Essay on Shivaji Maharaj
Shivaji Bhonsle, also known as Shivaji Maharaj, was considered the people’s king. His iron determination, valour, and dominance were the epitomes to follow. His courage knew no bounds. This article includes long and short Shivaji Maharaj essays for students. You can follow the historical facts and write an essay on Shivaji Maharaj on your own. Follow the format and maintain the proper sequence to score more in the exam. These essays can also be used to prepare for a Shivaji Maharaj essay writing competition.
Living for the people was a king. The fighter who strives for the wellbeing of the people by fighting against injustice. The Maratha Empire is one of the world's prestigious empires created by a leader who refused to live as a slave. Our goal in this article is to give you some insight into the life of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, the great Maratha warrior.
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj was a Maratha warrior and founding ruler of the Maratha empire in western India. In India and even in other countries, he is still considered the greatest warrior of his time. An innovative military tactician and a skilful administrator, he is considered a valorous warrior. The great qualities he possessed as a leader and king helped him build the Maratha Empire into a powerful and massive power.
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Long Essay on Shivaji Maharaj
Shivaji Bhonsle was born in the royal family of Shahaji Bhonsle. He was a born leader and went on to establish the Maratha Empire that even terrified the mighty Mughals. Born on 16th February 1627 in Shivneri, Shivaji was the proud son of Shahji. This Shivaji Maharaj essay in English will tell you about the glory and valour of the people’s king.
Shivaji’s mother Jijabai was also very strong in personality. She was virtuous and gave the proper education to her son to make him fearless. He grew up listening to the valour and glory of the Ramayana and Mahabharata. He also followed the teachings of these two epics but also imbibed the strong resilient features of an ideal Hindu’s character. He never learned to bow down to any force. In this Shivaji Maharaj essay, his life and achievements will be unfurled.
A Description of Shivaji Maharaj's Childhood
For the people whose lives were ruined by the Mughal Empire, the birth of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj was a good omen. During the hardships of the Mughal rule, he came as a ray of hope for the people. Maharaj was born on 18th February 1630 according to the Julian calendar and on Falgun Krishna Tritiya (Falgun Krishna Tritiya) according to the Hindu calendar at Shivneri Fort, in Junnar city, near Pune district, to Shahaji Bhosale and Jijabai Bhosale. We have provided some information about Shivaji Maharaj's birthdate at the end of this article. (There are some controversies about Shivaji Maharaj's birthdate.)
During his childhood, his mother Jijamata called him "Shivba". He served the King of Bijapur during his young life. As well as being a "Jahagirdar," he lived in a certain area in Pune. Jijabai, Shivaji's mother, was a deeply religious and ambitious woman whose father was Sindkhed leader Lakhujirao Jadhav. The truth will triumph in the end, according to Shivaji, who has been taught that fighting for what is right no matter what challenges you face is the most important lesson she taught him as a child. As Shivaji was growing up, Jijamata's teachings had a profound effect on his mind.
He was encouraged by Dada Konadev to learn different warfare skills relevant to the contemporary era. His guru wanted him to survive any diverse condition by using such skills. Apart from his survival and warfare skills, he became a nationalist and the man of his words. Being a full-fledged warrior, he followed the teachings of Saint Ramdev and understood the importance of religion. This education included the importance of all religions, politics, and cultures. From the evidence of Shivaji Maharaj's essay in English of historians, you will observe that his skills and life lessons helped him to become one of the greatest leaders of India.
He quickly became adept at different life and warfare skills and entered into the reality of the world. He started to attack the enemies surrounding his kingdom and capture them one after the other to make a bigger and stronger empire. The moment his flag was hoisted in the forts of Toran and Purandar, the stories of his valour and strength reached Delhi and Agra. The rulers, whether they are tyrants or subject-loving, started to fear his name.
Adil Shah, the king of Bijapur, was afraid of his growing power. He then captured his father Shahji and imprisoned him. Learning about his father’s imprisonment, he was furious but did not lose his mind. He planned well and freed his father. This made Adil Shah even more furious. He ordered his commander Afzal Khan to plan a murder and eradicate Shivaji. Afzal acted as a friend to gain his confidence and kill him. Shivaji was one step ahead. He killed Afzal Khan by hiding a deadly dagger inside his cloak and fled.
Under his dominance and valour, the Maratha Empire grew stronger every day. He was known as a freedom fighter as he relieved commoners from the tyrants. He was considered to be anti-Muslim by many but it is not true. His two generals were Siddi and Daulat Khan. Historians suggest that his army consisted of soldiers from different races and religions. He never learned to differentiate between people in terms of caste, religion, or colour.
He focused his energy on eradicating the tyrants of the contemporary era. Most of them were Muslim rulers. He never instigated any religious war or motive to uproot a kingdom. All he did was to understand common people’s pain under the sabbatical Aurangzeb and other rulers. He freed many people and thus was given the name Chhatrapati Shivaji by his admirers.
He ruled the Maratha Empire for 27 years and created an example to follow. He then fell sick and suffered from an unknown fever for three weeks. He then succumbed to his illness and died on 3rd April 1680 in Raigad Fort.
