SHIVAJI MAHARAJ STORMS THE CAPITAL

Shivaji Bhonsle (1627/1630 – 3 April 1680) was an Indian warrior king who showed exemplary courage and sense of purpose to carve out an enclave from the declining Adilshahi Sultanate of Bijapur that formed the genesis of the Maratha Empire. In 1674, he was formally crowned as the chhatrapati (monarch) of his realm at Raigad.

 

Shivaji was known for his liberal and tolerant religious policy; while Hindus were relieved to practice their religion freely under a Hindu ruler, Shivaji not only allowed Muslims to practice without harassment, but supported their ministries with endowments, and had many prominent Muslims in his military service. His mother and his guru Samarth Ramdas had a great bearing on Shivaji who nurtured him and inculcated in him tolerance for all religion and faith.

MARTIAL ART PERFORMANCE DURING THE PROCESSION

MARATHA LADY PERFORMING IN THE PROCESSION

PROUD MARATHA YOUTHS RAISING THE FLAG

YOUNG BOYS IN PROCESSION

 

SHIVAJI MAHARAJ IN PALANQUIN

Though many of Shivaji's enemy states were Muslim, he treated Muslims under his rule with tolerance for their religion. Shivaji's sentiments of inclusivity and tolerance of other religions can be seen in an admonishing letter to Aurangzeb, in which he wrote:

“Verily, Islam and Hinduism are terms of contrast. They are used by the true Divine Painter for blending the colours and filling in the outlines. If it is a mosque, the call to prayer is chanted in remembrance of God. If it is a temple, the bells are rung in yearning for God alone.” 

Even though Shivaji was known for his religious tolerance, he nevertheless restricted the spread of Islam in India. Noting this contemporary, the poet Kavi Bhushan stated: "Had not there been Shivaji, Kashi would have lost its culture, Mathura would have been turned into a mosque and all would have been circumcised". 

There is less evidence of Shivaji's attitude towards the Christians. To one side, in 1667 three Portuguese Catholic priests and a few Christians were killed during Shivaji's raid on Bardes. However, during the sack of Surat in 1664, Shivaji was approached by Ambrose, a Capuchin monk who asked him to spare the city's Christians. Shivaji left the mission untouched, saying "the Frankish Padrys are good men." 

Shivaji was well known for his strong religious and warrior code of ethics and exemplary character. He was recognized as a great national hero during Indian Independence Movement. 

While the nation celebrates the birth anniversary of this great hero today (19^th February 2019), I share some of the pictures of this celebrations from Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA), New Delhi.