Q. Consider the following events related to Shivaji’s period of Rebuilding and Re-conquest (1670–1674 CE):
EventSignificance
1. Second Sack of Surat (1670)Marked a major source of revenue (Chauth) and shattered the perception of Mughal invincibility in Western India.
2. Capture of Salher FortConsidered the greatest pitched battle of the time, resulting in a decisive Maratha victory over the Mughal army.
3. Coronation at Raigad (1674)Performed by the priest Ganga Bhat, it formally legitimized Shivaji as the Chhatrapati (Sovereign Monarch).
How many of the above pairs are correctly matched?
Answer: C
Notes:
Explanation:
- Pair 1: Correct. The Second Sack of Surat, an immensely wealthy port, filled the Maratha treasury and confirmed Shivaji’s aggressive resurgence against the Mughals.
- Pair 2: Correct. The Battle of Salher (in Baglan, 1672) was a massive confrontation where the Marathas decisively defeated a large Mughal contingent, establishing them as a dominant force in the Deccan.
- Pair 3: Correct. Shivaji’s coronation was a political necessity to establish his legitimacy over rival nobles, proclaim independence from Bijapur and Delhi, and formally organize his administration.
