history book

The Coordination Committee formed by GR No. Abhyas - 2116/(Pra.Kra.43/16) SD - 4
Dated 25.4.2016 has given approval to prescribe this textbook in its meeting held on 3.3.2017

HISTORY
AND

CIVICS

STANDARD SEVEN

Maharashtra State Bureau of Textbook Production and
Curriculum Research, Pune - 411 004.

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for the teaching/learning of this textbook.

First Edition : 2017 © Maharashtra State Bureau of Textbook Production and Curriculum Research,
Pune - 411 004.

The Maharashtra State Bureau of Textbook Production and Curriculum Research reserves
all rights relating to the book. No part of this book should be reproduced without the
written permission of the Director, Maharashtra State Bureau of Textbook Production
and Curriculum Research, ‘Balbharati’, Senapati Bapat Marg, Pune 411004.

History Subject Committee : Cartographer :
Dr Sadanand More, Chairman
Shri. Mohan Shete, Member Shri. Ravikiran Jadhav
Shri. Pandurang Balkawade, Member
Dr Abhiram Dixit, Member Coordination :
Shri. Bapusaheb Shinde, Member Mogal Jadhav
Shri. Balkrishna Chopde, Member Special Officer, History and Civics
Shri. Prashant Sarudkar, Member
Shri. Mogal Jadhav, Member-Secretary Varsha Sarode
Subject Assistant, History and Civics
Civics Subject Committee :
Dr Shrikant Paranjape, Chairman Translation :
Prof. Sadhana Kulkarni, Member Shri. Aniruddha Chitnis
Dr Mohan Kashikar, Member Shri. Sushrut Kulkarni
Shri. Vaijnath Kale, Member Smt. Aarti Khatu
Shri. Mogal Jadhav, Member-Secretary
Scrutiny :
History and Civics Study Group : Dr Ganesh Raut
Prof. Sadhana Kulkarni
Shri. Rahul Prabhu Dr Raosaheb Shelke
Coordination :
Shri. Sanjay Vazarekar Shri. Mariba Chandanshive Dhanavanti Hardikar
Academic Secretary for Languages
Shri. Subhash Rathod Shri. Santosh Shinde
Santosh J. Pawar
Smt Sunita Dalvi Dr Satish Chaple Subject Assistant, English

Prof. Shivani Limaye Shri. Vishal Kulkarni Typesetting :
DTP Section, Textbook Bureau, Pune
Shri. Bhausaheb Umate Shri. Shekhar Patil
Paper : 70 GSM Creamwove
Dr Nagnath Yevale Shri. Sanjay Mehta
Print Order : N/PB/2017-18/QTY.- 0.75
Shri. Sadanand Dongre Shri. Ramdas Thakar
Printer :
Shri. Ravindra Patil Dr Ajit Apte
M/s. Rajmudra Prakashan (P) Ltd., Aurangabad
Shri. Vikram Adsul Dr Mohan Khadse
Production :
Smt Rupali Girkar Smt Shivkanya Kaderkar Sachchitanand Aphale
Chief Production Officer
Dr Minakshi Upadhyay Shri. Gautam Dange Prabhakar Parab,
Production Officer
Smt Kanchan Ketkar Dr Vyankatesh Kharat Shashank Kanikdale,
Assistant Production Officer
Smt Shivkanya Patve Shri. Ravindra Jinde Publisher :
Vivek Uttam Gosavi, Controller
Dr Anil Singare Dr Prabhakar Londhe Maharashtra State Textbook Bureau,
Prabhadevi, Mumbai - 400 025.
Invitees : Cover and Illustrations :
Dr Somnath Rode Shri. Devdatta Prakash
Dr Ganesh Raut Balkawade





Preface

Dear Students,

You have studied History and Civics in Environmental Studies Part I and II
from Std III to Std V. The subjects History and Civics are taught separately
Std VI onwards. Both the subjects are included in a single textbook. We are
happy to place this textbook of Std VII in your hands.

This book is designed in such a way that you will understand the subject
clearly, find it interesting and you will get motivated by the work done by our
ancestors. We want you to gather knowledge as well as joy when you study it.
For that, we have provided coloured pictures and maps in this textbook. Please
study each chapter in this textbook carefully. If you do not understand any part,
ask your teachers and parents to explain it. The additional information given in
the boxes will add to your knowledge. If you consider that history is an interesting
subject and is our friend, you will definitely like this subject.

In the History section, we have explained the ‘History of Medieval India’.
The textbook has been designed by focusing upon the place and role of
Maharashtra in the making of Medieval India. When you study this textbook, we
expect that you will develop an awareness of being a citizen of India, and also a
sense of duty.

In the Civics part, we have introduced the Constitution of India. The
background for creating a new Constitution, the Preamble to the Constitution, the
Fundamental Rights and Directive Principles in the Constitution are covered in
this part. It explains in simple language, that the government system in our
country is run as per the Constitution, laws and rules. We have provided many
projects so that your learning becomes more activity-oriented. You will enter the
next standard with the feeling that you are the future citizens of the country and
will build the future of our country.

When we study History, we come to know about the achievements of our
ancestors. When it is coupled with the study of Civics, we understand our duties
towards building a nation and a society. That is why the two subjects are studied
together.

Pune (Dr. Sunil Magar)
Date : 28 March 2017 Director

Maharashtra State Bureau of Textbook
Production and Curriculum Research, Pune.

- For Teachers -

We have already taught the History and Civics textbook for Std VI. In this
textbook for Std VII the History of Medieval India is presented.

The special feature of this presentation is that it focuses on Maharashtra.
Even though our State is part of the Republic of India, if we study history from
the perspective of Maharashtra, we will understand the position, role and
contribution of Maharashtra in the History of India, and the students will develop
a more mature national feeling. They will understand what our ancestors have
done for the nation and it will enhance their awareness of their own responsibilities
and duties towards the nation.

In this respect, the foundation of Swaraj by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in
the seventeenth century is very important. To understand the foundation of
Swaraj, the situation in India and Maharashtra before the rise of Chhatrapati
Shivaji Maharaj should be understood first, so that one gets a perspective on
the history of India. That has been our policy while designing this book. We
have discussed how, after the demise of Shivaji Maharaj, Maharashtra faced
the attacks on his Swaraj and protected it. After they had repulsed the attacks,
the Marathas expanded the boundaries of Maharashtra and occupied most of
India. The next part covers the expansion of Swaraj into an empire. We all
know that the British conquered India and ruled here but it is important to
understand how Maharashtra was in the forefront in stopping the British. The
British had to compete with the Marathas and they had to conquer India by
battling with the Marathas. This evokes a sense of our strength and duty. It is
expected that teaching-learning should awaken this feeling in the students’ minds.
This view-point is expressed pictorially on the cover showing the expansion of
the Maratha power with the help of a broad outline map of India.

In the Civics part, we have introduced the Constitution of India. As it is
not possible to teach this subject in one year, it is distributed across two
standards. In this standard, the emphasis is on the need for a Constitution, the
values enshrined in the Constitution, the Preamble, Fundamental Rights and
Duties and the Directive Principles. The administrative machinery and the
political procedures laid down in the Constitution will be taken up in Std VIII.
In this sense, the Civics portion in the two standards is complimentary. It is
arranged in such a way that the students will be able to understand it easily.
The contents have been arranged in an innovative way. It is based on
constructivism, but going even beyond, priority is given to making the students
(responsible) members of the society by removing the apathy towards the political
system. The content has been presented in very simple language. It will increase
the readability of the book.

While teaching this textbook, teachers should use newspapers, news on
television, the analysis by scholars and should help create a comprehensive
vision amongst students. If one studies and teaches History and Civics with
reference to current affairs, it becomes more meaningful and helps in inculcating
values in students.

CONTENTS

History of Medieval India

N o. Chapter Page

No.

1. Sources of History....................................................... 1

2. India before the Times of Shivaji Maharaj................ 5

3. Religious Synthesis .................................................... 11

4. Maharashtra before the Times of Shivaji Maharaj.... 14

5. The Foundation of the Swaraj..................................... 19

6. Conflict with the Mughals.......................................... 24

7. The Administration of the Swaraj............................... 29

8. An Ideal Ruler ............................................................ 33

9. The Maratha War of Independence............................ 37

10. The Expansion of the Maratha Power........................ 44

11. Marathas - The Protectors of the Nation................... 47

12. Progression of the Empire .......................................... 53

13. Life of the People in Maharashtra.............................. 57

S.O.I. Note : The following foot notes are applicable : (1) © Government of India, Copyright : 2017. (2) The responsibility for the
correctness of internal details rests with the publisher. (3) The territorial waters of India extend into the sea to a distance of twelve
nautical miles measured from the appropriate base line. (4) The administrative headquarters of Chandigarh, Haryana and Punjab are
at Chandigarh. (5) The interstate boundaries amongst Arunachal Pradesh, Assam and Meghalaya shown on this map are as interpreted
from the “North-Eastern Areas (Reorganisation) Act. 1971,” but have yet to be verified. (6) The external boundaries and coastlines of
India agree with the Record/Master Copy certified by Survey of India. (7) The state boundaries between Uttarakhand & Uttar Pradesh,
Bihar & Jharkhand and Chattisgarh & Madhya Pradesh have not been verified by the Governments concerned. (8) The spellings of
names in this map, have been taken from various sources.

CCoommppeetetennccyySStatatetemmeenntsts

Serial Chapter Competency
No.
1. Soures of - Identify the sources of Medieval History of India.
2. History - Classify the sources of history.
3. - Tell the importance of the sources in writing history.
- Make attempts to preserve the sources of history.
4.
India before - Tell the impact of different rulers on the social life of Maharashtra
5. the times of in the period before Shivaji Maharaj.
6. Shivaji
Maharaj - Analyse the effects of the events in the Mughal period on
Maharashtra Maharashtra.
before the
times of - Elucidate social life during the period before Shivaji Maharaj.
Shivaji - Explain the different historical events in the Adilshahi and Nizamshahi
Maharaj
The period.
Foundation of - Analyse the social, political and economic conditions in the period
the Swaraj
before Shivaji Maharaj.
Conflict with
the Mughals - Identify the similarity between the teachings of Sants.
- Analyse the situation that led to the foundation of the Swaraj.
Coronation of - Visit forts/historical monuments and collect information.
Shivaji - Get information about forts with the help of the internet.
Maharaj - Make efforts for conserving the historical heritage.
- Recognise the importance of the historical win at Javali.
- Become aware that the associates of Shivaji Maharaj were ready to

offer their lives for him.

- Study the war tactics of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.
- Study the conflict between the Marathas and the Mughals critically.
- Analyse and describe the decision making ability and courage of

Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in times of difficulty.

- Give reasons behind the coronation of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.
- Explain the expansion of Swaraj after the campaign of the South,

with the help of a map.

7. An ideal - Explain the administrative system of the welfare State of Swaraj
Ruler - Explain the administration and military system of Chhatrapati Shivaji

Maharaj.
- Know the greatness of Shivaji Maharaj in comparison with other

contemporary rulers.
- Take inspiration from the biography of Shivaji Maharaj
- Make proportionate models of forts.

8. War of - Explain the changing policies of the Maratha rule after the death of

Independence Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj.

- Become aware of the fact that the Marathas preserved their power

in very unfavourable conditions.

- Analyse why Chhatrapati Rajaram Maharaj transferred the capital

to Jinji.

- Analyse and review the work done by Maharani Tarabai.

9. The Peshwa - Explain with the help of the historical events at that time, that the

Rule and the Maratha power became a dominant power at the all India level.

Expansion of - Analyse the reasons behind the battle of Panipat.

the Maratha - Know about the work done by the Peshwas.

Power - Tell the importance of the work done by the Maratha Sardars.

1. Sources of History

We studied ancient Indian history last Material Sources
year. This year, we are going to study
the medieval period of Indian history. Forts Memorials Buildings
Broadly, the period from the ninth century
ce till the end of the eighteenth century Copper Physical Cave
ce is considered to be the medieval period Plates Sources Sculptures
of Indian history. In this lesson, we are
going to study the sources of medieval Coins Inscriptions
history.
all provide insights about that period.
History gives us a chronological, Looking at them, we come to know about
scientific and systematic account of past the development of architecture, the
events. economic conditions, the quality of art,
style of the building construction and
Four factors are very important from people's standard of living in that
the viewpoint of history. They are -  particular period.
Individuals, Society, Place and Time.
History must be based on authentic Can you tell ?
evidence or proofs. These proofs are How do coins narrate history ?
known as the sources of history.
Let’s learn.
Let us classify these sources into
material sources, written sources and oral Since ancient times, coins like
sources to learn more about them. Let us kavadi, damadi, dhela, pai, paisa, ana
also evaluate the sources of history. and rupee were used. Some local
idioms or proverbs are based on coins.
We have to consider many factors For example;
related to the historical event that we
want to study. It is necessary to support * ‘एक फुटकी कवडी दणे ार नाही.’ Here
our study with historical sources. These
sources have to be verified. We have to phutaki kavadi means ‘the lowest bit
see whether they are authentic. It is of money’.
necessary to use these sources judiciously
and only after a critical analysis. * सोलह आना सच! means ‘Hundred

Forts have an important place among percent true !’
material sources. Some major types of
forts are hill forts, forest forts, sea forts The coins made by different rulers
and forts on the plains. Monuments using metals like gold, silver, copper are
include samadhis, graves, veergala and important sources of history. From these
buildings include palaces, ministerial coins we learn about the rulers, their
mansions, Queen's quarters (raniwasa) period, governance, religious ideas,
and also houses of common people. They

1

Rashtrakuta, Chola and Yadav kings have
been found. An inscription is considered
to be a very important and reliable source
of history. It helps us to understand
features like the language, script, social
life of a period. Inscriptions carved on
sheets of copper are known as ‘copper
plates’. Royal edicts, verdicts, etc. are
inscribed on copper plates.

