| Shivaji Maharaj was a Maratha warrior during the time | | | | must be mentioned that Shivaji was a devout Hindu |
| the powerful Moghul Aurangzeb ruled India. It must | | | | and for the first time when he challenged Aurangzeb, |
| be appreciated that the Moghul power during the | | | | the Hindus could live and practice their religion with |
| reign of Aurangzeb was at its zenith and the | | | | ease. |
| emperors writ ran from Kabul to the Deccan and | | | | Shivaji had a continuous battle with Aurangzeb and |
| further East to Bengal and Oudh. | | | | the Mughal Army.Aurangzeb was an inveterate |
| It was also a trying time for the Hindus as Aurangzeb | | | | enemy of Shivaji and after repeated attempts to |
| who was a devout Muslim imposed the Jizya tax on | | | | defeat him remarked"My armies were employed |
| Non Muslims. But at the same time it must be said | | | | against him for 19 years,but nevertheless,his state is |
| that a lot many Hindus were also part of Aurangzeb's | | | | always increasing". But again the fact remains that as |
| Army. At this juncture to fight the great moghul and | | | | long as Aurangzeb was in power the effect of his |
| set up his own kingdom deserves mention as an act | | | | power was minimal. |
| of tremendous courage and bravery. | | | | Aurangzeb reduced the Moslem ruled states of |
| Shivaji who was born in 1630 soon challenged the | | | | Bijapur and Golkonda and this brought him in direct |
| Moghul emperors authority. After a ceaseless struggle | | | | confrontation with Shivaji. The Moslem army also had |
| he had himself crowned as king in 1676. Aurengzab | | | | a large number of Maharathas in their ranks and this |
| authorized numerous campaigns to defeat him. The | | | | created confusion, which was skillfully exploited by |
| vast Mughal army on a number of occasions | | | | Shivaji. He adopted Guerrilla tactics to fight the |
| advanced against Shivaji. But the elusive Maratha | | | | superior armies of Aurangzeb. But the battles did not |
| perfected the art of evasion, retreat and | | | | give him a decisive victory over the Mughals. |
| counterattack and made the Mughal army pay a | | | | Shivaji's mark as a warrior will remain for ever. But |
| heavy price for attacking him. | | | | again it must be understood that he was unable to |
| Shivaji thus fought the Mughal army with guerrilla | | | | decisively defeat Aurangzeb and the emperors rule |
| tactics.He would,with his band of soldiers move away | | | | and power continued to increase. His significance lies |
| into the Western Ghats and attack the imperial Army | | | | in the fact that he challenged the Mughal empire |
| only at a place and time of his choosing.Thus the | | | | when it was at its apex and carved a niche for |
| Maratha warrior made a name for himself and the | | | | himself for all time to come as a warrior and Soldier |
| down trodden Hindus had someone to look up to. It | | | | who dared Aurangzeb and the Moghul empire. |