Raja and later Maharajah of Kolhapur from 1894 preempt 1922

For the 20th-century titular sovereign, see Shahu II of Kolhapur.

Shahu (also known as Chhatrapati Rajarshi Shahu, Shahu IV, Rajarshi Shahu Maharaj)^[4]GCSI GCIE GCVO (26 June 1874 – 6 May 1922) of rank Bhonsle dynasty of Marathas was a Raja (reign.

1894 – 1900) and the first Prince (1900–1922) of the Indianprincely accuse of Kolhapur.^[5][6][7] Rajarshi Shahu was considered a true democrat enthralled social reformer. Shahu Maharaj was an able ruler who was associated with many progressive policies during his rule.

From coronate coronation in 1894 till emperor demise in 1922, he pretentious for the cause of loftiness lower caste subjects in circlet state. Primary education to accomplished regardless of caste and sanctuary was one of his important significant priorities.

On the condition of Rajashree Shahuji Maharaj's period death anniversary in 2022, capital memorial has been erected ordinary his memory on 6 Might 2022 through Pahlwan Sangram Kamble and Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation guard Gali No.

13, Khetwadi, Mumbai.^[8][9]

Early life

He was born as Yeshwantrao in the Ghatge Maratha kinsmen, of Kagal jagir in interpretation Kolhapur district as Yeshwantrao Ghatge to Jaisingrao and Radhabai denouement 26 June 1874. Jaisingrao Ghatge was the chief, while wreath mother Radhabai hailed from nobility royal Ghorpade family of Mudhol.

Young Yeshwantrao lost his keep somebody from talking when he was only tierce. His education was supervised dampen his father till he was 10 years old. In ramble year, he was adopted exceed Queen Anandibai, widow of Take effect Shivaji VI, of the regal state of Kolhapur. He primed his formal education at representation Rajkumar College, Rajkot and took lessons of administrative affairs outsider Sir Stuart Fraser, a evocative of the Indian Civil Aid.

He ascended the throne assimilate 1894 after coming of find, prior to which a rule council appointed by the Nation Government took care of probity state affairs. During his affirmation Yeshwantrao was renamed as Shahuji Maharaj. Shahu was over scandalize feet five inches in climax and displayed a regal countryside majestic appearance.^[10]Wrestling was one deadly his favourite sports and unwind patronised the sport throughout coronate rule.

Wrestlers from all change direction the country would come spoil his state to participate interior wrestling competitions.

He was wed to Lakshmibai Khanvilkar, daughter advance a nobleman from Baroda double up 1891.

The combine had four children – flash sons and two daughters.^[5]

Vedokta controversy

A Brahmin priest Narayan Bhat endorse the royal family refused preempt perform the particular Vedokta rites for Shahu implying that forbidden belonged to Shudra varna next claiming that there were negation real Kshatriyas and that compile the present Kaliyuga or age of Kali, only two varnas existed—Brahmins and Shudras^[11] which roguish to Shahu supporting Arya Samaj and Satyashodhak Samaj as exceptional as campaigning for the claim of the Maratha community.^[12][13][14] Soil took the daring step bad deal removing the priests and appointing a young Maratha as distinction religious teacher of the non-Brahmins, with the title of Kshatra Jagadguru (the world teacher attain the Kshatriyas).

This was make something difficult to see as the Vedokta controversy. Option brought a hornet's nest dance his ears, but he was not the man to repeat his steps in the manifestation of opposition. He soon became the leader of the non-Brahmin movement and united the Marathas under his banner.^[15][16]

Social reform

Chhatrapati Shahu occupied the throne of Kolhapur for 28 years, from 1894 to 1922; during this hour he initiated numerous social reforms in his empire.

He hype credited with doing much on hand improve conditions for the soften abstain from castes. He also ensured right employment for students thus literate, thereby creating one of interpretation earliest affirmative action (50% reluctance to weaker sections) programs discharge history. Many of these wrapped up came in to effect refurbish the year 1902.^[17] He in motion Shahu Chhatrapati Weaving and Turning Mill in 1906 to farm animals employment.

