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Business Standard
14-05-2025
- General
- Business Standard
Sambhaji Maharaj Jayanti 2025: All about 'the Brave Maratha Warrior' & more
On May 14, we commemorate Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj's Jayanti every year. On May 14, 1657, Sambhaji was born in Purandar Fort to legendary warrior Chhatrapati Sivaji Maharaj and his first wife Saibai. When Sambhaji was just two years old, his mother passed away. Thus, Jijabai, his grandma, looked after him. Sambhaji Maharaj, the son of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, became the ruler of the Maratha Kingdom after his father passed away. He then reigned as the second Chhatrapati for nine years, from 1681 to 1689. Maharashtra observes the day with great enthusiasm. Processions, religious gatherings, and cultural activities are frequently part of the celebrations to honor his legacy. History of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj Shivaji Maharaj and Saibai Nimbalkar had a son, Sambhaji Maharaj, who was born in 1657. He learned the virtues of bravery, justice, and nationalism early on and was brought up to be a warrior and politician like his father. Even before taking the throne, Sambhaji participated in military campaigns and was an important figure in Maratha Empire administration. Sambhaji became the second Chhatrapati of the Maratha Empire after his father's death in 1680. His leadership was not without controversy in 1689, though. Despite facing internal challenges, Sambhaji managed to overcome conspiracies and assert his authority through decisive action and sharp strategic thinking. His coronation not only marked the continuation of Shivaji's legacy but also highlighted the vital role of unified and resilient leadership in safeguarding and expanding the Maratha Empire amidst both internal discord and external pressures. Significance of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj Jayanti There is more to Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj Jayanti than merely celebration of his birth. It honors his sacrifice for the Maratha Empire and his unwavering spirit of fearlessness. People celebrate his bravery, leadership, and contribution to the Maratha dynasty on this day throughout Maharashtra and other regions of India. Sambhaji Maharaj's principles of patriotism, tenacity, and devotion to one's nation and people are also commemorated on this day. Generations of Indians are still motivated by his dedication to his leadership responsibilities in spite of tremendous challenges. Inspiring quotes by Sambhaji Maharaj • "Stand firm, even in the face of betrayal, for the truth and justice will always prevail." • "A soldier's sword is not just for war, it is a symbol of his love and duty for the land he serves." • "Sacrifice is the foundation of leadership; those who endure the most, lead the strongest." • "Do not measure a man's power by the size of his kingdom, but by the size of his heart." • "A warrior's duty is to fight for the land, the people, and the honor of the motherland." • "Victory is not for the faint-hearted; it belongs to those who fight till their last breath." • "To lead is to serve; the power is not in the throne, but in the hearts of the people." • "Never fear your enemies, for they are merely challenges that make you stronger." • "The true strength of a king lies not in his throne but in the courage of his people." • "The battlefield is where kings are made, not by the weapons they wield, but by the courage they show." Sambhaji Maharaj jayanti 2025: Wishes and greetings • On this auspicious occasion of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj Jayanti, may his courage and sacrifice inspire us to always stand firm for what is right. Jai Sambhaji Maharaj! • On this day, let us remember the bravery and sacrifice of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj. Wishing everyone a day filled with pride and inspiration. • Happy Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj Jayanti! May his unwavering commitment to Swarajya and Hindavi Dharma inspire generations to come. • Wishing everyone a very Happy Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj Jayanti! May his fearless spirit and unwavering commitment to freedom guide us in every step we take. • Happy Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj Jayanti! May we all find the strength and courage to fight for what is just and right, just as he did.
News18
14-05-2025
- Politics
- News18
Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj Birth Anniversary 2025: Why Shivaji Had Him Imprisoned?
