Maharashtra Board Class 7 History Chapter 8 An Ideal Ruler PDF Download

An Ideal Ruler

Before the foundation of Swaraj, Maharashtra was under the domination of the Adilshahi, Siddi, Portuguese and Mughal powers. Shivaji Maharaj struggled against these powers. He faced all kinds of adverse circumstances. He founded an independent and sovereign Swaraj. He set up a system for the administration of this Swaraj. He turned Swaraj into a Surajya, a kingdom that sought the welfare of all. Maharaj created a new order with his capability. In the course of the conflict for the founding of the Swaraj, he himself had to face many grave dangers. Events like the meeting with the Afzalkhan, the seige of Panhala, the attack on Shaistakhan, the escape from Agra, all involved a great amount of risk. Shivaji Maharaj emerged successful in all these events. No harm came to him.

Organisational Skill

Maharaj inspired the people around him to work for the Swaraj. His organisational skill was unparalleled. With this skill, he drew around himself brave people who were also extremely loyal. These close associates of Maharaj performed their duty, even by risking their own lives. There are many instances of this in the founding of the Swaraj. Jiva Mahala, who killed Bada Sayyad at a critical moment during the meeting with Afzalkhan. Shiva Kashid who crossed the siege of Panhalagad in the disguise of Shivaji Maharaj. Bajiprabhu Deshpande, who blocked the advances of the enemy on the way to Vishalgad. Murarbaji Deshpande, who defended the fort of Purander. Tanaji Malusare, who sacrificed his life while conquering Sinhagad. Hiroji Farjand and Madari Meheter, who risked their lives during the escape of Maharaj from Agra, etc.

Maharaj took great care of his associates. For example, Kanhoji Jedhe was associated with Maharaj in the work of the Swaraj from the very beginning. When the ageing Kanhoji fell ill, Maharaj told him not to neglect his medicines or treatment on any account.

Teacher's Note

Shivaji Maharaj always took care of his loyal people. Just like in our school, the teacher takes care of students who work hard and listen carefully.

Exam Trick

Remember: Shivaji Maharaj = loyal friends. Always remember the names of his friends like Tanaji, Baji Prabhu. They are often asked in exams.

Points to Remember

Shivaji Maharaj had many brave and loyal friends.
These friends risked their lives for Swaraj.
Maharaj took care of his sick friends and their families.
Good leaders always care for their loyal people.

Caring For The Ryot

While establishing the Swaraj, Maharaj had to constantly struggle against his enemies. His subjects suffered due to enemy invasions. At such times, Maharaj used to take utmost care to protect the ryot. At the time of Shaistakhan's campaign, Maharaj warned the Deshmukh of the Rohida valley not to fail in his duty towards the ryot. He told Deshmukh to visit every village and shift people to a safe place down the ghats. He strictly told him not to delay even for a moment. He further warned the Deshmukh that if he did not thus take care of the ryot, the Mughal army would take the people prisoner and then it would be seen as the Deshmukh's doing. Maharaj also saw to it that the soldiers did not in any way cause any harm to the ryot.

Teacher's Note

Shivaji Maharaj always thought about common farmers and workers. Like a good teacher thinks about all students, not just the smart ones.

Exam Trick

Remember: Ryot = farmer. Maharaj always protected farmers from war damage. This is often asked in exams.

Points to Remember

Ryot means farmers and common people.
Maharaj protected farmers during wars and battles.
He ordered his soldiers not to harm farmers.
He moved farmers to safe places away from danger.

Policy Regarding The Army

Maharaj maintained a strict discipline in the army. He was particular about paying the salaries of the army in time. He made arrangements to pay the salaries of soldiers in cash. In various kingdoms in Medieval India and elsewhere, there was a system of making payments to soldiers in the form of jagirs. Maharaj set this practice aside. There was a strict order to the army that any valuables collected during the campaigns in enemy territories were to be deposited with the Government. Soldiers were honoured for their bravery in a campaign. He looked after the maintenance of the families of soldiers who died in battle. He took care of the wounded soldiers, he treated well the enemy soldiers who had surrendered themselves or who had been captured.

If war broke out during the period of sowing-growing-reaping of crops, there would be no limit to the loss of farmers. Not only would the movements of army interfere with the work of sowing, but the soldiers would cut off and take away standing crops or would destroy them. They would rob the houses of farmers. Shivaji Maharaj had ordered the officers to prohibit his soldiers from such actions. The letter written by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in 1674 CE to his military officers is very important in this regard. It shows how minutely Shivaji Maharaj thought about the discipline in the army.

If you harass and trouble the subjects belonging to different castes by robbing them of their grains, fodder, grass, vegetables, etc., those subjects would leave their houses and migrate elsewhere. Many of them would starve to death. It would be as if you are more atrocious than the Mughals. There would be great uproar.

Teacher's Note

Maharaj paid soldiers in cash on time. In your school, teachers are paid salary every month. That is good management, just like Maharaj did.

Exam Trick

Remember: Maharaj paid soldiers in cash, not in jagirs. Also remember he protected farmers by stopping soldiers from stealing crops. These points are very important.

