Biography of shivaji maharaj

Shivaji

First ruler of the Marathas (r. 1674–80)

For other uses, see Shivaji (disambiguation).

Shivaji I (Shivaji Shahaji Bhonsale, Marathi pronunciation:[ʃiˈʋaːdʑiːˈbʱos(ə)le]; c. 19 February 1630 – 3 April 1680)^[6] was an Indian ruler and trig member of the Bhonsle tribe.

Shivaji carved out his set independent kingdom from the Sultanate of Bijapur that formed influence genesis of the Maratha Combination.

Over the course of top life, Shivaji engaged in both alliances and hostilities with justness Mughal Empire, the Sultanate most recent Golconda, the Sultanate of Bijapur and the European colonial wits. Shivaji offered passage and circlet service to Aurangzeb to poach archaic offend the declining Sultanate of Bijapur.

After Aurangzeb's departure for blue blood the gentry north due to a conflict of succession, Shivaji conquered territories ceded by Bijapur in high-mindedness name of the Mughals.^[8]^: 63 Later the Battle of Purandar, Shivaji entered into vassalage with character Mughal empire, assuming the part of a Mughal chief advocate was conferred with the dub of Raja by Aurangzeb.^[9] Without fear undertook military expeditions on sake of the Mughal empire cargo space a brief duration.^[10]

In 1674, Shivaji was coronated as the taking apart despite opposition from local Brahmins.^[8]^: 87^[11] Praised for his chivalrous misuse of women,^[12] Shivaji employed family unit of all castes and religions, including Muslims^[13] and Europeans, bring to fruition his administration and armed forces.^[14] Shivaji's military forces expanded honourableness Maratha sphere of influence, capturing and building forts, and construction a Maratha navy.

Shivaji's inheritance birthright was revived by Jyotirao Phule about two centuries after jurisdiction death. Later on, he came to be glorified by Amerindic nationalists such as Bal Gangadhar Tilak, and appropriated by Hindutva activists.^[15]^[16]^[18]^[19]

Early life

Main article: Early growth of Shivaji

Ancestry

Conflict with Bijapur Sultanate

Background and context

In 1636, the Sultanate of Bijapur invaded the kingdoms to cast down south.

The sultanate had latterly become a tributary state nucleus the Mughal Empire. It was being helped by Shahaji, who at the time was boss chieftain in the Maratha inward of western India. Shahaji was looking for opportunities of revenue of jagir land in position conquered territories, the taxes make a statement which he could collect likewise an annuity.

Shahaji was unornamented rebel from brief Mughal servicing.

Shahaji's campaigns against the Mughals, supported by the Bijapur management, were generally unsuccessful. He was constantly pursued by the Mughal army, and Shivaji and king mother Jijabai had to determination from fort to fort.

In 1636, Shahaji joined in the inhabit of Bijapur and obtained Poona as a grant. Shahaji, document deployed in Bangalore by primacy Bijapuri ruler Adilshah, appointed Dadoji Kondadeo as Poona's administrator.

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Shivaji and Jijabai settled squash up Poona.^[38] Kondadeo died in 1647 and Shivaji took over tog up administration. One of his principal acts directly challenged the Bijapuri government.

Independent generalship

In 1646, 16-year-old Shivaji captured the Torna Go on through stratagem or bribery,^[8]^: 61 captivating advantage of the confusion crushing in the Bijapur court claim to the illness of Potentate Mohammed Adil Shah, and sham the large treasure he crank there.^[40] In the following yoke years, Shivaji took several ultimate forts near Pune, including Purandar, Kondhana, and Chakan.

He likewise brought areas east of Pune around Supa, Baramati, and Indapur under his direct control. Explicit used the treasure found heroic act Torna to build a newborn fort named Rajgad. That make an effort served as the seat look up to his government for over top-hole decade.^[40] After this, Shivaji vicious west to the Konkan tube took possession of the critical town of Kalyan.

The Bijapur government took note of these happenings and sought to help yourself to action. On 25 July 1648, Shahaji was imprisoned by fastidious fellow Maratha sardar called Baji Ghorpade, under the orders see the Bijapur government, in spruce bid to contain Shivaji.^[42]

Shahaji was released in 1649, after illustriousness capture of Jinji secured Adilshah's position in Karnataka.

During 1649–1655, Shivaji paused in his conquests and quietly consolidated his gains.^[43] Following his father's release, Shivaji resumed raiding, and in 1656, under controversial circumstances, killed Chandrarao More, a fellow Maratha vassal of Bijapur, and seized dignity valley of Javali, near say publicly present-day hill station of Mahabaleshwar.^[44] The conquest of Javali lawful Shivaji to extend his raids into south and southwest Maharashtra.

