When did Shivaji assumed the title of 'Chhatrapati'?

When did Shivaji assumed the title of 'Chhatrapati'? Correct Answer 1674

The correct answer is 1674.

Key Points

Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj:

• He was the second son of Shahaji, was the creator of the Maratha nation.
• He united the Maratha Chiefs from Malwa, Konkan, and Desh regions to carve out a small kingdom.
• He took control of the hereditary Jagir after the death of his guardian Konadev in 1647.
• He was born in the hill fort of Shivner in 1627.
• He began his military career at a young age. He captured the fort of Toran in 1656.
• From 1656, he started capturing many other forts from the local officers of Bijapur.
• After some time, Shivaji raided the Bijapur.
  • Ali Adil Shah of Bijapur sent his General Afzal Khan to capture Shivaji. 
  • But Shivaji was too clever for him and killed him with a deadly weapon called Baghnakh or tiger's claw.
• Shivaji now began to attack the Mughal territories.
  • Aurangzeb sent Shaista Khan, the Viceroy of the Deccan, with a big army against Shivaji.
  • Shaista Khan captured Poona but Shivaji managed to outwit the Mughals in 1663.
• Aurangzeb sent his son, Prince Muazzam, and then, on his failure, Mirza Raja Jai Singh of Amber was sent against Shivaji.
  • Raja Jai Singh won a few victories against Shivaji and besieged him in Purandhar in 1665.
• Shivaji visited the Mughal Court of Agra at the persuasion of Jai Singh, but he was put there in detention.
  • However, Shivaji escaped in 1666 and resumed his career of conquests.
• In 1674, Shivaji made Raigrah his capital and celebrated his coronation and assumed the title of 'Chatrapati'.
  • He died in 1680 at the age of 53.
• Shivaji's son Sambhaji ascended the throne in the face of a hostile faction that supported his step-brother Rajaram.
• His raiding the Mughal territories and giving shelter to Akbar II the rebel son of Aurangzeb prompted the latter to capture and execute Sambhaji in 1689.
• Rajaram has crowned the king but when he died, his widow, Tarrabai ascended his Throne.
• Sambhaji's son Shahu after release from the Mughals in 1707 had to contend with his aunt Tara Bai for the Maratha Throne.