Short biography on the early career of Shivaji

Born at Shiveri on 19 February, 1630, Shivaji was brought up under the care of his mother, Jijabai and his guardian, Dadaji Konddeva. Jijabai played a decisive role in the moulding of the character of Shivaji.

Her constant companionship and the readings from the scriptures and epics instilled in young Shivaji’s mind hatred for wrong and injustice, while his guardian Dadaji inspired him with love for the glorious heritage of ancient India.

Without giving him any formal education worth the name, he trained him in archery, fencing sword play and riding. Above all, as a manager of his father’s jagirs, he taught Shivaji the art of administering his estates successfully. Wandering about his rugged homeland, Shivaji realized that the humble, simple but hardy folk could under his leadership, be organized into an irresistible force.

Shivaji soon gathered around him a band of brave youngmen of Maval country, who were ready to make any sacrifices for their leader and their country. Shivaji began his military exploits in 1646 when Adil Shah of Bijapur fell ill. He decided to conquer the strategetic fort of Torna which was 1382 km. high. Encouraged by his success, he captured the forts of Purandhar and Kondana.

He even built the new fortress of Rajgarh. In this manner, having brought under his control the fortesses around Poona, he began to function as a prince in his own right. He plundered a treasure on its way from Kalayan to Bijapur. He even invaded Kondana and captured the town of Kalayan.

The ruler of Bijapur felt infuriated and arrested his father, Shahji and released him only after the surrender of Kondana and some other forts by Shivaji. For a few years, thereafter Shivaji kept quiet and engaged himself in consolidating his conquests.

He, however, captured Jarli, then under the chieftain Chandra Rao More. Not only it augmented his resources but also opened a door for his progress into the south and the west. A few kilometres west of Jarli, he built a fort Pratapgarh and also occupied eastern half of Ratnagiri.

The Mughal historian of Aurangzeb’s times, Khafi Khan, the author of Muntkhab-ul- Luhab writes about Shivaji: “He built several forts also in these parts so that altogether he had forty forts all of which were well supplied with provisions and munitions of war.

Boldly, raising his standard of rebellion, he became the most noted rebel of the Dakhan.”

Shivaji tried to keep peace with the Mughals till he was engaged with Bijapur. When after the death of Muhammad Adil Shah (4 November, 1656) Aurangzeb made preparation to invade Bijapur, Shivaji offered to help the Imperial army on certain conditions.

He wanted to bring pressure on the Bijapur kings for the release of his father and also to secure recognition of his conquests of some parts of Bijapur territory. Aurangzeb responded favourably. But the peace with Mughals was shortlived, Shivaji launched an attack against the Mughals and raided and plundered Junnar in May 1657 and captured Kalyan.

He even advanced up to the gates of Ahmadnagar but withdrew when Aurangzeb ordered that the raiders be pursued and extirpated. However, the departure of Aurangzeb to the north in January 1658 to fight his brothers for the Delhi throne changed the whole situation.

Bijapur ruler was now free to deal with Shivaji who had become a source of constant anxiety. Adil Shah, therefore, deputed one of his ablest generals Afzal Khan with instructions to “bring him dead or alive”. Afzal Khan failed to reduce the fort of Pratapgarh and therefore opened negotiations with Shivaji through a Maratha Brahman Krishnaji.

Shivaji came to know from Krishnaji as well as from his secret agent that “Afzal Khan had so arranged matters that Shiva would be arrested at the interview, as he was too cunning to be caught by open fight”. Afzal Khan met Shivaji on the fateful day, 10 November, 1659 at the foot of Pratapgarh in a shamiana specially erected for the purpose.

While embracing, the tall and sturdy Afghan tried to thrust dagger at the short and slim Maratha leader Shivaji who escaped being protected by the armour he had put on body under his dress. Shivaji forthwith countered the attack by ripping open Afzal’s bowels with a weapon known as tiger’s claw (wagh nakh).

The Maratha guerillas fell upon Afzal Khan’s forces and inflicted a crushing defeat on the army that far outnumbered them. Shivaji’s generously ordered that Afzal Khan should be buried with all honours befitting his rank and made arrangements for the upkeep of his tomb.