Swaraj 🇮🇳 Guerrilla Warfare ⚔️ Raigad Fort 🏰 Shivneri ⛰️ Afzal Khan 🗡️ Sambhaji 👑

Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj was born at Shivneri Fort to Shahaji and Jijabai. Inspired by his mother, he dreamed of building Swaraj—a free and just kingdom. As a young leader he captured nearby forts such as Torna and Purandhar from the Bijapur rulers. He organised a brave army and used guerrilla warfare—sudden attacks, quick raids, and retreats through hills and forests—which made him unbeatable in the Western Ghats.

The Bijapur general Afzal Khan was sent to crush Shivaji, but he was killed by Shivaji. The Mughal emperor Aurangzeb later sent Shaista Khan, who was defeated in Pune. Shivaji and his son Sambhaji were once arrested at Agra Fort, but Shivaji cleverly escaped. He built a strong navy to protect the coast and trade.

In 1674 Shivaji was crowned Chhatrapati at Raigad, which became the capital of the Marathas. He was a just ruler who respected all religions, punished wrongdoers, protected women, and improved revenue and administration. Because of his courage, planning and love for people, Shivaji is remembered as one of India’s greatest leaders and the founder of the Maratha power.

छत्रपति शिवाजी महाराज का जन्म शिवनेरी किले में शाहाजी और जीजाबाई के घर हुआ। माता जीजाबाई की प्रेरणा से उन्होंने स्वराज का सपना देखा—जनता का, न्यायपूर्ण अपना शासन। युवावस्था में उन्होंने बीजापुर से तोरणा और पुरंदर जैसे किले जीते और एक फुर्तीली सेना बनाई। उनकी विशिष्ट युद्ध-नीति गुरिल्ला युद्ध थी—आकस्मिक हमला, तीव्र धावा और सुरक्षित वापसी—जिससे वे सह्याद्रि की पर्वत-पंक्तियों में अपराजेय बने।

बीजापुर का सेनापति अफज़ल खाँ शिवाजी को रोकने भेजा गया पर वह शिवाजी द्वारा मारा गया। बाद में मुगल सम्राट औरंगज़ेब ने शाइस्ता खाँ को भेजा जिसे शिवाजी ने पुणे में परास्त किया। शिवाजी और उनके पुत्र संभाजी को एक बार आगरा किले में क़ैद किया गया, पर वे चतुराई से निकल आए। उन्होंने समुद्रतट की रक्षा हेतु सशक्त नौसेना भी खड़ी की।

वर्ष 1674 में रैगड (रायगढ़) पर उनका राज्याभिषेक हुआ और यही मराठा साम्राज्य की राजधानी बनी। शिवाजी निडर और न्यायप्रिय शासक थे—महिलाओं का सम्मान करते, प्रजा की रक्षा करते और राजस्व-प्रशासन सुधारते थे। इसी कारण वे भारत के महान शासकों में गिने जाते हैं और मराठा शक्ति के संस्थापक माने जाते हैं।

1) How did Shivaji’s army use guerrilla warfare?

By making surprise night raids, ambushes in hills/forests, striking quickly and retreating safely to forts.

2) Why did Aurangzeb send Shaista Khan?

To crush Shivaji’s growing power and capture his forts; Shaista Khan attacked Pune but was defeated.

3) Who arrested Shivaji and where was he kept?

Aurangzeb arrested him and kept Shivaji and his son Sambhaji in the Agra Fort.

4) When did Shivaji become king and what was his capital?

In 1674; capital—Raigad.

5) Why is Shivaji called a great ruler?

He was brave, planned well, respected women and all faiths, protected people, strengthened forts & navy, and ran a fair administration.

6) Name two forts first captured by Shivaji.

Torna and Purandhar.

7) Who was Afzal Khan?

A powerful general of Bijapur sent to defeat Shivaji; he was killed by Shivaji.

8) Where was Shivaji born?

At Shivneri Fort in the Sahyadris.

9) What was Shivaji’s dream?

To establish Swaraj—a free, just Maratha kingdom.

10) Name Shivaji’s parents.

Shahaji Bhosale and Jijabai.

1) How did Shivaji’s army use guerrilla warfare?

They attacked suddenly, ambushed enemies in hills/forests, raided swiftly at night and retreated to forts safely.

2) Why did Aurangzeb send Shaista Khan to capture Shivaji?

To crush Shivaji’s growing power and recover Mughal prestige in the Deccan; Shaista Khan was a trusted Mughal general.

3) Who captured Shivaji and where was he imprisoned?

Aurangzeb captured him and imprisoned Shivaji with his son Sambhaji in the Agra Fort.

4) When did Shivaji become king? Where was his capital?

In 1674; his capital was Raigad.

5) How do we know that Shivaji was a great ruler?

He founded Swaraj, used brilliant tactics, respected people and women, built a navy and forts, and maintained a fair administration.