Shahaji Raje Bhosle
The glory of mighty Maratha empire is well known to all of us. How Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj was successful in establishing such a huge kingdom is also widely known. But what we don’t know is that who built the foundation of Pune Jagir on which Shivaji established the whole Hindu Kingdom. It was his father Shahaji Raje Bhosle. His struggle started from a very early age. He played a key role in the foundation of one of the largest Hindu kingdoms in the medieval and early modern Indian History. In this blog, we would try to appreciate his lifetime events and struggles he faced during that time. Happy Reading!
Table of Contents
Personal Life of Shahaji Maharaj
Shahaji belonged to Bhosle clan and was the son of Maloji Bhosle who was the jagirdar of Pune, Daulatabad, etc. under the Sultanate of Ahmednagar. When Maloji and his wife got settled in Devagiri, they gave birth to 2 sons- Shahaji and Sharifji.
Shahaji got married in the Jadhav clan to Jijabai. Both Bhosles and Jadhavs had an age old rivalry but still they got married. Later both of them tried to convince their families to join hands forgetting past differences in order to establish an independent Hindu Kingdom and defeat these invaders and infiltrators. But both of them failed miserably.
Battle of Bhatvadi
Shahaji also served under Ahmednagar Sultanate. At that time Ahmednagar was in conflict with kingdoms like Mughals, Bijapur, Golconda, Bidar, Berar, etc. In, the famous battle of Bhatvadi was fought between Shahaji, Nizam and combined forces of Mughals and Adilshahi Sultanate. Shahaji had an army of just 20000 while Adilshahhi and Mughals had a combined army of 200000 people. Overall, the result of battle was inconclusive. Both the sides suffered huge losses to men and property.
After the Battle of Bhatvadi in 1624, Shahaji shifted his allegiance to Ibrahim Adil Shah of Bijapur sultanate because he was given less recognition by Ahmednagar Sultanate. Later, Ibrahim Adil Shah, who was tolerant towards Hindus, died in 1627. After his death, there was a rise of orthodox Muslim faction in Bijapur who wanted Bijapur- Mughal alliance against Ahmednagar. So, Shahaji decided to return to serve Ahmednagar again.
Now, in 1629, When Shahaji has just joined Ahmednagar again, Shah Jahan marched on Ahmednagar with a huge army. Though Shahaji tried to resist Mughal forces but he failed miserably. After this defeat, Shahaji aligned with Mughals. He was give jagirs of Junnar and Sangammer.
War against Mughals
Later, in 1632, when Fateh Khan (Ahmednagar Sultan) also aligned with Mughals, Shah Jahan awarded him the jagirs which were previously assigned to Shahaji. He then left the Mughals and started working independently. Amidst the Bijapur-Ahmednagar-Mughals conflict, he went on to occupy Nashik and Pune. He managed to control this politically sensitive region with an army of 5000 people.
Meanwhile, Mughals had occupied the whole Daulatabad region, Then Shahaji’s army responded with a huge blow and occupied a major port of Northern Konkan region. He set up his capital at Shahabad. By 1634, he also started raiding the area of Mughal occupied Daulatabad. It was then that the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan came with a huge army and compelled Shahaji to leave Northern Maharashtra and Shahaji retreated to Konkan.
Later in 1636, Mughal aligned with Bijapur to defeat Shahuji. After defeats at Mahulli and Junnar, Shahaji again joined the Bijapur army. As a result, Mughals became a major political power in 1636 in Deccan.
Shahaji's Life in Bangalore:
Bijapur and Mughals allowed Shahaji to retain his jagir of Pune, which he assigned to his son, Shivaji. Shahaji was himself transferred to the southern part of Bijapur Sultanate where he spent 20 years of his life. Taking advantage of the declining power of Vijaynagar Empire, both Bijapur and Golconda were trying to capture territories in the region.
Having established peace with Mughals, Bijapur directed Shahaji to move towards South and occupy the Mysore region. After seizing Banglore, Bijapur armies made it as their capital because of its secure fortress and good climate. Shahaji almost ruled the entire are independently without any intervention by the Bijapur sultanate. Shahaji relations with Bijapur went on to become great in the later years. He also helped Bijapur to suppress the revolt by local Hindu chiefs in 1641.
