Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj 387...

19^th February - 2 weeks from today is Shivaji Maharaj's 387^th Birth Anniversary.

We are watching Peshwa Bajirao's story from his birth - with prominence given to depict the prevailing political scenario. How can we fully appreciate the achievements of Bajirao Peshwe unless we know what was the condition when he started?

On his birth anniversary, I think it will be appropriate to shed some light on situation prevailing at the time of Shivaji Maharaj's birth in 1630.

Shahaji Raje was working for Nijamshahi (he had tried to break away and build his own Maratha empire unsuccessfully) he was on the run from his own father-in-law Lakhuji Jadhav (he was sardar of Daulatabad Sultan). Jijabai was pregnant and could not travel fast so Shahaji Raje left her with Vishwasrao Sidhoji and Laxmibai in Junnar, (in-laws of Sambhaji Raje - first son of Shahaji Raje and Jijabai). Sambhaji Raje went with Shahaji Raje.

Lakhuji Jadhav on reaching Junnar and meeting Jijabai, requested her to stay in Sindkhed her maternal home. Jijabai refused as it would have been an insult to Bhosale's in the circumstances. For security reasons Jijabai, Vishwasrao and Laxmibai shifted to Shivneri Fort.

Political situation was very tense during her pregnancy

In revenge against Shahaji Raje, Vijapur sardar Murar Jagdev attacked and looted Pune which was Shahaji Raje's jagir and burnt down entire Pune. Murar Jagdev did nangarani (cultivation of soil) of Pune by donkeys to drive home the insult. Shahaji Raje was in Phaltan at this time. Jijabai was very upset on getting this news.

Shahaji Raje's cousin Kholoji's wife, Jijabai's co-sister was kidnapped by Mahabat Khan when she had gone on pilgrimage to Nashik. Jijabai was in agony hearing this.

Soon after, when Jijabai's father Lakhuji Jadhav had gone to pay respects to Sultan of Daulatabad, Lakhuji and Jijabai's 3 brothers Achaloji, Raghoji and Yashwantrao were butchered in Sultan's darbar. Jijabai was inconsolable.

There was severe draught and famine in entire Maharashtra. People had to leave their homes in search of livelihood.

Jijabai was devastated by this continuous chain of agonizing tragedies.

Shivaji Shahaji Bhosale was born on Shivneri fort on 19^th February 1630, in this political and social atmosphere.

Soon after birth, Naropant Shashtri noted the birth time and date and using Panchang wrote Shivaji Maharaj's horoscope.

Jijabai told Shastriji to speak the truth. Jijabai said during the pregnancy Shahaji Raje's Pune jahagir was looted and burnt down completely, Shivaji lost his maternal grand-father Lukhuji and his uncles, his father and brother have no stable home, were on the run. There was famine and draught. Jijabai had no home to speak of, she had to give birth away from her maternal and marital families. When she was carrying Shivaji this was the state so what after Shivaji's birth? What is Shivaji's future predicting?

Shashtriji told Jijabai with the birth of Shivaji all "durbhagya" bad times are over. It is the dawn of new era - you have given birth to a son who will shine like sun. He will fulfill all your dreams and you will always be proud looking at him.

Shivaji Maharaj took oath of Hindavi Swarajya on 15^th April 1645 at the age of 15.

Shivaji Maharaj's Coronation as Chhatrapati on 6^th June 1674 at the age of 44.

Jijabai always encouraged and supported Shivaji Maharaj - she lived to see her and her son's dreams fulfilled, after seeing her son's Maratha empire strong and thriving, watched her son's coronation as Chhatrapati and passed away content 11 days after the coronation, at the age of 80.

At Shivaji Maharaj's death on 3^rd April 1680 at 50 years of age, his Maratha Empire had

2.5 Lakh strong army and 240 fortified forts.

He had built sea forts and had a strong navy.

Thriving strong financial status of empire.

Shivaji Maharaj's Maratha Empire was larger than most European countries.

Shivaji Maharaj still rules the hearts and minds of Maharashtrians 387 years later. Every child wants to dress up as Shivaji in fancy dress competitions in school or play the part of Shivaji in plays. There is pure respect and unconditional devotion for him in every Maharashtrians hearts even today. That will remain always ...