Veergala Do you know ?

personal details, etc. Similarly, we also Chaityas, Viharas, temples,
learn about the financial transactions and churches, mosques, agiaries, durgahs,
economic conditions prevailing at that mukbaras, gurudwaras, monuments,
time. We also see how far metallurgy had sculptures, wells, minarets, village
advanced in that period. From the images boundaries and gates, weapons, utensils,
of Ram-Sita on the coins of Emperor ornaments, clothes, decorative articles,
Akbar or Shiva Parvati on the coins of toys, implements, musical instruments
Hyder Ali we see the religious are all material sources of history.
co-ordination of those days. The Peshwas
used the Arabic or Persian language on Written Sources : We learn about
their coins. This throws light on the use significant historical events in the medieval
of language in that period. period from sources like the writing styles
of scripts like, Devanagari, Arabic,
An inscription is a carving on a Persian, Modi etc. as also from the
stone, or a wall etc. For example, the varieties of different languages, bhurja-
inscriptions found in the Brihadishwara patras, religious manuscripts, treatises,
temple premises in Tanjavur. Many edicts, decrees, biographies, paintings, etc.
inscriptions of the period of Chalukya, We can gather information about the food
items, attire, conventions and rules of
A coin of the Peshwa period conduct of the people, festivals and about
people’s life etc. from these sources.
Sources of this type are called ‘written
sources’ of history.

Documents of Geneologies, Correspondence,
proceedings in Shakavali Dispatches
the courts of
kings

Written Sources

Judicial Treatise, Travelogues Chronicles,

Verdicts, Biographies of foreign Tavarikh

A coin of Hyder Ali Orders travellers

2

During this period, travellers from Folk songs
other countries came to India. They have
written travelogues or accounts of their Myths Gatha
travels. Some of them are Al Biruni, Ibn
Batuta, Niccolao Manucci. Babur’s Legends Oral Shlokas
biography, ‘Shrishivbharat’ or the Sanskrit Sources
biography of Shivaji Maharaj composed
by the poet Paramanand as well as Proverbs Abhangas
various other biographies of different
rulers and their correspondence help us to Powadas
understand the policies and administrative
systems of the rulers and their diplomatic generation. Some examples are - owis,
relations with others. folk songs, powadas, folk tales, legends,
and myths. Such type of sources are
Tavarikh or Tarikh means the called ‘oral sources’ of history.
sequence of events. Tavarikhs written by
Al Biruni, Ziauddin Barani, Maulana History is written with the help of the
Ahmed, Yahya Bin Ahmed, Mirza Hyder, three types of sources mentioned above.
Bhimsen Saxena, etc. are available. Even after it has been written down,
research on it goes on continuously. New
Bakhar is a type of chronicle that sources and information come to light
originated in Maharashtra. Chronicles through this research. Then history has to
help in understanding aspects like the be rewritten accordingly. We can see that
contemporary political happenings, our history books and those of our parents
linguistic transactions, cultural life, social and grandparents, differ to a certain
conditions, etc. Many of the chronicles in extent.
Marathi were written many years after
the events had occurred. As a result, they Do you know ?
are seen to rely on hearsays. Some of
these chronicles are Mahikavatichi Bakhar, The Powada of Tanaji : Given below is
Sabhasad Bakhar, Chitnisachi Bakhar, an extract from a powada composed by
Bhausahebachi Bakhar, etc. The works of Tulashidas Shahir. He portrays the Kondhana
contemporary western historians like campaign in it. The powada contains
Robert Arm, M.C.Sprengel and Grant beautiful character sketches of Tanaji,
Duff are also important. Shelarmama, Shivaji Maharaj, Veermata
Jijabai, etc.
Do this.
मामा बोलाया तो लागला । ऐंशी वर्षीचा म्हातारा ।।
Make a collection of powadas, tribal ‘‘ लगिन राहिले रायबाचे तो मजला सांगावी ।।
songs. माझ्या तानाजी सभु ेदारा । जे गले े सिहं गडाला ।।
त्याचे पाठिरे पाहिले । नाही पुढारे पाहिले ।।
Present them in the cultural ज्याने आबं ारे खाईला । बाठा बजु रा लाविला ।।
programmes arranged in your school. त्याचे झाड होउनि आबं े बाधं ले ।
किल्ला हाती नाही आला ।।
Oral sources : We understand various सिहं गड किल्ल्याची वार्ता ।
aspects of folk life through folk literature काढू नको तानाजी सुभेदारा ।।
traditionally passed on from generation to जे गेले सिंहगडाला । ते मरूनशानी गले े ।।

तमु चा सपाटा होईल । असे बोलू नको रे मामा ।।
आम्ही सूरमर्द क्षत्री । नाही भिणार मरणाला ।। ’’

3

Say your say ! in which they live and the political
pressures on them. It is also important to
Suggest measures for preserving see whether they rely on hearsay or give
sources of history. an eyewitness account. We need to
consider the exaggerations, metaphors
Evaluating the sources of history : and other literary devices they use. Their
It is necessary to take certain precautions information has to be verified with the
before using these sources of history. We help of other contemporary sources. The
have to examine their authenticity and information may be one sided,
see which are genuine and which are contradictory or exaggerated. It has to be
fake. Their quality can be determined seen in a proper perspective. The sources
with the help of internal standards. We have to be subjected to a critical analysis.
also have to study the integrity of the The author’s impartiality and neutrality
writers, their personal interests, the period are very important in writing history.

Exercise

1. Complete the names of the following (3) Bhurjapatras, temples, treatises,
paintings.
sources of history.
(4) Owis, tarikhs, folk tales, myths
l d
4. Explain the following concepts.
t h (1) Material sources
(2) Written sources
b r (3) Oral sources

p a 5. Is it necessary to evaluate sources of
history ? Give your opinion.
i i in
6. Write why in your words.
m u t (1) A stone inscription is considered to

be an authentic source of history.
(2) Oral sources reveal various aspects
2. Let’s write.
(1) What do monuments include ? of people’s lives.
(2) What is a Tarikh ?
(3) What qualities of the author  are Activity
Visit any museum that is nearby. Gather
important in the writing of history ?
information about the sources of history
3. Find the odd man out. from the period that you are studying
(1) Material sources, written sources, and record it in your activity book.

unwritten sources, oral sources.
(2) Monuments, coins, cave sculptures,

stories

4

2. India before the Times of Shivaji Maharaj

We shall learn about the various The last prosperous power before the
ruling powers in India before the times period of Shivaji Maharaj was that of the
of Shivaji Maharaj in this lesson. Various Yadavas. The capital of Bhillam V of the
ruling powers existed in India during that Yadava dynasty was at Deogiri near
period. Aurangabad. He extended his rule beyond
the river Krishna.
‘Pal’ in the eighth century was a
famous dynasty in Bengal. In Central The Yadava period is considered to
India, the Gurjar-Pratihar power spread be the golden period of Marathi language
up to Andhra, Kalinga, Vidarbha, West and literature. It was in this period that
Kathewad, Kanauj and Gujarat. the Mahanubhav Panth and the Varkari
movement emerged.
Among the Rajput dynasties in North
India, the Gahadwal and the Parmar Invasions from the North-West
dynasties were the important ones. Among
Rajputs, Prithviraj Chauhan belonging to Local dynasties like the Yadava and
the Chauhan dynasty was a valiant King. Rashtrakuta ruled in Maharashtra. But
In the first war at Tarai, Prithviraj invaders from the north-west conquered
Chauhan had defeated Muhammad Ghuri. the local dynasties there and established
But Muhammad Ghuri defeated Prithviraj their own rule.
Chauhan in the second war at Tarai.
In the meanwhile, the Arab power
Rajaraj I and Rajendra I belonging had emerged in the Middle-east. Arab
to the Chola dynasty in Tamil Nadu were rulers turned towards India to expand
eminent rulers. The Cholas conquered the their empire. The Arab General
Maldive Islands and Sri Lanka using their Muhammad-bin-Qasim, attacked the Sindh
naval strength. King Vishnuvardhan province in the eighth century.
belonging to the Hoysal dynasty in Notwithstanding the resistance of King
Karnataka had conquered the whole of Dahir, he conquered the province of
Karnataka. Sindh. Due to this campaign, the Arabs
came into political contact with India for
During the reign of Govind III of the the first time. In the period that followed,
Rashtrakuta dynasty in Maharashtra, the Turks, Afghans and Mughals from Central
Rashtrakut power spread from Kanauj up Asia came to India and established their
to Rameshwar. Later, Krishna III power here.
conquered the region up to Allahabad.
In the eleventh century ce the Turks
Three dynasties of the Shilahars began to invade India. Expanding their
emerged in Western Maharashtra. One territories they reached the north western
dynasty ruled over Thane and Raigad in frontier of India. Sultan Mahmud of
North Konkan, the second in South Ghazni invaded India many times. He
Konkan, while the third dynasty ruled plundered the rich temples at Mathura,
over some parts of the present day Vrindavan, Kanauj and Somnath and
Kolhapur, Satara, Sangli and Belgaum carried away enormous wealth with him.
districts.

5

Sultanate in the North Harihar was succeeded by his brother
In 1175  ce and 1178 c e, Sultan
Bukka. Bukka brought the region up to
Muhammad Ghuri of Ghur from
Afghanistan invaded India. He appointed Rameshwar under his control.
Qutubuddin Aibak to look after the
governance of the conquered territories in Krishnadevaraya : Krishnadevaraya
India. Later, after the death of Muhammad
Ghuri in 1206 c  e, Aibak began to rule the ascended the throne of Vijaynagar in
Indian territories under his rule,
independently. Aibak, who was initially a 1509  ce. He conquered
slave, became the ruler of Delhi. He died
in 1210  ce. Vijaywada and

Do you know ? Rajmahendri and

After Qutubuddin Aibak, annexed the regions
Iltutmish, Razia, Bulban, Alauddin
Khalji, Muhammad-bin-Tughluque, to his kingdom. He
Firuz Tughluque, Ibrahim Lodi and defeated the combined
other Sultans ruled over India.
forces of the armies
Ibrahim Lodi was the last Sultan. He
made many enemies because of his peculiar Krishnadevaraya of the Sultans who
temperament. Daulatkhan Lodi, Governor had united under the
of Punjab, invited Babur, the ruler of leadership of the
Kabul to fight against Ibrahim Lodi. Babur Bahamani Sultan
defeated Ibrahim Lodi in the battle and
thus the Sultanate came to an end. Mahmud Shah. During Krishnadevaraya’s
The Kingdom of Vijaynagar reign, the kingdom of Vijaynagar extended

During the reign of Sultan Muhammad- from Cuttak in the east up to Goa in the
bin-Tughluque of Delhi, there were many
revolts in the South against the central west and from the Raichur Doab in the
power of Delhi. From these revolts arose north up to the Indian Ocean in the south.
the formidable Vijaynagar and Bahamani He died in 1530 c e.
kingdoms.
Krishnadevraya was a scholar. He
The brothers Harihar and Bukka, wrote ‘Amuktamalyada’, a Telugu
from South India were Sardars in the compendium on polity. The Hazar Ram
service of the Delhi Sultanate. Taking temple and Vitthal temple were built in
advantage of the instability in the South Vijaynagar during his reign.
during the reign of Muhammad-bin-
Tughluque, they founded the kingdom of The decline of the Vijaynagar kingdom
Vijaynagar in the South in 1336 c e. began with the death of Krishnadevaraya.
Hampi in today’s Karnataka was the In 1565  ce, at Talikot in the present State
capital of this kingdom. Harihar was the of Karnataka, there was a battle between
first king of Vijaynagar. Adilshahi, Nizamshahi, Qutubshahi,
Baridshahi on one side and Vijaynagar
on the other side. Vijaynagar was defeated.
Thereafter, the dominance of Vijaynagar
came to an end.

The Bahamani Kingdom

While Muhammad-bin-Tughluque was
still reigning, some of his Sardars in the
Deccan rose in rebellion against him.
The leader of these Sardars, Hasan
Gangu, defeated the army of the Sultan
of Delhi. A new kingdom, known as the

6

Bahamani kingdom, came into existence invaded India. To repel Babur’s invasion,
in 1347  ce. Hasan Gangu became the first Ibrahim Lodi started with his army. There
Sultan of the Bahamani kingdom. He was a battle between Ibrahim Lodi and
made the city of Gulburga in Karnataka Babur on 21 April 1526 at Panipat. In this
his capital. battle, Babur made use of an artillery
effectively for the first time in India. He
Mahmud Gawan : Mahmud Gawan defeated Ibrahim Lodi’s army. This is
was the Chief Wazir of the Bahamani known as the First Battle of Panipat.
kingdom. He was a good administrator.
He strengthened the Bahamani kingdom. After the battle of Panipat, Rana Sanga
He started paying the soldiers their of Mewad brought all Rajput kings together.
salaries in cash instead of through land There was a battle between Babur and
grants. He brought discipline in the army. Rana Sanga at Khanua. Babur’s artillery
He introduced many reforms in the land and reserved force played a key role in this
revenue system. He opened a madarsa at battle and Rana Sanga’s army was defeated.
Bidar for Arabic and Persian studies. Babur died in 1530 c  e.

After the death of Mahmud Gawan, Do you know ?
factionism increased among the Bahamani
Sardars. The conflict with the Vijaynagar After Babur, Humayun (1530 c e
kingdom had an adverse effect on the to 1539  ce and from 1555 c e to
Bahamani kingdom. The provincial 1556  ce) ascended the throne. He was
Governors began to act more independently. defeated by Shershah. Shershah
This led to the disintegration of the established the Sur dynasty on the
Bahamani kingdom into five small powers- throne of Delhi. After Humayun,
Imadshahi of Varhad, Baridshahi of Bidar, Akbar (1556  ce to 1605 c e) ascended
Adilshahi of Bijapur, Nizamshahi of the throne. There was a battle between
Ahmadnagar and Qutubshahi of Golconda. Akbar and Hemu at Panipat in
1556  ce. This is the Second Battle of
Mughal Power Panipat. Akbar’s ambition was to
bring the whole of India under his
In 1526  ce, the Sultanate of Delhi one central authority. After Akbar,
came to an end. Mughal power was Jahangir (1605  ce to 1628 c  e) became
established there. the Emperor. During his reign, his
wife Nurjahan played an active role
Babur : Babur was the founder of in the administration. Jahangir was
Mughal power. He was the king of followed by Shahajahan (1628 c e to
Farghana in Central Asia in today’s 1658  ce) as the Emperor. The next
Uzbekistan. He had heard of the wealth Emperor after Shahajahan, Aurangzeb
in India. So he planned an invasion of (1658  ce to 1707 c e) reigned for a
India. very long time. After his death, the
Mughal Empire became weak.
The reigning Sultan of Delhi at that
time was Ibrahim Lodi. Daulatkhan Lodi Akbar was the most powerful King
was the Governor of Punjab under the of the Mughal dynasty. When he tried to
Sultanate. The relationship between Ibrahim bring India under his central authority, he
Lodi and Daulatkhan Lodi was strained.
Daulatkhan Lodi invited Babur to march
on India. Taking this opportunity, Babur

7

had to face opposition. Maharana Pratap, western part of today’s Chhattisgarh,
Chandbibi, Rani Durgavati struggled northern part of Andhra Pradesh and the
against him. Their struggle is noteworthy. western part of Odisha.

