Chatrapati Sivaji - Dr. G Ramesh Babu

Introduction

Sivaji Bhonsle, popularly referred to as Chatrapati Sivaji, is considered a great hero in India, particularly in the present- day state of Maharashtra. Known for his guerrilla tactics that superbly suited to the rugged mountains and valleys of the region, he annexed a portion of the then dominant Mughal Empire during 1650-60’s.

He was the founder of Maratha Empire in western India in 1674. Stories of his exploits have become folklore. He had been hailed as the protector of Maratha land and its Hindu dharma.

Sivaji was born in 1627, in Sivaneri Fort, Junnar, 60 km north of Pune and about 100 km east of Mumbai. The child was named Siva, after the local goddess Sivai, to whom his mother Jijabai had prayed for a son. His father Shahaji, like his ancestors, was a major player in the Mughal wars.

When Sivaji was three years old, in 1630, his father Shahaji was attempting to build a new empire on the ruins of Nizamshahi kingdom of Ahmednagar. But Shahaji was defeated by a combined force of Adil Shah and the Mughals in 1636 and he was forced to leave the region around Pune. However, he was inducted by Adil Shah of Bijapur and was offered a distant jagir near present-day Bengaluru. Shahaji was also allowed to keep his old land tenures and holdings in Pune.

The Rising Sun

Under these circumstances, Shahaji appointed Sivaji as the caretaker to manage all the land tenures and holdings located in Pune. Sivaji’s mother Jijabai was with him as an advisor. Her influence on young Sivaji was tremendous. It was really she, the godmother who transformed Sivaji as a great hero of the nation and a founder of the Maratha Empire.

© “The Alpha Foundation”, Hyderabad 500 082. The author can be reached at dr_babu@iupindia.org.

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