After the #AgrimaJoshua incident, most of my #NorthIndian friends (some are left-leaning) mocked me for criticising her & asked me what’s the big deal in addressing him as ‘Shivaji’.

This #Thread is for all of them who don’t know much about #ChhatrapatiShivajiMaharaj.

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Around 230 BCE, #Maharashtra came under the rule of the #Satvahana dynasty for 400 years.

It was also ruled by the Western Satraps, the #Guptas, Gurjaras-Pratiharas, Vatakas, Kadambas, Chalukyas, #Rashtrakutas and the Western #Chalukyas before finally, the #Yadava Rule.

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In short, #Maharashtra was ruled by #Hindu Kings.

Unfortunately, in the early 14th century, the Yadava Dynasty was overthrown by the Islamic Invader #AlauddinKhilji, who was then, the Sultan of #Delhi. This marked the beginning of #Islamic Rule in Maharashtra.

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Later, #Muhammad-bin-Tughlaq temporarily shifted his capital from #Delhi to Daulatabad. After the fall of the #Tughlaqs in 1347 CE, the breakaway #Bahmani Sultanate governed the region for the next 150 years.

After the break-up of the Bahamani Sultanate in 1518 CE,...

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... #Maharashtra region was split into 5 Deccan Sultanates: #Nizamshahs of Ahmednagar, #Adilshah of Bijapur, Qutubshah of Golkonda, Bidarshah of Bidar and Imadshah of Elichpur.

These were eventually absorbed by the #MughalEmpire.

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These 350 years of #IslamicRule in #Maharashtra, saw atrocities such as imposition of #Jiziya tax on #Hindus, destruction of innumerable temples, forcible conversions, rapes of #Hindu Women, mass murders of Hindus and what not.

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#Hindus had submitted to this Islamic rule. Many even started working for these Sultanates in order to remain alive. Everyone had lost hope.

Finally, a ray of hope appeared in the form of Chhatrapati #ShivajiMaharaj.

Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s mother and Guru...

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... #RajmataJijau was deeply religious. She made him study Hindu epics, the #Ramayana & the #Mahabharata, which influenced his lifelong defence of Hindu values.

Influenced by this, #ChhatrapatiShivajiMaharaj founded the #MarathaEmpire to establish the ‘ #HindaviSwarajya’.

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Now just imagine: What would’ve happened ‘IF’ #Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj wouldn’t have existed?

Even though this is a hypothetical question, it terrifies me to even imagine its horrors.

1. First of all, the #MarathaEmpire would not have come into existence...

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...This would’ve made it easy for the #Mughals to conquer the entire Indian sub-continent.

2. Mughal rule over the entire #Indian sub-continent would’ve lead to destruction of temples, more number of forcible conversions, rapes and killing of millions of #Hindus.

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3. It would’ve stopped the advent of the #Europeans (including the #British). Mughal stronghold of the #Indian sub-continent would’ve made it difficult for them to colonise #India.

4. It wouldn’t be an exaggeration but India would’ve still been under the #MughalRule.

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Can you imagine #India as an #IslamicState? I am sure I cannot.

Not just did Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj save us from all these horrors, he also taught us several values like religious tolerance, equality, justice, etc.

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And this is the reason he is called as ‘ #HaindavDharmodhaarak’ or the ‘Defender of the Faith’.

He was the first to understand the importance of a Naval Force. #ChhatrapatiShivajiMaharaj is known as the ‘Father of #IndianNavy’.

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He influenced several freedom fighters whose contributions got us independence from the #British.

So, the next time you think of making a derogatory remark against him, think about all this. I am sure, your self-conscience will stop you.

🚩 #JaiShivajiJaiBhavani 🚩

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