Estimate the charactor and achievements of shivaji?

Answer 1

In order to sabotage Shivaji's rise to power, Adilshah arrested Shahji, his father by deceitful means and had armies sent against Shivaji and his elder brother Sambaji. To suppress Shivaji's control of the Bijapur kingdom, Afzal Khan was sent to destroy Shivaji. However, with his cunning means, Shivaji successfully stabbed Afzal Khan. Eventually Bijapur's armies were routed in the famous Battle of Pratapgarh in 1659 and Shivaji turned into a hero of the Marathas. Now, under the confident leadership of Shivaji, the Marthas successfully pushed back the Mughals and the Sultanate kingdowms from his homeland. The Mughals also fought against Shivaji led by Shaista Khan under Aurangazeb. Shivaji felt the need of finance to maintain an army and decided to loot the Mughal city of Surat. The Mughal emperor then sent Jai Singh to defeat Shivaji. After a few conflicts he was soon placed under house arrest in Agra. Using tact and intelligence, Shivaji successfully escaped from Agra and hid in his homeland and kept a low profile for some time. Shivaji gradually rebuild his empire and within six months was able to recover much of his lost ground. Shivaji extended his empire further south to Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. To recapture one of his forts, Kondana, he appointed his most confident general Tanaji Malusare. This battle came to be known as the Maratha war of Independence where the Marathas were successful in regaining the control of the fort.