Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced that a memorial will be built at the site where Shivaji Maharaj was imprisoned in Agra Fort.
“The Maharashtra government has already announced the memorial,” he said.
Fadnavis said that Shivaji Maharaj’s 400th birth anniversary will be celebrated at Agra Fort in 2030 in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
“Lok Sabha elections will be held in 2029. Modi will return as Prime Minister and visit Agra Fort in 2030,” he claimed.
The Maharashtra CM was speaking at the 396th birth anniversary celebrations of Shivaji Maharaj at the fort here late last night.
He thanked Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath for deciding to acquire the site and expressed hope that both the Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra governments would work together to build the memorial when Shivaji Jayanti is celebrated here next year.
Fadnavis further stated that CBSE textbooks earlier devoted 17 pages to the Mughal Empire, whereas 20 pages are now dedicated to the empire of Shivaji Maharaj. He claimed that Mughal history will no longer be taught in the textbooks and that greater emphasis would now be placed on the history of the Marathas and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.
Besides Fadnavis, others present on the occasion included Union Minister CR Patil, Rajasthan Governor Hari Bhau Krishnarao Bagade, and Maharashtra’s Culture Minister.
Though the programme was scheduled for Thursday evening, the guests arrived late at night from Mumbai.
Higher Education Minister in the Uttar Pradesh government, Yogendra Upadhyay, was also present. A cultural programme was organised on the premises of Jahangir Mahal inside the fort.
Apart from this, a play based on the life of Shivaji Maharaj was also performed. The programme continued till late at night.
According to history, Mughal emperor Aurangzeb imprisoned Shivaji Maharaj at Agra Fort. He was later imprisoned in a cell away from the fort. Shivaji Maharaj is said to have escaped from captivity, demonstrating remarkable courage and valour.
To commemorate this episode, his birth anniversary is celebrated at the Agra Fort. This year marked the fourth time that Shivaji Maharaj’s birth anniversary was celebrated at the Fort.