Religious Idea Under Shivaji’s Rule

Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj was the founder of the Maratha religion and the west- Indian Maratha Empire. He is regarded as one of history’s greatest warriors, and tales of his valour are still passed down through the generations. Shivaji carved away an enclave from the collapsing Adilshahi sultanate of Bijapur with his valour and administrative talents. It ultimately happened to be the origin of the Maratha Empire. Shivaji developed an efficient and progressive administration with the support of a disciplined military and a well-formed administrative structure after establishing his rule. Shivaji is well-known for his unconventional military tactics, which focused on utilising strategic factors such as geography, speed, and surprise to beat his more powerful opponents.

About Childhood & Early Life Of Shivaji

Shivaji Bhosle was born on February 19, 1630, to Shahaji Bhosle and Jijabai in the fort of Shivneri, near Junnar in the Pune district. Shivaji’s father, Shahaji, was a general in the Bijapur Sultanate, a three-part alliance that included Bijapur, Ahmednagar, and Golconda. In addition, he had a Jaigirdar near Pune. Shivaji’s mother, Jijabai, was a very pious woman and the daughter of Sindkhed leader Lakhujirao Jadhav. Shivaji also explored the Sahyadri Mountains surrounding the Shivneri forts as an enthusiastic outdoorsman. He had gathered a band of loyal troops from the Maval district by the age of 15, who later supported him in his early conquests. 

Administration Under Shivaji

Shivaji Maharaj was crowned as Chhatrapati in 1674,the actual beginning of maratha empire ,Chhatrapati was the supreme King, and a team of eight ministers (meant to oversee the effective implementation of various policies) reported directly to Shivaji and were given considerable authority in carrying out the King’s objectives. Shivaji made alliances and wars with the Mughal Empire, the Sultanate of Golkonda, the Sultanate of Bijapur, and European colonial powers throughout his reign. Shivaji’s armed forces enlarged the Maratha sphere of influence by capturing and constructing forts, as well as establishing a Maratha navy. Shivaji built a civil rule that was competent and progressive, with well-organised, well-organised administrative structures. He resurrected traditional Hindu political traditions and court customs and promoted the use of Marathi and Sanskrit in court and administration, replacing Persian, thinking about Indian culture. 

His empire was divided into four provinces, each with its own Mamlatdar. Deshpande was the head of the Village Panchayat, which was the lowest administrative entity. Shivaji kept a strong military force and erected several important forts to build a strong naval presence along the Konkan and Goan coasts to safeguard his boundaries.

Religious Beliefs Of That Era

Shivaji was a devoted follower of Hinduism, yet he encouraged tolerance for all religions during his reign. His administration policies were subject-friendly and humanitarian, and he promoted women’s liberty during his reign. He was sensitive about Indian beliefs and was a firm believer in non-discrimination based on caste and employed people from all walks of life in his court. Despite the fact that his enemies were Islamic powers, Shivaji Maharaja regarded the Muslims in the Swaraj as his own people and had great faith in them. He was courteous to people of all faiths and respected their religious beliefs. For the welfare of his people, for his affection for the Indian people, he battled against the Mughal Empire. It is important to realise that any King will battle an intruder, particularly a foreign invader. Even if the attackers had been of a different religion, Shivaji would have battled them for the security of his people, which also included Muslims.

His court released several historical documents, which are still available. This officially commanded his forces to respect all other religions’ worship places as well. The documents also revealed that his troops included members of all religious faiths and customs but that he appreciated them all equally. These are the clearest indications of his religious tolerance. 

He continued to believe that all religions are honourable. His image as a Hindu ruler fighting against Muslims is far from reality. In his army, he had some Muslim soldiers and generals, while many of his opponents were the followers of Hinduism. He was also friendly with a couple of Bijapuri generals. Mughal rulers dominated the majority of his empire’s neighbouring nations. Shivaji had to fight them all for the sake of his state’s survival. However, all of the battles and confrontations were political in origin, not religious. Muslims played an important role in Shivaji Maharaj’s army. In reality, his Navy’s highest-ranking officer was a Muslim. On the other side, Hindus made up a large part of his opponents’ troops. Hindus and Muslims fought against other Hindus and Muslims in the conflicts between Shivaji and the Mughals, but it was never a religious war. They were mainly political battles fought solely to expand their respective territories. 

Shivaji’s religious policy was highly liberal, according to renowned historian Jadunath Sarkar in his notes “Shivaji and His Times.” In his raids, he honoured all religious holy sites and made donations to Hindu temples and Muslim saints’ tombs and mosques. He not only offered pensions to Brahman intellectuals, astronomers, and anchorites, but he also constructed hermitages and provided subsistence for the holy men of Islam, including Baba Yakut of Kelshi.” According to Khafi Khan, a historian from Aurangzeb’s period, he never invaded mosques, and if he came across a copy of the holy Quran during his attacks, he would respectfully hand it over to some of his Muslim warriors. He also respected Muslim women. He had all the power and might in the world to convert people to his faith, but he never did, yet he was gracious enough to welcome back all the converted individuals without prejudice.

Conclusion

Shivaji grew up with a strong sense of right and wrong instilled in him by his mother, who also used to teach him about Indian culture and religious beliefs. From a young age, Shivaji proved to be a born leader. Even though Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj died on April 3, 1680, he is still remembered as Maharashtra’s greatest hero by not just the people of the Maratha religion but all the Indians. Parks, monuments, Mumbai’s airport, and even a political party in Maharashtra bear his name. A large number of people from all castes, creeds, and religions regard him as their King, earning him the title of “King of the People”. This was all about Indian emperor Shivaji Maharaj.