Notes-Class 7-History-Chapter 8-An Ideal Ruler -Maharashtra Board

Establishment of Swaraj :

• Prior to the establishment of Swaraj, Maharashtra was ruled by Adilshahi, Siddi, Portuguese, and Mughal powers.
• Shivaji Maharaj fought against these forces. He had to deal with a variety of adversities.
• He established Swaraj as an independent and sovereign state.
• He established a system for administering this Swaraj.
• He transformed Swaraj into a Surajya, a kingdom concerned with the well-being of all.

Organisational Skill

• Incomparable organisational abilities were possessed by Shivaji Maharaj.
• He motivated those around him to work for Swaraj.
• He drew brave people who were fiercely loyal to him.
• They carried out their responsibilities out of devotion to Shivaji Maharaj. They are even putting their own lives in danger.

Caring for the ryot

• Shivaji Maharaj took utmost care of the ryot when it suffered during the invasions of the enemy.
• He warned the Deshmukh of the Rohida valley not to fail in his duty to the ryot and asked him to visit every village and shift people to a safe place down the ghats.
• He also ensured that the soldiers in his army did not cause any harm to the ryot.

Policy regarding the army

• Shivaji Maharaj maintained a strict discipline in his army.
• He had instructed his soldiers not to cause harm to the ryots and the Mosques.
• He paid salary in cash and on time to his soldiers.
• The army was ordered to deposit any valuables collected, during a campaign in the enemy territory, with the government.
• He honoured the soldiers for their bravery and looked after their families who died in the battle.
• He treated the enemy soldiers who had either surrendered or were captured well.

A policy of tolerance

• While fighting against Islamic powers, Shivaji Maharaj considered Muslims in Swaraj to be his own subjects.
• He followed a religiously tolerant policy.
• He extended the facilities to the conquered territory's mosques.
• Strict orders were issued not to harm any mosques.
• A copy of the Holy Quran that has come into possession must be reverently handed over to a Muslim.

The inspiration for freedom

• Maharaj established Swaraj to uphold the value of freedom.
• He did not accept dominance of any other power.
• He aimed at establishing and maintaining anindependent and sovereign existence.

Greatness of Maharaj’s work

• Establishment of the Swaraj proves that he was a pioneer of a new era.
• He was an intelligent and learned man.
• There was a blend of character and strength, nobility and valour; qualities of leadership, management, foresight, political diplomacy, commitment to truth and justice, alertness and vigilance.
• Any misbehaviour with women attracted severe punishment.
• He treated all his subjects equally and looked after their welfare.
• Despite opposition to reconversion, he supported those who had converted to another religion but wished to return to their original religion.
• By constructing Sindhudurg fort and establishing a navy, he broke the religious taboo on overseas travel.
• He desired to provide Swaraj with an ethical and qualitative foundation.
• He was a sculptor who worked to create an ethical and cultured society, not just a warrior. He served as an inspiration during India's freedom struggle.
• Future generations will regard his work as an ideal and a source of inspiration.
• Shivaji Maharaj was a great national hero.

Recognition by Leaders/Reformers

• Mahatma Jotirao Phule described in his powadas the greatness of Shivaji Maharaj. Lokmanya Tilak brought about national awakening through the medium of Shivajayanti celebrations.
• Lala Lajpatrai has written a book about the greatness of Maharaj.
• The great Tamil poet Subramanyam Bharati has written a poem about an imaginary incident in which Shivaji Maharaj talks to his associates.
• Vishwakavi Rabindranath Tagore has written a long poem on Maharaj.
• Sir Jadunaath Sarkar has praised his achievements in his book ‘Shivaji and His Times’.
• Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru has said that Maharaj did not belong to Maharashtra alone, he belonged to the whole Indian nation. He was a symbol of many virtues, more especially of love of country.