MUMBAI: A controversy has erupted after Jain monk Acharya Nayan Padmasagar claimed that Maratha queen Maharani Tarabai, the daughter-in-law of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and wife of Rajaram Maharaj, belonged to the Jain community.
Speaking at a Jain community event in Mumbai, Jain monk Acharya Padmasagar claimed that when Muhammad Ghori invaded India, a Jain queen of Mewar had taken up arms against him.
He further said that during the Mughal period, after the death of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, son of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, another Jain queen, Maharani Tarabai, emerged and fought against Mughal emperor Aurangzeb.
He also praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying India is truly free and independent under the leadership of Modi.
Historians and political leaders, however, termed the remarks as historically inaccurate and an attempt to distort Maratha history.
“This is an insult to these brave Maratha icons, and now they have made controversial remarks about Maharani Tatarai. It is also an attack on the aspiration of Maharashtra and its brave history. There is also a pattern to change the history of Maharashtra," said historian Indrajit Sawant.
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut said that with the blessing of the BJP, a Jain monk has started the conversion of big figures in his community. Raut said Tarabai was the daughter of Hambirao Mohite, and it is a historical fact, and that has no connection with the Jain community at all. Still, the Jain Monk, who is known for controversial remarks, makes another controversy. Why? And what are his intentions?
MNS leader Sandeep Deshpande said Maharani Tarabai was brave on the battlefield, while Jain has no history of even killing an ant. “A Jain monk should stick with the community and his community discourse only and not distort the Maratha history,” he said.
Who was Maharani Tarabai?
Maharani Tararani was the daughter of Humbirrao Mohite, the commander-in-chief of the Maratha empire, and belonged to the Mohite clan. She married Chhatrapati Rajaram I in 1682 at the age of eight, becoming the daughter-in-law of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.
After the deaths of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj and Rajaram Maharaj, Tararani led the Marathas in their fight against Aurangzeb for nearly 25 years.
Aurangzeb is believed to have expected an easy takeover of the Maratha empire after the death of Sambhaji, but Tarabai resisted fiercely and retained control over key forts.
Trained from a young age in archery, sword fighting and diplomacy, she had witnessed several battles against the Mughals. She later established the Kolhapur throne and emerged as a strong symbol of Maratha leadership and resistance. An able administrator, she also played a key role in guiding her son in effectively governing the state.