Last Updated: Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj's Jayanti: Born in 1657, he ruled the Maratha Kingdom from 1681 to 1689. Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj Birth Anniversary: Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj 's Jayanti is observed annually on May 14. Legendary warrior Chhatrapati Sivaji Maharaj and his first wife Saibai welcomed Sambhaji into the world on May 14, 1657, at Purandar Fort. Sambhaji lost his mother when he was only two years old. He was thus taken care of by his grandmother, Jijabai. Following the death of his father, Sambhaji Maharaj, the son of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, assumed leadership of the Maratha Kingdom. Then, from 1681 until 1689, he ruled for nine years as the second Chhatrapati. Maharashtra celebrates the day with considerable fervour. To honour his legacy, celebrations often include processions, religious meetings, and cultural events. Why Was Sambhaji Imprisoned By Shivaji? Sambhaji Maharaj's life was marked by family feuds and political estrangement, which sprang from conflicts within the Maratha royal family. Following the death of his mother, Saibai, Sambhaji's connection with his stepmother, Soyarabai, soured. She favoured her son, Rajaram, and wanted to elevate him to power, resulting in a rivalry between Sambhaji and Rajaram. Reportedly, Sambhaji became estranged due to the politics driven by Shivaji Maharaj's second wife, Soyarabai, and someother courtiers. There are reports that Shivaji Maharaj briefly imprisoned Sambhaji after accusing him of scheming against his father. The claims against Sambhaji were motivated in part by Soyarabai and her faction's political manoeuvres, which tried to damage his authority. Sambhaji, on the other hand, was able to escape from captivity and reportedly sought temporary shelter with the Mughals. For over a year, Sambhaji left Shivaji's realm to join Aurangzeb's commander, Diler Khan, in politics. This approach widened the divide between Sambhaji and Soyarabai. As a result, Sambhaji was not invited to Rajaram's wedding, nor was he notified of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's death. Despite internal problems, Sambhaji was able to defeat the plots and establish his power owing to his actions and strategic acumen. In addition to symbolising the continuation of Shivaji's legacy, his crowning emphasised how important it is to have strong, cohesive leadership to protect and grow the Maratha Empire in the face of both internal strife and external threats. First Published: May 14, 2025, 07:10 IST
Express Tribune
19-03-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Aurangzeb tomb protest
Listen to article Hindutva goons in India have a new target these days, as they have begun a violent campaign to try and get the tomb of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb "removed" and replaced with a memorial for Hindu Maratha rulers of the region. The recent violence in Nagpur has so far seen extremists — who were inspired by, if not directly affiliated with, the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) extremist group — riot and attack the police to demand the removal of the tomb, which is over 400km away from Nagpur. The trigger point for the protest was reportedly a recent Bollywood movie about Sambhaji — a Maratha ruler who fought and got defeated by Aurangzeb, who then ordered him to be tortured and killed. The movie includes a graphic depiction of him being tortured. However, it also ignores - or rewrites — the fact that the real Sambhaji was betrayed by upper-caste Hindus who were bribed by Aurangzeb, because this would go against the myth portraying them as noble religious warriors, rather than unscrupulous politicians. Unfortunately, like most forms of extremist ideologies, logic is the greatest enemy of Hindutva. It is also worth noting that the VHP makes Modi's strain of Hindutva seem almost inclusive — VHP leaders have said they were the real masterminds of the 2002 Gujarat riots, and Modi was simply their pawn. The group is one of the most virulent far-right extremist organisations in India and, thus, the source of some of the most outlandish historical conspiracy theories. The tomb removal demand is a reflection of this. Unlike most recent attempts to raze mosques and replace them with temples, Aurangzeb's tomb has little religious value for Muslims, and the Hindu extremists are not demanding a temple to replace it, or claiming that a temple once stood in its place. The objective is a straight-up attempt at historical erasure — razing and replacing the tomb of the last great Mughal emperor with a monument to a Hindu Maratha ruler, never mind that Aurangzeb's tomb happens to be located on the shrine of a Muslim saint, which would be an odd location to memorialise a Hindu king.
