Shahu of Kolhapur
Shahu (also known as Chhatrapati Rajashree Shahu, Shahu IV, Rajashree Shahu Maharaj)[4] GCSI GCIE GCVO (26 June 1874 – 6 May 1922) of the Bhonsle dynasty of Marathas was a Raja (reign. 1894 – 1900) and the first Maharaja (1900–1922) of the Indian princely state of Kolhapur.[5][6][7] Rajarshi Shahu was considered a true democrat and social reformer. Shahu Maharaj was an able ruler who was associated with many progressive policies during his rule. From his coronation in 1894 till his demise in 1922, he worked for the cause of the lower caste subjects in his state. Primary education to all regardless of caste and creed was one of his most significant priorities.
For the 20th-century titular ruler, see Shahu II of Kolhapur.Shahu
1894–1922
1894
Yashwantrao Ghatge[1]
26 June 1874
Kagal, Kolhapur State, British India,
(Present-day Kagal, Kolhapur district, Maharashtra, India) [2]
6 May 1922 (aged 47)
Bombay, Bombay Presidency, British India
(Now Mumbai)
Maratha
Jaisingrao (Aabasaheb) Ghatge
Radhabai
Vedokta controversy[edit]
A Brahmin priest Narayan Bhat of the royal family refused to perform the particular Vedokta rites for Shahu implying that he belonged to Shudra varna later claiming that there were no real Kshatriyas and that in the present Kaliyuga or epoch of Kali, only two varnas existed—Brahmins and Shudras[11] which led to Shahu supporting Arya Samaj and Satyashodhak Samaj as well as campaigning for the rights of the Maratha community.[12][13][14] He took the daring step of removing the priests and appointing a young Maratha as the religious teacher of the non-Brahmins, with the title of Kshatra Jagadguru (the world teacher of the Kshatriyas). This was known as the Vedokta controversy. It brought a hornet's nest about his ears, but he was not the man to retrace his steps in the face of opposition. He soon became the leader of the non-Brahmin movement and united the Marathas under his banner.[15][16]
Association with Ambedkar[edit]
B.R. Ambedkar met Shahu Maharaj with the help of artists Dattoba Pawar and Dittoba Dalvi. The Maharaja was greatly impressed by the intellect of young Ambedkar his ideas regarding untouchability. The two met a number of times during 1917–1921 and went over possible ways to abolish the negatives of caste segregation by providing "caste-based reservation" to selected people. They organised a conference for the betterment of the untouchables during 21–22 March 1920 and the Shahu made Ambedkar the Chairman as he believed that Ambedkar was the leader who would work for the amelioration of the segregated segments of the society. He even donated Rs. 2,500 to Ambedkar, when the latter started his newspaper 'Mooknayak' on 31 January 1921, and contributed more later for the same cause. Their association lasted till the Shahu's death in 1922.[5]
Death[edit]
Shahu died on 6 May 1922 in Bombay. He was succeeded by his eldest son, Rajaram III as the Maharaja of Kolhapur. The reforms initiated by Shahu gradually began to fade for the lack of able leadership to carry on the legacy.[5]