Maratha- an individual who is indigenous to the state of Maharashtra, Marathi-speaking person.
TABLE OF CONTENT
1) Tracing Shivaji's ancestry
2) The call for Swarajya
3) Campaigns against the Bijapur Sultanate
4) Shivaji's Coronation ceremony
5) Mughal Maratha conflicts
6) British Maratha conflicts
Tracing Shivaji's ancestry
The Marathas came into prominence after the reign of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. Shivaji's personality and leadership skills as a warrior king evoke a deep sense of self-worth and pride among Maharashtrians even today. But let us retrace our steps to the past:
1327 CE- The migration of the Delhi Sultanate to the Deccan region.
1347 CE- It's subsequent deterioration into multiple Sultanates, one being The Bahmani Sultanate which seized control of the Deccan region.
1490 CE- The Bahmani Sultanate also saw its end and 5 new Deccan Sultanates were formed in its place, one being The Ahmednagar Sultanate.
Maloji Raje Bhosale (b. 1552, d. 1606 tentative)
Maloji's father was a Patil (chief) of villages around Pune, while he himself began his career from a humble background taking up service as a horseman with the Jadhavs of Sindkhed, Buldhana. Sindkhed Raja as the place is called came under the influence of local Maratha chieftains like the Jadhavs during Ahmednagar Sultanate rule. These sardars (chieftains) were independent military service providers for the Nizam Shahis.
By 1577 Maloji sought service with the Ahmednagar Sultanate directly, during which he became closely associated with the Siddhi military leader~ Malik Ambar. The Ahmednagar Sultanate at the time faced constant threats from neighbouring Sultanates, as also from the Mughals. Maloji Bhonsale fought bravely and excelled, for which he rose rapidly. By 1600's he was conferred the title of 'raja'. Further at Malik Amber's recommendation he received the jagir of Pune along with the forts of Chakan and Shivneri. Maloji died during a battle with Bijapur Sultanate somewhere around 1606.
đź’ˇSince Ahmednagar Sultanate was part of the Deccan confederacy that joined forces against the Vijayanagara empire during the Battle of Talikota (23 Jan 1565); it's quite possible but not clear if Maloji Bhonsale and other Maratha sardars fought alongside the musallmans.
Shahji Raje Bhonsale (b. 1594, d. 1664 CE)
Shahji raje was a soldier by profession. Following in his father's footsteps he too joined the services of Ahmednagar Sultanate where he rose rapidly to the rank of Sar Lashkar. He married Lakhujirao Jadhav's daughter, Jijabai.
Switching sides
Before the sense of Hindutva and longing for Swarajya had taken birth, Maratha chieftains were purely soldiers/ military leaders (sardars) who served for various muslim rulers. Shahji Raje's circumstances compelled him to constantly switch sides between the Bijapur Sultanate, the Ahmednagar Sultanate and even the Mughals under emperor Shahjahan.
With the help of Maratha sardars such as Lakhujirao Jadhav, Maloji and Shahji Bhonsale, Malik Amber successfully defeated Khan Khanum, Aurangzeb's commander in a 2nd battle with the Mughals. Malik Amber died in 1626 leaving the title of vizier in the hands of his incompetent son Fateh Khan.
1625- Shahji switches from Ahmednagar to Bijapur
In 1625 Shahji switched over to the Bijapur Sultanate side under Ibrahim Adil Shah II* (r. 1580 to 1627 CE).
*Ibrahim II was a secular-minded Adilshah who afforded all other religions their due space.
When Mohammad Adil Shah (r. 1627 to 1656 CE) ascended the throne of Bijapur after his father Ibrahim II, Bijapur had progressed into a major Deccan metropolis. But Shahji Raje Bhonsale chose to return to Ahmednagar in 1628 CE at the request of Fateh Khan.
Shahji returns to Ahmednagar's aid
The Adilshahis shared bitter rivalry against the Ahmednagar Nizams, while equally facing a threat from the Mughals. So in a twisted strategy of sorts, and to cushion Bijapur from any possible Mughal attack, they entered into an alliance that was meant to jointly defeat Ahmednagar. Shahji apparently had a soft corner for Ahmednagar and was against this alliance, so he left Bijapur. When Shahjahan launched a campaign against Ahmednagar, Shahji led a 6000 strong cavalry force at Khandesh, although he was defeated.
