Latest news with #ChhatrapatiShivaji
Indian Express
3 days ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
‘Khalid Ka Shivaji' to be removed from Cannes festival listings; ‘won't allow tampering with history,' says Ashish Shelar
A probe is underway to determine how the film Khalid Ka Shivaji, which allegedly distorts history and hurts public sentiment, was submitted to the Cannes Film Festival, Maharashtra Cultural Affairs Minister Ashish Shelar said on Thursday, adding that the movie will be removed from the Cannes listings through legal and administrative action. Right-wing groups have alleged that the film wrongly portrays the legacy of Chhatrapati Shivaji. The state government has requested the Centre to revoke the film's censor certificate and halt its further screenings. Acting on this, central agencies have already issued urgent notices to the film's producers and director. Shelar assured that the state government stands firmly with Maratha ruler Chhatrapati Shivaji's devotees and historians and will not allow any distortion or misrepresentation of history or attack on public sentiments. 'Tampering with history will not be tolerated,' he said. The decision comes days after right-wing organisations, including the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP), Bajrang Dal and others raised objections against the film. On Tuesday, a protest against the film was held during the Maharashtra State Marathi Film Awards ceremony. Khalid Ka Shivaji, directed by Raj Pritam More, is about a Muslim boy who learns about Shivaji through life experiences. More won the National Film Award in 2019 for his Marathi film Khissa under the 'Best Debut Non-Feature Film of a Director' category. At the heart of the dispute surrounding the film is the long-standing debate in Maharashtra on whether Shivaji was primarily a Hindu warrior-king or a secular, inclusive ruler who stood against oppression regardless of religion.
Time of India
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Shivaji's war room to Chandragupta's court, MP's new museum to bring ancient India alive
Bhopal: Ever wondered what Chhatrapati Shivaji's war room would have been like? Or how regal was Chandragupta Maurya's court? You could soon get a peep into India's history — all through a high-tech, immersive 3D experience – with a museum coming up in Ujjain ahead of the Simhastha in 2028, one of the largest spiritual congregations in the world, held every 12 Veer Bharat Museum, a world-class cultural destination being developed in Ujjain, would have over 12 crore visitors during the month-long Simhastha Mela, as the Madhya Pradesh govt is positioning the museum as a marquee attraction — a place where India's ancient legacy meets cutting-edge storytelling. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now At the heart of this project is the Veer Bharat Nyaas, a newly-formed trust tasked with curating the finest chapters of Indian history and bringing them to life through interactive, multimedia exhibits. The museum will be housed in the historic Kothi Palace, allotted for the project by CM Mohan Yadav. The bhoomi pujan was held in Mar this year, and renovation is now underway. Museum will be totally funded by MP govt, Nyaas has been set up by the state govt to execute and plan the entire project. Preserving past for posterity "We're building more than a museum," Shriram Tiwari, cultural advisor to the CM and trustee-secretary of the Nyaas, told TOI. "This will be a living narrative of Indian civilisation — taking visitors on a journey that spans thousands of years. From rivers and cave paintings to warriors, emperors, sages, and epics — we aim to present it all in a format that today's generation can connect with. We're using the latest 3D and augmented reality technology. ," Tiwari said. The first phase of the project — covering around 40 acres — will cost between ₹25 crore and ₹30 crore and is slated for completion by Dec 2027. Using ancient techniques Neeraj Pande, superintending engineer, Smart City Ujjain, is overseeing the restoration of the palace. "Our goal is to preserve the essence of Kothi Palace, which is more than a century old. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now We are using traditional materials like lime plaster instead of cement, and natural elements such as jaggery, bael fruit, and powdered terracotta bricks — materials used in ancient Indian construction. Heritage conservation is at the core of this project," Pande said. Rock art to rivers' saga India's rich rock art heritage will feature prominently here, including petroglyphs at Daraki-Chattan in MP's Mandsaur-estimated to be between 200,000 and 500,000 years old—and the famed Bhimbetka rock shelters, with some of the oldest estimated to be around 30,000 years old. According to Tiwari, majority of the exhibits in this new-age museum will utilise modern, high-tech formats, alongside select ancient artefacts, murals, weapons, paintings and books sourced from both state and central museums across the country. The displays will be based on extensive research by experts from the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), NASA, and academic institutions such as Monash University, Australia, as well as references from Vedic, Prakrit, and Pali literature. The museum will also showcase studies on rivers and the cultures that evolved around them, such as the Kayatha culture, which flourished approximately 4,425 to 4,025 years ago along the Kshipra River, in Ujjain. The ancient cultures of seven native tribes around Narmada River will be scientifically represented based on available rock art paintings in MP. Some lesser-known sites like Dholavira—a major urban centre of the Indus Valley Civilisation located in present-day Gujarat—will be depicted through artefacts, stone inscriptions, and etchings preserved by the ASI. In all, around 5000 characters (rivers, sites, cultures, figures) have been compiled, out of which 1000 are being short-listed for display and storytelling. Work in progress The artistic sketch of Kothi Palace is ready, but the building right now is totally dilapidated; hence the venue is being cleaned, painted and restored. Once the Nyaas gets the building by March 2026; it will move in the artists and rest of the team to plan and execute the interiors, exhibits, 3D rooms etc.
