Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj

“If a tree, which is not a highly elevated living entity, can be so tolerant and merciful to give sweet mangoes even when hit by anyone; being a king, should I not be more merciful and tolerant than the tree?”

These are Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s famous words, also referred to as Shivaji or Shivaji Raje Bhosle. Born on February 19, 1630, in Shivneri Durg, Pune, to Jijabai and Shahji Bhonsle, no-one imagined that the child named Shivaji would become the first Chhatrapati of the Maratha Empire and a symbol of courage. Shivaji’s origin story shows how he is so much more than just an anti-Muslim warrior.

So on this auspicious day of Chhatrapati Shivaji Jayanti, here are some facts you should know about the Bravest Maratha Ever born.

• Secular: He was extremely secular. Even though Hindu values were instilled in him at an early age by his mother, Shivaji was surprisingly very accommodating of all religions. He even had several Muslim soldiers in his army even though he had conflicts with Mughals. He did this when all kingdoms were strictly sticking to their religious beliefs and doing away with others.

• Brave: He defeated Afzal Khan in a one-on-one battle. Afzal Khan was a veteran general and superior to Shivaji in size & strength. It is said that they met inside a hut and decided to carry only a sword, but Shivaji was sure that Afzal Khan would attack him. So, he wore an armor underneath which stopped Khan’s dagger. The Persian chronicles state that Shivaji attacked him first, while the Maratha chronicles say the contrary.
• Respectable Leader: He converted his army of 2,000 men into 10,000 soldiers. His father left him 2,000 soldiers, which he converted to 10,000. Before this, the Marathas had no army of their own. He knew the importance of sound military and perfected warfare strategies. He was known for his strategic finesse in battles and had an intelligence unit that helped him devise guerrilla warfare tactics.
• Shivaji stood for the honor of women. He was a supporter of women’s rights and stood for their honor. He strongly opposed violence or harassment against women, which shows that women were neither attacked nor imprisoned during his raids. Rape and molestation were severe crimes in his empire and were punished harshly.
• Father of the Indian Navy: He realized the importance of naval force in its early stages. He believed that it would keep them independent from foreign invaders viz Dutch, Portuguese, and British and protect the Konkan coast from pirates.

• Caring and merciful: Shivaji Maharaj was merciful and welcomed anyone in his army who surrendered. He was extremely caring and never raided religious places and homes of ordinary people.

The long list of his holistic personality is never-ending. Even in this era, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj continues to be an idol to all of us. His secular policies, kind and compassionate nature, the respect he treated women, and his courageous battles continue to fascinate and inspire us all. Let us bow our heads in his honor on the auspicious occasion.

Jai Hind!