The title of ‘Raja’ was conferred upon Shivaji by the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb. This title was granted in the 1660s by the Emperor’s order, though likely mediated by Raja Jai Singh I. While Shivaji later took the higher title of Chhatrapati through his own coronation, the title Raja was the first official acknowledgement of his status by the powerful Mughal court. Answer is (A) Aurangzeb
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The Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb conferred the title of ‘Raja’ on Shivaji. This title was likely granted in 1665 AD, facilitated by Raja Jai Singh I, as part of the diplomatic effort preceding the Treaty of Purandar and Shivaji’s visit to Agra. While it was an acknowledgement of Shivaji’s emerging power, it was meant to integrate him into the Mughal imperial system as a subordinate. Shivaji’s later assumption of the higher, independent title ‘Chhatrapati’ was a deliberate rejection of this Mughal vassal status.