Maratha Empire & Shivaji — Set 10

Correct Answer: B. B. Women and civilians must not be harmed

Shivaji issued standing orders that women, children, and civilians of all communities must not be harmed during military operations. He prohibited the enslavement of women and the desecration of religious places. Violators of these orders were severely punished, which won him great popular support.

Correct Answer: A. A. Saffron flag (Bhagwa Jhanda)

The Maratha Empire's official standard was a saffron (bhagwa) flag. Saffron is a sacred colour in Hinduism symbolising courage and sacrifice. The saffron flag remains a symbol of Maratha identity and is widely used in Maharashtrian cultural and political contexts today.

Correct Answer: B. B. Rajgad Fort

Rajgad Fort served as Shivaji's capital for nearly 26 years before the capital was shifted to Raigad in 1674 after the coronation. Shivaji extensively renovated Rajgad, constructing palaces, granaries, water tanks, and temples. Raigad was chosen as the new capital partly for its more accessible location.

Correct Answer: B. B. Warkari Bhakti tradition

Shivaji's personal religious life was most influenced by the Warkari Bhakti tradition of Maharashtra, associated with saints like Tukaram, Dnyaneshwar, Namdev, and Eknath. The Warkari tradition's emphasis on devotion, equality, and righteous living deeply influenced his personal values. He attended Tukaram's kirtans and held the Bhakti saints in great reverence.

Correct Answer: B. B. Mughal Empire

Shivaji's coronation in 1674 as an independent sovereign Chhatrapati directly challenged the Mughal Empire's claim to supreme authority over India. It was a bold political statement that rejected Mughal suzerainty and asserted native Indian political power. The event was a landmark in the declining political authority of the Mughal Empire.

Correct Answer: C. C. English East India Company

Henry Oxenden, the English East India Company's chief at Surat, attended Shivaji's coronation at Raigad in 1674. His detailed accounts provide valuable contemporary European documentation of the event. The attendance of European representatives demonstrated the international recognition of Shivaji's power.

Correct Answer: C. C. Bijapur Sultanate

The Bijapur Sultanate (Adilshahi) was Shivaji's earliest and most consistent Deccan adversary. Shivaji's father Shahaji served Bijapur, but Shivaji carved out an independent domain by attacking Bijapur territories. Many of Shivaji's early battles and campaigns were against Bijapur forces.

Correct Answer: B. B. Murarbaji Deshpande

Murarbaji Deshpande was the heroic Maratha commander who defended Purandar Fort against Raja Jai Singh I's Mughal siege in 1665. He fought until his death rather than surrender the fort. His sacrifice bought Shivaji time to negotiate the Treaty of Purandar from a position of some dignity.

Correct Answer: D. D. Hon

Shivaji Maharaj issued his own gold coins called 'Hon' (also written as 'Honn') as a symbol of his independent sovereignty. Issuing one's own currency was a clear sign of independent kingship in medieval India. He also issued copper coins called 'Shivrai'. The coinage carried Sanskrit inscriptions rather than Persian.

Correct Answer: B. B. Sabhasad Bakhar

Krishnaji Anant Sabhasad wrote the 'Sabhasad Bakhar', one of the most important contemporary chronicles of Shivaji Maharaj's life and achievements. Sabhasad was a courtier who had direct knowledge of events at Shivaji's court. His Bakhar is an invaluable primary source for historians studying Shivaji's reign.