Kolhapur scion Sambhaji Chhatrapati visits Warsaw

Mumbai: Situated on the banks of Panchganga river and surrounded by Sahyadri mountain ranges, the Kolhapur town of Maharashtra enjoys very close ties with Poland.

The world of thousands of Poles came to an end in September 1939.

The Germans invasion took place on September 1 followed by the Russian invasion on September 17, 1939. The chain of events triggered World War II, from 1939-1945.

Within less than two months the Polish state practically ceased to exist divided between two invaders - the German Third Reich and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics.

Many Poles came to India either by land or by sea.

First, there was the settlement for Polish orphans in Balachadi in Jamnagar for around 1,000 children by Maharaja Jam Saheb Digvijaysinhji of Jamnagar, a princely state in Kathiawar in Gujarat.

Later, the only permanent and the largest Polish settlement, was in Valivade near Kolhapur built for 5,000 people that included women, children and the elderly - that’s to the efforts of then Maharaja of Kolhapur.

In the Valivade camp, they stayed from 1942-48 and returned back.

Valivade is remembered in Warsaw with various tributes and memorials, celebrating the lasting friendship between the two nations formed during a challenging time in history.

Yuvraj Sambhaji Chhatrapati, a descendent of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and Shrimant Rajarshi Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj, is currently touring Poland, where he mentioned about the Valivade camp.

Sambhajiraje was accompanied by his wife Yuvradhni Sanyogeetaraje Chhatrapati.

Speaking about his visit, Sambhajiraje said, “Honoured to be in Warsaw for a meaningful series of meetings reflecting the deep and evolving bond between India and Poland…We reflected on the legacy of Valivade — a remarkable chapter where over 5,000 Polish refugees found a home in Kolhapur during the Second World War. Among them were families who returned in 2019, welcomed as State Guests of Maharashtra, to a program that remains close to my heart….History like this reminds us that the bonds between nations are often built not just by policy, but by people — and by the courage and kindness they show in times of crisis.”

The Warsaw meeting was organised through the efforts of Nagma Mallick, Indian Ambassador to Poland and Tomasz Wielgomas, Polish Consul General to India.

“From the inclusive reforms of Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj to the symbolism of Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar’s connection with the Polish Ambassador’s residence in New Delhi, our histories speak to each other across generations,” he added.

Sambhajiraje also visited Monte Cassino War Memorial in Warsaw, honouring the sacrifices of the brave soldiers who fought in the Second World War, including the gallantry of the Maratha Light Infantry.

“On site stands a plaque as a reminder of the deep connection between India and Poland — forged not only through shared military history, but through compassion. It was during this same war that Polish refugees found a home in Valivade, a story that continues to resonate across generations,” he said.

Sambhajiraje also had a meeting with Adam Burakowski, former Ambassador of Poland to India, who speaks fluent Hindi and has long been a dedicated researcher of Indian culture.

“The 2019 visit of a 50-member Polish delegation to Valivade laid the foundation for the Valivade Memorial, the upcoming museum project, and the strengthening of people-to-people ties. It was also during this time that LOT Polish Airlines launched routes to Delhi and later Mumbai. Adam’s recommendation played a key role in my being awarded the Bene Merito honour — a recognition I deeply value,” he added.

It may be mentioned, on October 21, 2024, Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the Kolhapur Memorial in Warsaw, and said, “The memorial is dedicated to the generosity of the princely state of Kolhapur offered to the Polish people during the second World War.”