Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj- Read The History of Major Wars

Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, also known as Shivaji Raje Bhosale, was a great warrior, strategist and ruler of India. He was born on February 19, 1630, in Shivneri Fort. His father, Shahaji Bhonsle, was a high official in the court of Bijapur and his mother, Jijabai, was a brave and skilled warrior. Shivaji was brought up by his mother, Jijabai, who taught him warfare skills and administration.

Shivaji Maharaj started his military campaign by capturing Torna Fort at just 16. He fought many wars against the Mughals and other foreign powers and struggled to protect Indian culture and independence. He founded the Maratha Empire, which ruled western India for many years.

Battle of Raigarh (1646)

Between whom the war took place: The Battle of Raigarh was fought in 1646 AD between Shrimant Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj of the Maratha Empire and General Mulla Ali of the Adilshahi Sultanate.

Reason for the war: The battle of Raigarh was part of Shivaji Maharaj's freedom struggle. The main reason for this war was to secure Raigad Fort, an important base for the state, and the plan was to isolate it from the Mughal Sultanate.

Victory: Shivaji Maharaj won this war. They defeated General Mulla Ali of Adilshahi Sultanate and captured Raigarh Fort. This victory recognised Shivaji Maharaj's leadership and warfare skills and established him as a prominent leader of the Maratha freedom struggle. Shivaji Maharaj made Raigad Fort his capital and played an important role in forming the Maratha Empire.

Before this battle, Shivaji Maharaj had conquered many small forts, but conquering Raigad Fort was the most important among all those conquests. This fort became the capital of Shivaji Maharaj and provided a powerful base for his kingdom.

Battle of Torna (1647)

Between whom the war occurred: The battle of Torna was fought in 1647 AD between Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj of the Maratha Empire and the Adilshahi army.

Reason for the War: The main reason for the Battle of Torna was the issue of rights over the Torna Fort, which was under the Bijapur Sultanate. Shivaji Maharaj attempted to conquer this fort in his campaign for independence against Bijapur.

Victory: Shivaji Maharaj won this war. He used a clever strategy against the Adilshahi army, keeping his army hidden around the Torna fort. When the Adilshahi army moved towards the fort, Shivaji Maharaj attacked them, due to which the Adilshahi army was defeated, and the Torna fort came under the control of the Maratha Empire. This victory was a symbol of the growing power and ambition of Shivaji Maharaj.

Battle of Thanjavur (1656)

Between whom the war occurred: Thanjavur was fought in 1656 AD between the 'Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj' of the Maratha Empire and the 'Nayak Raja' of Madurai.

Reason for the war: The main reason for the battle of Thanjavur was the importance of Thanjavur city and its control over it. The city was an important trading centre, and Shivaji Maharaj increased his income by conquering it.

Victory: Shivaji Maharaj won this war. He used clever tactics against the forces of the Nayak king of Madurai and kept his army hidden around Thanjavur city. When the Nayak king's army moved forward to attack the city, Shivaji Maharaj attacked them from behind, due to which the Nayak king's army was defeated, and the Maratha Empire captured the city of Thanjavur.

Battle of Kalyan (1657)

Between whom the war occurred:  The battle of Kalyan was fought in 1657 AD between Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj of the Maratha Empire and the Mughal army.

Reason for the battle: The main reason for the battle of Kalyan was the importance of the city of Kalyan, which Shivaji Maharaj tried to conquer to increase his income.

Victory: Shivaji Maharaj won this war. He used a bold plan and sent his army to attack the city of Kalyan at night. The Mughal army was shocked by this attack and had to face defeat. This victory symbolised the growing power and ambition of Shivaji Maharaj, and as a result, he further expanded his freedom struggle against the Mughal Empire.

Battle of Pratapgarh (1659)

Between whom the war occurred:  The Pratapgarh battle occurred in 1659 AD between Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and Adilshahi commander Afzal Khan.

Reason for the war: The Battle of Pratapgarh was fought for supremacy in the Deccan (southern) region.

Victory: Shivaji Maharaj won this war. Shivaji Maharaj kills Adilshahi commander Afzal Khan with his sword. About 5,000 soldiers were killed, and an equal number were injured. After this incident, Shivaji Maharaj got recognition as a skilled leader. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's military popularity increased throughout India due to the defeat of powerful generals like Afzal Khana.

Battle of Pawan Khand (1660)

Between whom the war occurred:  The battle of Pawan Khand was fought in 1660 AD between Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's commander of the Maratha Empire, Baji Prabhu Deshpande and General Siddi Masood of the Adilshahi army.

