Celebrating Shivaji Jayanti

Today we are celebrating the birth anniversary of the great Maratha ruler - Shivaji Bhonsale - popularly referred to as Chhatrapati Shivaji. He was one of the bravest, progressive, and sensible rulers in the history of our country. Over the course of his life, Shivaji engaged in both alliances and hostilities with the Mughal Empire, the Sultanate of Golkonda, the Sultanate of Bijapur, and the European colonial powers. His military forces expanded the Maratha sphere of influence, capturing and building forts, and forming a Maratha navy. He also revived ancient Hindu political traditions, court conventions and promoted the usage of the Marathi and Sanskrit languages, replacing Persian in court and administration.
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