30 Maratha Kingdom-Shivaji-Achievements

P. Bhaskar Reddy

1. Introduction

During the first half of the seventeenth century, the Mughal empire was at the height of its glory. The Maratha nationalism grew up when the Mughals had nearly completed their conquest of Indian subcontinent. Gradually the Marathas developed a strong spirit of nationalism which made them most powerful group of people in India. The rise of the Marathas was the result of the efforts of entire Maratha people who on the basis of unity of their language, literature, community and home land gave birth to Maratha nationalism and desire to create an independent state of their own. The result was the formation of an independent state of Hindus in South India under the great courageous leader Shivaji. He emerged as the most formidable power in India. It was the strength of Nationalism which inspired Maratha leaders to establish Hind- pad- padshahi in India by capturing the power of Delhi emperors and bringing India under one rule. Aurangzeb had to spend the last twenty five years of his reign in the Deccan desperately fighting against Marathas. This glory of Marathas came to an end when they were defeated in the third battle of Panipat in 1761.

The history of Marathas can be divided into two well–marked phases namely; the earlier phase from the middle of the seventeenth century tills the death of Aurangzeb. The latter phase relates to the Peshwas who became the de facto rulers. The rise of the Marathas in the seventeenth century was not a sudden conflagration. Numerous factors, including geography, polity, social, religious, and cultural influences played an equal part in their rise as the most formidable challenge to the Mughal power in India.

2.  Factors Leading to the Rise of the Marathas

2. 1 Geographical factors :

The geography of Maharastra exercised a profound influence in molding the character and history of Marathas. The region inhabited by the Marathas is surrounded by mountain ranges Sahyadri, Satpura and the Vindhyas and also the rivers like the Narmada and Tapati.

On one hand the mountainous country provided security to the Marathas. On the other, it made them sturdy soldiers with a spirit of self-reliance and capacity for hard work. The broken ranges of hills enabled the Marathas “nature-made defensible rock forts”.

Western Maharashtra and Konkan were the actual homeland of the Marathas. The region remained almost free from Muslim political interference. The hold of the Bahmani Sultans of Bijapur and Golconda-over this region was only superficial. Even before the rise of Shivaji, the Marathas occupied a privileged position in administrative and military fields. Many Maratha Silahdars and Mansabdars were employed in the Bahmani sultanate and later under Adilshahis of Bijapur and Nizamshahis of Ahmednagar. Malik Amber of Ahmadnagar made friends with the Marathas and used their best talent and cooperation, both for war and administration. In this grand political struggle, Shivaji’s father, Shahji, and grandfather Maloji, were closely associated with Malik Amber, in such a manner, that they gradually realized their strength and asserted their own power in course of time.

2.2 The Bhakti movement:

The spread of the Bhakti movement in Maharashtra inculcated the spirit of oneness among the Marathas. There had been social and religious awakening in Maharshtra prior to the political awakening. The saints of the 15th and 16 th centuroes who emphasized Bhakti cult also preached social equality. Saints like Tukaram, Ramadas, Vamanpandit and Eknath who belonged to Maharashtra were the soul of social and religious awakening.

Shivaji’s teacher, Samarth Ramdas (1608-82), the author of the book Dasbodh, taught the philosophy of action (karma). It exhorted to unite all Marathas and to propagate the ‘Maharatha Dharma’. Maharatha dharma meant liberal religion, which was free from caste discriminations, raised the status of women, preferred Bhakti to rituals and checked the excesses of polytheism. This was the dharma preached by the saints from the days of Jnaneshvar and Namdev to Tukaram.

Samarth Ramdas gave expression to this noble vision in his work Anandvana Bhuvana. The ‘elevated teachings’ of these saints played a significant role in provoking and sustaining a new national spirit among the Marathas and provided a fresh spiritual background for their political activities.

2.3 Political factors:

The balance of power between the Hindus and the Musliems also helped the Marathas in attaining political power. Politically speaking, the ground for establishment of an independent Maratha state was prepared by the advance of the Mughal armies into the south. Three important factors namely the fall of Khandesh, the gradual disappearance of Ahmednagar and the creation of the Mughal viceroyalty in the Deccan affected every aspect of Maratha life. They induced an awakening among the Marathas as a nation under the leadership of Shivaji and others who followed him.

Thus, prior to the rise of Shivaji on the political horizon of the south, conditions existed suitable to produce a solid base to the rise of the Marathas.

