Early life

The earliest descriptions of Shivaji's birth and boyhood are found in the works composed several years after his death. By that time, several folk tales and stories had developed around his legend.[9]

Shivaji was born in the hill-fort of Shivneri near the city of Junnar. While Jijabai was pregnant, she had prayed the local deity "Shivai" for the good of her expected child. Shivaji was named after this local deity.[9]

There are no contemporary records of Shivaji's exact birthdate and boyhood.[9] The birthdates of Shivaji given by various records include:

* the 3rd day of the dark half of Phalguna, 1551 of Saka calendar (Friday, 19 February 1630).[2] This date is accepted by the Maharashtra state government as the official birthdate of Shivaji.[10]
* the second day of the light half of Vaisakha in the year 1549 of Saka calendar.[2] (Thursday, 6 April 1627), or other dates near this day.[9][11]

Shivaji's father Shahaji Bhosale was the chieftain of a hardy band of warrior class mercenaries that served the Deccan Sultanates. His mother was Jijabai, the daughter of Lakhujirao Jadhav of Sindkhed. During the period of Shivaji's birth, the power in Deccan was shared by three Islamic Sultanates - Bijapur, Ahmednagar, and Golconda. Shahaji kept changing his loyalty between the Nizamshahi of Ahmadnagar, Adil Shah of Bijapur and the Mughals, but always kept his jagir (fiefdom) at Pune and his small army with him. Gomaji Naik Pansambal, a trusted master of state-Craft, was deputed by Lakhuji Yadavrao (Jadhav) to look after Jijabai. He remained with Jijabai and Shivaji throughout his life. He also was a master of sword. But most importantly, he advised Shivaji in making certain crucial decisions which had far reaching effects on the character of the Maratha empire.

When Shivaji was a novice, a troop of Pathans - Afghan mercenaries - had approached Shivaji requesting enlistment in his service. Shivaji was hesitant, but Gomaji advised him to accept them into the service. This resulted in the secular character of the Maratha armed forces. All the communities enjoyed respect and fair treatment in his kingdom. Gomaji also taught the art of swordsmanship to Shivaji, and especially the effective use of lance, the characteristic Maratha weapon.

According to Tarikh-i-Shivaji, Shahaji placed his jagir (Land holdings / Fiefdom) in the Latur region under Dadoji Konddev, who had shown good administrative skills as the kulkarni (land-steward) of Malthan. He asked Kondev to bring Jijabai and Shivaji from Shivneri to Pune, and appointed him as his guardian. Dadoji Konddeo trained Shivaji personally, and also appointed other excellent teachers for him. In a short time, Shivaji became a skilled swordsman, strategist and an accomplished horseman, trained rigorously by Maratha warriors like Baji Pasalkar.

At the age of 12 ,Shivaji was taken to Banglore where he was formally trained further. At age of 14, he returned to Pune with a rajmudra (Soveriegn seal) & council of ministers.
Shivaji Maharaj with Jijamata

Shivaji was extremely devoted to his mother Jijabai. Jijabai led a deeply religious, near ascetic life in virtual isolation. This religious environment had a profound influence on Shivaji. He carefully studied the two great Hindu epics, Ramayana and Mahabharata, by listening to recitations and story-tellings. The morality and spiritual messages of the epics made a great impression on him. He was deeply interested in religious teachings, and sought the company of Hindu and Sufi (a Muslim sect) saints throughout his life.[9]

As the administrator of Shahaji's jagir (fiefdom), Dadoji Konddeo was accorded complete control over the Maval region. He won over most of the local Maval deshpande (chiefs), and subdued others. Shivaji drew his earliest trusted comrades and a large number of his soldiers from this region, including Yesaji Kank, Baji Pasalkar and Tanaji Malusare. In the company of his Maval comrades, a young Shivaji wandered over the hills and forests of the Sahyadri range, hardening himself and acquiring first-hand knowledge of the land. By 1639, he commanded a hardy and loyal band of officers and soldiers.
[edit] Confrontation with the Regional Sultanates

In 1645, at the age of 16, Shivaji carried out his first military action by attacking and capturing Torna Fort of the Bijapur kingdom. By 1647 he had captured Kondana and Rajgad forts and had control of much of the southern Pune region. By 1654 Shivaji had captured forts in the Western Ghats and along the Konkan coast. In a bid to contain Shivaji, Adilshah imprisoned Shivaji's father in 1648-49 and sent an army led by Farradkhan against Shivaji's elder brother Sambhaji at Bangalore and another army led by Fattekhan against Shivaji at Purandhar. Both Bhosle brothers defeated the invading armies. Shivaji petitioned Emperor Shahjahan's son, Dara Shikoh, who was Governor of Deccan, pledging his loyalty to the Mughals to seek his support in securing the release of his father. The Mughals recognised Shivaji as a Mughal Sardar and pressured Adilshah to release Shahaji. In return Shivaji had to cede a fort and Sambhaji had to cede Bangalore city and a fort to Adilshah.