Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj

Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj 

Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj was born on February 19, 1630, at Shivneri Fort, a hill fortress located near the city of Junnar in present-day Pune district, Maharashtra. His father, Shahaji Bhosale, was a prominent Maratha general who served under the Deccan Sultanates, while his mother, Jijabai, was a fiercely devout and influential figure who instilled in him a deep sense of pride in Maratha heritage and the vision of Hindavi Swarajya (self-rule for Indians). From a young age, Shivaji was inspired by his mother's teachings and his father's military background, which shaped him into the legendary warrior-king who would later defy powerful empires like the Adil Shahi Sultanate and the Mughals to establish the Maratha Empire.

  

Education and Training  

Dadoji Kondadev, his administrator and teacher, trained him in horse riding, archery, swordsmanship, and guerrilla tactics. He also studied Sanskrit, Marathi, and administration, learning about great Indian kings like Chandragupta Maurya and Pandavas.  Unlike many rulers of his time, Shivaji was not formally schooled in Persian (the court language of Mughals and Sultans), emphasizing his connection to local culture.  

First Military Exposure  

At just 12 years old, he visited his father’s jagir (land grant) in Bangalore, where he observed military strategies and governance. By 16, he took his first step towards independence by capturing the Torna Fort (1646) with a small band of loyal soldiers, marking the beginning of his rebellion against the Adil Shahi Sultanate.  

Influence of His Mother, Jijabai  

Jijabai narrated tales of Rajput valor and Maratha pride, inspiring his dream of Hindavi Swaraj (self-rule for Indians). She encouraged his defiance against oppressive rulers, shaping his anti-Mughal and anti-Sultanate stance.  

Early Signs of Leadership

As a teenager, he attracted loyal warriors (Mavalas) and began fortifying hill forts, laying the foundation of his future empire. His first major clash was with the Adil Shahi general Afzal Khan, whom he later defeated in the Battle of Pratapgad (1659).  

Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s Childhood: Key Incidents & Turning Points  

The Oath at Tuljapur’s Bhavani Temple (1645, Age 15) 

During a visit to Tuljapur’s Bhavani Temple with Jijabai, young Shivaji was inspired by the goddess Bhavani (a form of Durga). He took a formal oath (pratigya) to establish "Hindavi Swarajya" (self-rule for Indians) and free the land from foreign domination (Adil Shahi & Mughals). This moment became a spiritual cornerstone of his rebellion.  

First Fort Capture: Torna (1646, Age 16)

With just 200 Mavalas (loyal Maratha warriors), Shivaji seized Torna Fort from the Adil Shahi Sultanate. This was his first military victory, marking the start of his empire-building. He later renovated the fort and renamed it "Prachandagad". 

Guerrilla Training in the Sahyadri Forests

As a boy, Shivaji explored the rugged Western Ghats, mastering:  

• Terrain warfare (using hills, caves, and forests for ambush).  
• Hit-and-run tactics (later used against Afzal Khan & Mughals).  

His childhood games involved mock battles and fort raids, foreshadowing his future strategies.  

Defying the Adil Shahi Sultanate (1648, Age 18) 

When the Sultan of Bijapur imprisoned Shahaji Bhosale (Shivaji’s father) to control Shivaji, he refused to surrender.  

Instead, he expanded his territory, capturing Kondana (Sinhagad) and Purandar forts.  

The Sultan eventually released Shahaji, recognizing Shivaji’s growing power.  

The Legend of the "Lion’s Claw" (Jaw of Shivaji)

A folk tale claims that as a child, Shivaji once killed a ferocious lion (or tiger) with his bare hands. While likely symbolic, the story reflects his fearless nature from a young age.  

Building a Loyal Army: The Mavalas 

Shivaji bonded with Mavalas (warrior clans of Pune’s hills) during hunts and expeditions. These men later formed the core of his guerrilla army, famous for their speed and loyalty.  

How Shivaji Maharaj Killed Afzal Khan: The Epic Showdown at Pratapgad (1659)  

The encounter between Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and Afzal Khan is one of the most dramatic events in Indian history—a masterclass in strategy, courage, and cunning.

Background: Why Afzal Khan Was Sent

The Adil Shahi Sultanate of Bijapur saw Shivaji’s growing power as a threat. Afzal Khan, a giant (nearly 7 feet tall), brutal general, was sent with 12,000 soldiers to crush Shivaji. Knowing he couldn’t defeat Shivaji in open battle, Afzal Khan plotted treachery—he invited Shivaji for "peace talks," planning to assassinate him.  

Shivaji’s Preparation: Turning the Trap Against Afzal Khan

Shivaji anticipated Afzal’s deceit and prepared accordingly:  

Chose Pratapgad Fort (his territory) for the meeting, controlling the terrain. Wore armor under his clothes and concealed a dagger (Bichwa) and steel claws (Wagh Nakh). Hid his best soldiers in the nearby forest, ready to ambush Afzal’s army.  Sent his trusted commander, Jiva Mahala, to secretly position himself behind Afzal’s palanquin.  

The Deadly Meeting (10 November 1659) 

At the meeting spot, both leaders were allowed only two bodyguards  

Afzal Khan pretended to embrace Shivaji, then suddenly grabbed him in a bear hug and stabbed him with a dagger!

But Shivaji’s armor blocked the blade, and he counterattacked:  

Slashed Afzal’s belly open with the *Wagh Nakh* (tiger claws). Stabbed him repeatedly with his Bichwa dagger.  

The Aftermath: Total Rout of Afzal’s Army 

Hearing the signal (cannon fire), Shivaji’s hidden troops ambushed the Adil Shahi forces. The leaderless Bijapur army fled in panic, and Shivaji’s men looted their camp, seizing weapons, elephants, and treasure. This victory made Shivaji a legend and marked the beginning of the Maratha Empire’s rise.  

Shivaji's Daring Escape from Aurangzeb's Captivity (1666):

In a breathtaking display of cunning and courage, Shivaji engineered one of history's most audacious prison breaks after being treacherously detained by Aurangzeb in Agra. Feigning illness, he began sending out massive sweet baskets (as offerings for prayers) that were initially inspected but eventually ignored by guards. On 17 August 1666, Shivaji and his son Sambhaji hide inside these baskets, with Shivaji cleverly disguised as a wandering ascetic after escaping. They slipped past Mughal sentinels and raced 700 miles to safety, changing horses at pre-arranged Maratha hideouts. This humiliating escape enraged Aurangzeb while cementing Shivaji's legend as the "Mountain Rat" who could never be caged.  

Shivaji's Revolutionary Naval Wars: 

Recognizing that true sovereignty required mastery of the seas, Shivaji built India's first modern navy from scratch in the 1650s to challenge European dominance. His innovative naval forts like Sindhudurg (built on rocky islands) and a fleet of 200 warships, including massive ghurabs (fireships), terrorized Portuguese, British and Siddi naval forces. In a masterstroke, he created the post of "Sarkhel" (Admiral) for Maratha naval heroes like Kanhoji Angre, whose descendants dominated the Arabian Sea for a century. His navy not only protected Konkan trade routes but conducted daring raids like the 1670 sack of Basrur, where he captured 3 million rupees worth of Portuguese treasure, proving Indian rulers could dominate both land and sea warfare.