Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. THE GREAT MARATHA WARRIOR

Reign	1664–1680
Coronation	June 6, 1674
Full name	Shivaji Raje Bhosle
Titles	Kshatriya Kulavantas, Kulwadi Bhushan
Born	19 February 1630[1][2])
Birthplace	Shivneri Fort, near Pune, India
Died	April 3, 1680, Tuesday, (aged 50 or 53)
Place of death	Raigad Fort
Successor	Sambhaji
Wives	Sai bai Soyarabai Putalabai Kashibai Sagunabai Lakshmibai Sakavaarbai Gunvantibai
Offspring	Sambhaji, Rajaram, and six daughters
Father	Shahaji
Mother	Jijabai
Religious beliefs	Hinduism

Shivaji Bhosle (Marathi: शिवाजी भोसले,(February 19, 1630 – April 3, 1680), popularly known as Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj (Marathi: छत्रपती शिवाजी महाराज,was a maratha warrior who started the movement for independence from Sultanate of Bijapur and later became the King of Maratha Kingdom. Shivaji Bhosle lead a resistance to free the marathas from the Sultanate of Bijapur and frequently raided and defended themselves from Mughal Empire... He created an independent Maratha Kingdom with Raigad as its capital ^[9] and thus is also the founder of Maratha Empire. He fought against the Deccan Sultanates and the Mughal Empire to establish an independent Maratha kingdom in 1674 with Raigad as its capital.He became the crowned king 'Chatrapati' of the Maratha Kingdom in 1674.He is today remembered in Maharashtra as a hero and a great King who stood for freedom and for the right of maratha independence. Even after his death his call for freedom and to fight and live like free men was an inspiration to the marathi people which was the main reason for expansion of Maratha Kingdom into a Maratha Empire.

Shivaji's father Shahaji was a Maratha general who rendered military services to the Deccan Sultanates of Ahmadnagar and Bijapur.Shivaji espoused the ideology of Hindavi Swarajya (self-rule of the natives). The subsequent expansion of the Maratha Empire, was partly responsible for re-establishment of Maratha rule on there land after being ruled and dominated by various Muslim dynasties for few hundred years. The ideology of freedom and self rule was in part the inspiration that propelled the succeeding generation of Marathas to expand the maratha kingdom into a maratha empire.

Shivaji established and set up 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 war booty, destruction of religious monuments, slavery and forceful religious conversions were firmly opposed under his administration. Shivaji was a religious Hindu, but showed respect toward other religions. He also innovated rules of military engagement of that era. He pioneered "Shiva sutra" or Ganimi Kava (guerrilla tactics), which leveraged strategic factors like demographics, speed, surprise and focused attack to defeat his bigger and more powerful enemies.

Rule

Statue at Raigad commemorating Shivaji's coronation

Shivaji Maharaj was an able administrator who established a government that included modern concepts such as cabinet (Ashtapradhan mandal), foreign affairs (Dabir) and internal intelligence.^[24] Shivaji established an effective civil and military administration. He also built a powerful navy and erected new forts like Sindhudurg and strengthened old ones like Vijaydurg on the west coast in which Mughals were greatly unsuccessful .^[13] The Maratha navy held its own against the British, Portuguese and Dutch^[25].
Shivaji is well known for his benevolent attitude towards his subjects. He believed that there was a close bond between the state and the citizens. He encouraged all accomplished and competent individuals to participate in the ongoing political/military struggle. He is remembered as a just and welfare-minded king. He brought revolutionary changes in military organisation, fort architecture, society and politics.^[13] Shivaji successfully led and marshalled his forces to cope and overcome several major enemy invasions. He was inexorable in expanding the boundaries of his kingdom. His success was driven by his determination to establish a free and independent homeland, and in this goal he was supported by the high level of loyalty, respect and commitment he received from his soldiers, followers and citizens.
He was an innovator and an able commander, he successfully used effective tactics including hit-and-run, strategic expansion of territories and forts, formation of highly mobile light cavalry and infantry units, adaptation of strategic battle plans and formations, whereby he succeeded in out-manoeuvering, time and again, his vastly bigger and determined enemies. Towards the end of his reign he had built up the Maratha forces to be over one hundred thousand strong. He was able to effectively keep the Mughal forces in check and on the defensive while expanding his kingdom southwards to Gingee, Tamil Nadu.^[13] Shivaji Maharaj's kingdom served as a Hindu bulwark against Mughal powers within India. His brilliant strategic and tactical maneuvering on battlefields, acute management and administrative skills helped him to lay the foundations of the future Maratha empire in India.

