Shahu Maharaj also called the “Maharaja of the Maharajas” was the king of the princely state of Kolhapur during 1894-1922 in the times of Britishers. He was not only a king but also a great social worker and did commendable work towards the upliftment of the poor and Harijan society. He laid the foundation of a modern India by setting up a model of growth and modernity in Kolhapur which later became a roadmap for all other states.
Personal life
Shahu Maharaj was born in June 1874 in the Ghatge family of the place Kagal. He was named “Yashwant Rao” by his father Jaysingh Rao and mother Radha Bai. Soon after birth, at the age of three, he lost his mother and in 1884, was adopted by Anana Bai, the wife of the late king of Bhosle dynasty Shivaji Maharaj IV.
After this, he went to Dharwad for his education where he studied politics, world history, and English. He was very fond of wrestling from a very early age and then later during his reign, he established the famous Wrestling ground known as “Khasbag Maidan” which gave shelter to many great Indian wrestlers during the time. Even today a lot of people come to Kolhapur today to learn wrestling skills.
At the age of 17, he married Laxmibai, who was the daughter of a Maratha gentleman from Baroda. His wife was only 12 years old at the time of marriage. In 1894, he was ready to become the king of Kolhapur and was coronated at the age of 20.
Shahu Maharaj’s remarkable work
Shahu Maharaj was very ahead of his time when he took over as the king of Kolhapur. He laid the foundation of how modern India should look like by setting an example in Kolhapur. Even today, his reform actions and policies are used all across the country and his reign became a role model for all other princely states at that time. He was not only a king but also a social reformer who worked effortlessly towards the welfare of Harijans of the society and created an ecosystem of equality. Some of his remarkable work is mentioned below :
Starting of Reservation System: Shahu Ji Maharaj started the reservation model for the first time in the history of the country in 1902. The model gave 50% reservation to backward classes in government jobs. This model is still used as national law and is embedded in the constitution of India.
Free and compulsory primary education: Even after 75 years of independence, India is not able to raise the literacy rate even closer to a perfect 100 percent. Shahu Maharaj in those times made primary education free and compulsory for the people of Kolhapur. This shows the vision he had for Kolhapur and how he was well aware of what education could bring to the welfare and upliftment of society.
Starting Railways in Kolhapur: During his reign, the first train started from Miraj to Kolhapur in 1888.
Laws for castism: After the Vedokta case, Shahu Maharaj was sure that for giving the Harijans an equal society and eradicate casteism, it’s important to go by the law. He legislated laws against untouchability and inter-caste marriage in Kolhapur. He also demolished the slave labor practice prevalent in those times. He worked closely with Dr. Ambedkar to uplift the backward class in society and was very influenced by the revolutionary thoughts of Dr. Ambedkar.
Business Development: For creating jobs within Kolhapur, it was important to start new business opportunities in the state. In this direction, Shahu Maharaj started snipping mills with huge investments and also started the famous Jaggery market to support local jaggery makers of the state. It became a go-to place for people to buy jaggery made in Kolhapur.
Satyashodhak Andolan support: After Jyotibafule died, the Satyashodhak Andolan lacked his leadership and alignment and at this time, the Maharaj took over and gave the whole moment a direction, it needed at that point of time. He also started schools in Kolhapur named after the movement called “Satyashodhak School”.
Infrastructure Development: Shahu Maharaj built the first “Radhanagri Dam” in Kolhapur which was made of soil. He also rebuilt the Ranakara lake and created a tourism spot out of this. Along with this, he established the famous wrestling ground in Kolhapur state called “Khasbag Kushti Maidan”.
Ban on cow slaughter: Since cow slaughter was a sentimental spot for the Hindu community and was always a bone of contention amongst different communities in the state, Shahu Maharaj in 1901 started a ban on cow slaughter in the state.
Shahu Maharaj’s awards and honors
For the remarkable work done by Shahu Maharaj, he was awarded many awards and honors during his reign. Some of the most significant one’s are listed below :
- The L.L.D degree by Cambridge University in 1902.
- The ‘Maharaja’ title by Queen Victoria in 1900.
- The CGSI (Knight Grand Commander) by Queen Victoria in 1895.
- The ‘Rajashree’ title by Kshatriya Parishad in Kanpur in 1919.
Shahu Maharaj’s Death
The last days of Shahu Maharaj’s life were full of grief as he lost his son Shivaji in an accident which affected his health badly and his diabetics went out of control. Due to this bad health, he could not survive and died in Mumbai on May 6, 1922, post a cardiac arrest at the age of 48. It was a dark day in the history of Kolhapur and an era of reforms and growth ended.