century, an epoch making personality
emerged in Maharashtra - Chhatrapati
Shivaji Maharaj. He established Swaraj
by challenging the unjust ruling powers
here. Shivaji Maharaj was born at the
Shivneri fort near Junnar in Pune district
on the day of Phalgun Vadya Tritiya in
the Shaka year 1551, that is on 19
February 1630. In this chapter, we will
study how he founded Swaraj.
Shahajiraje : Shahajiraje, the father
of Shivaji Maharaj was a pre-eminent
Sardar in the Deccan. The Mughals had
launched a campaign to conquer the
Nizamshahi Kingdom. The Adilshah of
Bijapur allied with the Mughals in this
campaign. Shahaji Maharaj did not wish
the Mughals to
get an entry into
the South. So he
tried to save
Nizamshahi by
offering stiff
resistance to the
Mughals. But he
could not
withstand the
combined might
of the Mughals
and the Adilshah. The Nizamshahi was
defeated and came to an end in
1636 ce.
After the Nizamshahi was wiped out,
Shahajiraje became a Sardar of the
Adilshah of Bijapur. The region comprising
Pune, Supe, Indapur and Chakan parganas
located between the Bheema and Neera
rivers was vested in Shahajiraje as a
jagir. This was continued by the Adilshah,
and he also granted the jagir of Bengaluru
and the neighbouring areas in Karnataka
to Shahajiraje.Shahajiraje was valiant, courageous,
intelligent and a great political expert. He
was an excellent archer. He was also an
expert in using the sword, patta and
spear. He loved his subjects. He had won
many regions in Maharashtra, Karnataka
and Tamil Nadu. South India was in awe
of him. While Shivaji and Jijabai were
at Bengaluru, he had arranged for
providing excellent education to Shivaji
so as to enable him to become a king.
He himself aspired to establish Swaraj by
ousting the powers of foreign people. That
is why, he is known as Swaraj visionary.
He sent Shivaji and Jijabai from Bengaluru
to Pune with loyal and competent
associates.
Veermata Jijabai : Jijabai was the
daughter of the great Sardar Lakhujiraje
Jadhav of Sindkhedraja in Buldhana
district. At a young age, she had received
military training as well as education in
various subjects. She helped and
encouraged Shahaji Maharaj to realise his
dream of establishing Swaraj. She was a
competent and visionary political expert.
She constantly guided Shivaji in the
mission of establishing Swaraj. At times,
She
undertook the
task of giving
verdicts for resolving
the problems of
people. She was
very particular about
giving excellent
education to Shivaji.
She instilled in him
values like modesty,
truthfulness, oratory,
vigilance, courage and fearlessness. She
saw that he was trained in the usage of
weapons and inspired in him, the will to
win and the dream of Swaraj.
Shivaji’s Companions and
Associates: Shivaji Maharaj started the
work of founding the Swaraj in the Maval
region. The Maval terrain is full of hills
and valleys and is not easily accessible.
Shivajiraje made use of these geographical
features of Maval very skilfully for the
purpose of the foundation of the Swaraj.
He created a feeling of trust and affection
in the minds of the people. Many
companions and associates joined him in
his work of founding the Swaraj. Among
them were Yesaji Kank, Baji Pasalkar,
Bapuji Mudgal, Narhekar Deshpande
brothers, Kavji Kondhalkar, Jiva Mahala,
Tanaji Malusare, Kanhoji Jedhe,
Bajiprabhu Deshpande and Dadaji
Narasprabhu Deshpande. On the strength
of these associates, Shivaji Maharaj
undertook the cause of the Swaraj.
Royal seal (Rajmudra)
Bara Maval : (1) Pavan Maval
(2) Hirdas Maval (3) Gunjan Maval
(4) Paud Valley (5) Muthe Valley
(6) Mose Valley (7) Kanand Valley
(8) Welwand Valley (9) Rohid
Valley (10) Andar Maval (11) Nane
Maval (12) Korbarse Maval
Maval valley in the Sahyadris
was a region in the Pune jagir of
Shivaji Maharaj. It is also known as
‘Bara Maval’.
Veermata Jijabai
Royal seal (Rajmudra) : The objective
of Shivaji Maharaj of establishing Swaraj
is clearly expressed in his royal seal. The
following Sanskrit lines are inscribed on
this royal seal (Rajmudra).
प्रतिपच्चंद्रलेखेव वर्धिष्णुर्विश्ववंदिता ।।
शाहसूनोः शिवस्यैषा मुद्रा à¤à¤¦्राय राजते ।।
Meaning : ‘This seal will grow in
splendour like the new moon. This seal
of Shivaji, the son of Shahaji, receiving
homage from the whole world denotes the
welfare of the people.’
The meaning of this inscription on the
seal is important from many angles.
Through this inscription, Maharaj has
expressed his gratitude towards his father, his confidence that Swaraj would expand
continuously, his own experience of the
respect that the Seal, that is, Swaraj
commanded from all, his commitment to
the welfare of his subjects, and the
certainty of ruling over his land
independently. This short inscription
covers the entire concept of Swaraj.
