Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, the founder of Hindu Swarajya, the greatest Maratha ruler of our country. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s birth anniversary is celebrated on February 19 every year. Shivaji Maharaj realized his responsibility at a very young age and worked for Swarajya. He is also called the founder of the Marathi Empire.He fought the Adilshahi of Bijapur, the Nizamshahi of Ahmadnagar and the mighty Mughal Empire, and planted the seeds of the Marathi Empire, using the guerilla style of poetry suited to the hills and valleys of Maharashtra to fight against the enemy. During Shiva Raya’s time, the people were happy and prosperous.Shivaji Maharaj was born on 19 February 1630 at Shivneri Fort in Pune, Maharashtra. As an ideal ruler, an excellent warrior and a patient king, he has left a special mark in Indian and especially Maharashtrian history. Shivarai’s father’s name was Shahaji Raje Bhosale and mother’s name was Jijabai. Jijabai was a sattvic woman of pious nature who used to tell Shivaraya stories of war when he was young. She also used to tell stories from Ramayana and Mahabharata. All these things greatly influenced Shiva Raya.During the time when Shiva Raya was born, many foreign powers were making noise in Maharashtra. Millions of Maratha soldiers were enraged in Mughal captivity. Women were robbed of their dignity. Many wives were being killed by their husbands. There was no kaivari of farmers. From the age of sixteen, Shivaji Maharaj took the reins of Swarajya in his hands and the race for Swarajya began. For this purpose, he traveled around the surrounding provinces like Pune, Maval and got to know the situation there. Explained the problems of common people. He created interest in Swarajya in his mind.In this work of Shiva Raya, he got the support of many colleagues. Many Sangadas like Tanaji Malusare, Baji Prabhu Deshpande, Shiva Kashid, Murarbaji, Yesaji Kank did not hesitate to sacrifice their animals for Shiva Raya during the battle.
There were many kings before Shivaraya and many kings emerged after Shivaraya. But Shivaji Maharaj is known as the most ideal king. The reason for this is their love for Swarajya, loyalty, prowess and unblemished character. Even the stalks of farmers’ vegetables should not be touched. Saying this, Shivaji Maharaj was the only prominent king who loved farmers dearly and treated women as mothers.Shivaji Maharaj always used to treat his Mawla with love and affection. He used to fight day and night for Swarajya with his Mawla, without caring about the weather, wind and rain. Shivaji Maharaj is also known as the father of Ganimi Kava war art. Shivaji Maharaj, the father of the Maratha Empire, died on 3 April 1680 at the age of just fifty years. But even today they are alive in the minds of Maharashtrian people.