Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) is set to introduce a ‘Centre of Excellence’ named after the iconic Maratha leader, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, aiming to bring forward a new era of Indian strategic and military studies. The proposed centre will offer fresh insights into Shivaji’s leadership, diplomacy, and military innovations, particularly his contributions to the “Akhand Bharat” concept and his quest for “Hindavi Swaraj” or self-rule.
The new centre, to be called the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Centre for Security & Strategic Studies, will be established within JNU’s prestigious School of International Studies. The initiative will be supported by the Maharashtra government, which is contributing a corpus of INR 10 crore to fund the project.
“The focus is on understanding Shivaji Maharaj’s strategic and administrative insights, which played a key role in shaping a united and resilient Bharat,” said Professor Amitabh Mattoo, Dean of the School of International Studies. He emphasised that Shivaji’s era offers valuable lessons in diplomacy, military strategy, and leadership, which are still relevant for contemporary India.
The centre is expected to start offering diploma, undergraduate, and postgraduate programs by July 2025, making it a flagship institution for studying Indian strategic thought rooted in historical perspectives.
The establishment of the Shivaji Centre is being seen as a major shift from the traditionally Western-dominated study of Indian security and strategy at JNU. Vice-Chancellor Santishree D Pandit remarked, “It’s time to move beyond the Anglo-American lens and develop alternative models that resonate with India’s historical and strategic reality. The new centre will explore the contributions of Shivaji Maharaj, who remains one of the greatest icons of Indian history.”
The centre will offer courses like Maratha Grand Strategy: Relevance to Contemporary National Security, Strategic Approach to Asymmetrical Warfare, Guerrilla Diplomacy, and Naval Strategy. Shivaji’s guerrilla warfare tactics, his naval expansions, and his administrative foresight will be among the key areas of study.
The centre will also delve into the often misunderstood concept of “Akhand Bharat,” which is erroneously perceived as an imperial expansionist idea. “Akhand Bharat is not about territorial conquest but the notion of an undivided, united India that upholds values of resilience, unity, and collective will,” said a JNU proposal note.
Shivaji’s vision for Hindavi Swaraj – self-rule by the people for the people – will be at the core of these studies. His emphasis on fairness, justice, and sovereignty remains significant for India’s strategic culture.
The study of Shivaji’s military strategies, such as his famous ganimi kawa (guerilla warfare), fortifications, and naval expansions, will provide valuable lessons for modern military strategists. These tactics allowed the Marathas to withstand powerful adversaries like the Mughals, positioning Shivaji Maharaj’s contributions as pivotal in shaping India’s defense strategies.
The proposed centre will have a faculty strength of 14, including professors, associate professors, and assistant professors. The infrastructure will include an administrative block, state-of-the-art IT labs, a library, and a museum dedicated to Shivaji Maharaj’s life and contributions.
JNU is collaborating with experts from Maharashtra on the project, ensuring a strong connection to Maratha history. The centre will work closely with archives in Maharashtra and other regions to gather primary and secondary sources, enriching research and scholarship on Shivaji Maharaj.
In addition to teaching, the centre plans to organise national seminars, publish research papers, and develop books on topics related to Shivaji’s strategic vision. This will make it a hub for scholarly exchanges on Indian history, military strategies, and statecraft.
Vice-Chancellor Pandit concluded that the centre represents a reassessment of India’s historical icons, contributing to the nation’s strategic thought at a time of global change. “Shivaji Maharaj’s role in shaping India’s identity has never been more relevant. This centre will serve as a symbol of national pride and a reminder of the values that built our nation.”
The Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Centre for Security & Strategic Studies is expected to begin its activities by the next academic semester, promising to offer students and researchers a fresh, India-centric perspective on leadership, governance, and national security.