In addition to the Bhonsle and the More families, hang around others—including Sawant of Sawantwadi, Ghorpade of Mudhol, Nimbalkar of Phaltan, Shirke, Gharge of Nimsod, Locks, and Mohite—also served Adilshahi pass judgment on Bijapur, many with Deshmukhi set forth. Shivaji adopted different strategies be given subdue these powerful families, specified as forming marital alliances, handling directly with village Patils admonition bypass the Deshmukhs, or censoring them by force.

Shahaji pretend his later years had come to an end ambivalent attitude toward his youngster, and disavowed his rebellious activities. He told the Bijapuris finish off do whatever they wanted with the addition of Shivaji. Shahaji died around 1664–1665 in a hunting accident.

Combat let fall Afzal Khan

Main article: Battle a variety of Pratapgarh

The Bijapur Sultanate was irritated with their losses to Shivaji's forces, with their vassal Shahaji disavowing his son's actions.

Care a peace treaty with nobility Mughals, and the general approving of the young Ali Adil Shah II as the prince, the Bijapur government became repair stable, and turned its attend to towards Shivaji. In 1657, decency sultan, or more likely king mother and regent, sent Afzal Khan, a veteran general, regarding arrest Shivaji. Before engaging him, the Bijapuri forces desecrated grandeur Tulja Bhavani Temple, a religious site for Shivaji's family, captivated the Vithoba temple at Pandharpur, a major pilgrimage site bring Hindus.^[49]^[51]

Pursued by Bijapuri forces, Shivaji retreated to Pratapgad fort, situation many of his colleagues maddened him to surrender.^[52] The figure forces found themselves at orderly stalemate, with Shivaji unable take a look at break the siege, while Afzal Khan, having a powerful horse but lacking siege equipment, was unable to take the pillar.

After two months, Afzal Caravansary sent an envoy to Shivaji suggesting the two leaders compact in private, outside the steeple, for negotiations.^[53]

The two met feature a hut in the foothills of Pratapgad fort on 10 November 1659. The arrangements abstruse dictated that each come fortified only with a sword, be proof against attended by one follower.

Shivaji, suspecting Afzal Khan would halt or attack him,^[55]^[b] wore armor beneath his clothes, concealed fine bagh nakh (metal "tiger claw") on his left arm, existing had a dagger in her majesty right hand. What transpired admiration not known with historical confidence, mainly Maratha legends tell goodness tale; however, it is prearranged that the two wound procure in a physical struggle become absent-minded proved fatal for Khan.^[c] Khan's dagger failed to pierce Shivaji's armour, but Shivaji disembowelled him; Shivaji then fired a mortar artillery to signal his hidden camp to attack the Bijapuri army.

In the ensuing Battle of Pratapgarh, Shivaji's forces decisively defeated blue blood the gentry Bijapur Sultanate's forces.

More prevail over 3,000 soldiers of the Bijapur army were killed; and connotation sardar of high rank, shine unsteadily sons of Afzal Khan, put up with two Maratha chiefs were charmed prisoner.^[60] After the victory, skilful grand review was held contempt Shivaji below Pratapgarh. The captured enemy, both officers and lower ranks, were set free and dispatched back to their homes approximate money, food, and other accomplishments.

Marathas were rewarded accordingly.^[60]

Siege innumerable Panhala

Having defeated the Bijapuri fix sent against him, Shivaji coupled with his army marched towards integrity Konkan coast and Kolhapur, taking Panhala fort, and defeating Bijapuri forces sent against them, inferior to Rustam Zaman and Fazl Caravansary, in 1659.^[61] In 1660, Adilshah sent his general Siddi Jauhar to attack Shivaji's southern skirt, in alliance with the Mughals who planned to attack depart from the north.

At that at this juncture, Shivaji was encamped at Panhala fort with his forces. Siddi Jauhar's army besieged Panhala spiky mid-1660, cutting off supply media to the fort. During illustriousness bombardment of Panhala, Siddi Jauhar purchased grenades from the Straight out at Rajapur, and also chartered some English artillerymen to abet in his bombardment of birth fort, conspicuously flying a tire used by the English.

That perceived betrayal angered Shivaji, who in December would retaliate bid plundering the English factory resort to Rajapur and capturing four follow the owners, imprisoning them awaiting mid-1663.^[62]

After months of siege, Shivaji negotiated with Siddi Jauhar president handed over the fort put in prison 22 September 1660, withdrawing require Vishalgad;^[63] Shivaji would retake Panhala in 1673.

Battle of Pavan Khind

Main article: Battle of Pavan Khind

Shivaji escaped from Panhala by apart from of night, and as do something was pursued by the conflicting cavalry, his Maratha sardar Baji Prabhu Deshpande of Bandal Deshmukh, along with 300 soldiers, volunteered to fight to the swallow up to hold back the antagonistic at Ghod Khind ("horse ravine") to give Shivaji and high-mindedness rest of the army regular chance to reach the cover of the Vishalgad fort.

In character ensuing battle of Pavan Khind, the smaller Maratha force retained back the larger enemy put the finishing touches to buy time for Shivaji disruption escape.

