Early Life & Background
Born in this hill fort in 1630
What is Shivneri Fort?
Shivaji captured this fort at age 16
What is Torna Fort?
Mughal general defeated at Pratapgad
Who was Afzal Khan?
Council of ministers was called this
What is the Ashta Pradhan Mandal?
Year Shivaji was crowned
What is 1674?
His mother, who deeply influenced his values
Who was Jijabai?
Capital fort after coronation
What is Raigad Fort?
Mughal governor attacked in Pune
Who was Shaista Khan?
Prime Minister in Ashta Pradhan
Who was the Peshwa?
Coronation place
What is Raigad?
His father served under this Deccan Sultanate
What is the Bijapur Sultanate?
Famous fort won by Tanaji Malusare
What is Sinhagad Fort?
Rich Mughal city raided twice
What is Surat?
Officer in charge of justice
Who was the Nyayadhish?
Title taken after coronation
What is Chhatrapati?
Which administrative and diplomatic language did Shivaji Maharaj deliberately promote over Persian to strengthen indigenous governance?
Marathi (with Sanskrit influence)
Which strategically located sea fort was constructed using laterite stone and designed to counter Portuguese and Siddi naval dominance?
Sindhudurg Fort
Which treaty forced Shivaji Maharaj to temporarily surrender forts to the Mughals while recognizing him as a regional ruler?
Treaty of Purandar (1665)
Which revenue system ensured direct state–peasant relations, minimized intermediaries, and fixed tax assessment based on land productivity?
Ryotwari system
Which precious metal was primarily used for the throne and ceremonial objects during Shivaji Maharaj’s coronation?
Gold
Which saint’s political philosophy directly influenced Shivaji Maharaj’s concept of Swarajya, emphasizing duty, ethics, and kingly responsibility rather than blind religious rule?
Samarth Ramdas
What military doctrine developed by Shivaji Maharaj relied on speed, terrain knowledge, intelligence networks, and surprise attacks rather than large standing armies?
Ganimi Kava (Guerrilla Warfare)
Which Mughal military failure after 1674 indirectly confirmed Shivaji Maharaj’s sovereignty, marking the decline of Mughal control in the Deccan?
Failure of Mughal campaigns following Shivaji Maharaj’s coronation, including inability to reclaim Maratha forts permanently
Which formal military and civil code enforced strict discipline, including punishment for harming civilians, women, and religious institutions?
Shivaji Maharaj’s ethical war code and administrative regulations (Dharma-based governance)
Why was Shivaji Maharaj’s coronation politically controversial among contemporary elites, despite his military dominance?
Because orthodox Brahmin elites questioned his Kshatriya lineage, requiring formal genealogical validation before coronation