Pune (Maharashtra)

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Thursday paid a heartfelt tribute to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj on the birth anniversary of Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj at the Shivneri Fort in Pune.

"At a time when many kings and princely rulers of this land were bowing at the feet of the Mughals, Jijamata raised and nurtured Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. While doing so, she taught him that he must free this land from Mughal rule and establish a swarajya..." he said while speaking at the event.

Speaking about Shivaji Maharaj, Fadnavis recalled his devotion to the nation, supreme leadership, and strong ideals. He remembered Shivaji Maharaj's legacy, stating that he encouraged his soldiers to fight for God, the nation, and the common people.

"As you all know, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj brought together people from different communities and built such a powerful force that established Swarajya. Shivaji Maharaj declared, 'This is not my kingdom; it is the kingdom of the people.' He told his soldiers that the battle they were fighting was not for him personally, but for God, the nation, and dharma, and to free the common people from Mughal oppression..." he stated.

Fadnavis said that Shivaji Maharaj established a state where there was equality and rights for all, where injustice and oppression had no place, and where women were safe.

"He created such an ideal system of governance that people across the world were left wondering how a single ruler could achieve so much..." he said.

India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi nominated 12 forts of Shivaji Maharaj, including Shivneri Fort, for World Heritage status. Subsequently, 27 countries of the world unanimously granted these forts recognition as World Heritage Sites, Fadnavis said.

READ MORE: Ramzan and Lent begin the same day signaling unity of religions

Furthermore, the Chief Minister urged that the nation must follow in the footsteps of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj for the development and upliftment of all sectors of society.

Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj was a 17th-century Indian warrior king who founded the Maratha Empire. He is considered to be one of the greatest warriors in Indian history. The Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj birth anniversary or Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Jayanti is commemorated every year on February 19.