Reason for the war: The main reason for the battle of Pawan Khand was the importance of Vishalgarh Fort, which increased the apprehensions of the Mughals and Adilshahs.

Victory: Shivaji Maharaj won this war. He trained his soldiers in a new war strategy in which they would move stealthily through forests and mountains and attack the enemy from behind. This strategy helped him achieve a decisive victory over the Mughal army.

Battle of Solapur (1664)

Between whom the war occurred:  The Battle of Solapur was fought in 1664 AD between Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj of the Maratha Empire and the Adilshahi army.

Reason for the War: The main reason for the Battle of Solapur was the importance of the city of Solapur, which Shivaji Maharaj tried to conquer to increase his income.

Victory: Shivaji Maharaj won this war. He used a clever strategy and kept his army hidden around the city of Solapur. When the Adilshahi army moved forward to attack the city, Shivaji Maharaj attacked them from behind, due to which the Adilshahi army was defeated, and the city of Solapur came under the control of the Maratha Empire.

Treaty of Purandar (1665)

Between whom the war occurred:  The Treaty of Purandar took place in 1665 AD at Purandar Fort between Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj of the Maratha Empire and Amer Maharaja Jai Singh I.

Reason for the war: The main reason for this treaty was the demand for independence of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj of the Maratha Empire and ending the ongoing conflict between the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb.

Victory: Under the Treaty of Purandar, Shivaji Maharaj ceded 23 forts to the Mughals in return for allowing them to retain their independence. Through this treaty, the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb recognised Shivaji Maharaj as an independent ruler, granting the Maratha Empire the right to independence. As a result, the treaty was beneficial to both parties, and it led to reconciliation between the two emperors.

Battle of Umargarh (1666)

Between whom the war occurred: The Battle of Umargarh was fought near the Umargarh Fort in 1666 AD between Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj of the Maratha Empire and the Mughal army.

Reason for the battle: The main reason for this battle was the desire of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj of the Maratha Empire to gain control over the Umargarh fort and the need to protect it from the Mughal army.

Victory: In the Battle of Umargarh, Shivaji Maharaj defeated the Mughal army and captured the Umargarh fort. This victory proved Shivaji Maharaj's fighting skills and leadership against the Mughal army and promoted the Maratha Empire's growth.

War with Shinde dynasty (1670–71)

Between whom the war occurred:  This war between Shivaji Maharaj and the Shinde dynasty lasted from 1670 AD to 1671 AD.

Reason for the War: The main reason for this war was Shivaji Maharaj's desire to expand the boundaries of his independent Maratha Empire and establish harmony with the Shinde dynasty.

Victory: In this war, Shivaji Maharaj fought with the Shinde dynasty and defeated them. This victory demonstrated Shivaji Maharaj's growing power and ambition, which helped in his empire's growth and expansion.

Strategy: In this war, Shivaji Maharaj used an efficient strategy. He kept his army hidden around the army of the Shinde dynasty. When the Shinde dynasty army was ready for battle, Shivaji Maharaj attacked them from behind, so the Shinde dynasty army had to face defeat.

Conquest of Berar and Khandesh (1673–74)

Between whom the war occurred: Shivaji Maharaj conquered the Berar and Khandesh regions. This battle took place from 1673 AD to 1674 AD. It lasted till.

Reason for the war: The main reason for this war was Shivaji Maharaj's strategy to expand his empire, especially to establish his empire up to the Berar and Khandesh areas in the north.

Victory: Shivaji Maharaj conquered the Berar and Khandesh regions in this war. This expanded his empire, and he successfully established an important political stream.
Strategy: In this war, Shivaji Maharaj used a bold plan. He sent his army to infiltrate and conquer the Berar and Khandesh regions and conquer them. As a result, he expanded his empire.

The guerrilla warfare style of Shivaji Maharaj

In the 17th century, Shivaji Maharaj used the guerrilla warfare style to fight the war against the Mughal army successfully. The word guerrilla means 'small group'. Shivaji had prepared a small and agile Maratha army to suit the geographical conditions of the hilly areas.
 

These soldiers were trained in fast movement and fighting. They would suddenly attack the Mughal army and immediately retreat into the mountains and hide. Attacking secretly at night was also a speciality of these warriors. Shivaji's army did not have artillery, so these warriors were adept in swordsmanship and use of small weapons.
 

The Mughal army became completely helpless due to the guerrilla warfare style. This style is still known as an important genre of military strategy. Brave Shivaji contributed to the country's independence through his fighting skills.