Introduction:
Jijabai,
popularly known as Jijamata, was more than just a mother; she was a
warrior queen, a guiding force, and a symbol of sacrifice and perseverance in
the creation of the Maratha Empire. Her role in Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s
life journey is a remarkable story of resolve, fortitude, and deep-rooted love
for her land and people.
Jijamata’s
Childhood: Birth into Nobility and Valor
Jijamata
was born in 1598 in Sindkhed Raja, a small town in Maharashtra’s Buldhana
district. She was the daughter of Lakhuji Jadhav, a renowned Marathi
Sardar who held a powerful position in the court of the Nizam of Ahmednagar.
From her earliest years, Jijabai was raised in a martial environment —
surrounded by stories of courage, valor, and resistance; which profoundly
influenced her character.
Her
marriage to Shahaji Bhosale, a brave and ambitious commander under the
Adil Shahi and Nizam Shahi regimes, opened a new chapter in her life. Although
marriage at a young age meant responsibilities fell upon her quickly, Jijamata
remained unfazed and supported her husband’s endeavors, sharing in his
struggles and triumphs.
Jijamata’s
Role in Shaping Chhatrapati Shivaji’s Values and Principles
Jijamata,
or Jijabai, occupies a unique and profoundly significant place in the history
of India. Her role in shaping Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s values, principles,
and eventual rise to power is an extraordinary story of a mother’s love,
conviction, and discipline. Much more than a caregiver, Jijamata was a teacher,
guide, warrior, and ruler in her own right, instilling in her son a deep-rooted
sense of Dharma, justice, compassion, and service to the people.
Her
marriage to Shahaji Bhosale, a brave commander serving under the Adil Shahi and
Nizam Shahi regimes, further exposed her to the politics of the Deccan. She was
not a passive wife; instead, she played an active role in understanding court
politics, military campaigns, and administration. From this rich background,
Jijamata drew a powerful understanding of statecraft and justice; knowledge she
would later pass on to her son, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.
Jijamata’s
Moral and Religious Teachings to Shivaji
Jijamata
profoundly influenced Chhatrapati Shivaji’s character from his earliest years.
She filled his mind with stories from the Ramayana, Mahabharata,
and Bhagavat Purana, instilling in him a deep understanding of Dharma
(righteousness), fairness, compassion, service, and the responsibilities of a
king. She made sure to raise him not just to conquer land or gain power, but to
serve the people, protect the weak, and conquer injustice.
This
education was not a mere formality; it was a rigorous and purposeful process.
She insisted upon discipline, patience, fairness, and honesty in all his
actions. She encouraged him to view power not as a privilege for indulgence,
but as a tool to empower the poor and protect the vulnerable. The young Shivaji
was made to appreciate the moral dimensions of ruling; a king's first loyalty
should be toward the happiness and well-being of his subjects.
Role
Model of Dharma, Duty, and Courage
Jijamata
herself lived by the highest standards of Dharma. She was a woman of strong
character and resolve, choosing the path of discipline and service in the face
of numerous hardships. She remained a devoted wife and a protective mother, but
at the same time, a leader who made tough decisions when required.
Her
ability to stay firm under pressure profoundly influenced Shivaji’s
understanding of duty and fairness. He saw in her a perfect embodiment of
Dharma; someone who upheld ethics and justice above all, regardless of the
cost. His future campaigns were, in many ways, a reflection of the values that
his mother lived and imparted; fairness, compassion, service, unity, and
discipline.
Training
in Leadership, Strategy, and Governance
Jijamata
not only provided moral education but also imparted a deep understanding of
governance, administration, and statecraft. She recognized that her son would
need more than physical prowess to become a great king; he would need
administrative skills, diplomatic acumen, and an understanding of justice and
policy.
To
this end, she kept a close watch on the administration of their jagir in Pune,
a territory under their control. She dealt directly with disputes, settled
disputes fairly, and maintained peace and order; serving as a role model for
young Shivaji in understanding justice, fairness, and policy implementation.
Furthermore, under her supervision, forts were maintained, agricultural land
was cultivated, and revenue collection was made more systematic; reflecting her
ability to combine compassion with discipline.
