Rajnath Singh: Maharana Pratap and Shivaji Are National Heroes, Not Aurangzeb

Last Updated Apr - 19 - 2025, 02:06 PM | Source : Fela News

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh says Maharana Pratap and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj symbolize true patriotism, criticizing the glorification of Aurangzeb and ur

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday said Maharana Pratap and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj are true national heroes, not Mughal emperor Aurangzeb. Speaking at the unveiling of a statue of Maharana Pratap in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Maharashtra, Singh said glorifying figures like Aurangzeb or Babur insults Indian Muslims. He emphasized that post-Independence, Left-leaning historians downplayed Rana Pratap and Shivaji while eulogizing Aurangzeb, whom Pandit Nehru had called a cruel bigot.

Maharana Pratap, Singh said, symbolized courage and unity, inspiring Shivaji Maharaj’s guerilla tactics. He added that both leaders were inclusive—Adivasis and Muslims were part of their armies. Hakim Khan Suri died fighting alongside Pratap, and Shivaji’s bodyguard was a Muslim named Madari. Singh rejected claims that Pratap or Shivaji were anti-Muslim.

He stressed the need to correct historical narratives and present these figures as ongoing sources of inspiration. Defending the renaming of Aurangabad to Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar and Aurangzeb Road to APJ Abdul Kalam Road, Singh said glorifying rulers like Babur or Aurangzeb won’t earn votes but only alienate Indian Muslims.