The Military Campaign of Shivaji Against Aurangzeb

Shivaji Maharaj was a Maratha warrior during the time the powerful Moghul Aurangzeb ruled India. It must be appreciated that the Moghul power during the reign of Aurangzeb was at its zenith and the emperors writ ran from Kabul to the Deccan and further East to Bengal and Oudh.

It was also a trying time for the Hindus as Aurangzeb who was a devout Muslim imposed the Jizya tax on Non Muslims. But at the same time it must be said that a lot many Hindus were also part of Aurangzeb's Army. At this juncture to fight the great moghul and set up his own kingdom deserves mention as an act of tremendous courage and bravery.

Shivaji who was born in 1630 soon challenged the Moghul emperors authority. After a ceaseless struggle he had himself crowned as king in 1676. Aurengzab authorized numerous campaigns to defeat him. The vast Mughal army on a number of occasions advanced against Shivaji. But the elusive Maratha perfected the art of evasion, retreat and counterattack and made the Mughal army pay a heavy price for attacking him.

Shivaji thus fought the Mughal army with guerrilla tactics.He would,with his band of soldiers move away into the Western Ghats and attack the imperial Army only at a place and time of his choosing.Thus the Maratha warrior made a name for himself and the down trodden Hindus had someone to look up to. It must be mentioned that Shivaji was a devout Hindu and for the first time when he challenged Aurangzeb, the Hindus could live and practice their religion with ease.

Shivaji had a continuous battle with Aurangzeb and the Mughal Army.Aurangzeb was an inveterate enemy of Shivaji and after repeated attempts to defeat him remarked"My armies were employed against him for 19 years,but nevertheless,his state is always increasing". But again the fact remains that as long as Aurangzeb was in power the effect of his power was minimal.

Aurangzeb reduced the Moslem ruled states of Bijapur and Golkonda and this brought him in direct confrontation with Shivaji. The Moslem army also had a large number of Maharathas in their ranks and this created confusion, which was skillfully exploited by Shivaji. He adopted Guerrilla tactics to fight the superior armies of Aurangzeb. But the battles did not give him a decisive victory over the Mughals.

Shivaji's mark as a warrior will remain for ever. But again it must be understood that he was unable to decisively defeat Aurangzeb and the emperors rule and power continued to increase. His significance lies in the fact that he challenged the Mughal empire when it was at its apex and carved a niche for himself for all time to come as a warrior and Soldier who dared Aurangzeb and the Moghul empire.