Who Was Shivaji?
Founder of the Maratha Empire during the 17th century.
Known for resisting Mughal expansion under Aurangzeb.
Started as a warrior and became a self-made king.
Military Genius
Guerrilla Warfare (Ganimi Kawa): A master of hit-and-run tactics, swift cavalry raids, and disrupting enemy supply lines.
Established 240 forts to secure his kingdom, with no hereditary noble in charge.
Diverse Army: Included warriors from different castes and communities, like the Narikuravars (nomadic warriors which moves from Maharashtra to Tamil Nadu) and the Koli caste (fishermen-turned-sailors).
His Leadership Style
Simple Life: Lived modestly, often sitting with his soldiers, avoiding royal luxury.
Meritocratic Rule: Promoted people based on talent, not caste.
Religious Tolerance: Supported people from all religions and backgrounds.
Shivaji also allowed for those who so wished to revert back into Hinduism; Netaji Palekar and Bajaji Nimbalkar are but two examples of the same
Social Reforms
Abolished Sati: Wrote to his family, ensuring his wives were not forced to commit Sati after his death.
Against Slavery: Banned the import/export of slaves under his rule through a charter to the Dutch in 1677, prohibiting slave trade in his territories.
Support for Lower Castes: His administration included officers from various social groups, including Muslims like Siddi Hilal from Africa.
Administrative Reforms
Language Reforms: Replaced Persian with Marathi (in Devanāgarī and Mōdī scripts) for administration and literature, making governance accessible to common people.
Rājavyavahārakośa (Lexicon of Royal Institutes): A Sanskrit text, which he sponsored in 1677, that replaced Persian legal terms with Indian equivalents.
Abolished the ‘vatandari’ system (landlord-based taxation) and introduced the Ryotwari system, giving farmers control over land and production.
Legal and Cultural Contributions
Sabhasad Bakhar: The first biography of Shivaji (written in 1697), describing his reign and administrative reforms.
His rule opposed the oppressive Mughal policies, like those in the Al-Fatawa al-Alamkiriyyah, which allowed slavery and restricted the rights of non-Muslims.
Economic and Political Legacy
Savarajya (Self-rule): Created a strong, independent kingdom with 240 forts under his control.
Epoch Maker (Shakakarta): Changed the socio-political landscape of India with his progressive policies.
Global Recognition
Cosme de Guarda’s 1695 Work ‘Life of the Celebrated Sevagy’ praises Shivaji for his leadership, character, and the reforms he introduced.
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