February 19th, 1630 is the birth date of शिवाजीराजे भोसले. King Shivaji was one of the greatest kings of medieval India. King Shivaji was known for his military exploits. One of the notable series of military conquests led by Shivaji were the attacks on the Mughals. On Shivaji’s 50th birthday, he was placed under house arrest by a Mughal leader. Knowing that his life was in danger, he disguised himself as a holy man and escaped the Agra territory. It may not have been one of his courageous moments, but it certaintly was one of the smartest moves he could have made.

King Shivaji devised a plan to build up his army undercover. In 1670, he took over a fort controlled by the Mughals. However the takeover was not without sacrifice. One of his best generals, तानाजी मालुसरे, had died leading Shivaji’s troops. To this day, the fort is called सिंहगड or Lion Fort, to commemorate the General’s sacrifice. In 1674, Shivaji was crowned king, but once again this occasion was marked by tragedy. His mother, who he was very close to, died within a few days of his coronation. Another notable event is Shivaji’s attempt to drive out the British.

To drive out the British, Shivaji needed local support. He extended a gracious invitation to the leader of Sringarpur. This gesture of generousity is actually a signature part of his legacy as a military hero. He was noted for his merciful treatment of those he had conquered. Although he was a Hindu himself, he allowed those he conquered to retain their native religion. In fact, he opposed the burning of holy temples carried out in the mist of battle. He was also against the enslavement of women and children, which was a very progressive idea for the time.

King Shivaji died of dysentery (an intestinal disease). There was a brief struggle for power among his sons, which caused some turmoil within the kingdom. After Shivaji’s death, his descendents finally conquered the Mughal empire. Long after Shivaji’s death, he continued to be a source of pride for Indians. He was an icon of the Indian independence movement against the British, and an example of a wise and benevolent king. In his honor, many public buildings in India have been named after him. An example is the famous छत्रपती शिवाजी टर्मिनस.