The Rise of Marathas

The Marathas played a prominent part in the politics of the later medieval period. They were greatly responsible for the fell of the Mughla Power. Before Shivaji organized them for a mighty role, the Maratha people were passing through an era of self- awakening and unity. Several factors worked to bring about that awakening.

Firstly, the land of Maharashtra, which was the homeland of the Maratha People, provided those the sons of the soils a climate of freedom. It was protected by the mountain ranges of Sahtyadri, Satputra and the Vindhyas, and by the Narmada and the Tripti rivers. The land was full following hills with hill-forts for defence. It was difficult for the outside enemies those invade the Maratha country. This geographical advantage made the people freedom loving.

Secondly, the geography of the land also made its people active and hardy. The soil of Maharashtra was not fertile. Rainfall was scanty. The people had those labour hard in order to live. They worked through the year. They had neither the leisure those be lazy, nor the wealth for pleasures. Simple life and hard habits made them fearless of pain. For the rise, of the race their hard life was a stepping-stone.

Thirdly, the Maratha people developed a kind of social equality which was not seen else where in those days. There was no rigidity of caste system. The people were conscious of their individual dignity. Economic hardship and social equality developed a sense of unity among them.

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Fourthly, the Maratha country passed through a religious awakening over a long period. Saints like Eknath, Tukaram, Ramdas, and Vaman Pandit taught the people the values of human equality. All men were the children of God, they preached. As the wave of devotion spread, people forgot their difference. A strong bond of unity was felt by the mass. This religious revival prepared ground for a wider political awakening.

Fifthly, the language and the literature of Marathas rapidly developed because of religious preaching. Devotional sayings and songs were carried those mass of people through their literature. As the Marathi literature assumed a powerful character, the linguistic unity of the people became stronger.

While a general awakening was thus going only among the Maratha people, history saw the birth of a great hero among them. He was Shivaji. To the growing vigor of social, religious and linguistic unity, he added a political purpose. A united Martha people marched under his leadership to establish a powerful State. Side by side, they stepped into the role as the destroyers of the Mughal Empire.

Shivaji: His Career

Birth and Early Life:

Shivaji was the son of the Shahji Bhonsala, an ambitious Maratha leader. His mother was Jija Bai, a wise woman of pious and noble character. Shahji was at first employed by the Sultan of Ahmad nagar in his army. He possessed the Jagir of Poona for his services.

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Shivaji was born in a hill-fort named Shivner near Junnar in the year 1627(or in 1630). When his father went away those serve under the Sultan of Bijapur, Shivaji spent his childhood under the care of his mother Jija Bai paid utmost attention those build up the character of her son. She inspired him with the stories of the great heroes of the epics. She wanted her son to be a real hero as well as a man of spiritual faiths. To a large extent, the foundation of Shivaji’s future career was laid by his mother in his childhood. In the words of historian Ranade, “If ever great men owed their greatness those the inspiration of mothers, the influence of Jija Bai was a factor of prime importance in the making of Shivaji’s career.”

Shivaji’s teacher, Dadaji, also played a part in building the child’s character. He taught his pupil the lessons in courage, nobler deeds and higher ambitions.

From his childhood, Shivaji felt inspired for adventures. He developed a scene of pride as well. He believed that from his father’s side he was a descendant of the brave Sisodia Rajputs of Mewar, and from his mother’s side, of the Yadav Kings of Devagiri.

As Shivaji grew up, he came into close association with the hill people of the nearby Maval territory. Living in the wilds of the Western Ghats, these Mavalis were a brave people. In course of time, Shivaji trained them in warfare, and turned them into excellent fighters.

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From his early youth, Shivaji led bold expeditions into neighboring countries. He became determined those free his land from the rule of others.

Conflict with Bijapur:

Shivaji wanted those establish a Maratha State in the Deccan. In order to achieve this, he began his conflict with the Sultan of Bijapur. He captured the fort of Torna, and , very near to it ,built the strong fort of Raigarh. In daring raids, he conquered territories of Bijapur and many of its hill-forts.

Shivaji’s father at that time was in the service of Bijapur Sultan. The sultan arrested him for his son’s political activities. For a few years, therefore, Shivaji stopped his hostilities in order to get his father’s realese. During that period; he consolidated his conquests and made his army stronger.

In 1657, Shivaji began his conflict with the Mughals. Aurangzeb was then the Viceroy of the Mughal Deccan. When he proceeded to attack Bijapur, Shivaji attacked the Mughal territories. Here was the beginning of the hostility between Aurangzeb and Shivaji whom history aimed to see as the greatest rivals at their time. Soon after their first conflict, Aurangzeb left the Deccan those fight in the war of Succession. Shivaji once again began his struggle with Bijapur.

