Description

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Context:

A scene from the trailer of the upcoming Bollywood film Chhava, based on the life of Maratha ruler Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, has led to controversy in Maharashtra.

About Lezim (lazium) folk dance

Aspect	Details
Dance Origin	Folk dance from the state of Maharashtra
Name Origin	Named after a musical instrument, a wooden stick with jingling cymbals attached to it
Dance Characteristics	Rigorous physical exercise and drill; performed in formations of twos, fours, or sometimes a circle
Accompaniment	Mainly Dhol or Dhalgi (small dhol); no winds or string instruments, occasionally accompanied by a song
Musical Instruments	Lezim: Wooden stick with jingling cymbals carried by dancers
	Dholki: Drum instrument used as the main percussion music
Traditional Instrument Use	Lezim was traditionally used in all folk dances, but now primarily used in Ganesha processions

About Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj (1630-1680)

Aspect	Details
Birth	Born in 1627 at Shivneri Fort, near Junnar, Pune district, Maharashtra
Key Influences on Shivaji	Mother: Jija Bai, Teacher: Dadaji Kondadev, Spiritual Preceptor: Samartha Ramadas
Territories Conquered	Kondana (built Rayagarh fort), Torna, Javli (built Pratapgarh fort), Kalyan
Battle of Pratapgad (1659)	Fought between Shivaji and Afzal Khan of Bijapur, leading to Afzal Khan's death.
Key Characteristics	The secular approach, treated all religions with respect.
Battles Fought	1. Battle of Pratapgad (1659) - Against Afzal Khan 2. Battle of Pavan (1664) - Against Inayat Khan, Mughal Captain 3. Battle of Purandar (1665) - Between Marathas and Mughals 4. Battle of Sinhagad (1670) - Marathas vs Mughals (Tanaji Malusare vs Udaybhan Rathod) 5. Battle of Kalyan (1682-83) - Mughals defeat Marathas 6. Battle of Sangamner (1679) - Final battle fought by Shivaji
Conflicts with Mughal Empire	Attacked Ahmadnagar (1657), Fought against Shaista Khan (1663), Plundered Surat (1664)
Treaty of Purandar (1665)	Shivaji surrendered 23 out of 35 forts to Mughals, Shivaji’s son Shambhaji appointed as Mughal mansabdar, Shivaji had to visit Aurangzeb’s court
Imprisonment and Escape	Imprisoned in Agra Fort (1666) after humiliation in the Mughal court. Escaped and plundered Surat again (1670).
Coronation	Crowned in 1674 as Chhatrapati and moved capital from Pune to Raigarh
Titles Taken	Kshatriya of Sisodia Clan, Gobrahmana Pratipalaka, Haindava Dharmoddaraka, Hind Padpadshahi, Dharmaparayana
Conquests (1676)	Conquered Gingee, Vellore, and Ballari regions with the help of Abul Hasan Tanashah of Golkonda
Death	Died in 1680 at Raigad

READ ABOUT

Sambhaji Maharaj

Source:

Indian Express

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PRACTICE QUESTION

Q.Discuss the cultural contributions of the Maratha Empire, highlighting its influence on art, architecture, administration, and religious tolerance. How did the Maratha Empire foster a distinct cultural identity in India? (250 words)