350 years of Rajyabhisheka: Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's intend of Dharmasthapana leads the war of narratives

The entire country is celebrating 350th anniversary of the coronation ceremony of Hindu ruler; Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. The event of Shivaji Maharaj's coronation is a landmark event, not only in the history of Marathas but also in the history of the whole country. No matter what kind of narratives might surround the legacy of Chh Shivaji Maharaj, his contribution to establish the Hindavi Swarajya and henceforth calling for self rule on Indian land has made its way ahead of everything. On the same lines, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangha has requested the Swayamsevaks across nation to participate with enthusiasm in the initiatives, drives & programs that will be hosted in honor of the Chhatrapati.

 

 

 

 

In today's time, India leads the global narrative of self reliance. This concept of self reliance, while foreign ideologies and powers have strangled the identity of India, roots back to the oath of self rule that teenage Shivaji took at Raireshwar, followed by an arduous struggle for its installment and eventually being coronated as a Hindu ruler with a ceremony of grandeur conducted according to the Vedic rituals, making him 'Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj'.

 

The entire journey of the Maratha kingdom, ever since the conception of Hindavi Swarajya until its establishment with a solemn ruler after the Chhatrapati's coronation and the rule of successors that followed, describes how self rule and self reliance made its way in India, during the most vulnerable times in History.

 

 

 

 

Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj was one of the many rulers of India who fought for the freedom of their motherland and struggled for people's rule and yet it is particularly him whose role proves to be pivotal in directing the national freedom struggle against any foreign rule on Indian land fought ever after. With the establishment of Hindavi Swarajya, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj laid the foundation of self rule and also sowed the seeds of an ideology regarding the consciousness of self in a society & a nation.

 

This ideology remained so impactful that it leads the way to good governance even today. Along with the conscience of self, what the Chhatrapati offered the people of this country was the thought that India is a land of glory & prosperity and no foreign invader can just come to our land and establish their rule over us.

 

Beyond material rule, Chhatrapati's role in instilling the sense among people that India is a self reliant nation and not a colony. The process of 'decolonization' that India struggles with even today, was first initiated by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. And he did it, literally, step by step. Rather initiating the process of decolonization can be defined as one side of the story, the other being revitalizing Hindu dharma, that was highly threatened nation-wide during that period.

 

 

There will be parties who will claim that Chhatrapati was a secular ruler and not a Hindu ruler, but if we look at the steps of administration that he adopted then it becomes even clear. For instance let us consider Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's move to publish the Rajyavyavahar Kosh, whereby he attempted to replace the foreign terms used in administration with the Marathi terminologies for the same. In another instance, after his coronation the Chhatrapati started a timeline, and called it the the 'Rajyabhisheka Shaka', unlike other contemporary rulers who have named the timeline with their own name. There are immense insights to the character of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj as a ruler with these acts of his.

 

Besides, the most important fact that lies right in front of us is the 'Rajyabhisheka' of the Chhatrapati. The coronation ceremony of the Maratha King that extended for a few days was executed as per the Vedas, as prescribed in the Hindu Dharma.

 

Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj was coronated and Hindavi Swaraj was formed on Jyeshtha Shuddha Trayodashi. The present year marks the commencement of 350th year of the establishment of 'Hindavi Swaraj'. The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) upholds the fact that Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, a Hindu ruler, while establishing Hindavi Swarajya also laid the foundation of a conscious Hindu society. He definitely respected Muslims in his region but only as 'Aashrit'.

 

 

Since childhood, with his persona, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj inspired his compatriots to sacrifice their lives for the establishment of Swaraj which later became an inspiration for the patriots from other parts of Bharat. Even after his demise, the society successfully resisted an all-out attack for decades, which is a unique example in history.

 

The objective of the pledge to establish Swaraj taken by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in his childhood was not for mere attainment of power but to establish a state based on ‘Self’ for the protection of Dharma and culture. Therefore, he connected its foundation with the spirit of ‘This state is established by Shri’s (God) will. At the time of establishing Swaraj, creation of Ashta Pradhan Mandal, 'Rajya Vyavahar Kosh', use of local language for administration, starting of Shiv shak as almanac, the use of Sanskrit royal seal, all his activities were directed for providing a firm footing to the 'Swarajya' established for the purpose of 'Dharmasthapana'.

 

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