Maratha Empire & Shivaji

Maharashtra GK · मराठा साम्राज्य और शिवाजी · 18 facts

Shivaji Maharaj born on 19 February 1630 at Shivneri Fort, Junnar, Pune district, Maharashtra

Shivaji was crowned Chhatrapati (Emperor) on 6 June 1674 at Raigad Fort in a grand Rajyabhishek ceremony

Raigad Fort was the capital of Shivaji Maharaj's Swarajya (self-rule kingdom); Shivaji died there on 3 April 1680

Ganimi Kawa (guerrilla warfare): Shivaji's military strategy using terrain knowledge and hit-and-run tactics

Battle of Pratapgad (1659): Shivaji killed Adilshahi general Afzal Khan near Satara; marked rise of Maratha power

Sack of Surat: Shivaji plundered Mughal port of Surat in 1664 and again in 1670 to fund Swarajya treasury

Agra escape (1666): Shivaji was summoned by Aurangzeb to Agra and imprisoned; escaped in a fruit basket disguise

Shivaji built or captured over 300 forts along the Sahyadri and Konkan coast for defensive strongholds

Ashtapradhan: Shivaji's council of 8 ministers governing the Maratha Empire — each minister had a specific portfolio

Peshwa was the Prime Minister in Ashtapradhan; later the Peshwas became the de facto rulers of Maratha Empire

Shivaji developed a strong Maratha navy to protect the Konkan coast and challenge Portuguese and Siddis

Torna Fort (Pune): First fort captured by Shivaji in 1646 at age 16; marked beginning of Swarajya

Kondaji Farzand: Shivaji's brave commander who recaptured Panhala Fort from Bijapur Sultanate

Jijabai (Mother of Shivaji): Born 1598, Sindhkhed; played key role in shaping Shivaji's character and ambition

Sambhaji Maharaj (1657-1689): Son and successor of Shivaji; captured and executed by Aurangzeb in March 1689

Shivaji Maharaj is considered the Father of the Indian Navy; Maratha warships called 'Gurabs' and 'Galbats'

Shivaji promoted Marathi and Sanskrit as court languages; replaced Persian in official records with Marathi

Shivaji is known as 'Rajarshi' (Kingly Sage) for his just administration and respect for all religions