Question

essay on how shivajis mother jijabai was success in inculcating patriotism in shivaji

Answer 1

Jijabai was born in the year 1598 in the Sindakhed territory (present day Buldhana district of Maharashtra). Her parents were Lakhojirao Jadhav and Mhalasabai. Her father served under the Muslim administration of the Nizams. Right from birth she was exposed to the bravery and courage of her father. Her mother narrated to her inspiring stories of valour and bravery and encouraged by these tales she pleaded with her father to be sent for armament training, sword fighting etc. Her father realising his daughter’s desire agreed to this decisionAccording to legends once little Jijabai was playing with a young Shahaji who was the son of one of the soldiers named Maloji under Jadhav Rao. When someone commented they were a handsome couple, Jadhav Rao refused on the pretext that his daughter could never marry someone of lesser status than him. The Nizam too was keen on befriending him and made him a Sardar and compelled Jadhav Rao to give his consent for the wedding. Though Jadhav Rao agreed he continued to nurse hatred towards Maloji.
After Maloji’s death Shahaji became Sardar and continued to serve the Nizam. He was courageous and heroic. Inspite of his marriage with Jijabai her father continued to harbour hatred and enemity towards him and his family. Jadhavrao left the Nizamshahi and joined the Moghuls. This created great sorrow in Jijabai’s heart as she found her father and husband totally involved in serving the Muslims. Her husband understood her anguish but he could do nothing in the prevailing circumstances. Meanwhile the Mughal Emperor Shahjahan invaded the Nizam’s kingdoms. Shahaji was one of the Sardars defending the kingdoms. Taking advantage of this Jadhav Rao joined hands with Shahjahan and attacked the Mahuli fort to destroy his son in law. Having no choice Shahaji escaped from the fort with Jijabai who was enceinte. But Jadhav Rao pursued them among dangerous slopes and Jijabai having no option forced Shahaji to escape leaving her behind.Soon Jijabai gave birth to a son and named him Shivaji. She prayed that he would become brave and courageous and put an end to the lack of shame and fear that made up the life of the Marathas and herald an era of self respect and liberty. Meanwhile Shahaji had proclaimed her Queen Regent as he had to settle down in Karnataka as per the Mughals treaty. He is said to have remarried there. To ensure the safety of Jijabai and Shivaji he asked them to stay in Pune along with his trusted lieutenant Dadaji Kondeo. At Pune Jijabai was shocked to see the destruction of the temples, shrines and villages by the Moghuls and set about rebuilding Pune again. Dadaji assisted her wholeheartedly and along with Jijabai was a great instrument in the upbringing of ShivajiJijabai was a woman of great courage and foresight. She had to face a number of difficult situations like Afzal Khan’s challenge, her capture and subsequent release, the death of her other son etc. But she bore them bravely and took logical decisions for the betterment of the people. She brought back many Sardars who had earlier joined the Mughals and instilled in them a love for their clan through patience and compassion. She treated all Shivaji’s companions as her own children and spurred in them courage and a sense of loyalty. She wept with sorrow at the death of the brave warriors like Tanaji Malusare, Baji Prabhu etc. Shivaji too reiterated his mother’s faith and trust in him and bravely captured many forts and became a thorn in the side of the Mughals with his guerrilla tactics and lightning attacks. Later Jijabai got Shivaji married and lovingly watched over his family. She prayed for the safe return of both Shivaji and his son Sambhaji when they were forced to go to Agra at the invitation of the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb and they cleverly thwarted his attempt to capture them and returned home safely. During this time she took care of the administration ably until his safe return. On her husband Shahaji’s death she was prepared to perform Sati but was dissuaded by her son. She crowned her son Chhatrapati at the Raigad fort and paid homage to all the heroes who had given their lives to make this dream possible.
She was crowned Rajmata but could not savour the fruits of her labour as after twelve days of the coronation in the year 1674 she passed away relieved that her dream of a Hindu Rajya upholding the principles of peace and justice had come into existenceJijabai’s sterling qualities of fortitude, courage, self respect and a strong sense of duty was implanted in Shivaji making him a great King imbued with the ideas of fair play, justice and tolerance. She gave up riches and wealth and suffered in ruins to achieve her ideals. Her vision of ‘Hindavi Swaraj’ was the backbone of Shivaji’s life and mission. Her saga of bravery and love for the motherland has given her a supreme place in the history of India encouraging women and inspiring generations to come.

Answer 2

Jijabai, the mother of Shivaji had a great influence on the latter. She became the source of inspiration for him. She inculcated the patriotic feelings among Shivaji while relating him to Ram, Krishna and other epic heroes from Mahabharata and Ramayana. Jijabai molded him into an ideal king by sowing seeds of devotion to the nation.

Jijabai inculcated the spirit of bravery, and revenge in him. She made her son Shivaji to dream of a free and an independent Maharashtra. She made him a fearless and strong leader. Shivaji was nurtured by his mother in such a way that he became a strong and brave king and created a strong Maratha Empire.