Jijabai Shahaji Bhosale

 Rajmata Jijabai Shahaji Bhosale ( 12 January 1598 – 17 June 1674 ) was the mother of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, the founder of the Maratha Empire . She is also known as Rajmata, Rashtramata, Jijabai or Jijau. Jijabai's father was Lakhuji Jadhav of Sindkhed and her mother's name was Mhalsabai. Jadhav was a descendant of the Yadav family of Devgiri . In December 1605 , Jijabai married Shahajiraj at Daulatabad .

Jijabai was known for her virtue, bravery and foresight. She was also a skilled horse rider. She could wield the sword with great skill.

The Government of India released a postage stamp in Jijabai's honour on 7 July 1999. Jijabai has been the inspiration for many films and books.

History- Jijabai was born on 12 January 1598 to Mhalsabai and Lakhuji Jadhav of Deulgaon near Sindkhed in present-day Buldhana district of Maharashtra. Lakhujiraje Jadhav was a Maratha nobleman. Jijabai was married at a young age to Shahaji Bhosale , son of Maloji Bhosale of Verul village . He taught Shivaji Swarajya and raised him as a great warrior.

Jijabai died on 17 June 1674. C.V. Vaidya, in his book Medieval India, states that the Yadavs are "definitely pure Maratha Kshatriyas". [Jijabai (mother of Shivaji Maharaj, who founded the Maratha Empire) was the daughter of Maharaja Lakhojiraje Jadhav of the Maratha/Deogiri Jadhav/Yadav Empire,

Lakhujirao Jadhav was one of the powerful and influential men in the Nizamshahi court. One day, all the chieftains, jagirdars, mansabdars and patrimonial lords were leaving for their respective homes after completing their royal duties. A huge crowd formed in front of the main gate. In this crowd, the elephant of a chieftain named Khandgal became uncontrollable and started trampling the people under his feet.

At that time, Dattaji, the son of Lakhujirao Jadhav, along with his army, started attacking the elephant with arrows, spears and swords. To stop all this, both the sons of Vithoji Raje Bhosale, Sambhaji and Kheloji, attacked Dattaji. And a war broke out between Bhosale and Jadhav. And Sambhaji killed Dattaji. When Lakhujirao Jadhav, who had reached the place, came to know about this news and attacked the Bhosale to take revenge.

And attacked Sambhaji. Shahajiraje Bhosale also joined the battle because he had attacked his cousin, but he could not withstand the wrath of Lakhujirao Jadhav. Shahaji Maharaj was seriously injured by Lakhujirao's sword blow. And he finally killed Sambhaji.

After this incident, Jijabai remained loyal to her husband and severed ties with her husband. Jijabai's quality of facing the situation with courage and determination, without allowing any lapse in her duty, putting aside relationships and emotions, was fully embodied in Shivaji Raja .