Q: Who was the mother of Shivaji?  

Answer: B

Jijabai Shahaji Bhosale (12 January 1598-17 June 1674), sometimes referred to as Rajmata Jijabai or even simply Jijai, was the mother of Shivaji, founder of Maratha Empire.

Jijabai was born on 12 January, 1598, as the daughter of Lakhojirao Jadhav of Deulgaon, near Sindkhed, in present-day Buldhana district of state (maharastra) Her mother's name was Mhalsabai. As per the customs of that age, Jijabai was married at an early age to Shahaji, son of Maloji Bhonsle of Verul village, a military commander serving under the Adil Shahi sultans of Bijapur Sultanate in present-day Karnataka. The wedding was held in Sindkhed on 5 Nov, 1605, when Jijabai was eight years old and her husband was twelve years old. She was his first wife. As per custom, Jijabai remained with her parents for several years before joining her husband.

Jijabai's father-in-law, Maloji Bhonsle, had begun his career as a shilledar serving under the command of her father, Lakhojirao Jadhav. Her natal family (the Jadhav family) was of relatively high standing in the region, whereas her husband's family were just rising into importance newly and according to some accounts, they had risen from the ranks of the Kunbi caste of cultivators. This difference in background and status meant that Jijabai's father had not been very happy to give his daughter in marriage to Shahaji, son of Maloji Bhonsle. He had wanted that his daughter should be given in marriage to an even higher house and he had agreed to the proposal made by Maloji only after some pressure.

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