Jijabai

Jijabai Shahaji Bhosale आदरणीय राजमाता जिजाबाई शहाजीराजे भोसले (12 January 1598 – 17 June 1674), sometimes referred to as Rajmata Jijabai or even simply Jijai, Jijau was the mother of Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, founder of Maratha Empire. She is daughter of Lakhuji Jadhavrao of Sindhkhed, a Mughal-aligned sardar claiming descent from a royal family of Devagiri.

History

Jijabai was born on 12 January 1598, as the daughter of Lakhojirao Jadhav of Deulgaon, near Sindkhed, in present-day Buldhana district of Maharastra. Her mother's name was Mhalsabai. Jijabai was married at an early age to Shahaji Bhosle, son of Maloji Bhonsle of Verul village, a military commander serving under the Adil Shahi sultans .

Jijabai's father-in-law, Maloji Bhosle, had begun his career as a shilledar serving under the command of her father, Lakhojirao Jadhav. Her natal family the Jadhav family was of relatively high standing in the region, whereas her husband's family were just raising into importance newly and according to some accounts, they had risen from the ranks of the Kunbi caste of cultivators.

Jijabai had given birth to six children. Out of six, four children died in infancy^[1] and only the two sons, Sambhaji and Shivaji, reached adulthood.

Jijamata died on 17 June 1674 Jija mata was lived in sindkhed raja near jalna district.

On Mission

Shahaji had tried to establish a Hindvi state on the ruins of the erstwhile Nizamshahi Sultanate. However, he was defeated by Mughals and Adilshashi. Later, Shahaji became a sardar in Adilshah's army, although he did not really want to, looking forward to the day when he would be able to fight against the Mughal invaders. He settled in Karnataka and got married again with Tukabai.

As per the treaty, when he was forced to move south. JiJabai wholeheartedly supported her husband’s cause of establishing Hindu state. In order to continue the struggle and support Shahaji, her husband’s dream, Jijabai moved to Pune with her younger son, Shivaji; whereas he deputed her as queen regent.

When they arrived in Pune, it was full of jungles and wild beasts. She encouraged cultivators to settle. She renovated the Kasaba Ganapati temple. A red sandstone palace of moderate size known as Lal Mahal was also built. She gave a number of decisions in legal and administrative matter known as majhars.

Jijabai was a very pious and intelligent woman with great vision for independent kingdom. She inspired Shivaji by telling stories from Ramayana, Mahabharata and Balaraja. Inspired by her, Shivaji took the Oath of Independence(SWARAJYA) in the fort temple of Lord Raireshwar in 1645 when he was 15. In Shivaji's impeccable, spotless character and courage, Jijabai's contribution is enormous.

Jijabai's elder son Sambhaji was killed while on a military expedition in Karnataka by Afzal Khan. Shivaji Raje avenged Sambhaji Raje's death by killing Afzal Khan. When Shahaji Raje died, Jijabai wanted to commit sati - burning oneself in the husband's pyre, but Shivaji Raje stopped her from doing so by his request. Jijabai is widely credited with raising Shivaji in a manner that led to his future greatness.

Jijabai, was not only a mentor to Shivaji, but also one of the key decision makers. Soon after the escape from Agra, Shivaji remained away for several months. During Shivaji Raje's absence, Jijabai took a rein of the kingdom and ruled it deftly. Her role as a founder of Maratha Empire is vastly neglected by historians.

She died soon after coronation of Shivaji on 17 June 1674. Shivaji was heartbroken by her death.

Cultural legacy

• Today especially in Maharashtra, she is regarded as an ideal mother. Her upbringing of Shivaji is a subject of folklore.
• The 2011 film Rajmata Jijau is a biography of Jijabai.

See also

• The Maratha
• Maratha Empire
• List of Maratha dynasties and states
• Maratha clan system
• Bhonsle
• Shivaji
• Maratha Kranti Morcha
• Maratha Generals and Personalities

References