Chatrapathi Sivaji Maharaj was a legendary Maratha ruler who established the greatest Hindu empire during the times of great turmoil where the rule of the Muslim invaders was almost unopposed. A few excerpts from
the extraordinary life of the great King.
THE TIMES:
India, as Bharata Varsha, for thousands of years was the most prosperous and enlightened land attracting visitors and seekers alike from all across the world. The strength lies in Sanatana Dharma. As would be expected, it drew all the wrong attention too. Invaders who just wanted to plunder came along and destroyed universities and temple cities which were the citadels of learning. The knowledge, the teachers and the seekers were wiped out in such barbarous attacks. As time went on, few of the invaders settled down and one dynasty, the Mughals went on to build one of the greatest empires whose influence lasts till date. Different parts of the country were under the direct rule of Muslim kings who owed their allegiance to the Mughal emperors of Delhi. Many cultures across the world perished in the continued onslaught of the Muslim invaders. Sanatana Dharma persisted solely owing to the enlightened sages who protect this holy land. We can never ever thank them enough.
THE MOTHER:
Shivaji was born to Shahaji Bhosle and Jijia Bai. Shahaji was a Maratha commander who was serving the Bijapur Sultan. Jijia Bai inspired Shivaji with stories of ancient Hindu scriptures and invigorated into him a valour unsurpassable and a loyalty to Bharat, uncompromising. This is how heroes are made. You take any great personality, the upbringing and especially what values a mother wants to inculcate into her child play a pivotal role. Spending time with kids and especially reading or telling stories of great men and women at bed time has a great influence on their psyche and as they say, “The limit of greatness is your imagination”
THE TEACHER:
Shivaji was greatly influenced by his Guru, Sri Samarth Ramadas towards the need of establishing a Hindu empire where Sanatana Dharma can be revived. Shivaji, under his ambition towards a Hindu Rajya and encouraged by his Guru, started his conquests even before he was fifteen. Heroes don’t wait.
THE STRATEGY:
Ancient India had quite fixed rules for warfare. There were rules not to fight in the night, not to kill a surrendered enemy, not to kill an unarmed soldier, to fight the war from the front etc etc. These held good until both sides followed the rules. Now come the Muslim invaders who didn’t have these rules. They fought day and night, butchered the enemy soldiers even after surrender and ransacked whole cities and piling up dead bodies of citizens who were not in combat. The Rajputs and other rulers who held integrity above victory could not hold their forts against such lawless mobs. They had to die in war or surrender to becoming subordinates. In that scenario, Shivaji with a small army decided early on that ethical warfare can take him nowhere. Here is a warrior who fights in the night, takes the enemy by surprise, mastered guerilla tactics, kills anyone whom he thinks would be a future threat even if he surrendered now... strategies otherwise considered non admissable in war. Desperate times need desperate measures.
THE FIRST THREAT:
Afzal Khan was the first major threat to Shivaji and there was a long war between both the forces and Shivaji’s resources were dwindling with his own associates asking for surrender. Afzal Khan, on the other side was becoming restless with the long war and asked Shivaji to come for discussions. Shivaji expected Afzal Khan to cheat him and went prepared to cheat Afzal Khan !! That was the thinking of Shivaji. When you think in the ways of the enemy, you plan ahead. Unable to do this, Purushottam lost to Alexander, Prithviraj lost to Ghori. The enemies tactics which won them wars till then, finally met an equally conniving Shivaji.
THE LESSON:
It is said that once Shivaji, on a hunting expedition, lost his way and asked for food at an old lady’s house he came across. The woman offered him something like a pancake (Dibba rotti) which Shivaji in his hunger, took a bite from the middle and dropped it as it was hot. The old lady laughed saying, “Your way of eating reminds me of the fool Shivaji who rules this area”. Shivaji was taken aback, but asked calmly the reason. She
replied, “Shivaji is occupying fort after fort and going after big forts without consolidating what is already his. So, as he was going for bigger targets, the earlier won forts are slipping away back to the enemy. You have to eat the pancake from the sides first. Likewise, he has to first win all the surrounding smaller forts, consolidate them and then go for the big kill”. Shivaji learnt a lesson that he could never forget in his entire life and this event dictated his strategy for the remaining days. To be humble and ready to learn from anyone is a hallmark of greatness.
THE SACRIFICE:
Once, in a battle at one of Shivaji’s forts, the enemy were at the verge of victory and some of Shivaji’s generals asked Shivaji and some soldiers to escape and reach another fort nearby while they held the enemy. This was a suicidal plan. Those who remained back will die for sure. But, Shivaji and his personal army could survive and reach the safety of the other fort. The hero alone can never achieve anything. The greatness of a hero is in inspiring such followers who believe in his ideology and are ready to go to any extent for the leader and his goal. Salute to such heroes and salute to such loyal followers. We owe our very existence and our heritage to such sacrifices.
THE STEPBACK:
After defeating the powerful Shiesta Khan by the strategy of surprise war, Shivaji was unstoppable. Aurangazeb sent Jai Singh to subdue Shivaji and Shivaji could not match the equally intelligent Jai Singh and with dwindling resources, he had to accept the peace treaty. He went to Aurangazeb’s court willing to become his subordinate, but on not being given proper respect in the court, defied the treaty. He later escaped from house arrest bribing the gate keepers. But, with much lesser army due to continuous wars, he had to take a step back and make peace with the Mughals paying them annual money. He utilised the time to strengthen himself and after a few years renewed the war with them. To step back when the time is not right and stay subdued to recoup and attack later is the lesson for all to learn, generals, kings, countries and common people alike.
THE CORONATION:
Shivaji got coronated as ‘Haindava Dharmoddharaka Chatrapathi Shivaji Maharaj’ in 1674 and his mother, Jijia bai died a few days later content on seeing her life time dream come true with his son becoming the illustrious king whose story would be told to other children like she told her the stories of other kings.
THE WARS:
Shivaji was always a general on the march for his entire life. He fought innumerable wars, not all victorious, but wise enough to accept defeat, retreat and recoup. This helped him survive greater threats and vicious enemies. He could successfully drive a wedge between different Muslim kings taking their help to fight the Mughals. To be able to friend anyone is an asset for a general. Ideological fixation cannot help always is what Shivaji believed.
THE LEGACY:
Shivaji in building a Hindu Swarajya, left a legion of followers and inspired great commanders who, as Peshwas, took Maratha empire to its zenith ruling over most of India. Shivaji’s techniques in warfare and administration helped his successors in expanding their reach. Shivaji continues to inspire leaders and common people alike for his determination, shrewdness, diplomacy, war tactics and spirituality. Shivaji though strongly opposed Muslim rule, was very tolerant towards Muslims in his own empire and allowed them to practice their religion and gave them grants to build their places of worship. Afzal Khan desecrated the temple of Tulja Bhavani, sacred to the family of Shivaji and Pandarpur Vithal temple which was revered by the Marathas, in an attempt to entice Shivaji to come out. But, Shivaji, the shrewd general held his nerve and didn’t fall for the trap and saved himself for greater deeds ahead. This again is testament to the correct perspective towards religious places. The place itself is a symbol. The true spirituality is within yourself, which no one can desecrate.
May Shivaji and the great souls who inspired him and were inspired by him bless us with devotion and wisdom to win over our own wars in life.
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