Essays

Shivaji was one of the greatest patriots of India whom the coun- try men will not forget as long as the sun is there in the sky.

He was born on February 19, 4630. The name of his father was Shahaji Bhosle and the name of his mother was Jijabai. He was greatly influenced by his mother who was a highly religious lady Dada KondaDev was his guru.

Shivaji was a lover of martial arts and riding, Wrestling, etc. even in his early boyhood. He also loved reading and writing. He was very fond of religious discourse and he daily listened to the sweet, enlightening religious hymns.

He was a great patriot who rejected the cruel Mughal rulers. The fanatic Aurangzeb was then the emperor. He was a very brave boy and even at the age of eighteen, he wrested the control of the Torna Fort from the Bijapur rulers.

He was just the ring leader of some diehard young men, but his influence on them was such that he turned his followers into a veritable army and started the process of capturing forts. Fort after fort fell before him and his brave young boys. Just when he was 29, he had captured 40 forts and his army had swelled into a formidable force.

In order to teach a lesson to Shivaji, the ruler of bijapur sent a huge army of 10,000 soldiers under Afzal Khan. But the latter was killed by Shivaji and many of his men were captured by him.

Later, Aurangzeb sent Shaista Khan. But he too was overpowered by Shivaji. However, at last Shivaji was captured by Aurangzeb's men. He was brought to Agra and imprisoned there. But Shivaji and his son. Sahu, escaped in the baskets of sweets which were taken out from the prison by the servants.

Shivaji conquered many areas and his kingdom comprised a big territory. He was crowned Chhatrapati in 1674. He breathed his last in1680.

Shivaji's main plank, at least at the initial stages, was a guerrilla war. He was as shrewd and tactful as his enemy. But unlike the latter, he was not cruel.

He never tortured the captured soldiers. In particular, he was highly respectful to women. He did not harm them in any way but also protected their honour at all costs. He also gave full attention to the navy besides infantry. He worshipped the goddess Bhawani. He also gave full attention to the navy besides infantry. He worshipped the goddess Bhawani.