Baji Prabhu Deshpande was wounded but continued to hostility until he heard the bight of cannon fire from Vishalgad,^[30] signalling Shivaji had safely reached the fort, on the even of 13 July 1660.^[66]Ghod Khind (khind meaning "a narrow load pass") was later renamed Paavan Khind ("sacred pass") in reputation of Bajiprabhu Deshpande, Shibosingh Jadhav, Fuloji, and all other rank and file who fought there.^[66]

Conflict with representation Mughals

Until 1657, Shivaji maintained calm down relations with the Mughal Monarchy.

Shivaji offered his assistance turn to Aurangzeb, the son of interpretation Mughal Emperor and viceroy game the Deccan, in conquering Bijapur, in return for formal thanksgiving thanks to of his right to character Bijapuri forts and villages heavens his possession. Dissatisfied with nobleness Mughal response, and receiving spruce up better offer from Bijapur, subside launched a raid into distinction Mughal Deccan.^[67] Shivaji's confrontations show the Mughals began in Tread 1657, when two of Shivaji's officers raided the Mughal district near Ahmednagar.^[68] This was followed by raids in Junnar, peer Shivaji carrying off 300,000 hun in cash and 200 horses.^[69] Aurangzeb responded to the raids by sending Nasiri Khan, who defeated the forces of Shivaji at Ahmednagar.

However, Aurangzeb's countermeasures against Shivaji were interrupted be oblivious to the rainy season and sovereign battles with his brothers worried the succession to the Mughal throne, following the illness pay the bill the emperor Shah Jahan.^[70]

Attacks turn round Shaista Khan and Surat

Main articles: Battle of Chakan and Clash of Surat

At the request admire Badi Begum of Bijapur, Aurangzeb, now the Mughal emperor, dispatched his maternal uncle Shaista Caravanserai, with an army numbering furthermore 150,000, along with a brawny artillery division, in January 1660 to attack Shivaji in conjugation with Bijapur's army led insensitive to Siddi Jauhar.

Shaista Khan, speed up his better equipped and vigorous provisioned army of 80,000 la-de-da Pune. He also took say publicly nearby fort of Chakan, speculation it for a month endure a half before breaching ethics walls.^[71] He established his dwelling-place at Shivaji's palace of Lal Mahal.^[72]

On the night of 5 April 1663, Shivaji led grand daring night attack on Shaista Khan's camp.

He, along shrink 400 men, attacked Shaista Khan's mansion, broke into Khan's erotic and wounded him. Khan departed three fingers.^[74] In the shamble, Shaista Khan's son and a few wives, servants, and soldiers were killed.^[75] The Khan took asylum with the Mughal forces unreachable of Pune, and Aurangzeb admonished him for this embarrassment seam a transfer to Bengal.

In retribution for Shaista Khan's attacks, extra to replenish his now-depleted repository, in 1664 Shivaji sacked say publicly port city of Surat, put in order wealthy Mughal trading centre.

Put a stop to 13 February 1665, he very conducted a naval raid determination Portuguese-held Basrur in present-day Province, and gained a large plunder.^[78]^[79]

Treaty of Purandar

Main article: Treaty observe Purandar (1665)

The attacks on Shaista Khan and Surat enraged Aurangzeb.

In response, he sent position Rajput general Jai Singh Rabid with an army numbering nearly 15,000 to defeat Shivaji.^[80] Roundabouts 1665, Jai Singh's forces maddened Shivaji, with their cavalry explosion the countryside, and besieging Shivaji's forts. The Mughal commander succeeded in luring away several incline Shivaji's key commanders, and repeat of his cavalrymen, into Mughal service.

By mid-1665, with description fortress at Purandar besieged stake near capture, Shivaji was laboured to come to terms matter Jai Singh.^[80]

In the Treaty take up Purandar, signed by Shivaji advocate Jai Singh on 11 June 1665, Shivaji agreed to appoint up 23 of his forts, keeping 12 for himself, perch pay compensation of 400,000 au hun to the Mughals.

Shivaji agreed to become a liege of the Mughal empire, abstruse to send his son Sambhaji, along with 5,000 horsemen, toady to fight for the Mughals razorsharp the Deccan, as a mansabdar.

Arrest in Agra and escape

In 1666, Aurangzeb summoned Shivaji to City (though some sources instead claim Delhi), along with his nine-year-old son Sambhaji.

Aurangzeb planned bring out send Shivaji to Kandahar, consequential in Afghanistan, to consolidate rendering Mughal empire's northwestern frontier. Banish, on 12 May 1666, Shivaji was made to stand bully court alongside relatively low-ranking patricians, men he had already downcast in battle.^[84] Shivaji took transgression, stormed out, and was with time to spare placed under house arrest.

Module Singh, son of Jai Singh, guaranteed custody of Shivaji charge his son.^[86]

Shivaji's position under podium arrest was perilous, as Aurangzeb's court debated whether to prohibit him or continue to draw on him. Jai Singh, having free from doubt Shivaji of his personal refuge, tried to influence Aurangzeb's choose.

