Thread by @VandanaJayrajan

#TheGreatIndianWomen
#RealIcons
#RajmataJijabai mother of Shivaji, the bravest Maratha ever. She devoted her entire life for the country and religion. She had wished if a leader could be born who could unite Hindus and longed that her son would do it!

Jijabai wished so because she saw people falling into poverty in the once rich land and the culture being disintegrated. She felt angry seeing men around her, who couldn't protect the women and the children. They couldn't protect the country and their religion.

When she was pregnant, she used to say this prayer - "O Mother of the Universe, give me some of your strength. Put an end to the pride of the Marathas in the shameful service to the Muslims. Grant our lands independence. Grant that my wish be fulfilled, O Mother."

Every comfort was conferred upon her when she was pregnant but she wished for none of it. Her mind was full of thoughts and things she wanted to do, like wielding a sword, slaying the enemies, climbing to the tops of forts on hills, putting on armour and riding on horse..

She often dreamt of a Dharmik war and establishment of Ram-Rajya. According to our ancient Hindu culture, a pregnant mother, by the environment she provides, the thoughts she thinks and what she wishes for her unborn child has a great impact in shaping the child's life.

Jijabai was born to Lakhojiraje Jadhav & Mahalsabai on 12th Jan, 1598. She was affectionately called ‘Jijau’. Her father was serving under the Muslim Nizamshahi administration. Those days many Hindu leaders of that region were serving under the Nizam but they hated one another.

Jijabai was very small when she met Shahji (Son of Maloji) on Holi. Her father liked him and jokingly said they made a great couple. Maloji took it seriously. He announced, "henceforth they are related to each other as parents of the bride and bridegroom".

Lakhojiraje got angry. He did not have any such thought in his mind. He was on a high rank compared to Maloji. He harshly rebuked Maloji, who felt insulted & left. For months he was deeply troubled because of the insult. It's said that one night Goddess Bhavani came in his dream.

She told him to strive hard as a child was soon to be born in his family,who'll be a bringer of a new era. Next day he again felt her presence in the field. She guided him to dig at a spot. He obeyed & unearthed 7 pots of treasure. He used that for social welfare of his people.

As he became wealthy, his power grew. But he had not forgotten Lakhojiraje's words. He started pressurizing him for Jijabai and Shahji's marriage. He invoked the Nizam’s mediation when Lakhojiraje refused, and got them married. Lakhojiraje developed a hatred for Maloji’s family.

He joined the Mughuls to harass Shahji, who served the Nizam. When the Mughuls invaded, Shahji was entrusted to look after the fort of Mahuli. After six months of resistance Shahji had to leave the fort with Jijabai, who was then four months pregnant. She got to Shivneri Fort.

On 19th February, 1630, she gave birth to Shivaji at Shivneri Fort. But soon she got a devastating news. Her father, Lakhojiraje had been beheaded, together with her entire family. Her husband too was in danger of meeting a similar fate. But he was clever and joined the Mughuls.

The times in which she lived were terrifying. Villages of Marathas were wiped out, a Maratha princess was carried away while bathing and once, Jijabai herself was kidnapped. But her resolve for an independent protector of the Hindus strengthened even more.

She brought up Shivaji in Pune, under the protection of Dadaji Kondev. Pune was a small village then, ransacked by the Nizam, Adil Shah and the Mughuls. Each and every Hindu shrine had been destroyed. She became one of the main administrators at Pune and wielded great authority.

She restored the shrines and settled disputes. She brought many social reforms in the Hindu society. Her husband had married a second time and spent most of his with his wife Tukabai. But Jijabai did not lose heart. She focussed on admistration and Shivaji’s education.

Right from his childhood, she told him about the lives of Shri Ram, Shri Krishna, stories from Mahabharat and Ramayana, to make him pious and patriotic. He learnt the arts of administration and weaponry. She made him aware of the political situations they faced.

She moulded him into an ideal ruler, devoted to the nation and Dharma. She infused in him such a spirit, that was to emerge with a great force throughout his life. When Shivaji was just 16, he captured a first major fort. His father was worried but Jijabai was overjoyed.

When Afzal Khan, who was a veteran general, came with a large army to attack Shivaji, she told him to face the danger resolutely. Shivaji’s army was small in comparison but by biding his time and using guerilla techniques, he crushed Afzal Khan’s army.

He defeated Afzal Khan in a one-on-one battle. It's said that they met in a hut that only allowed them to carry a single sword, but Shivaji was sure that he would attack him. So he wore an armour underneath which stopped Khan's dagger. Afzal Khan ended up dead.

Jijabai treated Shivaji’s companions as her own sons. One such example is Tanaji Malasure. He lost the fort of Sinhagadh in an attack by the Mughuls. She told him "if you free Sinhagad from the enemies you'll be like Shivaji’s younger brother to me." He succeeded in the mission.

But he was martyred in the process. Jijabai was watching from her fort all night. When she saw the saffron flag of the Marathas ascend on the fort, she cried with joy. But a little while later, she received the news of Tanaji’s death and she cried inconsolably.

Jijabai was the pillar of swaraj and devoted her entire life for swaraj. Shahji and Shivaji always used to value her opinion while taking major political decisions. Shahji’s death shattered her but she endured it and overcame grief. Shivaji was the lone survior among her sons.

She was not only a mother but a source of inspiration to Shivaji. In 1674, he held a vast ceremony, declaring himself an independent ruler. Everything she had lived for finally bore fruit. 12 days later, after witnessing the golden moment of his coronation, she died.

There were times when Jijabai felt like forsaking her life but she consoled herself and kept the flame of vengeance burning. She has a proud place in our history. Her story is no less inspiring and sacred and will always be remembered with reverance for generations.

Sources : Hindu History, Wiki
Images : Google