Write a short paragraph on Shivaji – Hero of Indian History.

Shivaji – Hero of Indian History

Our country has been rich since the beginning in producing great heroes, patriots and warriors from time to time. Indian history abounds with the heroic deeds of heroes, like Shivaji and Rana Pratap. Shivaji is one such hero. He lived and died for the glory of the country. Shivaji was born in 1627 in the hill fort of Shivner in Maharashtra. His father was a Jagirdar. His mother Jijabai was a religious lady. She told him the stories of great heroes from the Mahabharat and the Ramayana. She made him ‘Shivaji the Great’. Guru Ramdas also influenced his life. In his boyhood he learnt horse riding, swimming and the use of various arms and weapons. At the early age of seventeen, he collected a small army of loyal Marathas and trained them in guerilla war-fare. With their help he began to conquer one fort after another. First of all, he won the fort of Toran. There he got much wealth and weapons. Then he built a strong fort of his own at Durg. Shivaji started attacking the Mughal territories. The Sultan of Bijapur sent a large army against him under Afzal Khan but he killed Afzal Khan tactfully with his claws of steel. Aurangzeb also sent Shaista Khan against him with a large army but he also lost the battle. Shivaji was always a sore in the eyes of Aurangzeb. In the later years, Shivaji became an independent king. He was a great patriot, brave soldier and worthy statesman. He had wonderful power of organisation and leadership. He had equal respect for all religions including Islam. He left an empire big enough in power behind himself. No doubt this ‘Saviour of the Hindu religion’ will always be the source of inspiration for the people of India.