Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj
Context:
A 35-foot statue of the Maratha warrior king Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, which had been unveiled by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Rajkot Fort in Maharashtra’s Sindhudurg district, collapsed recently.
About Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj
Birth and Background:
- Born: in 1627, at Shivneri Fort near Pune, India.
- Grew up under Muslim rule: Mughals in the north, and Muslim sultans of Bijapur and Golconda in the south.
Military Exploits:
- In 1659, defeated Afzal Khan of Bijapur by luring him into difficult terrain and killing him in a meeting.
- Gained significant military power by capturing the Bijapur army’s resources.
- Raided Mughal territories, including the rich coastal town of Surat, provoking Emperor Aurangzeb.
Conflict with the Mughals:
- Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb sent a large army under Mirza Raja Jai Singh.
- Shivaji was forced to sue for peace and attend the Mughal court at Agra, where he was placed under house arrest.
- Escaped from Agra in 1666 by disguising himself and his son in baskets.
The Treaty of Purandar was a significant agreement between Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, the founder of the Maratha Empire, and the Mughal Empire in 1665. It marked a temporary truce between the two powers, but also imposed certain terms on Shivaji. Key terms of the treaty:
Consolidation of Power:
- Regained lost territories and expanded his domain within two years of his escape.
- Built a navy to defend his kingdom and engage in trade, becoming the first Indian ruler of his time to use sea power effectively.
- Recently, Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled the Indian Navy’s new ensign at Cochin Shipyard Limited in Kochi, during the commissioning of India’s first indigenous aircraft carrier, INS Vikrant.
- The Indian Naval flags, which carried symbols of colonial rule, have been replaced with a new design inspired by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.
Religious and Administrative Policies:
- Practised religious tolerance, respecting all faiths and protecting places of worship.
- Chauth: Chauth was a tax levied at the rate of one-fourth (25%) of the annual revenue or produce from lands under nominal Mughal rule.
- It was essentially a tribute paid by states to avoid Maratha invasions and raids.
- Sardeshmukhi: Sardeshmukhi was an additional 10% levy on top of the Chauth, paid to the Maratha king.
- It was a tribute paid to the Maratha king, started by Koli Maharaja Som Shah of Ramnagar, who claimed hereditary rights over these lands.
- Established a cabinet of eight ministers (Ashta Pradhan) to manage his kingdom.
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Ashta Pradhan was the council of eight ministers that served as the administrative core of the Maratha Empire under Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. This system was a significant aspect of Shivaji’s governance, as it provided a balance of power, ensured efficient administration, and promoted meritocracy. The eight ministers were: Peshwa (Prime Minister), Mantri (Minister of Revenue), Senapati (Commander-in-Chief), Sumant (Chief of Intelligence), Nyayadhish (Chief Justice), Panditrao (Chief Astrologer and Advisor), Sachiv (Secretary) and Vadakhya (Chief of Accounts). |
Hindavi Swarajya Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s concept of Hindavi Swarajya (self-rule of the Indian people) was a foundational principle for his governance and the establishment of the Maratha Empire. The term was first articulated by Shivaji in a letter dated 1645, emphasising the need for a sovereign rule that was distinctly Indian and free from foreign domination, particularly from the Mughal Empire. Under Shivaji’s rule, Hindavi Swarajya was characterised by significant cultural and administrative reforms. He replaced Persian with Marathi as the court language, established a regnal era known as the Shiv Shak, and minted coins that reflected his identity as a Hindu ruler. His emphasis on self-rule and local governance inspired later movements against colonial rule, particularly during the Indian independence struggle. Leaders like Bal Gangadhar Tilak embraced the concept, further embedding it within the broader narrative of Indian self-determination.
Coronation and Later Years:
- Crowned as an independent sovereign in 1674, marking the formal beginning of the Maratha Empire.
- Faced challenges from within his family, particularly from his elder son, who briefly defected to the Mughals.
- Died on April 3, 1680, at Raigad Fort after a period of illness.
Legacy:
- Revered as a champion of Hindu freedom and resistance against Mughal oppression.
- Known for his military prowess, administrative skills, and commitment to religious tolerance.
- The “Maratha Military Landscapes of India” will be India’s nomination for inclusion on the UNESCO World Heritage List for the 2024-25 cycle.
- The nomination includes twelve key Forts such as Salher Fort, Shivneri Fort, Lohgad, Khanderi Fort, Raigad, Rajgad, Sindhudurg in Maharashtra, and Gingee Fort in Tamil Nadu.
- These Forts , spread across various geographical and physiographic regions, highlight the strategic military strengths of Maratha rule.