Mumbai: Shivaji Jayanti is an occasion to remember the legacy of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, who shaped Indian history with his valour and vision. However, in a fiery editorial, Shiv Sena UBT mouthpiece Saamana criticised certain fringe groups advocating for the destruction of Aurangzeb’s tomb, comparing it to the Babri Masjid demolition. The editorial argues that such demands distort history, insult Maharashtra’s warrior tradition and attempt to turn Hindutva into extremism.

According to Saamana, those calling for the tomb’s destruction are enemies of Maharashtra’s proud legacy. “They wish to poison the state’s atmosphere and present themselves as Hindu Taliban,” the editorial states, adding that such actions misrepresent Hindutva and disrespect the ideals of Shivaji Maharaj’s Hindavi Swarajya.

The editorial revisits history, stressing that Shivaji Maharaj and the Marathas fought against oppression for 25 years, ultimately ensuring that Aurangzeb met his end in Maharashtra, exhausted and defeated. The presence of Aurangzeb’s tomb in Maharashtra, it argues, is not a mark of Mughal dominance but a symbol of the Marathas’ resilience.

Historical Context & Legacy of Aurangzeb’s Tomb

Aurangzeb waged a long campaign to conquer the Deccan, arriving in Maharashtra in 1681 with an army of eight lakh. His ambition was to establish a 'second Delhi' in the region and crush the Marathas. He stayed in Maharashtra for 24 years, struggling to subdue the Marathas.

Despite his vast military resources, he failed. The editorial cites historical records describing his grand procession into Maharashtra, complete with European artillerymen, hill warriors and war elephants, only to be relentlessly resisted by Maratha forces.

Aurangzeb died in 1707 in what is now known as Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (Aurangabad), a broken man who could not achieve his goal of crushing the Maratha Empire. Saamana states that his tomb stands as a testament to his failure and the Marathas’ ultimate victory.

Calls For Political Action

The editorial strongly urges Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to put an end to what it calls 'shameful attempts' to use Shivaji Maharaj’s name for divisive politics. It warns against those trying to erase historical monuments for their own agendas. Instead of destruction, it advocates for understanding and preserving history.

The piece also recalls a historical anecdote involving PM Lad, a senior official in the Union Ministry of Information & Broadcasting during the Samyukta Maharashtra movement. When confronted by leaders questioning Maharashtra’s importance, he would tell them to visit Aurangzeb’s tomb in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar. The tomb, he believed, symbolised Maratha courage and the Mughal Empire’s downfall.

A Call For True Hindutva

While Saamana acknowledges Aurangzeb’s brutality, it argues that true Hindutva, as exemplified by Shivaji Maharaj, is about honour, tolerance and wisdom, not blind destruction. It calls for Maharashtra’s youth to learn real history instead of engaging in provocative acts that undermine the state’s glorious past.

The editorial concludes by stating that Aurangzeb’s tomb is not a sign of Mughal victory but a reminder of how Maharashtra outlasted and defeated one of the most powerful rulers in history. In a scathing attack against the Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis, the editorial ends with, "Chief Minister Fadnavis should shut down this shameful business running in the name of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj!"