Towards the establishment of
Swaraj : The forts situated within the
jagir of Shivaji Maharaj were not under
his control, but were under the control of
Adilshah. In those days, forts were of
special significance. With a firm hold
over a fort, it was possible to control the
surrounding area. If one had forts, one
ruled the land. Therefore, Shivaji Maharaj
decided to acquire the forts that were
within his own jagir. Such an attempt to
capture the forts amounted to challenging
the Adilshahi power. He captured the
forts of Torana, Murumbdev, Kondhana
and Purandar, and laid the foundation of
Swaraj. He repaired the fort Murumbdev
and renamed it Rajgad. Rajgad was the
first capital of the SwarajThere were the Mores of Javali, the
Ghorpades of Mudhol, the Sawants of
Sawantwadi, and other Sardars in the
Adilshahi. They were opposed to the
cause of the founding of Swaraj. It was
necessary to bring them and other
likeminded Sardars under control for the
purpose of founding the Swaraj.
The capture of Javali : Chandrarao
More of Javali in Satara district was a
powerful Sardar in the Adilshahi. He
opposed the founding of the Swaraj.
Shivaji Maharaj attacked Javali and
captured that region in 1656 ce. He
established his post there. Then he also
captured Raigad. He attained a huge
amount of wealth from Javali. After this
victory, his activities in Konkan increased.
He built the Pratapgad fort in the Javali
valley. In this way, the conquest of Javali
increased his strength in all respects. After
this, Shivaji Maharaj captured Kalyan
and Bhiwandi on the Konkan Coast.
There he came into contact with the Siddi,
Portuguese and British powers on the
Western Coast. Shivaji Maharaj realised
that in order to fight these powers, it was
necessary to have a strong naval force.
Therefore, he concentrated on building a
navy.
Defeat of Afzalkhan : Shivaji
Maharaj had started capturing the forts in
his jagir and the surrounding area in the
Adilshahi territory. He had crushed the
opposition of the Mores of Javali. The
work of founding the Swaraj had gathered
momentum on the Konkan coast. All
these matters were a challenge to the
Adilshahi. At that time, the Badi Sahiba
was looking after the administration of
the Adilshahi. She sent Afzalkhan, a
powerful and experienced Adilshahi
General, to curb Shivaji MaharajAfzalkhan came from Bijapur to Wai.
He knew the Wai region well. A meeting
of Shivaji Maharaj and Afzalkhan took
place on 10 November 1659 at the foot
of Pratapgad near Wai. At the meeting,
Afzalkhan attempted treachery. In
retaliation, Shivaji Maharaj killed
Afzalkhan. He routed the Adilshahi army.
Shivaji Maharaj paid compensation
to the soldiers who were wounded in the
battle. He rewarded those who had fought
well. Those soldiers and officers of
Afzalkhan’s army who fell into the hands
of Shivaji Maharaj’s army were given a
good treatment.
The expedition of Siddi Jauhar :
After the annihilation of Afzalkhan,
Shivaji Maharaj captured the Adilshahi
forts of Panhala, Vasantgad and Khelna.
He renamed Khelna as ‘Vishalgad’.
Shivaji Maharaj had posed a big
challenge before the Adilshahi. Therefore,
the Adilshah sent Siddi Jauhar, the Sardar
of the Karnul region, against Shivaji
Maharaj in 1660 ce. The Adilshah gave
Siddi the title ‘Salabatkhan’. Rustum-eJaman, Baji Ghorpade and Afzalkhan’s
son Fazalkhan were also there to help
Siddi Jauhar. In these circumstances,
Shivaji Maharaj took shelter in the
Panhala fort. Siddi’s soldiers laid siege to
the fort for about five months. Shivaji
Maharaj found himself trapped inside the
fort. Netoji Palkar tried to raise the siege
by attacking Siddi’s army from outside,
but he couldn’t succeed in it as his forces
were meagre. Siddi showed no signs of
relenting. So, Shivaji Maharaj opened
talks with him. This led to slackness in
the siege round Panhalgad.
Shivaji Maharaj took advantage of
this situation.
On this occasion Shiva Kashid, a
brave youth came forward. He resembled
Shivaji Maharaj in looks. He dressed up
like Shivaji Maharaj and sat in a
palanquin. The palanquin left by the ‘Rajdindi’ gate. It was captured by the Siddi’s
army. It was a difficult situation. Shiva
Kashid sacrificed himself on this occasion
for Swaraj. In the meanwhile, Shivaji
Maharaj left the fort using another
difficult route. He was accompanied by
Baji Prabhu Deshpande, Bandal Deshmukh
and some chosen soldiers. The Siddi came
to know that Shivaji Maharaj has escaped
the siege round Panhalgad and proceeded
to Vishalgad. His army pursued Shivaji
Maharaj. Shivaji Maharaj entrusted the
responsibility of stopping Siddhi’s army
at the foot of Vishalgad to Bajiprabhu
Deshpande. Bajiprabhu Deshpande
checked Siddi’s army at the Ghod pass
near Gajapur. He fought with the greatest
valour. Bajiprabhu died a hero’s death in
this battle. Because Bajiprabhu’s army
held Siddi’s army at bay, Shivaji Maharaj
could proceed to Vishalgad. While going
to Vishalgad, Maharaj also crushed the
opposition of the Adilshahi Sardars Dalvi
of Palwan and Surve of Shringarpur.
Maharaj reached Vishalgad safely.
While Shivaji Maharaj was trapped
at Panhala, Aurangzeb, who had ascended
the throne of Delhi, had sent Shaistakhan,
a Mughal Sardar to the Deccan. He had
invaded the Pune province. The conflict
with Adilshahi continued even as the
Mughal army invaded the Swaraj. Maharaj
realised that it would not be prudent to
fight two enemies at one and the same
time. Therefore, after reaching Vishalgad
safely, he entered into a treaty with the
Adilshah. As per the treaty, he returned
the fort of Panhala to the Adilshah.
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