SHIVAJI Important Events - General Knowledge of Modern India

SHIVAJI Important Events - General Knowledge of Modern India

In the early years of the seventeenth century, when the Bhonsle family of Poona district, taking advantage of being local residents, obtained military and political benefits from the Ahmednagar state, a new fighting caste called the Maratha arose. He recruited a large number of Maratha chieftains and soldiers into his armies. Shivaji was the son of Shahji Bhonsle and brother-in-law Bai. Shivaji was brought up in Poona under the care of his mother and grandfather Kondadev, an able Brahmin. Grandfather Kondadev made Shivaji an experienced warrior and an able administrator. Shivaji also came under the religious influence of Guru Ramdas, who instilled in him a sense of pride for his native land.

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Important Events In The Life Of Shivaji

Victory of Toran: This was the first fort captured by Shivaji as a Maratha chieftain, who at the age of sixteen showed the inherent might, determination and official qualities in him. This victory enabled him to capture forts like Raigad and Pratapgarh.  Inspired for. Disturbed by these victories of Shivaji, the Sultan of Bijapur imprisoned his father Shahaji. In 1659 AD, when Shivaji tried to attack Bijapur again, the Sultan of Bijapur sent his general Afzal Khan to capture Shivaji, but Shivaji managed to escape, and Afzal Khan, his 'Baghanakh' or '  Killed with a dangerous weapon called 'lion's paw'. Finally, in 1662 AD, the Sultan of Bijapur made a peace agreement with Shivaji and made Shivaji the independent ruler of the areas conquered by him.

Victory of Kondana Fort: This fort was under the control of Neelkanth Rao, for which there was a war between Tanaji Malsure, the general of Maratha ruler Shivaji, and Udaybhan Rathore, the fortress under Jai Singh.

Coronation of Shivaji: In 1674 AD in Raigad, Shivaji declared himself the independent ruler of the Maratha kingdom and assumed the title of 'Chhatrapati'. His coronation was a symbol of the rise of the people who challenged the Mughal hegemony. After the coronation, he assumed the title of 'Handav Dharmaddhakar' (Guardian of the Hindu faith) as the ruler of the newly created 'Hindavi Swarajya'. This coronation gave Shivaji the statutory right to collect land revenue and levy taxes on the people.

Alliance with the Qutbshahi rulers of Golconda: With the help of this alliance, they marched on Bijapur, Karnataka (1676-79 AD) and conquered Gingee, Vellore and many other forts of Karnataka.

Shivaji's Administration

• Shivaji's administration was greatly influenced by the administration of the Deccan. He appointed eight ministers who were called 'Ashtapradhan'. 'Ashtapradhan' used to give him advice regarding administrative work.
• The 'Peshwa' was the most prominent minister who looked after the finance and general administration.
• The 'Senapati' (Sar-e-Naubat) used to look after the recruitment, organization, logistics supply of the army.
• 'Majmuadar' used to check the accounts of income and expenditure.
• 'Wakia-Navis' used to look after the intelligence and home works.
• 'Shur-Navis' or 'Chitnis' used to assist the king in state correspondence.
• 'Dabir' used to assist the king in foreign affairs.
• 'Judge' and 'Pandita Rao' were the heads of justice and charitable grants.

He levied duty on the land at the rate of one-fourth of the land revenue which was called 'chauth' or 'fourth'. Shivaji not only proved himself as a skilled strategist, able general and shrewd diplomat but also used the powers of Deshmukhi to lay the foundation of a powerful state.