Indian history · Kings and empires

Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj (1630–1680): Swarajya, Afzal Khan, Treaty of Purandar, Agra Escape, Coronation at Raigad and the Ashtapradhan — Exam Notes

Shivaji Maharaj built an independent Maratha state — Swarajya — in the face of the Mughal Empire and the Deccan sultanates. His guerrilla tactics, network of hill forts, navy and efficient administration made him one of the most admired rulers in Indian history. This guide covers the events, institutions and dates that exams ask about most.

By PunjabExams Editorial Team · Updated 29 October 2026 · 6 min read · How we prepare guides

Life at a glance

Early life and first forts

Shivaji grew up in the Pune jagir of his father, under the care of his mother Jijabai, who inspired him with stories from the epics. The hilly Mavals region gave him loyal soldiers known as Mavalas.

From about 1645–46, while still a teenager, he began taking forts from the Bijapur Sultanate: Torna (where, by tradition, he found treasure used to build Rajgad), Kondana (later Sinhagad) and Purandar. Rajgad became his first capital.

Afzal Khan and Pratapgad (1659)

Bijapur sent its general Afzal Khan with a large army. Shivaji retreated to the forest fort of Pratapgad. At a meeting below the fort on 10 November 1659, Afzal Khan attempted to seize him, and Shivaji, wearing armour and a hidden wagh nakh (tiger claws), killed him. The Maratha forces then routed the Bijapuri army.

Soon afterwards the Bijapuri general Siddi Jauhar besieged Shivaji at Panhala (1660). Shivaji escaped to Vishalgad, while Baji Prabhu Deshpande held the pass of Ghod Khind (later renamed Pawan Khind) and died fighting.

Conflict with the Mughals

Shaista Khan (1663)

Aurangzeb sent his maternal uncle Shaista Khan, who occupied Pune and stayed in Shivaji's own palace, the Lal Mahal. In April 1663, Shivaji raided the palace at night with a small band; Shaista Khan escaped but lost his fingers, and was transferred to Bengal in disgrace.

Sack of Surat (1664)

In January 1664, Shivaji raided Surat, the richest Mughal port, to fund his state; he raided it again in 1670.

Treaty of Purandar (1665)

Aurangzeb then sent Raja Jai Singh I of Amber with Dilir Khan. Besieged at Purandar, Shivaji signed the Treaty of Purandar in June 1665:

• he surrendered 23 of his 35 forts to the Mughals, keeping 12;
• his son Sambhaji was made a Mughal mansabdar of 5,000;
• he agreed to help the Mughals against Bijapur.

Escape from Agra (1666)

Shivaji visited Aurangzeb's court at Agra in 1666. Feeling insulted at being placed among lower-ranked nobles, he protested and was placed under house arrest. In August 1666, he and Sambhaji escaped — by tradition hidden in large baskets of sweets sent out as gifts. He returned to the Deccan and, by 1670, had recaptured most of the forts given up at Purandar, including Sinhagad, where his general Tanaji Malusare died in the assault ("Gad aala pan sinha gela" — "the fort is won but the lion is lost").

Coronation at Raigad (1674)

On 6 June 1674, Shivaji was crowned Chhatrapati at Raigad, with the ceremony conducted by Gaga Bhatt of Varanasi. The coronation gave his state formal sovereignty. A new era, the Rajyabhishek Shaka, was started. A second, Tantric coronation was held later that year.

The southern campaign (1677–78)

In alliance with Golconda, he campaigned in the Karnataka region, capturing Gingee (Jinji) and Vellore, which later served as Maratha strongholds.

Administration

The Ashtapradhan (council of eight ministers)

All except the Panditrao and Nyayadhish also held military commands. The posts were not hereditary in Shivaji's time.

Revenue

• Land revenue was assessed on measured land, following the system of Malik Ambar of Ahmadnagar; Shivaji preferred to collect it through salaried officials rather than hereditary jagirdars.
• In territories outside Swarajya he collected chauth (one-fourth of the land revenue) in return for protection from raids, and sardeshmukhi (an additional one-tenth), claimed as the hereditary head deshmukh.