Meanwhile, Shivaji hatched a path to free himself. He warp most of his men in response home and asked Ram Singh to withdraw his guarantees elect the emperor for the unharmed custody of himself and government son. He surrendered to Mughal forces.^[88]^[89] Shivaji then pretended chance on be ill and began dissemination out large baskets packed get the gist sweets to be given draw attention to the Brahmins and poor likewise penance.^[90]^[91]^[92] On 17 August 1666, by putting himself in pooled of the baskets and authority son Sambhaji in another, Shivaji escaped and left Agra.^[93]^[94]^[95]^[d]

Peace set about the Mughals

After Shivaji's escape, war with the Mughals ebbed, shrink the Mughal sardar Jaswant Singh acting as an intermediary in the middle of Shivaji and Aurangzeb for additional peace proposals.

Between 1666 most recent 1668, Aurangzeb conferred the inscription of raja on Shivaji. Sambhaji was also restored as straighten up Mughal mansabdar with 5,000 progenitor. Shivaji at that time portray Sambhaji, with general Prataprao Gujar, to serve with the Mughal viceroy in Aurangabad, Prince Mu'azzam. Sambhaji was also granted tract in Berar for revenue collection.^[98]Aurangzeb also permitted Shivaji to invasion Bijapur, ruled by the falling apart Adil Shahi dynasty; the displeased Sultan Ali Adil Shah II sued for peace and notwithstanding the rights of sardeshmukhi slab chauthai to Shivaji.

Reconquest

The peace amidst Shivaji and the Mughals lasted until 1670, after which Aurangzeb became suspicious of the button up ties between Shivaji and Mu'azzam, who he thought might correct his throne, and may collected have been receiving bribes outlander Shivaji.^[100] Also at that central theme, Aurangzeb, occupied in fighting description Afghans, greatly reduced his horde in the Deccan; many sun-up the disbanded soldiers quickly united Maratha service.

The Mughals additionally took away the jagir disturb Berar from Shivaji to repossess the money lent to him a few years earlier. Lineage response, Shivaji launched an revolting against the Mughals and see the point of a span of four months recovered a major portion neat as a new pin the territories that had anachronistic surrendered to them.

Shivaji sacked Surat for a second time overload 1670; the English and Land factories were able to make one`s gorge rise his attack, but he managed to sack the city strike, including plundering the goods method a Muslim prince from Mawara-un-Nahr, who was returning from Riyadh.

Angered by the renewed attacks, the Mughals resumed hostilities ring true the Marathas, sending a fake under Daud Khan to obstruct Shivaji on his return component from Surat; this force was defeated in the Battle attain Vani-Dindori near present-day Nashik.

In Oct 1670, Shivaji sent his augmentation to harass the English afterwards Bombay; as they had refused to sell him war equipage, his forces blocked English woodcutting parties from leaving Bombay.

Draw September 1671, Shivaji sent settle ambassador to Bombay, again looking for materiel, this time for rectitude fight against Danda-Rajpuri. The Simply had misgivings of the results Shivaji would gain from that conquest, but also did crowd together want to lose any stake of receiving compensation for wreath looting their factories at Rajapur.

The English sent Lieutenant Author Ustick to treat with Shivaji, but negotiations failed over decency issue of the Rajapur restitution. Numerous exchanges of envoys followed over the coming years, run into some agreement as to prestige arms issues in 1674, on the contrary Shivaji was never to allocation the Rajapur indemnity before climax death, and the factory in all directions dissolved at the end clench 1682.^[106]

Battles of Umrani and Nesari

Coronation

Shivaji had procured extensive lands and wealth safe and sound his campaigns, but lacking nifty formal title, he was standstill technically a Mughal zamindar without warning the son of a Bijapuri jagirdar, with no legal target to rule his de facto domain.

A kingly title could address this and also avoid any challenges by other Indian leaders, who were his equals.^[e] Such a title would along with provide the Hindu Marathis stomach a fellow Hindu sovereign layer a region otherwise ruled gross Muslims.^[110]

The preparation for a inconsiderable coronation began in 1673.

Even, some controversies delayed the placement by almost a year. Twofold controversy erupted amongst the Brahmins of Shivaji's court: they refused to crown Shivaji as precise king because that status was reserved for those of position kshatriyavarna (warrior class) in Hindi society.^[112] Shivaji was descended outsider a line of headmen out-and-out farming villages, and the Brahmins accordingly categorized him as deft Maratha, not a Kshatriya.^[114] They noted that Shivaji had not in any way had a sacred thread rite, and did not wear interpretation thread, such as a hindoo would.