Character

During his long military career and various campaigns his strong religious and warrior code of ethics, exemplary character and deep seated and uncompromising spiritual values directed him to offer protection to houses of worship, non-combatants, women and children. He always showed respect, defended and protected places of worship of all denominations and religions.
He boldly risked his life, his treasure, his personal well being and that of his family, to openly challenge his immensely larger enemies to defend and achieve freedom and independence for his country. He unflinchingly defied overwhelming odds stacked against him by the mighty Mughal Empire and the regional sultanates. He overcame and succeeded in the face of an unprecedented level of difficulties and challenges posed by his enemies.^[13] He did not spend any resources on projects designed for self-aggrandizement or vanity, instead he was propelled by his deeply held sense of Dharma (sacred duty) to his people and country.^[13]

A Maratha folk lore tells of an event when Shivaji was presented with a beautiful Muslim princess (daughter of amir of Kalyan, Maharashtra) as war booty by one of his captains. Shivaji was reported to have told this lady that if his mother was as strikingly beautiful as she was, perhaps he would have been handsome as well. He wished her well and allowed her to return to her family unharmed and under his protection. In that instance, the true nobility of his character was plainly revealed to all that were present there.

Marathi Language

Chhatrapati Shivaji made preparations for effective use of Marathi language his mother tongue. He started Rajvyavharkosh (translation: dictionary for administration of kingdom) and Encyclopaedia of Marathi words.

Promotion of Sanskrit

The house of Shivaji Maharaj was one of the Indian royal families who were well acquainted with Sanskrit and promoted it. The root can be traced from Shahaji who supported Jayram Pindye and many like him. Shivaji Maharaj's seal was prepared by him. Shivaji continued this trait and developed it further. He named his forts as Sindhudurg, Prachandgarh, Suvarndurg etc. He named the Ashta Pradhan (council of ministers) as per Sanskrit nomenclature viz. Nyayadhish, Senapati etc. He got Rajya Vyavahar Kosh (a political treatise) prepared. His Rajpurohit Keshav Pandit was himself a Sanskrit scholar and poet.^[30] After his death, Sambhaji, who was himself a Sanskrit scholar (his verse - Budhbhushanam), continued it. His grandson Shahu spent his entire childhood in Mughal captivity, which affected his taste. But even he showered gifts on learned Brahmins. Serfoji II from the Thanjavur branch of the Bhosale continued the tradition by printing the first book in Marathi Devnagari.^{[citation needed]}
Sambhaji issued one danapatra (donation plaque), which is in Sanskrit composed by himself in which he writes about his father as:

1. Yavanarambha gritat mlechakshaydiksha: It means - Shivaji had taken a sacred oath and was on mission to defeat invaders
2. Dillindraman pradhvanspatu: One who has defeated the Mughal Emperor of Delhi
3. Vijayapuradhishwar prathtarmanya bhujchachayay: One whose help was sought by Adilshahi King of Vijaypur
   

Religion

As per legend, the family deity of the Bhosle's, goddess Bhavani presented a divine sword to Shivaji Maharaj.

Shivaji Maharaj, requested Samarth Ramdas Swami to stay at Parali Fort which was subsequently renamed as "Sajjangad" (Fort of the Decent/Holy ones). It is said that Shivaji Maharaj and Sant Ramdas first met in 1674. There are many credible historical references that Samarth Ramdas Swami was the spiritual guru of Shivaji. Though separatists claim otherwise, they have not been convincing since their claims are mainly based on caste bias. The famous letter named as "Nischayacha Mahameru" & the content in it supports the fact that Ramdas was the guru of Shivaji Maharaj. Yuvraj Sambhaji, when unfortunately came under the influence of a person named Kavi Kalash, was also made to stay at Sajjangadh in the company of Ramdas Swami.
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj was a devout Hindu and he respected all religions within the region. Shivaji Maharaj had great respect for Warkari saints like Tukaram and Sufi Muslim pir Shaikh Yacub Baba Avaliya of Konkan.^[31] He also visited Mouni Maharajtemple and Samadhi at Patgaon (Bhudargad Taluka near to Gargoti) in Kolhapur district. Shahaji had donated a huge piece of land to Shaha-Sharif Durgah of Ahmednagar(the names "Shahaji", the father of Shivaji, and "Sarfoji", the uncle of Shivaji, are derived in deference to this Shah Sharifji).
Shivaji Maharaj allowed his subjects freedom of religion and opposed forced conversion.^[13][32] The first thing Shivaji did after a conquest was to promulgate protection of mosques and Muslim tombs.
He commanded the respect and fealty of the Muslims under his command by his fair treatment of his friends as well as enemies.Kafi Khan, the Mughal historian and Bernier, a French traveler, spoke highly of his religious policy. He also brought back converts like Netaji Palkar and Bajaji in to Hinduism. He prohibited slavery in his kingdom. Shivaji Maharaj applied a humane and liberal policy to the women of his state. There are many instances in folklore which describe Shivaji's respect for women, irrespective of their religion, nationality, or creed.
Shivaji's sentiments of inclusivity and tolerance of other religions can be seen in an admonishing letter to Aurangzeb, in which he wrote:

“	Verily, Islam and Hinduism are terms of contrast. They are used by the true Divine Painter for blending the colours and filling in the outlines. If it is a mosque, the call to prayer is chanted in remembrance of Him. If it is a temple, the bells are rung in yearning for Him alone.