Dear all pro Rs. 36000000000 statue people,
Considering you have decided to take a huge step in the name of Shivaji, it might be best to think if he would have approved of the Rs.3600 crore (budget so far) statue to honour him.
Shivaji was born when various sultanates were ruling in India with the Mughals being the most powerful. Inspite of his limited resources, opposition by his father, the existing malaise in the society, Shivaji charted a path which is remembered till now.
The erstwhile government and political parties wanting to draw mileage from this may want to draw a few lessons from Shivaji which might be beneficial in their governance:
- Help the Farmers : As Maharashtra is one of the most affected states with farmer suicides, it would do well to know that a lot of administrative reforms of Shivaji, were around addressing issues of farmers including making changes in the powerful but oppressive Watandari system and providing significant incentives for farming. [1] [2]
- Achieve Financial Discipline: While Maharashtra State Government has the highest debt of any state in India, it should remember that while Shivaji did not have economical resources of the Mughals, he still found the means to run a kingdom and unlike existing norms, paid all government officers directly from his treasury. [3]
- Work for the People & take them into Confidence: While the Maharashtra state government bypassed legal procedure and avoided conducting public hearings on the statue’s construction, Shivaji was known to establish direct contact with the people as well as direct contact with his administration. [4]
- Know Financial Prudence: As the Maharashtra government plans to spend lavishly in building the world’s tallest memorial, it would do well to remember that Shivaji was an ascetic and not an aesthetic, believing in extravagance to be a crime. [5]
- Focus on what is important: The Maharashtra government needs to know that Shivaji was not known to build ostentatious structures but practical forts, his army was known for its speed not its lavish processions, his soldiers were known to be “…less addicted to the soft vanities of music, clothing, pomp and stateliness…” [6]
It has been wonderfully said about remembering heroes that “…memorials are art forms and sculptures, not an exercise in grandiosity costing millions of dollars…..”.
If any political front wants to remember Shivaji, it would do well to learn & assimilate the positive aspects of Shivaji which are still relevant now — in governance, in crisis management and in connecting with the people. Here are some simple suggestions which the existing and future governments could start with:
- For students: Incorporate history better and in a more impartial manner in the state syllabus. There are lessons to be learnt right from Shivaji’s motivations & his ascent to the descent of the Maratha empire. We need to teach all sides of the story and not just the ones we think are good.
- For people: Disseminate the message of tolerance to people, There are lessons of tolerance to be learnt from Shivaji’s coronation (he had to undergo two coronations due to societal pressures), the way he treated his people (accepting Netaji Palkar back into his fold inspite of opposition), treatment of women in wars etc.
- For political leaders: Learn good governance & management. In a highly constrained environment and prevalent societal structures, Shivaji administered reforms (controlling Watandari, Jagirdari, changing conduct of soldiers in war etc.), compromised where required (Purandar Treaty) and looked to establish & strengthen his kingdom wherever possible (establishing forts, selection of people etc.)
Before proceeding with any step in the name of a leader like Shivaji, we would be showing the highest possible respect to him if the question “What would Shivaji do” is asked first. And he will definitely answer if we are listening
Thanks,
A Shivaji Admirer
References:
[1]: Sabhasad Chronicle
[2]: “Shivaji and His Times” by Sir Jadunath Sarkar: “…Shivaji wanted to sweep away the middle class of revenue farmers and come into direct relations with the cultivators. ‘The ryots were not subject to the authority of the zamindars, deshmukhs, and desais, who had no right to exercise the powers of a political superior (overlord) or harass the ryots.’…”
[3]: “ Shivaji His Life & Times” by Mehendale, Gajanan Bhaskar: “….In his Kingdom, every government servant, civil or military…was paid directly by the government…”
[4]: “Administrative System of the Marathas” : “…as the government officials had no knowledge of local conditions, they themselves should undertake, with the help of some responsible persons in each village, the survey of their own villages… — Anaji Datto, Revenue Minister”
[5]: “ Shivaji His Life & Times” by Mehendale, Gajanan Bhaskar: “…(Shivaji) used to say no sovereign who rules should excuse excesses….”
[6]: From the notes of Dr.Fryer referenced in books
