Chaatrapatti Shivaji Maharaj and Durga
Originally uploaded by flickr photographerno1Every Pandal be it Lord Ganeshas or Goddess Durga, you will find it adorned by the bust of Chatrapatti Shivaji Maharaj..The Symbol of our Indian ethos , our collective strength as Mumbaikars.
He is the Icon of our freedom from the moghuls and the British Vampire.
We owe our Independence to his exemplary courage and his warrior status and military achievements, that became a beacon of inspiration for the freedom fighters like Bal Gangadhar Tilak , actually my cab had passed this pandal, I saw this picture in passing and halted th cab near Dagdi Chawl at Bycyulla and took this memorable shot..
Now a few words on Shivaji Maharaj from wikipedia..
"Maratha tituka milavava
Maharashtra Dharma vadhavava"
translates "Bring as many people into Maratha domain as possible; and grow the Maharashtra Nation"[10]
A political party, the Shiv Sena, claims to draw inspiration from Shivaji.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shivaji
Shivaji Bhosle, also known as Chhatrapati Shivaji Raje Bhosle (Marathi: छत्रपती शिवाजी राजे भोसले) (February 19, 1627 to March 4, 1680) was the founder of Maratha empire in western India in 1674. Using guerrilla tactics superbly suited to the rugged mountains and valleys of the region, he annexed a portion of the then dominant Mughal empire and the Sultanate of Bijapur. He is considered a great hero in India particularly in the present-day state of Maharashtra, and stories of his exploits have entered into folklore. .[1]
Family background
Shivaji started his rise to power in what is now the state of Maharashtra in the Deccan, close to the power centres of South-Central India.
The land of Maharashtra was ruled by a local dynasty, the Satavahanas from 300 BC to 230 AD. After which, it constantly swayed into many different kingdoms.
In 1292, Ala-ud-din Khilji defeated the Yadavas of Devagiri, but the Yadavas continued to rule till 1310. But a branch of the Yadavas ruled parts of Konkan and Khandesh regions for a century thereafter. While the Maratha capital fell to invaders, the regional lords held their sway.
In 1453, an invasion of Bahamani in the region of Vishalgarh resulted in a defeat of Yadavas. Over time, an understanding evolved between the sultanates, regional lords and their erstwhile master Yadavas. The Yadavas became a vassal of Bahamani. In 1492, the Bahamani sultanate broke into five kingdoms called Shahi.
In 1565, the allied Deccan sultanates had vanquished the Vijayanagara Empire at Talikota. By the time Shivaji began his military career, power in the region was shared by three Sultanates - Bijapur, Ahmednagar, and Golconda. Most of the Marathas continued as soldiers and noblemen of the Sultanates. Indeed, the sultanates engaged in a continuous game of mutual alliances and aggressions.
Like his ancestors, Shahaji (Shivaji's father) was a major player in the Mughal Wars. At that time, Shahaji played the role of a regent for the young Nizam. Together with the prime minister of Nizamshah, Malik Amber, he put up a stiff resistance to the advancing forces of the Mughal emperor and defeated them.
However, tired of the unsettled conditions, Shahaji Raje left Nizamshah's service and joined Adilshah of Bijapur, who gave him the title of 'Sar Lashkar' [2]. Emperor Shah Jahan again attacked the Kingdom of Nizamshah. At this critical hour, Shahaji Raje returned to the service of Nizamshah. Meanwhile Lakhuji Jadavrao was murdered. This prompted Shahaji to raise the banner of independence.
Shivaji's rule
Shivaji was an able administrator and established a government that included such modern concepts as cabinet (Ashtapradhan mandal), foreign affairs (Dabir) and internal intelligence.[4] Shivaji established an effective civil and military administration. He also built a powerful navy and erected new forts like Sindhudurg and strengthened old ones like Vijayadurg on the west coast. The Maratha navy held its own against the British, Portuguese and Dutch till Maratha internal conflict brought their downfall in 1756.
Shivaji is well known for his benevolent attitude towards his subjects. He believed that there was a close bond between the state and the citizens. He encouraged all socio-economic groups to participate in the ongoing political changes. To this day he is remembered as a just and welfare-minded king. He brought revolutionary changes in military, fort architecture, society and politics.
