Shivaji Bhosle (Marathi: िशवाजी भोसलेे [ʃiʋaˑɟiˑraˑɟeˑ bʱoˑs(ə)leˑ]; 19 February

1630 – 3 April 1680), with the royal title Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj (Marathi: छतपती
िशवाजी महाराज) was a Maratha Emperor [5] from the Bhosle dynasty who founded the
Maratha empire.[6][7] Shivaji led a resistance to free the Maratha nation from Sultanate of
Bijapur, and establish self rule ("Hindavi Swarajya"). He created an independent Maratha
kingdom with Raigad as its capital,[7] and fought against the Mughals to defend his
kingdom successfully.[6] He was crowned as Chhatrapati - the Soveriegn- of the Maratha
Kingdom in 1674.[6][7]

He achieved the re-establishment of Maratha rule on their homeland after being ruled and
dominated by various Muslim dynasties for few hundred years. He established a
competent and progressive civil rule with the help of well regulated and disciplined
military and well structured administrative organizations. The prevalent practices of
treating women as spoils of war, destruction of religious monuments, slavery and forceful
religious conversions were firmly opposed under his administration. Shivaji was a
religious Hindu, and showed respect for all other religions.[8] He also innovated rules of
military engagement of that era. He pioneered "Shiva sutra" or Ganimi Kava (guerrilla
tactics), which leveraged strategic factors like geography, speed, surprise and focused
pinpoint attacks to defeat his bigger and more powerful enemies.[8]
Celebration

Place and community: Birthday of Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj is celebrated in Maharasthra

as Shivaji Jayanti.

Month: Shivaji Jayanti is celebrated on 19th February.

Description: Shivaji Jayanti or the birthday of Shivaji Maharaj

is celebrated on a majestic scale in Maharashtra. Shivaji was
born on 19th February, 1627. His parents Jijabai and Shahaji
Bhonsle named him Shivaji after local Goddess Shivai. Shivaji
was the creator of the Maratha nation. He was instrumental in
uniting the Maratha chiefs of Mayal, Konkan and Desh regions.
His military and civil administration was of greatest
importance. He was successful in carving out a small kingdom
by defeating the alien powers. Chatrapati Shivaji is a hero not
only for the people of Maharashtra but for those of India as well.

On the occasion of Shivaji Jayanti several processions are taken out and people dress up like
Shivaji and his associates. The birthday is celebrated on a huge scale and various
programmes remembering the achievements of the great ruler are organized.

History of Shivaji

Early days

Shivaji was born on 19th Februray, 1627, in Shivneri Fort, 60 kms north of Pune. He was
named after the local Goddess Shivai, to whom his mother prayed for a son. His father
Shahaji Bhosle was the chief of the kingdom of Bijapur. He was
however, not allowed to take charge of any fort. His mother
had a great influence on him as he was introduced to Indian
epics of Mahabharata, Ramayana and other holy books by her.
Shivaji also gained a lot of knowledge from his father’s
unsuccessful attempts to gain power. He was inspired by his
father military tactics, peacetime diplomacy and also
possessed knowledge of Sanskrit and Hindu scriptures.

His administration

Shivaji grew into a fearless military leader with trainings from

commanders like Gomaji Naik and Baji Pasalkar. Young Shivaji was motivated, enthusiastic
and energetic. In his early days he was successful in inspiring local youths to follow his
idealistic pursuits. At the age of 17, he attacked and captured Torna Fort of Bijapur and by
1647 he took control of Kondana and Raigad Forts. The Western Ghats along the Konkan
Coast were also under his control by 1654.
His achievements

In order to sabotage Shivaji’s rise to power, Adilshah arrested Shahji, his father by deceitful
means and had armies sent against Shivaji and his elder brother Sambaji. To suppress
Shivaji’s control of the Bijapur kingdom, Afzal Khan was sent to destroy Shivaji. However,
with his cunning means, Shivaji successfully stabbed Afzal Khan. Eventually Bijapur’s armies
were routed in the famous Battle of Pratapgarh in 1659 and Shivaji turned into a hero of the
Marathas. Now, under the confident leadership of Shivaji, the Marthas successfully pushed
back the Mughals and the Sultanate kingdowms from his homeland.

