An enduring legacy of the Marathas and Hindavi Swaraj.
The 350th year since the coronation of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj is an occasion of great historical significance, offering an opportunity to reflect on the enduring legacy of the Marathas and Shivaji’s vision of Hindavi Swaraj, or self-rule. This milestone invites us to delve into the rich historical fabric of the Marathas, exploring their military prowess, governance and leadership, cultural preservation, and relevance to the Indian security today. These unsung heroes and gaps of Indian history need to be filled. It is time that both the Central and State Governments encouraged the research in higher education institutions.
The legacy of Shivaji continues to inspire generations of individuals and governments. As such, to commemorate this special anniversary, we should look back at the transformative period of his rule that shaped the course of Indian history and continues to resonate today without attenuating the profound significance it holds.
MAKING HARD CHOICES
The rise of the Marathas under the leadership of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj represented a seismic shift in Indian history. Their emergence as a formidable force challenged the hegemony of the Mughal Empire, ultimately leading to the establishment of Hindavi Swaraj. Hindavi Swaraj was a clarion call for self rule against the Mughal and other invaders. The valour, guerilla tactics, military strategy and construction of forts both inland and on the coast as part of their unique naval strategy in the Western Indian Ocean.
The Marathas’ military campaigns showcased their exceptional strategic insight and innovative tactics, resulting in significant victories against more powerful adversaries. They were a bulwark against the Islamic invasions down South and saved the South from the plunder of temples, genocide and mass forced conversions.
Yet, what exemplifies Shivaji most is his proclivity to make hard choices as a tactician on the battlefield, as a ruler, and as an individual. Instead of choosing a life of comfort serving the feudal lords like many of his contemporaries, Shivaji took the road less travelled as he sought to fight for freedom. One of his ingenuities was to adopt a warfare approach characterized by guerrilla tactics, swift mobility, and the effective use of terrain. He pioneered the concept of guerrilla warfare, using hit-and-run tactics, ambushes, and surprise attacks to weaken the powerful Mughal forces. Later, this was reflected in his successors’ campaigns that adapted to the ever-changing battlefield conditions to challenge the established order.
Furthermore, the Marathas under Shivaji took to the seas even while it was easier to raise armies. Indeed, the Marathas turned out to be skilled naval commanders known for their naval expeditions and for establishing a strong maritime presence along the Konkan and Malabar coasts. Their navy played a pivotal role in securing coastal regions, protecting trade routes, and challenging the dominance of European powers in the Indian Ocean. The Maratha Empire’s territorial expansion and the subsequent weakening of the Mughal Empire laid the foundation for a significant power shift in India. Their rise opened up new avenues for regional powers, redefining the political landscape and heralding a new era of indigenous self-rule.
LESSONS FOR EFFECTIVE GOVERNANCE
Many discussions on Shivaji’s legacy deal with his military conquests, expeditions, and defiance of the Mughal rule. However, Shivaji’s vision of efficient governance, justice, and welfare was central to the Maratha legacy. He implemented a series of administrative reforms that laid the foundation for a well-rounded administration. The “Ashta Pradhan,” or the Council of Eight Ministers, exemplified Shivaji’s emphasis on diverse perspectives and expertise in governance. Each minister represented a specific facet of governance, such as finance, defence, foreign affairs, and intelligence. This system ensured a comprehensive and inclusive approach to decision-making, facilitating effective governance and fostering a sense of accountability.
Shivaji’s administration prioritized its subjects’ welfare, implementing policies promoting social justice and economic prosperity. He emphasised the importance of local self-governance and empowered regional leaders to manage their territories autonomously. This approach decentralized power and effectively addressed local concerns and needs. Furthermore, Shivaji’s administration emphasised meritocracy, where individuals were appointed based on their skills and abilities rather than their social status or birth. Such ideas may appear standard in today’s day and age, but back then, such views were radical. A direct outcome of such merit-based appointments was that Shivaji’s administration represented one of the most inclusive administrations in medieval history.
The Marathas’ administrative reforms also extended to revenue administration, where they introduced a systematic land revenue system that emphasised equitable taxation. This system played a crucial role in stimulating agricultural production and economic growth, benefiting the state and its subjects. The significance of such tax reforms is hard to grapple in today’s understanding. To put it in context, the Marathas under Shivaji implemented a revenue system rooted in equitable taxation principle, while the overwhelming population in mainland India at the time suffered from discriminatory and predatory taxes like Jiziya (tax collected from non-Muslims) and bhutfarosi (tax collected from idol worshippers). The Marathas’ focus on governance and welfare continues to hold valuable lessons about an inclusive and equitable societal structure that works for all, not for the few.
PRESERVING CULTURE AND CELEBRATING DIVERSITY
Beyond military and administrative achievements, the Marathas were passionate patrons and preservers of cultural heritage. Shivaji’s reign witnessed a flourishing of arts, literature, and architecture, creating a rich cultural and intellectual milieu. The Marathas’ patronage extended to poets, scholars, and artists who contributed significantly to Marathi literature, music, dance, and artistic traditions. Their support for regional languages and indigenous cultural expressions fostered a sense of pride and unity among diverse communities. This resulted in fostering Indian culture that stood distinct from outside rulers from Central Asia.
