An Ideal Ruler
EXERCISE [PAGE 36]
Exercise | Q 1.1 | Page 36
Find it from the chapter.
Grave dangers in the life of Shivaji Maharaj.
Solution: Events like the meeting with the Afzalkhan, the siege of Panhala, the attack
on Shaistakhan, the escape from Agra were grave dangers faced by Shivaji Maharaj in
his life.
Exercise | Q 1.2 | Page 36
Find it from the chapter.
They risked their life at the time of Maharaj’s escape from Agra.
Solution: Hiroji Farjand and Madari Meheter risked their life at the time of Maharaj’s
escape from Agra.
Exercise | Q 1.3 | Page 36
Find it from the chapter.
What warning did Shivaji Maharaj issue to the Deshmukh of Rohida Valley?
Solution:
1. Shivaji Maharaj constantly struggled against his enemies in his quest of
establishing the Swaraj. His subjects also suffered a lot because of such enemy
invasions.
2. During these times, Maharaj took the utmost care to protect his ryot (people).
3. During Shaistakhan’s campaign, he had strictly warned the Deshmukh of the
Rohida valley to visit every village and shift people to a safe place down the
ghats, without any delay.
4. He further warned him that if he failed to do so, the Mughals would take the
people prisoner and it would be seen as his wrong doing.
Exercise | Q 1.4 | Page 36
Find it from the chapter.
What inspiration can future generations draw from the life of Shivaji Maharaj?
Solution: Future generations can draw inspiration from the life of Shivaji Maharaj as to
how Shivaji Maharaj founded Swaraj and turned it into a Surajya, a kingdom that sought
the welfare of all.
Exercise | Q 2.1 | Page 36
Write about it in your own word.
What warning did Shivaji Maharaj issue to his soldiers to avoid any loss to the ryot?
Solution:
1. Shivaji Maharaj cared about his ryot and took every measure to prevent any loss
to them. He issued strict warnings to his soldiers for their safety.
2. Generally, in case of a war, during the sowing-growing-reaping period of crops,
the movements of army interfered with the work of farmers, causing a huge loss
to the farmers.
3. Moreover, soldiers would cut off and take away the standing crops or would
destroy them and rob the houses of the farmers. Shivaji Maharaj prohibited such
actions ensuring that his soldiers caused no harm to his ryot.
4. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj also wrote a letter in 1674 CE to his military officers
regarding this. This shows how minutely he thought about the welfare of the ryot
under his Swaraj.
Exercise | Q 2.2 | Page 36
Write about it in your own word.
How do we know that the religious policy of Shivaji Maharaj was that of tolerance?
Solution:
The following instances show that the religious policy of Shivaji Maharaj was that
of tolerance:
1. In spite of Shivaji Maharaj’s enemies being Islamic powers, he considered the
Muslims in the Swaraj as his own subjects and trusted them deeply. The
following are a testimony to the same:
a. Siddi Ibrahim was a trusted servant in his army.
b. Siddi Hilal was a Sardar in his army.
c. Daulatkhan was an important officer in the navy of Swaraj.
2. He even continued the facilities given to the Muslim places of worship that
belonged to the captured enemy territories.
3. The written work by historian Khafikhan on the tolerant religious policy of Shivaji
Maharajstates that: “Shivaji Maharaj had framed strict rules for his soldiers that
during the campaigns, they should not harm a mosque. In case, if they came in
possession of a copy of the Holy Quran, they should hand over the same, with
reverence, to a Muslim.”
Exercise | Q 2.3 | Page 36
Write about it in your own word.
Explain Shivaji Maharaj’s policy regarding the army.
Solution:
1. Shivaji Maharaj maintained a strict discipline in his army.
2. He was extremely particular about timely payment of their salaries. The salaries
were paid in the form of cash rather than in the form of jagirs.
3. He strictly ordered the army that all valuables collected by them during their
enemy campaigns had to be deposited with the Government.
4. He honoured the soldiers for their bravery in any campaign, looked after the
maintenance of the families of those who died in battle, took care of his own
wounded soldiers, and also the enemy soldiers who were captured or had
surrendered.
Thus, Shivaji Maharaj followed the principles of discipline, honesty, and humanity in his
policy regarding the army.
Exercise | Q 3.1 | Page 36
Give one word for.
An important officer in the navy of Swaraj -
Solution: An important officer in the navy of Swaraj - Daulatkhan
Exercise | Q 3.2 | Page 36
Give one word for.
A Tamil poet who composed a poem on Shivaji Maharaj -
Solution: A Tamil poet who composed a poem on Shivaji Maharaj - Subramanyam
Bharati
Exercise | Q 3.3 | Page 36
Give one word for.
He created an independent kingdom in Bundelkhand -
Solution: He created an independent kingdom in Bundelkhand - Chhatrasal
Exercise | Q 3.4 | Page 36
Give one word for.
He composed a Powada on the greatness of Shivaji Maharaj -
Solution: He composed a Powada on the greatness of Shivaji Maharaj - Mahatma
Jotirao Phule
