Author:
Publication: Bharatiya Pragna
Date: May 2004
To him being a king did not mean
ruling over the masses but serving the masses. Shivaji was born in the
fort of Shivneri during the years 1630. His father Shahaji was a minister
in the court of the Sultan of Bijapur. His mother Jija Bai was a brave
woman. Under her care and Dada Kondeo's tutelage, Shivaji formed an army
of young people and captured the fort of Torangadh. Following Torangadh,
Forts like Kondana, Purandara, Kalyan and Rajgadh fell into his folds.
His victory enraged Sultan Adilshah.
He then appointed Afzal Khan to kill Shivaji. In a tactfully devised plan,
Shivaji killed the seven feet tall Afzal Khan by tearing open his stomach
using his tiger claws. On invitation Shivaji went to Aurangazeb's fort,
but was humiliated and arrested. He almost died there due to the illness.
He was to be prosecuted. A day before that Shivaji along with his son Shambaji
hid themselves in baskets and escaped. Shivaji was a man of supreme intelligence.
His exemplary war skills saw him build walls under the sea, so that enemy
ships may run aground and perish. He built many fortresses and guarded
them with utmost vigil, very often foreseeing the invaders into humiliating
retreat. In and through all this success, his life remained devoutly dedicated
to his guru Samarth Ramdas.
He was a great visionary who abolished
untouchability, ostracism of widows and caste discrimination. He encouraged
people who wanted to reconvert themselves to Hinduism. He possesed and
revelled in ail the necessary qualities of a king. Shivaji zealously guarded
the south of India from covetous invaders until his death.