Points to Remember

Maharaj paid soldiers their salary on time in cash.
Soldiers could not steal or loot from common people.
Soldiers were punished if they damaged farmer's crops.
He took care of soldiers who died in battle and their families.

A Policy Of Tolerance

Maharaj had to struggle against his enemies, the Adilshah, the Mughals and the Siddis. They were Islamic powers. While Maharaj struggled against them, he considered the Muslims in the Swaraj as his own subjects. At the time of the meeting with Afzalkhan, Siddi Ibrahim was a trusted servant in his army. Siddi Hilal was a Sardar in the army of Maharaj. Daulatkhan was an important officer in the navy of the Swaraj.

Maharaj followed a tolerant religious policy. In the enemy territories that he conquered, he continued the facilities that had been given to the Muslim places of worship. His contemporary historian Khafikhan writes about the tolerant religious policy of Maharaj: Shivaji had framed strict rules for his soldiers that during the campaigns, they should not harm a mosque. If they came in possession of a copy of the Holy Quran, they should hand over the same, with reverence, to a Muslim.

Teacher's Note

Maharaj did not fight people because of their religion. He treated all people equally. This is like treating all students equally in our school, no matter what religion they belong to.

Exam Trick

Remember: Maharaj was tolerant. He had Muslim officers like Siddi Ibrahim and Daulatkhan. He protected mosques. This shows he respected all religions equally.

Points to Remember

Maharaj fought enemies but respected Muslim people.
He had Muslim officers and soldiers in his army.
He protected mosques and the holy Quran.
He treated all religions with equal respect.

The Inspiration For Freedom

The efforts that Maharaj made to establish the Swaraj have a special value. It is the value of freedom. He aimed at establishing and maintaining an independent and sovereign existence that did not accept the dominance of any other power. While struggling against the foreign powers, Maharaj inspired others too, for freedom. When Chhatrasal, who was in the service of the Mughals, came to see Maharaj, Maharaj inspired him to create an independent kingdom in Bundelkhand.

Teacher's Note

Maharaj wanted freedom for his people and also helped others to get freedom. Like freedom fighters in our independence movement who inspired others to fight for India.

Exam Trick

Remember: Maharaj inspired Chhatrasal to create an independent kingdom in Bundelkhand. This shows he believed in freedom for all, not just his own kingdom.

Points to Remember

Maharaj wanted independence and freedom for his people.
He did not accept control by any other power.
He inspired other leaders like Chhatrasal to get freedom.
Freedom was the most important value for him.

Greatness Of Maharaj's Work

Maharaj established Swaraj while fighting against many enemies. This action itself proves that he was a pioneer of a new era. But besides this action, many other noble qualities are found in his personality.

Maharaj was very intelligent. He had mastered many arts. He was conversant with many languages and scripts. The teachings of his parents towards the establishment of Swaraj and ethics were deeply instilled in his mind. There was a blend of character and strength, nobility and valour in his personality. He had innumerable qualities like leadership, management, foresight, political diplomacy, effective policy about regional and military administration, commitment to truth and justice, attitude of equality, visualisation of future activities, the skill of seeing his planned ventures through, rising over the calamities without giving up, alertness, vigilance and so on.

He used to punish those severely who would misbehave with women. He used to take care of all sections of the society like farmers, craftsmen, soldiers, traders, merchants, etc. He used to harbour the same respect for people of other religions that he had for people of his own religion, without any discrimination. He even established family bonds with them. He brought back into swadharma, their original religion, persons who had converted to another religion though there was an opposition to such a reconversion at that time. At that time, there was opposition on religious grounds to crossing the seas. Yet he built sea forts like Singhudurg and created a navy. This means that he had made preparation for countering foreign invasions that came from the sea. He became the ruler of Swaraj officially through his coronation. He later had a second coronation from a different religious perspective. All these actions show his revolutionary aspects in the field of religion.

When there were threats to Swaraj, he would face them with or without his associates. Due to this, even his associates were ready to sacrifice their lives for Swaraj. Of course, his greatness was not confined to the quality of facing calamities bravely and fearlessly. He wanted to have an ethical, qualitative base to the Swaraj. That is why he would give orders, even regarding minor issues along with the important ones. The order that prohibited soldiers from taking vegetables from the fields of the peasants by force, is exemplary from this point of view. The restrictions on the cutting of trees enforced by him are also noteworthy.

He had ordered that the garbage on the fort should be burnt in an allotted space without dumping it elsewhere, and vegetables should be grown on its ash. It becomes clear from this fact that he would pay close attention to the minutest details while establishing Swaraj. He was not just a warrior, but also a sculptor who created a new, independent, ethical and cultured society. His greatness is comprehensive.

Teacher's Note

Maharaj cared about small details like waste management and growing trees. Even great leaders must pay attention to cleanliness and environment, just like we must keep our classroom and school clean.

Exam Trick

Remember: Maharaj was not just a fighter. He also cared about trees, waste, and small details. He was a complete ruler who thought about everything. This is often asked in exams.

Points to Remember

Maharaj knew many languages and arts.
He was intelligent and a great leader.
He respected and protected women in his kingdom.
He cared about environment and ordered waste to be burnt properly.
He believed in growing trees and protecting nature.

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