Chapter 7 – Swaraj : First Conquest
1. Fill in the blanks:
(a) Shivaji controlled the Jagir of Pune, Supe, Chakan and ________.
(Indapur, Saswad, Welhe)
Ans: Indapur
(b) Shivaji decided to capture the fort of ________ and lay the foundation of Hindavi Swaraj.
(Sinhagad, Shivneri, Torana)
Ans: Torana
(c) ________ became the first capital of Swaraj.
(Rajgad, Raigad, Pratapgad)
Ans: Rajgad
2. Write the answer in one sentence.
(a) Which four different powers governed Maharashtra in those days?
Ans: Maharashtra in those days was governed by the Moghul Emperor of Delhi, Sultan Adilshah of Bijapur, the Portuguese of Goa, and the Siddi of Janjira.
(b) What officers were appointed by Shivaji on the fort of Torana?
Ans: Shivaji appointed officers such as a Maratha Killedar, a Brahmin Sabnis and a Prabhu Karkhanis on the fort of Torana.
(c) What message did Shivaji send to Adilshah?
Ans: Shivaji sent a message to Sultan Adilshah as follows: “I have taken possession of the fort for better administration of the countryside. We did this only in the interest of the Sultan. There was no evil design at the back of this action.”
4. Give reasons.
(a) Shivaji selected the fort of Torana to lay the foundation of Swaraj.
Ans:
Shivaji selected the fort of Torana to lay the foundation of Swaraj because:
(i) Adilshah neglected the Torana fort, which was considered one of the strong forts of Maharashtra.
(ii) Shivaji knew that there were neither enough troops for defense nor enough ammunition at the Torana Fort.
(b) The workers brought the pots of mohurs discovered on the fort of Torana to Shivaji.
Ans:
The workers brought the pots of mohurs discovered on the fort of Torana to Shivaji because:
(i) They felt that it was a gift to Shivaji from the Goddess Bhavani, who had blessed his efforts.
(ii) It was considered the wealth of Swaraj.