Maharana Pratap : After the death of Durgavati, born in the dynasty
Chandel Rajput became the queen of
Udaysingh, Maharana Pratap ascended the Gondvana when she was married. She
was an excellent administrator. The
throne of Mewad. He continued the struggle struggle of Gondvana queen Durgavati
against the Mughals is important in
for Mewad’s existence. Till the very end, medieval history. After her husband’s
death, Durgavati laid down her life while
he struggled with fighting against Akbar, but she did not
surrender.
Akbar to maintain

his indepedence. He

has become

immortal in history

due to his qualities

of valour, courage, Aurangzeb : Aurangzeb became the

self-respect, Emperor in 1658 c e. At this time, the

sacrifice, etc. Mughal empire

Maharana Pratap Chandbibi : extended from

The Mughals attacked Ahmadnagar, Kashmir in the north

the capital of Nizamshah’s kingdom, in up to Ahmadnagar

1595  ce. The Mughal in the south and from

army put the fort of Kabul in the west up

Ahmadnagar under to Bengal in the east.

siege. Chandbibi, the To this Aurangzeb

capable daughter of added Assam in the

Husain Nizamshah of Aurangzeb east, and the regions

Ahmadnagar, bravely of Adilshahi of Bijapur in the south and

defended the fort. At Qutubshahi of Golconda after he ended

this time, there was these kingdoms.

Chandbibi an internal strife Conflict with the Ahoms : In the
thirteenth century CE, the people of the
among the factions of the Sardars in Shaan community settled down in the
valley of river Brahmaputra. They
Nizamshahi’s kingdom. This resulted in established their Kingdom there. They
were locally known as Ahom people.
the murder of Chandbibi. Later, the

Mughals captured the fort of Ahmadnagar.

But, the Mughals could not bring the

entire kingdom of While Aurangzeb ruled, the Ahoms
had a prolonged struggle with the Mughals.
Nizamshahi under The Mughals attacked the Ahoms’ region.
The Ahoms united under the leadership
their control. of Gadadharsinha. Commander Lachit
Borphukan gave an intense battle against
Rani Durgavati : the Mughals. The Ahoms used the guerilla
technique in the conflict against the
Gondvana can Mughals. It became impossible for
Mughals to create a strong base in Assam.
broadly be said to

comprise the eastern

part of Vidarbha, part

of Madhya Pradesh

to its north, the Rani Durgavati

8

Conflict with the Sikhs : The ninth Aurangzeb could not obtain the cooperation
Guru of the Sikhs , G  uru Teghbahaddar, of Rajputs. After the death of Rana
protested strongly against Aurangzeb’s Jaswantsingh of Marwad, Aurangzeb
policy of religious intolerance. Aurangzeb annexed his kingdom to the Mughal
imprisoned him and beheaded him in empire. Durgadas Rathod crowned
1675 ce. After him, Guru Gobindsingh Jaswantsingh’s minor son Ajitsingh as the
became the Guru of the Sikhs. King of Marwad. Durgadas Rathod fought
hard against the Mughals. Aurangzeb sent
Guru Gobindsingh organised his Prince Akbar to Marwad to crush the
resistance of Durgadas. Prince Akbar
followers and encouraged their martial joined hands with Rajputs and rose in
revolt against Aurangzeb. An effort was
spirit. He organised made to seek help from the Marathas in
Maharashtra. In this revolt. Durgadas
the Sikh youths Rathod continued this struggle against the
Mughals for the existence of Marwad.
into a fighting
Conflict with the Marathas : In
force called the Maharashtra, Swaraj was established
under the leadership of Shivaji Maharaj.
‘Khalsa Dal’. Their In his efforts to establish Swaraj, Shivaji
Maharaj had to fight the Mughals too
headquarters were along with the other enemies. Aurangzeb
came down to the Deccan after the death
at Anandpur. of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj with the
intention of conquering the whole of
Aurangzeb sent his South India. But the Marathas offered
stiff resistance to Aurangzeb and defended
Guru Gobindsingh army to fight the their independence. We shall study this
Sikhs. His army struggle later on.

attacked Anandpur. Although the Sikhs

fought fiercely, they did not succeed.

After that, Guru Gobindsingh came to the

Deccan in 1708 c  e. There was an attempt

on his life when he was at Nanded. Soon

after, the Guru succumbed to his wounds.

Conflict with the Rajputs : Akbar
had secured the cooperation of the Rajputs
with his policy of amicable relations.

Exercise

1. Name the following. (2) Adilshahi, Nizamshahi, Sultanate,
(1) The Queen of Gondvana – Baridshahi Humayun, Shershah,
(2) The son of Udaysingh –
(3) The founder of Mughal dynasty – (3) Akbar,
(4) The first Sultan of the Bahamani Aurangzeb

kingdom  – 3. Answer briefly.
(5) The fighting force established by (1) How did the kingdoms of Vijaynagar

Guru Gobindsingh – and Bahamani emerge ?
(2) What reforms did Mahmud Gawan
2. Find the odd one out.
(1) Sultan Mahmud, Qutubuddin Aibak, make?
(3) Why did it become impossible for the
Muhammad Ghuri, Babur
Mughals to strengthen their base in
Assam?

9

4. Write about them briefly in your own (2) Rana Sang’s army was defeated.
words.
(3) Rana Pratap has become immortal in
(1) Krishnadevaraya (2) Chandbibi
(3) Rani Durgavati history.

(4) Aurangzeb imprisoned Guru

5. Give reasons. Teghbahaddar.
(1) The Bahamani Kingdom disintegrated
(5) The Rajputs fought against the
into five fragments.
Mughals.
6. Complete the timeline.

1336  ce …….  ce 1509  ce ………  ce

Establishment Establishment -------------- Establishment
of Vijaynagar of Bahamani of the Mughal
Kingdom
Kingdom power

7. Using the internet, find out more about Activity
any one of the personalities you have Obtain more information about the
studied here, and fill in the box below.
personalities mentioned in this chapter.
I know this : Use reference books, the internet,
newspapers, etc. Prepare a collage of
the pictures information in your activity
book and display it in the history cell.

Fort Deogiri

10

3. Religious Synthesis

Diversity of languages and religions is compassion, mercy, etc. Ramanuja and
an important characteristic of the Indian other Acharyas strengthened the base of
society. Considering this feature, the Indian the Bhakti movement in South India.
Constitution has adopted the principle of They told people that God is for all.
secularism. In medieval India, too, attempts God does not discriminate. The teachings
to bring about religious synthesis in social of Ramanuja had a great impact in
life were made on the basis of this principle. North India also.
Among these efforts, the Bhakti movement,
Sikhism and the Sufi sect have a significant Sant Ramanand strengthened the Bhakti
place. These different streams of thought
arose in different parts of India. They movement in North India. Sant Kabir is a
emphasized harmony between the different
sects and religions along with devotion to well-known sant in the
God. We shall study them in this chapter.
Bhakti movement. He
Initially, rituals and brahmadnyan were
greatly emphasized in the Indian religious did not attach any
life. In the medieval period, they gave way
to Bhakti Marg - the path of devotion. importance to places of
Bhakti Marg did not give undue importance
to hierarchies, which further facilitated pilgrimage, vratas or
religious synthesis. In the different regions
of India, we find different forms of the path idol worship. For him,
of devotion, according to the local situation
there. The Bhakti movement used the Truth was God. He
common people’s language instead of
Sanskrit. This helped the development of taught that all human
regional languages.
Sant Kabir beings are equal. He
Bhakti Movement : It is believed
that the Bhakti movement originated in did not believe in any differences based on
South India. The Naynar and Alawar
Bhakti movements emerged in this region. caste, creed, sect and religion. He wanted to
The Naynars were devotees of Shiva,
while the Alawars were devotees of bring about Hindu and Muslim unity. He
Vishnu. There were also attempts to
consider Shiva and Vishnu as one and criticized the extremely orthodox people in
the same and bring them together.
‘Harihar’ idols which depict half Vishnu both Hindu and Muslim religions in strong
and half Shiva were produced in this
period on a large scale. People belonging terms.
to all social strata had participated in
these Bhakti movements. They preached In Bengal, Chaitany Mahaprabhu
values like love of God, humanity, underlined the importance of Krishnabhakti.
Due to his teachings, people joined the
Bhakti movement in transcending the
boundaries of caste and creed. Under his
influence, Shankaradeva spread the Bhakti
movement in Assam. Narsi Mehta was a
renowned Vaishnawa Sant in Gujarat. He
was an ardent devotee of Krishna. He gave
the message of equality. He is known as
the first poet of the Gujarati language.

Sant Mirabai stressed the importance
of devotion to Krishna. She belonged to the
royal family of Mewad. She renounced all
pleasures of the royal family and immersed
herself in devotion to Krishna. She composed
devotional verses in Rajasthani and
Gujarati. Her devotional verses give the

11

message of devotion, tolerance and castes and creeds. He
humanity. Sant Sena was an influential supported equality. He
Sant. Sant Rohidas was a great Sant. He travelled to all parts of
Maharashtra preaching
gave the message of equality and humanity. in Marathi. He preferred
Marathi instead of
Surdasa, a great poet of Hindi literature, Sanskrit. This led to the
composed the poetical work ‘Sursagar’. development of the
Chakradhar Swami Marathi language. Many
Devotion to Krishna (Krishnabhakti) is the works were composed in Marathi.
This sect mainly spread in the Vidarbha
subject of his work. The verses on and Marathwada regions of Maharashtra.
Krishnabhakti composed by the Muslim Riddhipur in Vidarbha is an important place
for people of this sect. This sect had reached
Sant Raskhan are melodious. ‘Ramcharita- up to faraway regions like the Punjab
and Afghanistan.
Manasa’ of Sant Tulshidas is a beautiful
composition expressing devotion to Rama. Do you know ?

In Karnataka, Basaveshwar spread the Some of the main compositions of
the followers of the Mahanubhav Panth
lingayat stream of thought. He opposed the are   :  The treatise ‘Leelacharitra’
compiled by Mhaimbhat describing the
caste system and stressed the dignity of deeds of Chakradhar Swami; ‘Dhavale’
of the first Marathi poetess Mahadamba,
labour. ‘Kayakave ‘Sutrapath and Drishtantapath’ compiled
by Keshobas, ‘Vacchaharan’ of
Kailas’ is his well- Damodar Pandit, ‘Shishupalvadha’ of
Bhaskarbhat Borikar and ‘Rukmini
known saying which Swayamvara’ of Narendra.

means ‘Work is Kailas’ Do you know ?

(Work is worship). He A conversation between a Hindu
and a Muslim written by Sant Eknath
encouraged women’s is important from the viewpoint of
religious harmony. The famous quote
participation in his
of Sant Shaikh Mohammad ‘शखे महमं द
movement. Men and अविधं । त्याचे हृदयी गोविदं ।।’ is an example

women belonging to all of this religious harmony.

castes began to Guru Nanak : Guru Nanak was the
founder of Sikhism and the first guru of
Shri Basaveshwar participate in the Sikhs. His work has to be mentioned as a
great attempt at religious synthesis. He
religious discussions conducted in the hall visited the holy places of both Hindus and

‘Anubhava Mantapa’. Shri Basaveshwar

conveyed his teachings in the language of

the people, i.e., Kannada, through the

medium of ‘Vachana’ literature. His work

had a great impact on society. His followers

have composed their work in Marathi also.

Of these compositions, ‘Paramarahasya’

composed by Manmath Swami is very

well-known. Great sants in Karnataka

include Pamp, Purandardasa and others.

They composed many devotional verses in

Kannada.

Mahanubhav Panth : In the thirteenth
century, Chakradhar Swami founded the

‘Mahanubhav Panth’ in Maharashtra. This
sect preaches devotion to Krishna. Shri
Govind Prabhu was the Guru of Chakradhar

Swami. The followers of Chakradhara
included men and women belonging to all

12

Muslims. He had tenth Guru of the Sikhs. After Guru
Gobindsingh, Sikhs regard the ‘Guru
also visited Mecca. Granth Sahib’ as their Guru, as per the
orders of Guru Gobindsingh.
He realised that the
The Sufi Sect : This is a sect in
feeling of devotion Islam. The Sufi saints believed that God
is full of love and the only way to reach
is common him is through love and devotion. Their
main teachings are love for all living
everywhere. He beings, meditation and simple living.
Khwaja Moinuddin Chisti, Shaikh
taught that all Nijamuddin Avaliya were great Sufi
Saints. The teachings of Sufi Saints led
persons should be to unity in the Hindu and Muslim
communities. Sufi music has made
treated equally. His valuable contribution to Indian music.

