Resumo de Shivaji The Great

SHIVAJI THE GREAT (1627 A.D. - 1680 A.D.)
The Marathas in the Deccan lived in the hilly region around Poona and Konkan, now a part of Maharashtra. They were peasants and soldiers who served in various positions under the Deccan kingdoms of Bijapur and Golkonda. They also served the Mughals in the Deccan. During the reign of Shah Jahan, a small bands of the Marathas attacked Bijapur and plundered it and even defy the Mughals.
CAUSES FOR THE RISE OF MARATHAS
1. The spread of Islam and the illtreatment by the Muslims caused a great awakening among the Hindu people. Guru Ram Dass helped to unite the Marathas together.
2. The Marathas got military training under the Sultans of Bijapur and Golconda.
3. The geographical factors and physical features of this region made the Marathas to follow a new strategy of warfare (i.e) Guerilla warfare.
4. The repressive policy of Aurangazab acted as a cementing factor to unit the Marathas.
5. Shivaji's personality played a very important role in the rise of Marathas power. He
created a feeling of self respect amoung the Marathas and his capacity as a soldier also attracted the Marathas under one banner.
EARLY LIFE
The Marathas rose to power under the able leadership of SHIVAJI. He was born in April 1627 A.D. His father was Shahji Bhonsle and his mother was Jijabai. Dadaji Khand Dev was his Guru. His mother and Guru influnced his career. Shivaji collected a large number of soldiers and attacked various forts. In 1646 A.D he captured the hill forts of TORNA. within next few years he conquered the forts of Raigarh, Singarh, Gondwana and Purandhar.
Shivaji brought the whole of Konkan under his control and unsited all the Maratha chiefs. The rise of Shivaji was not liked by the Sultazn of Bijapur. He sent Afzal Khan to capture Shivaji. But Shivaji killed Afzal Khan by using the tiger's claw in a cunning way. Shivaji became very famous from this event.
Aurangzeb, the Mughal ruler sent Shayista Khan to deal with Shivaji. But Shivaji attacked Shayista Khan in the night and fled away losing his thumb.
In 1665 A.D. Aurangzeb deputed his general Jaisingh to deal with Shivaji. They laid seige on the fort of Purandhar and Shivaji was forced to sign a treaty in 1665. So Shivaji surrendered 23 forts to the Mughals. He persuaded Shivaji to meet AZurangzeb in his court. When Shivaji came to Delhi, Aurangzeb arrested him and imprisoned him. But Shivaji escaped from the prison under the baskets of sweets and reached Maharashtra. From that day onwards he was a bitter enemy to the Muslims.
In 1674 A.D. he crowned himself as the King and assumed the title "CHATHRAPATI". He succeeded in establishing an independent kingdom in the Deccan. His kingdom was comprised of Maharashtra, Konkan and large parts of Mysore. Shivaji fell ill on April, 2 and died on 13 April 1680 A.D.
Shivaji was an autocrat but he had a council of eight ministers known as "ASHTA PRADHAN". The king was the supreme head of the state. Peshwa was the Prime Minister. Shivaji's kingdom was divided into four provinces. They were further divided into parganas and villages. The territory under Shivaji was knows as "SWARAJYA". The areas under the prtoection of Shivaji were known as "MUGHLAI".
He abolished the Jagir system and the Zamindari system. Taxes were collected directly from the farmers. 2/5 of the produce was the share of the state. Shivaji also collected 'Chauth' and 'Sardeshmukhi' from the areas which were under the protection.
Justice was administered according to ancient Hindu laws. In villages, Panchayats settled the disputes. Criminal cases were heard by the Patel. All the civil and criminal appeals were heard by Nyayadhisa, who was the member of Ashtapradhan.
Shivaji was a military genius and he organised his army on the most scientific way. His army comprised of infantry, cavalry, artillery, elephants and camel corps and even navy. Soldiers were paid regularly. The discipline of the Maratha army was very strict.
Shivaowed the "guerilla warfare". The Marathas attacked the enemy suddenly and disappeared into the jungles. The Mughals found it very difficult to face the Marathas in their warfare.
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