Shivaji was born in the hill-fort of Shivner near Junnar in 1630. Shahji removed to his new jagir with his second wife, leaving Shivaji and his mother Jija Bai under the guardianship of Dadaji Khonddev. Jija Bai, a lady of virtuous temperament and extra ordinary intellect, infused into her child’s mind high and inspiring ideas by reciting stories of heroism, spirituality and chivalry. In past ages, and stimulated his zeal in defence of religion. The influence of Dadaji Khonddev also combined to make him bold and enterprising. Grew up as a brave and adventurous soldier, inspired by a real desire to free his country from what he considered to be a foreign tyranny.
In 1646 Shivaji captured the fortress of Torna, five miles east of which he soon built the fort of Rajgarh. After the death of Dadaji Khonddev, Shivaji acquired many forts from their hereditary owners, or the local officers of Bijapur, by force, bribery or trickery, and also built new ones. He thus came to possess a considerable estate, protected by a long chain of hill forts. He had to suspend offensive operations against Bijapur for a few years (1649-1655) as his father was put under arrest by the Bijapur Government and was released on condition of his son’s good behaviour. But he utlised this time in consolidating his conquests. He came into conflict with the Mughuls for the first time in 1657, when, taking advantage of Aurangzeb and his troops being engaged in the invasion of Bijapur, he raided the Mughul districts of Ahmadnagar and Junnar and even looted the city of Junnar. Aurangzeb promptly reinforced his officers in that part and Shivaji was defeated. Aurangzeb never trusted Shivaji, but he patched up the peace as his presence in the north became necessary owing to his father’s illness.
Indignant at these repeated reverse, which greatly affected Mughul prestige and influence in the Deccan, Aurangzeb sent, early in 1665, Jai Singh, Raja of Ambar and Diler Khan to the Deccan with an expeditionary force to punish Shivaji. The Mughuls also blockaded Rajgarh, the seat of Shivaji’s government. Considering the cost of further resistance, Shivaji concluded the treaty of Purandar with Jai Singh on the 22nd June, 1665. Twenty-three of his forts, retaining only twelve for himself, promised to supply a contingent of 5,000 cavalry to act with the Mughul army in the Deccan, and was permitted to compensate himself for his territorial losses by collecting chauth and sardehsmukhi in some districts of the Bijapur kingdom. He soon joined the imperialists in a war against Bijapur. But Jai Singh’s Bijapur campaign ended in failure. He prevailed upon him to visit the imperial court at Agra.
Shivaji was coldly received by Aurangzeb and he was placed under guard. Thus his high hopes were shattered to pieces and he found himself a prisoner instead. An ordinary man would have given way to despair under such trying circumstances, but being gifted with extraordinary resourcefulness, he resorted to a stratagem to effect his escape. Pretending to recover from his feigned illness, he began sending out of his house every evening baskets of fruits and sweetmeats for Brahmanas, mendicants and nobles, as thanksgiving offerings for his fictitious recover. After a few days, when the guards had relaxed their vigilance and allowed the baskets to go out unchecked, Shivaji and his son concealed themselves in two empty baskets and slipped out of Agra, eluding all the spies of the Mughul Emperor.
For three years after this, Shivaji remained at peace with the Mughuls and utilised the period in organising his internal administration. Aurangzeb granted him the title of Raja and jagir in Berar.
His successful career came to a close with his premature death at the age of fifty-three on the 14th April, 1680.
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