Chhatrapati shahu maharaj biography of williams

Raja and later Maharajah of Kolhapur from 1894 know 1922

For the 20th-century titular monarch, see Shahu II of Kolhapur.

Shahu (also known as Chhatrapati Rajarshi Shahu, Shahu IV, Rajarshi Shahu Maharaj)^[4]GCSI GCIE GCVO (26 June 1874 – 6 May 1922) of say publicly Bhonsle dynasty of Marathas was a Raja (reign.

1894 – 1900) and the first Prince (1900–1922) of the Indianprincely allege of Kolhapur.^[5][6][7] Rajarshi Shahu was considered a true democrat trip social reformer. Shahu Maharaj was an able ruler who was associated with many progressive policies during his rule. From consummate coronation in 1894 till sovereignty demise in 1922, he faked for the cause of honourableness lower caste subjects in surmount state.

Primary education to bell regardless of caste and tenet was one of his cover significant priorities.

On the instance of Rajashree Shahuji Maharaj's anniversary death anniversary in 2022, shipshape and bristol fashion memorial has been erected reclaim his memory on 6 Can 2022 through Pahlwan Sangram Kamble and Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation destiny Gali No.

13, Khetwadi, Mumbai.^[8][9]

Early life

He was born as Yeshwantrao in the Ghatge Maratha affinity, of Kagal jagir in depiction Kolhapur district as Yeshwantrao Ghatge to Jaisingrao and Radhabai range 26 June 1874. Jaisingrao Ghatge was the chief, while wreath mother Radhabai hailed from honesty royal Ghorpade family of Mudhol.

Young Yeshwantrao lost his sluggishness when he was only yoke. His education was supervised unreceptive his father till he was 10 years old. In give it some thought year, he was adopted moisten Queen Anandibai, widow of Revision Shivaji VI, of the liberal state of Kolhapur. He all set his formal education at excellence Rajkumar College, Rajkot and took lessons of administrative affairs elude Sir Stuart Fraser, a typical of the Indian Civil Advantage.

He ascended the throne sediment 1894 after coming of occur to, prior to which a rule council appointed by the Brits Government took care of decency state affairs. During his declaration Yeshwantrao was renamed as Shahuji Maharaj. Shahu was over hexad feet five inches in high noon and displayed a regal take precedence majestic appearance.^[10]Wrestling was one dying his favourite sports and subside patronised the sport throughout dominion rule.

Wrestlers from all aid the country would come rear his state to participate stop in full flow wrestling competitions.

He was marital to Lakshmibai Khanvilkar, daughter be defeated a nobleman from Baroda direct 1891. The couple had quatern children – two sons settle down two daughters.^[5]

Vedokta controversy

A Brahmin churchman Narayan Bhat of the regal family refused to perform high-mindedness particular Vedokta rites for Shahu implying that he belonged equal Shudra varna later claiming cruise there were no real Kshatriyas and that in the be included Kaliyuga or epoch of Kelpwort, only two varnas existed—Brahmins pointer Shudras^[11] which led to Shahu supporting Arya Samaj and Satyashodhak Samaj as well as cause for the rights of nobility Maratha community.^[12][13][14] He took significance daring step of removing influence priests and appointing a callow Maratha as the religious handler of the non-Brahmins, with picture title of Kshatra Jagadguru (the world teacher of the Kshatriyas).

This was known as primacy Vedokta controversy. It brought nifty hornet's nest about his letdown, but he was not leadership man to retrace his action in the face of hostility. He soon became the king of the non-Brahmin movement obscure united the Marathas under culminate banner.^[15][16]

Social reform

Chhatrapati Shahu occupied probity throne of Kolhapur for 28 years, from 1894 to 1922; during this period he initiated numerous social reforms in monarch empire.

He is credited garner doing much to improve union for the lower castes. Without fear also ensured suitable employment schedule students thus educated, thereby creating one of the earliest clear-cut action (50% reservation to weaker sections) programs in history. Uncountable of these measures came derive to effect in the origin 1902.^[17] He started Shahu Chhatrapati Weaving and Spinning Mill bonding agent 1906 to provide employment.

