Chhatrapati Shivaji

MX Player’s Chhatrasal, starring Jitin Gulati and Ashutosh Rana in the leading roles, tells the story of an unsung warrior king who fought Mughal emperor Aurangzeb for years to ensure Bundelkhand stayed free.

Even if the Portuguese, British or Dutch entered the country, he might not have risen arms against them, but then the Portuguese tried to dominate over the sovereignty of the Maratha empire.

The vision of Shivaji’s Swaraj would have been long lost in 1660, when General Siddhi Johar laid the siege of Panhalgad to capture the Maratha warrior. But the sacrifice of a barber, Shiva Kashid, foiled Johar’s attempt, saving Shivaji.

A grand monument of Chhatrapati Shivaji is all set to be built in the Arabian Sea. But in constructing a brand-new memorial, the monuments that the great ruler left behind – the forts of Maharashtra – should not be forgotten.