The Marathas celebrated diversity, transcending divisions based on religion or caste. Shivaji promoted a pluralistic ethos that emphasised unity in the face of adversity. He recognised the importance of cultural identity and took significant steps to revive and promote Marathi culture, language, and traditions. Shivaji’s patronage of Sanskrit and Marathi literature and the establishment of educational institutions nurtured a vibrant intellectual and cultural atmosphere in his kingdom. Interestingly, Shivaji changed the court language from Persian (traditionally the courtly language in the country) to Marathi. This change was accompanied by an emphasis on Hindu political and courtly customs and traditions, as evidenced by his official seal, which was in Sanskrit. Shivaji’s love and admiration for Sanskrit were not limited to this. He commissioned a lexicon to replace Persian and Arabic words with their equivalents in Sanskrit. Shivaji sought to promote the use of Marathi and Sanskrit to foster a cultural and linguistic identity aligned with the Hindu heritage in his kingdom.
A champion of social emancipation and the architect of the Indian Constitution, Bhimrao Ambedkar was also inspired by Shivaji. The landmark legislation CK Bole Act that opened public spaces for Scheduled Communities and the subsequent Mahad Satyagraha (1927) underscores the importance of Shivaji as a social unifier in India that employed slogans such as “Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj ki Jai!” Shivaji’s ideals and approach to cultural preservation serve as a model for embracing diversity and nurturing a collective identity that transcends societal divisions.
LEGACY OF SWARAJYA
One of the earliest nationalists of the freedom movement in India, Dadabhai Naoroji, is often attributed to bringing the word swaraj into the lexicon of freedom struggle. Later, Lokmanya Bal Gangadhara Tilak popularized the term, echoing Shivaji’s vision of self-rule. However, the term was first coined by Chhatrapati Shivaji in 1646 CE (to declare war against the Adil Shahi to win self-rule), making this one of the most invaluable contributors of Shivaji to the Indian Independence struggle. Furthermore, Shivaji and his stories profoundly impacted Indian freedom fighters, thinkers, writers, poets, and the larger Indian consciousness. For instance, Shivaji’s ideals caused Tilak to start the Shivaji Utsav, which helped invigorate India’s democratic processes and fostered a sense of national pride.
The term Hindavi Swarajya (self-rule of Hindus) has helped shape contemporary India in ways that many Indians remain oblivious to. This concept, popularized by the visionary leader Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, embodies a spiritual and inclusive vision beyond political independence. It represents the essence of a nation-state that cherishes its cultural heritage, upholds egalitarian values, and embraces diversity. Under the auspices of the concept, Shivaji aimed to break the barriers of social hierarchy, social stagnation, and social exclusion and lay down the foundation for a more equitable society. As such, the concept has been crucial in forming a national consciousness and even nation-building itself. Such understanding of Shivaji’s Hindavi Swarajya was best exemplified by his rule and governance, where ideas of social inclusion and mobility were so advanced that they may humble many so-called modern societies of today.
The principles and values espoused by the Marathas and Hindavi Swaraj remain relevant in addressing modern-day challenges. In a rapidly changing world, there is a need for indigenous solutions; national pride and participatory governance are valuable in navigating contemporary challenges. As such, Shivaji’s commitment to self-determination, resistance against oppressive rule, and the promotion of inclusive and decentralized governance provide insights for individuals, societies, and governments grappling with questions of autonomy, identity, and development.
The supreme sacrifice of Sambhaji Maharaj, who was brutally tortured and killed in a gruesome manner by Aurangazeb for refusing to convert under duress and standing up for Hindavi Swaraj need to be told in filling the gaps of history. One fashionably talks of Muslim genocide when there is none, but none speaks of the facts of Hindu genocide throughout the medieval period. Hindu genocide took place in the Kashmir valley as late as 1990. It is these strategic silences that need to be corrected and the facts be made public. One cannot normalise rape, loot, plunder and genocide. Let us remove the ghosts that have been constructed.
In commemorating the 350th anniversary of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s coronation, the most profound tribute lies in upholding and cherishing the enduring influence of the Marathas and Hindavi Swaraj on India and its people. Shivaji’s concept of swarajya reverberates as an indomitable force within India’s historical tapestry. Its multifaceted essence encompasses making hard choices to challenge the pressures of foreign invading powers, their fanatical tactics and genocide of local population, effective governance, preserving the cultural heritage, promoting diversity, and, most importantly, recognising the importance of self-rule. However, one must exercise caution to prevent these remarkable accomplishments and legacies from being confined to a mere annual commemoration or fleeting social media homage. Instead, they should be imbibed and internalized, for there exists no finer way to honour Shivaji’s legacy than to assimilate his virtuous acts and values through making it a part of our school and University curriculum as well as research.
Every state needs to have a factual history and one where there is genuine pride. History cannot exist on shaky and fabricated foundations. The practice of defeated societies being excluded and marginalised, needs to be contested. Hence Marathas who challenged the Mughals were marginalised. History is weaponised with glaring biases such as Aurangazeb was generous and secular, whereas Marathas were communal for they fought for Hindavi Swaraj. This is based on interpretation rather than fact. We are sacrificing this at the altar of political calculations. One should not erase large chunks of history that erase the Bharatiya narratives. We need a plurality of voices and truth cannot be blamed. NEP 2020 is a historic document and framework where these glaring gaps in history need to be told loud and clear, where we celebrate our spirit of resilience and courage like that of the Marathas.
Prof. Santishree Dhulipudi Pandit is the Vice Chancellor of the Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi.