Shivaji

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Shivaji

Chhatrapati
Shivaji British Museum.jpg
Shivaji's portrait (16807), housed in the British Museum
Flag of the Maratha Empire.svg 1st king of the Marathas
Reign 16741680 CE
Coronation 6 June 1674
Successor Sambhaji
Consort Saibai (Nimbalkar)
Wives Soyarabai (Mohite)
Putalabai (Palkar)
Sakvarbai (Gaikwad)
Kashibai (Jadhav)[1]
Issue Sambhaji, son
Rajaram, son
Sakhubai Nimbalkar, daughter
Ranubai Jadhav, daughter
Ambikabai Mahadik, daughter
Rajkumaribai Shirke, daughter
Father Shahaji Bhonsle
Mother Jijabai
Born c. April 1627 / 19 February 1630[2]
Shivneri Fort, near Pune, India
Died 3 April 1680
Raigad Fort, Raigad, India
Religion Hinduism
Shivaji Bhonsle (Marathi [iai bos()le]; c. 1627/1630[2] 3 April 1680) was an Indian
or king and a member of the Bhonsle Maratha clan. Shivaji, in 1674, carved out a
n enclave from the declining Adilshahi sultanate of Bijapur that formed the gene
sis of an independent Maratha Empire with Raigad as its capital.
Shivaji established a competent and progressive civil rule with the help of a di
sciplined military and well-structured administrative organisations. He innovate
d military tactics, pioneering the guerrilla warfare methods (Shiva sutra or gan
imi kava), which leveraged strategic factors like geography, speed, and surprise
and focused pinpoint attacks to defeat his larger and more powerful enemies. Fr
om a small contingent of 2,000 soldiers inherited from his father, Shivaji creat
ed a force of 100,000 soldiers; he built and restored strategically located fort
s both inland and coastal to safeguard his territory. He revived ancient Hindu p
olitical traditions and court conventions and promoted the usage of Marathi and
Sanskrit, rather than Persian, in court and administration.
Shivaji's legacy was to vary by observer and time but began to take on increased
importance with the emergence of the Indian independence movement, as many elev
ated him as a proto-nationalist and hero of the Hindus. Particularly in Maharash
tra, debates over his history and role have engendered great passion and sometim
es even violence as disparate groups have sought to characterise him and his leg
acy.
Contents
1 Early life
1.1 Upbringing
2 Conflict with Adilshahi sultanate
2.1 Combat with Afzal Khan
2.2 Battle of Pratapgarh
2.3 Battle of Kolhapur
2.4 Siege of Panhala and Battle of Pavan Khind
3 Clash with the Mughals
3.1 Attack on Shaista Khan
3.2 Treaty of Purandar
3.3 Arrest in Agra and escape
4 Reconquest
4.1 Dealings with the English
4.2 Battle of Nesari
5 Coronation
6 Conquest in Southern India
7 Death and succession
7.1 The Marathas after Shivaji
8 Governance
8.1 Promotion of Marathi and Sanskrit
8.2 Religious policy
9 Military
9.1 Forts
9.2 Navy
10 Legacy
10.1 Historiography
10.2 Political legacy
10.3 Commemorations
10.4 Depiction in popular culture
11 See also
12 References
13 Further reading
14 External links
Early life
Shivaji's birthplace on Shivneri Fort.
Main article: Early life of Shivaji
Shivaji was born in the hill-fort of Shivneri, near the city of Junnar in Pune d
istrict around the year 1630. The Government of Maharashtra accepts 19 February
1630 as his birthdate; other suggested dates include 6 April 1627 or other dates
near this day.[3][4][5] Per legend, his mother named him Shivaji in honour of t
he goddess Shivai, to whom she had prayed for a healthy child.[6] Shivaji was na
med after this local deity.[7][8] Shivaji's father Shahaji Bhonsle was Maratha g
eneral who served the Deccan Sultanates.[9] His mother was Jijabai, the daughter
of Lakhujirao Jadhav of Sindkhed ( Sindkhed Raja ). At the time of Shivaji's bi
rth, the power in Deccan was shared by three Islamic sultanates: Bijapur, Ahmedn
agar, and Golconda. Shahaji often changed his loyalty between the Nizamshahi of
Ahmadnagar, the Adilshah of Bijapur and the Mughals, but always kept his jagir (
fiefdom) at Pune and his small army with him.[9]
Shivaji with Jijabai.
