Birth:
Born on February 19, 1630, at Shivneri Fort in Pune District, present-day Maharashtra, Shivaji was the son of Shahaji Bhonsle, a Maratha general, and Jijabai, a deeply religious woman.
Early Life:
Displaying military prowess at a young age, Shivaji took control of Torna Fort in 1645 and later acquired the Kondana Fort, both under the rule of Adil Shah of Bijapur.
Important Battles:
Battle of Pratapgad, 1659: Fought near Satara, Maharashtra, between Shivaji and Adilshahi general Afzal Khan.
Battle of Pavan Khind, 1660: A clash near Vishalgad, Maharashtra, between Maratha Sardar Baji Prabhu Deshpande and Siddi Masud of Adilshahi.
Sacking of Surat, 1664: Shivaji defeated Inayat Khan, a Mughal captain, near Surat, Gujarat.
Battle of Purandar, 1665: Fought between the Mughal and Maratha Empires.
Battle of Sinhagad, 1670: A conflict between Tanaji Malusare and Udaybhan Rathod near Pune, Maharashtra.
Battle of Kalyan, 1682-83: Mughal forces defeated the Maratha army and took over Kalyan.
Battle of Sangamner, 1679: The last battle involving Shivaji against the Mughal Empire.
Conflict with Mughals:
Engaging in raids on Mughal territory, Shivaji faced opposition from Aurangzeb’s forces, leading to the Treaty of Purandar in 1665. Shivaji’s arrest in 1666, his escape from Agra, and subsequent hostilities resumed in 1670.
Administration under Shivaji:
Central Administration:
Shivaji established a system inspired by the Deccan style, with the king assisted by the ‘Ashtapradhan’ council. The Peshwa led the advisory council.
Revenue Administration:
Shivaji replaced the Jagirdari System with the Ryotwari System, overseeing hereditary revenue officials like Deshmukhs. The Kathi system, inspired by Malik Amber, measured land, with Chauth and Sardeshmukhi as additional revenue sources.
Military Administration:
Shivaji organized a disciplined army, paying soldiers in cash and military commanders through jagir grants. The army included infantry, cavalry, and a navy.
Granted Title:
Crowned as the Maratha king on June 6, 1674, at Raigad, Shivaji took titles like Chhatrapati, Shakakarta, Kshatriya Kulavantas, and Haindava Dharmodhhaarak.
Death:
Shivaji passed away on April 3, 1680.
Shivaji’s legacy includes the growth of the Maratha Kingdom into the dominant Indian power in the early 18th century.
