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Jijabai

Mother of Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, founder of the Maratha kingdom

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Through Shivaji and Maratha Empire

Early life

Jijabai was born on 12 January 1598, to Mhalasabai Jadhav and Lakhuji Jadhav at Sindkhed Raja in present-day Buldhana district of Maharashtra. Jijabai was married at an early age to Shahaji, son of Maloji Bhosale of Verul village, a military commander serving under the Ahmadnagar Sultanate. She was a skilled horse rider, sword fighter, academician and administrator.

Scholar James Laine states that Shivaji Maharaj was imbued with the dream of re-establishing a Hindu kingdom by his mother, Jijabai, whose ancestors the Yadavas held the sovereignty of the Deccan for 150 years pre Islamic invasions. She taught him the nuances of tactics, administration and politics right from an early age.

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