Inner Metamorphosis

On this occasion of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Jayanti, celebrated today, February 19, let us reflect on the enduring legacy of an empire-builder who rose against formidable odds to forge a sovereign Hindu state after centuries of foreign subjugation.  Renowned historian Sir Jadunath Sarkar, in his seminal work Shivaji and His Times (first published in 1919), captured the profound significance of Shivaji's achievements in these stirring words: "Before his rise, the Maratha race was scattered like atoms through many Deccani kingdoms. He welded them into a mighty nation. And he achieved this in the teeth of the opposition of four great Powers like the Mughal empire, Bijapur, Portuguese India, and the Abyssinians of Janjira. No other mediaeval Hindu has shown such capacity. Before he came, the Marathas were mere hirelings, mere servants of aliens. They served the State, but had no part in its management; they shed their life-blood in the army, but were denied any share in the ...