Information AboutShahaji |
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Maloji Bhosale was a Jagirdar in the court of Adilshah of Bijapur . Maloji was childless for a long time. Two sons were born to him after seeking blessings from a famous Sufi Pir named Shah Sharif . In honour of the pir, Maloji named his sons Shahaji and Sharifji . Shahaji was married to Jijabai , the daughter of Lakhuji Jadhav of Sindkhed . The Jadhav family was a famous Maratha family, and there was some amount of friction between the Jadhavs and the Bhosales, a typical character of maratha feudal society. EARLY CAREER Shahaji was an extremely ambitious and capable general.He excelled in the battle of Bhatvadi near Ahmednagar , in which Nizamshahi forces defeated mughals. At various points of time he allied himself with the Adilshah of Bijapur, the Nizamshah of Ahmednagar and the Mughal s. His ultimate ambition was to set up an independent kingdom. He tried on two occasions ,first one after brutal murder of Lakhuji rao Jadhav and second in 1636.The second attempt was a formidable challenge .Shahajahan dispatched a force of 48,000 to reduce Shahaji and his ally AdilShah.Under such mounting attack AdilShah sued for peace.WIth withdrawal of AdilShah support ,Shahaji could not hold much against Mughals.His possessions were reduced quickly.In the fort of Mahuli he was besieged.Portuguesse did not give any help from naval side due to fear of Mughals.Thus locked from land and sea, Shahaji was forced to sue for peace.He surrendered and handed over puppet minor Nizamshah to mughals.He was inducted into Adilshahi .As a precaution Shahajahan ensured that Shahaji was posted in deep south so as not to pose any challenge to Mughals. He finally became one of the top generals in the Adilshah's army, accepting a Jahagir in his court, being based in Bangalur (Present day Bangalore in Karnataka ).This is one phase of Shahaji's life. PHASE OF CRISIS After this military defeat , his second phase started.He sent the younger son Shivaji with his mother Jiajabai as queen regent and elder son Sambhaji was kept with him.Another son Vankyoji was kept at Banglore.Shahaji's this decision proved correct if one look at future.With passage of time Shivaji and Sambhaji both emerged as famous general.AdilShah considering Shahaji and his sons's activities captured him and had thrown into prison.Two expeditions were sent against them-one against Shivaji and other against Sambhaji.Both sons were worthy of their father .They defeated Adilshahi forces.This defeat forced Adilshah to release Shahji from prison .However the elder son Sambhaji was killed during an expedition due to treacherous role of Afzal Khan.In future Shivaji killed Afzal Khan .Similarly Shahaista khan had defeated Shahaji in his second attempt.Shivaji in a daring attack defeated him and forced him to retreat.Thus these events proved that Shahaji had taken a worth decision in keeping Shivaji in the original stronghold;Otherwise like Shahaji he would have been imprisoned or killed like his elder brother.This period of crisis was overcame by sacrifice and personal bonds of this royal family.They really suffered for the cause.History is made by those who sacrifices.Shahaji actively supported in his earlier enterprises like Afzal Khan.Afterwards he withdrew from active life. Shahji died c. 1657 while on a hunt, after falling off his horse. LEGACY Shahaji's grommed his all sons as good administrators and men of taste.Shivaji in Pune region ,Sambhaji in Banglore and Vankyoji in Tanjore region rose .Shivaji encouraged cultivation ,similarly Vnakyoji also dug canals in Tanjore and encouraged cultivation.Both were good administrators.Like Shahaji they were scholars.Shahaji had caused a champukavya.His literary taste was carried by his sons .Tanjore branch continued till modern times.This is his legacy. Shahji's dream of an independent kingdom was made a reality by his second son, the great Shivaji Maharaj.Perhaps that is the most cherished legacy. Shahaji was a man of taste.At Banglore,literary activities got a filip.His court poet Jayram Pindye' had written 'Radha madhav vilas champu' in flowery Sanskrit .This tradition bears strong influence on the mind of Shivaji and also Tanjavar branch alike. Shahji had 2 sons by Jijabai, Sambhaji and Shivaji . Sambhaji was killed while on a military expedition in Karnataka. Shahaji had one son Vyankoji or Ekoji by his second wife, who came from the Mohite family. Vyankoji later ruled over the independent Maratha kingdom of Tanjore. Shahji also had 1 son by a dancing-girl. This son, Santaji , fought alongside Shivaji in some of his campaigns in South India. |
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