The radical and enduring legacy of Shivaji

(Source – The Hindu, International Edition – Page No. – 11)

Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj: A Visionary Leader

Opposition to Mughal Expansion

• Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj played a key role in resisting Mughal expansion in India.
• He started as a warrior and eventually established an independent kingdom.
• Leading from the front, he inspired loyalty among his soldiers, who willingly sacrificed their lives.
• His efforts led to the creation of Hindavi Swarajya, a self-governed Indian state.

Guerrilla Warfare Tactics

• Chhatrapati Shivaji used Ganimi Kawa, or guerrilla warfare, to counter larger Mughal forces.
• He relied on swift cavalry raids, disruption of enemy supply lines, and hit-and-run tactics.
• His army was highly mobile, disciplined, and accustomed to harsh conditions, unlike the slow-moving Mughal forces.
• Contemporary foreign travelers admired his military organization and leadership.

Meritocratic Rule and Inclusive Governance

• Chhatrapati Shivaji’s administration was inclusive, with officers from various social backgrounds.
• His army included individuals from different castes, tribal communities, and even non-Hindus.
• His leadership was based on merit rather than hereditary privilege.
• At the time of his death, none of the 240 forts of his kingdom were controlled by hereditary nobles.

Social and Religious Reforms

• He allowed individuals to reconvert to Hinduism, a progressive step for that era.
• Orthodox religious authorities opposed his coronation due to caste identity disputes.
• On his deathbed, he ensured that his wives were not forced into Sati, promoting women’s dignity.

Promotion of Indigenous Languages

• Shivaji Maharaj sought to replace Persian legal terms with Indian languages.
• In 1677, he sponsored the “Rajavyavaharakosha”, which translated over 1,500 Persian terms into Sanskrit.
• Marathi became the official language of administration and literature, making governance accessible to common people.

Abolition of Slavery

• During Mughal rule, slavery was widespread, with laws justifying its practice.
• Shivaji Maharaj banned the slave trade in his territories and ordered Dutch traders to stop its practice.
• He actively enforced this ban, warning traders of consequences for violating the law.

Economic and Land Reforms

• Shivaji Maharaj abolished the Vatandari system, which allowed landlords to exploit peasants.
• He introduced the Ryotwari system, giving cultivators direct control over their land.
• His policies reduced the dominance of landlords, preventing them from amassing excessive power.

Legacy as a Social Reformer

• Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s governance ensured that peasants and common people had better economic opportunities.
• His reforms created a more just society by limiting the power of feudal landlords.
• His progressive policies earned him the title Shakakarta, or epoch maker.