Guru Nanak teachings aimed at The path of Bhakti taught by the
achieving Hindu- Sants was easy to follow for the common
people. The Bhakti movement was open
Muslim unity. He emphasized chaste to all men and women. The Sants
expressed their thoughts in the language
behaviour. of the people. The common people found
them close to their heart. The Bhakti
Many people were influenced by the movement has contributed greatly to the
teachings of Guru Nanak. The number of making of the Indian Culture.
his followers increased day by day. The
followers of Guru Nanak are known as
‘Sikhs’ (Shishyas) meaning ‘disciples’.
The ‘Aadigrantha’, also known as the
‘Guru Granth Sahib’ is the Holy Book of
the Sikhs. The Aadigrantha includes
compositions by Guru Nanak, Sant
Namdeo, Sant Kabir and other Sants.
Guru Nanak was succeeded by nine Gurus
of the Sikhs. Guru Gobindsingh was the

Exercise

1. Write the related word. 4. Complete the following names.
(1) Shri Basaveshwar : Karnataka
Meerabai : ......................... . G G
(2) Ramananda : North India
Chaitanya Maha Prabhu : ............... . S S
(3) Shri Chakradhar : ................... .
Shankaradeva : ..................... . G N

2. Make a chart to show the people and M m m
works related to -
M i
(1) Bhakti movement
(2) Mahanubhav Panth R nn
(3) Sikhism
K i
3. Write about it in your own words.
(1) Sant Kabir became a renowned Sant P p

in the Bhakti movement. Activity
(2) The impact of Sant Basaveshwar’s Obtain a devotional song in the tradition

work on society. of Sufi music and present it in a cultural
programme.

13

4. Maharashtra before the Times of Shivaji Maharaj

At the beginning of the seventeenth Patil. He used to try to bring maximum
century CE, most of the territory in land under cultivation. When there was
Maharashtra was under the control of any dispute in the village, the Patil resolved
Nizamshah of Ahmadnagar and Adilshah it and made peace. A Kulkarni helped the
of Bijapur. The Mughals had entered Patil in his work. The Kulkarni kept the
Khandesh. Their objective was to expand record of the revenue that was collected.
their power in the south. There were There were various artisans in the village.
settlements of Siddi people, who had come They had hereditary rights regarding their
from Africa, along the coastline of Konkan. occupation. The peasants gave a share of
The competition and conflict amongst the their agricultural produce to the artisans
Portuguese, the British, the French and the for the services they rendered to the village
Dutch, who had come from Europe, was community. This share was known as
getting intense during this period. There baluta.
was stiff competition amongst them to
capture the markets for trade. The Portuguese Kasba  :  A kasba was like a big village.
had already established their rule in Goa It was usually the headquarters of a
and Vasai on the western coastline. The pargana, e.g., Indapur kasba of Indapur
British, the Dutch and the French had found pargana, Wai kasba of Wai pargana were
an entry through the medium of trading the headquarters of those parganas.
companies by setting up factories. All these Agriculture was the main occupation. There
powers assessed the strength of other were skilled artisans like carpenters,
powers, kept themselves safe and tried to blacksmiths, etc. in a kasba. There was
dominate as much as possible. This conflict usually a market (peth) adjacent to a kasba.
had created instability and insecurity in The Shete and Mahajan were the watandars
Maharashtra. These different people from of the peth. Every village did not necessarily
Europe were called ‘Topkar’ on the basis have a peth. The setting up of a peth was
of their customary headgear. the job of the Shetes and the Mahajans. For
that, they received some land from the
It is necessary to get acquainted with government and some rights from the
the village (mauja), Kasba and pargana to villagers. The Mahajan maintained the
understand the nature of settlements in that accounts of the peth.
period as also of the officers that formed a
link between the rulers and their subjects, Do you know ?
and also the markets and the craftsmen.
Pargana was made up of many villages. As per the order of Veermata Jajabai,
Generally, the headquarters of a pargana a peth was established in Pashan near
was called ‘Kasba’. A village smaller than Pune. It was called Jijapur. Malpura,
a Kasba was called ‘Mauja’. Let us get Khelpura, Paraspura, Vithapura, in
acquainted in brief with Village, Kasba and Aurangabad are also new peths established
Pargana respectively. in the name of Maloji, Kheloji, Parasoji
and Vithoji respectively. ‘Shivapur’
Village (Mauja) : Most of the people adjacent to ‘Khed’ was a peth established
lived in villages. A village was also called in the name of Shivaji Maharaj.
mauja. The chief of the village was the

14

Let’s learn. If it did not rain, crops would fail. The
prices of foodgrains rose. It became
The words ‘Budruk’ and ‘Khurd’ difficult for the people to get foodgrains
are used to show that the two villages and other things. There was no fodder for
are different. The original town is the cattle. Water became scarce. It became
‘Budruk’ and the new one is ‘Khurd’. difficult for people to live in the village.
For example, Vadgaon Budruk and They were forced to leave the village. A
Vadgaon Khurd. famine was a great calamity for the
people.
Pargana  :  Many villages together
made a pargana. But the number of A great famine occurred in
villages was not the same in all parganas. Maharashtra in 1630 c e. People were
For example, the Pune pargana was a big greatly distressed due to this famine. It
pargana. It consisted of 290 villages. has been described in these words –
There were 64 villages in the Chakan ‘People were ready to sell themselves for
pargana. The Shirwal pargana was small. a piece of bhakri, but there was nobody
It had only 40 villages. The Deshmukh to buy them’. There was a severe scarcity
and the Deshpande were the watandar of foodgrains. Entire families were
officers of the pargana. The Deshmukh destroyed. Cattle and farm animals died.
was the chief of patils in a pargana. The Agriculture was devastated. The famine
Deshmukh did at the pargana level, what put an end to industries. All financial
the Patil did at the village level. The transactions came to a standstill. People
Deshpande was the chief of all Kulkarnis had to wander to faraway regions in
in the pargana. The Deshpande did at the search of a livelihood. It was a great
pargana level, the work that Kulkarnis challenge to bring back to normalcy, the
did at the village level. These watandar devastated life of the people.
officers were the link between the people
and the government. The work of the Varkari movement :
Society was greatly influenced by blind
In case of enemy invasion or drought, beliefs and rituals. People had become
these watandars represented the grievances fatalistic and inert. They had lost all
of the people to the government. initiative. The condition of the common
Sometimes, these officers misused their people was miserable. In such
powers. They collected more money from circumstances, the Sants in Maharashtra
the people than was due or did not remit endeavoured to inspire the masses.
the money so collected to the government
in time. On such occasions, the people In Maharashtra, the tradition of Sants
suffered harassment. which began with Sant Dnyaneshwar and
Sant Namdeo was carried on by Sants
Do you know ? coming from various strata of the society.
People from all strata of society were
Vatan is an Arabic word. In part of the Sant tradition. For example,
Maharashtra, it is used is refer to Sant Chokhamela, Sant Goroba, Sant
hereditary land for which the holder Sena, Sant Sawata, Sant Narhari, Sant
does not have to pay revenue. Shaikh Muhammad, etc. Sant Chokhoba’s
wife Sant Soyrabai, and sister Sant
The calamity of a famine : Nirmalabai, Sant Muktabai, Sant Janabai,
Agriculture was dependent on rainwater.

15

Sant Kanhopatra, Sant Bahinabai Siurkar way of worship and conduct which the
and other women were also among them. common people could follow easily. He
Pandharpur was at the centre of the Sant gave the prestige of a religion to the
movement. Vitthal was the object of their Varkari movement. Though his life was
worship. On the banks of the river spent in extremely adverse circumstances,
Chandrabhaga at Pandharpur, the Sants he never lost the calm of his mind and
and pilgrims (varkari) used to rejoice in never harboured bitterness. His
their devotion (bhakti). There, equality ‘Pasayadaan’ in Dnyaneshwari uplifts the
was propagated through bhajans, keertans, mind. The poetic compositions of his
and unity meals (kala). brothers Sant Nivruttinath and Sant
Sopandev and sister Muktabai are well-
Sant Namdeo : He was a great Sant known.
of the Varkari movement. He was a skilled
organiser. He performed excellent keertans Sant Eknath : He was a great Sant of
the Bhakti movement
as well. He awakened in Maharashtra. His
the sense of equality in compositions are
men and women many and diverse.
belonging to all castes They include abhanga,
through the medium of gavalana, bharud, etc.
keertans. His pledge He has stated Bhagvat
Dharma in detail and
was ‘नाचू कीर्तनाचे रगं ी  । in a simple manner.
ज्ञानदीप लावू जगी ।।’ His He has portrayed

abhanga compositions Sant Eknath people’s life in
Sant Namdeo are well-known. Many Bhavarth Ramayana through the story of
Sants as well as common people were Ram. He explained in Marathi, the Bhakti
influenced by his teachings. He went up to part of the Sanskrit work ‘Bhagwat’. His
the Punjab, propagating his thoughts. His abhangas show the warmth of devotion. He
compositions are included in the ‘Guru demonstrated through his own conduct that
Granth Sahib’ of Sikhs. He propagated the there is no need to renounce worldly matters
message of Bhagwat religion in all quarters. for attaining the highest truth, Paramarth.
He built a memorial to Sant Chokhamela He was a teacher of the people in the true
at Pandharpur. His work is unforgettable. sense of the term. He believed that our
Marathi language was inferior to no other
Sant Dnyaneshwar : He was a great language. He asked the Sanskrit Scholars

Sant in the Varkari movement. He wrote forcefully. ‘संस्तकृ वाणी देवे केली । तरी प्राकृत काय
चोरापासनु ि झाली ?’ He heavily criticised those
the ‘Bhavartha-deepika’ or ‘Dnyaneshwari’
who hated other religions.
which elucidates the meaning of the
Sant Tukaram : He belonged to
Sanskrit ‘Bhagavad Dehu near Pune. His compositions or
abhangas are very pleasing and lucid,
Geeta’. He also reaching the greatest poetic heights. His
‘Gatha’ is a precious treasure of the
composed the Marathi language. He asks us to find

‘Amrutanubhav’.

He preached the

importance of the

path of devotion

through his works

and compositions.

Sant Dnyaneshwar He showed a simple

16

God by showing love to the unhappy and of Maharashtra.

the tormented in the following lines : ‘जे There was a deterioration of ethics
का रजं ले गांजल े  । त्यांसी म्हणे जो आपलु े । तोचि and religion in the society. At such a
साधु ओळखावा  । देव तथे ेचि जाणावा   ।।’ With time, the Sants came forward to protect
the society. They taught the true meaning
this viewpoint, he threw in the river of religion. They showed the path of
devotion by living amongst people and
Indrayani, the documents of the loans sharing their joys and sorrows. Some
orthodox and dogmatic people opposed
that people had borrowed from him and them. But the Sants believed that facing
this opposition was a part of their duty.
freed many poor Sant Tukaram has explained the mark of

families from the a true Sant in these words – ‘तकु ा म्हणे
तोचि सतं । सोशी जगाचे आघात ।।’
bonds of loan. He
The Sants elucidated the complex
criticized the dharma of the scholars (Shastris and
Pandits) in the language of the people.
hypocrisy and They prayed to God using simple,
everyday terms. They took the view that
superstition in the all are equal before God. They taught
society to do away with the pride arising
society in very strong out of caste and varna and see everyone
as God’s children. A characteristic of the
terms. He stressed Sants was that they did not forget their
duties on the path of devotion. They
that devotion (Bhakti) found God in their work. Sant Sawata

Sant Tukaram should be coupled said, ‘कांदा मुळा भाजी । अवघी विठाई माझी  ।।’

with morality. His teachings can be This statement refers to farm work but
applies to work in all walks of life. The
summed up as ‘जोडोनिया धन उत्तम व्यवहारे । Sants carried on with their duties even as
उदास विचारे वेच करी ।।’ Some dogmatic they were engaged in devotion, teaching
and composing verses. They developed
people opposed the social awakening that the moral sensibilities of the society.

he had undertaken, and sank his abhangas Let’s discuss.

in the Indrayani. Sant Tukaram faced the Collect more information about the
Pandharpur vari and discuss the
opposition with noble courage. following topics.

Sant Tukaram’s disciples and • In which month do the Varkaris go on
associates were of different castes and the vari ?
creeds. They include Navji Mali,
Gavnarshet Wani, Santaji Jagnade, Shivba • How is the Vari planned ?
Kasar, Bahinabai Siurkar and
Mahadajipant Kulkarni. An important Ramdas Swami : He was from Jamb
task completed by Gangarampant Maval in Marathwada. He explained the
and Santaji Jagnade was writing down
the abhangas of Sant Tukaram.

Work of Sants : Sants gave the
message of equality to people. They
taught humanity. They preached that
people should live together in harmony,
unity and love. Their work resulted in
social awakening. They taught how to
live in the face of foreign invasions,
drought-like situations or any other natural
calamities. Their teachings proved to be
a big support for people. Their work
created self-confidence among the people

17

importance of physical He propagated the worship of Ram and
fitness to the people, Hanuman. He travelled far and wide to
propagate his thoughts.
‘मराठा तितकु ा मळे वावा   ।
महाराष्टर् धर्म वाढवावा  ।’ Inspiration for independence during
foreign rule : Such was the political,
This message of social, cultural, situation, etc. in
Ramdas Swami is Maharashtra before the times of Shivaji
famous. He gave Maharaj. In that period, Maharashtra was
practical education Ramdas Swami under the control of Adilshahi and other
and lessons in good conduct through his powers. It was not independent. Even so,
works like Dasbodh, Karunashtaka, some personalities and streams of thought
Manache Shlok. He stated the importance were dreaming of freedom. Among them,
of people’s movement and organisation Shahaji Maharaj, who is considered to be
and founded the Samarth Sampradaya. a visionary of Swaraj was on the forefront.
Chaphal was the centre of this Sampradaya.

Exercise

1. Complete the following chart. (4) He composed Bharuds -
(5) He explained the importance of
Village Kasba Pargana
(Mauja) physical fitness -
(6) Women Sants -
What it .............. ........... .............
means 4. Write about these personalities and
Officers .............. ........... ............. their work in your own words.
Example .............. ........... .............
(1) Sant Namdeo (2) Sant Dnyaneshwar
2. Write the meaning. (3) Sant Eknath (4) Sant Tukaram
(1) Budruk -
(2) Balut - 5. Why were droughts a great calamity for
(3) Vatan - the people ?

3. Find out and write. Activities
(1) People from Africa who had settled (1) Plan how you will help a Varkari

along the Konkan coastline - Dindi.
(2) The author of ‘Amrutanubhav’ - (2) Dress up as Sants and present their
(3) Sant Tukaram’s place -
compositions.

18

5. The Foundation of the Swaraj

In the first half of the seventeenth and the neighbouring areas in Karnataka
century, an epoch making personality to Shahajiraje.
emerged in Maharashtra - Chhatrapati
Shivaji Maharaj. He established Swaraj Do you know ?
by challenging the unjust ruling powers
here. Shivaji Maharaj was born at the Jahagir or jagir means the right
Shivneri fort near Junnar in Pune district to enjoy the revenue of a region. The
on the day of Phalgun Vadya Tritiya in Sardars in the service of rulers used
the Shaka year 1551, that is on 19 to get the revenue of the region as
February 1630. In this chapter, we will income instead of getting salaries
study how he founded Swaraj. directly. The region was chosen in
such a way that the revenue would be
Shahajiraje : Shahajiraje, the father equal to the salary.

of Shivaji Maharaj was a pre-eminent Shahajiraje was valiant, courageous,
intelligent and a great political expert. He
Sardar in the Deccan. The Mughals had was an excellent archer. He was also an
expert in using the sword, patta and
launched a campaign to conquer the spear. He loved his subjects. He had won
many regions in Maharashtra, Karnataka
Nizamshahi Kingdom. The Adilshah of and Tamil Nadu. South India was in awe
of him. While Shivaji and Jijabai were
Bijapur allied with the Mughals in this at Bengaluru, he had arranged for
providing excellent education to Shivaji
campaign. Shahaji Maharaj did not wish so as to enable him to become a king.
He himself aspired to establish Swaraj by
the Mughals to ousting the powers of foreign people. That
is why, he is known as Swaraj visionary.
get an entry into He sent Shivaji and Jijabai from Bengaluru
to Pune with loyal and competent
the South. So he associates.

tried to save Veermata Jijabai : Jijabai was the
daughter of the great Sardar Lakhujiraje
Nizamshahi by Jadhav of Sindkhedraja in Buldhana
district. At a young age, she had received
offering stiff military training as well as education in
various subjects. She helped and
resistance to the encouraged Shahaji Maharaj to realise his
dream of establishing Swaraj. She was a
Mughals. But he competent and visionary political expert.
She constantly guided Shivaji in the
could not mission of establishing Swaraj. At times,

withstand the

Shahajiraje combined might
of the Mughals

and the Adilshah. The Nizamshahi was

defeated and came to an end in

1636  ce.

After the Nizamshahi was wiped out,
Shahajiraje became a Sardar of the
Adilshah of Bijapur. The region comprising
Pune, Supe, Indapur and Chakan parganas
located between the Bheema and Neera
rivers was vested in Shahajiraje as a
jagir. This was continued by the Adilshah,
and he also granted the jagir of Bengaluru

19

she undertook the Bapuji Mudgal, Narhekar Deshpande
brothers, Kavji Kondhalkar, Jiva Mahala,
task of giving Tanaji Malusare, Kanhoji Jedhe,
Bajiprabhu Deshpande and Dadaji
verdicts for resolving Narasprabhu Deshpande. On the strength
of these associates, Shivaji Maharaj
the problems of undertook the cause of the Swaraj.

people. She was Do this.

very particular about Find more information about these
associates of Shivaji Maharaj : Jiva
giving excellent Mahala, Tanaji Malusare and
Bajiprabhu Deshpande.
education to Shivaji.
Royal seal (Rajmudra)
She instilled in him
Royal seal (Rajmudra) : The objective
Veermata Jijabai values like modesty, of Shivaji Maharaj of establishing Swaraj
truthfulness, oratory, is clearly expressed in his royal seal. The
following Sanskrit lines are inscribed on
vigilance, courage and fearlessness. She this royal seal (Rajmudra).

saw that he was trained in the usage of प्रतिपच्ंचद्रलखे ेव वर्धिष्णुर्विश्ववदं िता ।।
शाहसनू ोः शिवस्ैषय ा मुद्रा भद्राय राजते ।।
weapons and inspired in him, the will to
Meaning : ‘This seal will grow in
win and the dream of Swaraj. splendour like the new moon. This seal
of Shivaji, the son of Shahaji, receiving
Shivaji’s Companions and homage from the whole world denotes the
welfare of the people.’
Associates : Shivaji Maharaj started the
The meaning of this inscription on the
work of founding the Swaraj in the Maval seal is important from many angles.
Through this inscription, Maharaj has
region. The Maval terrain is full of hills expressed his gratitude towards his father,

and valleys and is not easily accessible.

Shivajiraje made use of these geographical

features of Maval very skilfully for the

purpose of the foundation of the Swaraj.

He created a feeling of trust and affection

in the minds of the people. Many

companions and associates joined him in

his work of founding the Swaraj. Among

them were Yesaji Kank, Baji Pasalkar,

Always remember -

Bara Maval : (1) Pavan Maval
(2) Hirdas Maval (3) Gunjan Maval
(4) Paud Valley (5) Muthe Valley
(6) Mose Valley (7) Kanand Valley
(8) Welwand Valley (9) Rohid
Valley (10) Andar Maval (11) Nane
Maval (12) Korbarse Maval

Maval valley in the Sahyadris
was a region in the Pune jagir of
Shivaji Maharaj. It is also known as
‘Bara Maval’.

20

his confidence that Swaraj would expand There were the Mores of Javali, the
continuously, his own experience of the Ghorpades of Mudhol, the Sawants of
respect that the Seal, that is, Swaraj Sawantwadi, and other Sardars in the
commanded from all, his commitment to Adilshahi. They were opposed to the
the welfare of his subjects, and the cause of the founding of Swaraj. It was
certainty of ruling over his land necessary to bring them and other
independently. This short inscription likeminded Sardars under control for the
covers the entire concept of Swaraj. purpose of founding the Swaraj.

Let’s learn. The capture of Javali : Chandrarao
More of Javali in Satara district was a
Observe the official seal of our powerful Sardar in the Adilshahi. He
country. opposed the founding of the Swaraj.
Shivaji Maharaj attacked Javali and
What features do you observe ? captured that region in 1656 c e. He
In which places is the official seal established his post there. Then he also
captured Raigad. He attained a huge
used ? amount of wealth from Javali. After this
victory, his activities in Konkan increased.
Towards the establishment of He built the Pratapgad fort in the Javali
Swaraj  : The forts situated within the valley. In this way, the conquest of Javali
jagir of Shivaji Maharaj were not under increased his strength in all respects. After
his control, but were under the control of this, Shivaji Maharaj captured Kalyan
Adilshah. In those days, forts were of and Bhiwandi on the Konkan Coast.
special significance. With a firm hold There he came into contact with the Siddi,
over a fort, it was possible to control the Portuguese and British powers on the
surrounding area. If one had forts, one Western Coast. Shivaji Maharaj realised
ruled the land. Therefore, Shivaji Maharaj that in order to fight these powers, it was
decided to acquire the forts that were necessary to have a strong naval force.
within his own jagir. Such an attempt to Therefore, he concentrated on building a
capture the forts amounted to challenging navy.
the Adilshahi power. He captured the
forts of Torana, Murumbdev, Kondhana Defeat of Afzalkhan : Shivaji
and Purandar, and laid the foundation of Maharaj had started capturing the forts in
Swaraj. He repaired the fort Murumbdev his jagir and the surrounding area in the
and renamed it Rajgad. Rajgad was the Adilshahi territory. He had crushed the
first capital of the Swaraj. opposition of the Mores of Javali. The
work of founding the Swaraj had gathered
Fort Rajgad - Pali Gate momentum on the Konkan coast. All
these matters were a challenge to the
Adilshahi. At that time, the Badi Sahiba
was looking after the administration of
the Adilshahi. She sent Afzalkhan, a
powerful and experienced Adilshahi
General, to curb Shivaji Maharaj.

21

Afzalkhan came from Bijapur to Wai. On this occasion Shiva Kashid, a
He knew the Wai region well. A meeting brave youth came forward. He resembled
of Shivaji Maharaj and Afzalkhan took Shivaji Maharaj in looks. He dressed up
place on 10 November 1659 at the foot like Shivaji Maharaj and sat in a
of Pratapgad near Wai. At the meeting, palanquin. The palanquin left by the ‘Raj-
Afzalkhan attempted treachery. In dindi’ gate. It was captured by the Siddi’s
retaliation, Shivaji Maharaj killed army. It was a difficult situation. Shiva
Afzalkhan. He routed the Adilshahi army. Kashid sacrificed himself on this occasion
for Swaraj. In the meanwhile, Shivaji
Shivaji Maharaj paid compensation Maharaj left the fort using another
to the soldiers who were wounded in the difficult route. He was accompanied by
battle. He rewarded those who had fought Baji Prabhu Deshpande, Bandal Deshmukh
well. Those soldiers and officers of and some chosen soldiers. The Siddi came
Afzalkhan’s army who fell into the hands to know that Shivaji Maharaj has escaped
of Shivaji Maharaj’s army were given a the siege round Panhalgad and proceeded
good treatment. to Vishalgad. His army pursued Shivaji
Maharaj. Shivaji Maharaj entrusted the
The expedition of Siddi Jauhar : responsibility of stopping Siddhi’s army
After the annihilation of Afzalkhan, at the foot of Vishalgad to Bajiprabhu
Shivaji Maharaj captured the Adilshahi Deshpande. Bajiprabhu Deshpande
forts of Panhala, Vasantgad and Khelna. checked Siddi’s army at the Ghod pass
He renamed Khelna as ‘Vishalgad’. near Gajapur. He fought with the greatest
valour. Bajiprabhu died a hero’s death in
Shivaji Maharaj had posed a big this battle. Because Bajiprabhu’s army
challenge before the Adilshahi. Therefore, held Siddi’s army at bay, Shivaji Maharaj
the Adilshah sent Siddi Jauhar, the Sardar could proceed to Vishalgad. While going
of the Karnul region, against Shivaji to Vishalgad, Maharaj also crushed the
Maharaj in 1660 c e. The Adilshah gave opposition of the Adilshahi Sardars Dalvi
Siddi the title ‘Salabatkhan’. Rustum-e- of Palwan and Surve of Shringarpur.
Jaman, Baji Ghorpade and Afzalkhan’s Maharaj reached Vishalgad safely.
son Fazalkhan were also there to help
Siddi Jauhar. In these circumstances, While Shivaji Maharaj was trapped
Shivaji Maharaj took shelter in the at Panhala, Aurangzeb, who had ascended
Panhala fort. Siddi’s soldiers laid siege to the throne of Delhi, had sent Shaistakhan,
the fort for about five months. Shivaji a Mughal Sardar to the Deccan. He had
Maharaj found himself trapped inside the invaded the Pune province. The conflict
fort. Netoji Palkar tried to raise the siege with Adilshahi continued even as the
by attacking Siddi’s army from outside, Mughal army invaded the Swaraj. Maharaj
but he couldn’t succeed in it as his forces realised that it would not be prudent to
were meagre. Siddi showed no signs of fight two enemies at one and the same
relenting. So, Shivaji Maharaj opened time. Therefore, after reaching Vishalgad
talks with him. This led to slackness in safely, he entered into a treaty with the
the siege round Panhalgad. Adilshah. As per the treaty, he returned
the fort of Panhala to the Adilshah.
Shivaji Maharaj took advantage of
this situation.

22

Exercise

1. Find the odd man out. 4. Find out and write.
(1) Pune, Supe, Chakan, Bengaluru (1) Why Shahaji Maharaj is termed a
(2) Jadhavs of Phaltan, Mores of Javali,
Swaraj visionary.
Ghorpades of Mudhol, Sawants of (2) Shivaji Maharaj paid attention to
Sawantwadi
(3) Torana, Murumbdev, Sinhgad, building a Navy.
Sindhudurg (3) Shivaji Maharaj entered into a treaty

2. Write about in your words: with the Adilshah.
(1) The efforts Veermata Jijabai took for (4) How Shivaji Maharaj escaped from

Shivaji Maharaj’s education. Panhalgad.
(2) Shivaji Maharaj started his work of
Activities
founding Swaraj in the Maval region. (1) Describe a fort you have seen.

3. List the companions and associates of Suggest measures for conserving a
Shivaji Maharaj. historical site.
(2) Find out what a 7/12 extract means
and relate it to the words in the
chapter.

Fort Panhala - Teen Darwaja

23

6. Conflict with the Mughals

So far, Shivaji Maharaj had of Bengal. The successful attack on
successfully fought the Adilshahi; but for Shaistakhan had an impact on the people
expanding the Swaraj, conflict with the and their faith in the capability of
Mughals was inevitable. The Mughals Maharaj was strengthened even further.
posed a great threat to the Swaraj even as
it began to expand. Maharaj triumphed Can you tell ?
over this threat too. He regained his forts
and territories from the Mughals. He got If you want to visit the city of
himself crowned. He took up a campaign Surat, what route will you take ? Show
of the South. We shall learn about all these it with the help of a map.
events in this chapter.
Visualise how Shivaji Maharaj
Shaistakhan’s Invasion : In February must have reached Surat.
1660, Shaistakhan left from Ahmadnagar
and entered the Pune province. He raveged The Surat Campaign : In three
the territory of the Swaraj by sending years’ time, Shaistakhan had ravaged
small units of his army to the neighbouring large territories of the Swaraj. It was
areas. He encamped at Chakan. Firangoji necessary to make good this loss. For
Narsala, the Killedar of the fort of this, Shivaji Maharaj devised a plan for
Chakan offered a strong resistance to teaching the Mughals a lesson. Surat was
Shaistakhan’s army. Finally, the Mughals a big trade centre and port under Mughal
captured the fort of Chakan. control. The British, Dutch and French
had their factories there. Maximum
Shaistakhan set up his camp at Lal revenue was being generated by this city
Mahal in Pune where Shivaji Maharaj for the Emperor. It was a rich city.
had lived in his childhood. Khan sent his Maharaj marched on Surat. Inayat Khan,
forces in the regions around Pune. These the Subhedar of Surat could not put up
forces looted the people. Two years any resistance. Maharaj obtained plenty
passed, but he would not think of leaving of wealth from Surat without bothering
Pune. Naturally, this had an adverse the common people. His campaign of
effect on the people’s morale. In these Surat was completely successful. This
circumstances, Maharaj drew up a bold campaign was a stunning blow to Emperor
plan. Aurangzeb’s prestige.