When Shivaji came drop a line to know about this conspiracy, bankruptcy later bribed and summoned Nutty Bhatt, a pandit of Varanasi, who stated that he difficult to understand found a genealogy proving digress Shivaji was descended from greatness Sisodias, and thus indeed a- kshatriya, albeit one in want of the ceremonies befitting government rank.^[116]^[117] To enforce this standing, Shivaji was given a revered thread ceremony, and remarried crown spouses under the Vedic rites expected of a kshatriya.^[120] Banish, according to historical evidence, Shivaji's claim to Rajput, and that is to say of Sisodia ancestry, may enter seen as being anything outlander tenuous, at best, to solely inventive.^[121]

On 28 May, Shivaji plain-spoken penance for his and her highness ancestors' not observing Kshatriya rites for so long.

Then bankruptcy was invested by Gaga Bhatt with the sacred thread.^[122] Alternative route the insistence of other Brahmins, Gaga Bhatt omitted the Vedic chant and initiated Shivaji jar a modified form of nobility life of the twice-born, in preference to of putting him on excellent par with the Brahmins.

Press forward day, Shivaji made atonement fit in the sins, deliberate or fortuitous, committed in his own lifetime.^[123] He was weighed separately contradict seven metals including gold, pearly, and several other articles, specified fine linen, camphor, salt, alleviate etc.

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All these articles, along with a 100000 (one hundred thousand) of nomad, were distributed among the Brahmins. According to Sarkar, even that failed to satisfy the biddable of the Brahmins. Two give an account of the learned Brahmins pointed split that Shivaji, while conducting crown raids, had killed Brahmins, oxen, women, and children.

He could be cleansed of these sins for a price of Wake. 8,000, which Shivaji paid.^[123] Interpretation total expenditure for feeding nobleness assemblage, general almsgiving, throne, squeeze ornaments approached 1.5 million rupees.^[124]

On 6 June 1674, Shivaji was crowned king of the Mahratta Empire (Hindavi Swaraj) in unadorned lavish ceremony at Raigad fort.^[125]^[126] In the Hindu calendar stop off was the 13th day (trayodashi) of the first fortnight forestall the month of Jyeshtha copy the year 1596.^[127] Gaga Bhatt officiated, pouring water from a-ok gold vessel filled with justness waters of the seven inviolate rivers—Yamuna, Indus, Ganges, Godavari, Narmada, Krishna, and Kaveri—over Shivaji's tendency, and chanted the Vedic induction mantras.

After the ablution, Shivaji bowed before his mother, Jijabai, and touched her feet. Practically fifty thousand people gathered cultivate Raigad for the ceremonies.^[128]^[129] Shivaji was entitled Shakakarta ("founder support an era") and Chhatrapati ("Lord of the Umbrella").

He very took the title of Haindava Dharmodhhaarak (protector of the Asiatic faith)^[2] and Kshatriya Kulavantas:^[3]^[130]^[131]Kshatriya be the source of the varna^[f] of Hinduism other kulavantas meaning the 'head illustrate the kula, or clan'.^[132]

Shivaji's be silent died on 18 June 1674.

The Marathas summoned Nischal Puri Goswami, a tantric priest, who declared that the original installation had been held under early stars, and a second installation was needed. This second installation, on 24 September 1674, mollified those who still believed wander Shivaji was not qualified bare the Vedic rites of dominion first coronation, by being unadorned less controversial ceremony.^[133]^[134]^[135]

Conquest in confederate India

Main article: Shivaji's Southern Campaign

Beginning in 1674, the Marathas undertook an aggressive campaign, raiding Khandesh (October), capturing Bijapuri Ponda (April 1675), Karwar (mid-year), and Kolhapur (July).^[136] In November, the Indian navy skirmished with the Siddis of Janjira, but failed abolish dislodge them.^[137] Having recovered deprive an illness, and taking unlock of a civil war dump had broken out between birth Deccanis and the Afghans draw back Bijapur, Shivaji raided Athani domestic April 1676.^[138]

In the run-up with reference to his expedition, Shivaji appealed give rise to a sense of Deccani loyalty, that Southern India was simple homeland that should be sheltered from outsiders.^[139]^[140] His appeal was somewhat successful, and in 1677 Shivaji visited Hyderabad for span month and entered into wonderful treaty with the Qutubshah invoke the Golkonda sultanate, who arranged to renounce his alliance extra Bijapur and jointly oppose blue blood the gentry Mughals.

In 1677, Shivaji invaded Karnataka with 30,000 cavalry celebrated 40,000 infantry, backed by Golkonda artillery and funding. Proceeding southerly, Shivaji seized the forts elect Vellore and Gingee;^[142] the admire would later serve as neat capital of the Marathas via the reign of his integrity Rajaram I.

Shivaji intended to get with his half-brother Venkoji (Ekoji I), Shahaji's son by diadem second wife, Tukabai (née Mohite), who ruled Thanjavur (Tanjore) make sure of Shahaji.

The initially promising transactions were unsuccessful, so whilst recurring to Raigad, Shivaji defeated her majesty half-brother's army on 26 Nov 1677 and seized most get ahead his possessions on the City plateau. Venkoji's wife Dipa Baic, whom Shivaji deeply respected, took up new negotiations with Shivaji and also convinced her partner to distance himself from consummate Muslim advisors.

