Shivaji Maharaj belongs to entire country, British history confined him as regional icon: BJP leader Sudhanshu Trivedi
Nagpur: Warrior king Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj belonged to the entire country, but British history tried to confine him as a regional icon, said BJP leader and Rajya Sabha MP Sudhanshu Trivedi, who was in Nagpur on Friday to attend an event marking the 351st anniversary of Shivaji Maharaj's coronation.
Trivedi told TOI at the event organized by Shivaji Maharaj Kruti Samiti that Shivaji Maharaj's contribution in 'safeguarding' the southern part of India from Mughal invasion must not be forgotten.
Trivedi said, "Shivaji Maharaj belonged to all of us, entire country. Unfortunately, the British purposely tried to project him as a regional king in their history books. But everyone knows that Shivaji Maharaj formed the Hindawi Swaraj, which goes beyond regional borders."
The Rajya Sabha MP said it was Shivaji Maharaj who held Aurangzeb at bay, else the Mughal empire would have spread to India's southern tip. "He stood as a wall between Mughals and the rest of India. It was Shivaji Maharaj's greatness that he was able to challenge such a mighty force. People followed him because they believed in his leadership, they were convinced that Shivaji Maharaj was working for the greater good," said Trivedi.
Commenting on Shivaji Maharaj's foresight, Trivedi said, "Look at how he built up a formidable naval force. At that time nobody even thought about having a navy. And Shivaji Maharaj was facing a threat from the Portugese, the British were also there apart from the then mighty Mughals."
Trivedi praised Shivaji Maharaj's strategy to go for one of Mughals' financial hubs. "Surat was a big revenue spinner for the Mughals. We have to understand the military brilliance behind Shivaji Maharaj's decision to attack Surat, as it ultimately hampers the enemy's financial standing," said Trivedi.
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