Context:
Commemorating the birth anniversary of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.
Shivneri Fort:
- Location – Pune, Maharashtra
- Timeperiod –In 1595, King Bahadur Nizam II conferred the fort to Maloji Bhonsale.
- Important features –
- Water pond called ‘Badami Talav’
- Statues of Jijabai and a young Shivaji
- 2 water springs, called Ganges and Yamuna, which have water throughout the year
- Significance –
- Birthplace of Shivaji Maharaj
- Part of Maratha Military Landscape
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj:
- Name – Shivaji Bhonsle
- Born in – 1630
- Birthplace – Shivneri Fort, Pune
- Parents – Shahaji Bhonsle (Father) and Jijabai (Mother)
- Known as – Founder of Maratha Empire
- Reign – 1674–1680
- Seat of Power – Raigad Fort, Maharashtra
- Successor – Sambhaji Bhonsle
- Key battles –
- Battle of Pratapgarh – Between Shivaji and Afzal Khan, commander of Bijapur Sultanate
- Battle of Kolhapur – Between Shivaji and Bijapur Sultanate
- Treaty of Purander (1665) – Signed between Raja Jai Singh (under Aurangzeb) and Shivaji.
Administration of Shivaji:
- Council of Ministers called Ashta Pradhan
- Division of provinces into Prants which were subdivided into Parganas or Tarafs.
- Regular army called Paga
- Promoted the use of regional languages such as Marathi and Sanskrit over that of Persian.
- Emphasis on Hindavi Swarajya, an ambitious vision for an independent and flourishing Indian state.
- Established fortified naval bases
- Used Guerilla Warfare techniques called ‘Ganimi Kava’
Source: The Indian Express
Previous Year Question
Who among the following rulers of medieval Gujarat surrendered Diu to the Portuguese?
[UPSC Civil Service Exam – 2023 Prelims]
(a) Ahmad Shah
(b) Mahmud Begarha
(c) Bahadur Shah
(d) Muhammad Shah
Answer: (c)