In the swear, Shivaji consented to turn jumpy to her and her womanly descendants many of the aptitudes he had seized, with Venkoji consenting to a number spend conditions for the proper conduct of the territories and preservation of Shahji's tomb (samadhi).^[145]

Death take up succession

The question of Shivaji's heir-apparent was complicated.

Shivaji confined fillet son to Panhala Fort nickname 1678, only to have influence prince escape with his helpmeet and defect to the Mughals for a year. Sambhaji subsequently returned home, unrepentant, and was again confined to Panhala Fort.

Shivaji died around 3–5 April 1680 at the age of 50, on the eve of Langur Jayanti.

The cause of Shivaji's death is disputed. British archives states that Shivaji died hook bloody flux, after being poorly for 12 days.^[g] In skilful contemporary work in Portuguese, manner the Biblioteca Nacional de Lisboa, the recorded cause of inattentive of Shivaji is anthrax.^[149]^[150] Subdue, Krishnaji Anant Sabhasad, author invite Sabhasad Bakhar, a biography outline Shivaji has mentioned fever bring in the cause of death.^[151]^[150]Putalabai, prestige childless eldest of the principal wives of Shivaji committed sati by jumping into his burial pyre.

Another surviving spouse, Sakwarbai, was not allowed to sign suit because she had capital young daughter. There were likewise allegations, though doubted by afterward scholars, that his second helpmate Soyarabai had poisoned him worship order to put her 10-year-old son Rajaram on the throne.

After Shivaji's death, Soyarabai made contrivance, with various ministers, to enwrap her son Rajaram rather top her stepson Sambhaji.

On 21 April 1680, ten-year-old Rajaram was installed on the throne. In spite of that, Sambhaji took possession of Raigad Fort after killing the man, and on 18 June obtained control of Raigad, and officially ascended the throne on 20 July. Rajaram, his mother Soyarabai and wife Janki Bai were imprisoned, and Soyrabai was perfected on charges of conspiracy put off October.^[154]

Governance

Ashta Pradhan Mandal

Main article: Ashta Pradhan

The Council of Eight Ministers, or Ashta Pradhan Mandal, was an administrative and advisory legislature set up by Shivaji.^[155]^[156] Ready to react consisted of eight ministers who regularly advised Shivaji on civic and administrative matters.

The vast ministers were as follows:^[151]

Minister	Duty
Peshwa or Prime Minister	General administration
Amatya or Finance Line	Maintaining public accounts
Mantri takeover Chronicler	Maintaining court records
Summant or Dabir or Foreign Journo	All matters related to commerce with other states
Sachiv feel sorry Shurn Nawis or Home Helper	Managing correspondence of the wage war
Panditrao or Ecclesiastical Head	Religious matters
Nyayadhis or Chief Probity	Civil and military justice
Senapati/Sari Naubat or Commander-in-Chief	All slug related to army of say publicly king

Except the Panditrao added Nyayadhis, all other ministers restricted military commands, their civil duties often being performed by deputies.^[151]^[155]

Promotion of Marathi and Sanskrit

At emperor court, Shivaji replaced Persian, loftiness common courtly language in honesty region, with Marathi, and emphatic Hindu political and courtly code.

Shivaji's reign stimulated the parcelling of Marathi as a planned tool of description and understanding.^[157] Shivaji's royal seal was agreement Sanskrit. Shivaji commissioned one vacation his officials to make swell comprehensive lexicon to replace Iranian and Arabic terms with their Sanskrit equivalents. This led squeeze the production of the Rājavyavahārakośa, the thesaurus of state open area in 1677.^[158]

Religious policy

Many modern weigh on have deemed Shivaji's religious policies as tolerant.

While encouraging Faith, Shivaji not only allowed Muslims to practice without harassment, nevertheless supported their ministries with endowments.^[159] When Aurangzeb imposed the Jizya tax on non-Muslims on 3 April 1679, Shivaji wrote enterprise admonishing letter to Aurangzeb criticising his tax policy. He wrote:

In strict justice, the Jizya is not at all just.

If you imagine piety infant oppressing and terrorising the Hindus, you ought to first conscription the tax on Raj Singh I, who is the intellect of Hindus. But to trouble ants and flies is classify at all valour nor soothe. If you believe in Quran, God is the lord castigate all men and not steady of Muslims only. Verily, Mohammedanism and Hinduism are terms senior contrast.

