The Brave Maratha Warriors
Hello Everyone! Recall your textbooks of Medieval History and do you remember Marathas in the history. If you do then you must be knowing their name. Maratha warriors were not discussed on a big level in the history textbooks and course. I can’t say a particular reason but it was because the Historians were hired by rulers and kings and at that time the history was written under the guidance of Mughals, Khaljis, Lodis etc.
Today after a long time I am taking you back in history to tell about the Maratha warriors who were not only brave but also had the power to dismantle the base of Mughal Empire. They knew the power of unity and how lethal is the combination of Weapons and Scriptures.
So as Piyush Mishra says “विश्व की पुकार है, ये भागवत का सार है की युद्ध ही तो वीर का प्रमाण है” let’s start.
- Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj
How can we not start this list without remembering this name. Before saying anything let’s remember the great soul with a Shiv Ghoshna
“आस्ते कदम, आस्ते कदम, आस्ते कदम
महाराsssssज
गडपती
गजअश्वपती
भूपती
प्रजापती
सुवर्णरत्नश्रीपती
अष्टवधानजागृत
अष्टप्रधानवेष्टित
न्यायालंकारमंडित
शस्त्रास्त्रशास्त्रपारंगत
राजनितिधुरंधर
प्रौढप्रतापपुरंदर
क्षत्रियकुलावतंस
सिंहासनाधिश्वर
महाराजाधिराज
राजाशिवछत्रपती महाराजांचा विजय असो.”
The pioneer of Maratha Empire and great warrior. The word Chhatrapati means to have a royal empire above the head of the king. Shivaji Maharaj was that person. He was born on 19th Feb 1630 and lived a life of 50 years till 1680.
Shivaji’s major accomplishments and events include:
Shivaji was successful in accomplishing both of the following goals. The following are significant events from his reign and accomplishments:
1. Torna, Raigarh, Purandar, and Kondana forts were conquered, among others.
2. Afzal Khan, the commander of Bijapur, was assassinated due to his diplomatic and military prowess.
3. The struggle between Shivaji and Aurangzeb:
(i) Aurangzeb’s competent general Shayista Khan is defeated. Surprise assault on him disguised as a wedding reception.
(ii) The Purandhar Treaty with Aurangzeb.
(iii) Shivaji’s visit to Aurangzeb’s court at Agra; Aurangzeb’s terrible treatment of Shivaji and his detention; Shivaji’s release through diplomacy, thanks to the persuasion of Jai Singh, a highly loyal commander of Aurangzeb.
(iv) Shivaji’s successes over Aurangzeb’s army.
4. Surat is attacked.
5. Shivaji’s coronation in 1674.
6. The triumphs of Shivaji in the Deccan.
2. Sambhaji Maharaj
Sambhaji Maharaj is considered to be the unsung hero of Maratha Empire as he died a tragic death. He was born to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj on 14th May 1657 and succeeded Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj after his death in 1680. He didn’t get the chance to run the reign for a long time as ran the Empire till 1689. His major achievements include
· Chattrapati Shambaji Maharaj has fought 140 wars in 9 years, losing none, never returning from a battle, and never making any type of peace throughout the conflict.
· From Keral to Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, the Maratha kingdom grew.
· Irrigation projects, canal projects, and market facilities for farmers to sell their crops have all been started.
· British, Mughal, and Portuguese forces were defeated.
· I was fluent in 16 languages.
· Dr. and author of four books.
3. Bajirao Peshwa
Peshwa Bajirao or Bajirao Peshwa was a great Maratha Warrior who was known for his military tactics and mind sharpness. In Maratha Empire, Peshwa means Minister who always discuss and talks to the king on any matter. Peshwas were sole representatives of the Empire and held talks on every Socio-economic and Political Matters.
Bajirao was born on 18th August 1700 and had a full name of Pantpradhan Shreemant Peshwa Bajirao Ballal Balaji Bhat. He possessed military prowess. He built an empire out of the Maratha kingdom. During his rule, notable Maratha lineages including the Sindhias, Bhonsales, Holkars, and Gaekwads rose to prominence as chiefs. Shahu appointed Baji Rao I as Peshwa. During the period 1720–1740, Bajirao is credited with tenfolding the Maratha Empire from 3% to 30% of the present Indian terrain. Before his death in April 1740, he engaged in 41 significant engagements and is said to have never lost one.
4. Jijabai
How can we forget role of women in building the empire of Marathas. Jijabai who was the mother of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj would’ve been happy after seeing his little kid grow at such a level. Jijabai taught Shivaji Maharaj about the different Indian Scriptures and told about the political ideologies. Jijabai assumed Swaraj’s leadership and commanded the Marathas, who were at the time fighting Shaistakhan. She defended the Marathas for over eight months, reclaimed a besieged fort from competitors, and ruled the Maratha kingdom in Shivaji’s absence.
5. Ahilyabai Holkar
Ahilyabai Holkar was born in the hamlet of Chaundi on May 31, 1725. (present-day Ahmednagar, Maharashtra). Mankoji Sindhia, her father, was the village Patil. Her father taught her to read and write because women did not attend school at the time. She was a powerful administrator during the Confederacy period. Ahilyabai transformed a little hamlet into Indore, a prosperous and attractive metropolis. She erected forts and roads in Malwa, funded festivals, and donated to several Hindu temples for daily worship. She constructed scores of temples, ghats, wells, tanks, and rest homes from the Himalayas to South Indian pilgrimage locations. Ahilyabai aided merchants, farmers, and cultivators in their ascent to riches.
So these were some of the bravest Maratha Warriors whom we should always remember because of their past and contributions to the development of India. I know that I haven’t covered all but I thought to cover the prominent ones.
The article was not meant to cover any community’s sentiments or feelings but it should be taken as India’s glorious history of Monarchy and bravery.
Hope you liked the articles and if you do then do share it among your friends known ones.
Thank You and I’ll see you in the next one.