of Shivaji have been discussed. It helps to let the reader know why Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj was called the people’s king. In history, the kingdom ruled by Shivaji is significant as he has established the Maratha Kingdom by uniting many other kingdoms. Shivaji Maharaj fought against the oppressive rulers of India at that time, which has caused many historical events. Overall to conclude the discussion it can be said that Shivaji was an intelligent and skilled ruler in the history of India who is alone enough to overcome any situation.