Upbringing
Shivaji was extremely devoted to his mother Jijabai, who was deeply religious. T
his religious environment had a great impact on Shivaji, and he carefully studie
d the two great Hindu epics, Ramayana and Mahabharata; these were to influence h
is lifelong defence of Hindu values.[10] Throughout his life he was deeply inter
ested in religious teachings, and regularly sought the company of Hindu and Sufi
saints.[4]
Shahaji, meanwhile had married a second wife, Tuka Bai Mohite, and moved to take
an assignment in Karnataka, leaving Shivaji and his mother in Pune. Shahaji ent
rusted the two to his friend Dadoji Kondadev Kulkarni, who provided them a mansi
on to live in, profitably administered the Pune jagir, and mentored the young Sh
ivaji. The boy was a keen outdoorsman, but had little formal education, and was
likely illiterate.[11] Shivaji drew his earliest trusted comrades and a large nu
mber of his soldiers from the Maval region,[when?] including Yesaji Kank, Suryaj
i Kakade, Baji Pasalkar, Baji Prabhu Deshpande and Tanaji Malusare.[12] In the c
ompany of his Maval comrades, Shivaji wandered over the hills and forests of the
Sahyadri range, hardening himself and acquiring first-hand knowledge of the lan
d, which was to later prove applicable to his military endeavours.[10]:128
At the age of 12, Shivaji was taken to Bangalore where he, his elder brother Sam
bhaji and his stepbrother Ekoji I were further formally trained. He married Saib
ai, a member of the prominent Nimbalkar family in 1640.[13]:60 Around 164546, the
teenage Shivaji first expressed his concept for Hindavi swarajya, in a letter t
o Dadaji Naras Prabhu.[14][15][16][17]
Conflict with Adilshahi sultanate
In 1645, the 16-year-old Shivaji bribed or persuaded the Bijapuri commander of t
he Torna Fort, Inayat Khan, to hand over the possession of the fort to him.[4]:2
6[13]:61[18]:268 Firangoji Narsala, who held the Chakan fort professed his loyal
ty to Shivaji and the fort of Kondana was acquired by bribing the Adilshahi gove
rnor.[4]:26 On 25 July 1648, Shahaji was imprisoned by Baji Ghorpade under the o
rders of the current Adilshah, Mohammed Adil Shah, in a bid to contain Shivaji.[
19] Accounts vary, with some saying Shahaji was conditionally released in 1649 a
fter Shivaji and Sambhaji surrendered the forts of Kondhana, Bangalore and Kanda
rpi,[4] others saying he was imprisoned until 1653 or 1655; during this period S
hivaji maintained a low profile.[20] After his release, Shahaji retired from pub
lic life, and died around 16641665 during a hunting accident. Following his fathe
r's death, Shivaji resumed raiding, seizing the kingdom of Javali from a neighbo
uring Maratha chieftain in 1656.[21]
Combat with Afzal Khan
Death of Afzal Khan
In 1659, Adilshah sent Afzal Khan, an experienced and veteran general to destroy
Shivaji in an effort to put down what he saw as a regional revolt.
The two met in a hut at the foothills of Pratapgad fort on 10 November 1659. The
arrangements had dictated that each come armed only with a sword, and attended
by a follower. Shivaji, either suspecting Afzal Khan would attack him[4]:4752[22]
or secretly planning to attack,[23] wore armour beneath his clothes, concealed
a bagh nakh (metal "tiger claw") on his left arm, and had a dagger in his right
hand.[18]:22 Accounts vary on whether Shivaji or Afzal Khan struck the first blo
w:[22] the Maratha chronicles accuse Afzal Khan of treachery, while the Persian-
language chronicles attribute the treachery to Shivaji.[24][25] In the fight, Af
zal Khan's dagger was stopped by Shivaji's armour, and Shivaji's weapons inflict
ed mortal wounds on the general; Shivaji then signalled his hidden troops to lau
nch the assault on the Bijapuris.[23]
Battle of Pratapgarh
Main article: Battle of Pratapgarh
Pratapgad fort
In the ensuing Battle of Pratapgarh fought on 10 November 1659, Shivaji's forces
decisively defeated the Bijapur Sultanate's forces.[26] The agile Maratha infan
try and cavalry inflicted rapid strikes on Bijapuri units, attacked the Bijapuri
cavalry before it was prepared for battle, and pursued retreating troops toward
Wai. More than 3,000 soldiers of the Bijapur army were killed and two sons of A
fzal Khan were taken as prisoners.[4]:53
This unexpected and unlikely victory made Shivaji a hero of Maratha folklore and
a legendary figure among his people. The large quantities of captured weapons,
horses, armour and other materials helped to strengthen the nascent and emerging
