Shivaji went in action again. He made peace with Mogul Empire and plundered Adil Empire of Bijapur.
Swarajya rose up again at the cost of Bijapur Empire. Shivaji was duly crowned as the Emperor of Hindu Empire, Swarajya. He added the title of Chhatrapati to his name to become ‘Chhatrapati Shivaji.’ The celebrations continued for two years. He had revived Hindu pride and won back Hindus their honour and self respect.
At the domestic front, news were not glorious for Shivaji. Fissures had appeared in his own family. His young wife Shobhabai wanted her son Raja Ram to inherit Swarajya throne. Shambhaji hated his stepmother and stepbrother intensely. The family feud became so intense that Shivaji fell ill.
His life was now full of tensions and anxieties. His young wife was keeping him under constant pressure. He became unfocussed and nervy. To buy some peace Shivaji sent away Shambhaji to Mogul prince Muazzam to serve the Mogul empire. It was a queer decision, a very irrational one, a proof that a great man was cracking under pressure.
Moguls started using Shambhaji to harm the interest of Swarajya. Shambhaji was playing in the hands of Moguls to spite his stepmother. The pleadings by Shivaji was making no impression.
The ministers suggested the division of Swarajya to mollify the warring factions. The offer was sent to Shambhaji.
He angrily rejected if.
Shivaji again fell ill and became bedridden. His family members stood around his bed bitterly quarreling. His condition worsened. The fever rose alarmingly.
On 3rd April, 1680 Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj breathed his last after winning glory to Hindus for which he will always be fondly remembered and revered. He was the Phoenix that arose from the ashes of burnt down native pride and honour.
