History of Maharashtra

The Bhosale Family

After the disintegration of Bahamani kingdom, the five powers of Deccan ruled, relying heavily upon the local chieftains. Major amongst these were the Jadhav and Bhosale. The history of the Bhosale family since MalojiRaje is well documented. MalojiRaje was one of the ChiefMansubdars of Nijamshah. He had two sons, Shahaji and Sharifji. Shahaji’s wife was Jijabai who was the daughter of another prominent chieftain, Lakhuji Jadhavrao. ShahajiRaje and Jijabai had two sons: SambhajiRaje and ShivajiRaje. ShahajiRaje shot to fame after the battle of Bhatavdi. 

SambhajiRaje was killed in battle. After working with the Nijamshah, Adilshah, and the Mughals, ShahajiRaje came to realize the importance of an independent State. Though he could not establish it himself, his dream was realized by his son ShivajiRaje.

Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj: the Founder of an Independent State

Shivaji was born on the Shivneri fort, near Junnar, on 19th February 1630. Adilshah had given the territory of Pune and Supe to ShahajiRaje. ShahajiRaje at that time resided in Bangalore, so in order to look after the running of the territory, Jijabai, Dadoji Kondadev and ShivajiRajecame to Pune. ShahajiRaje had made excellent provisions for the education and training of his son. ShivajiRaje reorganized the territory, gave priority to agriculture, created an independent judiciary. Mother Jijabai nurtured her son’s ambition. The twelve river valleys to the west of Pune, the twelve Maval were brought under control. Even though ShivajiRaje had the control of the territory, the forts came under the rule of Adilshah. Shivaji Maharaj began with the repairs of the forts in the territory. Using rules, finance, power and strategy he captured Purandar and Kondhana forts. Shivaji Maharaj laid the foundation of an Independent State at the tender age of fifteen. After 1647 he captured Murambdev alias Rajgarh forts. Threatened by these activities, Adilshah captured and imprisoned ShahajiRaje. ShivajiRaje prepared for battle; Adilshah sent his General Fattekhan to attack Shivaji’s territory. The brave Marathas fought hard and won the battle against Fattekhan around Purandar. Adilshah released ShahajiRaje in exchange of Bangalore, Kandarpi and fort Kondhana. After this incident ShivajiRajeconcentrated on improving the administration of the territory. Around 1646 ShivajiRaje’s seal started appearing on documents, which read as follows:

Pratipakshanchadrarekhev vardhishnurvishwavandita | 
Shahsuno :Shivsaishya mudra bhadraya rajate |

(Ever increasing like the new moon and saluted by the world, 

this seal of Shivaji, Shahaji’s son, stands for the welfare of all)

The instability in Adilshahi court was used by ShivajiRaje to consolidate his position. By capturing the Javali valley from Chandrarao More, ShivajiRaje established control over the Konkan region. He constructed Fort Pratapgarh , captured Supe, captured Fort Rohida, looted the Kalyan treasury, and constructed Fort Raigarh on the Rayari mountain. Around 1657, he captured Kalyan-Bhivandi and laid the foundations of ship-building workshops, in order to have maritime power. While ShivajiRaje was busy consolidating his power in Konkan, Adilshah sent Afzalkhan to curb ShivajiRaje. Afzalkhan was a powerful and able general and a cunning strategist. He started off his campaign by attacking the Hindu shrines of Pandharpur and Tuljapur in order to entice ShivajiRaje in an open warfare. But ShivajiRaje tricked him to come for a meeting in the Javali valley, at the base of Fort Pratapgadh. ShivajiRaje killed him there on 10th November 1659. The death of Afzalkhan shocked the Adilshahi power and ShivajiRaje’s name and fame spread all over India. Another general of Adilshahi court, Siddi Johar held ShivajiRaje under siege at Fort Panhalgarh. ShivajiRaje escaped from the siege to go to Fort Vishalgarh. One of ShivajiRaje’s men, Bajiprabhu Deshpande, laid down his life in Ghodkhind and made ShivajiRaje’s escape successful.