The coronation of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj is a significant milestone in the history of Bharat. The first biographer of Shivaji Maharaj, Krishnaji Anant Sabhasad described the event: “… a Maratha King becoming Chhatrapati is not an ordinary incident…” Shivaji had become the lord of hundreds of land forts, sea forts, and thousands of soldiers. The Indian populace started looking upon Shivaji as one who would change their fortunes. Bhushan called him ‘Hindupati Patshah’. A very large kingdom had been built, but Shivaji had not been officially crowned king yet. Gagabhatt of Kashi, who was considered Lord Brahma of Kaliyug, had come to Nashik. When Shivaji got this news, he sent a palanquin to bring him to Raigad. When Gaga Bhatt reached Raigad and came to know of Shivaji’s extraordinary accomplishments, he voiced his opinion that Shivaji should be enthroned.
As the Musalman Badshah reigned (seated) on a throne with an umbrella (over his head), and Shivaji Raja though he had subdued four Badshahis, and possessed seventy-five thousand cavalry, infantry, forts and strongholds, had no throne, the Maratha Raja should (also) be the Lord of the Umbrella (Chhatrapati); so, he reasoned. And the Raje approved (it). All the principal men were summoned and, when consulted, gave their approval. Then the Bhat Gosavi said, that the Raje should be installed on a throne.
After the sovereign kingdoms of Delhi (Indraprastha), Chittor, Karnavati, Devgiri, Vijaynagar and Warangal came to an end, for at least three hundred and fifty years, no Hindu king had become sovereign on Indian soil, no one had been crowned king. The idea of ‘Shivaji’s coronation’ suggested by Gaga Bhatt was an extraordinary one. Gagabhatt selected a good mahurat for the coronation. He wrote Rajyabhishekprayog for the coronation of Shivaji. The Maratha king was never a mansabdar and vassal of the Mughals, but he had never been crowned a sovereign king. For the Mughal Empire, Adil Shahi, and Qutb Shahi sultanates, he was the son of a zamindar; for the Europeans, he was a rebel, and for the Indians, he was a commander who had proved to be superior to others. To legalize the watans, inams, jagirs given and also the contracts and treaties signed by Shivaji, it was extremely necessary to crown Shivaji.
The need for the coronation of Shivaji had actually arisen fifteen years before he got coronated, at the time when Afzal Khan had attacked the Maratha kingdom in 1659. Afzal Khan had sent Shivaji a letter, and the contents of that letter give us an idea about how urgently the coronation was required. Afzal Khan had written:
The manner in which you have fearlessly proclaimed yourself a king and are unjustly sitting on a golden throne, and yourself restrain the wicked people and reward the good people; declare yourself independent and do not revere the revered; you consider yourself invincible and are not afraid of worthless people, that is why the powerful Adil Shah has sent me against you.
An extraordinary event
The coronation of Shivaji is an extraordinary event in Indian history. The general belief was that the Mughal Empire represented India’s sovereignty. The treaties with the Mughals would be considered as treaties with India. In the international documents of those days, the Mughals would be referred to as the ‘Great Mughal’ or the ‘Emperor of India’. Excluding the European colonies along the coast, there was no ‘independent’ region in Hindustan. All the Rajput states, and all the sultanates of the Deccan were vassals of the Mughals. If a king or Sultan died, the Mughals would take over their state.No state could not be received in heredity, so descendants would not get the states, and nobody could stake a hereditary claim to any state. If some descendant got the permission of the Mughals to ascend the seat, the Mughals made him a mansabdar. This Mughal mansab was nothing short of an employment. So, a king who ascended the throne in his state would have to go to another state to ‘work’ (fight/on a campaign). The king of Amber (Jaipur) Mirza Raja Jai Singh, and the king of Marwar (Jodhpur), Jaswant Singh, would go on a campaign to any place all over Hindustan, as per the orders of the Mughal Emperor. Most Rajput kings were destined to be in ordinary employment. The Rana of Udaipur, from CE 1616, accepted the authority of the Mughals, and Udaipur, too, became a vassal of the Mughals. In the Mughal documents, Rajputs are referred to as watandars and jagirdars, and even Portugal and England are referred to as Zamidar-i-Portugal and Zamidar-i-England. The Rajput states went on becoming smaller, and their loyalties split. The Mughals never called themselves ‘Indian’; they would always proudly call themselves ‘Turks’. Aurangzeb lost ground in northwest India, Assam and the Deccan, so he turned his back on liberal-minded people, to nurture Mughal power. He started depending upon orthodox and fanatical people. He issued many rules and orders without proper thought, so a deep chasm developed between the ruler and the public. This divide is evident in the literature of medieval India, and as a result, the Marathas stood firmly against the Mughal rule.
