Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj was the founder of the Maratha Empire. He was born in Pune.

What you need to know

  • He was born to Shahaji Bhonsle, a Maratha general, and Jijabai.
  • He established a robust naval force.
  • The Council of Eight Ministers, or Ashta PradhanMandal, was an administrative and advisory council set up by Shivaji.
  • Marathi was used as the court language by Shivaji instead of Persian.
  • Shivaji was a contemporary of Samarth Ramdas.
  • Bal Gangadhar Tilak organised Shivaji festival during freedom struggle.
  • G. Ranade, wrote Rise of the Maratha Power  which declared Shivaji’s achievements as the beginning of modern nation-building.

 

Source: PIB