Influence
on Chhatrapati Shivaji’s Principle of Swaraj
Perhaps
the greatest legacy of Jijamata’s influence on Chhatrapati Shivaji lies in the
principle of Swaraj — independence and self-rule. From an early age, she
instilled in him the understanding that the people should govern their own
land, free from oppressive regimes. She made him realize the necessity of
breaking away from Mughal domination and establishing a kingdom founded on
justice, fairness, and Dharma.
This
ideal of Swaraj was not a mere political slogan; it was a moral mission; a way
to empower ordinary people and protect their traditions, culture, and religion.
Chhatrapati Shivaji's campaigns were not wars of aggression but wars of
liberation. His aim was to create a state where people were treated fairly,
regardless of caste or religion; reflecting the universal values that his
mother had imparted to him.
Jijamata’s
Role in Shaping Chhatrapati Shivaji’s Values and Principle
Jijamata's
greatest legacy lies in her role as a mother and a teacher to Chhatrapati
Shivaji Maharaj. From a very young age, she instilled in him a deep sense of
justice, Dharma, and Swaraj (self-rule). She recounted stories from the
Mahabharata, Ramayana, and brave ancestors to ignite a spark of patriotism and
moral clarity in her son’s mind.
Jijamata
played the roles of caregiver, strategist, and kingmaker. She provided a strong
moral compass and encouraged Shivaji to pursue a path that put the well-being
of his people above all else. She instilled in him values of fairness,
compassion, unity, discipline, and service; qualities that profoundly
influenced his future decisions as a ruler.
Jijamata’s
Support During Shivaji’s Formative Years at Pune
Young
Shivaji was stationed at Pune under the care & supervision of Jijamata,
Shivaji received education in administration, combat, horsemanship, statecraft,
and justice. His training was not just physical; it was moral and ethical — a
reflection of Jijamata’s strong character and deep understanding of what makes
a king great.
Jijamata
remained a key person in his court, guiding him through disputes, mentoring him
in political strategies, and instilling confidence in him to pursue his dream
of “Hindavi Swaraj”, i.e. self-rule for the people.
Jijamata’s
Presence During Shivaji’s Rising Years
As
Shivaji grew in power and influence, Jijamata remained a constant force in his
life. Whether it was the capture of Torna fort at the age of 16, the showdown
with Afzal Khan, or the dramatic episode at Agra, her blessings and counsel
were always a strong undercurrent in his decisions.
She
upheld traditions, maintained unity within the family, and kept the
administration grounded in Dharma. Furthermore, Jijamata made sure the soldiers
and administrators remained motivated, disciplined, and true to their king’s
mission.
Jijamata’s
Death: End of an Era, But Legacy Lives On
Jijamata
died on 17th June 1674, just days after Chhatrapati Shivaji
Maharaj's coronation in Raigad. Her death marked the physical departure of the
person who had nurtured, supported, and sculpted a king. Nonetheless, her
values, sacrifices, and spirit lived on in Shivaji’s policies and in the future
Maratha Empire.
Jijamata's
life is a testament to the power of a woman's resolve, education, and
conviction in shaping not just her children but the future of an entire nation.
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's achievements were, in many ways, a reflection of
the strong foundation she laid during his formative years.
Gordern
Brown’s View on Jijamata:
1.
Jijabai within the Maratha Political Landscape
Gordon
begins with the broader infrastructure of Maratha governance—deshmukhs, saranjamdars,
peshwas, and the evolving Ashtapradhan system. While he focuses
on formal institutions post‑Shivaji, he situates their beginnings in legacy
precedents, including the informal yet crucial stewardship practiced by Jijabai
during Shivaji’s youth.
2.
De Facto Governance in Pune (1645–1660)
As
Shahaji shifted focus to the southern Deccan, Jijabai remained in Pune and
acted as its de facto governor. Gordon doesn’t mention her by name, but
outlines the workings of local authority structures—peshwas, deshmukhs,
and mamlatdars; obedient to the chief authority. Jijabai, by supervising
revenue collection, mediation of local disputes, temple patronage, and
maintaining law and order, essentially fulfilled the role that would later
become formalized in Shivaji’s Ashtapradhan .
3.
Foundations of Swaraj and Administration
Gordon
emphasizes Shivaji’s statecraft as a deliberate construction—business as
governance—rather than mere warlord activity. Jijabai helped nurture this
shift, instilling in Shivaji the values of public service and moral leadership
that became tenets of Swaraj. Although Gordon does not explicitly name her, the
book notes Shivaji’s early exposure to administrative forms—a training ground
Jijabai provided via her hands‑on role in Pune.