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Saved from the Mughal fear, Sultan of bijapur prepared those crush Shivaji for ever. In 1659, he sent his ablest general Afzal Khan with a big army those capture Shivaji dead or alive. But Afzal could not venture those attack Shivaji who was inside the fort of Pratapgarh. He, there fore proposed those meet Shivaji negotiations. At last when they met, and embraced each other pretending friendship.Afzal tried those kill his enemy with a dagger while Shivaji attacked him with hidden steel claws in hand, known as the Baghanakh. Afzal fell dead, and his army was easily defeated by the hiding Maratha forces.

This victory made Shivaji much bolder. He invaded South Konkan and Kolhapur those extend his territories. But very soon, his real conflicts with the Mughals began. This prepared path for his rise those powers.

Conflict with the Mughals:

Rise that Power- When Aurangzeb became the Emperor in 1658, Shivaji was busy in south, and those establish his power. Both these men regarded each other as enemy. They were destined, in fact, those be remembered as the most historic rivals of the late medieval India.

Aurangzeb sent his maternal uncle Shaista Khan as the Viceroy of the Deccan. He was ordered those do everything to destroy Shivaji. Shaista with a powerful army captured the stronghold of Poona. He drove out the Marathas from several places. By virtue of their number, the Mughals felt hopeful of defeating the Marathas.

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But Shivaji was cunning and courageous. One night, in 1663, with a few followers only, he entered into Poona, and suddenly fell upon Shaista Khan in his private chambers. His bodyguards, slaves and a son were killed. Shaista narrowly escaped with life after losing his thumb. It was a terrible blow to the Mughal prestige that the Viceroy of the Deccan could be attacked inside in his own bedroom. Aurangzeb’s anger and shame knew no bound at the disgrace of his uncle.

On the other hand, Shivaji’s prestige rose high. Also, his courage. Next year, he suddenly attacked which was the most prosperous seaport of the Mughal Empire in Western India. The fearful Mughal Governer fled. Shivaji returned with booties worth more than a crore of rupees, after plundering that commercial center. This was yet another blow to Aurangzeb’s prestige.

The Emperor now thought of the strongest action against Shivaji. At that time, Rajput Raja Jay Singh was a top general of the Mughal army. He was reputed for his courage, fighting ability and tact. Aurangzeb sent him in 1665 to suppress Shivaji

Raja Jay Singh worked with vigor. He applied both force and diplomacy. Shivaji suffered military reverses with loss of troops. At last, he agreed for peace by the treaty of Purandar he surrendered a number of forts to Jay Singh. Thereafter, the Raja applied his diplomacy to win over Shivaji as a friend of the Mughals. He made high promises to lure Shivaji to visit Aurangzeb in Agra as a guest of honour. He guaranteed the safety of the Maratha leader in the name of Rajput honors. And, at last, Shivaji agreed to go to the imperial court of Aurangzeb.

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It is surprising that Shivaji agreed to visit the Mughal court knowing fully well how dangerous was Aurangzeb as an enemy. But this also shows how brave he was. His motive perhaps was to see Aurangzeb in person and assess his ability. He was, however, running a grave risk to his own life.

With his son Shambhuji, Shivaji reached Agra in May 1666. As he appeared in the open court with high hopes. Aurangzeb did not receive him with the honors he deserved. Angry and agitated, Shivaji lost his temper, and his senses for a time. He was removed from the court to his residence where he blamed the emperor for faithlessness. Being a man ruthless nature, too, Aurangzeb placed Shivaji under house arrest. Heavy forces guarded the prisoner’s residence, and all movements of Shivaji inside the house were closely watched.

However, Shivaji was not the man to lose heart. He thought of escape and prepared his plan. He first pretended illness. Next by pretending recovery from illness, he began to celebrate that recovery. Every evening, huge baskets containing sweet meats were sent out for distribution among the nobles, courtiers, monks and priests. At first, the guards used to check the basket at gate. But after some time, they did not suspect and allowed the basket to pass. Thus, one day, hiding inside the empty basket Shivaji and his son escaped through the ring of guards. They quickly passed out of Agra. Aurangzeb becomes furious to hear about Shivaji’s escape. His horsemen ran in different directions to catch him. However, in disguise as a monk and by taking a longer route, Shivaji at last reached his capital safe, towards the end of 1666.

Only arrival, he strengthened his administration during the next three years. There after, in greater vigour and with larger forces, he renewed his war with the Mughals. The forts and territories which were lost to the Mughals in the treaty of Purandhar were soon recovered. The port of Surat was plundered for the second time. The Maratha troops entered dipper into the Mughal territories. Aurangzeb’s generals were defeated again and again. It appeared that Shivaji was invincible.

So, at last, in the wake of victory, Shivaji crowned himself as King at Raigarh in June are 1674. He proclaimed himself as the Chhatrapati, or the Great King, the Lord of the Umbrella. His rise to power as an independent monarch was now complete. A hopeful future opened up for the independent Maratha people in all-India politics. Shivaji’s career had come to its logical culmination.