Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj – 350th Coronation Anniversary

The National Gallery of Modern Art (NGMA) recently hosted an exhibition to mark the 350th anniversary of Shivaji’s coronation.

• Exhibition Announcement:

To commemorate the 350th anniversary of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s grand coronation, a significant event in India’s history, the NGMA hosted an exhibition titled “Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj: Celebration of the 350th Anniversary of the Great Coronation”.

The exhibition opens with a pivotal scene: a young Shivaji, barely fourteen, receiving the saffron flag from his father Shahaji.
This symbolic act signifies the birth of a dream, an independent Maratha kingdom, Swarajya.
The narrative then pans through a series of major military and naval events, highlighting Shivaji’s strategic genius, particularly his selection of Fort Raigad as his bastion.

The exhibition showcases larger-than-life, mesmerizing canvases from the collection of Deepak Gore, who has years of experience managing artist Jehangir Vazifdar’s gallery.
Witnessing the magnificence of European oil paintings, he envisioned creating a collection with a strong, locally-rooted narrative.
This vision brought the legend of Shivaji Maharaj to life on canvas.
These paintings depicting acts of benevolence and his defiance against European domination offer a glimpse into his multifaceted leadership.

Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj was a legendary Maratha ruler who established a powerful kingdom in the 17th century.

Born in 1630 at Shivneri Fort, Shivaji was the son of Jijabai (Mother) and Shahaji Bhonsle (Father) who was in service of the Bijapuri Sultanate.
In his teens, Shivaji began capturing strategic forts in the Deccan region, challenging the dominance of the Adilshahi Sultanate.
He employed innovative guerilla warfare tactics, focusing on mobility, surprise attacks, and leveraging the rugged Deccan terrain.
Shivaji established a strong navy to counter Mughal and Adilshahi control of maritime trade routes.

Shivaji led the Marathas in confronting Mughal dominance and asserting their authority in central India.
In 1674, Shivaji was crowned as Chhatrapati (emperor), formally establishing the Maratha Empire.
He focused on building a competent administration (Ashta Pradhan), establishing an efficient revenue system and creating a strong military.
Shivaji promoted social justice and religious tolerance, protecting peasants and various religious communities within his kingdom.