Maharashtra's grand celebration plans for 400th Shivaji Maharaj birth anniversary

Mumbai: The Maharashtra government is charting out mega global-scale grand celebrations to commemorate the 400th birth anniversary of legendary Maratha warrior Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in 2030.

Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj (19 February 1630 – 3 April 1680), the visionary warrior-king, founded the Maratha Empire and championed self-rule with courage, strategy, and justice. 

Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj was coronated at Raigad Fort on June 6, 1674, from where he laid the foundation of ‘Hindavi Swarajya’ — self-rule of the Hindu people -- and remains one the most revered historical figures in Maharashtra and India. 

The announcement of grand Shivaji Jayanti celebrations in 2030 was made by Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis at the Junnar Fort in Pune, the birthplace of Shivaji Maharaj, on his 396th birth anniversary. 

Deputy Chief Ministers Eknath Shinde and Sunetra Pawar, state Cultural Affairs Minister Ashish Shelar were present at the function organised by Maratha Seva Sangh.

Before the address, Fadnavis and other dignitaries swung the cradle of Bal Shivaji inside the Junnar Fort, which was followed by rendition of national anthem, and Maharashtra geet - Jai Jai Maharashtra Maza and then a three-volley rifle salute. 

Fadnavis pointed out that the UNESCO has accorded World Heritage Site status to ‘Maratha Military Landscapes of India’, which involves 12 forts - Salher Fort, Shivneri Fort, Lohgad Fort, Khanderi Fort, Raigad Fort, Rajgad Fort, Pratapgad Fort, Suvarnadurg Fort, Panhala Fort, Vijaydurg Fort, Sindhudurg Fort in Maharashtra, and Gingee Fort in Tamil Nadu.

“Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s valour and justice is known across the world,” he said, adding that  the Maharashtra government is planning the grand 400th birth anniversary celebrations of the iconic warrior-king.

Fadnavis also added that all the forts of Maharashtra would be made free of encroachments. “All forts in Pune districts associated with Shivaji Maharaj has been free of encroachments now,” he said. 

Fadnavis also mentioned that last week, Shelar, on behalf of the Maharashtra government, had received the formal certificate at the UNESCO in France. 

Developed between the 17th and 19th centuries, the Maratha Military Landscapes of India represent an extraordinary fortification and military system envisioned by the Maratha rulers. The network of forts — varying in hierarchy, scale and typology — reflects a sophisticated integration of landscape, terrain and physiographic characteristics distinctive to the Sahyadri mountain ranges, the Konkan coast, the Deccan plateau and the Western Ghats. 

There are more than 390 forts in Maharashtra, of which only 12 were selected under the Maratha Military Landscapes of India. Of these, eight are protected by the Archaeological Survey of India.