Chatrapati Shivaji - The Warrior King of Maratha.

Chhatrapati Shivaji:

Chhatrapati Shivaji was one of the famous kings of Maratha and also a perceive rulers in Indian history. He was the founder of Maratha Empire. His original name was Shivaji Bhosle. His dedication and knowledge to words his nation gave him the title of 'Chatrapati' or the 'Chief of the Kshatriyas' for his undaunted ability to protect them all under the safe shelter of his leadership. Some people have often thought of him as a cruel dictator, while some have condemned him to be anti-secular.

Chhatrapati Shivaji was born in 1627 A.D. at Shivneri near Pune, India. His father Shahaji Raje Bhosale was in the army of Bijapur Sultan and he grew up under the care of his mother Jijabai and Dadaji Kondadev, his guardian. He was given the high level of respect gained by impressive development or achievement for his performance of moral or religious acts. From childhood, he was the brave boy and showed his courage and qualities of the ruler. Shivaji had the great interest in religious teachings. He studied Ramayana and Mahabharata with great interest.

From his young age, his mother’s teaching, father’s struggle and his self-respect to words his motherland gave the young Shivaji his first achievement as an able warrior and leader with the seizure of the Torna Fort at the age of 16, which was initially under the Bijapur Kingdom. After capturing Torna fort Chhatrapati Shivaji captured Kondana and Rajgad forts. Then Shivaji captured the forts of Purander and Javeli after rescuing his father from the Bijapur sultan’s prison.

Chhatrapati Shivaji built a powerful naval army. From his early age, he realized the importance of the naval army from protected his kingdom from the pirates and also independent his kingdom from foreign invaders including the Dutch, Portuguese and the English. Shivaji Maharaj also built naval forts at Jaigad, Vijaydurg, Singhudurg and other places for protecting his kingdom from external attacks. He defeated Afzal Khan, who was a veteran general and superior to Chatrapati Shivaji in size & strength in a battle of Pratapgarh. He also won many other battles against the Sultanate of Bijapur, Battle of Kolhapur, Battle of Pavan Khind, Battle of Vishaalgad and others.

Chatrapati Shivaji maintained the peaceful relationship with Mughals at the time ruled by Aurangzeb. Aurangzeb tried to capture all the forts and territories under Shivaji he could not achieve much success due to Shivaji's clever leadership qualities tactics. Chatrapati Shivaji was forced to sign a written agreement between two states of Purander. According to this treaty, he gave about 24 forts to Mughal king. He was invited to Agra by Aurangzeb. Shivaji was arrested and imprisoned in Agra. But he escaped from Agra and returned to his kingdom.

Shivaji Maharaj was the head person in his administration. Many taxes were collected at that time but he never collected taxes forcefully. People had the freedom to choose any religion. Unlike many other rulers of the land, no one under his rule was allowed to dishonor women. Women of captured territories were left unharmed. He turned cruel towards those who did cruel things. The punishments were constant with the severity of the crime.

Chhatrapati Shivaji first goal was always to establish a free kingdom in the country and motivated his troops to fight for India and not any king in particular. He was a true king knows how to win even when the battle is lost. He was a true king knows how to live even when his life is lost. The Maratha king died in 1680 after suffering fever for 3 weeks.

N.B: Mumbai Airport or Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport is the second busiest airport in the country and it’s named after the 17th century Maratha King Chhatrapati Shivaji.