If You Want To Understand Origins Of Hindavi Swarajya, It's Necessary To Understand The Story Of Shahaji Raje

Mahabali Shahajiraje Bhosle And His Times. Guruprasad Kanitkar. Merven Technologies. 2024. Pages 296. Rs 300.

Mahavir ta bans me bhayo ek avanis

Liyo birad Sisodiyo diyo Is ko Sees

(The One born/belonging to the legacy of Mahavir, 

had offered his head to the Ishwar and took the title 'Sisodiyo')

Kaviraj Bhushan has described the Sisodiya clan to which Shahaji Raje and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj belonged, in the kulvarnan in his magnum opus Shri Shivbhushan. 

Mahabali Shahaji Raje Bhosale was the man who lived up to this legacy of the title of Sisodiya. His importance can hardly be exaggerated. 

Eminent thinker Narhar Kurundkar stated that we should not study or analyse Shivaji's effort to establish Hindavi Swarajya in isolation. It has the strong foundation of Shahaji's quest, efforts, and long-term vision and a succession of Sambhaji's struggle to keep Swarajya intact from the onslaught of the Moghul forces of Aurangzeb.

Keeping this in mind, the book Mahabali Shahaji Raje Bhosale and his Times, authored by Pune-based historian Guruprasad Kanitkar, published by Merven Technologies, explores the life and legacy of the statesman who protected independence, sovereignty, Hindu dev-dharma and laid the grounds for Hindavi Swarajya in Maharashtra and Carnatic. The book derives its importance from the fact that it is the right document brought out at the right time. 

Guruprasad Kanitkar is closely associated with Bharat Itihas Sanshodhak Mandal and follows the legacy of eminent historian and authority on Maratha history, Gajanan Bhaskar Mehendale. He has learnt Farsi and has a hold over the Modi script, an essential skill required to read Maratha, Adilshahi, and Moghul letters.

The primary sources for the life and times of Shahaji Raje are Radhamadhav vilas champu (Champu - a type of Sanskrit literature that is composed in prose and poetry) by Jayram Pindye (edited and published by V K Rajwade), Shri Shivbharat by Kavindra Paramanand, the Sabhasad and Chitnis chronicles, letters of Shahaji Raje, Adilshahi firman, Muhammadnama, Busatin-us-Salatin, the wall inscriptions at Tanjore Shri Brihadishwara temple, chronicles at Tanjore Marathas, British-Portuguese-Dutch reports, letters, Moghul firmans and letters among others. 

Backed by pieces of evidence from primary sources, the book is written in a lucid language. It possesses the dual objective of being a fascinating account of a statesman for a common man and as a reference book for history enthusiasts to begin deeper studies. 

The Clan: Sisode to Raigad and Tanjore

The book begins with exploring the Sisodiya clan. The clan originated in the lands of Bappa Rawal, Rana Pratap's Mewar, and traces its origin to Shri Ram. 

After the fall of Chittorgarh to the forces of Allauddin Khilji, the Ranas of Mewar spread across the region. Rana Sajjansinh descended to the south in the year 1320 CE. He joined the forces of Hasan Gangu, who established the Bahmani kingdom.

Sajjansinh got jagirs in the Verul-Devgiri region of Maharashtra. One of his later descendants named Bhairoji or Bhosaji (after whom one branch at Devgiri derived their surname as Bhosale) got the jagirs in the Mudhol region in modern-day Karnataka. 

Their descendants Shubhkrushna and Karansinh continued with their endeavors for Bahmanis. Around 1460 CE, Shubhkrushna delegated Mudhol's responsibilities to Karansinh and settled in the jagirs of Devgiri-Verul.

In one of the battles for the Bahamani forces to capture fort Khelana (now known as Vishalgadh in Kolhapur) in 1471, Karansinh used ghorpad (bengal monitor lizard) to tie ropes to and climb the heights of the fort. The Bahmani forces won the battle but Karansinh lost his life. His son Bhimsinh was rewarded with jagirs and the titles 'Ghorpade' & 'Raja Bahadur'.

In the later years, with the expanding clan, rifts started growing between families at Mudhol and Devgiri. 

The Bhosales of Devgiri would eventually change the course of history in the following decades.

Shahaji: The man, the legend

Shahaji and Sharifji were born to Maloji Raje of Devgiri, who served the Nijamshahi of Ahmednagar. 

It is claimed that Maloji named his sons after the Shah-Sharif Dargah, but original documents suggest otherwise. 

Maloji, a devoted bhakta of Mahadeo, derived the name ‘Shahji’ from Singhji and ‘Sharifji’ from the mythical animal Sharabh, used as a symbol by many Hindu powers in southern India. 

Serving in the armies of Raje Lakhuji Jadhavrao of Nijamshahi, Shahji quickly rose to ranks in the forces. He proved his military might in the battle of Bhatwadi under administrator Nijamshahi Malik Ambar.

