Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj: A 'Military Genius' and 'Symbol of Ethical Governance' in 'Shivaji: The Great Maratha' by Niranjan Bhagat

Abstract: The present research paper examines the representation of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj as a military genius and a symbol of ethical governance in Niranjan Bhagat’s long poem “Shivaji: The Great Maratha.” The study analyses how Bhagat poeticizes Shivaji Maharaj’s strategic brilliance, administrative foresight, and moral leadership to construct an idealized yet historically grounded image of the Maratha ruler. Through close textual reading, the paper explores Shivaji’s innovative warfare techniques, including guerrilla strategy, disciplined military organization, and adaptive leadership, which establish him as an exceptional military mind. Simultaneously, the poem foregrounds Shivaji’s commitment to justice, welfare of subjects, religious tolerance, and respect for women, presenting him as an ethical governor whose authority rests on moral legitimacy rather than coercion. The research situates the poem within the broader tradition of Indian English poetry that celebrates national heroes while interrogating the relationship between power and righteousness. By blending historical fact with poetic imagination, Bhagat elevates Shivaji Maharaj as a timeless model of leadership relevant to both colonial and postcolonial socio-political contexts. The paper argues that Shivaji: The Great Maratha not only commemorates a historical figure but also articulates a normative vision of leadership rooted in courage, integrity, and public accountability.