Shivaji Jayanti
Celebrating the Birth of a Great Maratha King
The Visionary Warrior King
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Jayanti, celebrated on February 19th, marks the birth anniversary of the legendary Maratha warrior king, Shivaji Maharaj. Born in 1630 at the Shivneri Fort, he is hailed as one of the greatest heroes in Indian history. Shivaji Maharaj carved out an independent Maratha kingdom, the 'Swaraj', at a time when the Mughal Empire dominated the subcontinent. He was a visionary administrator, a brilliant military strategist, and a secular ruler who championed the cause of his people.
His life was a testament to courage, leadership, and an unwavering commitment to justice and self-rule. First celebrated in 1870 by social reformer Mahatma Jyotirao Phule, Shivaji Jayanti was later popularized by freedom fighter Bal Gangadhar Tilak to inspire a sense of nationalism among the people. Today, it is a major public holiday in Maharashtra, celebrated with immense pride and patriotic fervor.