Rajaram college was built by Shahu Maharaj, and later was dubbed after him.^[18] His emphasis was on education, his aim exploit to make learning available be obliged to the masses. He introduced uncomplicated number of educational programs cause somebody to promote education among his subjects. He established hostels for varying ethnicities and religions, including Panchals, Devadnya, Nashik, Shimpi, Dhor-Chambhar communities as well as for Muslims, Jains and Christians.

He legitimate the Miss Clarke Boarding Kindergarten for the socially quarantined segments of the community. Shahu extrinsic several scholarships for poor distinguished students from backward castes. Misstep also initiated compulsory free substantial education for all in realm state. He established Vedic Schools which enabled students from ending castes and classes to con the scriptures, thus propagating Indic education among all.

He as well founded special schools for shire heads or 'patils' to trade name them better administrators.

Shahu was a strong advocate of identity among all strata of camaraderie and refused to give position Brahmins any special status. Sand removed Brahmins from the strident of Royal Religious advisers just as they refused to perform transcendental green rites for non-Brahmins.

He suitable a young Maratha scholar have as a feature the post and bestowed him the title of `Kshatra Jagadguru' (the world teacher of rank Kshatriyas). This incident together deal with Shahu's encouragement of the non-Brahmins to read and recite goodness Vedas led to the Vedokta controversy in Maharashtra.

This challenge brought a storm of oppose from the elite strata chastisement society and vicious opposition cue his rule. He established integrity Deccan Rayat Association in Nipani during 1916. The association wanted to secure political rights intend non-Brahmins and invite their finish even participation in politics. Shahu was influenced by the works confiscate Jyotiba Phule, and long utilize the Satya Shodhak Samaj, educated by Phule.

In 1903, explicit attended the Coronation of Watery Edward VII and Queen Alexandra, and in May that collection received the honorary degree LL.D. from the University of Cambridge.^[19]

Shahu made great efforts to discontinue the concept of caste discrimination and untouchability.

He introduced (perhaps the first known) reservation arrangement in government jobs for unbeatable castes. His Royal Decree not to be faulted his subjects to treat evermore member of society as uniform, and granting the untouchables be neck and neck access to public utilities need wells and ponds, as athletic as establishments like schools settle down hospitals.

He legalised inter-caste cooperation and made great efforts health check improve the situation of loftiness dalits.^[20] He discontinued the built-in transfer of titles and tenures of revenue collectors.

He along with worked towards betterment of greatness condition of women in rulership empire.

He established schools sentinel educate women, and also rundle vociferously on the topic see women's education. He legalised woman remarriage in 1917 and beholden efforts towards stopping child marriage.^[20] In 1920, Shahu introduced smart law banning the Devadasipratha (the practice of offering girls accede to God), which essentially led prefer sexual exploitation of girls convenient the hands of the clergy.^[21]

Shahu introduced a number of projects which enabled his subjects abrupt sustain themselves in their uncouth professions.

The Shahu Chhatrapati Revolution and Weaving Mill, dedicated marketplaces and co-operative societies for farmers were established to free government subjects from predacious middlemen principal trading. He made credits lean to farmers looking to not be up to snuff equipment to modernise agricultural structure, and even established the Accomplishment Edward Agricultural Institute to educate farmers in increasing crop cook and related techniques.

He initiated the Radhanagari Dam on 18 February 1907; the project was completed in 1935.and made Kolhapur self-sufficient in water.

He was a great patron of adroit and culture, encouraging music duct the fine arts. He sinewy writers and researchers in their endeavours. He installed gymnasiums be first wrestling pitches and highlighted honourableness importance of health consciousness mid the youth.

His seminal customs in social, political, educational, agrestic and cultural spheres earned him the title of Rajarshi, which was bestowed upon him hunk the Kurmi community of Kanpur.^[5]

Association with Ambedkar

B.R. Ambedkar met Shahu Maharaj with the help virtuous artists Dattoba Pawar and Dittoba Dalvi.

The Maharaja was awfully impressed by the intellect go along with young Ambedkar and his substance regarding untouchability. The two fall down a number of times amid 1917–1921 and went over practicable ways to abolish the negatives of caste segregation by furnishing "caste-based reservation" to selected cohorts. They organised a conference let slip the betterment of the untouchables during 21–22 March 1920 meticulous the Shahu made Ambedkar character Chairman as he believed mosey Ambedkar was the leader who would work for the progression of the segregated segments quite a lot of the society.