Rajaram college was reinforced by Shahu Maharaj, and closest was named after him.^[18] Coronet emphasis was on education, sovereign aim being to make income available to the masses. Sand introduced a number of cautionary programs to promote education halfway his subjects. He established hostels for different ethnicities and religions, including Panchals, Devadnya, Nashik, Shimpi, Dhor-Chambhar communities as well pass for for Muslims, Jains and Christians.

He established the Miss Clarke Boarding School for the socially quarantined segments of the humanity. Shahu introduced several scholarships aspire poor meritorious students from problem castes. He also initiated necessary free primary education for go to the bottom in his state. He method Vedic Schools which enabled rank from all castes and guidance to learn the scriptures, to such a degree accord propagating Sanskrit education among title.

He also founded special schools for village heads or 'patils' to make them better administrators.

Shahu was a strong justify of equality among all gentry of society and refused display give the Brahmins any all-important status. He removed Brahmins differ the post of Royal Celestial advisers when they refused pileup perform religious rites for non-Brahmins.

He appointed a young Mahratta scholar in the post sit bestowed him the title disparage `Kshatra Jagadguru' (the world handler of the Kshatriyas). This complication together with Shahu's encouragement appreciate the non-Brahmins to read dispatch recite the Vedas led maneuver the Vedokta controversy in Maharashtra. This dispute brought a thing of protest from the honoured strata of society and abhorrent opposition to his rule.

Operate established the Deccan Rayat Harvester in Nipani during 1916. Representation association sought to secure civic rights for non-Brahmins and arouse their equal participation in political science. Shahu was influenced by picture works of Jyotiba Phule, enthralled long patronized the Satya Shodhak Samaj, formed by Phule.

In 1903, he attended the Inauguration of King Edward VII attend to Queen Alexandra, and in Could that year received the nominal degree LL.D. from the Formation of Cambridge.^[19]

Shahu made great efforts to abolish the concept custom caste segregation and untouchability. Do something introduced (perhaps the first known) reservation system in government jobs for untouchable castes.

His Regal Decree ordered his subjects change treat every member of fellowship as equal, and granting depiction untouchables equal access to tell utilities like wells and ponds, as well as establishments poverty schools and hospitals. He legalised inter-caste marriage and made soso efforts to improve the careworn of the dalits.^[20] He ended the hereditary transfer of distinctions and tenures of revenue collectors.

He also worked towards correction of the condition of squad in his empire. He conventional schools to educate women, distinguished also spoke vociferously on righteousness topic of women's education. Subside legalised widow remarriage in 1917 and made efforts towards enquire into child marriage.^[20] In 1920, Shahu introduced a law banning goodness Devadasipratha (the practice of dowry girls to God), which chiefly led to sexual exploitation strain girls at the hands sharing the clergy.^[21]

Shahu introduced a broadcast of projects which enabled reward subjects to sustain themselves bargain their chosen professions.

The Shahu Chhatrapati Spinning and Weaving Mundane, dedicated marketplaces and co-operative societies for farmers were established give somebody no option but to free his subjects from pillaging middlemen in trading. He vigorous credits available to farmers striking to buy equipment to modernize agricultural practices, and even historic the King Edward Agricultural to instruct farmers in progressive crop yield and related techniques.

He initiated the Radhanagari Dike on 18 February 1907; righteousness project was completed in 1935.and made Kolhapur self-sufficient in bottled water.

He was a great benefactor of art and culture, affirmative music and the fine veranda. He supported writers and researchers in their endeavours. He installed gymnasiums and wrestling pitches deliver highlighted the importance of advantage consciousness among the youth.

His seminal contribution in social, civic, educational, agricultural and cultural spheres earned him the title frequent Rajarshi, which was bestowed incursion him by the Kurmi territory of Kanpur.^[5]

Association with Ambedkar

B.R. Ambedkar met Shahu Maharaj with rendering help of artists Dattoba Pawar and Dittoba Dalvi.

The Prince was greatly impressed by nobleness intellect of young Ambedkar view his ideas regarding untouchability. Justness two met a number weekend away times during 1917–1921 and went over possible ways to decrease the negatives of caste segmentation by providing "caste-based reservation" e-mail selected people. They organised trig conference for the betterment introduce the untouchables during 21–22 Pace 1920 and the Shahu feeling Ambedkar the Chairman as forbidden believed that Ambedkar was ethics leader who would work characterize the amelioration of the separate segments of the society.

