Shivaji: The Architect of the Maratha Empire

 

SHIVAJI

In the Deccan, while Aurangzeb, the last Mughal ruler, was trying to conquer Bijapur and Golconda, he was faced with the threat of a new power- The Marathas. The Marathas lived in the hilly regions around Pune and Konkan in the Deccan.

The Marathas were led by Shivaji, a brilliant and brave Maratha. Shivaji was born in 1627 AD in Shivneri Fort near Pune. He spent the early years of his life with his mother Jijabai. His father, Shahaji Bhosle was the jagirdar (landlord) of Pune.

The credit for welding the Marathas into an organized and united Maratha state goes to the brilliant and brave Shivaji Maharaj. Shivaji's death at the age of fifty-three appeared to offer some relief to the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb. Shivaji died in 1680, but he left behind a huge and powerful state which lasted for over a hundred years under his successors. It expanded over a large territory from Kalyan to Goa inclusive of some parts of Karnataka and Mysore.

Shivaji established an effective civil and military administration.

Revenue System

• Land was divided into two categories- Swarajya or land under direct Maratha rule and Mughlai or neighbouring lands, not directly under the Maratha control.
• Land was the chief source of revenue and it was assessed on the basis of fertility of the soil and the kind of crops grown.
• The farmers had to pay forty percent of the produce as land tax.
• Shivaji levied two taxes on people living on Mughal lands- Chauth and Sardeshmukhi.
• The land tax called Chauth was one-fourth of the total revenue the cultivators paid to their rulers (to the Mughals). These taxes were paid to the Maratha government to protect their territories from Maratha raids.
• The second tax called Sardeshmukhi was an additional one-tenth of their land revenue, which was considered to be a tribute to Shivaji, the Sardeshmukhi or chief of Maharashtra.

Political System

Shivaji was the supreme head of the swarajya lands. He was assisted by a council of eight ministers known as Ashtapradhan holding portfolios in eight departments. The Peshwa or Prime Minister was placed in charge of the Ashtapradhan.

Military System

Shivaji's genius is most evident in his military organization which lasted till the decline of the Mughal empire.

• His army included cavalry, infantry, artillery and navy. The most important wing of the army was the cavalry. The officers were paid in cash.
• Shivaji initiated the art of guerrilla warfare. The Marathas would catch the enemy off-guard by attacking them suddenly and swiftly and then fleeing and hiding in the forest and hills. This made it extremely difficult for the enemy to trace them in the hilly terrain.
• The army had to follow a strict code of conduct. During war-time, civilians, especially women, children and senior citizens were treated respectfully. Goods belonging to the poor were not to be touched. The mosques and the Quran were not to be harmed.
• Shivaji had set up a well-maintained network of forts.

Annexation of Bijapur and Golconda and the Maratha War

Aurangzeb was successful in annexing Bijapur (Karnataka) and Golconda (Telangana). However, it proved to be harmful to the Mughal Empire. It became too vast to control and brought the Mughals in direct contact with the Marathas.

After Shivaji's death, his son Sambhaji fought for the control of the kingdom.

Sambhaji was captured and executed and the Maratha capital was occupied by the Mughals. His son Shahu and the rest of the family were imprisoned.

However, Rajaram, Sambhaji's brother escaped. He carried on the struggle against the Mughals.

The Marathas under Rajaram's control attacked the Mughals and occupied their territory. AFter his death, his brave and capable widow Tarabai continued to fight.

Aurangzeb's attempts to crush the Maratha empire failed. At the time of Aurangzeb's death in 1707, the Marathas had emerged as a second centre of political power and a great threat the Mughal empire.

The Marathas had a humble origin. Till the seventeenth century, they were minor chieftains serving in the kingdoms of Ahmadnagar, Bijapur and Golconda. When these kingdoms grew weak, the Marathas declared themselves independent. They began to control the region around modern Pune. Soon, they conquered more territories in the Konkan region. The man who laid the foundation of the Maratha kingdom was Shivaji.

Picture credit: Google