NEW DELHI: In a grand event held at NDMC Convention Centre on July 31, the legacy of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and the Maratha Empire was celebrated through the launch of eight insightful books. The event was graced by the presence of esteemed dignitaries including Sarkaryavah of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) Dattatreya Hosabale and former President Ram Nath Kovind.
Dattatreya Hosabale ji while addressing the gathering spoke about Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s dedication to Hindavi Swaraj and his immense love for the nation. He added such a commitmnet towards the nation has left an indelible mark on India’s heart. He remarked, “Shivaji Maharaj, through his exemplary actions, fostered a sense of national pride and established Hindavi Swaraj by defeating the Mughals. He was already a legend in his lifetime, reflecting his immense stature.”
The event was organised by the Hindavi Swaraj Sthapana Mahotsav Ayojan Samiti, Delhi; Shri Shivaji Raigad Smarak Mandal, Pune; and Shri Bharti Prakashan, Nagpur. Hosabale ji underscored the distortion of India’s glorious history and praised the enduring legacy of Shivaji Maharaj, deeply entrenched in the Indian psyche.
“Despite attempts to distort India’s illustrious history, the legacy of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj remains unshaken in the hearts of Indians,” said Hosabale. He noted that Shivaji Maharaj never spoke solely of Maratha pride but always advanced the cause of Hindavi Swaraj. “The path he showed led to the Marathas raising the saffron flag from Attock to Cuttack, enhancing the glory of Indian culture,” he added. Hosabale advocated for more such events nationwide to spread the governance principles of Hindavi Swaraj.
Former President Ram Nath Kovind, the chief guest, lauded Shivaji Maharaj as one of India’s greatest rulers and a true architect of the nation’s destiny. He remarked, “Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj was a supreme ruler of India, shaping its destiny. Without a warrior like Shivaji in our history, Indian culture would not have been as profound.”
Kovind highlighted Shivaji Maharaj’s role in instilling a sense of national duty and responsibility, a legacy that continues to inspire. “His military acumen and strategic brilliance in defeating the Mughal Empire are sources of inspiration. His administration prioritised public welfare, upheld religious and cultural values, and successfully established Hindavi Swaraj, reflecting India’s unity and integrity,” Kovind said.
The event featured the release of eight books, each shedding light on various aspects of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and the Maratha Empire:
- ‘Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’ (Hindavi Swaraj: Shivaji’s Pan-Indian Vision, the Struggle Against the Mughals, and their Downfall) by Dr. Kedar Phalke
- ‘Swaraj Sanrakshan Ka Sangharsh’ (The Renaissance of India and the Story of Success) by Pandurang Balkawde, Sudhir Thorat, and Mohan Shete
- ’18th Century Hindavi Samrajya’ (From Hindavi Swaraj to Empire: The Story of Success) by Pandurang Balkawde and Sudhir Thorat.
- ‘If Chhatrapati Shivaji Had Not Existed…’ by Gajanan Mehendale.
- ‘Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’ (English translation).
- ‘The Fight for Defending the Swaraj’ (English translation).
- ‘Maratha Empire (Hindavi Samrajya) During the Eighteenth Century’ (English translation).
- ‘Chhatrapati Shivaji: Savior of Hindu India’ (English translation).
These books delve into the various facets of Shivaji Maharaj’s life and the Maratha Empire. They explore how Shivaji Maharaj organised the Hindu society and ignited the spirit of independence, with a grand vision of expelling the Mughals and capturing the throne of Delhi.
