Recently the statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj was inaugurated on the banks of Pangong Tso Lake at an altitude of 14,300 feet.
Birth
- Born on 19th February 1630 at Shivneri Fort, Pune district, Maharashtra.
- Father: Shahaji Bhonsle, a Maratha general under the Bijapur Sultanate.
- Mother: Jijabai, a devout woman whose religious values shaped Shivaji.
Early Life
- Showed military capability in 1645 by capturing Torna Fort as a teenager.
- Later seized Kondana Fort, both previously controlled by Adil Shah of Bijapur.
Significant Battles
- Battle of Pratapgad (1659):
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- Shivaji vs. Afzal Khan (Adilshahi general) near Satara, Maharashtra.
- Battle of Pavan Khind (1660):
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- Fought near Vishalgad Fort between Baji Prabhu Deshpande and Siddi Masud (Adilshahi).
- Sacking of Surat (1664):
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- Clash near Surat, Gujarat, between Shivaji and Mughal captain Inayat Khan.
- Battle of Purandar (1665):
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- Marathas vs. Mughal Empire.
- Battle of Sinhagad (1670):
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- Fought near Pune between Tanaji Malusare (Shivaji’s commander) and Udaybhan Rathod.
- Battle of Kalyan (1682-83):
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- Mughal Bahadur Khan defeated Marathas.
- Battle of Sangamner (1679):
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- Shivaji’s last battle against the Mughals.
Conflict with Mughals
- Raided Mughal territories in 1657 around Ahmednagar and Junnar.
- Defeated Mughal general Shaista Khan and Bijapur forces in Pune (1659).
- Sacked the Mughal trading port of Surat in 1664.
- Treaty of Purandar (1665): Shivaji relinquished forts and agreed to meet Aurangzeb at Agra.
- 1666: Shivaji escaped imprisonment in Agra after feeling insulted by Aurangzeb.
- Reclaimed Mughal territories in 1670, recovering land in just four months.
Coronation and Titles
- Crowned as king of the Marathas on 6th June 1674 at Raigad.
- Assumed titles: Chhatrapati, Shakakarta, Kshatriya Kulavantas and Haindava Dharmodhhaarak.
- The Maratha Kingdom became a dominant power in the early 18th century.
Administration Under Shivaji
- Central Administration
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- Inspired by Deccan style and Malik Amber’s reforms.
- Governance led by Ashtapradhan (8 ministers), with the peshwa as the chief advisor.
- Revenue Administration
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- Abolished Jagirdari System and introduced Ryotwari System.
- Supervised mirasdars (hereditary landholders) and reorganized revenue officials.
- Land measured by Kathi system (rods).
- Revenue sources:
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- Chauth: 25% levy for protection from raids.
- Sardeshmukhi: 10% tax on non-Maratha territories.
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- Military Administration
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- Built a disciplined army of infantry (Mavali soldiers), cavalry, and a navy.
- Soldiers paid in cash; commanders received jagir grants.