Indian Express
18-07-2025
- Health
- Indian Express
At AFMC's iconic War Surgery Museum, a glimpse into how surgeons fought to save lives of frontline soldiers
Are you curious about the life of an Indian Army surgeon in active combat, and the challenges they face on the warfront? If so, just step into the War Surgery Museum at the Armed Forces Medical College in Pune where you can walk past Samurai swords gifted by the Japanese to Indian doctors who treated them despite being the enemy during World War II, shrapnels from the 1971 Indo-Pak conflict, and taken out of the patients at 7 Air Force hospital, Kanpur. Other exhibits at this iconic and one of the oldest museums, include equipment from 60 Parachute Field Hospital – the Indian Army's only airborne medical unit, a 17th century painting depicting the battle between Chhatrapati Shivaji's forces and Rustam Zaman who commanded Adil Shah's army in the Battle of Kolhapur to and even a war diary that dates back to 1912. 'For young medical graduates curious about the role of army surgeons, this is the ideal place to begin,' Director-General Armed Forces Medical Services Surgeon Vice Admiral Arti Sarin said while on a recent visit to Pune. She was accompanied by Lt Gen Pankaj Rao, Commandant, AFMC, Air Commodore (Dr) Anurakshat Gupta, Head, Department of Surgery, AFMC, Col Jafar Husain, Professor of Surgery, AFMC, and others. 'Whether it is during conflict or in peacetime operations like disaster relief, medical units are not just reactive but proactive in ensuring our soldiers receive cutting-edge care,' Surgeon Vice Admiral Sarin said. She added that the museum showcases the vital role of the war surgeon and brings to light their critical contributions in saving lives. 'The collection includes a war diary of the 3rd Indian Field Ambulance, which was deployed in Mesopotamia during WWI. It was donated by the British High Commission and records daily medical activities from 1915 to 1916. There are medical instruments dating back to 1917- some by James Wise and Company and even the personal collection of Captain P B Bardhan, who started his career in the British Royal Army Medical Corps and later served as Commandant, AFMC. The mess jacket, silver medicine weights, and other memorabilia embody the spirit of military medicine,' elaborated Col Husain of AFMC on some of the collections that have been meticulously preserved. The officer also explained the notable role of the 60 Parachute Field Hospital and how a mobile surgical team parachutes behind enemy lines, swiftly setting up a fully functional field hospital complete with an operating theatre, radiology unit, laboratory facilities, and even a patient ward. Recently, 60 Para had gone to Myanmar during Operation Brahma, Turkey during Operation Dost, Nepal during Op Maitri, and Indonesia during Op Samudra Maitri, providing a unique experience of humanitarian assistance and disaster relief. From the imposing mannequins of 'plague doctors' who constantly chewed garlic and used primitive masks in the form of a bird's beak way back in 1619 to the well-defined personal protective equipment worn by modern-day doctors during Covid-19 pandemic, an array of posters, computer printed charts, scroll boards and kiosks on different aspects of public health define South East Asia's largest public health museum at Pune's Armed Forces Medical College. This museum has served as an invaluable teaching aid and draws students from across the country. In its new 'avatar', the museum has a 'pandemic' gallery and another on `lifestyle diseases' that is in sync with the rising importance of non-communicable diseases. Different aspects of military public health have been professionally displayed with a new model for high-altitude health. An innovative 3D classroom can be used to screen educational videos and for regular tutorials. A huge wall depicts a 'timeline' of the evolution of public health as a concept and discipline in the world and India. 'The museum over the years has been an invaluable teaching aid and has been upgraded many times to keep it contemporary,' DGAFMS Surgeon Vice Admiral Arti Sarin said during her visit. According to college authorities, undergraduate and postgraduate students from different medical colleges and other visitors from all over the country make special trips to the museum. Started by Lt Col J Rice in 1944 at Babina,Jhansi district in UP, it was shifted to a government premises near Pune University in 1948 and then to the Army School of Physical Training. In 1958, the museum was relocated to AFMC and modelled on the lines of the Wellcome Trust Museum of the History of Medicine, University College of London. The then AFMC Commandant