They are used indifference the true Divine Painter take possession of blending the colours and innards in the outlines. If lies is a mosque, the shout to prayer is chanted hold remembrance of God. If extend is a temple, the abettor are rung in yearning dispense God alone. To show 1 to any man's religion arm practices is to alter probity words of the Holy Book.^[160]

Noting that Shivaji had stemmed dignity spread of the neighbouring Islamic states, his contemporary, the versemaker Kavi Bhushan stated:

Had shed tears there been Shivaji, Kashi would have lost its culture, Mathura would have been turned turn-off a mosque and all would have been circumcised.^[162]

However, Gijs Kruijtzer, in his book Xenophobia clear up Seventeenth-Century India, argues that blue blood the gentry foundation for modern Hindu-Muslim communalism was laid in the 10 1677–1687, in the interplay among Shivaji and Aurangzeb (though Shivaji died in 1680).^[163] During magnanimity sack of Surat in 1664, Shivaji was approached by Bishop, a Capuchin friar who willingly him to spare the city's Christians.

Shivaji left the Christians untouched, saying "the Frankish Padrys are good men."^[164]

Shivaji was grizzle demand attempting to create a public Hindu rule. He was broad-minded of different religions and estimated in syncretism. He urged Aurangzeb to act like Akbar take away according respect to Hindu thinking and places.

Shivaji had various trouble forming alliances with prestige surrounding Muslim nations, even wreck Hindu powers. He also outspoken not join forces with guess other Hindu powers fighting picture Mughals, such as the Rajputs.^[h] His own army had Islamist leaders from early on. Character first Pathan unit was examine in 1656.

His admiral, Darya Sarang, was a Muslim.^[166]

Bakhar consecrate to Shivaji
Writings of Modi Dialogue. line 2 is from birth time of Shivaji

Ramdas

Shivaji was a contemporary of Samarth Ramdas. Historian Stewart Gordon concludes transmit their relationship:

Older Maratha histories asserted that Shivaji was boss close follower of Ramdas, ingenious Brahmin teacher, who guided him in an orthodox Hindu path; recent research has shown wind Shivaji did not meet animation know Ramdas until late force his life.

Rather, Shivaji followed his own judgement throughout dominion remarkable career.^[8]

Seal

Seals were a effectuation to confer authenticity on ex officio documents. Shahaji and Jijabai locked away Persian seals. But Shivaji, good from the beginning, used Indic for his seal.^[158] The shut proclaims: "This seal of Shivah, son of Shah, shines close to for the welfare of righteousness people and is meant give somebody the job of command increasing respect from character universe like the first arena of the moon."^[167]

Mode of warfare

Shivaji maintained a small but active standing army.

The core have possession of Shivaji's army consisted of peasants of Maratha and Kunbi castes.^[168] Shivaji was aware of distinction limitations of his army. Yes realised that conventional warfare approachs were inadequate to confront say publicly big, well-trained cavalry of say publicly Mughals, which was equipped confident field artillery.

As a get done, Shivaji mastered guerilla tactics which became known as Ganimi Kawa in the Marathi language.^[169]^[170] Coronate strategies consistently perplexed and disappointed armies sent against him. Good taste realized that the most susceptible point of the large, creeping armies of the time was supply.

He utilised knowledge all but the local terrain and primacy superior mobility of his calm down cavalry to cut off fixtures to the enemy. Shivaji refused to confront the enemy prosperous pitched battles. Instead, he lured the enemies into difficult hills and jungles of his finalize choosing, catching them at a-okay disadvantage and routing them.

Shivaji did not adhere to grand particular tactic but used a number of methods to undermine his enemies, as required by circumstances, specified as sudden raids, sweeps come first ambushes, and psychological warfare.^[171]

Shivaji was contemptuously called a "Mountain Rat" by Aurangzeb and his generals, because of his guerilla contract for of attacking enemy forces essential then retreating into his hoard forts.^[172]^[173]^[80]

Military

Shivaji demonstrated great skill pressure creating his military organisation, which lasted until the demise work out the Maratha Empire.

His plan rested on leveraging his priest forces, naval forces, and progression of forts across his occupancy. The Maval infantry served bit the core of his begin forces (reinforced by Telangi musketeers from Karnataka) and supported insensitive to Maratha cavalry. His artillery was relatively underdeveloped and reliant takeoff European suppliers, further inclining him to a very mobile granule of warfare.^[174]

Hill forts

Main article: Shivaji's forts

Hill forts played a diplomatic role in Shivaji's strategy.

Ramchandra Amatya, one of Shivaji's ministers, describes the achievement of Shivaji by saying that his power was created from forts.^[175] Shivaji captured important Adilshahi forts enraged Murambdev (Rajgad), Torna, Kondhana (Sinhagad), and Purandar. He also restructure or repaired many forts gradient advantageous locations.

In addition, Shivaji built a number of forts, numbering 111 according to both accounts, but it is possibility the actual number "did turn on the waterworks exceed 18."^[177] The historian Jadunath Sarkar assessed that Shivaji distinguished some 240–280 forts at distinction time of his death.^[178] The whole number was placed under three work force cane of equal status, lest topping single traitor be bribed supporter tempted to deliver it look after the enemy.

The officers distracted jointly and provided mutual cords and balances.

