Questions and Answers
What title was given to Shivaji during his coronation on 6 June 1674?
What was the main reason for Shivaji's second coronation on 24 September 1674?
What was one major concern of the English regarding Shivaji's conquests?
Which factor delayed the coronation of Shivaji nearly a year?
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In what year did Shivaji begin his military campaign in South India?
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What title was Shivaji seeking to legitimize his rule?
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Which fort was the location of Shivaji's coronation?
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Who presided over Shivaji's coronation ceremony?
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What led to the failure of negotiations between the English and Shivaji?
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What was one of Shivaji's motivations for his military campaigns in Southern India?
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Who did Shivaji summon to establish his legitimacy as a kshatriya?
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What ceremony did Shivaji undergo to cement his status as a kshatriya?
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Which of the following was a title given to Shivaji that reflects his role in protecting Hindu faith?
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What did the Brahmins argue about Shivaji that affected his coronation?
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What was the outcome of the Maratha navy's clash with the Siddis of Janjira in November 1674?
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What was the outcome for the Rajapur factory after the negotiations with Shivaji?
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What was a key aspect of Shivaji's military strategy?
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How did Shivaji respond to Aurangzeb's imposition of the Jizya tax on non-Muslims?
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What was a notable element of Shivaji's army composition?
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What relationship did Shivaji seek with surrounding Muslim nations?
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Which group from Shivaji's army played a significant role in naval operations?
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How did Shivaji demonstrate religious tolerance during his reign?
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What distinguishes Shivaji's personal seal from others used at the time?
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In what way did Shivaji's military organization survive long-term?
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Study Notes
Diplomatic Relations with the English
- English worried about Shivaji’s potential benefits from conquests while seeking compensation for his raids on Rajapur factories.
- Lieutenant Stephen Ustick was sent to negotiate; talks failed over Rajapur indemnity.
- Several envoy exchanges occurred; some arms agreement reached in 1674, but indemnity was never paid by Shivaji.
Coronation of Shivaji Maharaj
- Shivaji accumulated wealth and land but lacked a legitimate ruling title as a Mughal zamindar or Bijapuri jagirdar.
- A kingly title would solidify his rule and discourage challenges from other Maratha leaders.
- Preparations for coronation began in 1673 but faced delays due to Brahmin opposition regarding caste qualifications.
- Disputed caste status led to the involvement of pandit Gaga Bhatt, who claimed Shivaji’s Kshatriya lineage.
- Sacred thread ceremony was performed, and Shivaji remarried according to Vedic rites.
- Shivaji was crowned on June 6, 1674, at Raigad fort, presided over by Gaga Bhatt with 50,000 attendees.
- Titles received included Shakakarta ("era founder") and Chhatrapati ("sovereign").
- Second coronation held September 24, 1674, due to inauspicious conditions during the first.
Military Campaigns and Conquests
- Shivaji's conquests began in 1674, including raids in Khandesh, Bijapuri Ponda, Karwar, and Kolhapur.
- Maratha navy attempted to displace Siddis of Janjira but failed.
- Advocated for Deccani nationalism, emphasizing protection of Southern India from outsiders.
- Established religious tolerance, supporting Muslims' rights and ministries while maintaining Hindu practices.
Relations with Aurangzeb and Religious Policies
- Critiqued Aurangzeb's Jizya tax on non-Muslims in a confrontational letter on April 3, 1679.
- Promoted religious syncretism and sought to emulate Akbar's policy of tolerance towards Hindu beliefs.
- Developed alliances with Muslims and refused to oppose Mughals alongside Hindu factions like the Rajputs.
Seals and Authenticity
- Seals were vital for official document verification; Shivaji chose Sanskrit for his seal, unlike his predecessors.
- His seal symbolized welfare and respect, distinctively positioned him in the cultural landscape.
Military Organization and Warfare Techniques
- Established a robust military structure that remained effective until the Maratha Empire's end.
- His strategy incorporated ground and naval forces supported by a network of fortified positions.
- Ground forces comprised Maval infantry and Maratha cavalry, with reliance on European artillery supplies.
- Maintained a small, capable standing army primarily made up of peasants from Maratha and Kunbi casts, acknowledging the limits of his forces.
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Description
This quiz explores the complex interactions between Shivaji and the English during the 17th century. It covers the negotiations surrounding the Rajapur indemnity and the various envoy exchanges that took place. Test your knowledge on this intriguing period of Indian history and British colonial interests!
