{"id":2266,"date":"2026-10-13T20:57:02","date_gmt":"2026-10-13T15:27:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.tiwaripedia.com\/index.php\/2026\/10\/13\/shivaji-maharaj-maratha-empire\/"},"modified":"2026-10-13T21:18:30","modified_gmt":"2026-10-13T15:48:30","slug":"shivaji-maharaj-maratha-empire","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.tiwaripedia.com\/index.php\/2026\/10\/13\/shivaji-maharaj-maratha-empire\/","title":{"rendered":"Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and the Rise of the Maratha Empire"},"content":{"rendered":"

Last updated: October 2026 \u00b7 3 min read<\/em><\/p>\n

Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj<\/b> (1630-1680) founded an independent Maratha kingdom in western India, challenging the mighty Mughal Empire and the Deccan sultanates. His military skill, forts and fair administration made him one of India’s most admired rulers.<\/p>\n

\"Infographic:
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and the Rise of the Maratha Empire \u2013 infographic by Tiwaripedia<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Timeline<\/h2>\n
Year<\/th>Event<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
1630<\/td>Born at Shivneri fort near Junnar to Shahaji Bhonsle and Jijabai<\/td><\/tr>
1645-47<\/td>Captures Torna and builds Rajgad, starting his kingdom<\/td><\/tr>
1659<\/td>Defeats Afzal Khan of Bijapur at Pratapgad<\/td><\/tr>
1663<\/td>Surprise night attack on Mughal general Shaista Khan in Pune<\/td><\/tr>
1664<\/td>Raids Surat, a rich Mughal port<\/td><\/tr>
1665<\/td>Treaty of Purandar with Jai Singh, giving up several forts<\/td><\/tr>
1666<\/td>Escapes from house arrest in Agra<\/td><\/tr>
1674<\/td>Coronation as Chhatrapati at Raigad<\/td><\/tr>
1680<\/td>Dies at Raigad<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n

Forts and guerrilla warfare<\/h2>\n

Shivaji controlled or built hundreds of forts across the Sahyadri hills, including Raigad, Rajgad, Pratapgad and Sinhagad. His light cavalry used ganimi kava<\/b> (guerrilla tactics): surprise attacks, speed and knowledge of the terrain to defeat larger armies. In 2025, twelve Maratha forts were inscribed by UNESCO as the “Maratha Military Landscapes of India”.<\/p>\n

Navy and coastal defence<\/h2>\n

Recognising the threat from the Portuguese, English and Siddis, he built a navy and sea forts such as Sindhudurg<\/b> and Vijaydurg. This is why he is often called the father of the Indian Navy.<\/p>\n

Administration<\/h2>\n