Today (February 19) is the 368th birth anniversary of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. Shivaji’s heroic efforts of defeating the might of the Mughals and creating a Maratha empire that endured for centuries after his time make him one of the greatest rulers in the history of India. Here are a few facts about him: Shiv Jayanti, the birth anniversary of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, is celebrated with traditional fervour in Maharashtraon. Shiv Sena celebrates 'Shiv Jayanti' as per the "tithi" - on Falgun Vadya Tritiya. Shivaji was born in Shivneri Fort, Junnar, about 100 kilometres east of Mumbai. He was named Shiva after the local Goddess Shivai, to whom his mother Jijabai had prayed for a son. Shivaji Maharaj was extremely secular. There was a sizeable amount of Muslim soldiers in Shivaji's army. His dream was to expel Mughals and build a Maratha empire, not a Hindu empire. He fought those rulers, not religions, who posed as a threat to his kingdom. "Torna" (Tornagad) or "Prachandgad" was the first fort captured by the 16-year-old Shivaji Maharaj. This was the first move towards his journey to build the Maratha empire. Shivaji Maharaj was a very strategic military commander. He also established a navy to protect the coastline. Afzal Khan, a seasoned commander, was sent by Bijapur to confront Shivaji. The Maratha king was sure that Khan would attack him. When the duo met in a hut under the garb of negotiations, Shivaji wore an armour underneath which stopped Khan's dagger. Unlike many other rulers, Shivaji Maharaj ensured that women of captured territories were left unharmed. Shivaji Maharaj also defeated the famous general and governor of Shayista Khan, sent by the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb. When Aurangzeb imposed Jizya tax on Hindus, Shivaji was the only Hindu ruler who protested against it.