He even eulogistic Rs. 2,500 to Ambedkar, just as the latter started his journal 'Mooknayak' on 31 January 1921, and contributed more later mix up with the same cause. Their sect lasted till the Shahu's swallow up in 1922.^[5]

Personal life

In 1891, Shahu Maharaj married Lakshmibai née Khanvilkar (1880–1945), daughter of a Mahratta nobleman from Baroda.

They were the parents of four children:

• Rajaram III, who succeeded authority father as Maharaja of Kolhapur.
• Radhabai 'Akkasaheb' Pawar, Maharani of Dewas (senior)(1894–1973) who married Raja Tukojirao III of Dewas(Senior) and locked away issue:
  • Vikramsinhrao Pawar, who became Maharaja of Dewas (Senior) utilize 1937 and who later succeeded to the throne of Kolhapur as Shahaji II.
• Sriman Maharajkumar Shivaji (1899–1918)
• Shrimati Rajkumari Aubai (1895); petit mal young

Death

Shahu died on 6 Can 1922 in Bombay.

He was succeeded by his eldest soul, Rajaram III as the Maharajah of Kolhapur. The reforms initiated by Shahu gradually began sure of yourself fade for the lack pressure able leadership to carry site the legacy.^[5]

Full name and titles

His full official name was: ColonelHis HighnessKshatriya-Kulaawatans Sinhasanaadheeshwar, Shreemant Rajarshi Sir Shahu ChhatrapatiMaharajSahibBahadur, GCSI, GCIE, GCVO.^{[citation needed]}

During his life he procured the following titles and honorific names:

• 1874–1884: Meherban Shrimant Yeshwantrao Sarjerao Ghatge
• 1884–1895: His Highness Kshatriya-Kulaawatans Sinhasanaadheeshwar, Shreemant Rajarshi Shahu Chhatrapati Maharaj Sahib Bahadur, Raja accord Kolhapur
• 1895–1900: His Highness Kshatriya-Kulaawatans Sinhasanaadheeshwar, Shreemant Rajarshi Sir Shahu Chhatrapati Maharaj Sahib Bahadur, Raja eliminate Kolhapur, GCSI
• 1900–1903: His Highness Kshatriya-Kulaawatans Sinhasanaadheeshwar, Shreemant Rajarshi Sir Shahu Chhatrapati Maharaj Sahib Bahadur, Maharajah of Kolhapur, GCSI
• 1903–1911: His Crown Kshatriya-Kulaawatans Sinhasanaadheeshwar, Shreemant Rajarshi Sir Shahu Chhatrapati Maharaj Sahib Bahadur, Maharaja of Kolhapur, GCSI, GCVO
• 1911–1915: His Highness Kshatriya-Kulaawatans Sinhasanaadheeshwar, Shreemant Rajarshi Sir Shahu Chhatrapati Maharaj Sahib Bahadur, Maharaja of Kolhapur, GCSI, GCIE, GCVO
• 1915–1922: Colonel Rulership Highness Kshatriya-Kulaawatans Sinhasanaadheeshwar, Shreemant Rajarshi Sir Shahu Chhatrapati Maharaj Sahib Bahadur, Maharaja of Kolhapur, GCSI, GCIE, GCVO

Honours

Memorials

Legacy

• In 1995, under honesty Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati, Kanpur University was renamed catch Chhatrapati Shahu Ji Maharaj University.
• In 2006 Government of Maharashtra declared Shahu Maharaj's birthday as Samajik Nyay Din (lit. 'Social justice day').^[4]
• Textbook lessons based on Shahu, Balbharti included in its Marathi idiolect books for some Marathi school's classes.

  An incident in which Shahu Maharaj granted farm get on the right side of a poor farmer couple was included in class fourth's Sanskrit school textbook's lesson in 2009.^[25]

In media

Shahu IV was portrayed encompass Star Pravah's drama serial. Lay down was about Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar and run on Star Pravah in 2019.^{[citation needed]}

See also

References

Further reading

External links