Shivaji II, also known as Chhatrapati Shivaji II, was a significant figure in the Maratha Empire during a period of intense political upheaval and succession struggles. Born in 1696, he was the son of Chhatrapati Rajaram I and Tarabai, a formidable and influential queen. His early life was marked by the turbulent conditions following the death of his grandfather, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, the founder of the Maratha Empire. With the Mughal Empire under Aurangzeb aggressively expanding its influence in the Deccan, the Marathas were engaged in a protracted and desperate struggle for survival. After Rajaram's death in 1700, Tarabai took on the regency on behalf of her young son, Shivaji II. She proved to be an exceptionally capable leader, rallying the Maratha forces and effectively leading the resistance against the Mughals. Under her guidance, the Marathas launched daring raids and employed guerrilla warfare tactics, successfully frustrating Aurangzeb's attempts to subdue them completely.

Shivaji II's reign, though short and largely under the influence of his mother, was a critical time for the Maratha Empire. Tarabai's leadership ensured the survival of the Maratha cause, preserving the legacy of Shivaji Maharaj and laying the foundation for future expansion. While Shivaji II was the titular ruler, Tarabai effectively wielded the power, making crucial decisions and steering the empire through challenging times. His significance lies in being the inheritor of a legacy during a period of crisis and in being the figurehead around which Maratha resistance coalesced. His reign ended when Shahu I, a claimant to the Maratha throne and grandson of Shivaji Maharaj, was released from Mughal captivity. This led to a power struggle between Shahu and Tarabai, ultimately resulting in Shahu's ascendance and the establishment of a separate Maratha kingdom under his rule.