Later Life of Shahaji:
After a intervening short span of friendship and respect between Bijapur and Shahaji, their relations went on to decline further with the rise of Muslim orthodoxy in Bijapur. Bijapur even labeeled him as a rebel in a 1644 letter. The strain in relations continued till 1648 when Shahaji was arrested by Bijapur and forced to surrender jagirs of Kondana and Bangalore. But he was given pardon within a year.
Later between 1648 and 1660, Shahaji went on to live a peaceful life. While his elder son, Sambhaji was killed by Afhzal Khan in a revolt, his younger son Shivaji Maharaj was managing his Pune Jagir and had started to function independently from Bijapur. Moreover, in certain regions, he was offensive against the Bijapur Sultans.
Between 1659 and 1662, Shahaji also came to mediate between Bijapur and Shivaji. This was also one of their last meetings as Shahaji died in 1664.
Shahji's Role as a Father:
He is best known for being the father of the famous Maratha warrior king Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. As a father, Shahaji Bhosle played a significant role in the upbringing and education of Shivaji. He instilled in his son a strong sense of leadership, valor, and a deep love for the Maratha culture and heritage. Shahaji Bhosle’s influence on Shivaji‘s early life was crucial in shaping the young prince’s character and ambitions.
Shahaji Bhosle’s military and administrative experience also contributed to Shivaji’s understanding of statecraft and warfare. He provided valuable guidance to Shivaji as he embarked on his mission to establish the Maratha Empire and protect the interests of the Maratha people.
While Shahaji Bhosle’s relationship with Shivaji was important, it is essential to note that Shahaji was often away from his son due to his military and political commitments, including serving various Deccan sultanates.
Shahaji's Patronage to Art and Culture:
Shahaji Bhosle is known to have encouraged the use and development of the Marathi language. He recognized its potential as a medium for literature and administration, laying the foundation for Marathi to become a significant language in the region. The promotion of Marathi as a literary language is evident in historical texts from the time.
Shahaji Bhosle oversaw the construction of several forts and buildings in the Maratha region, including the Raigad Fort. These structures not only served military purposes but also displayed architectural excellence. The Raigad Fort, in particular, became a symbol of Maratha culture and governance.
Shahaji Bhosle had a strong inclination towards Sanskrit learning and literature. He is known to have supported the translation of Sanskrit texts into Marathi, making these valuable texts more accessible to the Marathi-speaking population. This is indicative of his commitment to preserving and disseminating classical knowledge.
Historical accounts suggest that Shahaji Bhosle was known for his religious tolerance. He allowed people of different faiths to practice their religions freely in his domains. This policy of religious tolerance contributed to a more harmonious and culturally diverse environment.
While specific details may be scarce, Shahaji’s patronage would likely have extended to indigenous arts and crafts, including painting, sculpture, and music. These art forms would have thrived under his rule, contributing to the cultural richness of the Maratha region.
Shahaji Bhosle’s rule likely involved the preservation and promotion of local traditions and customs, fostering a sense of cultural identity among the Maratha people. This would have contributed to the overall cultural fabric of the region.
Shahaji's Death:
Shahaji Bhosle, the father of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, passed away in the year 1664 after falling from his horse when he went for hunting. He died at the age of 66 in the city of Bangalore, which was then known as Bengaluru. Shahaji Bhosle spent his later years in the service of the Adil Shahi Sultanate of Bijapur, and it was in Bangalore that he breathed his last.
After his death, his son Shivaji Maharaj continued the legacy and went on to establish the Maratha Empire, becoming one of the most renowned and successful rulers in Indian history. Shahaji Bhosle’s contributions to the Maratha cause, both as a military leader and as a patron of culture, played a significant role in shaping the foundation upon which Shivaji built his empire.
FAQs
Shahaji Bhosale was a Maratha nobleman and military commander who played a significant role in the early development of the Maratha Empire in India. He was the father of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, the founder of the Maratha Empire.
Shahaji Bhosale had a complex relationship with the Mughal Empire. At times, he served the Mughals as a commander, but he also switched allegiances and allied with various regional powers to protect his interests and territories.
Shahaji Bhosale played a crucial role in shaping Shivaji Maharaj’s early life. He provided him with education and military training, which prepared Shivaji for his future role as a warrior and leader.
Shahaji Bhosle passed away in the year 1664 after falling from his horse when he went for hunting.
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