The Mughals also fought against Shivaji led by Shaista Khan under Aurangazeb. However,
Shivaji lost many men against a well trained and disciplined Mughal army. Shivaji felt the
need of finance to maintain an army and decided to loot the Mughal city of Surat. The Mughal
emperor then sent Jai Singh to defeat Shivaji. After a few skirmishes, he thought it wise to
accept the emperor’s soverignity. But he was soon placed under house arrest in Agra. Using
tact and intelligence, Shivaji successfully escaped from Agra and hid in his homeland and kept
a low profile for some time. Shivaji gradually rebuild his empire and within six months was
able to recover much of his lost ground.

Shivaji extended his empire further south to Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. In order to regain
one of his forts, Kondana, he appointed his most trusted general Tanaji Malusare. The battle
that followed between the Marathas and the Mughals came to be known as the Maratha war of
Independence where the Marathas were successful in regaining the control of the fort.

Chatrapati Shivaji

Shivaji was formally coronated Chatrapati in 1674 in Raigad fort and henceforth came to be
known as Chatrapati Shivaji. Shivaji died in 1680 but not before leaving an indelible mark on
the history pages. He laid the foundation of a Hindu empire which lasted for over two
centuries. Shivaji has been a source of inspiration and pride for generations for his courage
and military acumen.
Chatrapati Shivaji was the famous Maratha king who had the utmost courage to stand against the
vast ocean of Mughal rule, single-handedly. Although his original name was Shivaji Bhosle, his
subjects lovingly gave him the title of 'Chatrapati' or the 'Chief of the Kshatriyas' for his undaunted
ability to protect them all under the safe shelter of his leadership. Born on 19th February 1680 at
the Shivneri Fort to a valiant Maratha regent Shahaji Raje and a dedicated mother Jijabai, Shivaji
was a descendent of the 96 Maratha Clans who were well known as brave fighters or 'Kshatriyas'.

A young boy of 16 is not known to win battles, but his mother's teachings, father's struggle and a
pride in the motherland gave the young Shivaji his first achievement as an able warrior and leader
with the seizure of the Torna Fort which was initially under the Bijapur Kingdom. With this
recognition, there was no looking back. His major breakthrough came with Battle of Pratapgarh
against Afzal Khan, the general of the Sultanate of Bijapur, which made him a hero of the Marathas
overnight. He won it through sheer planning, speed and excellent generalship. This was followed by
many other battles against the Sultanate of Bijapur, in warfares such as Battle of Kolhapur, Battle of
Pavan Khind, Battle of Vishaalgad and others.

Chatrapati Shivaji is most famous for his valor to challenge the mighty Mughal Empire, at the time
ruled by Aurangzeb. Although Emperor Aurangzeb tried to capture all the forts and territories under
Shivaji he could not achieve much success due to Shivaji's clever leadership qualities and guerrilla
tactics. But a temporary pause was put in Shivaji's successful ventures by the brave Hindu General
Jai Singh, sent by the emperor. Upon this, Shivaji decided to negotiate with the Mughal Emperor
and what followed is popularly known in history as Shivaji's trip to and astonishing escape from
Agra, where he was kept a prisoner by Aurangzeb. Although after this incident, Shivaji remained
dormant for sometime, he rose yet again against the Mughals in the year 1670 with the Battle of
Sinhagad. Soon after this victory he was coroneted on 6th June, 1674, as the King of the Marathas.
Under his dedicated rule, the small independent land 'Hindavi Swaraj' went on to become a large
kingdom ranging from the Northwest India to the East.

Though not much is known of his personal life except that he was married to Saibai, Soyarabai,
Kashibai, Putalabai and Sagunabai and had two sons and three daughters, as a ruler, his name is
compared to that of Napoleon, Julius Caesar and the Swedish King Gustavus Adolphus, who were all
great rulers in their own respect. He incorporated modern administrative concepts such as cabinet,
foreign affairs, internal intelligence and others and commanded an extremely well trained army.
This apart, he was a king who was just and kind and showed tolerance towards all religions and
languages. He himself was proficient in Sanskrit and Marathi, and patronized art of all kinds.

Shivaji succumbed to fatal illness spanning many weeks in 1680 and his empire was taken over by
his son Sambhaji. But this did not remove the imprint he left on the minds of all Indians. Chatrapati
Shivaji's name will forever be remembered in folklore and history as the great king whose rule is
considered as a golden era, which showed the light of freedom, paving the way for India's
Independence later.