Muscat Daily
13-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Muscat Daily
Bollywood movie review: Chhaava
Bloody tale of valour Based on Shivaji Sawant's celebrated novel Chhava , the film Chhaava brings to life the extraordinary journey of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, the valiant Maratha warrior who succeeded his legendary father, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. A fearless ruler and a master of guerrilla warfare, Sambhaji carried forward the dream of a united kingdom leaving an indelible mark on history, furthering the unfinished task of Swaraj left behind by his illustrious father. Sambhaji Maharaj's unmatched bravery earned him the title Chhaava , meaning 'lion cub' in Marathi. His legendary battle with a lion, which he fought barehanded, has also been depicted in the film – though with creative liberty. Directed by Laxman Utekar, Chhaava features Vicky Kaushal in the lead role, bringing Sambhaji Maharaj's courage and resilience to the screen. Rashmika Mandanna portrays Maharani Yesubai, Sambhaji's devoted wife, while Akshaye Khanna delivers a compelling performance as the formidable Mughal emperor Aurangzeb. Diana Penty plays Zinat-un-Nissa Begum, Aurangzeb's daughter, in a role that did have potential for more depth. The film does justice to the guerrilla warfare tactics employed by the Marathas – an aspect often read about but rarely seen in cinematic grandeur. The high-octane battle sequences are among the film's biggest highlights, making it a must-watch on the big screen for audiences of all ages. The film opens with the demise of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, an event that shakes the Maratha Empire to its core. As his successor, Sambhaji wastes no time asserting his strength, leading a bold assault on Burhanpur, one of the Mughals' strongest forts. Enraged by this challenge, Aurangzeb sees it as an opportunity to annihilate the Marathas once and for all. However, Sambhaji's unparalleled battle strategies keep the mighty Mughal empire on edge. Just when victory seems within reach, betrayal from within changes the course of history. Captured by his enemies, Sambhaji Maharaj faces inhumane torture, refusing to surrender his pride and principles. His final moments are heart-wrenching, showcasing his unwavering spirit in the face of unimaginable brutality. Lead actor Vicky Kaushal delivers one of his career's most intense performances, fully embodying the character of Sambhaji Maharaj. His powerful screen presence, fierce dialogue delivery, and emotionally charged moments, especially in the climax, make for a gripping watch. Akshaye Khanna as Aurangzeb, too, portrays a calm yet menacing emperor, blending cruelty with a composed demeanour. His character, however, could have been given more screen time and depth, though he delivers an impactful performance. Rashmika Mandanna, in a limited role as Maharani Yesubai, brings sincerity and grace to her performance. Meanwhile, Ashutosh Rana, Divya Dutta, and Vineet Kumar Singh shine in their supporting roles, adding depth to the narrative. The film's production quality is high end, capturing the grandeur of the Maratha empire with impressive set design and war sequences. The last 45 minutes of the movie, particularly the brutal torture scenes, are deeply moving, reminiscent of Mel Gibson's The Passion of the Christ (2004) in intensity and emotional weight. The cinematography does justice to the historical setting, while the battle sequences are visually stunning. However, a more dynamic visual style and fast cuts in the edit somehow confused the narrative at times. The first half feels stretched, and a sharper screenplay would have heightened the tension. A good watch. Genre: Period, action drama Starring: Vicky Kaushal, Rashmika Mandanna, Akshaye Khanna, Diana Penty Rating : ****
Khaleej Times
14-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Khaleej Times
Movie Review: 'Chhaava' is a loud, gory and tedious tale
Director: Laxman Utekar Cast: Vicky Kaushal, Rashmika Mandanna, Ashutosh Rana, Akshaye Khanna Rating: 2 stars There are some lessons that Bollywood filmmakers who embark on creating period movies seem to have forgotten. That even historicals can be nuanced. That larger-than-life characters, be they the protagonist or antagonist, can be human, layered and — for the lack of a better word — real. That history can have more shades than blacker-than-black evil and white-than-white pure. And that loud background score is no replacement for good storytelling. After watching Chhaava, Bollywood's Valentine's Day release starring Vicky Kaushal, one wishes the makers behind this massively mounted project had been taught the simple lessons. Perhaps we would have got a more finely made epic (which it was trying to be) than a violent scream fest (which it has turned out to be). This film seems to have been put together by a bunch of stunt directors and action choreographers more than any real writer or director. There are plenty of action set pieces, each featuring a lot of hand-to-hand