Shivaji Raje Bhonsale...

The Maharashtra that we know of today was known as Deccan(दख्खन) in the 1600's. This was particularly a difficult time to live as a commoner. Sultan Adilshah controlled most of the Western Maharashtra, while Sultan Nizamshah ruled Central Maharashtra. Adilshah governed the regions with the help of Jahagirdars. The city of Pune and area around it was inherited as a Jahagir by Shahaji Raje Bhonsale, a capable military general of the Adilshahi Sultanate. Rajmata Jijabai, wife of Shahaji, gave birth to Shivaji Raje Bhonsale on 19 February 1630 on the fort of Shivneri near Junnar district, Pune. As a child Shivaji listened to the epic stories of Ramayana and Mahabharata narrated by Rajmata Jijabai. He was trained in swordsmanship by trained and expert swordsmen of the time. Although Shivaji had all the comforts and luxuries, he was moved on observing the plight of common people and the hardships they had to face. Common people were having a hard time as they were harassed by the Adilshahi soldiers and troubled by the economic exploitation by the taxes levied on them. Shivaji also observed the Maval children and befriended them. He instilled in them patriotic feeling for their land and also explained his goal to them: To remove the Adilshahi governance and establish one rule under the Maratha power which he also called SWARAJYA.