The Great King: Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj

CHHATRAPATI SHIVAJI MAHARAJ (Also known as Sivaji Raje) was a great king and best emperor. He conquered the whole India at his times (1600 -1700 BC). He was born on 19th February 1630 at Shivneri. His mother Jijamata (also known as Jijau) was his inspiration. She gave her guidance to him at every moment, even before he was born . When Jijamata was pregnant with Raje Shivaji, she always read Mahabharta, Ramayana, Bhagvat Gita and everything which will give him good teachings and gave him a example, which move he should use at each moment . This shows that how he was trained perfectly to become a king. Jijamata was playing a important role in his life. He is famous for his tricks which caused opponent ruler or party to lose. As we know how his mother(Jijamata) has trained him in every way. He was brave, intelligent, smart, talented, quick learner, kind hearted, religious, and many more which we can’t describe.

Not only his mother helped him, his father (Sahaji) also made him a good person and gave him all his qualities like bravery, smartness and etc. He started learning sword, archery and various weapons only at 13 or 14. His dreams were big. He wanted to established Swaraj (Swa means self and raj means rule, in Marathi it means a area which is self ruled) where everyone will live in peace, follow our tradition, a place without war, every one will get right to do everything, equality (every cast and religion are equal) and a place where everyone is united no matter how different they are. Every moment made him realize that who he is and what duties he has. They encouraged him to do his best. With everyone's support he started to plan his targets and how to win them. He even started his own administration. As he was a religious person, he preferred following Hindu tradition, Marathi, Hindi and Sanskrit was main (or even official ) language. He was not interested in Persian tradition which is very good. As time goes on, he won every battle and had captured numerous Forts. He was also a good trainer and motivater as his father. Every Mawla (Maratha army members) were very brave, and were ready to do anything for Raje. SHIVAJI MAHARAJ’s main opponent were Mughals. They intruded in India in order to rule over India and for gold and treasure for which India was known as Golden Bird.

They were obviously greedy but also cruel. When they captured any territory, they brutally killed people, looted them, raped girls and women, destroyed temples and asked Hindus to change their religion, not even small children were spared. In keeping this in, he started to attacked them. Because of his intelligence, he was able to win every battle. There were many battle happened between them called Maratha War of Independence. Mughals had every equipment but then also they were defeated. Interesting thing is even though Maratha Empire didn’t have anything or was in less amount they defeated Mughals with every way they can. They didn’t even win a single battle. To increase power and wealth, Shivaji Raje married to nine wives, so that their father’s power will be in his hands. His first wife was Saibai Nimbalkar and their son Sambhaji Maharaj. Now that he has power and many forts in his hands, many Mughals were jealous and tried to attack him. There are many of them, Shahistekhan, Afzalkhan, Aurangzeb and many more.

Everyone is a example set by Shivaji Raje that if anyone dared to intrud in our area and to rule over us, they will have a bad end. This victory was only possible because of bravery showed by the Mawlas and the Military Heads ( such as Shinde, Holkar, Gaikwad, Bhosale, Patwardhan,Tanaji, and many more). Their sacrifices made Swaraj a dream to reality. There are various stories where he used tacts and smartness rather than using man power. To prevent mughals from following him and his army, he layed pigs dead bodies so that they will not follow them. He spread lies in the mughals territory that he was a magician and can cast spells, after that no one was willing to mess with him. Gureilla technique was created by him. This shows how capable he was. But even after defeating the Mughals, he didn’t destroyed any mosque, not allowed Mawlas to rape any women, spare every single child not like how mughals did. He didn’t even ask them to change their religion from muslim to Hindu. He respected their wants. Not only Indians know how great he was developed countries have his stories in their History books. Everyone is learning his life, he is respected by everyone . By reading his biography, many small countries have won battles ( Vietnam won battle from America by reading SHIVAJI MAHARAJ’s book ). He is also the person who has highest number of statues in the world which is very honourable for us. Who has thought that a small child journey from just privileged family who was crowned in 1674 would become known to whole world.