Who was Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj? Here’s how history books describe Chhaava

Bollywood’s period drama ‘Chhaava’ has hit the big screens, sparking nationwide discussions about the historical figure behind the film. Social media is abuzz with stories about Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, who ruled the Maratha Empire for eight years after the death of his father, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. Let’s take a look at how history books describe Sambhaji.

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Sambhaji Raje: The Early Life and Education of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s Eldest Son

Sambhaji Raje was born on May 14, 1657, in the Purandar fort, located about 50 kilometers from Pune, Maharashtra. As the eldest of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s two sons, Sambhaji had a younger brother, Rajaram, who was 13 years his junior. Although Shivaji had eight marriages mostly for political reasons he had six daughters and two sons from these unions.

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Born to Shivaji and his first wife, Saibai, Sambhaji lost his mother at the age of two and was raised by his grandmother, Jijabai, Shivaji’s mother. Shivaji ensured Sambhaji received an excellent education by appointing many scholars to teach him. Known as Chhaava, Sambhaji displayed remarkable talent and developed a strong command of Sanskrit.

Strategic Marital Alliances and the Rise of Sambhaji Maharaj: Rumors and Reputation

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Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj used matrimonial alliances as a key strategy to expand Maratha rule. In late 1664, he arranged Sambhaji’s marriage to Jeevubai, also known as Yesubai, the daughter of Pilaji Rao Shirke from the powerful Deshmukh family in the Tal-Konkani region of southwest Maharashtra. This alliance helped Shivaji extend the Maratha Empire into the Konkan region.

Viswas Patil, in his book Mahasamrat, and Kamal Gokhale, in Shivaputra Sambhaji, highlight Sambhaji Maharaj’s later life. When Shivaji Maharaj was crowned in 1674, people considered Sambhaji the obvious successor. However, during this time, several rumors about Chhaava spread widely, some linking him to alleged bad behavior. These rumors also reinforced his alleged image as a ‘rebel.’

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It is said that Sambhaji’s stepmother, Soyrabai, spread these rumors to promote her son Rajaram as Shivaji’s successor. In 1674, Jijabai, one of Sambhaji’s strongest supporters, passed away, putting Sambhaji in an uncomfortable position. According to JL Mehta’s book Advanced Study in the History of Modern India, Shivaji Maharaj had provided Sambhaji with excellent training, which helped him become a skilled soldier.