Chhatrapati Shivaji

Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj was the founder of the Maratha Empire in western India.
He is considered to be one of the greatest warriors of his time.
Shivaji was born on 19th February 1630, in the Shivneri Fort, 60 km to the north of
Pune. He was named as Shiva, after the local Goddess Shivai, to whom his mother
Jijabai had prayed for a son. Sahaji left his son Shivaji to manage the Pune holdings,
under the care of his mother Jijabai.
With a small council of ministers, Shivaji began managing his estate. In the year
1644, Shivaji undertook full administrative responsibilities of his estate. Thus he
started his career as an independent young prince of a small kingdom. His mother,
Jijabai, instilled in Shivajis mind a love for independence.
The first aggression in the life of Shivaji came at the age of 16, when he seized the
Torna fort of Bijapur kingdom. By 1647, he had gained control over Kondana and
Rajgad forts, with complete power of the Pune region. In November 1659, he fought
the battle of Pratapgarh and defeated Afzal Khan. King Shivaji occupied the area
stretching upto the Panhala Fort.
The battle of Kolhapur took place in December 1659. In the battle, Shivaji crushed
the army of Bijapuri general, Rustemjaman. In 1660, Siddi Johar's huge and
daunting army attacked him at Panhala fort. Shivaji managed to escape from the fort.
However, he soon launched an attack on Siddi Johar. By 1663, he lost most of his
conquests to the Mughal army.
In the next few years, Shivaji again started seizing forts belonging to both Mughals
as well as those of Bijapur. In January 1670, Shivaji launched an attack on Mughal
garrisons in Maharashtra. Within a period of six months, he won back most of his lost
empire. The period of 1670 to 1674 was spent by Shivaji Maharaj in expanding his
empire at the cost of the Mughals.
In 1670, Shivaji launched an assault, under his General - Tanaji Malusare, to capture
Kondana fort on the outskirts of Pune. The battle was won. Shivaji was formally
crowned as Chatrapati (meaning the Chief, Head or King of Kshatriyas) in June 1674
at the Raigad fort. He was given the title of Kshatriya Kulavantas
Simhasanadheeshwar Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. The end of 1676 saw Shivaji
commencing attacks in the sothern parts of India.
Shivaji breathed his last on 3rd April 1680 in the Raigad fort, the capital for Maratha
Empire. He was succeeded by his elder son, Sambhaji.