biography of shivaji
Answers
Shivaji Bhonsle I (Marathi [ʃiʋaˑɟiˑ bʱoˑs(ə)leˑ]; c. 1627/1630 – 3 April 1680[3]) was an Indian warrior king and a member of the Bhonsle Maratha clan. Shivaji carved out an enclave from the declining Adilshahi sultanate of Bijapur that formed the genesis of the Maratha Empire. In 1674, he was formally crowned as the chhatrapati (monarch) of his realm at Raigad.
Shivaji I
Chhatrapati of the Maratha Empire
Shivaji Rijksmuseum.jpg
Shivaji's portrait (1680s) in the Rijksmuseum
Flag of the Maratha Empire.svg 1st Chhatrapati of the Maratha Empire
Reign
1674–1680 CE
Coronation
6 June 1674
Successor
Sambhaji
Born
c. April 1627 or 19 February 1630
Shivneri Fort, Shivneri, Ahmadnagar Sultanate (present-day Maharashtra, India)
Died
3 April 1680 (aged 50–53)
Raigad Fort, Raigad, Maratha Empire (present-day Maharashtra, India)
Spouse
Saibai Nimbalkar
Soyarabai Mohite
Putalabai Palkar
Sakvarbai Gaikwad
Kashibai Jadhav[1]
Issue
Sakhubai Nimbalkar[2]
Ranubai Jadhav
Ambikabai Mahadik
Sambhaji
Rajaram
Rajkumaribai Shirke
House
Bhonsle
Father
Shahaji Bhonsle
Mother
Jijabai
Religion
Hinduism
Over the course of his life, Shivaji engaged in both alliances and hostilities with the Mughal Empire, Sultanate of Golkonda, and Sultanate of Bijapur, as well as European colonial powers. Shivaji's military forces expanded the Maratha sphere of influence, capturing and building forts, and forming a Maratha navy. Shivaji established a competent and progressive civil rule with well-structured administrative organisations. He revived ancient Hindu political traditions and court conventions and promoted the usage of Marathi and Sanskrit, rather than Persian, in court and administration.
Shivaji's legacy was to vary by observer and time but he began to take on increased importance with the emergence of the Indian independence movement, as many elevated him as a proto-nationalist and hero of the Hindus.[4] Particularly in Maharashtra, debates over his history and role have engendered great passion and sometimes even violence as disparate groups have sought to characterise him and his legacy.