Controversy Over Shivaji Statue Collapse: PM Modi’s Apology and Political Reactions

Controversy Over Shivaji Statue Collapse: PM Modi’s Apology and Political Reactions

Sub: History

Sec: Medieval India

Why in News?

The collapse of a 35-foot-tall statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in Maharashtra’s Sindhudurg district on August 26 has sparked a significant political controversy. The incident has led to widespread criticism, allegations of corruption, and strong reactions from political leaders, making it a focal point of national attention.

Statue Collapse Incident

• Location: Sindhudurg district, Maharashtra.
• Date: August 26, 2024.
• Purpose: The statue was meant to honor the Maratha Navy and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s contribution to maritime defense, symbolizing historical ties with the modern Indian Navy.
• Cause of Collapse: Rusting nuts and bolts were identified as the cause, with critics highlighting that warnings about the statue’s stability were ignored.

Shivaji Statue

Height and Material: 35-foot-tall statue made of bronze.

Location: Erected in Sindhudurg district, Maharashtra.

Purpose: Tribute to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s naval legacy and connection to the modern Indian Navy.

Cause of Collapse: Rusted nuts and bolts compromised the statue’s stability.

Political Reactions

PM Modi’s Apology: During his visit to Maharashtra, PM Narendra Modi publicly apologized to Shivaji Maharaj and the people affected by the statue’s collapse.

The Prime Minister also discussed Veer Savarkar, highlighting his contributions and historical significance.

 Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj

Birth and Early Life

Date of Birth: February 19, 1630

Place of Birth: Shivneri Fort, Pune, Maharashtra

Parents: Shahaji Bhonsle (Maratha general) and Jijabai

Early Military Achievements: Captured Torna and Kondana forts in 1645.

Important Battles

Battle of Pratapgad (1659): Defeated Adilshahi general Afzal Khan.

Battle of Pavan Khind (1660): Baji Prabhu Deshpande resisted Siddi Masud of Adilshahi.

Sacking of Surat (1664): Attacked Mughal port city under Inayat Khan.

Battle of Purandar (1665): Conflict with the Mughal Empire.

Battle of Sinhagad (1670): Tanaji Malusare defeated Udaybhan Rathod.

Battle of Sangamner (1679): Last battle fought by Shivaji against the Mughal Empire.

Battle of Kalyan (1682-83): Bahadur Khan of the Mughal Empire defeated the Maratha army.

Conflict with Mughals

Early Raids: Raided Mughal territories near Ahmednagar and Junnar in 1657.

Major Defeats: Defeated by Nasiri Khan at Ahmednagar.

Surat Sack: Captured the Mughal port city in 1664.

Treaty of Purandar (1665): Signed with Raja Jai Singh I; agreed to cede forts and meet Aurangzeb.

Arrest and Escape

Agra Visit (1666): Insulted by Aurangzeb, Shivaji escaped from imprisonment with his son.

Coronation and Title

Coronation Date: June 6, 1674

Titles: Chhatrapati, Shakakarta, Kshatriya Kulavantas, Haindava Dharmodhhaarak

Death

Date of Death: April 3, 1680

Administration

Central Administration: Modelled on Deccan style; the king was supported by an advisory council called the ‘Ashtapradhan’.

Revenue System: Abolished Jagirdari System, introduced Ryotwari System, supervised Mirasdars, and used Chauth (25%) and Sardeshmukhi (10%) as income sources.

Military Organization: Established a disciplined army with infantry, cavalry, and navy; paid soldiers in cash and commanders with jagir grants.

Veer Savarkar:

Full Name: Vinayak Damodar Savarkar

Born: May 28, 1883, in Bhagur, Maharashtra, India

Died: February 26, 1966, in Bombay, India

Education: Studied at Fergusson College, Pune and Completed law studies in London

Political Activism:

Hindutva Ideology: Advocated for Hindutva as a form of nationalism.

• Freedom Struggle: Played a prominent role in the Indian independence movement.
• Assassination Attempt: Arrested for his alleged involvement in a conspiracy to assassinate a British official.

Imprisonment: Sentenced to life imprisonment in the Andaman Islands’ Cellular Jail from 1909 to 1924.

Related Organisations and Work:

• Founded a secret society called Abhinav Bharat Society.
• Went to the United Kingdom and was involved with organizations such as India House and the Free India Society.
• Involved in the formation of Hindu Mahasabha.
• He was the president of Hindu Mahasabha from 1937 to 1943.
• Savarkar wrote a book titled ‘The History of the War of Indian Independence’ in which he wrote about the guerilla warfare tricks used in 1857 Sepoy Mutiny.
• He also wrote the book ‘Hindutva: who is hindu?’.

Abhinav Bharat Society (Young India Society)

• It was a secret society founded by Vinayak Damodar Savarkar and his brother Ganesh Damodar Savarkar in 1904.
• Initially founded at Nasik as MitraMela, the society was associated with several revolutionaries and political activists with branches in various parts of India and London.

India House

• It was founded by ShyamjiKishanVerma in 1905 in London.
• It was opened to promote nationalist views among Indian students in London.

Free India Society

• It was a political organization of Indian students in England, committed to obtaining the independence of India from British rule.
• Initially an intellectual group, it became a revolutionary outfit under its founding leader, Madam BhikajiCama.

Hindu Mahasabha

• It was a political party formed in 1933.
• It was founded by Veer Damodar Savarkar, Lala Lajpat Rai, Madan Mohan Malviya.
• The organisation was formed to protect the rights of the Hindu community, after the formation of the All-India Muslim League in 1906 and the British India government’s creation of separate Muslim electorate under the Morley-Minto reforms of 1909.