CHATRAPATI SIVAJI

A few centuries ago, some self respecting men stood up against 
Mughal rule. Shivaji Raje Bhosle was prominent amongst them.

Shivaji was son of Shahaji Bhosle, a general in court of Adilshah of Bijapur. Shivaji was born in 1630 on the fort Shivneri in Sahyadri ranges of Maharashtra. His mother Jijabai, a brave, proud and wise lady, brought him up. She appointed Dadoji Konddev who trained Shivaji in martial arts as well as state administration.

Shivaji along with his Marathas captured forts and established his independent rule. So Adilshah of Bijapur sent his giant general Afzal Khan who tried to strangulate Shivaji by cunning. But a well prepared Shivaji used hidden steel claws to kill the enemy.

Later Mughal Emperor Aurangazeb sent his uncle Shaiste 
Khan with army. But with his usual guerilla tactics, Shivaji over came this trouble too. This infuriated Aurangazeb and he sent vast army under Raja Jai Singh. Shivaji had to surrender and sign Purandar treaty by which he had to give most of his territory and forts to the Mughal Emperor.

Shivaji was then called to Agra where he was treated insultingly by Aurangazeb and was kept under house arrest. But Shivaji escaped from there disguise. After that he lay low and collected his army. Once again he led military campaigns and recaptured his entire lost kingdom.

In 1647 he was officially coronated as Chatrapati or the king of Hindavi Swaraj. Later he expanded his rule upto Jinji and Vellor in south. He was a good administrator and tolerant towards all the religions. He built many forts and even water forts on the west coast line.

He later developed a knee problem and died in 1680. 

ASHOKA THE GREAT

One of the world’s greatest rulers was Samrat Ashoka. He was the grandson of the first ruler of the Maurya dynasty, Chandragupta Maurya. Information about Emperor Ashoka is obtained from the stone inscriptions, carved pillars and edicts found all over the country.

Since  young age, Ashoka was courageous, dignified adventurous and good administrator. So he was sent to take charge of Avanti. There he married Shakya kumara, a daughter of a merchant. They had two children, Mahindra and Sanghmitra. Later, in 268 B.C. he was crowned the king by the demand of the court ministers and subjects.

Emperor Ashoka ruled over a vast empire, which stretched from Kashmir and Nepal to Mysore and from Afghanistan to Saurashtra. But only the Patriotic people of Kalinga (Orissa) refused to accept his sovereignty. So Ashoka attacked Kalinga with his vast army. The fierce battle resulted in lot of bloodshed.

Ashoka was full of remorse after witnessing this devastation caused by his attack. So he took oath that he would never take up arms again. The Kalinga was proved to be his first and last war.

Gautam Buddha’s teachings of non-violence, kindness and love for mankind, opened a new path of life for Ashoka. He accepted Buddhism and sent his representatives all around the country and outside the country, to spread the message of Buddha.

For the welfare of his subjects, he undertook many useful projects like building hospitals for people as well as animals, wells and water reservoirs for the travelers, planting trees along the roadsides etc. Ashoka gave importance to education, agriculture and trade.

Emperor Ashoka built many Stoopas and Viharas. Carved figures of four lions on the Ashoka pillar is now official emblem of the government of India. Ashoka Chakra has the place of honour on the National Flag of India.