3.  Shivaji (1627-1680)

3. 1 Early life

Shivaji was one of the most remarkable personalities in the medieval history of India. Shivaji was born in 1627 in the fort of Shivner, belonged to the Bhonsle clan. Jijabai and Shahji Bhonsle were the parents of Shivaji. From his mother side he was a descendent of Yadavas of Devagiri and from his father’s side of the Sisodiyas of Mewar. Shahji was a military commander under the Nijamshahi ruler of Ahmednagar. After the occupation of Ahmednagar by Mughals he shifted his political activities to Bijapur. It was during this time he neglected his first wife Jija Bai and his son Shivaji. Shahji assigned the Poona jagir to his wife and left one of his loyal officers, Dadaji Konadev to look after them.

Shivaji’ s mother influenced him in moulding his character. She taught stories which depicted acts of bravery on the part of warriors from the Ramayana and the Mahabharata. She was largely responsible for inspiring him a determination to defend Hindu Dharma against the inroads of Islam. Dadaji Kondadev who was the administrator of Poona Jagir of Shahji also played important part in the life of Shivaji. He gave him training in art of fighting and in the art of administration.

Shivaji also drew inspiration from Samartha Ramadas who taught him that “mother and mother country are dearer than heaven itself”. Shivaji from the beginning developed strong determination, courage, desire to fight against injustice, faith towards his religion and became master in the art of fighting.With the death of his guardian, Dadaji Konadev in 1647, Shivaji assumed full charge of his Jagir.

3.2 Conquests

Shivaji aimed to create an independent kingdom of his own right from the beginning of his career. Shivaji took the advantage of the confusion that prevailed in the sultanate of Bijapur

.Shivaji made his first military conquest at the age of 16 even during the tutelage of Konadev by attacking and capturing the hill forts near Poona against wishes.Shivaji started his adventures on a wider scale from 1647. He captured the forts of Torna, Raigarh, Kondana etc., from the ruler of Bijapur. Adilshahi ruler had realized the danger involved and brought pressure on Shahji, to dissuade his son, from such anti Adilshahi activities. Fearing the rising power of Shivaji, the Bijapur Sultan Mohammad Adilsha I imprisoned his father. Shivaji as a counter measure negotiated with prince Murad, the viceroy of Deccan, and expressed the wish to join the Mughal service. This diplomatic move of Shivaji not only alarmed the Bijapur sultan but also made him to release his father. During the next six years i.e. (from 1649 to 1655) Shivaji turned his attention towards consolidation of his power and re-organizing administration. Shivaji, after 1655 renewed his inroads deep in to the state of Bijapur.

Shivaji began his real career of conquests in 1656 when he conquered Javali fort from the Maratha chief Chandra Rao More. The occupation of Javali fort brought a quantitative change in his economic position, for he secured large treasure hidden in the fort. With the help of that booty, Shivaji increased the strength of Mawali foot soldiers and conquered a series of hill forts located in the neighborhood of Poona which formed part of the Bijapur Sultanate. The conquests of Javali made him the undisputed master of Mawali area. Mawali foot soldiers became a strong part of his army.

3.3 Episode of Afzal Khan

The capture of Javali by Shivaji in 1656 alarmed the Adilshahi authorities. Bijapur Sultan then grew suspicious of the rising power of Shivaji in the Deccan and decided to crush him. Accordingly a huge army of 10,000 troops was sent under the command of Afzal Khan with instruction to capture him either alive or dead. Afzal Khan to terrifi Shivaji started his campaign by wholesale destruction of temples, agriculture and massacre. Treachery was common in those days, and both Afzal Khan and Shivaji resorted to use the same. Afzal Khan sent an invitation to Shivaji for a personal interview, promising to get him pardoned from the Sultan of Bijapur. He met Shivaji on the small plateau of Pratapagarh. Sensing that it was trap, Shivaji went prepared and murdered Afzal Khan in cunning and daring manner in 1659. The episode of Afzal Khan is significant in Maratha history and got in to powerful and thought provoking folklore.

Intoxicated by this victory, the Maratha troops overran the powerful fort of Panhala and entered Southern Konkan and Kolhapuri region by making extensive conquests. Shivaji’s exploits made him a legendary figure. His name became a household name. People flocked to him from Maratha area to join his army, even the Afghan mercenaries who were in the service of Bijapur rallied round him. It must be said that his organization withstood the critical moments in Maratha history.

The Bijapur Sultan tried thrice to check Shivaji but in vain. The conflict between Shivaji and Bijapur was essentially political in nature. Ultimately the Sultan concluded a treaty with Shivaji according to which Shivaji was recognized by Bahmani Sultan as the ruler of territories occupied by him.Thus Shivaji was successful in fighting against Bijapur.

3.4 Shivaji and Aurangzeb

Shivaji after concluding peace with the Sultan of Bijapur diverted his attention to the Mughal territories in the Deccan and this made him to come into conflict with Aurangzeb. This opened a new phase, known as Mughal-Maratha relations.

