Maharashtra Board Class 7 History Chapter 5 The Foundation of the Swaraj PDF Download

5. The Foundation of the Swaraj

In the first half of the seventeenth century, an epoch making personality emerged in Maharashtra - Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. He established Swaraj by challenging the unjust ruling powers here. Shivaji Maharaj was born at the Shivneri fort near Junnar in Pune district on the day of Phalgun Vadya Tritiya in the Shaka year 1551, that is on 19 February 1630. In this chapter, we will study how he founded Swaraj.

Shahajiraje

Shahajiraje, the father of Shivaji Maharaj was a pre-eminent Sardar in the Deccan. The Mughals had launched a campaign to conquer the Nizamshahi Kingdom. The Adilshah of Bijapur allied with the Mughals in this campaign. Shahaji Maharaj did not wish the Mughals to get an entry into the South. So he tried to save Nizamshahi by offering stiff resistance to the Mughals. But he could not withstand the combined might of the Mughals and the Adilshah. The Nizamshahi was defeated and came to an end in 1636 CE.

After the Nizamshahi was wiped out, Shahajiraje became a Sardar of the Adilshah of Bijapur. The region comprising Pune, Supe, Indapur and Chakan parganas located between the Bheema and Neera rivers was vested in Shahajiraje as a jagir. This was continued by the Adilshah, and he also granted the jagir of Bengaluru and the neighbouring areas in Karnataka to Shahajiraje.

Shahajiraje was valiant, courageous, intelligent and a great political expert. He was an excellent archer. He was also an expert in using the sword, patta and spear. He loved his subjects. He had won many regions in Maharashtra, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. South India was in awe of him. While Shivaji and Jijabai were at Bengaluru, he had arranged for providing excellent education to Shivaji so as to enable him to become a king. He himself aspired to establish Swaraj by ousting the powers of foreign people. That is why, he is known as Swaraj visionary. He sent Shivaji and Jijabai from Bengaluru to Pune with loyal and competent associates.

Teacher's Note

Shahajiraje wanted to make his son a good leader for his people. Just like today parents want their children to study hard and become good citizens.

Exam Trick

Remember: Swaraj visionary means someone who dreams of self-rule. Like a dream, Shahaji had a vision for his son Shivaji to rule.

Points to Remember

Shahajiraje was Shivaji's father and a great Sardar.
He tried to protect the Nizamshahi Kingdom from the Mughals.
He gave Shivaji good education and training.
He is called a Swaraj visionary because he dreamed of self-rule.
He got jagirs in Pune and Bengaluru from the Adilshah.

Veermata Jijabai

Jijabai was the daughter of the great Sardar Lakhujiraje Jadhav of Sindkhedraja in Buldhana district. At a young age, she had received military training as well as education in various subjects. She helped and encouraged Shahaji Maharaj to realise his dream of establishing Swaraj. She was a competent and visionary political expert. She constantly guided Shivaji in the mission of establishing Swaraj. At times, she undertook the task of giving verdicts for resolving the problems of people. She was very particular about giving excellent education to Shivaji. She instilled in him values like modesty, truthfulness, oratory, vigilance, courage and fearlessness. She saw that he was trained in the usage of weapons and inspired in him, the will to win and the dream of Swaraj.

Teacher's Note

Jijabai was like a strong mother who taught her son to be brave and kind. In India, many mothers teach their children good values at home.

Exam Trick

Remember: Jijabai = education + weapons + courage. She gave Shivaji everything he needed to become a great leader.

Points to Remember

Jijabai was Shivaji's mother and very strong and wise.
She taught Shivaji courage, truthfulness and how to use weapons.
She helped Shahaji with his dream of Swaraj.
She gave verdicts to solve people's problems.
She wanted Shivaji to become a good and strong king.

Shivaji's Companions and Associates

Shivaji Maharaj started the work of founding the Swaraj in the Maval region. The Maval terrain is full of hills and valleys and is not easily accessible. Shivajiraje made use of these geographical features of Maval very skilfully for the purpose of the foundation of the Swaraj. He created a feeling of trust and affection in the minds of the people. Many companions and associates joined him in his work of founding the Swaraj. Among them were Yesaji Kank, Baji Pasalkar, Bapuji Mudgal, Narhekar Deshpande brothers, Kavji Kondhalkar, Jiva Mahala, Tanaji Malusare, Kanhoji Jedhe, Bajiprabhu Deshpande and Dadaji Narasprabhu Deshpande. On the strength of these associates, Shivaji Maharaj undertook the cause of the Swaraj.

Find more information about these associates of Shivaji Maharaj: Jiva Mahala, Tanaji Malusare and Bajiprabhu Deshpande.

Teacher's Note

Shivaji had many loyal friends who helped him build the Swaraj. Just like a leader today needs good team members to succeed in his work.

Exam Trick

Remember: Maval = hills and valleys. Shivaji used difficult mountains as his strength, like a good general uses what nature gives him.

Points to Remember

Shivaji started his work in the Maval region which had many hills and valleys.
The hills helped him because the area was not easy to attack.
He made the people trust him and want to join his cause.
He had many brave companions and associates.
These friends helped Shivaji build the Swaraj.