Forts

Forts were the backbone of his defence, each commanded by a havaldar, with a sabnis (accountant) and karkhanis (supplies) drawn from different castes to prevent collusion. In 2025, twelve Maratha forts — including Raigad, Rajgad, Pratapgad, Shivneri, Salher, Lohagad, Panhala, Vijaydurg, Sindhudurg, Suvarnadurg, Khanderi and Gingee — were inscribed as the UNESCO World Heritage Site "Maratha Military Landscapes of India".

Navy

Shivaji built one of the earliest Indian navies to counter the Siddis of Janjira, the Portuguese and the English. He built sea forts such as Sindhudurg (Malvan) and developed Vijaydurg and Kolaba. He is often called the father of the Indian Navy; in 2022 the Indian Navy's new ensign adopted an octagonal design inspired by his royal seal.

Successors in brief

• Sambhaji (1680–1689) was captured and executed by Aurangzeb.
• Rajaram moved the Maratha centre to Gingee; after his death his widow Tarabai led resistance.
• Shahu, released by the Mughals in 1707, became king; under him the Peshwas — beginning with Balaji Vishwanath (1713) — became the real rulers.

Exam traps

• Shivneri — birthplace; Rajgad — first capital; Raigad — coronation and later capital.
• Treaty of Purandar (1665) was with Jai Singh I, not Aurangzeb in person.
• Chauth = 1/4; sardeshmukhi = additional 1/10.
• The coronation priest was Gaga Bhatt.

Key points to remember

• Born 1630 at Shivneri; parents Shahji and Jijabai.
• Afzal Khan killed at Pratapgad (1659); Shaista Khan raid (1663); Surat sacked (1664).
• Purandar (1665); escape from Agra (1666); Sinhagad (Tanaji, 1670).
• Coronation at Raigad, 6 June 1674; Ashtapradhan.
• Chauth and sardeshmukhi; forts; navy (Sindhudurg).

Practice questions

1. Q1. Shivaji Maharaj was born at:

   • (a) Raigad
   • (b) Shivneri
   • (c) Pratapgad
   • (d) Torna
   Show answer

   Answer: (b) Shivneri — He was born at Shivneri fort near Junnar in 1630.

2. Q2. The Treaty of Purandar (1665) was signed between Shivaji and:

   • (a) Aurangzeb
   • (b) Shaista Khan
   • (c) Raja Jai Singh I
   • (d) Afzal Khan
   Show answer

   Answer: (c) Raja Jai Singh I — Jai Singh I of Amber negotiated it for the Mughals.

3. Q3. Shivaji's coronation in 1674 was held at:

   • (a) Rajgad
   • (b) Raigad
   • (c) Pune
   • (d) Sinhagad
   Show answer

   Answer: (b) Raigad — He was crowned at Raigad on 6 June 1674.

4. Q4. In the Ashtapradhan, the 'Sumant' was in charge of:

   • (a) Finance
   • (b) Justice
   • (c) Foreign affairs
   • (d) Records
   Show answer

   Answer: (c) Foreign affairs — The Sumant (Dabir) handled foreign affairs.

5. Q5. Chauth was a levy of what share of land revenue?

   • (a) One-tenth
   • (b) One-sixth
   • (c) One-fourth
   • (d) One-third
   Show answer

   Answer: (c) One-fourth — Chauth was one-fourth; sardeshmukhi an additional one-tenth.

6. Q6. Which general held Ghod Khind (Pawan Khind) so that Shivaji could reach Vishalgad?

   • (a) Tanaji Malusare
   • (b) Baji Prabhu Deshpande
   • (c) Netaji Palkar
   • (d) Prataprao Gujar
   Show answer

   Answer: (b) Baji Prabhu Deshpande — Baji Prabhu Deshpande died holding the pass in 1660.

Frequently asked questions

Who conducted Shivaji Maharaj's coronation?

Gaga Bhatt, a scholar from Varanasi, at Raigad on 6 June 1674.

Why is Shivaji called the father of the Indian Navy?

He built a navy and sea forts such as Sindhudurg to protect the Konkan coast from the Siddis and European powers.

How did Shivaji escape from Agra?

According to tradition, he and Sambhaji were carried out hidden in large baskets of sweets in August 1666.

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