Air Marshal CK Ranjan had asked for a plan as he had envisaged a complete revamp – to change the structure which he had been seeing since his days as a medical student. It was a formidable task that required a total restructuring. While the museum was modernised to make it contemporary almost continuously, the basic structure of the main museum was preserved – that is, the herringbone structure and the display panels. The high ceiling was retained with its heritage fans to give it a grand look. A huge wall in the grand hall of the museum depicts a 'timeline' of the evolution of public health as a concept and discipline in the world and India. Sections on pertinent health aspects of the Army, Navy, and the Air Force have been included, especially post-deployment of troops at Siachen glacier, the highest battlefield in the world, when health problems of high altitude and extreme cold were the most important issues. Over the years, this iconic museum has become a 'must-visit' place in the college for its sheer vastness and uniqueness. On a recent visit, Dr Rajiv Bahl, Director-General of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), applauded the department of community medicine's effort that has made it so engaging for the medical student. 'The passion, enthusiasm, and innovation in creating the galleries and museum are awesome. I wish every medical college in India had a museum like this,' Bahl wrote in the visitor's book.
News18
17-07-2025
- Politics
- News18
Tides Of Triumph: A Saga Of Maratha Courage And Cultural Pride
Last Updated: The book explores various themes related to the maritime achievements of the Marathas following the establishment of the Maratha Navy by Chhatrapati Shivaji in 1659. UNESCO has recently recognised the Maratha Military landscapes of India as a World Heritage site. This prestigious acknowledgment includes twelve majestic forts, with eleven located in Maharashtra and one in Tamil Nadu. PM Narendra Modi expressed his elation on X, stating that every Indian is thrilled with this recognition. He remarked, 'When we speak of the glorious Maratha Empire, we associate it with good governance, military strength, cultural pride, and emphasis on social welfare." PM Modi rightly pointed out that these Maratha forts, from Raigad to Gingee, narrate the saga of Maratha courage and cultural pride, inspiring generations. While a comprehensive account of the Maratha Navy and its exploits is still sparse, what remains hidden in the layers of history is gradually being unveiled. A few scholars have delved into the structure, function, and exploits of the Maratha Navy, with BK Apte being the most prominent among them. Renowned historians like Jadunath Sarkar and Surendranath Sen have discussed the Maratha Navy in their monographs. A nationalistic approach to understanding the career of Maratha Admiral Kanhoji Angre was taken by Malgaonkar. Under Admiral Angre's leadership, the Maratha Navy made European fleets appear insignificant in the Konkan waters, and his exploits are noted in some European works, notably those of GA Ballard and John Bidulph. This book answers the question of why the Maratha Navy did not possess large ships capable of broadside attacks. The maritime forts were crucial for their function like stationary ships armed with artillery. These fortifications served multiple purposes—they safeguarded trading routes, provided bases for naval operations, and acted as deterrents against invasions from sea-based powers. The essay highlights salient features of fort architecture, including elements specifically designed for maritime defence. These features include high walls resistant to cannon fire, strategically placed artillery, intricate systems for storing fresh water, and hidden underwater obstructions to damage enemy ships that ventured too close. Centuries later, twelve Maratha forts have become UNESCO World Heritage sites. The Maritime History Society in Mumbai took the initiative to uncover the inside story of the Maratha Navy. The year 2024 marks the 350th anniversary of a defining moment in Indian history: the coronation of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, the founder of the Maratha Swarajya. This event signifies the emergence of the Marathas as a regional power during the era of Mughal imperialism. The legacy of the Maratha Swarajya and its leaders continues to resonate in many aspects of our country's social and cultural life. There could not have been a better occasion to start working on a book that honours the achievements of the Maratha Navy and celebrates its legacy than Navy Day. The Director of the Maritime History Society in Mumbai initiated several rounds of