Shivaji Jayanti

Early life of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj

In 1630, people of Bharat who were followers of sanatan dharma had been disintegrated. In such a situation, the great emperor who established the sanatan empire was born. The name of that emperor was Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. He was born on 19 February 1630 in Shivneri fort of Junnat Nagar, near Pune, which is in Maharashtra. Shivaji's full name was Shivaji Raje Bhosale. Shivaji Maharaj's father's name was Shahji Bhosale, and mother's name was Jijabai. His mother named him Shivaji on the name of Lord Shiva. His mother used to pray to Lord Shiva for a healthy child. Shivaji's mother Jijabai was of very religious nature. His father was the Maratha army chief of Bijapur Sultan in the Southern Sultanate.

Primary education of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj

Shivaji Maharaj received primary education from his mother Jijabai. Mother Jijabai used to make Shivaji study Ramayana and Mahabharata. His mother used to tell war stories and events of that era to Shivaji since childhood, especially his mother used to tell him the main stories of Ramayana and Mahabharata. Hearing this had a deep impact on Shivaji. Because of these two books, he continued defending sanatan values throughout his life. Shivaji had learned politics and war in his childhood itself. Dadoji Kond Dev taught horse riding, archery, and shooting. Saint Ramdas and Saint Tukaram of Maharashtra had special influence on Shivaji. Saint Ramdas was his spiritual guru, it was Saint Ramdas who inspired him to love the country and save the country.

Coronation of Shivaji and title of Chhatrapati

On 06 June 1674, the coronation of Shivaji Maharaj took place in Raigarh with a grand ceremony.

On this day, all officials were invited, and on this very day, Shivaji Maharaj was conferred with the title of "Chhatrapati." The establishment of Hindu Swaraj was proclaimed during the coronation ceremony of Chhatrapati Shivaji. This was the first Hindu kingdom in the south after the fall of Vijayanagar. Chhatrapati Shivaji always ruled his kingdom like an independent ruler.

Shivaji had to face challenges many times not only from the Mughals but also from his own Maratha kings. How many times did he defeat the Mughal armies? Many conspiracies were made to stop his coronation, but Shivaji faced all challenges and established an independent sanatan state. Recognizing his skill in overcoming these obstacles, he was bestowed with the title of "Chhatrapati."

Shivaji Maharaj's perspective

• Shivaji believed that one should never consider an enemy as weak. However, this does not mean being afraid of the enemy by considering them strong but facing them with courage and determination.

• Shivaji believed that the first responsibility of a man is to give importance to his nation, then to his Guru, parents and then to himself.

• Shivaji always considered the fact that the whole world respects the one who bows before religion, truth, superiority, and God.

Contribution of Shivaji Maharaj

At the age of just 15, Shivaji made his first attack on Torana Fort and at the age of 17, he organized people and started attacking the nearby forts. He started his real campaign in 1656 when he captured Javeli fort from Maratha chieftain Chandra Rao Maurya. In this way, one by one they conquered many forts, among which the forts of Singha Gad, Konkan, Rajgarh, Aurangabad and Surat are famous. Shivaji simultaneously captured the forts of Purandar and Javeli. He respected all religions. But Shivaji Maharaj strongly opposed forced religious conversion.

On 10 November 1659, a fierce battle took place at Pratap Garh Fort between the forces of Shivaji Maharaj and Afzal Khan. In which Shivaji Maharaj was victorious. After facing defeat in the war, Afzal Khan called Shivaji for peace talks at his fort. Shivaji already had suspicions of betrayal; hence Shivaji also went with full preparation. Afzal Khan tried to stab him from behind by overpowering him while they were hugging, but Shivaji had already killed him by killing him with his dagger. After this Shivaji directed his army to attack Bijapur. Thus, he fought many wars and conquered many forts. Shivaji Maharaj also had a navy. Therefore, Shivaji is considered the father of the Indian Navy.

Seeing the strength of Shivaji Maharaj, Aurangzeb sent Jai Singh and Dilip Khan to stop him. When Aurangzeb saw his own loss increasing from Shivaji, he sent a treaty proposal to Shivaji and in 1666, Aurangzeb invited Shivaji to Agra, but when Shivaji did not get proper respect there, he expressed his displeasure in the court, because of which Aurangzeb Demonstrating dictatorship, he was put under house arrest. Aurangzeb wanted to kill Shivaji. Shivaji was aware of Aurangzeb's intention, hence Shivaji escaped from his clutches by dodging him in advance and again started a war against the Mughals.

Death of Shivaji

Shivaji Maharaj died in April 1680 when he was 50 years old. Even today there is doubt about his death. Some people believe that his death was natural while some people say that he was killed by poisoning as part of a conspiracy.

Importance of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Jayanti

"Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj is primarily remembered not only as a courageous warrior but also as a skilled strategist. His struggles and contributions are commemorated on Shivaji Jayanti. Just as Shivaji faced numerous challenges, he never accepted defeat. On his anniversary today, the youth are inspired by his perseverance and sacrifice, urging them never to retreat in the face of challenges and to always remain dedicated to the service of their nation."

Shivaji Jayanti

Shivaji Jayanti

Early life of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj

Primary education of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj

Coronation of Shivaji and title of Chhatrapati

Shivaji Maharaj's perspective

Contribution of Shivaji Maharaj

Death of Shivaji

Importance of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Jayanti

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