Introduction: The decline of Mughals led to the rise of independent states in different parts of India. Among them, the marathas were prominent. The main objective was protecting the Hindu religion and culture. The disunited people of Marathas were welded together and made a great political power opposing the Mughals. Shivaji was the founder of the Maratha Kingdom. The hilly tracts of the western edge of the Deccan plateau was the home of the Marathas. Geographical conditions had taught them the spirit of hard work, self-reliance and independence. Early life of Shivaji: Shivaji was born at Shivaneridurga in 1627 C.E.
His parents were Shahaji Bhonsle and Jijabai. Shahaji was serving under the Sultan of Bijapur, and he had left Shivaji and Jijabai at Poona. Jijabai showered all her motherly love and affection on Shivaji. He was greatly influenced by his mother. She narrated stories from the Ramayana and the Mahabharatha (Hindu epics), which made him courageous. His tutor and guide Dadaji Kondadeva also shaped his personality.
He trained Shivaji in the art of administration, state craft and military activities. Shivaji was also influenced by Guru Ramdas and Tukaram, By their teachings, he developed love towards his motherland. Shivaji mastered the art of guerilla. warfare and the geographical feature of the western deccan also influenced Shivaji.
Political career of Shivaji: Shivaji captured the Fort of Torana from the Sultan of Bijapur in 1646 C.E. He constructed a new Fort at Raigadh. He gained control over his father’s Jahagir. He occupied the Forts of Baramathi, Indapura, Purandar and Kondana. His fame began to grow on account of these achievements.
Shivaji and Afzal Khan (Bijapur) 1659-1663 C.E: The growing strength and popularity of Shi vaji was a threat to the Sultan of Bijapur. Sultan decided to take action against Shivaji, and sent Afzal Khan against him. Shivaji very tactfully killed Afzal Khan in 1659 C.E. near Pratapagada and looted his camp. In 1661, the Sultan of Bijapur made peace with Shivaji and recognised his conquests.
Shivaji and the Mughals (Aurangazeb) (1663 C.E.): Shivaji had occupied many territories belonging to Aurangazeb. To check his expansion, Aurangazeb despatched Shaista Khan. Khan succeeded in occupying a vast maratha territory including Poona. Unfortunately, Khan stayed at Poona in the house where Shivaji had spent his childhood. On the 15th April 1663, Shivaji attacked Shaista Khan in his bedroom at midnight. In the confusion, Khan lost his finger and his son Abul Fathe and a few khans from the Deccan. This incident increased the popularity of Shivaji.
Attack on Surat (1664 C.E.): In 1664, Shivaji attacked and plundered Surat. Aurangazeb deputed Raja Jai Singh of Amber against Shivaji. He led an expedition and surrounded Shivaji on all sides and captured many of his Forts like Purandhar, Raigadh etc. Shivaji was defeated and was made to sign the treaty of Purandar on 24th June 1665 C.E. According to the treaty of Purandar, (1) Shivaji surrendered 23 Forts to the Mughals and agreed to pay tribute to Aurangazeb. (2) His son, Sambhaji had to serve the Mughal government as a Mansabdar.
Visit to Agra in 1666 C.E.: Due to the compulsion of Jai Singh, Shivaji visited the Mughal court at Agra in 1666 C.E. But Aurangazab did not show him any respect. Shivaji spoke to Aurangazeb in a bold manner and he was imprisoned. Shivaji, using his usual tact and intelligence, pretended to be ill and started sending baskets of sweets for distribution among the Brahmins and poor people.
When the watchmen were, a little relaxed and not alert, Shivaji took advantage of it and escaped from the prison in a sweet basket and reached his Kingdom in the guise of a sanyasi. This incident compelled Aurangazeb to recognise Shivaji as a King. Shivaji reconquered all the Forts that were surrendered earlier to the Mughals as per the treaty of Purandar.
Shivaji’s coronation in June 1674 C.E.: Shivaji was crowned as the Maratha King in 1674 C.E. His coronation took place at Raigadh with great pomp and as per vedic rites. He assumed the title ‘Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaja’. After that, a new and strong Hindu Kingdom came up in Deccan. Shivaji died in April 1680 C.E.
Administration under Shivaji: Shivaji was not only a conqueror and founder of a Kingdom but also a good administrator. He employed people of all castes and tribes, to maintain a balance. In his administration, he was the sole authority of the government, and he assigned separate responsibilities to ministers and also ensured that no official post turned out to be hereditary. He gave special attention towards administration. He carried on his administration with the help of his ministers called “The Ashtapradhans’. There were 18 departments in Shivaji’s administration.
Shivaji was assisted by Ashtapradhans, the eight ministers. They were:
1. Peshwa -The Prime minister, who attended to all types of Government activities.
2. Amatya- Finance Minister.
3. Mantri – Minister dealing with information, diplomacy, war etc.
4. Sumant-In charge of foreign affairs of the state.
5. Sachi va – Home minister who took care of the correspondence of the King.
6. Pandit Rao – dealt with religious matters and ceremonies (Chief priest)
7. Senapati or Sar-i-Navbat- Commander in Chief of the Army.
8. Nyayadhisha – (Chief Justice) who dealt with both civil and criminal Justice.
1. Divisions of the Kingdom:
(Provincial Government): Shivaji divided his Kingdom into four Provinces which were called ‘Swarajya’. Each province was controlled by a Viceroy called ‘Sardeshmukh’.Each Swarajya was divided into Deshas whose head was ‘Deshmukh’. Deshas were further divided into ‘Paraganas’. Desai was the head of aParagana. Village was the last unit of administration. The village administration was looked after by the village assembly (panchayat). Patel was the executive officer of the village. Shivaji abolished the practice of granting Jagirs.
2. Military Administration : Shivaji’s Kingdom was a military state. The army consisted of infantry, cavalary and navy. He maintained a well equipped, disciplined army. Senapathi was the incharge of the army. The foot soldiers were specially trained in guerilla and mountain warfare. The soldiers were paid regular fixed salary. 25 soldiers were placed under a Havaldar, 5 Havaldars were under the control of a Jamladar, 10 Jamladars were under a Hazari, and 5 v Hazaris were commanded by a Panjhazari. Shivaji had a fleet, which was stationed at Kolaba.
He checked and limited the power of Jinijras the militant tribals. His troops were armed with swords, spears, bows, arrows, daggers, muskets, etc. Hindus and Muslims were recruited in to the maratha army without any discrimination.
3. Judicial System: The King was the highest court of appeal. The civil causes were decided by the village panchayat and criminal cases were decided by Governors. The Judgements of the village court had royal recognition. The King and Nyayadhisha heard over the appeals. Nyayadhisha was responsible for civil and military justices.
4. Revenue System: Shivaji established an excellent revenue system. The assessment was made after a survey and classification of the land according to its fertility and yield. The state demand was fixed at 30% of the total produce. The revenue was to be paid either in cash or kind. In the time of famine, the land revenue was exempted. Landowners were given, a ‘Patta’ and the Jahagir system was abdishod. Regular payment of salary was introduced. Shivaji arranged loans for peasants to encourage cultivation. He levied taxes called ‘Chauth and Sardeshmukhi’.
Assessment: Shivaji occupies an important place in the Indian history. He was brave, adventurous and a bom leader of men. He founded the Maratha Kingdom, and gave to it a very fine rule of administration. He was a good judge of men and tolerant of other religions. He restored Hindu religion and culture. According to K.M. Panicker, “Shivaji was one of the greatest nation builders of the world”.