1630- Shahji switches to the Mughal camp
In 1630 CE bitter factional politics ensued in Ahmednagar resulting in Shahji's relatives (mainly his in-laws) being eliminated. This forced him to switch over to the Mughals camp. He thereafter received the territories of Junnar and Sangamner as jagirs from the Mughals.
đź’ˇ Shahji raje Bhonsale had 5 sons. Shivaji, his second son was born on 19 Feb 1630
1632- Shahji raje is embittered with the Mughals
When Shahji learnt that Fateh Khan of Ahmednagar also allied with the Mughals and in return he was awarded the jagirs that were previously allotted to him, he was enraged and left the Mughals immediately to rejoin the services of Bijapur. Fateh Khan had literally sold out Ahmednagar to the Mughals. Shahji however managed to retain his own army of 10,000 men loyal to him with the help of which he took control of some areas. In 1636 CE when Ahmednagar finally came under the Mughal reign, he continued helping the Ahmednagar troops to escape the Mughal onslaught.
Shaji raje raises an army
While residing in Junnar, he now raised a 12,000 strong army. This he managed by roping in other subordinate sardars who had their own units. But there were many sardars and their loyalties also shifted constantly. Thereafter he established his own capital at Shahabad and captured several forts.
1635- Shahji led Bijapur army suffers defeat at the hands of the Mughals
Shahji's views had been contrary to the faction that led a Bijapur-Mughal alliance against the Ahmednagar Sultanate. He preferred a direct confrontation and resistance to the Mughals without dragging Ahmednagar into it. This rattled the alliance faction and they conspired. Consequently Shahji raje suffered a major defeat at the hands of the Mughals that ended with 3000 soldiers taken captive plus the loss of several cities (Junnar and Nashik). Shahji thereafter escaped to Mahuli fort (Konkan region). In 1636, the Mughals laid siege on Mahuli, forcing him to surrender the fort.
1637 CE- Shahji raje Bhonsale's southern expedition
The Vijayanagara empire post the battle of Talikota was deteriorating and many Nayaks (local chiefs) had exerted their independence. The Bijapur and Golconda Sultanates also joined the race. Directed under the military command of Rustam-i-Zaman Ranadulla Khan and Shahji raje as subordinate commander, the Bijapur army headed south. At Mysore they subdue several Nayaks (local chiefs).
By Dec 1638 Bijapur forces took control of Bangalore which was assigned to Shahji. Besides, he was also assigned the neighbouring territories of Kolar, Hoskote, Doddaballapur and Sira. The surrounding hills of Bangalore were suitable for fortifications and had a salubrious climate, hence he chose to make Bangalore his HQ.
Suggested read- Channagiri hills trek
1641- Shahji raje Bhonsale allies with Afzal Khan
In the years to follow many Hindu chiefs rose in revolt, but Shahji suppressed them on behalf of the muslim Bijapur army. In 1641 he allied with Afzal Khan and captured the fort of Basavapatna from Keng Nayak. He was quite active in the Karnataka region and captured many forts during the time.
1644- Shahji rebels against Islamic orthodoxy
It is only with time that Islamic dominance and autocracy was understood properly by Hindus. Under the influence of the Mughals the Bijapur Sultanate became more religiously rigid which irked the Hindu Shahji.
The call for Swarajya
When Shahji was deployed to Bangalore by Bijapur Sultanate- Shivaji, his son was then only 14 years old and the responsibility of the Pune jagir fell on his shoulders, while Dadoji Konddev acted as administrator. After Dadoji's death in 1647, Shivaji took charge of the jagir.
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| Jijabai instilling the sense of Hindu pride in young Shivaji |
Jijabai enkindles the flame of Swarajya in young Shivaji's heart
Jijabai was married to Shahji raje Bhonsale at an early age. Hailing from the reputed Jadhav warrior family of Sindkhed Raja, she was proficient in politics, swordsmanship and horse-riding, all of which she imparted to her son. She instilled in the young Shivaji's heart the pride of being a Hindu by reading him stories from the Ramayana and Mahabharata.
Campaigns against the Bijapur Sultanate
The 1950s saw the Bijapur Sultanate heavily engaged with Mughal invasion threats and internal factional politics. Shivaji was quick and decisive in grabbing this opportunity and using it to his advantage.
1646- The capture of Torna: Challenging the Bijapur Sultanate
Mohammed Adil Shah of Bijapur (r. 1627 to 1656 CE) had faced rebellion from Shahji raje who opposed the Bijapur-Mughal alliance that was intended to appease the Mughals at the cost of throwing Ahmednagar under the bus. Shahji raje believed in a direct confrontation with the Mughals.