Coronation at Raigad
The coronation ceremony of Shivaji was going to take place on Raigad. Hiraji Indulkar did an excellent job of designing and building Raigad as a capital. Krishnaji Anant Sabhasad has written a detailed description. He says: “Then Rayrigad that belonged to the Adil Shahi was captured. The Raje himself went and found that the fort was very fine, the precipices on the four sides looked as scraped perpendicular, and were one and a half ganvs in height. During the rains, grass did not grow on the cliff, and it looked as if it were one chiselled slab of stone. So fine was it. It is true that Daulatabad also was one of the finest forts in the world, but it was less in height. This fort was ten times as high as Daulatabad. The Raje was very pleased to find it so, and he said that, this fort should be made the seat of his throne. Resolving thus, he built houses, palaces, staterooms, separate quarters and bazar for the sarkarkuns, separate quarters for panch-hazaris, and dwelling houses for men of note, different stables for elephants and horses and camels, and garages for palanquins and chariots, and cowsheds, in that fort with chunam plaster and hewn stones.”
The coronation ceremony was going to be a grand affair. Officials of the jewellery department and Ramaji Datto created a thirty-two-maund throne of gold. The Abhishek Shala and HoamShala took shape. The waters of the seven holy rivers were brought to Raigad. English ambassador Henry Oxenden, along with his associates George Robinson and Thomas Michael, came to Raigad from Mumbai, laden with precious gifts for Shivaji and his ministers. Shivaji visited Pratapgad on May 19, 1674. He offered a golden umbrella weighing one and a half maunds to Bhavani Devi. Raigad came to life with the hustle and bustle of Bard, minstrel (bhat), Charan, Kirtankar, Gondhali, kid and kin, Purohits, Bhat-Bhikshuk, nobles and others. The coronation of Shivaji was going to be conducted by BalambhattDhokekar, the family priest of the Bhosle family, under the guidance of Gagabhatt.
Raigad was decorated with festoons, the coronation rituals began, and musical instruments were played. On May 29, 1674, Shivaji’s thread ceremony took place. Tuladaan and Tulapurush rituals were carried out to seek repentance for any sins committed. Shivaji was weighed against gold, silver and copper, and it was then given away in charity. It took 16,000 hons to weigh Shivaji. From that we can conclude that Shivaji must have weighed one hundred and fifty pounds or sixty-eight kilos.
On May 30, 1674, Shivaji was married to Soyrabai amidst the chanting of mantras. Later, rituals like Ganesh Pujan, Kalashsansthapana, Punyahwachan, Abhisinchan to the host, ShodashmatrukaPujan, Nandishradhya, Purohitwaran, Raktasutrakankan, Pattabandhan and other rituals were performed. Then the fire was put out. The next day a ritual of ‘Aindriyshanti’ was performed. Then the rituals like Gruhayadnya, Nakshatrahom, Charity, Brahmin Bhojan and others were performed. There were no rituals on Tuesday, June 2, 1674. On June 3, Nakshatrayadna was performed, and an image of a deity was offered to the Acharya. On June 4, Thursday, Nir-rutiyag was performed.On the same day the programme of Punyahwachan and Dakshina ceremony took place. On June 5, the ceremony of Aindriyshanti was performed.