combat between heavily armoured soldiers, set to AR Rahman's headache-inducing BGM but none of them makes your spirits soar. In between, there are loud calls to swarajya, a bit of strategy and war planning, betrayal from within and tyrannical villains, in this case, Mughal emperor Aurangzeb. The dialogues are bombastic and overwrought (makes you wonder if our ancestors ever had normal, everyday conversations), the music can awaken a dead person and the violence makes you retch. The result: a tedious melodrama that fails to evoke any emotion in you, the viewer. Chhaava, as has been well promoted, is a biopic of the inspiring Maratha king, Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj who put up a tough fight against the mighty Mughal empire led by Aurangzeb. Son of the legendary warrior and king Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, the founder of the Maratha kingdom, Sambhaji is a chip of the old block and just like his father, bravely fights the Mughals until his painful death. This David vs Goliath battle is a fascinating chapter of how a small band of determined soldiers led by a charismatic leader disrupted the march of a much bigger and powerful dynasty and it deserved a compelling chronicle rather than a one-note eulogy. A cursory glance at a Wikipedia page on Sambhaji reveals interesting and complex details of a time where war, palace intrigues, family relations and ambitions changed the destiny of a nation but to expect Bollywood to narrate a multi-coloured tale with depth, maturity and balance is like expecting Bianca Censori to dress sensibly. Director Laxman Utekar and his co-writers Rishi Virmani and Kaustubh Savarkar, basing their film off Shivaji Sawant's Marathi novel Chhava, fill the screenplay with hyperbole and grandiloquence that dilute the intended impact. Every sequence, battle and moment is crafted to drill Sambhaji's greatness. His entry in some scenes is accompanied by a dramatic score of Aaaya hai sambhaji announcing his swag. When he is caught yet fights hundreds of soldiers trying to pin him down, an impressed courtier asks, 'Why aren't thousands of men able to control one man?' ' Yeh raja jungle ke raja se bhi khunkhar hai ' (this king is more dangerous than the king of the jungle). The evidence of this observation is served in one of the opening scenes where Vicky's Sambhaji tears open the jaw of a CGI lion. By strict contrast is the predictably dark, devilish portrayal of the Mughals. Aurangzeb was a known tyrant but here he and his cohorts are painted in even more repulsive, bloodthirsty shades to shine the spotlight on the Marathas' bravery, patriotism and glorious values. Despite Sambhaji's capture and the visceral torture preceding his execution, the screenplay assures us that it is Aurangzeb who has lost the moral war. 'He has died in joy while we continue to live like death,' mutters Aurangzeb's daughter Zeenat (played by an expressionless Diana Penty) or something to that effect. And in the end, even Aurangzeb wishes he had a son like Sambhaji. Visually, Chhaava is quite impressive with the frames captured beautifully in earthy tones. Some of the battle scenes are gripping, especially the one in which Maratha soldiers employ guerilla warfare to catch the enemy off guard. They spring from unexpected locations from under the ground, atop trees and from under water, making the sequences quite arresting despite the blaring background sound. Historical dramas hold no intrigue because we already know the story and its end. What matters is how it's being told and how good the performances are, especially when the leads are revered or feared figures from a distant past. While Chhaava fails in the former department, the latter salvages it to some extent. Kaushal, playing the titular role, is buff and embodies the physicality of a warrior well. He is effective but it's disappointing to see his character reduced to a lot of screaming. Supporting cast members like his devious stepmother Soyarabai, (Divya Dutta), loyal general Hambirrao (Ashutosh Rana), Kavi Kalash (Vineet Singh) and Aurangzeb's estranged son Akbar (Neil Bhoopalam) are in fine form but none of their characters are fleshed out well enough to linger in your memory. The weakest link is Sambhaji's wife Yesubhai (Rashmika Mandana) who looks pretty but is let down by her stilted dialogue delivery. The strongest link? Ironically, it's the man the story wants you to hate the most, Aurangzeb played by the ever-reliable Akshaye Khanna. Great prosthetics make him pitch perfect for the part but despite the cardboard role Akshaye adds the necessary quiet menace that makes his performance stand out. Wish there were more of the mind games played between an ageing but powerful emperor and a passionate king determined to protect his kingdom at all costs. Wish the story explored more aspects of this period (an interesting part shows Sambhaji converse fluently in English with a Britisher). Wish the great men and women of this story had more depth. And wish Bollywood knew how to make a good historical film.