Now Shahji's 16 year old son Shivaji called for Swarajya: a rising Hindu identity. To achieve this dream he enlisted, trained and formed a band of sturdy soldiers from the Maval* region.
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| The oath of Hindavi Swaraj |
Mohammed Adil Shah who was suffering from a long-term illness was unable to check the growing threat. Taking advantage of the situation Shivaji captured the fort of Torna and seized the large treasure it contained.
*Maval is a hilly region in the western ghats of the Sahyadri range of Maharashtra. The highest point of this region is Mahabaleshwar.
Diplomatic negotiations with other Maratha sardars
Similar to the Bhonsales, there were other Maratha sardars who had been loyal to the Bijapur Sultanate, such as; the Sawants of Sawantwadi, Ghorpade of Mudhol, Phaltan Nimbalkars, etc. Shivaji adopted various tactics to subdue them and bring them under the Maratha fold.
1659- The Battle of Pratapgad
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| Shivaji kills Afzal Khan of Bijapur Sultanate in a deadly combat |
The Battle of Pratapgad between Marathas (Shivaji) and Bijapur Sultanate (Afzal Khan) brought about a decisive victory to the Marathas.
Siege on Panhala: suffering defeat
Following the victory at Pratapgad, the Maratha army led by Shivaji now headed onwards and captured Panhala fort (1659 CE). To counter this attack, by mid-1660s Bijapur allied with the British who supplied them the necessary grenades and artillery units required to bombard the fort of Panhala where Shivaji and his troops were camping. Thereafter, Adilshah with the help of his general Siddi Jauhar laid siege on the fort and cut off all supply routes leading to the fort. This rendered the Marathas helpless who after months of being trapped negotiated on ending the siege and surrendering the fort on 22 Sept 1660.
Battle of Pavan khind and the legend of Baji Prabhu Deshpande
While Siddhi Jauhar and other Bijapur chiefs were debating about whether to accept the offer or not, Shivaji made a bold attempt and escaped Panhala under the cover of night. The enemy troops, on learning this, pursued closely behind. Just then his Maratha sardar Baji Prabhu Deshpande along with 300 soldiers made a heroic effort to hold back the Bijapur cavalry.
At the Battle of Pavankhind, the small Maratha troop turned into a stumbling block guarding the Godhkhind* hill pass that lay between the enemy troops and Shivaji. Baji Prabhu Deshpande, despite being wounded, continued fighting until he heard the sound of cannons signalling that Shivaji had reached Vishalgad. The weary Bijapur forces were thus forced to give up the chase.
*Ghodkhind means horse ravine. It was later renamed Pavankhind (sacred ravine)
Shivaji retook Panhala fort in 1673.
Maratha Mughal conflicts during Shivaji
Until 1657, Shivaji's primary focus was in retaining control over the forts and villages that he had captured from Bijapur Sultanate. By maintaining a cordial relationship with the Mughal empire, he felt this would provide the necessary validation and at the same time keep yet another adversary at bay. But it seemed this judgement was misplaced. Bijapur requested to ally with the Mughals instead to defeat Shivaji. This infuriated the Maratha who in turn responded by~
1657- Marathas ransack Mughal territories in Deccan
Shivaji began all out raids on their territories in the Deccan, starting with Ahmednagar first. Thereafter another raid on Junnar wherein Marathas carried away a massive booty of 300,000 Mughal huns and 200 of their best horses. The Mughals retaliated by sending Nasiri Khan who succeeded in defeating the Maratha army at Ahmednagar. Fortunately for the Marathas, emperor Shahjahan's death was followed by infighting for the Mughal throne, plus the onset of torrential monsoons~ all this forced Aurangzeb to abandon his offences for the moment.
Jan 1660- Mughals retaliate by attacking Maratha territory of Pune
Aurangzeb, the newly crowned Mughal emperor hadn't lost sight of Shivaji's excesses in the Deccan provinces. He allied with Siddi Jauhar of Bijapur and dispatched his uncle Shaista Khan with a 150,000 strong army equipped with a heavy artillery div. This time the Marathas took a beating. Their losses- Pune, Chakan fort plus Shaista Khan didn't hesitate in occupying Lal Mahal, Shivaji's Pune residence.
