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Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) is set to launch a new center named after Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, emphasizing his strategic insights, governance, and the concept of "Akhand Bharat" (undivided India).
The initiative aims to delve into Shivaji Maharaj's leadership, governance, military strategies, and contributions to shaping an undivided India, offering insights relevant to contemporary geopolitical discussions. Speaking to ANI, JNU Vice-Chancellor Santishree D Pandit emphasized the need to shift from traditional Western, Anglo-American perspectives that dominate the study of India's security and strategic thought at JNU. "This has been a proposal that we wanted to bring in, aiming for a paradigm shift in Indian knowledge systems and offering alternative models to the study of India's security and strategic thought," Pandit said. She added that the center would also focus on Shivaji Maharaj's contributions in areas such as naval strategy, guerrilla warfare, and his concept of Hindavi Swaraj, which have often been overlooked. The center has received a significant funding boost from the Maharashtra government, which has contributed a corpus of INR 10 crore. This support is expected to aid in the center's initial activities and research projects. The collaboration includes three experts from the Maharashtra government with expertise in Maratha history, working alongside JNU faculty from the School of International Studies. JNU is planning to offer a series of specialized courses through the Shivaji Centre, including Indian Strategic Thought, Maratha Military History, Shivaji's Naval Strategy, India's Internal Security, India's Maritime History, Intelligence Studies, and Guerrilla Warfare, among others. These courses will initially be introduced at the master's level, with plans for PhD programs as the center expands. Pandit emphasized that the center aims to provide a space for scholarly exchanges and to promote a deeper understanding of India's strategic perspectives through the lens of Shivaji Maharaj's contributions. Pandit highlighted the importance of Shivaji Maharaj as a historical icon, particularly in Maharashtra, noting that the government's involvement reflects Shivaji's enduring legacy. She also mentioned that reassessing India's historical icons is vital for shaping new narratives in India's strategic thought, as the nation navigates a transformative period. The center is expected to commence its activities by the next semester. JNU is also planning to organize national seminars, publish research articles, and develop books based on its findings. The center intends to collaborate with archives in Maharashtra and other regions to gather primary and secondary sources for its research. The Vice-Chancellor noted that the Shivaji Centre would be a source of pride for India's heritage, bringing forth a reassessment of Shivaji Maharaj's role in India's history and the strategic lessons that remain relevant today. (ANI)
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