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The Sentinel P A G E AUGUST 6, 2018

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CMYK Chhatrapati Shivaji was one of the bravest, most progressive and sensible rulers of India. The founder of the Maratha Kingdom, Shivaji was born to be a natural leader and fighter on 19th February, 1630 in the prestigious Fort. Till date, the day is celebrated as Shiv Jayanti with great rigour and traditional style by Maharashtrians.

Shivaji established a royal name for himself in history with his administrative skills by upholding the Swarajya values and the Maratha heritage. He was known for his bravery and tactics with which he won numerous wars against the Mughals. Remembering the greatest Maratha ruler on his birthday, here are some interesting facts about Shivaji.

Tope. Thereafter commenced his 5 Facts about Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj that every Indian remarkable feats of guerrilla warfare should know Tatya Tope over very vast regions of Central India, Tatya Tope alias Ramchandra 1. Known as the Father of Indian Navy, Shivaji was the first to Malwa, Bundel-khand, Rajputana and realise the importance of having a naval force, and therefore he Pandurang Tope was born around 1813 , from the recesses of the in an orthodox Deshasth Brahmin Vindhyas to the gorges of the Aravali, strategically established a navy and forts at the coastline to defend family in . His father, Pandurang harassing and perplexing the British and the Konkan side of . The Jaigad, Vijaydurg, Sindhudurg Rao Tope, was an important noble at their allies. Pursued from June 1858 to and other such forts still stand to testify his efforts and ideas. the court of the Baji Rao II. April 1859 by nearly half of the British He shifted his family with the ill-fated forces in India under their ablest 2. Contrary to popular belief, Shivaji was not named after Lord Peshwa to Bithur where his son generals enjoying the fullest support of Shiva. In fact, he was named after a regional Goddess Shivai. His became the most intimate friend of the their military intelligence, he mother prayed to the goddess for a son and was blessed with one. Peshwa's adopted son, Nana Dhondu outmaneuvred them several times. The god-like stature was given to him for his deeds, and not his Pant. The other associates of Tatya name. Tope were Rao Sahib and Rani Tatya Tope could not be captured in the Lakshmi Bai. marathon chase of about 2,800 miles 3. The secular ruler was very accommodating of all religions. He horizontally and vertically through In 1851, when Lord Dalhousie forests, hills, dales and across the had numerous Muslim soldiers in his army. His only aim was to deprived Nana Sahib of his father's swollen rivers. At last he was betrayed overthrow Mughal rule and establish . He was also pension, Tatya Tope also became a by his trusted friend Mansingh. The very supportive of people who converted to Hinduism. sworn enemy of the British. He co- British army captured him on 7th April operated with Nana Sahib in organising 1859. He admitted boldly, "What I did, 4. Shivaji was a dependable supporter of women and their honour. an anti-British upsurge secretly in was for my mother and I have no He opposed all kinds of violence, harassment and dishonour against collaboration with other aggrieved regrets". He was hanged on 18th April women. Anyone under his rule caught violating woman's rights was persons. In May 1857, when the 1859 and the sun set forever on the First severely punished. In fact, women of captured territories were also political storm was gaining War of Bharatiya Independence. momentum, Tatya Tope won over the released unharmed, and with integrity. Bharatiya troops of the , stationed at , 5. Chhatrapati Shivaji was called as the 'Mountain Rat' and was established Nana Sahib's authority and widely known for his guerrilla warfare tactics. He was called so became the Commander-in-Chief of because of his awareness in geography of his land, and guerrilla his revolutionary forces. In the tactics like raiding, ambushing and surprise attacks on his enemies. military encounters that followed he He knew the importance of a good army, and with his skills, expanded emerged as a gifted tactician with a his father's 2000 soldier army to 10,000 soldiers. marvellous organising skill and as an unsurpassed guerrilla warrior with lightning speed. Tatya Tope joined hands with Rani Lakshmi Bai After the reoccupation of Kanpur by the British and kindled a revolt in . Then he reached where he declared Nana Sahib as Peshwa with the support of the Gwalior contingent. But before he could consolidate his position he was defeated by General Rose in a memorable battle in which Rani Lakshmi Bai suffered CMYK martyrdom. The fall of Gwalior was a turning point in the career of Tatya

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