Katta Ki Karakani -Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's Respect for Women -Kavi Bhushan राजा शिवछत्रपति

Women were treated with utmost respect in the Maratha kingdom established by #chhatrapatishivajimaharaj . There are innumerable historical accounts to support this fact. Even accounts penned by historians of the Mughal, Adilshahi and Qutubshahi courts - kingdoms who were sworn enemies of the first Chhatrapati - Shivaji Raje - have heaped praises upon Shivaji Maharaj for his respectful treatment of women, children, and all prisoners of war.

कत्ता की कराकनि चकत्ता को कटक काटि,
कीन्ही सिवराज बीर अकह-कहानियाँ ।
भूषन भनत और मुलुक तिहारि धाक,
दिल्ली औ बिलाइत सकल बिललानियाँ ।।
आगरे-अगारन की नाँघती पगारन,
संभारती न बारन बदन कुम्हलानियाँ ।
कीबी कहैं कहा औ गरीबी गहे भागी जाहिं,
बीबी गहे सूथनी सुनीबी गहे रानियाँ ।।

Katta ki karaakani Chakatta ko katak kaati,
Keenhi Sivaraaj beer akah-kahaaniyan |
Bhushan bhanat aur muluk tihari dhaak,
Dilli au bilaait sakal bilalaaniyaan ||
Agre-agaaran ki naanghti pagaaran,
Sambhaarti na baaran badan kumhalaaniyaan |
Kibi kahe kahaa au gareebi gahe bhaagi jaahin,
Bibi gahe soothani suneebi gahe raaniyaan ||

* About poet Bhushan and his poetry *

“Bhushan” was a title conferred on the poet whose original name has been lost during the course of history. Further, “Bhushan” is referred to as “Kaviraj” or the ‘King of Poets’ on account of the impact of his poetry.

Bhushan wrote in Braj Bhasha - the language of the region he was born in. It is interesting how the people of the erstwhile Maratha kingdom loved Bhushan and his poetry. Everyone in the region could understand Braj Bhasha and all of Kavi Bhushan's works were passed down by word of mouth, while being written down by many different people. This accounts for the difference in words of some of the chhands (the feelings and context however have been preserved).

Kavi Bhushan's writing in Braj Bhasha also resulted in the immense popularity of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and the Marathas in the erstwhile Braj Pradesh (Braj region) encompassing the present day cities of Mathura, Agra, Aligarh, Bharatpur, Jhansi, Gwalior and many more (covering almost 15% of India's area)

Bhushan uses “Veer Ras” (valor) as the primary sentiment in his poems. Kaviraj Bhushan also blends some other rasas or flavors such as “haasya” (humor), “raudra / rudra” (terrible), “bhayaanak” (frightful), “beebhatsa” (ugly) along with veer rasa. Kavi Bhushan has also used “vyangya” (satire) in many places.

0:00 Introduction: Respect for Women under Shivaji Maharaj's Rule
1:43: Katta Ki Karakani - Recited (Shiva Baavani)
2:19 Historians Views on Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and Respect for Women
4:40 Short Story on Shivaji Maharaj's Regard for Women
7:27 Explained - Katta Ki Karakani
11:53 Katta Ki Karakani - Recited Again

Kavi Bhushan poems on Shivaji Maharaj