On Jeshta Shudhya Trayodashi, Saturday, June 6, the main ceremonies of the coronation began. Rituals like Ganeshpujan, Swastiwachan, Matrukapujan, Vasodharpujan, Nandishradha, Narayanp jan and Aajahom were performed. After the Ajahuti, the coronation ceremony began. Shivaji worshipped the Mandap and the water jar of seven rivers. The asandi of Audumbar tree (a wooden seat of Audumbar) was established. Fire and planets were installed on a big altar. First Hom was done. The Brahmins of all branches of the Vedas chanted mantras. The atmosphere was filled with cheer. After completing the offering, Shivaji was taken to the Abhishekshala. There, Shivaji was bathed with scented oils, powders and warm water. Later, among the huge chanting of Vedas, Shivaji kneeling down without touching his feet; duly mounted the asandi of Audumbar. All the acharyas and the priest came to Shivaji with auspicious vessels filled with water from the seven rivers and started consecrating him amidst the chanting of the Vedas. As soon as the consecration was finished, Shivaji descended from the asandi. He took blessings by praying to Agni Narayan. Shivaji mounted the golden throne in the Abhishekshala. When the king, supposed to be Indra, mounted the golden throne after the consecration as Indra on the asandi, other BrahminAmatyas taking Shivaji as their king, came near him to take him to Abhishekshala amidst auspicious cheering. From the golden throne, Shivaji again went to the Abhishekshala. Soyarabai, wearing a jewel-studded gold waistband and seventeen-year-old Prince Sambhaji were with him. Shivaji bathed again amid Veda-mantras. All participated together in this ceremony.
Ashta Pradhan
Eight Pradhans stood in eight directions, holding vessels. In the east, Prime Minister Moropant Pingale stood with a gold vase full of the mixture of five nectars (panchamrut). To the Southeast secretary Annaji Datto stood with the royal umbrella. To the South stood the chief of the army, Hambir-rao Mohite, carrying a silver vase full of milk.TryambakpantSumant stood in the Southwest with the royal fan. Whereas RamchandrapantAmatya stood to the West with a copper vessel full of curds. To the Northwest Minister Dattajipant stood with Morchel (fly-whisk). To the North stood MoreshwarPanditrao with gold vessel filled with honey. To the Northeast, Judge NirajiRavji stood with another Morchel.Balaji Awaji was also there.
The Great Coronation
Drums and trumpets began to resound. Married ladies did aarti. The day of JeshtaShudhyaTrayodashi, which is June 6, broke out. There were three ghatakas left for the day of Saturday to break. Cold breeze was blowing. The moment of ascending the golden throne was about to come in the Raj Sabha. Everyone was eagerly waiting for that moment, there was a crowd of people in the Raj Sabha, the saffron flag was fluttering at the entrance of the Raj Sabha. The Raj Sabha was glistening with glory, two adorned elephants were standing at the entrance.Shivaji started marching towards the throne bearing a bow after performing the pooja of shield and the sword. A gold throne made of thirty-two maunds was glittering. Shivaji bowed to the family deity, Jijamata, Gagabhatta and Balambhatta. Jijamata’s life become fruitful today. The moment Shivaji entered into the Raj Sabha, the whole assembly stood up with respect. He bowed to the throne. Shivaji, facing East, looking at the early sunrise, ascended the throne without touching it. The priests held the royal umbrella over Shivaji’s head. The auspicious musical instruments began to sound. Shivaji became a coronated king, the cannons began to throb from the forts, people showered Shivaji with gold and silver flowers, fragrant flowers, akshatas (rice with sacred vermilion) and lahya. The people in the Raj Sabha started to cheer by chanting the words’ Praudh Pratap Purandar, Kshatriya Kulavatans, Maharajadhiraj, Shri Shiv Chhatrapati Ki Jai!’ The East brightened with saffron colour. The tambourines of the bards and the sambals of the gondhlis began to crackle. Married ladies and unmarried girls did Shivaji’saarti. Eight Pradhans showered gold mohurs on Shivaji’s head and gave him gifts. Sambhaji was sitting at the foot of the throne.
