Who was Shivaji

by Govind Pansare

Shivaji had looted Surat on two occasions. The detailed accounts of both are well recorded. There are also records of the looting of the market at Junnar and other places. However, is there the tiniest of evidence that he demolished a single mosque? Or is there any evidence of him having constructed a temple in place of a mosque, which was supposed to have been built by demolishing a temple? Not at all. On the contrary, there are records that he donated money and land to mosques. Sabhasad’s Bakhar notes, “There were places of worship all over. Proper arrangement of their worship and care was made. He also looked after the arrangements in pirs and mosques.”