Statue of Shivaji Maharaj at Sindhudurg

• 12 May 2025

Why in News? 

On 11 May 2025, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis unveiled a statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj at the Rajkot Fort in Sindhudurg. 

 

Key Points 

• About the Statue: 
  • The statue stands 91 feet tall, including a 10-foot pedestrian base, making it the tallest statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in India. 
  • According to the Chief Minister, the grand statue will inspire future generations and boost tourism by spurring development in the Sindhudurg region. 
  • The Maharashtra Public Works Department constructed the statue at a cost of Rs 31.75 crore. 
  • Renowned sculptor Ram Sutar’s company executed the project. 
    • Engineers used stainless steel framework, M50 grade concrete, and stainless steel bars to build the structure. 
  • The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Mumbai verified the statue’s concept and design for structural safety and durability. 
• About Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj: 
  • Born on 19th February 1630, at Shivneri Fort, Pune was a visionary leader from the Bhonsle clan and the founder of the Maratha Empire, known for resisting the Mughal Empire and striving for self-rule.  
    • Major Battles: Battle of Pratapgad, Battle of Pavan Khind, Sacking of Surat, Battle of Purandar, Battle of Sinhagad, and Battle of Sangamner.  
      • The Wagh nakh, was used by Shivaji to kill Afzal Khan in the 1659 Battle of Pratapgad.  
    • Titles: Chhatrapati, Shakakarta, Kshatriya Kulavantas, and Haindava Dharmodhhaarak.  
    • Administration: Centralized administration with the Ashtapradhan (Council of Eight Ministers), abolished the Jagirdari System, implemented the Ryotwari System, and built a strong naval force for coastal defense.  
  • Shivaji is renowned for his innovative guerrilla warfare tactics, which influenced subsequent rulers and shaped the Maratha Military Landscapes. 

 Rajkot Fort 

 

• Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj constructed Rajkot Fort between 1664 and 1667 in Malvan, Maharashtra, as part of his coastal defence strategy. 
• The fort functioned as a vital military outpost for protecting coastal trade routes and was integrated into the broader Sindhudurg Fort complex. 
• Positioned near the Arabian Sea, the fort's robust walls and strategic coastal location reflect the region’s rich maritime heritage and naval foresight under Shivaji’s rule. 
• In 1766, the British entered into a treaty with the Chhatrapati of Karveer (a branch of the Maratha royal family). 
  • As part of this engagement, the British sought permission to establish a shipbuilding yard at Rajkot, highlighting the fort's continued strategic value even in the colonial era.