Mr Amit Shah addresses a programme in Raigad, Maharashtra, on the occasion of the 345th death anniversary of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj
It is a matter of great fortune to visit the historic Raigad Fort, where the golden throne of Hindavi Swaraj was established
This historic Raigad Fort stands as a witness to the journey of young Shiva to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s final moments — bearing testimony to his entire legacy
The Central and Maharashtra governments are committed to making the Shivaji Memorial an inspirational place for the youth of the country
It is our collective responsibility to ensure that every child in India learns about the life and legacy of Shivaji Maharaj (Shivcharitra)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is carrying forward Shivaji Maharaj’s struggle for Swaraj, Swadharma and Swabhasha
At a time when people began to perceive Swadharma and Swaraj as crimes, Shivaji Maharaj, at the age of 12, took a vow to hoist the saffron flag from Sindhu to Kanyakumari
NEW DELHI, APRIL 12, 2025: Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah today addressed a program held at Raigad Fort in Raigad, Maharashtra, on the occasion of the 345th death anniversary of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. On this occasion, many dignitaries were present, including Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy Chief Ministers Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar, and Union Minister of State for Cooperation Murlidhar Mohol.
Addressing the program, Mr Amit Shah said that it is a matter of great fortune to visit the historic Raigad Fort, where the golden throne of Hindavi Swaraj was established. He said that Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj ignited an immortal spirit across every corner of India and willingness to sacrifice one’s life for one’s religion, language, and Swaraj. Soon, the region of Maharashtra, which was surrounded by the Adilshahi, Mughal, and Nizamshahi powers, transformed into Hindavi Swaraj. In just a few years, the dream of Swaraj began to be realized from Attock to Cuttack, and across the country from Bengal to Tamil Nadu in the south.
Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah said that when Shivaji Maharaj was born, the people of the country were engulfed in deep darkness. The environment was such that even imagining the idea of Swaraj seemed impossible. Within just a hundred years after the fall of Devagiri, the decline of Maharashtra and the entire southern region had taken place, and gradually, speaking of one’s own religion and self-rule came to be seen as a crime.
But in such times, a 12-year-old boy, inspired by his mother Rajmata Jijabai, took a vow to once again raise the saffron flag from the Sindhu River to Kanyakumari. Shri Shah said that he has read the biographies of many great leaders from around the world, but such unshakable willpower, indomitable courage, unimaginable strategy, and the ability to unite every section of society to build an invincible army — no one did it like Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.
Shri Amit Shah said that Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj neither had fortune on his side, nor a powerful legacy, nor wealth or a large army. Yet, at a very young age, through his unbreakable courage and firm resolve, he inspired the entire nation with the mantra of Swaraj. In no time, he played a pivotal role in shattering the Mughal Empire, which had ruled for over 200 years.
Amit Shah said that the entire history of Shivaji Maharaj — from his birth to his last breath — is tied to this sacred land of Raigad. He also remembered the great freedom fighter Bal Gangadhar Tilak, who envisioned this sacred place as “Shiv Smriti”. He stated that the British deliberately tried to destroy Raigad Fort, as it was a powerful symbol of Swaraj. Tilak Maharaj recognized this significance and, through his famous slogan “Swaraj is my birthright”, re-established the commitment to Shivaji Maharaj’s vision of Swaraj.
He further highlighted that Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, by making Shivaji Maharaj’s Royal Seal the symbol of our Navy, has declared to the world that our country and our Swaraj are fully secured.
Shri Shah also noted that Prime Minister Modi and the Maharashtra government are working towards having 12 historic forts recognized as UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
