It is heartening to see modern India recognising and honouring Shivaji’s legacy.
Shivaji’s diplomatic acumen in forging alliances with European powers like the Portuguese and the British had economic ramifications. These alliances facilitated the exchange of goods and technologies, stimulating trade and economic development. In particular, Shivaji’s treaty with the British East India Company paved the way for the introduction of European weaponry and technologies, contributing to the modernization of India’s military and, by extension, its economy.
At a time when the significance of naval power was largely overlooked in India, Shivaji Maharaj had the foresight to recognize its vital role in both defence and offence. He laid the foundation of the Maratha naval force in 1654 near Kalyan and went on to build multiple fortified naval bases along the western coastline. His fleet, a blend of various types of ships commanded by a mix of local and foreign expertise, was a testament to his visionary leadership.
Employing innovative tactics like guerrilla warfare at sea, hand-to-hand combat, and strategic fleet positioning, he not only defended the Maratha territory against foreign invasions but also used his naval strength as a tool for diplomatic leverage. His naval endeavours laid the groundwork for India’s future maritime operations and continue to inspire naval strategy in modern times. For these groundbreaking contributions, Shivaji Maharaj is rightfully celebrated as the Father of the Indian Navy, encapsulating his enduring maritime legacy.
Inhibiting History
In a 2015 piece in the Hindustan Times, historian Ramachandra Guha minimized the contributions of the Marathas, including Shivaji and Rana Pratap, by labelling them “essentially regional figures.” Adding insult to injury, he claimed these figures practised “feudalism,” endorsed “caste hierarchies,” and upheld “scriptural and social practices which led to the subordination of women.” Left-leaning historians often speak of inclusivity, contextual understanding and caution against generalizing when discussing Aurangzeb. Yet, these cautions fade when they discuss figures like Shivaji, Ranjit Singh, and Rana Pratap.
When discussing Shivaji and his political and military life, the inevitable mention of figures like Afzal Khan and Aurangzeb underscores his significance as a national figure. If these contributions do not warrant a national discussion, it is difficult to understand what does. By the same logic, one could argue that the Mughals should be studied only as North Indian rulers, regardless of their southern expansions. After all, they ruled from Delhi and spent their time in north India, making their southern conquests merely a sidenote.
Strategic Visionary
The context of Shivaji’s achievements lends them even more value, considering that during his time, India was deeply divided along religious and caste lines. Under overarching Muslim rule, Hindus suffered under feudal policies, religious persecution, and stagnant social mobility. For Hindus, the political, intellectual, and religious domains had shrunk so drastically in many parts of India that basic security and safety were no longer certain. Within this context, one should evaluate the contributions of Shivaji and the Marathas to our understanding of religious rights, practices, and national security.
With his sizeable standing cavalry, an extensive network of forts, and organized rank-and-file cadre, Shivaji maintained an effective military force that achieved significant success against much larger armies. This aspect of Shivaji, in particular, and the Marathas in general, remains underexplored. However, his vision for organizing the security apparatus and strengthening military capabilities, especially diversifying into the naval domain, was indeed visionary.
Part of this vision is understood through the realities of that time, where Shivaji recognized the need for naval consolidation. His rule witnessed a notable expansion of fort construction around maritime bases. He sanctioned the construction of naval forts, including Vijaydurg, Sindhudurg, and Kolaba, between 1653 and 1680. In terms of maritime tactics, Shivaji deserves notable mention because of his attention to and development of naval power, which his contemporaries primarily ignored. His naval tactics in littoral waters and his famous naval raid on Basrur near Kundapura, in today’s Karnataka, with nearly hundred vessels of different kinds, all demonstrate his military aptitude.
Shivaji’s recognition of the importance of a secure coastline led to developing a strong fleet to guard the western Konkan coastline from the attacks of the Siddis, Afro-Indians allied with Deccani Sultans. Despite the significance of his naval campaigns, they have often been overshadowed by the focus on ground battles in history books. Additionally, the dominant narratives about the mega-naval capabilities of the Dutch, Portuguese, and British navies tend to eclipse the mention of naval campaigns during this period. Yet, recognition should be granted where it is due, and the Marathas’ naval capability deserves mention for its development and excellence despite the formidable challenges posed by the Mughals and Europeans.
Repossessing Shivaji’s Relevance
While it is unfortunate to see the historical contributions of figures as Shivaji underappreciated in the context of the security domain, it is heartening to witness modern India recognizing and honouring his legacy. Recent decisions by the Indian Navy reflect this shift. For instance, replacing the British-era ensign with one based on Shivaji’s octagonal seal during the commissioning of INS Vikrant in Kochi is a move in the right direction. Furthermore, the 2023 decision of the Indian Navy to replace the epaulettes on military uniforms with an octagonal shape encompassing the national Ashoka emblem is a commendable and fitting tribute to Shivaji’s legacy. Besides these, the Indian Navy’s station in Lonavala, which houses the prestigious Naval College of Engineering (affiliated with JNU), is named “INS Shivaji.” Meanwhile, the shore-based logistics and administrative hub of the Western Naval Command in Mumbai is known as “INS Angre” in recognition of celebrated Maratha naval commander Kanhoji Angre.
Indians remember Shivaji as a warrior, hero, and great ruler, but he was also a brilliant tactician and strategic thinker. His contributions to security, military organization and naval expansion laid the foundations for even more remarkable achievements by his Maratha successors. Despite this, his legacy as a strategic thinker has long been overlooked. The Government of Maharashtra has set up a Special Centre in honour of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in the 350th year of his coronation in Jawaharlal Nehru University to study the Marathas’ contribution to the making of India’s security discourses and narratives. These initiatives highlight the depth and diversity of India’s historical narrative, showcasing figures like Shivaji, who played pivotal roles in shaping the nation’s destiny.
Prof Santishree Dhulipudi Pandit is the Vice Chancellor of JNU.