Shivaji Maharaj decided to raid Lal Jaisingh’s Invasion : With a view to
Mahal secretly under his own leadership. curbing the increasing activities of Shivaji
On 5 April 1663, Maharaj raided Lal Maharaj, Aurangzeb sent Mirzaraja
Mahal at night with a select band of Jaisingh, an experienced and powerful
soldiers. In this raid, Shaistakhan lost his Rajput Sardar. Jaisingh came to Pune. He
fingers. He suffered great humiliation. He started rallying all the forces against
left Pune and shifted his camp to Shivaji Maharaj. To the Portuguese of
Aurangabad. Due to this episode, he Goa and Vasai, the Dutch of Vengurla,
incurred the displeasure of Aurangzeb. the British of Surat and the Siddis of
Aurangzeb transferred him to the province

24

Janjira, Jaisingh suggested that they few of his trusted people who were ready
should start a naval campaign against to risk their lives for him.
Maharaj.
Shivaji Maharaj reached Agra.
Jaisingh drew up a plan of capturing Aurangzeb did not treat him with due
the forts in possession of Maharaj. Mughal honour at his court. Maharaj gave vent
forces were sent to various parts of the to his rage. The Emperor then put him
Swaraj. They ravaged the territories of the under house arrest. Undeterred by this
Swaraj. Maharaj endeavoured to resist the action of the Emperor, Maharaj devised
Mughals. Jaisingh and Dilerkhan laid a plan of escaping from this house arrest.
siege to the fort of Purandar. When the He adroitly escaped from Agra and
Mughals put the fort of Purandar under reached Maharashtra safely after a few
siege, Murarbaji Deshpande fought with days. He reached Rajgad. While returning
the greatest of courage. He died a hero’s from Agra, he had left Sambhaji Raje at
death. Considering the seriousness of the Mathura. Later, Prince Sambhaji was
situation, Maharaj began talks for a treaty brought safely to Rajgad. While Maharaj
with Jaisingh. He met Jaisingh personally. was away from Swaraj, Veermata Jijabai
A treaty between Jaisingh and Maharaj and the associates of Shivaji Maharaj
was signed in June 1665. It is known as looked after the administration of Swaraj.
the ‘Treaty of Purandar’. In accordance
with the terms of the treaty, Maharaj gave On the offensive against Mughals :
to the Mughals, twenty-three of his forts Immediately after returning from Agra,
and the adjoining territories yielding an Maharaj did not want any conflict with
annual revenue of four lakh hons. He also the Mughals. However, he wanted to
assured the Mughals of help against the recapture the forts and territories given to
Adilshahi. The Treaty was ratified by the Mughals as per the Purandar treaty.
Aurangzeb. For this, he prepared a comprehensive
and bold plan. It was his strategy to
Gather information. capture the forts by sending a well-
equipped army on the one hand, and on
Find out how Shivaji Maharaj the other hand, to keep the Mughals
escaped from his house arrest at Agra. unstable by invading the territories of the
Deccan under their control. Maharaj
Agra visit and escape : After the attacked the Mughal territories of
Treaty of Purandar, Jaisingh launched a Ahmadnagar and Junnar. Then, he
campaign against the Adilshahi. Maharaj recaptured several forts such as Sinhgad,
helped Jaisingh but this campaign of Purandar, Lohagad, Mahuli, Karnala, and
Jaisingh was not successful. Jaisingh and Rohida, one after the other. Then Maharaj
Aurangzeb felt that Shivaji Maharaj ought attacked Surat for a second time. While
to be kept away, at least for some time, returning from Surat, he fought a great
from the Deccan politics. Jaisingh proposed battle with the Mughals at Vani-Dindori
to Shivaji Maharaj that he should visit in Nashik district. Maharaj defeated the
Agra and meet the Emperor. He guaranteed Mughal Sardar Daudkhan in the great
the safety of Shivaji Maharaj. Shivaji battle. After that, Moropant Pingale
Maharaj set out for Agra. He was captured Triambakgad near Nashik.
accompanied by Prince Sambhaji and a

25

Thus Shivaji Maharaj was successful Maharaj ascended the throne of
in the offensive that he had launched Swaraj. He now became the Chhatrapati
against the Mughals. Sardars such as of the Swaraj. As a symbol of sovereignty,
Tanaji Malusare, Moropant Pingale, the Rajyabhisheka shaka (the coronation
Prataprao Gujar etc. made a valuable era) was started. Maharaj became the
contribution in these offensives. Krishnaji founder of a new era. On the occasion
Anant Sabhasad, a contemporary of the coronation, special coins were
chronicler, thus describes this campaign : minted – a gold coin called Hon and a
‘(He) took as many as twenty-seven forts copper coin called Shivrai with the legend
in four months and earned a great ‘Shri Raja Shivachhatrapati’ inscribed on
reputation for himself ’. them. Thereafter, all royal correspondence

Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj

Coronation : The founding of the (Rajpatra) carried the words,
Maratha Swaraj involved a relentless ‘Kshatriyakulaavantansa Shri Raja
struggle for over thirty years. Maharaj Shivachhatrapati’. A dictionary showing
realised that now it was necessary for the Sanskrit alternatives for Persian words
Swaraj to win general recognition as a was prepared. It is known as
sovereign independent State. For this, a Rajya-vyavahara-kosha.
formal coronation was necessary. On
6 June 1674, he had himself coronated at
Raigad by Gagabhatt, a learned Pandit.

26

Shortly after this, on 24 September
1674 Shivaji Maharaj had his second
coronation performed under the guidance
of Nischalpuri Gosavi. There were two
traditions of religious ceremonies in India
- Vedic and Tantric. Maharaj honoured
both the traditions and had two coronation
ceremonies performed.

Do you know ?

Fort Raigad Prince Sambhaji Raje was 17 years
old at the time of the coronation of
Do you remember ? Shivaji Maharaj. He has described the
coronation ceremony in the treatise
Which Indian King started a new ‘Budhabhushanam’. It is based on his
calendar ? own experience.

Remember this- Without measuring or counting,
plenty of money, clothes, elephants,
Some equivalent words in the horses were donated to the great scholars
Rajya-vyavahara-kosha are worth who had come to attend the coronation
mentioning. For example, ceremony from different regions.

उदा., किताब - पदवी, फर्नाम - राजपत्र, Thus, Shivaji Maharaj spread his
जामीन - प्रतिभतू ी, हाली - सांप्रत, fame in different directions.
माजी - परू ्व, फिलहाल - तत्काळ,
वाहवा - उत्तम, Do you know ?
वकबू - प्रज्ञा, बेवकफू - मूढ,
दस्तपोशी - हस्तस्पर्श, An extremely valuable and grand
मलु ाखत - दर्शन, कदमपोशी - पादस्पर्श, throne was made for the coronation of
झटू - मिथ्या, कौलनामा - अभय, Shivaji Maharaj. There were eight
फतहे - विजय, फिर्याद - अन्यायवार्ता, bejewelled pillars on eight sides of the
शिलदे ार - स्वतरू गी. throne. This throne made of thirty-two
‘mann’ of gold had been studded with
The coronation of Shivaji Maharaj precious jewels.
was a revolutionary event in the history
of Medieval India. While explaining the Learn about the unit ‘mann’ from
importance of this event, Sabhasad (a
contemporary chronicler) writes, ‘It was your teacher.
no mean achievement for a Maratha King
to become such a great Chhatrapati.’ The Campaign of the South : Three
years after the coronation, in October
1677, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj
undertook a campaign of the South. He
went to Golconda. There he called on the
Qutubshah. He entered into a treaty of

27

friendship with him. Later, Maharaj won leave Maharashtra for reasons of safety.
Bengaluru, Hoskote in Karnataka, Jinji At that time, he took shelter in this
Vellore, etc. forts in today’s Tamil Nadu southern fort of Jinji and ran the
and some other territories of Adilshah. He administration of Swaraj from there.
appointed Raghunath Narayan Hanamante
the chief administrator to look after these Soon after the victorious campaign of
conquered territories. the south, Shivaji Maharaj passed away
on Raigad on 3 April 1680. His death at
Vyankoji, the half-brother of Shivaji the age of fifty was a great loss for
Maharaj, was then ruling at Tanjavur. Swaraj. A great era came to an end.
Shivaji Maharaj tried to get him to
participate in the activities of the Swaraj. The Samadhi of Shivaji Maharaj - Raigad
After Vyankoji Raje, the rulers of
Tanjavur encouraged art and learning.
The Saraswati Mahal library there is
world famous.

In this campaign of the South,
Maharaj had annexed the fort of Jinji in
Tamil Nadu to his Swaraj. This proved
to be of great importance in later years.
When the Mughal Emperor stayed put in
Maharashtra to destroy Swaraj, the then
Chhatrapati Rajaram Maharaj had to

Exercise

1. Arrange in chornological order. (3) Shivaji Maharaj’s campaign of the
(1) Southern campaign of Shivaji South

Maharaj (4) Shivaji Maharaj’s preparation for
(2) Raid on Lal Mahal the coronation
(3) Escape from Agra
(4) Coronation 4. Give reasons.
(5) Treaty of Purandar (1) Shivaji Maharaj entered into the

(6) Shaistakhan’s invasion Treaty of Purandar.
(2) Shivaji Maharaj took an aggressive
2. Find the names from the chapter.
(1) A dictionary containing Sanskrit stand against the Mughals.

words - Activities
(2) He won Trimbakgad - (1) How do you prepare for the special
(3) This Sardar was defeated at Vani-
programmes on Independence Day/
Dindori - Republic Day ? Make a list with
(4) A place where the British Dutch and help of your teacher.
(2) Visit a historical place in your
French had their factories - neighbourhood and write a report on
your visit.
3. Write about these in your own words.
(1) The Coronation of Shivaji Maharaj
(2) Escape from Agra

28

7. The Administration of the Swaraj

Shivaji Maharaj founded Swaraj. He his position. The ministers were answerable
had himself crowned. After the coronation, to Maharaj for the administration of their
Maharaj accomplished ‘Dakshin Digvijay’, respective departments.
the conquest of the South. The Swaraj
expanded comprising large areas of Nashik, Shivaji Maharaj selected the Council
Pune, Satara, Sangli, Kolhapur, Sindhudurg, on the basis of their merit and
Ratnagiri, Raigad and Thane districts of achievements. He did not give them
Maharashtra. It also included parts Andhra jagirs, vatans or gifts or fiefs. They were
Pradesh and Tamil Nadu States. To ensure paid handsome salaries instead.
the smooth management of the affairs of
the Swaraj and to ensure people’s welfare, The policy regarding agriculture :
Shivaji Maharaj set up an efficient Agriculture was the main occupation in
administration. We shall get some villages. Maharaj knew the importance of
information about it in this chapter. agriculture. That was why he paid attention
to the welfare of farmers. He entrusted the
Ashtapradhan Mandal (Council of responsibility of organizing the land
Eight Ministers) : At the time of his revenue system to his capable and
coronation, Shivaji Maharaj appointed a experienced office bearer Annaji Datto. He
council of eight ministers. The warned the officers that they should not
administration was divided into eight collect more revenue than the amount that
departments. A Head was appointed for was fixed. He encouraged peasants to
each department. These eight Heads of bring uncultivated land under cultivation.
department constituted the Ashtapradhan If the crop was lost due to excessive rains
Mandal. Maharaj alone had the power to or drought, or if an enemy army had
appoint a minister or to remove him from devasted the area of the village, remissions
were granted in land revenue and other

Ashtapradhan Mandal of Shivaji Maharaj

Name of the Minister Designation Work

1. Moro Trimbak Pingle Pradhan Running the administration and making
Amatya arrangements for the conquered territories
2. Ramchandra Nilkanth
Muzumdar Keeping the accounts of the State

3. Annaji Datto Sachiv Preparing royal edicts

4. Dattaji Trimbak Waknis Mantri Correspondence
Senapati Organisation of the Army and
5. Hambirrao Mohite Sumant protection of the kingdom

6. Ramchandra Trimbak Foreign relations
Dabir

7. Niraji Rawaji Nyayadhish Dispensing justice

8. Moreshwar Panditrao Panditrao Looking after religious matters

29

taxes. Maharaj had instructed his officers was the highest officer in the infantry.
to provide peasants with bullocks, ploughs
and good seeds for sowing. In the cavalry, there were two types
of cavalrymen, namely Shiledars and
Village economy of that period : Bargirs. The Shiledar had his own horse
Agriculture was the backbone of the rural and weapons. The bargir was provided
economy. In villages, many occupations with a horse and weapons by the State.
developed to supplement agriculture. In the cavalry, bargirs were more in
Artisans in the village produced goods number. The ranks of the cavalry officers
and fulfilled the needs of the local people. were similar to those of the infantry
In this sense, a village was a officers. The highest officer in the cavalry
self-sufficient unit. Farmers gave a definite was the Sarnobat. Netoji Palkar, Prataprao
share from their produce to artisans. This Gujar, Hambirrao Mohite were some of
share was called ‘Baluta’. the famous Sarnobats of the cavalry.

Trade and business : Maharaj knew Let’s learn.
that a kingdom does not prosper without
an increase in trade. Merchants bring Obtain information about the
novel goods as also certain necessities Armed Forces of India.
into a kingdom. Goods become available State the names of the three Armed
in plenty. Trade prospers adding to wealth.
The view that Maharaj took of merchants Forces.
is seen in the Ajnyapatra where merchants What is the designation of the head
are described as follows: ‘Merchants are
the ornaments of the kingdom and the of each Force ?
glory of the king.’ Who is the Head of all the three

It was the policy of Maharaj to protect Forces ?
industries. An excellent example of this is
the salt industry. He protected the salt Intelligence Department : It was
industry in Konkan. At that time, traders necessary to protect the Swaraj from its
imported salt from the Portuguese territory enemies. For this, it was necessary to get
and sold in Swaraj. That affected the local precise and timely information about the
trade in Konkon areas. So, Maharaj movements of the enemy. It was the job
charged heavy duty on the salt imported of the intelligence department to obtain
into Swaraj from the Portuguese territory. information about the movements of the
The intention was that the salt imported enemies and submit it to Maharaj. The
from the Portuguese territory would then intelligence service of Maharaj was very
cost more and as a result, its import would efficient. Bahirji Naik was the Head of
decrease and the sale of the local salt the intelligence department. He was
would increase. extremely skilled in his job. He collected
accurate and detailed information about
The Military Organisation : There Surat before the raid on Surat.
were two main divisions of the army of
Shivaji Maharaj : infantry and cavalry. Forts : Forts were of great importance
In the infantry there were officers such in the medieval age. Possession of a fort
as the Havaldar, Jumledar, etc. The chief made it possible to keep an eye on the
of the infantry was called Sarnobat. He surrounding area. In case of foreign
invasion it was possible to protect the
people taking shelter in the fort. It was

30

possible to stock the fort with foodgrains,
war materials, ammunition and military
garrison. The importance of forts in the
foundation of Swaraj is well stated in
the Ajnyapatra : ‘This kingdom was
created by the late revered and exalted
Majesty forts alone.’

