Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj: A Secular Icon, Declares Nitin Gadkari

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari praised Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj as the ultimate ideal king and a “100 percent secular” ruler during the launch of “The Wild Warfront – Shivaji Maharaj: Volume 2” by Vishwas Patil at Maharashtra Sadan. Highlighting Maharaj’s respect for all religions, Gadkari cited the Battle of Pratapgarh in 1659, where, after defeating Bijapur General Afzal Khan, Shivaji Maharaj ensured Khan’s burial with full honors by his diverse army, including Muslim soldiers. Gadkari, who keeps only Shivaji Maharaj’s photo in his office, called him a model of just governance and a king devoted to public welfare.

Congress leader Shashi Tharoor, also at the event, reinforced Shivaji Maharaj’s secular legacy, noting his orders to treat captured Qurans with respect and his inclusive army of all castes and faiths. He lauded Shivaji Maharaj’s chivalry and lack of bigotry, while both leaders criticized historical distortions from Mughal and British times that branded him a “lootera” (bandit). The book, an English translation of Patil’s Marathi novel “Rankhaindal” by Nadeem Khan, aims to correct such narratives and showcase Shivaji Maharaj’s true character.

Published by Westland Books, the second volume of Patil’s series draws on deep research to depict Shivaji Maharaj’s life and battles. Gadkari and Tharoor praised Patil’s skill in blending history with fiction, noting the king’s varied portrayals from a Mughal villain to Tilak’s Hindu nationalist hero. With over 50,000 copies sold of the Marathi editions “Jhanjhawat” and “Rankhaindal,” the work continues to captivate readers.