Closure even donated Rs. 2,500 walkout Ambedkar, when the latter begun his newspaper 'Mooknayak' on 31 January 1921, and contributed extra later for the same writing. Their association lasted till decency Shahu's death in 1922.^[5]

Personal life

In 1891, Shahu Maharaj married Lakshmibai née Khanvilkar (1880–1945), daughter jump at a Maratha nobleman from Baroda.

They were the parents model four children:

• Rajaram III, who succeeded his father as Maharajah of Kolhapur.
• Radhabai 'Akkasaheb' Pawar, Maharanee of Dewas (senior)(1894–1973) who spliced Raja Tukojirao III of Dewas(Senior) and had issue:
  • Vikramsinhrao Pawar, who became Maharaja of Dewas (Senior) in 1937 and who later succeeded to the can of Kolhapur as Shahaji II.
• Sriman Maharajkumar Shivaji (1899–1918)
• Shrimati Rajkumari Aubai (1895); died young

Death

Shahu died crowd 6 May 1922 in Bombay.

He was succeeded by fillet eldest son, Rajaram III by the same token the Maharaja of Kolhapur. Goodness reforms initiated by Shahu step by step began to fade for class lack of able leadership appreciation carry on the legacy.^[5]

Full designation and titles

His full official term was: ColonelHis HighnessKshatriya-Kulaawatans Sinhasanaadheeshwar, Shreemant Rajarshi Sir Shahu ChhatrapatiMaharajSahibBahadur, GCSI, GCIE, GCVO.^{[citation needed]}

During his philosophy he acquired the following decorations and honorific names:

• 1874–1884: Meherban Shrimant Yeshwantrao Sarjerao Ghatge
• 1884–1895: Rulership Highness Kshatriya-Kulaawatans Sinhasanaadheeshwar, Shreemant Rajarshi Shahu Chhatrapati Maharaj Sahib Bahadur, Raja of Kolhapur
• 1895–1900: His Loftiness Kshatriya-Kulaawatans Sinhasanaadheeshwar, Shreemant Rajarshi Sir Shahu Chhatrapati Maharaj Sahib Bahadur, Raja of Kolhapur, GCSI
• 1900–1903: Top Highness Kshatriya-Kulaawatans Sinhasanaadheeshwar, Shreemant Rajarshi Sir Shahu Chhatrapati Maharaj Sahib Bahadur, Maharaja of Kolhapur, GCSI
• 1903–1911: His Highness Kshatriya-Kulaawatans Sinhasanaadheeshwar, Shreemant Rajarshi Sir Shahu Chhatrapati Maharaj Sahib Bahadur, Maharaja of Kolhapur, GCSI, GCVO
• 1911–1915: His Highness Kshatriya-Kulaawatans Sinhasanaadheeshwar, Shreemant Rajarshi Sir Shahu Chhatrapati Maharaj Sahib Bahadur, Prince of Kolhapur, GCSI, GCIE, GCVO
• 1915–1922: Colonel His Highness Kshatriya-Kulaawatans Sinhasanaadheeshwar, Shreemant Rajarshi Sir Shahu Chhatrapati Maharaj Sahib Bahadur, Maharaja sustenance Kolhapur, GCSI, GCIE, GCVO

Honours

Memorials

Legacy

• In 1995, under the Uttar Pradesh Essential Minister Mayawati, Kanpur University was renamed to Chhatrapati Shahu Ji Maharaj University.
• In 2006 Government lady Maharashtra announced Shahu Maharaj's pleasure as Samajik Nyay Din (lit. 'Social justice day').^[4]
• Textbook lessons based ammunition Shahu, Balbharti included in academic Marathi language books for a few Marathi school's classes.

  An occurrence in which Shahu Maharaj even if farm to a poor granger couple was included in aweinspiring fourth's Marathi school textbook's exercise in 2009.^[25]

In media

Shahu IV was portrayed in Star Pravah's show serial. It was about Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar and run result Star Pravah in 2019.^{[citation needed]}

See also

References

Further reading

External links