Royal Seal (Rajmudra)

The objective of Shivaji Maharaj of establishing Swaraj is clearly expressed in his royal seal. The following Sanskrit lines are inscribed on this royal seal (Rajmudra).

Meaning: 'This seal will grow in splendour like the new moon. This seal of Shivaji, the son of Shahaji, receiving homage from the whole world denotes the welfare of the people.'

The meaning of this inscription on the seal is important from many angles. Through this inscription, Maharaj has expressed his gratitude towards his father, his confidence that Swaraj would expand continuously, his own experience of the respect that the Seal, that is, Swaraj commanded from all, his commitment to the welfare of his subjects, and the certainty of ruling over his land independently. This short inscription covers the entire concept of Swaraj.

Teacher's Note

A royal seal is like an official stamp that shows a king's promise to his people. Just like India has an official seal, Shivaji had his own seal for his kingdom.

Exam Trick

Remember: Rajmudra = royal seal. It says Swaraj will grow like the new moon - it will keep getting bigger and bigger.

Points to Remember

The royal seal shows what Shivaji believed in and wanted to do.
The seal says Shivaji's rule will grow bigger and bigger.
Shivaji thanks his father Shahaji in the seal message.
The seal shows that Shivaji cares about the welfare of his people.
The seal means independent rule without foreign powers controlling Shivaji.

Towards the Establishment of Swaraj

The forts situated within the jagir of Shivaji Maharaj were not under his control, but were under the control of Adilshah. In those days, forts were of special significance. With a firm hold over a fort, it was possible to control the surrounding area. If one had forts, one ruled the land. Therefore, Shivaji Maharaj decided to acquire the forts that were within his own jagir. Such an attempt to capture the forts amounted to challenging the Adilshahi power. He captured the forts of Torana, Murumbdev, Kondhana and Purandar, and laid the foundation of Swaraj. He repaired the fort Murumbdev and renamed it Rajgad. Rajgad was the first capital of the Swaraj.

Teacher's Note

Forts are like strong houses that control a region around them. Shivaji understood that to rule, he needed to own forts, just like a king needs a strong castle.

Exam Trick

Remember: Fort = control. If you have the fort, you control the area around it. Shivaji captured forts to gain power.

Points to Remember

Shivaji wanted to control the forts in his own jagir.
The Adilshah controlled the forts, not Shivaji at first.
Forts were very important because they controlled the land around them.
Shivaji captured four main forts: Torana, Murumbdev, Kondhana and Purandar.
He made Rajgad his first capital city.

There were the Mores of Javali, the Ghorpades of Mudhol, the Sawants of Sawantwadi, and other Sardars in the Adilshahi. They were opposed to the cause of the founding of Swaraj. It was necessary to bring them and other likeminded Sardars under control for the purpose of founding the Swaraj.

The Capture of Javali

Chandrarao More of Javali in Satara district was a powerful Sardar in the Adilshahi. He opposed the founding of the Swaraj. Shivaji Maharaj attacked Javali and captured that region in 1656 CE. He established his post there. Then he also captured Raigad. He attained a huge amount of wealth from Javali. After this victory, his activities in Konkan increased. He built the Pratapgad fort in the Javali valley. In this way, the conquest of Javali increased his strength in all respects. After this, Shivaji Maharaj captured Kalyan and Bhiwandi on the Konkan Coast. There he came into contact with the Siddi, Portuguese and British powers on the Western Coast. Shivaji Maharaj realised that in order to fight these powers, it was necessary to have a strong naval force. Therefore, he concentrated on building a navy.

Teacher's Note

Shivaji understood that to fight enemies on the sea coast, he needed ships and sailors. Today India also has a strong Navy to protect its sea borders.

Exam Trick

Remember: Javali = wealth and power. Shivaji captured it and got rich and strong. This helped him build a navy later.

Points to Remember

Javali was ruled by Chandrarao More who opposed Swaraj.
Shivaji captured Javali in 1656 CE and got lots of gold and treasure.
He built Pratapgad fort in the Javali valley.
He also captured Kalyan and Bhiwandi on the coast.
He saw that he needed a strong navy to fight enemies on the sea.

Defeat of Afzalkhan

Shivaji Maharaj had started capturing the forts in his jagir and the surrounding area in the Adilshahi territory. He had crushed the opposition of the Mores of Javali. The work of founding the Swaraj had gathered momentum on the Konkan coast. All these matters were a challenge to the Adilshahi. At that time, the Badi Sahiba was looking after the administration of the Adilshahi. She sent Afzalkhan, a powerful and experienced Adilshahi General, to curb Shivaji Maharaj.

Teacher's Note

Afzalkhan was a powerful general sent to stop Shivaji. This is like when a strong army general is sent to fight an enemy.

Exam Trick

Remember: Afzalkhan = powerful enemy general. He was sent to stop Shivaji but Shivaji was smarter and braver.

Points to Remember

Afzalkhan was a strong and experienced general from the Adilshahi.
The Badi Sahiba sent him to stop Shivaji's work.
Afzalkhan tried to use treachery to defeat Shivaji.
Shivaji was alert and killed Afzalkhan in a meeting.
Shivaji then defeated Afzalkhan's entire army.

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