New Delhi: Today marks the 392nd The birth anniversary of the great Maratha ruler Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. The birth anniversary of Shivaji is celebrated, largely in Maharashtra, as Shiv Jayanti.
Chhatrapati Shivaji was the first one to establish a Hindavi Swarajya (Self-rule) in his era.
On this day, Maharasthra observes a public holiday in the state and it is celebrated in a grand manner with huge bike processes taken out across the state. On this occasion, several programs are organized all over the state every year.
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Who was Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj ?
Born in 1630, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj was a Maratha Emperor and fought several wars against Mughals. Also known as Shivaji Bhosale, the Maratha King was born at Shivneri Fort near Pune and named after a regional Goddess Shivai. In 1674, he was formally crowned as the Chhatrapati, or emperor of the Maratha Empire. In an interesting nugget of information, the ruler is believed to have promoted the use of Marathi and Sanskrit in court and administration as opposed to the Persian language, which was the norm in those times.
He is credited for forming a well-structured civil administration system, and considered to be one of the first Indian rulers to have introduced the concept of “naval force” to fight the Konkan side of Maharashtra. Known for his courage and secularism, the king hired several Muslim soldiers in his battalion. At 16 years of age, Shivaji Maharaj captured the Torna fort and when he turned 17 he succeeded in capturing the Raigad and Kondana forts. Considered as the greatest Maratha ruler, he formed his own enclave from the declining Adilshahi sultanate of Bijapur which heralded the start of the Maratha Empire.
What’s the significance of the day?
The day has been observed as the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Jayanti or Shiv Jayanti in 1870 since Mahatma Jyotirao Phule discovered the tomb of Shivaji in Raigad, Pune.
Freedom fighter Bal Gangadhar Tilak was instrumental in popularizing the Jayanti by promoting it and highlighting Shivaji Maharaj’s achievements to the general public.
What are restrictions amid Covid-19 third wave?
In view of the pandemic situation, the state home department has asked people to not take out bike rallies and organize cultural programs on a large scale. As per the guidelines, 200 people can take part in the ‘Shiv Jyoti’ run and 500 people can attend a ceremony to mark the ‘Shiv Jayanti’.
Earlier this week, Maharashtra chief minister Uddhav Thackeray approved a proposal submitted by Shambhuraj Desai, minister of state for home, as a special case in view of the Shiv Jayanti.
Thackeray urged the public to celebrate Shiv Jayanti in to public health-related norms. The government has advised people to organize events like garlanding of statues and images by observing adequate social distancing.
In a normal situation, followers of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj gather at Pune’s Shivneri Fort, where the warrior king was born, or other forts at February 18 to mark his birth anniversary. However, the state government said this year the anniversary should be celebrated without congregating in large numbers and avoid large-scale cultural programs.
“But cultural programs should not be organized on a big scale this year. Arrangements should be made to broadcast such programs through cable networks or online media,” the department said.
Meanwhile, all political parties have decided to celebrate the day in a grand manner in view of the upcoming municipal elections.
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