Short Paragraph on Shivaji Maharaj
Shivaji Bhonsle, also known as Chhatrapati Shivaji, was born on 16th February 1627. He was the son of Shahji and Jijabai. At an early age, Shivaji got the right education from his mother and father. His indomitable spirit and intelligence were off the chart. He learned all the warfare skills alongside religious teachings. He imbibed the strong features of his character from his mother. He grew up learning everyone is equal, irrespective of caste and religion.
He grew up to be a formidable ruler and united the different kingdoms to form the Maratha Empire. His intelligence and valour made the Mughal Empire and other rulers shiver in fear. His enemy, Adil Shah wanted to kill him. He sent his commander, Afzal Khan to trick him and kill him on the spot. Shivaji was one step ahead. He hid a dagger and killed Afzal Khan and fled. He fought many battles and freed people from the tyranny of many rulers. This is why he got the name ‘Chhatrapati Shivaji’ or the people’s king. He died in 1680 due to illness.
Summary
This short and long Shivaji Maharaj essay tells us about the life and good deeds of Shivaji. We learn why he was named the people’s king. He united many kingdoms to form the Maratha Empire and wage war against the cruel rulers of then India. His valour made rulers terrified. He was intelligent enough to overcome any situation.
FAQs on Shivaji Maharaj Essay
1. Why was Shivaji called Chhatrapati?
In this Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj essay, you will learn that he used to uproot the tyrant rulers and free the common people. He used to think of everyone as the same. In the declining Adilshahi sultanate of Bijapur, Shivaji carved out an enclave that was the genesis of the Maratha Empire. His crowning as the Chhatrapati of Raigad in 1674 was officially recognized. Shivaji established a civil rule with an efficient administration and well-organized administrative structures.
2. Why do many think that he was Anti-Muslim?
In this Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj essay in English, we find that he waged war against Muslim tyrants of the Mughal Empire but he was not anti-Muslim. His two main generals were Siddi and Daulat Khan. The Indian king Shivaji Maharaj is taught to be depicted as Hindu, but he wanted independence from foreigners (swarajya). The foreigners were Muslims, but Muslim majority countries were not foreign countries. Aurangzeb was obsessed with Hinduism. Shivaji Maharaj was not anti-Muslim.
3. Among Shivaji Maharaj's achievements as a true king, what are they?
Analyzing the accomplishments of a true king and leader: As of 1645, he had conquered several forts and surrounding areas of Adil Shaha's sultanate, including Chakan, Kondana, Torana, Purandar, and Sinhgad. Soon Adil Shaha started feeling restless and threatened. As a result, Shivaji's father Shahaji was captured and imprisoned. During the release of Shivaji, Adil Shaha requested Shivaji end his campaign to conquer Adil Shaha's domains.
The year after Shahaji's death, Shivaji Maharaj renewed his conquests, acquiring the Javali valley from Chandrarao More, a Jahagiridar in Bijapur. Afzal Khan, one of Adil Shaha's powerful generals, was dispatched by Adil Shaha to conquer Shivaji.
As per Afzal Khan's plan, Shivaji Maharaj would be invited to a meeting on Pratapgad to assassinate him. Shivaji Maharaj was one step ahead of him, but he was unaware of that fact. Afzal Khan's motives were perceived by Shivaji, and they took hidden actions against him. The plan to kill Shivaji backfired for Afzal Khan when they met. This quick-witted king had no intention of being defeated.
4. Was Shivaji Maharaj's birthday controversial?
Approximately the Birthdate, Year of Shivaji Maharaj and the controversy around them.
The birth date and birth year of Shivaji Maharaj are subject to some controversy. On Falgun Krishna Tritiya, Shivaji Maharaj was born according to the Hindu calendar. On 19th February 1630, according to the Julian calendar, he was born. According to the Hindu Calendar, Shivaji Maharaj's birth date would have been between March 1 and March 30 before the Julian calendar was converted to the Gregorian calendar.
So now people who live according to the Gregorian calendar celebrate Shiva Jayanti, the birthday of Shivaji Maharaj, which has also been recognized by the Government of India, each year on 19th February. Shivaji was a Hindu warrior according to the Hindu calendar, so we should celebrate his birth anniversary as per the Hindu calendar. The fact that we get the opportunity to honour another birthday of such a distinguished king and warrior is to be commended.
5. Can you please describe the Maratha Navy briefly?
Shivaji Maharaj deemed it necessary to construct a navy when he became master of such a long coastal strip. Shivaji Maharaj realized that the one who controlled the sea was the one who possessed a navy. As a means to secure and enhance revenues derived from maritime trade and customs duties, he concentrated on building the Navy to protect himself from the Siddi's depredations and to increase the number of merchant ships and ports. Navy ships ranged in size from forty to four hundred. Among them were battleships such as the Galbat, Gurab, and Pal. The inaugural keel of a Maratha naval vessel was laid down in 1654 in a creek near Kalyan by Chhatrapati Shivaji, who recognized the importance of a strong navy. During Shivaji's reign, Maharashtra (today's Maharashtra) was dotted with numerous naval bases. Maratha forces were always aware of the Portuguese navy's strength.
