Chhatrapti Shivaji Maharaj
Shivaji Maharaj is one of the great national heroes of India. He
created an independent and sovereign state in Maharashtra which was
based on justice, welfare of the people and tolerance to all faiths. The
aims, objectives and Rajnitee of the Maratha Swaraj under Chhatrapati
Shivaji provided a new direction to contemporary politics of India. In
course of time, his movement assumed, the form of an all-India struggle;
a struggle which was to change the political map of India.
Shivaji Maharaj was born at the Shivneri fort near Junnar in Pune
district on 19th February 1630. Shivaji’s mother, Jijabai was the
daughter of Lakhuji Jadhavrao of Sindkhed. His father Shahajiraje
Bhosale was a prominent sardar in the Deccan. At the time of Shivaji
Maharaj’s birth, most of the territory in Maharashtra was under the
possession of the Nizamshah of Ahmednagar and the Adilshah of Bijapur.
In the coastal belt of Konkan there were two sea powers, the Portuguese
and the Siddi. The British and the Dutch who were engaged in expanding
their trade also had their factories on the coast. The Mughals, since
the period of Emperor Akbar 1 wanted to expand their power in the South.
The Mughals launched a campaign to conquer the Nizamshahi Kingdom. The
Adilshah of Bijapur allied with the Mughals in this campaign.
Shahahajiraje tried to save the Nizamshahi, but he could not withstand
the combined might of the Mughals and the Adilshahi. The Nizamshahi
kingdom came to an end in A.D. 1636. Thereafter Shahajiraje became a
sardar of the Adilshah of Bijapur and was posted in Karnataka. The
region comprising Pune, Supe, Indapur and Chakan parganas located
between the Bhima and Nira rivers which was vested in Shahajiraje as a
jagir was continued by the Adilshah. Shahaijiraje was also assigned a
jagir of Banglore. Veermata Jijabai and Shivajiraje, stayed for a few
years with Shahajiraje at Banglore till Shivajiraje was twelve years
old. Shahajiraje entrusted the administration of the Pune jagir to
Shivajiraje and Veermata Jijabai. Shivajiraje grew up amidst the hills
and valleys of Pune region under the guidance of his mother Jijabai.
Foundation of Swaraj
A number of small spurs run eastward from the sahyadris in the Pune
region. The extremely rugged valleys enclosed by these are usually known
as the Mavals or Khores each named after stream running through it, or
after the principal village. Collectively they are known as the Mavals.
The inhabitants of this region who are called the Mavalas, were an
extremely hardy people. Shivaji Maharaj started the work of founding the
Swaraj in this region which is full of hills and valleys and is not
easily accessible. He skillfully utilized the geographical features of
Maval region for the purpose of the foundation of the Swaraj. He created
a feeling of trust and affection in minds of the people. Many
associates, companions and Mavalas joined him in his work of founding
Swaraj. The objective of Shivaji Maharaj in founding the Swaraj is
clearly expressed in his official seal or Mudra which is in Sanskrit.
Through this Mudra, Shivaji Maharaj assured his people that the
‘ever-increasing like the crescent-moon, the kingdom of Shivaji, son of
Shahaji, will always seek the welfare of the people’.
The Royal Seal of Shivaji Maharaj
In the medieval period, forts carried much significance. With a firm
hold over a fort, one could defend as well as control the surrounding
area and could rule the land. In case of an enemy’s invasion, it was
possible to protect the people taking shelter in the fort. The forts
situated within the jagir of Shivaji Maharaj were not under his control,
but were under the control of Adilshah.. Therefore an attempt to
capture the forts meant to challenge the Adilshahi power. Shivaji
Maharaj decided to acquire the forts that were within his own jagir. He
captured the forts of Murumbdev (Rajgad), Torna, Kondhana, Purandar and
laid the foundation of the Swaraj. Shivaji Maharaj was steadily but
cautiously aiming at extending and consolidating his power. Those
sardars who appreciated his aim were brought to his side, but some
sardars in the Adilshahi opposed him. It was necessary to bring them
under control for the purpose of founding the Swaraj.
The Capture of Javali
The region of Javali in Satara district was important from strategic
point of view. Many routes to the Konkan were through Javali. For the
expansion of the Swaraj in the Konkan, it was essential to control that
region. The region of Javali was ruled by Chandrarao More, a powerful
sardar in the Adilshahi. Shivaji Maharaj attacked Javali and captured it
in A.D. 1656. Then he also captured Rairi. This strong fort, later
under the name of Raigad, was to become the capital of Shivaji Maharaj.
Shivaji Maharaj built the Pratapgad fort in the Javali valley to protect
the newly conquered territory and to control the Paar pass. The victory
at Javali led to the expansion of the Swaraj in Konkan. Shivaji Maharaj
then crossed the Ghats and descended into Konkan. He captured Kalyan
and Bhivandi on the Konkan coast which were under the control of
Adilshahi. Shivaji Maharaj also captured forts like Mahuli, Lohagad,
Tunga, Tikona, Visapur, Songad, Karnala, Tala and Ghosala, in the
Konkan. Shivaji Maharaj was able to command the coast line because of
his acquisition of this territory in the Konkan. He came in contact with
the Portuguese, the British and the Siddi powers on the western coast.
The Siddi controlled the fort of Janjira and the areas around, including
Danda-Rajpuri. Wherever in future these powers created obstacles in the
work of expanding the Swaraj, Shivaji Maharaj tried to curb their
activities.
The Establishment of Maratha Navy
When Shivaji Maharaj became master of a long coastal strip, he deemed
it necessary to undertake the construction of a Navy. Shivaji Maharaj
realized that the one who had a navy, controlled the sea. To protect his
own territory from the Siddi's depredations, to protect the merchant
ships and ports in order to secure and enhance revenue incomes derived
from maritime trade and customs duty, he concentrated on building the
Navy. There were four hundred ships of various kinds in the Navy. They
included battleships like Gurab, Galbat and Pal.
Defeat of Afzal Khan and Battle of Javali
Shivaji Maharaj had openly challenged the Adilshahi by capturing
forts in his jagir and the territory in north Konkan. At that time the
Badi Sahiba was looking after the administration of Adilshahi. She sent
Afzal Khan, a powerful and an experienced Adilshahi General to curb
Shivaji Maharaj. Afzal Khan set out from Bijapur sometime in May 1659.
To isolate Shivaji Maharaj, Ali Adilshah issued Farmans to the Deshmukhs
in the Mavals, ordering them to join Afzal Khan. Besides this, Afzal
Khan made efforts to seek the support of the Deshmukhs. A meeting
between Shivaji Maharaj and Afzal Khan took place on 10th November 1659
at the foot of Pratapgad. At the meeting Afzal Khan attempted treachery.
In retaliation, Shivaji Maharaj killed Afzal Khan. The Marathas
destroyed Afzal Khan’s army in the dense forests of Javali. Shivaji
Maharaj secured a large booty from Afzal Khan's camp which enabled him
to consolidate and strengthen his position.
The Expedition of Siddi Jauhar