discussions with Professor Dr Amarendra Kumar in the Department of History at Shanti Niketan, leading to the decision to compile essays exploring diverse aspects of the Maratha Navy. Shivaji uniquely realised the significance of the sea for both defence and trade—especially when the Maratha Swarajya was still in its infancy, and the Maratha Navy was being built brick by brick. According to the author, this underscores Shivaji's sharp acumen and visionary genius. The indigenous navy he created continues to be an enduring source of inspiration for the twenty-first-century Indian Navy, as reflected in the Navy's 2022 dedication of its emblem to Shivaji's Royal Octagonal Seal. The Indian Navy's ensign, inspired by the octagonal Royal Seal of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, embodies a proud nation's dedication to one of the most significant chapters of its maritime legacy. The legacy of the Maratha Navy is explored in one of the essays in the collection ' Tides of Triumph," which examines various themes related to the maritime achievements of the Marathas following the establishment of the Maratha Navy by Chhatrapati Shivaji in 1659. The book, authored by leading scholars, traces the rise and consolidation of the Maratha Navy. The combined deployment of land and sea power is analysed, and attempts are made to demystify the persona and character of the legendary Maratha Naval chief Kanhoji Angre. top videos View all One of the essays draws parallels between Maratha naval strategy and India's post-Independence wars. This approach mirrors the operational success of the Indian Navy's Operations Trident and Python during the Indo-Pak War of 1971. Just as the Marathas effectively utilised diverse vessels, the Indian Navy demonstrated how a strategic blend of capabilities could lead to mission success. To execute the offensives against the Pakistani coast, INS Kiltan and Katchall towed the smaller Vidyut-class missile boats—INS Nipat, Nirghat, and Veer—right up to Karachi for bombardment and accomplished the mission objectives. In conclusion, the book effectively presents various evidence highlighting the glorious naval traditions of the Maratha Swarajya. The contributors of the essays have contextualised and clearly articulated the diverse aspects of the Maratha Navy, which dominated during the mid-seventeenth and mid-eighteenth centuries. The legacy of the Maratha Navy endures. view comments First Published: News opinion Book Review | Tides Of Triumph: A Saga Of Maratha Courage And Cultural Pride Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. 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Hans India
15-07-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
TG Maratha bodies' elated over UNESCO tag for Shivaji forts
Hyderabad: The Telangana Maratha Mandal and the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maratha Navayuvak Mandal have expressed immense joy following UNESCO's declaration of 12 sites associated with Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj as World Heritage Sites. These sites, now recognised as the 'Maratha Military Landscapes of India,' are hailed as living examples of the Maratha Empire's valour and Indian architectural prowess. Prakash Patil, President of the Maratha Mandal, and Dilip Jagtap, General Secretary, alongside Madan Jadhav, President of the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maratha Navayuvak Mandal, called the recognition a matter of pride for all of India, not just Maharashtra. They extended congratulations to all involved for UNESCO's acknowledgement of the historical and cultural significance of these forts as World Heritage. The decision was made during the 47th meeting of the World Heritage Committee. The organisations highlighted that the world will now become acquainted with Chhatrapati Shivaji's strategic warfare, foresight, and the architectural brilliance embedded within these forts. The 12 recognised sites include 11 forts in Maharashtra: Salher Fort (Nashik), Panhala Fort (Kolhapur), Shivneri Fort and Rajgarh Fort (Pune), Khanderi Fort, and Rajyagarh Fort (Raigad), Pratapgarh Fort (Satara), Suvarnagiri Fort (Ratnagiri), Vijaydurg Fort and Sindhudurg Fort (Sindhudurg). Additionally, Jinji Fort, located in Villapuram, Tamil Nadu, is also included. These forts, built in harmony with their geographical features, have now received UNESCO's World Heritage designation. The Maratha leaders emphasised that these forts exemplify Maratha freedom and their struggle against Mughal rule. They anticipate that this recognition will familiarise the world with Chhatrapati Shivaji's military policies and vision, while also boosting tourism in India.
