Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj-The Greatest King Information

Shivmudra/meaning

Pratipachandralekhev Vardhishnurvisvavandita Shahsuno: Shivasyaisha mudra Bhadraya Rajate. ”

 This is a line you may have heard before. These are the phrases from Shivaji Maharaj's Maratha Empire's Royal Seal, which is the Maratha Empire's Symbol. These words, as lovely as they sound, have a profound meaning. The worldliness of this mudra will increase as the moon of Pratipada swells and the entire world worships it.

A king who cared about his citizens. A hero who fought for the public good and against injustice. A leader who refused to live as a slave and founded the world's most respected Maratha empire.

Shivmudra

Every Year on 19th Feb We celebrate ShivJayanti

Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj was the founder of the Maratha Empire and a Maratha warrior. He was one of the world's Greatest kings, and people today regard him in great respect. Shivaji Maharaj is well-known in India and throughout the world. Shivaji Maharaj was a superb fighter as well as a wise ruler who was able to construct a big, powerful Maratha empire because to his administrative abilities, intelligence, and insight in modern military tactics.

Read Rajmata Jijabai

Shivaji Maharaja's Childhood

        For the people oppressed by the Mughals, Shivaji Maharaj's birth was a sign of good fortune. A ray of hope appeared to the beleaguered masses after the birth of Shivaraya. On the Shivneri fort at Junnar, Pune, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj was born on the 19th of February 1630, Falgun Krishna III on the Hindu calendar. Jijabai Bhosale was his mother's name and Shahaji Raje Bhosale was his father's. Shahaji Maharaj was a Jahagirdar in some portions of Pune and served the ruler of Bijapur.

Jijabai, Shivaraya's mother, was Sindkhed's Lakhoji Jadhav's daughter She was a religious Woman with a Strong desire to succeed. She taught Shivaji Maharaj to fight for truth and justice from an early age, and she persuaded him that truth is the final victory. When Shivaji Maharaj was growing up, his mother Jijabai's teaching was always with him, and it had an impact on him.

                  Shivaji Maharaj was born with the talent to lead. He and his colleagues took a tour of the Sahyadri and learnt everything they could about the region. He gathered several loyal Mavals and swore an oath to form Swarajya when he was fifteen years old. These Mavals accompanied him on his endeavor to create Swarajya.

These Mavals were moved by Swarajya spirit and were willing to lay down their lives for Swarajya and Shivaraya. Shivaji Maharaj married Saibai Nimbalkar around 1640.

 Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj 

Afzal Khan And Shivaji Maharaj Meeting

Battle Of Pratapgad 

Around Adil Shah's Pune territory, Shivaji Maharaj had seized the forts of Chakan, Kondhana, Torna, Sinhagad, and Purandar by 1645. Shivaji Maharaj's victories made Adil Shah nervous, and he knew that Shivaji Maharaj posed a threat to the Mughals Empire. Shivaji Maharaj's father, Shahaji, was imprisoned by Adil Shah and later released on the condition that Shivaji Maharaj would not invade Adil Shah's kingdom. Shahaji Raje died a few years later, and Shivaji Maharaj captured the Jawali valley territory from Chandrarao More, the baron of Bijapur. Adil Shah was enraged by this incident, and he ordered one of his formidable chiefs, Afzal Khan, to defeat Shivaji Maharaj.

Afzal Khan plotted the killing of Shivaji Maharaj and summoned him to Pratapgad. Afzal Khan, on the other hand, had no idea that Shivaji Maharaj was one step ahead of him. To protect himself against Afzal Khan, Shivaji wore thin chain mail under his Cloths and an iron hat, as well as concealing two weapons: Bagh nakh ("tiger claws" or metal hooks linked to fingers) and a Sword. He arrived at the meeting with two troops, Jiva Mahala, an accomplished swordsman, and Shambhuji Kavji, each wielding two swords and a shield.

