Shivaji - The solitary Indian success story

Yesterday, 19th of February was the 385th Birth Anniversary of the legendary Marathi King and Warrior "CHHATRAPATI SHIVAJI". Unique of his kind, arguably the solitary Indian success story of a historical figure who outsmarted the more powerful occupants ruling India at the time, giving the last Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb a run for money.

Unlike the Rajputs, who were brave but a infighiting lot, lacking foresight, Shivaji was a pragmatic strategist who revolutionised the art of warfare in India. For him victory was the only morality of war as he relegated, and rightly so, the concept of DHARMA YUDHA (Righteous War) to the background. 

He relied on launching swift attack, leading a classic guerilla warfare which demoralized Aurangzeb by tying him down south of Deccan, eventually acting as the harbinger of the end of the Mughal empire. No wonder the last Emperor nicknamed Shivaji as "The Mountain Rat", as the later would surreptitiously attack and vanish after vanquishing and causing havoc in the enemy camp.

Shivaji's strength was his modus operandi, the element of surprise in his attack. He had a good knowledge of the mountain territory of the Western Ghats and took full advantage of it. His fearless Maratha Army led by able generals like Tanaji would launch tightening attacks - first by rolling huge boulders on them from top of deep mountain passes, causing disarray in the enemy camp, followed by cavaliers of the marauding Marathas swarming and slaughtering them.

The mighty Mughal army conisting mostly of soldiers from Northern Plains had no clue against what hit them. For Shivaji would give them no opportunity to regroup and fightback by choosing his own time, terms and venue to launch attacks of his own chosing, to his advantage.

Some of his attacks often took place in the unconventional hours in the middle of nights and in pouring rains, when his army would pounce on his unsuspecting, sleeping opponents like bolt from the blue. Shivaji relinquished the warfare involving huge cannon carrying Chariots and Elephants, not adept and difficult for swift maneuvering and unsuitable for mountainous terrains. He thrived on his small but swift counterattacks involving light brigades with immense success.

When he sensed the tide turning with an impending defeat stared at him, he was known to make a tactical withdrawal to fight another day. As early as in the 17th century, Shivaji fought a classic guerrilla warfare against his much fancied opponents - using the  palpable winning combination of launching surprise attacks and tactical procrastinations to the most opportune moment. He also kept his opponents at by carrying an efficient spy network, although the Marathas were solidly behind him, with hardly any instances of culpable treachery.

Interestingly the foresighted Shivaji understood the long term threat posed by the British, who were traders at that time. He wrote to one of his officers, "The English are no ordinary traders and money lenders, behind them stands the power of a mighty state. They are so clever that they will steal right under your nose without you even knowing it. Be very cautios while dealing with them:. How prophetic he was.