Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, the founder of the Maratha Empire, is a priceless gem of Maharashtra—and the womb that gave birth to this gem was none other than Jijabai Shahaji Bhosale, the first Raj Mata (Queen Mother) of Maharashtra. She lived a life of 78 years, from 12 January 1598 to 17 June 1674. Jijabai was born to Lakhuji Rao Jadhav and Mhalsabai in Sindkhed. In 1605, she married Shahaji Raje at Daulatabad. Of her two surviving sons, the elder, Sambhaji, grew up with Shahaji Raje, while the younger, Shivaji, was raised under Jijabai care. When Shivaji was 14, Shahaji Raje sent him to manage the jagir (feudal landholding) of Pune, effectively putting Jijabai in charge of administering it. She rejuvenated the deserted village of Pune and, during this time, gave Shivaji both political and military education. ... After Shivaji established his kingdom, Jijabai took a keen interest in state affairs. She even sat in court (sadar) and resolved disputes herself. Following the death of Shivaji's wife Saibai, she took full responsibility for raising Sambhaji Raje. While Shivaji was imprisoned in Agra, Jijabai expertly managed the administration of the state. After witnessing Shivaji Maharaj’s coronation—a golden moment in Maratha history—she passed away 12 days later, on 18 June 1674, at Pachad near the base of Raigad Fort. Jijabai, the daughter of Vidarbha, the daughter-in-law of Marathwada, spent much of her life in the Maval region of the Sahyadri Mountains and spent her final years in Konkan. Her funeral was held in a field near a stream close to her residence in Pachad. Later, Shivaji Maharaj built a small but beautiful memorial (Samadhi) on a raised platform at that very place. Over time, the memorial suffered damage, but it was restored in 1943–44 by the ruler of Phaltan, Shrimant Maloji Rao, also known as Nanasaheb Naik Nimbalkar. On the memorial platform today stands a bust of Raj Mata Jijabai holding a sword. When visiting Raigad Fort, a customary stop is at Pachad village, where one can see the royal residence (Kot) of Jijabai and then pay respects at her Samadhi. Due to her advanced age, the cool climate of the hill fort did not suit her, so Shivaji Maharaj had a fortified mansion constructed at the base of the fort, fit for her stature. To reach Pachad from Mumbai, take the Mumbai-Goa highway past Mangaon, from where a left turn leads to Raigad. The distance from Mumbai to Pachad via Mangaon is 157 km, and via Mahad, it is 182 km. On this road, as you enter Pachad, the fortified residence (Kot) of Jijabai can be seen to the right. A short distance from the Kot lies her Samadhi. A visit to Raigad Fort is incomplete without paying homage at the Samadhi of Jijabai—the mother who gave Maharashtra its greatest son, Shivaji Maharaj, and paved the way for the establishment of Hindavi Swaraj.
© Suresh Nimbalkar