It was a tough period for Nijamshahi of Ahmednagar (now Ahilya Nagar). Mughal emperors were keen to end the Nijamshahi and take the region to their fold. The Adilshahi were trying to win lands too and lead their kingdom to the seas of Konkan. 

Shahaji and Lakhuji Jadhavrao were fighting a losing battle to keep the Nijamshahi intact. The circumstances made Shahaji the de facto patron of Nijamshahi. This was the first attempt to become an autonomous king.

Shahaji put minor Murtaja Nijamshah on the throne and started taking steps towards becoming an independent king. This effort lived a short life from 1629 to 1633 CE. Shahaji's forces could not bear the brunt of the combined forces of the Mughals and Adilshahi. 

Eventually, the Nijamshahi ended and Shahaji joined the Adilshahi, and got sent to the Carnatic. 

Carnatic after the disintegration of Vijayanagar:

The Vijayanagar empire lost its might in the battle of Talikota in 1565 CE. It disintegrated and local Nayaks and Poligars became autonomous. 

Adilshahi took advantage of this political disorganisation to take over the Carnatic region. The last Vijayanagar king, Shrirang Raya, put up a long but unsuccessful struggle to revive the might of Vijayanagar. 

The powerful forces of Adilshahi under Shahaji Raje, Afzalkhan, and other generals failed every attempt of Shrirang Raya. However, Shahaji Raje played statesmanlike moves. He integrated the entire Carnatic, signed informal treaties with Nayaks and practically became an autonomous ruler.

It made the Adilshahi and other generals furious, and Adilshah ordered the arrest of Shahaji Raje in 1648-49 CE. The humiliating episode ended with the handing over of Fort Kondhana (now known as Sinhgad near Pune) by Shivaji Raje, and forts of Bengaluru and Kandarpi by elder son Sambhaji. Shahaji returned to Bengaluru and continued his actions.

Shivaji’s efforts in the Pune region and Shahaji’s efforts to become an autonomous ruler in Carnatic (reported in the Dutch reports cited in the book) towards 1658-1661 weakened Adilshahi to the core. 

The Adilshahi and Hindavi Swarajya signed a treaty in 1662-63 CE. Shahaji Raje played a crucial role in convincing Adilshah to enter into such a treaty.

The Statesman

While carrying out his military duties in the Carnatic, Shahaji established a strong base at Bengaluru. He reorganised and strengthened the administration of the region, making the lives of common people easier. 

He took people from Maharashtra to the south with him to carry out administrative, diplomatic, and military duties. The Marathi fraternity mingled with the local culture and a new community of Kanadya Maharashtriya came up in the region.

Shahaji’s Quest for Hindavi Swarajya

The Chitnis chronicle describes Shahaji Raje's quest for Swarajya and devotion to Hindu Dharma. Shahaji Raje had vowed to offer a murti of Khandoba made out of gold at Jejuri if Shivaji Raje attained success in his effort of Hindavi Swarajya. Accordingly a murti was made in Carnatic, which was later on brought to Jejuri and was offered at the feet of Khandoba.

The Legacy: Chhatrapati at Raigad and Tanjore

Rajmata Jijabai, administrators, and diplomats groomed by Shahaji like Dadaji Konddeo, Sonopant Dabir, Kanhoji Jedhe brought the thoughts and wisdom of Shahaji to young Shivaji, while Shahaji groomed Vyankoji himself. 

Shivaji laid the foundations of Hindavi Swarajya and became Abhishikta Chhatrapati at Raigad. 

Shivaji delivered due justice to Baji Ghorpade of Mudhol, and Afzal Khan for his role in Shahaji's arrest in 1648-49. He defeated Afzal Khan at Pratapgarh in 1659 and later marched on Mudhol, where Baji Ghorpade was killed in 1664.

Maha Pandit Gagabhatta, who carried out the Shiv Rajyabhishek, proclaimed Shahaji during Pitru Smaran as the "Dushtancha Nirdalak ani Durbalancha Pratipal karanara, Rajkartavyacha Adarsh.." (Slayer of evil, Protector of vulnerable, and Role Model of Kingship..) 

Vyankoji or Ekoji inherited the Carnatic and established his kingdom at Tanjore. 

Hindavi Swarajya changed the course of history of Bharat. 

When northern India and central Indian power of Yadavas fell to the Islamic invaders, a Hindu power of Vijayanagar rose to the south. The Bharatiya power of Ahoms in Assam kept its sovereignty intact in all these years. When Vijayangar lost its might, another power rose from its ashes at Raigad. Shahaji Raje proved to be an informal link between the socio-political dynamics of the medieval period.  

For this reason, It is essential to read and understand the actions of a statesman who laid the grounds for Hindavi Swarajya. This book fulfils this need.