04-20-2006, 05:56 AM
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->Shivaji - The Cause for Hindu Freedom
Shivaji's mission was not parochial; he was no mere conqueror, or Maratha imperialist. His was the cause of Hindu freedom and Hindu civilization. According to the Adnapatra, the aim of Shivaji was that 'all people be free from trouble and should follow the path of Dharma.' In the traditional Hindu manner, he assumed the role of the Protector; the title of Chhatrapati (lit. lord of the umbrella), which he chose, was symbolic of this. He regenerated the Marathas...He rescued Dharma, established gods and Brahmins in their places.."
His real nature is better brought out by his submission to Ramdas and Tukaram, than by any of his political adventures. Though he fought, all through his life, against the imperial domination of the Mughals, he neither hated Islam nor the Muslims, as such; he employed several of them in important services.
Khwafi Khan, the contemporary Muslim historian, has testified with great candor that:
"He made it a rule that whenever his followers went plundering, they should do no harm to the mosques, the Book of God, or the women of any one. Whenever a copy of the sacred Quran came into his hands, he treated it with respect, gave it to one of his Mussalman followers. "
(source: Our Heritage and Its Significance - By Shripad Rama Sharma p. 138-139).
http://www.atributetohinduism.com/Glimpses_V.htm<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Shivaji's mission was not parochial; he was no mere conqueror, or Maratha imperialist. His was the cause of Hindu freedom and Hindu civilization. According to the Adnapatra, the aim of Shivaji was that 'all people be free from trouble and should follow the path of Dharma.' In the traditional Hindu manner, he assumed the role of the Protector; the title of Chhatrapati (lit. lord of the umbrella), which he chose, was symbolic of this. He regenerated the Marathas...He rescued Dharma, established gods and Brahmins in their places.."
His real nature is better brought out by his submission to Ramdas and Tukaram, than by any of his political adventures. Though he fought, all through his life, against the imperial domination of the Mughals, he neither hated Islam nor the Muslims, as such; he employed several of them in important services.
Khwafi Khan, the contemporary Muslim historian, has testified with great candor that:
"He made it a rule that whenever his followers went plundering, they should do no harm to the mosques, the Book of God, or the women of any one. Whenever a copy of the sacred Quran came into his hands, he treated it with respect, gave it to one of his Mussalman followers. "
(source: Our Heritage and Its Significance - By Shripad Rama Sharma p. 138-139).
http://www.atributetohinduism.com/Glimpses_V.htm<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->