Shivaji occupies a special place in the hearts of Marathi peoples and many others in India due in part to his, well documented high moral code of conduct and his unrelenting drive toward the liberation of India from alien power of the Mughals and the Nizams. He faced daunting challenges such as repeated invasions by huge enemy armies, notably the Mughals and the regional Sultanates, that would have defeated a lesser leader.
Shivaji coped and survived and eventually emerged triumphant by using innovative tactics including hit-and-run, strategic expansion of territories and forts, by constantly keeping on the move, by being highly mobile and by always keeping one step ahead of his pursuers.
In the earlier years of his leadership he commanded a small force of loyal followers, they had few resources and lacked much military hardware and equipment and made do with what was available and whatever he was able to capture from his enemies. Compared to the hardy but ill equipped army of Shivaji, the Mughals sported a numerically superior and fully armed and well stocked professional army. However the Mughal army was much more slower than the Marathas and thus were vulnerable to hit-and-run tactics.
Shivaji brilliantly overcame disadvantages of size and resources by adopting intelligent stratergies and tactics, including taking advantage of their intimate familiarity of the mountainous and rugged Maharashtra terrain, and by being highly mobile and lightning fast.
He was unrelenting in the expansion of his kingdom and the liberation of vast Maratha territories within and outside of Maharastra. He was a particularly troublesome thorn in the side of the mighty Mughal empire.
His strong warrior code of ethics and deep seated and uncompromising spiritual values directed him to offer protection to houses of worship, non combatants, women and children. He always showed respect to holy men and places of worship of all denominations and religions.
His behaviour, was noted by those around him, to be always of the highest moral caliber, he clearly and unambiguously embodied the virtues and ideals of a true nobleman.
As a result of of Shivaji's selfless service to his peoples and nation, his impeccable conduct, and his unparalleled courage and daring, he struck a deep chord with his followers and the citizenary. The high level of loyalty and respect he earned from his followers and subjects sets him apart from any other Indian king or chieftan in the post Islamic Indian history. Even today he is venerated in India and especially in the state of Maharashtra with awe and admiration and is viewed as a hero of epic proportions.
Shivaji and religion
Shivaji was a deeply spiritual Hindu, and respected all religions within the region. Shivaji had great respect for Warkari saints like Tukaram and Sufi Muslim pir Shaikh Yacub Baba Avaliya of Konkan .[6].
He also visited Mouni Maharaj temple and samadhi at Patgaon (Bhudargad Taluka near to Gargoti) in Kolhapur district. Shahaji had donated a huge piece of land to Shaha-Sharif Durga of Ahmednagar.
Shivaji allowed his subjects freedom of religion and opposed forced conversion. The first thing Shivaji did after a conquest was to promulgate protection of mosques and Muslim tombs. One-third of his army was Muslim, as were many of his commanders: his most trusted general in all his campaigns was Haider Ali Kohari; Darya Sarang was chief of armoury; Ibrahim Khan and Daulat Khan were prominent in the navy; and Siddi Ibrahim was chief of artillery.
Shivaji had particular respect for the Sufi tradition of Islam.[7] Shivaji used to pray at the mausoleum of the great Sufi Muslim saint Baba Sharifuddin. He also visited the abode of another great Sufi saint, Shaikh Yacub of the Konkan, and took his blessings. He called Hazrat Baba of Ratnagiri bahut thorwale bhau, meaning "great elder brother".
Kafi Khan, the Mughal historian and Bernier, a French traveler, spoke highly of his religious policy. He also brought back converts like Netaji Palkar & Bajaji in Hinduism. He also prohibited slavery in his kingdom.
Shivaji applied a humane and liberal policy to the Muslim women of his state.[7] There are many instances in folklore ,which describes Shivaji's respect for women, irrespective of their religion, nationality, or creed.
Shivaji's sentiments can be seen in an admonishing letter he wrote to Aurangzeb, in which he wrote: "Verily, Islam and Hinduism are terms of contrast. They are used by the true Divine Painter for blending the colours and filling in the outlines. If it is a mosque, the call to prayer is chanted in remembrance of him. If it is a temple, the bells are rung in yearning for him alone."[7][8][9]
I haave taken a few portions.. you can read the entire article at wikipedia..
