Pune, March 29, 2025 — On the solemn occasion of the death anniversary of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar visited the Vadu Budruk memorial site in Shirur, Pune, to pay his heartfelt respects and tribute to one of the bravest warrior kings of Indian history.
“Today, on the death anniversary of Swarajyarakshak Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, I visited the memorial site at Vadu Budruk in Shirur (Pune) and paid my respects and gratitude,” Pawar said during his visit.
Key Highlights:
Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, often referred to as Swarajyarakshak for his unwavering dedication to protecting the Maratha Swarajya (self-rule), was the eldest son of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, the legendary founder of the Maratha Empire. Born in 1657 at Purandar Fort, Sambhaji succeeded his father after a brief succession struggle and was crowned the second Chhatrapati in 1681 at Raigad Fort.
A Scholar-Warrior King
Fluent in Sanskrit, Marathi, Persian, and Hindi, Sambhaji Maharaj was not only a courageous military leader but also a scholar and author, penning notable works such as the Sanskrit book ‘Budhbhushan’. His reign was defined by a series of relentless battles, primarily against Emperor Aurangzeb’s Mughal forces, who were determined to crush the growing power of the Marathas.
Despite being constantly under siege, Sambhaji stood his ground, demonstrating extraordinary courage, intellect, and strategic warfare that significantly delayed Mughal expansion in the Deccan. His ultimate sacrifice for the Maratha cause has etched his legacy into the annals of Indian history.
Revival of Sambhaji’s Story on the Big Screen
In a bid to bring the story of this forgotten Maratha hero to a wider audience, the recently released Hindi historical action film ‘Chhaava’, directed by Laxman Utekar, has been garnering praise. The movie stars Vicky Kaushal as Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj and Akshaye Khanna as Emperor Aurangzeb, alongside Rashmika Mandanna and Divya Dutta.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, after attending a special screening for MLAs and MLCs, lauded the film’s portrayal of Sambhaji’s life.
“Those who wrote history did a lot of injustice to Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, but through this movie, his valour, bravery, cleverness, intelligence, knowledge—all these aspects are coming in front of the public,” Fadnavis remarked.
He added, “The way Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj protected Swarajya after Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj is nothing short of legendary. His sacrifice deserves to be known and remembered.”
An Enduring Legacy
The visit by Deputy CM Ajit Pawar and the cinematic tribute through ‘Chhaava’ serve as reminders of Sambhaji Maharaj’s resilience, intellect, and dedication to the Maratha cause. For centuries, his legacy was overshadowed in historical narratives, but recent efforts are reviving public memory of his contributions.
Pawar’s visit to the Vadu Budruk memorial is not just a ceremonial gesture but a powerful recognition of a warrior king who lived and died for his people. The groundswell of interest in Sambhaji’s life, reflected both in public tributes and cinematic storytelling, is helping instill pride and awareness about one of India’s greatest yet underrepresented heroes.
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