Saturday, April 19, 2008

THE GRATE MARATHA WARRIOR

SHIVAJI MAHARAJ - THE LEGEND



They founded the Hindu kingdom in the Deccan against all odds , fighting against the mighty Mughals.He inspired and united the common man to fight against the tyranny of Mughal ruler Aurangjeb, by inculcating a sense of pride and nationality in them. At the age of 16, he took a pledge to establish a sovereign Hindu state.He clearly outstands all the rulers and generals of India by the exemplary life he lived and is thus respected by the entire cross section of Indians. Shivaji's military skills could be compared to those of Napolean. He raised a strong army and navy, constructed and repaired forts, used gureilla warfare tactics,developed a strong intelligence network,gave equal treatment to the people from all religions and castes based on merit, and functioned like a seasoned Statesman and General. He appointed ministers with specific functions such as Internal security,Foreign affairs,Finance,Law and Justice,Religious matters,Defence etc. He introduced systems in revenue collection and warned the officials against harassment of subjects.He thought ahead of times and was a true visionary.In his private life, his moral virtues were exceptionally high.His thoughts and deeds were inspired by the teachings of his mother Jijabai,teacher Dadaji Konddev,great saints like Dnyaneshwar & Tukaram and the valiancy and ideals of the Lords Rama and Krishna. The tiny kingdom established by Chhatrapati Shivaji known as "Hindavi Swaraja" (Sovereign Hindu state) grew and spread beyond Attock in Northwest India (now in Pakistan)and beyond Cuttack in East India in course of time, to become the strongest power in India. After the death of Chhatrapati Shivaji & his son Sambhaji, their prime ministers or ‘the Peshwas' became the defacto rulers. The Peshwas and the Maratha Sardars (Chieftans) like Shindes of Gwalior, Gaekwads of Baroda & Holkars of Indore contributed to the growth of the Maratha Confederacy.The history of India is incomplete without the history of Marathas and Shivaji is the nucleus of Maratha history. Shivaji has been a source of inspiration and pride to the past generations and will continue to inspire generations in future. We salute this legend and humbly dedicate this website to him.

ABOUT SHIVAJI MAHARAJA

Chhatrapati SHIVAJI MAHARAJA



















Reign 1674 - 1680

Coronation
June 6, 1674

Titles High Protector of the Maratha Empire

Born
February 19, 1627 Shivneri Fort, near Pune, India

Died
April 3, 1680 Raigad Fort

Successor
Sambhaji

Wife
Sai bai

Issue
Sambhaji, Rajaram, and six daughters

Father
Shahaji

Mother
Jijabai

Shivaji Bhosle, also known as Chhatrapati Shivaji Raje Bhosle (
Marathi: छत्रपती शिवाजीराजे भोसले) (Born:February 19, 1627, Died: April 3, 1680) was the founder of Maratha empire in western India in 1674.
He is considered a great hero in India, particularly in the present-day state of
Maharashtra. Using guerrilla tactics well-suited to the rugged mountains and valleys of the region, he annexed a portion of the then dominant Mughal empire and the Sultanate of Bijapur

Stories of his exploits have entered into folklore.

1 Historical background

2 Early life

3 Foundation of empire

4 Confrontation with the Regional Sultanates

4. 1 Battle of Pratapgarh/ Pratapgad

4. 2 Battle of Kolhapur

4. 3 Battle of Pavan Khind

5 Clash with the Mughals

5. 1 Shaista Khan

5. 2 Surat and Mirza Raja Jai Singh

5. 3 Trip To Agra and Escape

5. 4 Preparing for War

5. 5 Battle of Sinhagad

6 Coronation

7 Southern expedition (Dakshin digvijaya)

8 Death and succession

9 Rule

9. 1 Character

9. 2 Revolution in military organisation

9. 3 Forts

9. 4 Promotion of Sanskrit

9. 5 Religion

10 Remembering the King

11 Literature and Movies

12 Associates

13 Accounts of contemporary foreign travellers

14 References

15 See also

16 External links





Who are Marathas?