Even after more than three centuries Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaja, the self-made Maratha king, remains omnipresent in today’s political and administrative platform of Maharashtra, the most progressive state of India. February being the month of Shivaji’s birth day, it is going to be significant to observe how and when it is being celebrated as the parties in the coalition government headed by Uddhav Thackeray, especially Shiv Sena and Nationalist Congress (NCP)-Congress, differ on the day of Shivaji’s birthday. Shiv Sena President and now the Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray had in the past issued a clear directive to his party members to celebrate the Shivaji jayanti (birth anniversary) on March 8 instead of February 19. Sena believes 19 February has no sanctity. It should be as per the Hindu calendar which varies every year. However, state government headed by Devendra Fadanvis had fixed the date of Shivaji’s birth as 19 February.
The Shiv Sena’s plea to government to reconsider the birth anniversary as per Hindu calendar was not heeded by the BJP-led government. The BJP-led government did not want another row over the birth date of warrior king and felt 19 February, which had been endorsed by the earlier government should be continued. In the year 2000, Congress and NCP government took a decision to put an end to the subject. It had constituted an expert committee to study the matter and come out with a date which would be observed every year as birth date of Shivaji. As the per committee’s report, which had the consensus of several Shivaji mandals across the state, 19 February was fixed as the birthday. However, Shiv Sena had launched a protest and refused to accept the government’s date.
The symbolism is found everywhere. From airport to railway terminus, you will find Shivaji’s name everywhere in Mumbai and across Maharashtra. Speeches of leaders across party lines are incomplete without singing the praises of the Maratha king and his lieutenants. While there is nothing wrong with drawing inspiration from history, this political game has brainwashed many who begin to idolise it. No political party is an exception. Even when Maharashra had the Congress Government headed by Abdul Rehman Antulay he along with his cabinet colleague Shalinitai Vasantdada Patil gave prominence to Shivaji and Jijamata, his saintly mother, and sanctioned special grants for the renovation of the Forts historically attached to the Great Maratha King. The BJP-Sena government took up a mega project of Shivaji Memorial in the Arabian sea near Mumbai. Following recent controversy about the book, titled "Aaj ke Shivaji: Narendra Modi", written by BJP leader Jay Bhagwan Goyal, the BJP had to distance from comparison of Modi with Chhatrapati Shivaji.The Shiv Sena, NCP and Congress, which are part of the Uddhav Thackeray-led Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi government, have criticized the book.
Recently the Sena-NCP- Congress government was installed in Maharashtra headed by Uddav Thackeray, a son of late Balasaheb Thackeray who established Shiv Sena in the name of Shivaji Maharaj in 1966. Thackeray Sr. had an alliance or some sort of understanding with the Indian National Congress of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi till 1986. Then SS-BJP alliance came into existence. Till the last Assembly elections in October 2019, the Sena was in coalition with BJP in the state government. Now both the proponent of Hindutva have parted ways despite the Union Government being headed by the BJP. For the first time anyone from Thackeray family came in the front to lead the government and contest the election leaving aside backseat driving. Aditya, the grandson of Balasaheb, who is a Cabinet Minister in his father’s ministry contested the Assembly election and his father Uddhav has to get elected to either House i.e. Vidhan Sabha (Assembly) or Vidhan Parishad (Council).
Shivaji, the national hero, established a royal name for himself in history with his administrative skills by upholding the Swarajya values and the Maratha heritage. He was known for his bravery and tactics with which he won numerous wars against the Mughals. Remembering the greatest Maratha ruler on his birthday, here are some interesting facts about the Maratha King presented by a leading magazine of India to clear doubts.
1. Known as the Father of Indian Navy, Shivaji was the first to realise the importance of having a naval force, and therefore he strategically established a navy and forts at the coastline to defend the Konkan side of Maharashtra. The Jaigad, Vijaydurg, Sindhudurg and other such forts still stand to testify his efforts and ideas.
2. Contrary to popular belief, Shivaji was not named after Lord Shiva. In fact, he was named after a regional Goddess Shivai. His mother prayed to the goddess for a son and was blessed with one. The god-like stature was given to him for his deeds, and not his name.
3. The secular ruler was very accommodating of all religions. He had numerous Muslim soldiers in his army. His only aim was to overthrow Mughal rule and establish Maratha empire. He was also very supportive of people who converted to Hinduism.
4. Shivaji was a dependable supporter of women and their honour. He opposed all kinds of violence, harassment and dishonour against women. Anyone under his rule caught violating woman's rights was severely punished. In fact, women of captured territories were also released unharmed, and with integrity.
5. Chhatrapati Shivaji was called as the 'Mountain Rat' and was widely known for his guerrilla warfare tactics. He was called so because of his awareness in geography of his land, and guerrilla tactics like raiding, ambushing and surprise attacks on his enemies. He knew the importance of a good army, and with his skills, expanded his father's 2000 soldier army to 10,000 soldiers.
Even though all the political parties try to woo the support of people in the name of , unfortunately hardly any follows the ideals of Sihivaji.
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Photoline:
Mughal Army Chief Raja Jai Singh of Amber receives Shivaji Maharaj marking the Treaty of Purandhar