Maratha army. The Mughal emperor Aurangzeb now identified Shivaji as a major th
reat to the mighty Mughal Empire. Soon thereafter Shivaji, Shahaji and Netaji Pa
lkar (the chief of the Maratha cavalry) decided to attack and defeat the Adilsha
hi kingdom at Bijapur.[citation needed]
Battle of Kolhapur
Main article: Battle of Kolhapur
To counter the loss at Pratapgad and to defeat the newly emerging Maratha power,
another army, this time numbering over 10,000, was sent against Shivaji, comman
ded by Bijapur's Abyssinian general Rustamjaman. With a cavalry force of 5,000 M
arathas, Shivaji attacked them near Kolhapur on 28 December 1659. In a swift mov
ement, Shivaji led a full frontal attack at the center of the enemy forces while
two other portions of his cavalry attacked the flanks. This battle lasted for s
everal hours and at the end Bijapuri forces were soundly defeated and Rustamjama
n fled the battlefield. Adilshahi forces lost about 2,000 horses and 12 elephant
s to the Marathas.[citation needed] This victory alarmed Aurangazeb, who now der
isively referred to Shivaji as the "Mountain Rat", and prepared to address this
rising Maratha threat.[27]
Siege of Panhala and Battle of Pavan Khind
Plaque to commemorate the entrance to Paavankhind
Main article: Battle of Pavan Khind
In 1660, Adilshah sent his general Siddi Jauhar to attack Shivaji's southern bor
der, in alliance with the Mughals who planned to attack from the north. At that
time, Shivaji was encamped at Panhala fort near present-day Kolhapur with his fo
rces. Siddi Jauhar's army besieged Panhala in mid-1660, cutting off supply route
s to the fort. During the bombardment of Panhala, Siddhi Jahuar had purchased gr
enades from the British at Rajapur to increase his efficacy, and also hired some
English artillerymen to bombard the fort, conspicuously flying a flag used by t
he English. This perceived betrayal angered Shivaji, who in December would exact
revenge by plundering the English factory at Rajapur and capturing four of the
factors, imprisoning them until mid-1663.[28]
Accounts vary as to the end of the siege, with some accounts stating that Shivaj
i escaped from the encircled fort and withdrew to Ragna, following which Ali Adi
l Shah personally came to take charge of the siege, capturing the fort after fou
r months besiegement.[29] Other accounts state that after months of siege, Shiva
ji negotiated with Siddhi Jahuar and handed over the fort on 22 September 1660,
withdrawing to Vishalgad;[30] Shivaji would later re-take Panhala in 1673.[29]
There is some dispute over the circumstances of Shivaji's withdrawal (treaty or
escape) and his destination (Ragna or Vishalgad), but the popular story details
his night movement to Vishalgad and a sacrificial rear-guard action to allow him
to escape.[31] Per these accounts, Shivaji withdrew from Panhala by cover of ni
ght, and as he was pursued by the enemy cavalry, so his Maratha sardar Baji Prab
hu Deshpande of Bandal Deshmukh, along with 300 soldiers, volunteered to fight t
o the death to hold back the enemy at Ghod Khind ("horse ravine") to give Shivaj
i and the rest of the army a chance to reach the safety of the Vishalgad fort.[3
2] In the ensuing Battle of Pavan Khind, the smaller Maratha force held back the
larger enemy to buy time for Shivaji to escape. Baji Prabhu Deshpande was wound
ed but continued to fight until he heard the sound of cannon fire from Vishalgad
,[33] signalling Shivaji had safely reached the fort, on the evening of 13 July
1660.[34] Ghod Khind (khind meaning "a narrow mountain pass") was later renamed
Paavan Khind ("sacred pass") in honour of Bajiprabhu Deshpande, Shibosingh Jadha
v, Fuloji, and all other soldiers who fought in there.[34]
Clash with the Mughals
Up until 1657, Shivaji maintained peaceful relations with the Mughal Empire. Shi
vaji offered his assistance to Aurangzeb in conquering Bijapur and in return, he
was assured of the formal recognition of his right to the Bijapuri forts and vi
llages under his possession.[4]:37 Shivaji's confrontations with the Mughals beg
an in March 1657, when two of Shivaji's officers raided the Mughal territory nea
r Ahmednagar.[35] This was followed by raids in Junnar, with Shivaji carrying of
f 300,000 hun in cash and 200 horses.[4]:38 Aurangzeb responded to the raids by
sending Nasiri Khan, who defeated the forces of Shivaji at Ahmednagar. However,
the countermeasures were interrupted by the rainy season and the battle of succe
ssion for the Mughal throne following the illness of Shah Jahan.