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* There is dispute about Shivaji Maharaj's actual date of birth 19^th February or 15^th March. I recently read that his actual date of birth as per English Julian calendar is 19^th February. However, his date of birth as per Shalivahan Shak month-tithi is 15^th March i.e. Falgun Vadya Tritiya (Krishna Paksha).

For e.g. today is 9^th of Magh month 1938 (Shalivahan Shak). Incidentally the festivals are celebrated according to this calendar so Diwali is in Kartik month and Ganapati Utsav in Bhadrapad month. This is why these festivals are on different dates every year as per English calendar!

Originally posted by: Arijit007

jai bhavaani.

Originally posted by: The.Lannister

A fantastic post Maddy! 👍🏼 Quite informative😳

Originally posted by: history_geek

Maddy,

The best tribute, it is said, comes from your critics / enemies. So, here i find it appropriate to quote 3 authorities who were no friends of Shivaji.

1. Mughal historian Khafi Khan*

He writes : " Shiva always strived to maintain the honor of people in his territories. He persevered in a course of rebellion, in plundering caravans, and troubling mankind ; but he entirely abstained from disgraceful acts and was careful to maintain the honor** of women and children of Muhammadans (Muslims) when they fell into his hands. His injunctions upon this point were very strict, and anyone who had disobeyed them received punishment."


* - He is also called a "plagiarist historian". Lol. But that 'distinction' of his is not related to this topic. It is something else.

** - This makes me remember Maharana Pratap. Remember, the entire harem of Abdur Rahim Khan-i-Khana was captured by his son Amar Singh while they were battling with forces of Akbar ; but were released and sent back with escort on orders of Maharana.




2. This one comes from the English merchants of Surat. I rate this among the best words written for him.

" Shivaji is the fairest friend, noblest enemy, and the most politique prince. He will continue to be victorious, even to a miracle. He came, he saw, he conquered*.

He has taken two very strong rocks, no less, dexterous threat than Alexander the Great and became master of Bijapur.

He has vowed to his God, never to sheath his sword till he has reached Delhi and shut Aurangzeb with it. He had many Muslims in his service and the head of his Navy was a Muslim.

He loved his country and was not partial to anyone but he could not tolerate conversion of his brethren to either Islam or Christianity. The underlying reason for his vengeance upon Aurangzeb was the religious policy of that monarch. "

* - Referring to his victories in Karnataka.



3. This comes from the Dutch Christian missionaries. Shivaji had sacked Surat. During that sack, he spared 2 very rich merchants / Christian missionaries.

One was a very noble Christian priest and another was the family of an extremely rich humanitarian money lender who was in service of Dutch East India company. The contemporary French records are quoted in this blog. Again it is a 2 year old blog.

http://mariam-uz-zamani.blogspot.in/2015/08/did-shivaji-maharaj-really-plunder-surat.html#.WJgnqxJ2m1s




Actually, starting with Shivaji there comes a change in the method of warfare of native rulers. His policy was very simple. Tit for Tat. "If you ravage my town, then i am not going to spare your dominions either."

A fear was created in minds of his enemies that the kind of warfare they saw till now was going to be a thing of the past. They will be dealt/replied in their own language which they understand. But even here you get glimpses of humanity.


PS : You have mentioned in your post, that he was born in the Shivneri Fort. This reminds me -> When Peshwa Bajirao was preparing a treaty to be signed with the Mughal Emperor at Delhi, the IInd clause in that treaty was to ask for the return of Fort of Shivneri to Chatrapati Shahu (as that was the birth place of Shivaji). And it was not a request. It was a blunt demand from the Peshwa!

Originally posted by: history_geek

Maddy,

The best tribute, it is said, comes from your critics / enemies. So, here i find it appropriate to quote 3 authorities who were no friends of Shivaji.

1. Mughal historian Khafi Khan*

He writes : " Shiva always strived to maintain the honor of people in his territories. He persevered in a course of rebellion, in plundering caravans, and troubling mankind ; but he entirely abstained from disgraceful acts and was careful to maintain the honor** of women and children of Muhammadans (Muslims) when they fell into his hands. His injunctions upon this point were very strict, and anyone who had disobeyed them received punishment."