Chatrapathi: The Epitome of Valour

The Delhi sultans and Mughals have been the subject of much heroic narrative, their exploits overvalued and their image enormously washed, while those who had laid the path to grandeur remain buried beneath the former’s imputed glory. How many of us truly knew about the legendary Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in school? Very few, as we were too preoccupied with the lengthy sections devoted to foreigners. Over the past several years, the magnificent Chhatrapati of the powerful Maratha empire has gradually come to light and begun winning the well-deserved respect of the wider population. On this day of his three hundred and ninety-second birth anniversary, let us have an insight into his life and how a young Maratha transformed Indian history and left his imprint on the world.
Born in 1630, mentored by his mother and guru Dadaji Kondadev, heavily influenced by Indian epics since his very childhood, Shivaji began exhibiting leadership and warrior-like traits as well as patriotism and devotion towards Dharma. Intelligent and witty, he became proficient in combat tactics at a very young age. Deccan region at the time was shared by three Muslim kingdoms namely Bijapur, Ahmednagar and Golconda under which the deplorable conditions of Marathas—regarded as ‘servants’ and the problem of Hindu persecution grabbed the attention of a young Shivaji, who became even more eager to devote himself to Hindu freedom and began reminding the people that slavery was a mindset which had to be abolished.
A day arrived when Shivaji did what was needed. He pulled out his knife, dripped his blood, anointed the Shivling, and declared that “Hindu Swaraj” would be accomplished. There was no looking back from that point on, and he devoted his entire being to the defence of the Dharma in all that he did. At sixteen, Shivaji started his ascent to triumph by capturing his first fort. He achieved this by skilfully utilising guerilla warfare methods, of which he has been considered a master, and by blending the bravery of Maharana Pratap with the intelligence and cunning of Chanakya. He quickly won respect and appreciation for the support of Hinduism and was seen by many as a rescuer, someone sent by Gods himself to safeguard the innocents from demonic intruders.
The Muslim monarchs had long neglected their fleet of ships. The Portuguese started to monopolise commerce as soon as they arrived on the west coast. Shivaji was swift to see that he needed a strong fleet, which he carefully planned and built in 1654. Because of this, he is frequently referred to as the “Father of the Indian Navy”. It is impossible to forget the well-known incident in which Shivaji’s forces attacked Adil Shah’s forces, taking many forts and almost doubling the Maratha territory in what is known as the Battle of Pratapgarh in 1659 while feigning intimidation from Afzal Khan and inviting him to a peace treaty before slashing him open like an animal. Shivaji went on to destroy his opponents, acquire land, and build a powerful army throughout the multiple battles that followed at Kolhapur, Pawan Khind, and other locations. With nothing to lose and everything to gain, he boldly marched forward with the single objective of achieving Hindu self-rule. Only if the leaders of today had the same level of commitment.
An account detailing this figure would be lacking if it neglected his well-known confrontation with Mughal ruler Aurungzeb. Unsurprisingly, Shivaji’s campaigns worried Aurangzeb, who wanted to put an end to them. He sent one of his generals to capture him in 1663, but the former was forced to escape when Shivaji launched an unexpected overnight attack on his fortress. The Treaty of Purandar was a minor setback to Shivaji at which he had to give up 23 of his forts. Shivaji rushed out of Aurangzeb’s court in Agra in 1666 after being humiliated, facing the possibility of execution while under house detention. Along with his son Shambhaji, he skillfully made his way out of there in big fruit baskets, ending the Mughals’ hostilities and restoring him to his former title of Mughal Mansabdar. But when Shivaji began conquering Mughal strongholds, restoring lost territory, and enacting many reforms, fighting with the Mughals resumed throughout the 1670s. Above all, at a period and location ravaged by religious violence, he was one of the few kings to demonstrate true religious tolerance.
During this time, Shivaji also fought the Dutch and English in several conflicts, plundering their towns and forcing them to negotiate. After all, he was the powerful Chhatrapati. Shivaji was aware that after a gruelling 30-year struggle for Hindu liberation and Swaraj, a ceremonial coronation was necessary for Swaraj to acquire legitimacy as a sovereign independent state. As a result, Shivaji was twice crowned in 1674 to commemorate Tantric and Vedic religious traditions. As an outcome, he was given the title “Chhatrapati” of the Swaraj. Following his coronation, he participated in the expedition to the south in 1677, gaining parts of Adil Shah’s territory as well as Bengaluru, Hoskote, and Vellore.
His latter years were marred by serious domestic unrest and dissension among his ministers in addition to the pressure of protecting his realm from its enemies. Shivaji finally passed away from sickness in Raigarh in April 1680, having laid the groundwork for the future great Maratha nation and resurrecting Hindus who had been long suppressed by foreigners.
For many Hindus who are still Hindus because of him, the valiant fighter is still unknown. Now is the moment to raise awareness of his incredible personality, his significant services to the country, and just how exceptional he was. The fact that our Gods are still revered in temples today is unquestionably due to warriors like Shivaji, even though he was not a God himself.