Place and community:
Birthday of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj is celebrated in
Maharasthra as Shivaji Jayanti.
Description:
Shivaji Jayanti or the
birthday of Shivaji Maharaj is celebrated on a majestic scale in Maharashtra.
His parents Jijabai and Shahaji Bhonsle named him Shivaji after local Goddess
Shivai. He was the creator of the Maratha nation and he was instrumental in uniting
the Maratha chiefs of Mayal, Konkan and Desh regions. His military and civil
administration was of greatest importance. Shivaji was successful in carving
out a small kingdom by defeating the alien powers.
Chhatrapati Shivaji is a hero not only for the people of
Maharashtra but for those of India as well.
On the occasion of Shivaji Jayanti several processions are taken
out and people dress up like Shivaji and his associates. The birthday is
celebrated on a huge scale and various programmes remembering the achievements
of the great ruler are organised.
History of Shivaji :
Shivaji was born on 19th Februray,
1627, in Shivneri Fort, 60 kms north of Pune. He was named after the local
Goddess Shivai, to whom his mother prayed for a son. His father Shahaji Bhosle
was the chief of the Bijapur kingdom. He was however, not allowed to take
charge of any fort. His mother had a great influence on him as he was
introduced to Indian epics of Mahabharata, Ramayana and other holy books by
her. Shivaji also gained a lot of knowledge from his father’s unsuccessful
attempts to gain power. He was inspired by his father's military tactics,
peacetime diplomacy and also possessed knowledge of Sanskrit and Hindu
scriptures.
Administration :
Shivaji grew into a fearless military leader
with trainings from commanders like Gomaji Naik and Baji Pasalkar. Young
Shivaji was motivated, enthusiastic and energetic. In his early days he was
successful in inspiring local youths to follow his idealistic pursuits.
At the age of 17, he attacked and captured Torna Fort of Bijapur and by 1647 he
took control of Kondana and Raigad Forts. The Western Ghats along the Konkan
Coast were also under his control by 1654.
Achievements :
In order to sabotage Shivaji’s rise to power, Adilshah arrested
Shahji, his father by deceitful means and had armies sent against Shivaji and
his elder brother Sambaji. To suppress Shivaji’s control on the Bijapur
kingdom, Afzal Khan was sent to destroy him. However, with his cunning
tricks, Shivaji successfully stabbed Afzal Khan. Eventually Bijapur’s armies
were routed in the famous battle of Pratapgarh in 1659 and Shivaji turned into
a hero of the Marathas. Now, under the confident leadership of Shivaji, the
Marthas successfully pushed back the Mughals and the sultanate kingdoms from
his homeland.
Shivaji also fought with the mughals, he attacked the army which
was led by Shaista Khan under the mughal emperror- Aurangazeb. However, Shivaji
lost many men against a well trained and disciplined Mughal army. Shivaji
felt the need of finance to maintain an army and decided to loot the Mughal
city of Surat. The Mughal emperor then sent Jai Singh to defeat Shivaji. After
a few skirmishes, he thought it was wise to accept the emperor’s sovereignty.
But then he was soon house arrested in Agra. With his intelligence, Shivaji
successfully escaped from Agra and hid in his homeland and kept a low profile
for some time. But then again he gradually rebuilt his empire and within six
months he recovered much of his lost ground.
Shivaji extended his empire further towards south to Tamil Nadu
and Karnataka. In order to regain one of his forts, Kondana, he appointed his
most trusted general Tanaji Malusare. The battle that followed between the
Marathas and the Mughals came to be known as the Maratha war of Independence
where the Marathas were successful in regaining the control of the fort.
'Chhatrapati
Shivaji'
Shivaji was formally crowned as a Chhatrapati in 1674 at Raigad
fort and henceforth came to be known as Chhatrapati Shivaji. The brave warrior
died in 1680 but is still known for his courage and intelligence. He laid the
foundation of a Hindu empire which lasted for over two centuries. Also, Shivaji
will always be known as a source of inspiration and pride for generations for
his courage and military acumen.