Rajasthan preserving its forts and palaces, while there is total apathy in Maharashtra

On the occasion of Punyatithi of Maharana Pratap

1. History of Maharashtra means Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and his forts

Late Yashawantrao Chavan used to proudly say that other regions have geography but Maharashtra has own history. The history of Maharashtra means Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and his forts. This history has become dilapidated ‘Dharmashalas (charitable rest house for travelers) and nobody has the will to preserve this history.

2. Historical forts and even palaces have been nicely maintained in Rajasthan. 

3. Condition of Fort Raigad which was the Capital of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s ‘Hindavi Swaraj’ is not so good

The condition of Fort Raigad, the Capital of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj during ‘Hindavi Swaraj’ is not so good. There was no ‘Meghadambari (canopy/ umbrella)’ over the throne of Maharaj for many years and even today, there is dust every where and it is in run-down condition. It seems as if the history has been damaged under such dilapidated condition and it is quite disturbing.

4. ‘Chetak’ the loyal and favorite horse of Maharana Pratap ! 

4. A. ‘Chetak’ helped Pratap in a fierce battle despite its one leg getting hurt : As Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj is revered in Maharashtra, Maharana Pratap is revered in Rajasthan. The memorial of Maharana Pratap’s horse named ‘Chetak’ is quite impressive. It was a loyal and favorite horse of Maharana Pratap. Maharana Pratap fought a fierce battle with the Mughals at Haldighat. He was riding on Chetak. Mansingh was the army chief of Gazi Khan. Pratap saw him and turned his horse towards him. Chetak kept its front legs over the head of Mansingh’s elephant and Pratap speared Mansingh. Mansingh ducked, missed the strike and saved himself. Mansingh’s ‘mahout’ was however, killed and the elephant became wild and started running helter-skelter. There was a sword in its trunk which hit Chetak’s hind leg. Watching that Mansingh was alive to bring his elephant under control, the Mughal army got energized and they surrounded Maharana Pratap. At that time, a Pathani warrior Bahlol Khan raised a cry of ‘Allah-o-Akbar’ and struck Maharana Pratap with his sword. Within a fraction of second, Pratap stood erect in the stirrup and hit back the Pathan with force. He removed his crown and beheaded the Pathan. Mughal soldiers were scared looking at the sword of Pratap who kept on fighting on the back of Chetak. There were pools of blood on battle field. Mughal retreated and Maharana Pratap vanished in forest riding on Chetak.

4. B. Chetak did its duty by taking its lord Maharana Pratap to a safe place ! : Chetak fulfilled its duty of taking its lord to a safe place. One leg was injured and slipped but Chetak kept on running with 3 legs. Near Bali village, lame Chetak could not jump over a river bed and fell down there, tired and injured. Maharana Pratap made his loyal horse sit under a big tamarind tree and sat under the shade of Shiva temple to take out weapons etc kept on the back of Chetak and that time, it breathed its last with head in the lap of Maharana Pratap.

4. C.  A huge statue of Chetak has been built on 50 acres of land on a hill and every day, tourists from all over the world come to see the picturesque memorial of loyal horse ! : Pratap performed its last rites at the same place where the memorial has been built of such loyal Chetak. Hill with 50 acres land, smooth roads help in taking any kind of vehicle to this memorial. History of its loyalty to its lord has been explained near the memorial. The history excites tourists. This is called preservation of history.

5. Pathetic condition of ‘Waghya’ at the foothills of Raigad 

Shed tears of regret looking at the memorial of loyal dog ‘Waghya’ of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj located at the foothills of Raigad. A tale is told about ‘Waghya’ that after death of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, ‘Waghya’ jumped on the burning pyre of its master and ended life; but the condition of its memorial, has made mockery of the sacrifice.

6. All kings and ‘sansthaniks’ from Rajasthan come together and get back palaces confiscated by Sardar Patel; all these palaces have been converted into 7 star hotels and doing business in billions

Sardar Patel dissolved all princely States; confiscating their palaces and wealth. Kings were offered compensation when all kings and ‘sansthaniks’ from Rajasthan wisely came together and put up a proposal before Indira Gandhi. They asked her, “How will we live ? You have taken away our palaces; collected all wealth and deposited with the Government; and dethroned us. What is left for us now ? We do not want your compensation. Return our palaces.” Their demand was accepted and they got back their palaces. All the palaces have been converted into 7-star hotels and doing billions of business. The main palace of Udaipur is in a lake and is known as ‘Lake Palace’. There is a huge hotel with 65 spacious rooms. It is owned by King Arvind Mewad and is managed by Tata’s ‘Taj’ Group of Hotels. The lowest tariff of the room is Rs. 45,000/- and highest tariff is Rs. 5 lakhs. All rooms are always booked. Those kings converted their forts and palaces into hotels and started big business. Archaeology Department didn’t interfere in their case but it always came in the way in Maharashtra and historical bastions from the period of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj collapsed.

7. Forts of Maharashtra are pride of this country and they should be properly preserved but unfortunately that didn’t happen !

Forts in Maharashtra are pride of this country and they should have been well preserved. Unfortunately, that didn’t happen. In Europe, 800 years old forts are in the same condition as they were when they were built. ‘Tower of London’ is a fort on ground and it is 900 years old but everything in it has been maintained as it was. The soldiers guarding this Tower wear the same historical uniform and hold similar weapons. Forts at Windsor, Warwick, Lancaster etc have been maintained so well that we can see the old curtains, weapons, ornaments, lamps, chandeliers and all old things just as they were earlier.

8. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj is kept as ideal and politics is also played in Maharashtra in his name; but Sindhudurg fort which has witnessed his history and the only Shivarajeshwar Mandir in that fort is totally neglected which is most unfortunate.      

(Ref.: ‘Saptahik Vajradhari’, 3-9.3.2011)

Hindus have no time to listen to lectures on Maharana Pratap, Guru Govindsingh and Rani Lakshmibai !

I hold lectures not only on ‘Shiva-charitra’ and ‘Shambhu-charitra’ but also on Maharana Pratap, Guru Govindsingh and Rani Lakshmibai. Unfortunately, however, in past 23 years, not even 23 lectures were held on the above 3 great personalities. Though the total number of lectures has crossed 1500, the grudge is still there !

– Dr. Satchidananda Shevade (ShriGajanan Ashish, January 2011)