Attack on Shaista Khan
Main article: Battle of Chakan
Upon the request of Badi Begum of Bijapur, Aurangzeb sent his maternal uncle Sha
ista Khan, with an army numbering over 150,000 along with a powerful artillery d
ivision in January 1660 to attack Shivaji in conjunction with Bijapur's army led
by Siddi Jauhar. Shaista Khan, with his better-equipped and -provisioned army o
f 300,000 seized Pune and the nearby fort of Chakan, besieging it for a month an
d a half until breaching the walls. Shaista Khan pressed his advantage of having
a larger, better provisioned and heavily armed Mughal army and made inroads int
o some of the Maratha territory, seizing the city of Pune and establishing his r
esidence at Shivaji's palace of Lal Mahal.[citation needed]
In April 1663, Shivaji launched a surprise attack on Shaista Khan in Pune; accou
nts of the story differ in the popular imagination, but there is some agreement
that Shivaji and band of some 200 followers infiltrated Pune, using a wedding pr
ocession as cover. They overcame the palace guards, breached the wall, and enter
ed Shaista Khan's quarters, killing those they found there. Shaista Khan escaped
, losing his thumb in the melee, but one of his sons and other members of his ho
usehold were killed. The Khan took refuge with the Moghul forces outside of Pune
, and Aurangzeb punished him for this embarrassment with a transfer to Bengal.[3
6]
An Uzbek general, Kartalab Khan, was sent by Shaista Khan to attack and reduce t
he number of forts under Shivaji's control in the Konkan region on 3 February 16
61. The 30,000 Mughal troops left Pune, marching through the back-country in an
attempt to surprise the Marathas. In the Battle of Umberkhind, Shivaji's forces
ambushed and enveloped them with infantry and light cavalry in the dense forests
of Umber Khind pass near present-day Pen. With defeat inevitable, the Mughal co
mmander, a Maratha woman named Raibagan, advised Kartalab to parley with Shivaji
, who allowed the Mughals to surrender all their supplies and arms, and depart w
ith safe passage.[citation needed] In retaliation for Shaista Khan's attacks, an
d to replenish his now-depleted treasury, in 1664 Shivaji sacked the city of Sur
at, a wealthy Mughal trading centre.[36]
Treaty of Purandar
Raja Jai Singh of Amber receiving Shivaji a day before concluding the Treaty of
Purandar.
Main article: Treaty of Purandar (1665)
Aurangzeb was enraged and sent Mirza Raja Jai Singh I with an army numbering aro
und 150,000[37] to defeat Shivaji. Jai Singh's forces made significant gains and
captured many Maratha forts, forcing Shivaji to come to terms with Aurangzeb ra
ther than lose more forts and men.
In the Treaty of Purandar, signed between Shivaji and Jai Singh on 11 June 1665,
Shivaji agreed to give up 23 of his forts and pay compensation of 400,000 rupee
s to the Mughals. He also agreed to let his son Sambhaji become a Mughal sardar,
serve the Mughal court of Aurangzeb and fight alongside the Mughals against Bij
apur.[citation needed] He[who?] actually fought alongside Jai Singh's against Bi
japur's for a few months. His[who?] commander Netaji Palkar joined the Mughals,
was rewarded very well for his bravery, converted to Islam, changed his name to
Quli Mohammed Khan in 1666 and was sent to the Afghan frontier to fight the rest
ive tribes. He returned to Shivaji's service in 1676 after ten years with the Mu
ghals, and was accepted back as a Hindu on Shivaji's advice.[citation needed]
Arrest in Agra and escape
A depiction of Shivaji in Aurangzeb's court in Agra in 1666.
In 1666, Aurangzeb invited Shivaji to Agra, along with his nine-year-old son Sam
bhaji. Aurangzeb's plan was to send Shivaji to Kandahar, now in Afghanistan, to
consolidate the Mughal empire's northwestern frontier. However, in the court, on
12 May 1666, Aurangzeb made Shivaji stand behind mansabdrs (military commanders)
of his court. Shivaji took offence and stormed out of court,[13]:78 and was pro
mptly placed under house arrest under the watch of Faulad Khan, Kotwal of Agra.
Shivaji's spies informed him that Aurangzeb planned to move Shivaji to Raja Vitt
haldas' haveli and then to possibly kill him or send him to fight in the Afghan
frontier, so Shivaji planned his escape.[citation needed]
Shivaji feigned severe illness and requested to send most of his contingent back
to the Deccan, thereby ensuring the safety of his army and deceiving Aurangzeb.
Thereafter, on his request, he was allowed to send daily shipments of sweets an
d gifts to saints, fakirs, and temples in Agra as offerings for his health.[cita
tion needed] After several days and weeks of sending out boxes containing sweets
, Sambhaji, being a child had no restrictions and was sent out of the prison cam
p and Shivaji, disguised as labourer carrying sweet basket escaped on 17 August
1666, according to the Mughal documents.[clarification needed][38] Shivaji and h
is son fled to the Deccan disguised as sadhus (holy men). After the escape, rumo
urs of Sambhaji's death were intentionally spread by Shivaji himself in order to
deceive the Mughals and to protect Sambhaji.[citation needed] Recent research h
as proposed that Shivaji simply disguised himself as a Brahmin priest after perf
ormance of religious rites at the haveli grounds on 22 July 1666, and escaped by
mingling within the departing priestly entourage of Pandit Kavindra Paramananda
. Sambhaji was removed from Agra and taken to Mathura later by Shivaji's trusted
men.[39]