Aurangzeb was the Viceroy of the Deccan twice and he was pre-occupied with reorganization of Deccan fiancés as also with the affairs of Bijapur. Shivaji came into conflict with the Mughals first in 1657 when he helped Bijapur sultan to check the power of Mughals from penetrating into the Deccan. Shivaji felt confident enough to make a night attack on the Mughal fortress of Junnar in May 1657 and carried off innumerable booty from it. Later, he appeared before Ahmadnagar and was partly successful in raiding it. Shivaji consolidated his position in Konkan because Aurangzeb left the Deccan to secure the throne.

The Mughal emperor, Aurangzeb appointed Shaista Khan to the Viceroyalty of the Deccan and instructed him to invade the dominions of Shivaji. The emperor even instructed the Sultan of Bijapur to assist and help the Mughal Viceroy. Thus, the combined forces attacked and occupied Panhala. Shaista Khan occupied Poona in 1660 and made it his head quarters. Then the Mughal forces occupied Konkan possessions of Shivaji.

For three years (1660-63), Shivaji was so hunted from all directions that he became homeless wanderer. At this juncture, he launched a night attack at the well-guarded mansion of Shaista Khan who was wounded in the attack and his son was killed. This incident gave a rude shock to the Mughal prestige in the Deccan.

It led to the recall of Shaista Khan and the appointment of Aurangzeb’s son, prince Muazam as Viceroy in the Deccan. Next blow to the Mughal prestige in the Deccan was the sack of Surat by Shivaji in 1664, which was followed by plunder of Ahmadnagar.

3.5 Treaty of Purandhar.

In 1665 Aurangzeb entrusted the task of suppressing Shivaji to Raja Jai Singh of Amber. Jai Singh, a tactful and brave general, proceeded cautiously against the clever Maratha chief. He opened the campaign with the siege of Purandhar. The Mughals also blockaded Raigarh-the seat of Shivaji’s government. Driven to desperation after months of resistance, Shivaji negotiated for submission and the result was the Treaty of Purandhar, 1665. The treaty allowed Shivaji to retain 12 of his forts, including Raigarh, on the condition of obedience and service to the Mughals and surrender of 23 forts. After the treaty of Purandhar, Shivaji visited the Mughal court at Agra with his son Shambaji. The emperor neglected his presence and offered him a place to stand among the 5000 mansab office rankers. His reaction, confinement and escape were well known facts of history. The visit to Agra paid nothing to Shivaji, but it certainly created a story of personal adventure in History

After returning to the Deccan in 1666, Shivaji took no aggressive measures and devoted a year or two to reorganizing his resources. On the other hand, Muazam also adopted a conciliatory policy and Aurangzeb conferred the title of ‘Raja’ on Shivaji and his son Shambaji was granted a mansab and Jagir in Berar. But the three year long peace was broken when Aurangzeb attacked a part of Berar. Shivaji, renewed his attacks against the Mughal and the Adilshahi territories, with a second sack and plunder of Surat in 1670. Besides, he reestablished his control over the 23 forts which he had surrendered to the Mughal according to the Treaty of Purandhar. The power of Maratha hero, at this time reached meridian splendor.

In 1674 Shivaji got himself coronate at Raigarh with great pomp and splendor and assumed the title ‘Chhatrapati’ and made Raigrah as capital.

In 1676 Shivaji undertook a bold new venture. Shivajji was given a grant welcome by the Qutubshahi ruler, Abdul Hasan, at his capital and a formal agreement was arrived at. The Golkonda Sultan supplied Shivaji a contingent of troops and military aid on condition that the booty gained in Karnataka was to be shared.

During the course of southern campaign Shivaji conquered Ginjee, Madurai, Vellore etc. and about 100 forts in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu from Bijapur. He also settled the affairs with his brother, Venkoji, who was ruling at Tanjavur. The Karnataka expedition proved to be Shivaji’s last great achievement. Shivaji died in 1680 after his return from Karnataka expedition. Shivaji succeeded in establishing an independent kingdom in Deccan before his death. The success of Shivaji was due to his own courage, ability, character and personality.

3.6 Administration

Shivaji was the master of extensive territories in Maharashtra, Karnataka and Tamilnadu.He laid the foundation of sound system of administration. It was largely borrowed from the administrative practices of the Deccan states. Chartrapathi or the King was the supreme head. Shivaji was assisted by a Council of eight ministers, popularly known as, the Ashta Pradhan. The function of the Council was purely advisory in nature. The eight ministers were:

• Peshwa, his duty was to look after the general welfare of the state, supervise the works of various departments in central government
• Amatya or Majumdar, who was to check the public accounts of the kingdom
• Mantri or Waqia- Niwas, his duty was to keep the dairy of daily events of the kings
• Sumant or Dabir, was the foreign secretary whose duty was to advice the king on states outside Swaraj and outside India
• Sachiv or Shuru Nawis, who was to look after correspondence of the king
• Pandit Rao or Danadhyaksha, who was to fix dates for religious ceremonies and charities
• Nayaadhish, was responsible for civil and military justice, and
• Senapathi or Sar-i- Naubat, was in charge of the army

Except Nyaadhish and Pandit Rao, all other members were required to command armies and lead expeditions.

