Jijabai

Jijabai was born on 12 January 1598, to Mahalasabai Jadhav and Lakhuji Jadhav of Deulgaon, near Sindkhed, in present-day Buldhana district of Maharastra. Lakhojiraje Jadhav was a Maratha noble. Jijabai was married at an early age to Shahaji Bhosle, son of Maloji Bhosle of Verul village, a military commander serving under the Nizam Shahi sultans. She taught Shivaji about swarajya and raised him to be a great warrior.[4] Jijabai died on 17 June 1674.[5] C.V. Vaidya in his book Medieval India, states that Yadavas are "definitely pure Maratha Kshatriyas". Jijabai (the mother of Shivaji, who founded the Maratha Empire) belonged to the clan of jadhavas of Sindkhed Raja, who also claimed descent from the Ahirs/Yadavas.[6][7]

Jijabai on a 1999 stamp of India.

When Shivaji Maharaj was 14 years old, Shahaji Raje handed over the Jagir of Pune to him. Of course, the responsibility of managing the Jagir fell on Jijabai. Jijabai and Shivaji arrived in Pune with skilled officers. Due to the persistent interests of Nizamshah, Adilshah and Mughals, the condition of Pune was very bad. Under such adverse circumstances, she along with Dadoji Kondadeo redeveloped the city of Pune. She plowed the farmland with a golden plow, giving sanctuary to the locals. She was responsible for the education of the kings. Jijabai told Shivaji stories from the Ramayana, the Mahabharata, which began and ended in independence. How mighty was Rama who killed Ravana who was depriving Sita, how mighty was Bhima who killed Bakasura and rescued weak people, etc. Because of these rites given by Jijabai, Shivaji Raje happened. Jijabai not only told the story but also gave the first lessons of politics by sitting next to the chair.[8]

She was also a skilled horse rider. She could wield a sword very skillfully. She managed her husband's Jagir in Pune and developed it. She established Kasba Ganapati Mandir. She also renovated Kevareshwar Temple and Tambadi Jogeshwari Temple.[9]

She died on 17 June 1674 at Pachad village near Raigad Fort. At that time it was only twelve days since the coronation of Shivaji Maharaj.[9]

• Legendary actress, Sulochana Latkar portrayed Jijabai in the marathi film Maratha Tituka Melvava
• Sumati Gupte played Jijabai in the 1974 film Raja Shiv Chhatrapati.
• Jijabai was a portrayed by Mrinal Kulkarni in the popular TV series Raja Shivchatrapati which aired on Star Pravah in 2008.
• Mrinal Kulkarni played Jijabai in Farzand, an Indian Marathi language epic, historical drama film.
• Mrinal Kulkarni played Jijabai in the 2019 Marathi language historical drama film, Fatteshikast.
• Shilpa Tulaskar portrayed Jijabai in the 2011 series Veer Shivaji
• Smita Deshmukh starred as Jijabai in the 2011 Marathi language film Rajmata Jijau based on the life of Jijabai, based on Madan Patil's historical novel Jijausaheb
• Prateeksha Lonkar played Jijabai in Swarajyarakshak Sambhaji, an Indian historical drama based on the life of Sambhaji.
• Padmavati Rao plays Jijabai in the 2020 Indian Hindi-language biographical period action film, Tanhaji.
• Nishtha Vaidya, Amruta Pawar, Bhargavi Chirmule, Neena Kulkarni portray Jijabai at different stages of her life in Swarajya Janani Jijamata, a show based on the life of Rajmata Jijabai.
• The 2011 film Rajmata Jijau is a biography of Jijabai.
• In his book Medieval India, C.V.Vaidya states that Yadavas are "definitely pure Maratha Kshatriyas". ... [ Jijabai (the mother of Shivaji, who founded the Maratha Empire) belonged to the clan of jadhavas of Sindkhed Raja, who also claimed descent from the Yadavas.

• List of Maratha dynasties and states
• Maratha clan system
• Bhosale
• Maratha Kranti Morcha