Do you know ?

The description of the building of Fort Padmadurg
forts by Shivaji Maharaj in the treatise
‘Budhabhusanam’ composed by its foundation. A sea fort called
Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj is Padmadurga was built in front of Rajapuri
remarkable. It is as follows: in order to counter the Siddi power. About
this fort, Maharaj has said in a letter that
‘Shivaji Maharaj built many by constructing Padmadurga, he had set
impenetrable forts on the ridge of up ‘another Rajapuri to overshadow the
plateaus in the Sahyadri mountain Rajapuri of the Siddi.’
range, in many places from Karnataka
up to Baglan. The intention behind it Navy : Enemies on the west coast of
was to protect this earth. Under his India, the Portuguese of Goa, the Siddi
successful leadership, these forts were of Janjira and the British factors of Surat
built from the banks of the river and Rajapur, created obstacles in the
Krishna up to the sea in all the four work of expanding the Swaraj. It was
directions. In the Rayari fort, Raje necessary to curb their activities and to
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj remained protect the west coast. For this purpose,
on the forefront among all kings and Maharaj raised a navy. He realised that
was victorious’. the one who has a navy, controls the sea
Maharaj had great foresight.
There were about 300 forts in the
Swaraj. Maharaj spent a considerable Gurab Galbat
amount of money on the building and
repairs of these forts. He built hill forts Do this.
like Pratapgad, Pavangad and Rajgad.
There was a Killedar, a Sabnis and a Obtain information about the
Karkhanis on every fort. The Karkhanis warships in the Indian Navy and make
looked after the storage of foodgrains and a collection of the pictures of ships.
the maintenance of war material on the
fort.

Sea forts : Maharaj knew the
importance of sea forts, too. One of the
sea forts that he built was Sindhudurga
at Malwan. It is an excellent sea fort. To
give strength to the construction of the
fort, five khandis of lead was poured into

31

There were four hundred ships of dominance like other things. His main
various kinds in his navy. They included
battle ships like the gurab, galbat and objective was to make his subjects
pal. Ships were built in the creek of
Kalyan Bhivandi, Vijaydurga and Malvan independent. He was aware that if his
Maynak Bhandari and Daulatkhan were
the chief naval Commanders. subjects were to really get the joy of

Concern for the welfare of his freedom, it was necessary to have a
subjects : Maharaj did not work only
with the limited ambition of conquering disciplined administration, take
enemy territories and establishing
comprehensive care of people’s welfare

and protect the conquered territories.

Maharaj was not merely a ruler, he
was a watchful administrator who cared
for his people’s welfare. This is clearly
seen in his administration of the State.

Exercise

1. Can you tell ? 4. Complete the chart.
(1) A Council with eight departments - Military Organisation
(2) Bahirj Naik was the Head of this
department - ------ Cavalry
(3) The sea fort built by Maharaj near
Malvan - Havaldar ------ ------ ------
(4) He looked after the war materials on
the fort  - Activities

2. Write about it in your own words. (1) Interview a person in your
(1) Shivaji Maharaj’s policy regarding neighbourhood who has served in
agriculture the armed forces.
(2) Shivaji Maharaj - a ruler concerned
about the welfare of his subjects. (2) Visit a market in your town. List the
items prepared/grown in the
3. Give reasons. neighbourhood and those that come
(1) Shivaji Maharaj established the from outside.
Council of Eight Ministers.
(2) Shivaji Maharaj raised a navy.

Fort Sindhudurg

32

8. An Ideal Ruler

Before the foundation of Swaraj, who killed Bada Sayyad at a critical
Maharashtra was under the domination of moment during the meeting with
the Adilshahi, Siddi, Portuguese and Afzalkhan; Shiva Kashid who crossed the
Mughal powers. Shivaji Maharaj struggled siege of Panhalagad in the disguise of
against these powers. He faced all kinds Shivaji Maharaj; Bajiprabhu Deshpande,
of adverse circumstances. He founded an who blocked the advances of the enemy
independent and sovereign Swaraj. He set on the way to Vishalgad; Murarbaji
up a system for the administration of this Deshpande, who defended the fort of
Swaraj. He turned Swaraj into a Surajya, Purander, Tanaji Malusare, who sacrificed
a kingdom that sought the welfare of all. his life while conquering Sinhagad; Hiroji
Maharaj created a new order with his Farjand and Madari Meheter, who risked
capability. In the course of the conflict their lives during the escape of Maharaj
for the founding of the Swaraj, he himself from Agra, etc. Maharaj took great care
had to face many grave dangers. Events of his associates. For example, Kanhoji
like the meeting with the Afzalkhan, the Jedhe was associated with Maharaj in the
seige of Panhala, the attack on work of the Swaraj from the very
Shaistakhan, the escape from Agra, all beginning. When the ageing Kanhoji fell
involved a great amount of risk. Shivaji ill, Maharaj told him not to neglect his
Maharaj emerged successful in all these medicines or treatment on any account.
events. No harm came to him.
Caring for the ryot : While
Think about it. establishing the Swaraj, Maharaj had to
constantly struggle against his enemies.
Shivaji Maharaj could establish His subjects suffered due to enemy
Swaraj due to his loyal and dedicated invasions. At such times, Maharaj used
associates. to take utmost care to protect the ryot.
At the time of Shaistakhan’s campaign,
Collect proverbs from different Maharaj warned the Deshmukh of the
languages that state the importance of Rohida valley not to fail in his duty
friendship. For example, A friend in towards the ryot. He told Deshmukh to
need is a friend indeed. visit every village and shift people to a
safe place down the ghats. He strictly
Organisational Skill : Maharaj told him not to delay even for a moment.
inspired the people around him to work He further warned the Deshmukh that if
for the Swaraj. His organisational skill he did not thus take care of the ryot, the
was unparalleled. With this skill, he drew Mughal army would take the people
around himself brave people who were prisoner and then it would be seen as the
also extremely loyal. These close Deshmukh’s doing. Maharaj also saw to
associates of Maharaj performed their it that the soldiers did not in any way
duty, even by risking their own lives. cause any harm to the ryot.
There are many instances of this in the
founding of the Swaraj - Jiva Mahala, Policy regarding the army : Maharaj
maintained a strict discipline in the army.

33

He was particular about paying the to death. It would be as if you are
salaries of the army in time. He made more atrocious than the Mughals.
arrangements to pay the salaries of There would be great uproar.”
soldiers in cash. In various kingdoms in
Medieval India and elsewhere, there was A policy of tolerance : Maharaj had
a system of making payments to soldiers to struggle against his enemies - the
in the form of jagirs. Maharaj set this Adilshah, the Mughals and the Siddis.
practice aside. There was a strict order They were Islamic powers. While Maharaj
to the army that any valuables collected struggled against them, he considered the
during the campaigns in enemy territories Muslims in the Swaraj as his own
were to be deposited with the Government. subjects. At the time of the meeting with
Soldiers were honoured for their bravery Afzalkhan, Siddi Ibrahim was a trusted
in a campaign. He looked after the servant in his army. Siddi Hilal was a
maintenance of the families of soldiers Sardar in the army of Maharaj. Daulatkhan
who died in battle. He took care of the was an important officer in the navy of
wounded soldiers, he treated well the the Swaraj.
enemy soldiers who had surrendered
themselves or who had been captured. Maharaj followed a tolerant religious
policy. In the enemy territories that he
Do you know ? conquered, he continued the facilities that
had been given to the Muslim places of
If war broke out during the period worship. His contemporary historian
of sowing-growing-reaping of crops, Khafikhan writes about the tolerant
there would be no limit to the loss religious policy of Maharaj; ‘Shivaji had
of farmers. Not only would the framed strict rules for his soldiers that
movements of army interfere with the during the campaigns, they should not
work of sowing, but the soldiers harm a mosque. If they came in possession
would cut off and take away standing of a copy of the Holy Quran, they should
crops or would destroy them. They hand over the same, with reverence, to a
would rob the houses of farmers. Muslim.’
Shivaji Maharaj had ordered the
officers to prohibit his soliders from The inspiration for freedom : The
such actions. The letter written by efforts that Maharaj made to establish the
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in Swaraj have a special value. It is the
1674  ce to his military officers is value of freedom. He aimed at establishing
very important in this regard. It shows and maintaining an independent and
how minutely Shivaji Maharaj thought sovereign existence that did not accept
about the discipline in the army. the dominance of any other power. While
struggling against the foreign powers,
“If you harass and trouble the Maharaj inspired others too, for freedom.
subjects belonging to different castes When Chhatrasal, who was in the service
by robbing them of their grains, fodder, of the Mughals, came to see Maharaj,
grass, vegetables, etc., those subjects Maharaj inspired him to create an
would leave their houses and migrate independent kingdom in Bundelkhand.
elsewhere. Many of them would starve
Greatness of Maharaj’s work :
Maharaj established Swaraj while fighting

34

against many enemies. This action itself a different religious perspective. All these
proves that he was a pioneer of a new actions show his revolutionary aspects in
era. But besides this action, many other the field of religion.
noble qualities are found in his personality.
When there were threats to Swaraj,
Maharaj was very intelligent. He he would face them with or without his
had mastered many arts. He was associates. Due to this, even his associates
conversant with many languages and were ready to sacrifice their lives for
scripts. The teachings of his parents Swaraj. Of course, his greatness was not
towards the establishment of Swaraj confined to the quality of facing calamities
and ethics were deeply instilled in his bravely and fearlessly. He wanted to have
mind. There was a blend of character an ethical, qualitative base to the Swaraj.
and strength, nobility and valour in his That is why he would give orders, even
personality. He had innumerable qualities regarding minor issues along with the
like leadership, management, foresight, important ones. The order that prohibited
political diplomacy, effective policy soldiers from taking vegetables from the
about regional and military fields of the peasants by force, is
administration, commitment to truth and exemplary from this point of view. The
justice, attitude of equality, visualisation restrictions on the cutting of trees enforced
of future activities, the skill of seeing his by him are also noteworthy.
planned ventures through, rising over the
calamities without giving up, alertness, Think about it.
vigilance and so on.
Why is it necessary to grow trees ?
He used to punish those severely who
would misbehave with women. He used He had ordered that the garbage on
to take care of all sections of the society the fort should be burnt in an allotted
like farmers, craftsmen, soldiers, traders, space without dumping it elsewhere, and
merchants, etc. He used to harbour the vegetables should be grown on its ash. It
same respect for people of other religions becomes clear from this fact that he
that he had for people of his own religion, would pay close attention to the minutest
without any discrimination. He even details while establishing Swaraj. He was
established family bonds with them. He not just a warrior, but also a sculptor
brought back into swadharma, their who created a new, independent, ethical
original religion, persons who had and cultured society. His greatness is
converted to another religion though there comprehensive.
was an opposition to such a reconversion
at that time. At that time, there was Can you tell ?
opposition on religious grounds to crossing
the seas. Yet he built sea forts like How is the waste in your area
Singhudurg and created a navy. This managed ?
means that he had made preparation for
countering foreign invasions that came State the name of the machinery
from the sea. He became the ruler of that looks after waste management.
Swaraj officially through his coronation,
he later, had a second Coronation from

35

In our national movement, Maharaj book about the greatness of Maharaj. The
was a great source of inspiration. In his great Tamil poet Subramanyam Bharati
struggle for equality, Mahatma Jotirao has written a poem about an imaginary
Phule described in his powadas the incident in which Shivaji Maharaj talks to
greatness of Shivaji Maharaj. Lokmanya his associates. Vishwakavi Rabindranath
Tilak brought about national awakening Tagore has written a long poem on
through the medium of Shivajayanti Maharaj. Tagore sees his efforts to found
celebrations. Lala Lajpatrai has written a Swaraj as efforts for realizing a noble
cause. Sir Jadunaath Sarkar has praised
Do you know ? his achievements in his book ‘Shivaji and
His Times’. Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru has
Mahatma Jotirao Phule composed said that Maharaj did not belong to
a Powada in 1869  ce on Shivaji Maharashtra alone, he belonged to the
Maharaj. A part of it is given here. whole Indian nation. ... he was a symbol
of many virtues, more especially of love
।। शिवाचा गजर जयनामाचा झडंे ा रोविला ।। of country.
।। क्षेत्र्याचा मेळा मावळ्याचा शिकार खेळला ।।
All Indian languages have works that
माते पायीं ठवे ी डोई गर्व नाहीं काडीचा । talk about him as an ideal ruler and a
आशिर्वाद घेई आईचा ।। source of inspiration.

आलाबला घईे आवडता होतो जिजीचा । Future generations too, will continue
पवाडा गातो शिवाजीचा ।। to look upon this work of Shivaji Maharaj
of founding the Swaraj and turning it into
कुळवाडी - भषू ण पवाडा गातो भोसल्याचा । Surajya as a source of inspiration, as an
छत्रपती शिवाजीचा ।।३।। ideal. Shivaji Maharaj was a great
national hero.
Exercise

1. Find it from the chapter. (3) Explain Shivaji Maharaj’s policy
regarding the army.
(1) Grave dangers in the life of Shivaji
Maharaj. 3. Give one word for.

