Rise of Maratha Power: The Unstoppable Maratha’s

Rise of Maratha Power: The Unstoppable Maratha’s

Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj was born to Shahaji and Jijabai in 1630. At the time of Shivaji’s birth, his father served Nizam Shahi, which ended in 1638. He joined the Mughals later. Shortly after the birth of Shivaji Maharaj, Shahji married Tukabai from the Mohite family and spent many years in Karnataka, where he had a son named Venkoji. After the end of Nizam Shahi, Shahji served Adil Shahi and received Pune, Supa, Indrapur and Chakan as Jagir. Shahji appointed his trusted officer, Dadaji Konddev, as the caretaker of his Jagir and family before leaving for Karnataka.

Rise of Maratha Power in Early Life of Shivaji Maharaj

Jijabai played a vital role in shaping Shivaji’s personality, which was crucial to the Rise of Maratha power. She taught him the importance of strategy, values, and dharma through stories from great epics and folklore, significantly contributing to the Rise of Maratha power. She also instructed him in the art of politics, preparing him to be an honest ruler. The stories of the Ramayana and Mahabharata greatly influenced Shivaji’s young mind.

Shivaji’s First Conquest

Shivaji initiated his campaign of conquest with the seizure of the Adil Shahi fort near Pune. In 1646, he successfully captured the forts of Rohida and Torna. By 1648, he had taken control of Raigad and Purandar, thereby establishing effective rule over most of the jagirs in the Pune region. At that time, the Adil Shahi and Mughal empires held sway over the remaining Maratha territories. Shivaji’s initial strategy targeted the Bijapur-ruled areas. The Sahyadri valley, also known as Maval, was under the jurisdiction of local chieftains called Deshmukhs. In March 1648, To Rise of Maratha Power Shivaji conquered the forts of Kondana and Murumbdev, the latter of which he renamed Raigad.

In a dramatic turn of events, Shivaji’s father, Shahaji, was detained by the Bijapur court near Jinji on July 25, 1648. To secure his father’s release, Shivaji relinquished control of Kondana back to Bijapur and vowed to halt his expansionist endeavors. Following these concessions, Shahaji was freed on May 16, 1649.

Following the release of his father, Shivaji chose not to pursue administrative reforms of his Jagirs or to engage in any campaigns. Subsequently, after his father’s demise, Shivaji dedicated all his energy to organizing his kingdom.

Conquest of Javeli 1656 :

To Rise of Maratha Power Shivaji decided to conquer Javeli in 1656. Javeli occupied strategic importance because, within the range of 60 miles, it has 8 passes across Sadhyari 2 ranges. It is also covered with dense forest.

The Mores of Javeli held the hereditary title of Deshmukh in that region for an extended period. This title signified local governance and was a symbol of their long-standing authority. Tensions between Shivaji and the Mores began to surface as early as 1648 when Daulatrao, a man of considerable prestige, passed away without leaving an heir. With the assistance of Shivaji, Daulatrao’s widow adopted Yashwantrao, a young man, and managed the affairs with the support of Hanumatrao More.

The stage was set for a dramatic power struggle between Shivaji, the Maratha warrior, and the Mores, powerful chieftains in Javali. Afzal Khan, the Bijapuri governor of Wai, was soon to become a key player in this triangular contest. The year was 1654, and as fate would have it, Afzal Khan was transferred to Kanakgiri. Shivaji saw an opportunity in this change of power, and his ambitions turned toward the strategically vital region of Javali.

Recognizing the need for allies, Shivaji sought the support of the Deshmukhs of Maval. With the likes of Kanoji Jedhe, Haibatrao Silimkar, and others swayed to his cause, Shivaji set his sights on Javali. The first attempt was cautious—Shivaji dispatched Sambhaji Kavaji to test the waters, but this effort faltered. Not one to be easily deterred, Shivaji then sent a more formidable force under Raghunath Ballal Korde. A fierce battle ensued near Javali, and in the chaos of combat, Hanumantrao More fell. However, Yashwantrao More managed a daring escape, seeking refuge within the fortified walls of Rairi.

Undeterred by these setbacks, Shivaji himself led the third assault on Javali. After prolonged and tense negotiations, a meeting was arranged at the foot of Rairi. In a move that would be both decisive and controversial, Shivaji struck during the parley. Yashwantrao More was slain in this encounter, and his two sons were taken captive and transported to Pune. The killing of Yashwantrao left a mark on Shivaji’s otherwise noble reputation, a shadow that would linger in the annals of history. The More Bakhar, unearthed by Parasnis, sheds light on the complex relationship between Shivaji and the Mores. The conflict had escalated when Shivaji declared his ambition to establish Swaraj, a notion that the Mores, who prided themselves on their lineage from the great Chandragupta Maurya, were unwilling to accept. When diplomacy failed, Shivaji resorted to force, laying siege to Javali and seizing its treasures. The fort of Wasota, another More stronghold, soon fell to Shivaji’s relentless advance.

With the capture of Javali and its surrounding territories, Shivaji consolidated his power. Twelve Mavals, stretching from Junnar to Wai, were now under his dominion. Raigad was seized, and the mighty Pratapgad rose on the nearby hills as a symbol of his growing might.

The Consequences of Javali:

The conquest of Javali was a turning point in Shivaji’s career, a bold declaration that resistance to Swaraj would no longer be tolerated. The fall of the Mores sent a clear and unmistakable message to all who opposed Shivaji’s vision. His victory brought critical mountain passes linking the Desh and Konkan regions into his burgeoning kingdom, solidifying the foundation for what would become the Maratha Empire. This episode marked Shivaji not only as a master strategist but also as a ruler willing to take drastic measures to achieve his dreams of sovereignty and self-rule.

The conquest of Javali unlocked an impregnable route that bridged the Desh and Konkan regions. This strategic corridor was not only crucial for military movement but also pivotal for trade. With this victory, Shivaji’s Swarajya now stretched to the western coast, thrusting him into the sphere of European powers—the English, Portuguese, and Dutch. It was during this time that Shivaji, a visionary leader, began to dream of commanding a navy of his own to secure his coastal territories and trade routes.

The wealth he seized from Javali became the bedrock of his naval ambitions and fortified defenses. It funded the construction of significant strongholds like Pratapgad, a sentinel overlooking his expanding realm. The Javali incident not only marked a military triumph but also catapulted Shivaji into the limelight, heralding the rise of a leader whose influence would soon echo across the land and sea.