1663- Shivaji avenges Shaista Khan's impudence
Shivaji avoided reacting to the Mughal commander's provocations for 3 years. Then on the night of 5th April 1663 an opportunity arose! Shaista Khan was having a marriage party in his Pune camp when Shivaji along with 400 Maratha soldiers rushed into his bedroom and made a surprise attack on him. In the scuffle that followed Shaista was badly wounded, his son, wives, household servants and soldiers were killed. The Khan himself fled for his life for which he was reprimanded by emperor Aurangzeb. He was thereafter transferred to Bengal.
1664- Marathas conduct raids to replenish their losses
In order to replenish his losses, Shivaji ransacked the wealthy Mughal port city of Surat and looted the Mughal treasury there. Thereafter on 13 Feb 1665 he raided Portuguese trading posts.
11 June 1665- Mughals gain an upper hand, Marathas receive a setback at Purandar
Suggested read- The exploits of Purandar
The defeat at Purandar made Shivaji a vassal of the Mughals. Sambhaji, his young son along with 5000 Maratha soldiers were deployed to fight the Deccan Sultanates on behalf of the Mughals.
1666- Shivaji is arrested at Agra, but escapes
As part of the Treaty of Purandar, Shivaji and his son Sambhaji (then 9 years old) were summoned to Agra. Aurangzeb's objective was to deploy him to Kandahar (Afghanistan) in order to consolidate Mughal interests there. On 12 May 1666 at the Mughal court, Shivaji was made to stand along with lower stature officials. This displeased the Maratha warrior king and he stormed out of the court. He was immediately put under house arrest.
A strategic escape plan
Shivaji requested that other Maratha men return, while he would stay back with his son at Agra. His request was met. Thereafter faking illness, he requested baskets of sweets be dispatched to Brahmins as a ritual to rid him of his illness. And when the request was granted, he hid himself in a large basket and his son in another. And that is how they got transported out and escaped Agra.
1666 to 1670- Shivaji allies with the Mughals
At Agra, Sardar Jai Singh I, the Mughal military commander acted as mediator between Aurangzeb and Shivaji to temper down hostilities. A period of peace followed and diplomatic efforts began. Shivaji remained a Mughal ally but he was treated with dignity and Aurangzeb even conferred the title of Raja on him while Sambhaji was made Mughal mansabdar and given 5000 horses. Thereafter, along with Senapati Prataprao Gujar, Sambhaji was deployed to Aurangabad in order to assist Aurangzeb's son Bahadur Shah I (also known as Mu'azzam).
Mughal Maratha alliance v/z Bijapuri Adilshahis
Mohammad Adil Shah (r. 1627 to 1656 CE) of the Bijapur Sultanate reaped the fruits of a Bijapur-Mughal alliance during the reign of emperor Shahjahan. But Shahjahan's son Aurangzeb was over zealous and longed to annex Bijapur. The Mughal Maratha alliance would work in favor of disintegrating Bijapur completely. Shivaji took this as a golden opportunity to isolate one rival at a time.
Suggested read- History of Adilshahis of Bijapur
Ali Adil Shah II (r. 1656 to 1676 CE) was a weak monarch and by the end of his reign Bijapur Sultanate lost all its important territories to Mughals and Marathas. Shivaji now earned Chauth (1/4th of revenues) & Sardheshmukhi (additional 1/10th) tax-tributes from Bijapur territories.
Shivaji resumes attacks on Mughals
Aurangzeb had bitten off more than he could chew. On one side were his insecurities and suspicions against his own and this time it was his son Mu'azzam*. Although there is no denying that Mu'azzam was infact conspiring to overthrow his father Aurangzeb with the help of Shivaji.
*Mu'azzam / Shah Alam I / Bahadur Shah I are names of the same individual who was Aurangzeb's 2nd son from his 2nd wife Nawab Bai.
On the other hand he was embroiled in clashes with Afghans due to which he was compelled to redirect his Deccan forces to the North/ Northwest region.
All these incidents worked in favor of Shivaji. Many disbanded Mughal soldiers now joined the Maratha camp. In 1670, the city of Surat (then Mughal territory) was looted for the 2nd time. In other offensives the Marathas took back Berar and other places they had lost to the Mughals. It took the Marathas just 4 months to recapture all their lost territories from the Mughals.
Shivraj Abhishek
On June 6, 1674 Shivaji's Coronation as Chhatrapati was performed at the fort of Raigad the new capital of Hindavi Swarajya.
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