Maharani's of Shivaji Raje

                            Ma Saheb jijau

Jijamata, we call her as Rajmatajijau or Ma Saheb. She was born on 12 January in 1598,  in the Bhuikot palace at Sindhkhedra  in Buldhana district. She was the mother of Shivaji Maharaj, the legendry Maratha king and warrior.

                    Birth place of jijau

         

Her father was an Maratha Sardar named Lakhuji Jadhavrao, while her mother was Malasa Bai. Lakhuji served the Nizam Shahi of Ahmendnagar. Jijabai was not only beautiful but was rich in qualitties, her personality was a fine blend of her fathers courage and pride and mothers qualities. She is the only daughter of Lakhuji Jadhav , and the customs that prevailed in those days Jijabai was married at an early age at 8 to Shahaji Bhosle, son of Maloji Bhosle of Verul village.The wedding was held in Sindkhed on 5 November 1605. Jijabai was eight years old and her husbond was twelve years old. Jijabai bore Shahaji as many as eight children six daughter and two sons. her six daughter died in infancy and two sons Sambbhaji and Shivaji reached audulthood. jijabai received co-wife in her household after Shahaji married Tukabai.

                After Jijabai became the queen regent, she moved to Pune to manage her husbands Jagir there, taking Shivaji with her. when she went to stay Pune she found Kasbapeth Ganpati temple and renovated the Tambdi Jogeshwari and Kevereshwar temple. She had a strong faith that she was blessed by Godess Bhavani and Mahadev. when her husband and son would be in perilous situation , she would ardently pray to Bhavani mata night and day, for their pritection and safe return . She strongly believ that our efforts bring sucess to our doorstep only with the grace of God. 

 She had great influence on Shivaji Raje , She taught him Ramayana, Mahabharata, Gita since childhood, developed to believe in culture and accompaied great saint during growing period.

 Jijabai was a very pious and intelligent women with a great vision for an independent kingdom. Shivaji grew up and began his fight for freedom. she moulded him into an ideal ruler by sowing seed of devotion to the nation and Dharma. she was not only a mother to Shivaji, but also a source of inspiration.

Jijabai treated Shivajis companions as her own sons, and was a source of courage and inspiration to them. Tanaji Malusare is one such renowned example. He lost the fort of Simhagadh to an intense Moghal attack. She famously told him "if you free Simhagadh from the enemies you will be like Shivajis younger brother to me." Jijabai was adept in warfare, possessing skills  like horse riding, as well as mastry over the sword.      

She died on 17 June 1674 at Pachad village near Raigad Fort. at that time it was only twelve days since the coronation of Shivaji. she never distanced herself from her subjects to enjoy pleasures as Rajmata or Queen mother. she was always a responsible mother of responsible king. she was the Pillar of Swaraj. She is the example of whtat an ideal Hindu women should be like, in the form of Rajmata Jijabai. Jijau had multi - faceded qualities like intence yearning, faith, determination, patience, sence of reapect towards her Dharma, selflessness, warrior attitude, broad mindedness, fearlessness, leadership, courage, war strategies, sacrificing attitude as well as a desire for victory.