Chhatrapati Shivaji - Importance of the Coronation.
Chhatrapati Shivaji , the abhishikta Raja.
Chhatrapati Shivaji , the abhishikta Raja.
By 1674, Chhatrapati Shivaji was the undisputed leader of 10000s of men, acres of land from Nashik to Kolhapur and had a whole team of efficient adminstrators.
But still there was a problem.
But still there was a problem.
Except for the remote villages where traditional laws held, the durbars of Delhi or Bijapur operated on Islamic Jurisprudence - the Quran and Hadith.
Obviously , Maharaj could not continue the practise.
Obviously , Maharaj could not continue the practise.
So what was the issue ? Start handing out laws according to Hindu scriptures.
Things were not so simple.
Hindu scriptures were clear that only an Abhishikta Raja could act as the law giver.
Things were not so simple.
Hindu scriptures were clear that only an Abhishikta Raja could act as the law giver.
The coronation was carried out in name of the God Indra. In fact , one ceremony involved being seated on a grass musnud representative of Indra's throne.
He was also representative of Shri Vishnu and carried a gold murti of his during the coronation.
He was also representative of Shri Vishnu and carried a gold murti of his during the coronation.
Then an " Abhishek" of the Raja was done, using panchamrut and water from the holy rivers (cultural oneness can be seen)
Very similar to Abhishek of murtis we carry out.
Very similar to Abhishek of murtis we carry out.
Thus the Abhishikta Raja could now preside over everyone, all castes including fellow Kshatriyas and Brahmins and deliver judgement without anyone doubting his authority.
There was also a view prevalent, especially in Maharashtra and South India, that all Kashtriya had become extinct and the world consisted of Shudras and Brahmins. This too was an impediment to the authority of Chhatrapati Shivaji.
But Gagabhatt, a Marathi Brahmin who grew up in Kashi, found this to be untrue.
Chhatrapati Shivaji's Kshatriya lineage was proven to be correct and Gagabhatt carried out the Coronation
Ref : Shivrajyabhishek Prayog.
Chhatrapati Shivaji's Kshatriya lineage was proven to be correct and Gagabhatt carried out the Coronation
Ref : Shivrajyabhishek Prayog.
Hindu ceremonies at the coronation
Ref : Coronation of Chhatrapati Shivaji by VS Bendrey.
The Islamic Courts had Muhtasibs and Qazis - there was no Hindu equivalent in Maharashtra.
Shivaji Maharaj created the post of Panditrao, the Chief Priest - a post mentioned in the Shukraniti.
Shivaji Maharaj created the post of Panditrao, the Chief Priest - a post mentioned in the Shukraniti.
The Panditrao was paid .. hold your breath .. 10,000 hon per year. That is 40k per annum at a time when 5 rupees was sufficient pay to run a house for a month.
🙏🙏
🙏🙏
When a Mughal ascended the throne, the Khutbah was read in his name from all the principal mosques.
Chhatrapati Shivaji put an end to this practise in his dominions.
Chhatrapati Shivaji put an end to this practise in his dominions.
There were many Rajas in the land, Raja this and Raja that accepting the Mughal as his overlord.
The coronation made Shivaji Maharaj the Chhatrapati, an independent and equal of the Adil Shah of Bijapur and the Mughal at Delhi.
The coronation made Shivaji Maharaj the Chhatrapati, an independent and equal of the Adil Shah of Bijapur and the Mughal at Delhi.
Through his coronation, Chhatrapati Shivaji derived the moral right to impose an entirely new system.
A new calender (Shiv Shak)
New currency (Shivrai)
And purification of the Persian court etiquette into Sanskrit / Marathi.
A new calender (Shiv Shak)
New currency (Shivrai)
And purification of the Persian court etiquette into Sanskrit / Marathi.
For a more detailed exposition of this topic , do read Coronation of Chhatrapati Shivaji by VS Bendrey (Shivrajyabhishek prayogah) - available on archive. org
Excerpt :
Excerpt :
