Pune, Apr 12 (UNI) Union Home Minister and senior BJP leader, Amit Shah, on Saturday heaped praise on Maratha warrior king Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, saying that he is an inspiration to the country and the world.

Speaking at the programme organised at Raigad fort in Raigad district of Maharashtra on occasion of 345th death anniversary of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, he said that Shivaji Mahraj dedicated his life for 'Swarajya' and 'Swadharma and worked for transforming Maharashtra, which was surrounded by Adilshahi and Nizamshahi, into Hindavi Swarajya.

He further said that at the time of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's birth, Maharashtra was immersed in darkness, as talking about Swadharma and Swarajya was considered a crime. But Shivaji took a pledge to establish Swarajya and to hoist the saffron flag.

"I have read biographies of many heroes till now. But I have not seen such courage in any of them," he noted.

He said that Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj did not have wealth, the past was not with him, he had no idea about the future. But he founded the Hindavi Swarajya and gradually ended the Mughal rule that had been going on for 100 years, he pointed.

After Shivaji Maharaj, his successors Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, Rajaram Maharaj, Tara Rani and other Maratha warriors fought against the Mughals and went as far as Tamil Nadu and Bengal carrying with them the saffron flag.

Shah also praised Rajmata Jijau for not only having given birth to Shivaji, but also planting the seed of Swarajya in young Shivaji.

"Let us resolve today that when 100 years of independence are completed, our country will be number one on all fronts," he added.

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