Shahu Maharaj

 Shahu Maharaj reminded people how the cunning Brahmins had refused Vedokta in the coronation ceremony of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaja, the founder of the Maratha empire; and how he had to ‘import’ Gaga Bhatta, a Brahmin scholar from Varanasi for his ceremony. Shahu Maharaj used this opportunity to reject Brahminical supremacy for Marathas and other non-Brahmin Hindus. Rejecting the religious authority of Shankaracharya himself, he went on to appoint a young learned Maratha as a new authority which he called ‘Kshatra Jagadguru’ for non-Brahmins.

Shahu Maharaj vs Lokmanya Tilak

The Vedokta controversy created a wide rift between Shahu Maharaj and Lokmanya Tilak. Tilak known for his orthodoxy sided with Brahmins and wrote against Shahu Maharaj unrelentingly through his newspaper “Kesari”. Tilak’s followers had formed an overtly social club called “Shivaji Club” in  Kolhapur earlier in 1895. Initially, it was meant for a national movement of freedom. But later when Shahu Maharaj was seen promoting non-Brahmin education and their overall welfare, “Shivaji Club” rallied behind Brahmins. It worked to defeat the schemes of Shahu Maharaj and tarnish his image as being anti-religion.

In the initial years, Shahu Maharaj had supported the activities of this ‘Shivaji Club’ as it used the name of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and had also initiated the celebration of his birth anniversary as a major festival. But he snapped his support when he noticed that the Club activities were used to gain the support of non-Brahmins in the name of a national movement but actually working against the interests of Bahujans. “Shivaji Club” of Tilak was completely exposed by Shahu Maharaj.

 Tilak used every opportunity to confront Shahu Maharaj. Tilak would challenge the decisions of Shahu Maharaj in the courts, even before the Privy Council. Shahu Maharaj was staunchly in favor of non-Brahmin depressed masses and Tilak for Brahminical supremacy while also claiming to be fighting for Swaraj.

Brahminical newspapers created an image of Tilak as pious, principled, truthful, nationalist, freedom fighter, etc. whereas Shahu Maharaj was branded as evil, unscrupulous, irreligious, British-stooge. Shahu Maharaj was not against all Brahmins but only against the Brahminical supremacy which had brought misfortune on the nation. The liberal Brahmin leaders like Gokhale, Ranade and Agarkar knew this distinction. These leaders supported Shahu Maharaj.

Tilak contrived to defame Shahu Maharaj as a British stooge. Shahu Maharaj had close coordination with the Governor of Mumbai, Lord Willingdon. Both shared their views on a variety of issues of people’s welfare. Their correspondence naturally touched upon the current political, social, and religious developments. It also discussed the role of various political leaders. Mr. Tilak being prominent among all, also figured in their correspondence.

Since the political agent of the British was dragged into the Vedokta controversy by Tilak’s followers, Shahu Maharaj also shared his views about Tilak’s role and its adverse impact on overcoming the monopoly of a particular caste.

 The common thread of their discussion was that the belligerence of established castes will have to be brought into check to promote the welfare of the masses.

Someone from Tilak’s camp stole that correspondence from Shahu Maharaj. Tilak ran a series of articles titled “Our Chhatrapati, the Enemy of Swaraj” under the name of his close confidante N. C. Kelkar in 1922. Tilak’s smearing campaign to depict Shahu Maharaj as a toy in the hands of the British was successful for a while. Tilak was revengeful against Shahu Maharaj only because he did not accept caste supremacy and worked for the upliftment of all his subjects.

Shahu Maharaj had a great connection with his common subjects. He was an unassuming, pro-active king. It is well-known fact that he himself reached out to Dr. B.R. Ambedkar when he came to know about his high education from America.

He went unannounced to a tiny chawl in Poyabawadi, Parel, Mumbai where Ambedkar lived in room number 50 on the second floor. Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj shouted from below the building calling ‘Ambedkar, Oh Ambedkar’.

The revolutionary king had met the king of revolution. And, the rest is history