4.
Institutional Memory and Moral Purpose
One
of Gordon's most notable observations is how Shivaji cultivated not only
institutions, but a moral vision for his rule. He emphasized fairness,
religious tolerance, administrative efficiency, and judicial
impartiality—highlighting these values as central to his sovereignty. Jijabai’s
influence shines here: she passed these values to Shivaji, helping shape a
system that fused political pragmatism with ethical ends.
5.
Gender and Historical Record
In
a 2014 interview, Gordon lamented the lack of research on women’s contributions
in the Maratha polity, urging deeper exploration into figures like Ahilyabai
Holkar and highlighting the roles of women like Jijabai—especially around land
grants, temple management, and local justice. His call reflects a deeper
structural bias: women’s roles were crucial but undocumented compared to formal
offices like Peshwa.
6.
Reconciling Gordon’s Perspective with Jijabai’s Known Actions
While
Gordon does not extensively analyze Jijabai as a political actor, his framework
allows us to understand her administrative legacy:
·
Revenue & Land Management:
The groundwork of formal revenue systems—jagir assignments, tax collection
protocols, land grants—was already in motion when Jijabai managed local affairs
in Pune under Shivaji’s name. This prefigured later Maratha institutional
formats
·
Judicial Roles:
Under Gordon’s description of local governance, village chiefs (patels),
accountants (deshpandes), and subordinate courts existed beneath central
authority. Jijabai likely operated within and above this system—resolving
disputes, legitimizing the Maratha vision, and thereby familiarizing Shivaji
with judicial protocol.
·
Religious & Cultural Stewardship:
Gordon highlights Shivaji’s blend of religion with governance—temple patronage
as statecraft. Jijabai’s temple-building and ritual oversight in Pune planted
seeds for this integration, anchoring Shivaji’s later political symbolism.
7.
She as a Symbol of Administrative Legitimacy
Gordon
notes that Maratha polity development centered on authority legitimized through
ethical rule and service delivery. Jijabai’s stewardship personified this
ethic. Even if not formally institutionalized, her role cultivated the
administrative legitimacy that Shivaji would later institutionalize. She
embodied the principle “rule for the common good” long before Swaraj
became a formal concept.
8.
Limitations in Gordon’s Account—And What They Reveal
Gordon’s
minimal mention of Jijabai underscores a chronic historiographical gap: women’s
roles in polity-building are under documented. His own call to investigate
“Role of women during Maratha rule suggests that his broader framework – though
sympathetic – lacked female figures as exemplars. That absence invites scholars
to reinterpret the emergence of Maratha institutions through Jijabai’s
practical leadership.
Conclusion
Jijamata
was more than a king’s mother; she was the soul of the Maratha Empire. Her
guidance made Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj a ruler who upheld justice,
compassion, and independence. Her remarkable role underscores the immense
influence a woman can have in shaping the destiny of a people and a nation. The
story of Jijamata and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj stands as a shining example
of how a mother’s love, discipline, and values can create a legacy that lasts
for generations.
Though
Stewart Gordon does not explicitly describe Jijabai’s administrative actions,
his detailed modeling of Maratha institutional development—revenue systems,
judicial networks, moral statecraft—presumes groundwork provided by early
leaders like her. Jijabai's governance in Pune embodied the embryonic forms of
what became the Ashtapradhan, judicial norms, temple-state relationships, and
Swaraj-ethos that Gordon attributes to Shivaji’s genius.
In
short, Gordon's narrative of Maratha state-building, though focal on Shivaji
and later male ministers, provides essential contours. It allows us to situate
Jijabai as the “first administrator” of the Maratha polity, playing a
foundational role that underpinned later institutional consolidation. His
emphasis on morality, community, and governance confirms that Jijabai’s
influence was not sidebar—it was central.
References
and Links:
1.
Jadunath Sarkar, Shivaji and His Times,
Longmans, 1920: covers Jijabai’s moral influence of Shivaji (see Chapters on
early life and administration).
2.
Stewart Gordon, The Marathas 1600–1818 (Cambridge, 2007): provides broader context on Jijabai’s
administrative role https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jijabai?utm
3. https://marathivishwakosh.org/4196/?utm
7. https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/marathas-16001818/1098497E96D2AFA760D18DB311A91C80?utm
8. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saranjamdar?utm
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