• Photo feature has pictures Jijabai birthplace-Rajwada and her contribution to making Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj what he became.

In 2018, I was driving back from Lonar to Aurangabad when the driver stopped at the Rajwada of Shivaji Maharaj Aai or Mother, Jijabai. Sharing-

Place where Rajmata Jijabai was born in 1598.

Entrance to Raje Lakhujiraoji Jadhav Rajwada, Sindhkhedraja, Buldana. Made in 1576. It has Nandi on either side.

Pranams Jijabai.

Board outside Rajwada.

This is a compilation of writings of various authors.

Volume 7 of The History Culture of Indian People published by the Bharatiya Vidya Bhawan – Three Maratha families were connected with the rise of Shivaji. The Yadavas of Devagiri (Daulatabad), the Bhosles of Verul (Ellora) and the Nimbalkars of Phaltan. Jijabai belonged to the Yadavas family. Their Rajwada was close to Daulatabad. 

Shahji (father of Shivaj) Samadhi at Verul (near Ellora Caves).

Jija Bai was captured by Shah Jahan’s officers but she managed to cleverly have Shivaji taken out of the village. She was released on payment of a huge fine. Mother and son then moved to Pune. Jija bai developed in her son a spirit of defiance and self-assertion. The Nizam Shah had openly murdered Jijabai’s father, his brothers and sons. Bajaji Nimbhalkar, the ruler of Phaltan, a scion of the old Paramara race, was converted by the Sultan of Bijapur. Pg 250-252.

Shefali Vaidya wrote in Swarajyamag, “Why did Shivaji choose to dedicate his life to carve out an independent Hindu kingdom, when he could have chosen the easy way out and serve as a feudal lord at the court of one of the Deccan sultanates like his father.  Babasaheb Purandhare smiled that knowing half-smile of his, and replied with the customary twinkle in his eye, ‘he had a mother like Jijabai’!” 

“As a single mother, Jijabai was the greatest influence on a young Shivaji. She encouraged him to read stories from Hindu scriptures to develop a strong moral compass in her son. She was also a skilled warrior and a horse rider. She often rode alongside her son and encouraged him to get out of his palace and mingle amongst common people to see how they lived. Shivaji, though the son of a nobleman, grew up amongst common people. Many of his childhood friends became his most trusted warriors who later helped him achieve his dream of Hindavi Swarajya.”

She is remembered as the ‘Mother of Swaraj’ and impact that a mother can have on her children.

When Shivaji was a child, husband Shahaji entrusted her with the administration of Pune. She was a nationalist and ahead of her time. Source

Srikant D wrote in Linkenin three things that Jijamata taught Shivaji – One-Never make your kids or juniors feel your inadequacies or fears, two-Be vigilant and observant, and create a team with the necessary expertise, three Applaud Women.

Source India Today. “RC Majumdar writes in Shivaji, “The courage that made Shivaji fearless and resolute found its roots in the strength of Jijabai. She not only instilled in him the ideals of Swarajya but, at crucial moments, also served as his mentor and guiding force.”

“In 1665, when Shivaji was forced to sign the Treaty of Purandar under pressure from Mirza Raja Jai Singh, Jijabai reminded him that it was not the end. She told him to treat it as a temporary compromise and to stay focused on the bigger goal -- Swarajya.”

“A year later, when Shivaji was called to Aurangzeb’s court in Agra and no one knew if he would return, Jijabai took care of the political matters of the state.”

“After the death of Shivaji’s wife Saibai, Jijabai took care of Sambhaji Maharaj and instilled him with the thoughts of Swarajya, repeating the role she had taken with his father.”  India Today

To read all articles on Maratha History

To read Dr Uday Kulkarni articles on Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj

To read about Maratha Queens Tarabai, Ahilyabai Holkar and Lakshmibai of Jhansi