Maratha King Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj
The rise of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and the Marathas is an important factor in the history of India. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj(1627-1680 A.D.) was the founder of the Maratha kingdom. He was greatly inspired by the heroes of Hindu mythologies and he considered it his mission to liberate India from Islamic rulers. At a young age, he conquered the forts of Torna, Raighad, and Purandar. He used the guerrilla tactics to confront even the mightiest of the empires (that of Moghul emperor Aurangeb) India had known. He imposed a land tax called Chauth on the kingdoms he conquered and use it to build a powerful Hindu army. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj was a brave and able administrator, and established a government that included such modern concepts as cabinet (Ashtapradhan mandal), foreign affairs (Dabir), and internal intelligence.
| Year | Historical Event |
| 1627 | Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj born in the hill fort of Shivner. |
| 1643-47 | Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's overran the hill forts of Kondana, Torana and Raigarh. |
| 1647 | Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's Guardian Dadaji Khondev died. |
| 1656 | Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj conquered Javli from Chandra Rao More. |
| 1657 | Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj came into conflict with the Moghuls for the first time by making raids into Ahmednagar. |
| 1659 | Afzal Khan of Bijapur was killed by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. |
| 1663 | Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj made an attack on Shaistakhan's camp and wounded him. |
| 1666 | Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj escaped from Agra. |
| 1674 | Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj crowned himself at Raighad and assumed the title of Maharaja Chhatrapati. |
| 1676 | Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj s last campaign against Jijapuri Karnataka. Captured Jinji and Vellore. |
| 1680 | Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj died. |