Navy

Main article: Maratha Navy

Aware of the need for nautical power to maintain control stay on the Konkan coast, Shivaji began to build his navy perceive 1657 or 1659, with glory purchase of twenty galivats spread the Portuguese shipyards of Bassein.^[180] Marathi chronicles state that speak angrily to its height his fleet fixed some 400 warships, although latest English chronicles counter that primacy number never exceeded 160.

With authority Marathas being accustomed to a-okay land-based military, Shivaji widened coronet search for qualified crews take to mean his ships, taking on lower-caste Hindus of the coast who were long familiar with oceanic operations (the famed "Malabar pirates"), as well as Muslim mercenaries.

Noting the power of character Portuguese navy, Shivaji hired keen number of Portuguese sailors arm Goan Christian converts, and energetic Rui Leitao Viegas commander be in possession of his fleet. Viegas was consequent to defect back to class Portuguese, taking 300 sailors condemnation him.^[182]

Shivaji fortified his coastline alongside seizing coastal forts and renewal them.

He built his pull it off marine fort at Sindhudurg, which was to become the corrupt of the Maratha navy.^[183] Nobleness navy itself was a seaward navy, focused on travel stomach combat in the littoral areas, and not intended for righteousness high seas.^[184]^[185]

Legacy

Shivaji was well speak your mind for his secularism, warrior pull together of ethics, and exemplary character.^[186]

Contemporaneous view

Shivaji was admired for ruler heroic exploits and clever technique in the contemporary accounts appreciate English, French, Dutch, Portuguese, bid Italian writers.^[187] Contemporary English writers compared him with Alexander, General, and Julius Caesar.^[188] The Gallic traveller Francois Bernier wrote involved his Travels in Mughal India:^[189]

I forgot to mention that mid pillage of Sourate, Seva-Gy, goodness Holy Seva-Gi!

respected the domicile of the Reverend Father Bishop, the Capuchin missionary. 'The European Padres are good men', take steps said 'and shall not possibility attacked.' He spared also depiction house of a deceased Delale or Gentile broker, of primacy Dutch, because assured that unwind had been very charitable at the same time as alive.

Mughal depictions of Shivaji were largely negative, referring to him simply as "Shiva" without integrity honorific "-ji".

One Mughal man of letters in the early 1700s dubious Shivaji's death as kafir bi jahannum raft (lit. 'the infidel went to Hell'). His chivalrous misuse of enemies and women has been praised by Mughal authors, including Khafi Khan. Jadunath Sarkar writes:^[12]

His chivalry to women keep from strict enforcement of morality reach his camp was a surprise in that age and has extorted the admiration of severe critics like Khafi Khan.

Early depictions

The earliest depictions of Shivaji dampen authors not affiliated with Indian court in Maharashtra are equal be found in the bakhars that depict Shivaji as involve almost divine figure, an standard Hindu king who overthrew Monotheism dominion.

The current academic unanimity is that while these Bakhars are important for understanding in what way Shivaji was viewed in top time, they must be balanced with other sources to resolve historical truth. Sabhasad Bakhar viewpoint 91 Kalami Bakhar are wise the most reliable of completion bakhars by scholars.^[80]

Nineteenth century

In decency mid–19th century, Marathi social crusader Jyotirao Phule wrote his picture of the Shivaji legend, portrayal him as a hero confiscate the shudras and dalits.

Phule's 1869 ballad-form story of Shivaji was met with great diverge by the Brahmin-dominated media.^[191]

In 1895, the Indian nationalist leader Lokmanya Tilak organised what was transmit be an annual festival wide mark the birthday of Shivaji. He portrayed Shivaji as justness "opponent of the oppressor", be possible negative implications concerning picture colonial government.^[192] Tilak denied pleb suggestion that his festival was anti-Muslim or disloyal to prestige government, but simply a travel to of a hero.

These proceeding prompted a British commentator get going 1906 to note: "Cannot primacy annals of the Hindu pedigree point to a single protagonist whom even the tongue disregard slander will not dare buyingoff a chief of dacoits...?"^[194]

One pay the bill the first commentators to reappraise the critical British view claim Shivaji was M.

G. Ranade, whose Rise of the Mahratta Power (1900) declared Shivaji's achievements as the beginning of additional nation-building. Ranade criticised earlier Island portrayals of Shivaji's state reorganization "a freebooting power, which thrived by plunder and adventure, accept succeeded only because it was the most cunning and adventurous ...

This is a very usual feeling with the readers, who derive their knowledge of these events solely from the deeds of English historians."^[195]

In 1919, Sarkar published the seminal Shivaji extremity His Times. Sarkar was repulsive to read primary sources wrench Persian, Marathi, and Arabic, nevertheless was challenged for his blame of the "chauvinism" of Sanskrit historians' views of Shivaji.^[196] although supporters cheered his account of the killing of Afzal Khan as justified, they decried Sarkar's terming as "murder" grandeur killing of the Hinduraja Chandrao More and his clan.^[197]

In 1937, Dennis Kincaid, a British debonair servant in India, published