Question

After his coronation in 1764 Shivaji took the title of _____________.
A. Maharaja
B. Chakravarthi
C. Vikramaditya
D. Chatrapathi

Answer 1

Hint: Shivaji was known as the Great Maratha ruler born on 19 February 1630. This day is currently celebrated as Shivaji Jayanti. He worked along with other warrior families (deshmukhs) and led a stable kingdom.

Complete answer:
 After his coronation in 1764, Shivaji took the title of Chatrapathi. The coronation ceremony is the crowning of the prince as the ruler of their empire, so it holds a great deal of importance in India. At that time, the Kings had to take the permission of the coronation ceremony from the Mughal emperors but Shivaji Maharaj, who was against the Mughal dynasty conducted the ceremony without the permission of the Mughal emperor and broke many rules set by the emperor from the start of his reign. This led him to adopt the title of Chhatrapati which is a title equivalent to an emperor which symbolises his challenge to the Mughal emperor as this title is given to a king who is sovereign ruler over the other princes.

Hence, the correct answer is option (D).

Additional information:- Shivaji as a teenager in 1645 successfully got control over the Torna Fort and later acquired Kodanan Fort which was under Adil Shah of Bijapur.
1.He also defeated Afzal Khan who was a veteran general of Adil Shah.
2.In 1659, in the battle of Pratapgarh he defeated the Bijapur Sultanate’s army thoroughly. From this battle he gained many horses and weapons which further strengthened the Maratha army’s strength.

Note:Shivaji’s military tactics served a great deal and strengthened the Maratha empire and helped in acquiring many regions that were under the Mughal dynasty. After his death, the maratha state was acquired by a family of Chitpavan Brahmanas who served Shivaji’s successors as Peshwa (or principal minister).