(2) They risked their life at the time of (1) An important officer in the navy of
Maharaj’s escape from Agra. Swaraj  -

(3) What warning did Shivaji Maharaj (2) A Tamil poet who composed a poem
issue to the Deshmukh of Rohida on Shivaji Maharaj - 
Valley ?
(3) He created an independent kingdom
(4) What inspiration can future in Bundelkhand  -
generations draw from the life of
Shivaji Maharaj? (4) He composed a Powada on the
greatness of Shivaji Maharaj - 
2. Write about it in your own words.
Activities
(1) What warning did Shivaji Maharaj
issue to his soldiers to avoid any (1) Tell how you help your friend in his
loss to the ryot ? need.

(2) How do we know that the religious (2) List the places named after famous
policy of Shivaji Maharaj was that personalities.
of tolerance ?

36

9. The Maratha War of Independence

After the death of Chhatrapati Shivaji Chhatrapti Shivaji Maharaj. He was born

Maharaj, the Marathas fought with great on 14 May 1657 on the Purandar Fort.
valour with the Mughals under the After Shivaji Maharaj, he became the
leadership of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Chhatrapati. At this time, the Marathas
Maharaj, Chhatrapati Rajaram Maharaj were battling against the Mughals. During
and Maharani Tarabai to protect the the same period, Emperor Aurangzeb's son
Swaraj. This long war that lasted for Shahajada Akbar rebelled against his
twenty seven years is called the ‘Maratha father. The Emperor crushed his rebellion.
War of Independence’. In 1682 ce Emperor Then Akbar came to the Deccan to take
Aurangzeb himself led the invasion of shelter with Sambhaji Maharaj. Then the
South. Even then, despite enormous Emperor himself descended on the South
difficulties, the Marathas emerged in 1682  ce to vanquish Akbar. He had with
victorious in this struggle. This war is an him a huge army and a powerful artillery.
exciting and glorious period in the history He asked the Siddi of Janjira to undertake
of India. In this chapter, we shall learn an expedition against the Marathas. He
about this war of independence. also won over the Portuguese to his side.
Consequently, Sambhaji Maharaj had to
The word ‘Maratha’ used here means the face many adversaries at one and the same
‘people who speak Marathi’ or time.
‘Maharashtrian people’.
The reign of Sambhaji Maharaj marks
Do this. the first chapter of the Maratha War of
Independence after Shivaji Maharaj.
Sambhajiraje speaking... Present a Shivaji Maharaj had given him excellent
role play. education in civil administration and
military campaigns. Sambhaji Maharaj
had begun to take interst in the
administration of the State and the
command of the army from the age of
fourteen years. While he was still a
prince, he had led attacks on many
territories of the Mughals and the
Adilshah. Then French traveller Abbe
Carrey says about his battle skills, “Even
though the prince is young, he is
courageous and brave like his father was

famous for….”

When Sambhaji Maharaj became

Chhatrapati, the war with the Mughals

became fiercer. Aurangzeb wanted to

Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj occupy regions from Kabul to
Kannyakumari and create a grand unified

Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj : Mughal empire. His dream was to destroy

Sambhaji Maharaj was the eldest son of the Maratha State completely using his

37

military and financial prowess. But Campaign against the Portuguese :
Sambhaji Maharaj shattered his dreams The Portuguese of Goa joined hands with
with his bravery and military skills. Troops the Emperor against Sambhaji Maharaj.
of the Maratha army attacked many of the So, Sambhaji Maharaj decided to teach a
Mughal territories. Though the Emperor’s lesson to the Portuguese. He attacked the
generals tried very hard for a long time, Revdanda fort of the Portuguese in 1683  ce.
they couldn’t win the Maratha fort of To counter this, the Portuguese laid a siege
Ramsej near Nashik. Thus, Sambhaji to the Fonda fort of the Marathas on the
Maharaj’s valour brought Aurangzeb to his Goa border. The Marathas broke through
knees. Once he removed his turban in the siege and attacked Goa. In this battle,
frustration and threw it on the floor. He Yesaji Kank showed great valour. The
made a vow that until he had vanquished Portuguese Governor got wounded and
Sambhaji, he would not wear his turban. retreated. Sambhaji Maharaj followed him.
Sambhaji Maharaj had rendered Aurangzeb The Portuguese were in deep trouble. At
helpless to this extent. this time, Sambhaji Maharaj got the news
that the Mughals had attacked South
Do you know ? Konkan. Therefore, he had to abandon the
winning campaign of Goa and return to
Aurangzeb thought that once the fight with the Mughals.
Maratha forts were captured, their
rule too, would come to an end. So The end of Adilshahi and
he put a siege around Ramsej fort Qutubshahi : Aurangzeb did not succeed
near Nashik. Aurangzeb’s army was in his campaign against the Marathas.
huge. The Maratha army was small. Therefore, he suspended that campaign.
But they fought with perseverance. Then he turned towards the kingdoms of
The siege continued for the next five Adilshah and Qutubshah and conquered
years. This bravery of a handful them.
Maratha soldiers was unparalleled.
This resistance offered by the Marathas The wealth and army of both the
made Aurangzeb realise the difficulty kingdoms was now acquired by the
of fighting with them. Mughals and it made Aurangzeb even
stronger. Then he concentrated all his
Campaign against the Siddi : The might on defeating the Marathas. He
Siddi of Janjira used to harass the people attacked their territory from all sides. The
in the Maratha territory. He used to raid, Maratha army General Hambirrao Mohite
burn, and loot the Maratha territory and got killed during an encounter with the
commit atrocities. Sabhasada has described Mughal army. Due to this blow the
him as a rat in the house. Sambhaji military strength of Sambhaji Maharaj
Maharaj started a campaign against him was weakened.
in 1682  ce. His army laid a siege to Siddi’s
Dandarajpuri fort, and battered the fort of Administration of Sambhaji
Janjira with the artillery. But at the same Maharaj  : Even though Sambhaji Maharaj
time, the Mughal army invaded Swaraj. was busy fighting on various battle fronts,
Sambhaji Maharaj had to abandon the he did not ignore his administrative
Janjira campaign and turn back. responsibilities. He continued the prompt
justice and revenue system, which was a
characteristic of Chhatrapati Shivaji

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Maharaj’s era. He severely punished the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. He was born

landlords who harassed common people on 24 February 1670 on Raigad. He became

and who rebelled against the Swaraj. He Chhatrapati after the death of Sambhaji

gave administrative powers to Maharani Maharaj. Now Aurangzeb thought that his

Yesubai. He gave her, her own stamp. He dream of winning

continued the legacy of Shivaji Maharaj’s the Maratha

welfare policies. kingdom would

Sambhaji Maharaj knew Sanskrit and be realised. He
many other languages well. He studied sent Zulfikarkhan

many ancient books on polity and wrote to put Raigad

their gist in a book called under siege. That
‘Budhbhushanam’. time Rajaram
Maharaj and his

Do you know ? wife Maharani

Sambhaji Maharaj composed Tarabai and
‘Budhbhushanam’ in the Sanskrit
Chhatrapati Sambhaji
Rajaram Maharaj
Maharaj’s wife

language. The second chapter of this Maharani Yesubai and his son Shahu were

book discusses polity. It includes on Raigad. It was risky for all members of

information about the virtues of a king, the royal family to stay at one place.

prime minister, princes and their Maharani Yesubai tackled this

education and functions, the advisers to unprecedented calamity very bravely.

the king, forts and the goods and Resolving that, she would not surrender to

materials needed on a fort, the army, the the Mughals under any conditions, she took

duties of a king, espionage, etc. many important political decisions on

Raigad. It was decided that Rajaram
Death of Sambhaji Maharaj :   Maharaj should escape from Raigad and if
Aurangzeb was trying very hard to defeat necessary, go to a far off place like Jinji.
Sambhaji Maharaj. He had placed It was decided that the fight to defend
Mukarrabkhan in charge of the Kolhapur Raigad would continue under the leadership
province. Mukarrabkhan learnt that of Maharani Yesubai. Maharani Yesubai
Sambhaji Maharaj was at Sangameshwar chose to make Rajaram Maharaj and not
in Konkan. He raided the place and her own son the Chhatrapati. Her decision
captured Sambhaji Maharaj. When is a shining example of her love for Swaraj
Sambhaji Maharaj was taken to the and her extreme selflessness. She kept the
Emperor, he faced him fearlessly. By the Maratha Chhatrapati secure without regard
Emperor’s orders, he was brutally put to for her own life or that of her son.
death on 11 March 1689. This Maratha

Chhatrapati did not compromise his self Let’s find out.
respect and faced his death nobly and

bravely. The Marathas took inspiration Find Jinji on a map of India.

from his sacrifice and intensified their Rajaram Maharaj leaves for Jinji : 

fight against the Mughals. On 5 April 1689 Rajaram Maharaj

Chhatrapati Rajaram Maharaj  : escaped from the besieged Raigad with a

Rajaram Maharaj was the second son of few of his associates. He decided to go

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south to Jinji. The Jinji fort was invincible. Do you know ?
It was not an easy task for the Mughals
to capture this fort. Rajaram Maharaj The Mughal soldiers were so
took his faithful Sardars like Pralhad scared of Dhanaji that when their
Niraji, Khando Ballal, Rupaji Bhosale horse baulked while drinking water,
and managed to reach Jinji. they would say: “Why, do you see
Dhanaji in the water ?”
The Movements of the Marathas :
It was difficult to defend the Raigad Marathas defended the fort bravely for
fort against the might of the Mughals. nearly eight years. The Mughal forces
The Mughals captured Raigad in engaged in the siege were fiercely
November 1689 and arrested Maharani attacked from outside by Santaji and
Yesubai and Shahu. While going to Dhanaji. Rajaram Maharaj escaped
Jinji, Rajaram Maharaj had assigned through the siege, and returned to
the duty to fight against the Mughals Maharashtra. Later Zulfikarkhan captured
to Ramchandrapant Amatya, Shankaraji the fort of Jinji.
Narayan Sachiv, Santaji Ghorpade and
Dhanaji Jadhav. The return of Rajaram Maharaj to
Maharashtra gave a boost to the Maratha
From the Maratha point of view, the activity. The Marathas attacked the
situation was critical. Aurangzeb had Mughal territories of Khandesh, Varhad
enticed many Maratha Sardars to his and Baglan. Rajaram Maharaj inspired
side by giving them watans and jagirs. hundreds of brave Maratha warriors like
Rajaram Maharaj also used the same Santaji and Dhanaji with his understanding
tactics to thwart the Mughal plans. It nature and statesmanship. He motivated
was promised that if a Maratha Sardar them to protect the Swaraj and thus
captured Mughal territory it would be performed a very valuable task. But even
given to him as a jagir. Due to this as all this was taking place, Rajaram
promise, many capable Maratha Sardars Maharaj died on 2 March 1700 on
came forward. They started invading the Sinhgad after a short period of illness.
Mughal territory with vigour and defeated
Mughal Generals. Santaji and Dhanaji Rajaram Maharaj was thoughtful and
were at the forefont in these actions. kind-hearted. He brought together all the
Against their surprise attacks and capable people in the Maratha empire.
guerrilla tactics, the enormous amount of He united them created a new enthusiasm
war material and heavy artillery of the amongst them. After the death of Sambhaji
Mughals were of little use. The Mughal Maharaj, he fought against Aurangzeb for
forces were at their wits’ end. On one 11 years with great courage and tenacity.
occasion, Santaji Ghorpade and Vithoji Rajaram Maharaj’s greatest achievement
Chavan even cut and carried away the is that he protected Swaraj in those
golden pinnacle of the Emperor’s own extremely difficult times. While describing
tent in a surprise attack. Rajaram Maharaj, noted historian
Riyasatkar G. S. Sardesai has used the
Siege of Jinji : Once Raigad was adjective ‘Sthirbuddhi’ (Level Headed).
captured. the Emperor sent Zulfikarkhan He cannot be described in better words
to the South on the campaign of Jinji. than these.
He laid siege to the fort of Jinji. The

40

Do this. Swaraj struggle bravely with the help of
her Sardars. Aurangzeb captured Satara
Interview the women in your and Panhala from the Maratha territory,
neighbourhood who have made great but at the same time the Marathas dashed
achievements in various fields. up to the Mughal areas of Madhya Pradesh
and Gujarat. Tarabai expanded the war
Maharani Tarabai : After the death areas further. Sardars like Krishnaji
of Chhatrapati Rajaram Maharaj, Sawant, Khanderao Dabhade, Dhanaji
Aurangzeb thought that he had won the Jadhav and Nemaji Shinde opened battles
war against the Marathas. But it was not against Mughals on various fronts outside
so. Aurangzeb was winning battle after Maharashtra. This was a sign of change
battle, but he could not win the war. in the outcome of the war.
Maharani Tarabai, the capable wife of
Rajaram Maharaj, came forward to lead Maharani Tarabai fought for seven
the Swaraj movement in the extremely years. She kept the Maratha kingdom
unfavourable circumstances. strong. She took charge of the
administration singlehandedly and
encouraged the Sardars to participate in
the mission of Swaraj. Maratha Sardars
fought against the Mughals up to Sironje,
Mandsaur and Malwa. Khafikhan has
recorded that Rajaram’s wife Tarabai
achieved great things and displayed the

Do you know ?

Maharani Tarabai Maharani Tarabai used the
Guerrilla technique very effectively.
Contemporary Mughal historian Marathas were comparatively weaker
Khafikhan describes Maharani Tarabai as than Aurangzeb in army power.
an intelligent and knowledgeable woman. Aurangzeb used his army to put siege
Her management of the army and to the forts to capture them. Marathas
administration had won renown even used to fight for the fort as long as
during the rule of her husband. they could. But when the rainy season
approached, Killedar of the fort
After the death of Chhatrapati Rajaram pretended to side with Aurangzeb. A
Maharaj, Maharani Tarabai continued the bribe was accepted from Aurangzeb
and the fort was handed over to him.
The Killedar used to deposit this bribe
amount in the Maratha treasury. When
Aurangzeb repleted the wealth, grains
and ammunition on the fort, Tarabai
used to capture that fort again. This
strategy of Tarabai is described as
‘Safe deposit locker system’.

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