Khan's instinct was knew by Maharaj, He designed a guerrilla system. Khan summoned Shivaji Maharaj to hug him when they met at Pratapgad, Afzal Khan opened his arms to hug and urged him closer, saying, " Shivba come to my hug." Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj embraced him then Afzal Khan attempted to grab him into his arms, and with the help of Katyar, he hit Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj on the back and attempted to push him into his arms that time In retaliation Shivaji Maharaj slashed Khan's stomach by using his "wagh nakh" (tiger claws) Afzal Khan yelled, his Bodyguard Sayyed heard his Voice, he stepped outside he saw Afzal Khan had died. Sayyed arrived with his sword, ready to attack Shivaji Maharaj at that time Jiva Mahal (Maharaj's Bodyguard) thwarted his Danpatta Sword and killed Sayed and protecting Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's life .in this way Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj used his wits to assassinate Afzal Khan. Pratapgad War is the name given to this conflict in history. When the Mavalas in the jungle realised Shivaji Maharaj had been attacked, they attacked Khan's 3,000 Troops. Khan's army was dispersed and slain as a result of the surprise onslaught. This Guerrilla System helped Shivaji Maharaj win numerous battles. Guerilla System, sometimes known as Guerrilla warfare in English, is still utilised by the military of the world's most Powerful Nations. The battle at Pratapgad demonstrates Maharaja's Agility, Vision, and Fearlessness.

When Shivaji Raje became Chhatrapati -Shivrajyabhishek Ceremony

 After establishing the powerful Maratha Empire far and wide, Shivaji Maharaj decided to be crowned. On June 6, 1674, Shivaji Maharaj's was Honored with crowned King Chhatrapati at a coronation ceremony in Raigad. Pandit Gaga Bhatt performed the coronation ceremony, which was attended by almost 50,000 people. Shivaji Maharaj was given the honors of Chhatrapati, Shakkarte, Kshatriya Kulavatans, and Hindu Dharmoddharak during this coronation.

Read Dr.Babasaheb Ambedkar 

A Skilled Ruler, a Secular Leader |A King with military foresight

 Shivaji Maharaj is regarded as a Great king. He established the Ashta Pradhan Mandal, in which each individual was assigned a certain duty. Ministerial positions in the Ashta Pradhan Mandal included Peshwa, Majumdar, Dabir, Panditrao, Senapati, Secretary, Minister, and Judge.

He always promoted Women's freedom and he always respect women. He also warned to people not to harm or disrespect any woman. Shivaji Maharaj was a supporter of  Hindutva, Marathi and Sanskrit languages ​​but he always respect other religions also. His army consisted of soldiers of all castes and religions.

Shivaji Maharaj was very careful about the security of his kingdom. He knew the strength of Forts and that is why he built many forts in Maharashtra as well as all over The India. The Maharaj also built Sea forts and armor to protect Kingdom from enemies coming by sea.

Shivaji Maharaj started assembling his Navy in 1657 or 1659 after realising the necessity for Naval might to uphold authority along the Konkan coast. He did this by purchasing 20 Galivats from the Bassein Portuguese shipyards.

By capturing and renovating coastal forts, Shivaji reinforced his coastline. At Sindhudurg, he constructed his first marine fort, which would later serve as the Maratha navy's administrative centre. The fleet was not designed to cruise far out to sea; rather, it was a coastal Navy that focused on travel and fighting in the bordering regions.

Read Mahashivaratri Celebration

 Death of Shivaji Maharaj and his legacy

After fighting for Swarajya for 4 decades, on April 3, 1680, due to illness, Shivaji Maharaj passed away at Raigad. Even after his death, the battle of Marathas with Mughals continued. After Shivaji Maharaj, his son Sambhaji Raje took over the reins of Swarajya.

 Today, in the 21st century, people respect Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj just as much. Many films, poems, plays, songs were made on the life of Shivaji Maharaj. many such places, museums, stadiums were named of Shivaji Raje. The airport in Mumbai is name given Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. We celebrate Shiva Jayanti with great enthusiasm. On this day many  Maratha Hindu people come together and arranging rallies wearing traditional attire and playing of  Drums, Lezim etc. .....with due Respect of Maharaj many people share photos and videos of  Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj to each other on social media.

in Marathi  “जय भवानी, जय शिवाजी”