Thread by @sanjeevsanyal

Shivaji is not just a "Maratha" icon but a pan-Indian symbol of resistance to foreign rule. Little known fact that 20th century Bengali revolutionaries fighting British occupation drew direct inspiration from him 1/n
#ShivajiJayanti

This is why Aurobindo & Barin Ghosh had originally planned to headquarter their movement in a Bhawani temple on the banks of the Narmada (secretly supported by the Gaekwars) 2/n

This plan was bypassed by the turn of events, particularly the division of Bengal & Swadeshi movement 1905. My limited purpose is counter the myth that Bengalis have traditionally been against Shivaji - this is utter nonsense. He is widely revered at the original rebel 3/n

Interestingly, before plans changed, Barin & Aurobindo had identified a site for their Bhawani temple at Chandod, on the banks of the Narmada, near temple town of Karnali, One wonders if anyone knows this area & what happened to the place 4/n

Several famous Bengali poets/writers were inspired by Shivaji. Here is one of the poems written by Rabindranath Tagore called "Shivaji Utsav" or Celebration of Shivaji (scroll down for English translation) 5/n:
…ikha-wordpress-com.cdn.ampproject.org/v/s/animikha.w…

Here is an imaginary conversation between Jai Singh & Shivaji (on early 20th century India) written by Sri Aurobindo. Shivaji ends by saying "I undermined an empire, and it has not been rebuilt. I created a nation, and it has not yet perished"
aurobindo.ru/workings/sa/37…