Did Shivaji Have A Canine? Name To Take away Canine Memorial From Raigad Fort

Former Rajya Sabha member and a descendant of the Kolhapur royal household, Sambhajiraje Chhatrapati, has requested Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to take away the memorial of a canine from Raigad Fort.

The memorial, in-built Nineteen Twenties, was for “Waghya” which means “Tiger”. 

Legend has it that he was a combination breed canine of the Maratha emperor. When Shivaji died, the canine apparently jumped onto his funeral pyre and immolated himself.

The Archaeological Survey of India, nevertheless, maintained that there isn’t any documentary proof of such a canine, Sambhajiraje Chhatrapati has claimed. 

The previous MLA, in a letter to the Chief Minister dated March 22, has harassed that the canine’s memorial must be eliminated earlier than Might 31.

“Just a few many years in the past, a memorial of a canine named Waghya was erected close to that of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj on the Raigad Fort, his capital within the seventeenth century,” his letter learn.

“Nonetheless, there isn’t any documentary proof regarding Waghya, the identify of the pet canine of Shivaji Maharaj. As there isn’t any such proof, it’s an encroachment on the fort, which is legally preserved as a heritage construction,” he had added.

“It’s unlucky and demeans the legacy of the good Shivaji Maharaj,” stated the ex-MP.

A construction older than 100 years is protected as per ASI’s coverage. The canine’s commemorative construction must be eliminated earlier than it earns such a standing, Sambhajiraje added.