Historians on Shivaji’s Coronation
Sabhasad’s description of Shivaji’s coronation is very interesting. He writes:
For the coronation, a throne was made of thirty-two maunds of gold. Jewels of great value were sought from among the nine varieties of priceless jewels that were in the treasury, and set in the throne.A throne inlaid with jewels was prepared. Rayri was renamed Raigad and that fort was selected as the seat of the throne. It was decided that the Raja should ascend the throne on the fort. Water from the seven holy Rivers, as well as from famous places of pilgrimage, were brought. Gold jars and gold basins were made. Having so decided that the eight ministers should pour water over the Raja from the eight jars and the eight basins, an auspicious day was selected, and an auspicious time was ascertained. The eight ministers and great Brahmans poured over him holy water of different places from gold jars and vessels. He sat on the throne. The eight pillars of the throne were studded with gems. Sanskrit designations were given to eight ministers. A gold umbrella inlaid with gems, having pearl fringes, was held over Raja’s head. The style of Chhatrapati was assumed. In all letters and documents, the Rajyabhishek era proceeded by the phrase Swastishri, which was always used from the day he ascended the throne. To Gagabhat, the chief priest was given immense wealth. The total expenditure amounted to one crore and forty-two lakh of hons. To every one of the eight ministers, was given a reward of one lakh of hons.In this manner was the Raje installed on the throne. In this age the Mleccha Badshah’s (rule) all over the world. Only this Maratha Badshah became Lord of the Umbrella (Chhatrapati). This affair, that came to pass, was not, one of little importance.”
There were three major signs of Mughal sovereignty:
1. To mint the gold coins in the name of the Mughal emperors.
2. To read the khutaba all over the country in the name of the Mughal emperors.
3. To run a julus (Calendar or Chronology) in the name of the Mughal emperors.
Shivaji did three important things to avoid being considered as a mansabdar of the Mughals:
1. Held an umbrella on his head and called himself ‘Chhatrapati’.
2. Minted gold coins in his name
3. Since the day of his coronation, he started the Rajyabhishek era.
It was named ‘Rajyabhishek Shak’ (Coronation Era). Shivaji initiated these three aspects of sovereignty from the day of the coronation.
On June 6, Henry Oxenden presented a very precious gift to Shivaji on the occasion of his coronation. His description of the coronation ceremony is fascinating and important. He says:
“On June 6, about seven or eight of the clock, we went to the Court and found the Raja seated on a magnificent throne and all the nobles waiting on his (in) rich attire. His son Sambhaji Raja, Peshwa Moro Pandit and a Brahmin of great eminence seated on an ascent under the throne.The rest, as well as officers of the army as others, standing with great respect.
Raigad was overwhelmed with happiness. A procession was taken out with Shivaji seated on an elephant. On the Rajpath, Shivaji took the darshan of gods and goddesses, went to the temple of Jagdishwar Mahadev and from there, he went back in the same procession.”
A description of Aurangzeb’s condition after hearing that Shivaji was crowned, can be read in Krishnaji Anant Sabhasad’s chronicle. He wrote: “Bahadur Khan Koka learnt this news. He then came and encamped at Pedgaon on the Bhima. And he wrote this news of the coronation to the emperor at Delhi. As Aurangzeb learnt this, he descended from his throne and retired to the harem. He struck both his hands on the earth and lamented much, repeating the name of his God, —– ‘Khuda has taken away the Musalman’s Badshahi, destroyed (our) throne, and conferred it on the Maratha. It has reached the climax now.’ In this strain, he lamented much and cherished a mountain of sorrow. Then the principal ministers consoled him in various manners, and by various promises, made him sit on the throne.”
The news of the coronation is blacked out in all the Mughal documents. From this, one can imagine how sad this incident must have been for the Mughals as well as Adil Shah and Qutb Shah. This coronation of Chhatrapati Shivaji re-established the sovereignty of Hindus and the whole of India.
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