3.6.1. Provincial Administration

Shivaji divided his Swaraj into provinces and kept under the control of the Viceroys. The provinces were divided into Prantas which were placed under the jurisdiction of an officer called Mukhya-Desadhikari. The Prantas were in turn divided into Tarafs and these were placed under Havaldars. The Tarafs were divided into Villages. Patil was pivot of its administration. He was assisted by Panchayats. The Towns were under Kotwals.

3.6.2 Military Organization

Shivaji was a born general of war. He organized the military system, which he had inherited from his predecessors, and effected several improvements in it. He maintained regular standard army. The regular army consisted of about 30,000 to 40,000 cavalry supervised by Havaldars. There were two divisions in the Maratha cavalry – (i) Bargirs equipped and paid by the state and (ii)Silahdars maintained by the nobles. In the infantry the Mavali foot soldiers played an important role. Shivaji maintained strict discipline in the army.

Forts played a very important role in the military organization. Garrisons of forts were carefully selected. The chronicles mention that there were about 280 forts in his possession. He spent a large sum of money in repairing some of the more important forts like Rajgarh, Toranana, Pratapagarh. Every fort was placed under three officers of equal status.(i) Havaldar (ii) Salnis (iii) Sari Naubat.

Shivaji maintained a very high moral and ethical standard, as the Mughal historian Khafi Khan writes “…But he made it a rule that whenever his armies went plundering they should do no harm to the mosques, the Book of God or the women of anyone. Whenever a copy of the sacred Quran came into his hands, he treated it with respect, and gave it to some of his Muslim followers, when the women of any Hindus or Muslims were taken prisoners by his men, he watched over them until their relations came with a suitable ransom to buy their liberty:

3.6.3 Revenue System

The revenue system of Shivaji seems to have been patterned on the system of Malik Ambar of Ahamednagar. He reduced the power of the existing Deshmukhs and Kulkarnis. He appointed his own revenue officials. The new system was completed by Annaji Datto in 1679. The Land was carefully surveyed with the help of measuring rods or kathi. The share of the state was fixed at 30% of the produce. The cultivator or the ryot was allowed to pay in cash or kind. The rules of land revenue applied to the territories under the direct rule or Shivaji called Swaraj. The two most important taxes in the Martha taxation system were Chauth and Sardeshmukhi. The areas under Muslim rule known as Mughlai Territory were subject to Chauth (1/4 of Land Produce) and SardeshMukhi (1/10 of Land produce).

4. Estimate

Shivaji possessed a creative genius of vey high order. Shivaji rose from the son of a petty Jagirdar in Muslim state to the position of Chhatrapati. Shivaji had always striven to maintain the honor of people in his territories. Shivaji proved himself successful as a born leader of man, a capable daring soldier, a successful commander and an efficient administrator. His greatest contribution was that he united the Marathas and instilled in them the sense of self-pride, sacrifice and chivalry.

5. Successors of Shivaji

The death of Shivaji in 1680 brought some substantial change in the history of Marathas. There ensued a war of succession after the death of the Shivaji between his sons Sambhaji and Rajaram. Sambhaji emerged victorious, but he was defeated and killed by Aurangzeb. His wife and son Shahu were arrested and imprisoned at Agra. Rajaram succeeded throne and continued to struggle against the Mughals. He had to escape when the Mughals attacked his capital and sought shelter at Ginjee in the east coast .Maratha resistance grew and the Mughals suffered a number of serious reverses. The Marathas recaptured many of their forts and Rajaram was able to come back to Satara. He was succeeded by his minor son Shivajji II with his mother Tara Bai as regent. The next ruler was Shahu, the son of Sambhaji in whose reign the Peshwars rose to power. By 1750 the kingdom of Shivaji had become a Maratha confederacy headed by the Peshwa.

Web links

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shivaji
• http://www.historydiscussion.net/history-of-india/the-early-life-and-achievements-of-shivaji/2858
• http://www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/shivaji-6302.php
• http://www.importantindia.com/9529/shivaji-maharaj-biography/
• http://www.indianetzone.com/5/rise_career__shivaji.htm
• http://hero-for-modern-india.blogspot.in/