Rajarshi Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj

Rajarshi Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj was a king of public welfare. He was a social reformer who enacted laws for education, elimination of caste discrimination, reservation in jobs and emancipation of women. Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj was born on 26 June 1874. The Government of Maharashtra has declared June 26 as "Social Justice Day" since 2006. 

Rajarshi Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj

Against Caste Discrimination

Shahu Maharaj was convinced that thousands of years of bad ideas of people would not go away easily. They set up caste-wise hostels. His decision was criticized. He ignored the criticism of heterogeneous critics. Shahu Maharaj broke the monopoly of higher castes in education for the eradication of caste discrimination and untouchability. Not only he started education for the untouchables, but he also gave the untouchables a place of honour in his court.

In 1885, he was sent to Rajkot for education. At Rajkot, he studied for four years. After that, he returned to Kolhapur and went to Dharwad for his next education. While studying at Dharwad, Shahu Maharaj married Lakshmibai in April 1891. After completing his studies, on April 2, 1894, at the age of 20, Shahu Maharaj took over the reins of the Kolhapur Sansthan. 

Social work

King of Kolhapur Sansthan

The father of reservation, egalitarian Lok Raje Rajarshi Shahu Maharaj became the king of Kolhapur Sansthan when he was 20 years old. He was greatly influenced by the humanitarian work of Mahatma Jyotiba Phule. Therefore, after taking over the throne of Kolhapur Sansthan, he carried out social reforms. Opposing the upper caste monopoly on education, he made untiring efforts to enable the people of the society to get an education. Efforts were made to eradicate caste discrimination through education. For this, educational institutions were created. They were given government grants. Provided reserved seats in government jobs for the upliftment of Bahujan Samaj. Promoted women's education to free women from slavery. Created the necessary laws to eliminate injustice. Strictly enforced the law. 

Identified the importance of education

Contribution in education 

Bahujan Society will not be saved unless the Bahujan is educated. Recognizing that one of the main reasons for their backwardness was the lack of education in them, Shahu Maharaj decided to spread education in the Bahujan Samaj. 

In 1901, he founded Victoria Maratha Boarding for Maratha students. He established hostels for students of different castes in Kolhapur. 

In 1902, Rajarshi Shahu made a revolutionary decision to reserve fifty per cent of the government jobs in his state for the backward classes. 

In 1907, Shahu Maharaj opened a hostel called 'Miss Clark Boarding' in Kolhapur to facilitate the education of untouchable students. 

Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj died on 6 May 1922. Remembering him on this day for his extraordinary contribution to society & in education. Maharashta government also implemented rajashri shahu maharaj scholarship scheme for the economical backward students of Maratha. I salute to the legend Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj as he was the one who brings the educational institutions for poor people to get educated. Because one can only get the right path in life with the help of education.

Thank you !!!