On February 19, we celebrate Shivaji Jayanti, the birthday of India’s great Maratha emperor. In fact, this holiday dates back almost 400 years!
Born: February 19, 1630
Died: April 3, 1680
Shivaji Known as the father of the Indian Navy and master in guerilla warfare . He was the first, who realize the importance of having a naval force, and so he strategically established a navy and forts along the coast to protect the Konkan side of Maharashtra.
It’s time to remember a great warrior and a leader on his Birth Anniversary who possessed exceptional qualities that no one else could match. Powerful, Pious, Pioneer, Perseverant, Passionate, Performer, Practical, Proactive, Pure, and Patient are some of the qualities.
When Hindus lost confidence and developed a depressed mindset, Shivaji Raje resurrected the fighting spirit and raised an army to liberate the empire from Mughal invasion. The rise of Hindutva was relaunched by a pious and powerful warrior who led the fight against invasion, injustice, exploitation, and women’s safety.
-A story by Pankaj Jagannath Jayswal. He is Educationist, Speaker, Author,Writer, Counsellor, AOL Faculty & Life coach
Jijamata raised Shivaji since childhood with a clear understanding and direction to establish “Hindavi Swarajya” to safeguard and uplift the Great Sanatan culture and restore glory. He was raised with Mahabharata and Ramayana teachings and spent a lot of time with great saints at the time, learning to fight with different weapons from great warriors like Dadaji Kondadev. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj carried out the first surgical strike at Lal Mahal.
Aurangzeb sent his Mamujan Shaistekhan to Deccan at the time, first capturing Lal Mahal in Pune. In the following three years, he was only able to capture Chakan fort, and that too in three years. Shaistekhan was afraid to approach Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj because he feared suffering the same fate as Afzal khan. He desired to bring Raje Shivaji without any preparation and arms. Due to his Spy Network, Raje Shivaji was well aware of this tactic and was well-versed in all information regarding Lal Mahal’s whereabouts. On the contrary, he was doing nothing but causing a nuisance. This compelled Raje Shivaji to launch a decisive Commando-style Surgical Strike to throw him out from Swarajya.
This incident was the epitome of bravery because of the following sequence of events. First and foremost, Raje Shivaji was aware of the dimensions and dominions of Lal Mahal, having spent his early childhood days there. Still, Maharaj spent time planning and paying attention to even the most minor details, explaining each and assigning tasks to everyone based on his skill; this shows the quality of a great and dynamic leader.
Previously, Raje Shivaji had blocked Kartalab Khan’s road in the Sahyadri Ghats and obtained the wealth and uniforms of their soldiers. See here is the untold vision of Maharaj and planning to perfection. First, he was aware that soldiers’ uniforms would be required to enter Lal Mahal. Second, he could choose not to physically enter the Mahal and strike. Maharaj could have delegated the task to anyone, but he set an example of leading from the front in the eyes of the people because he had complete faith in his spy network and was confident in completing the task all by himself.
Third, there was planning, execution, and bravery, but making a trademark signature fool of the enemy by diverting their attention was a trademark swag of Raje (as evident in Panhala escape, Agra escape, Bahadurkhan loot etc). To divert attention, Maharaj had gathered a stock of bullocks with two Mashals tied to their horns, which would be lit once Maharaj had completed the task and fled. On one occasion, Shahaji accompanied his son to the court of the Sultan of Bijapur. Raje Shivaji was only twelve years old at the time. Shahaji saluted the Sultan three times by touching the ground. He instructed his son to do the same. But Raje Shivaji only took a few steps back. He stood tall and straight, his head unbent. His dazzling eyes seemed to carry with them his determination that he would not bow down to a foreign ruler. He walked back from the court with the gait and bearing of a lion. When Shivaji was 18 years old, he took the oath at Rohedeshwar Temple to establish a nation of natives, which he claimed was the God’s will. Over the next 35 years, he lived an epic that captivated the imaginations of both friends and foes. His thrilling adventures have inspired generations of young people.
Raje Shivaji possessed the magnetism of a born leader and cast a spell on all who knew him, attracting the best elements of the country to his side and commanding the most devoted service from his officers. His dazzling victories and ever-ready smile made him the soldiers’ idol. One of the main reasons for his success was a royal gift for judging character. In the age of Aurangzeb, his light cavalry, bolstered by swift-footed infantry, was unstoppable.
Raje Shivaji taught the people of India to hold their heads high, develop self-confidence, and face foreign invasions with courage. He emphasized native talent, strict discipline, and concern for peasants, women, men, and children. Raje Shivaji’s private life was marked by a high moral standard. He was a devoted son, a caring father, and a caring husband.
When British rule began, leaders and revolutionaries such as Lokmanya Tilak, Subhash Chandra Bose, Dr. Keshav Hedgewar, Rabindranath Tagore, and Veer Savarkar drew inspiration from a three-hundred-year-old figure known as Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj … Furthermore, during World War II, when recruiting soldiers in India, the British used the image of Raje Shivaji to entice men to join the army!!
This attachment of people to their beloved king, generation after generation, is the most distinguishing factor that sets Raje Shivaji apart from the rest of history’s greats.
